Running Journal Day 21-22

Yesterday was a great day. I forgot my gloves, but once I start running my hands warm up, so it's not so bad. I have also misplaced my stop watch. I knew where it was on Wednesday, but yesterday when I went to grab it...it wasn't there. I have no idea where it has gone. I figured my Mom put it somewhere to get it off the counter, but she didn't know either. I couldn't find my regular watch so I decided to use my phone. In a way this is good because I cannot see the seconds passing by, so I just run until I think it has been two minutes, or my body says "ENOUGH" and then pull my phone out of my pocket to check the time. Sometimes I've only run for about a minute (uphill with too much exertion), but sometimes I surprise myself and go for 2.5 or 3 minutes (since I cannot see the seconds I don't know for sure).
Yesterday all my runs were at least 2 minutes long. My goal right now is to keep the runs around 2 minutes and decrease my walking time by a minute. Gloria says that the optimum cycle is walk 2 minutes run 8. Yikes! I have a ways to go.
Today, most of my runs were about two minutes, but I did start out too hard up an incline and quickly ran out of steam. That one lasted only a minute. I had the intention of walking for 30 sec. and then running another minute or so, but my "machine" said "NO", so I walked a bit longer and ran the last 3 minutes home.
My ankles are still trying to cramp on me, even with stretching before I go out. I must tense them or something. I have to consciously tell myself to use my thighs more and relax those lower muscles. It works most of the time, but if not I stop to stretch a bit more (which my dog appreciates). =0)
Today, the lyrics "I can't do this...i cant do this...I can't do this on my own" kept running through my head. How true that is. Perhaps I need to invest in an MP3 player. I do enjoy listening to the sound of the wind though, so maybe I won't. We shall see.
Lesson I learned today...thanks to my coach Gloria...if you don't eat enough carbs and drink enough water the day before, you will not have as much energy to run the next day. I can testify to that. That translates spiritually too. If you are not "eating" Christ's body and "drinking" His blood you will not have enough energy to fight the battles before you. Thanks Coach.
Time to get ready for work.
eryn

Field Trip

We had a photo field trip today. What fun. God was gracious to honor our request for no rain (at least for two hours that morning). At one point I was taking pictures of the reflection of the Capital in the lake and I saw water droplets from above making rings in the water, so I looked up thinking it was a bird just taking off out of the water, but there was no bird. You could see the rain cloud progressing toward us, and I just said, "Lord, I asked for 2 hours without rain," and do you know the rain stopped almost immediately!!! Wow!! What an AWESOME GOD we serve. He truly does honor the prayers of His people. Thanks God (in case I forgot to mention it).
Anyway, here's a couple of my favorite shots from yesterday. A lot of the pictures I took were just to learn what happens if you do this with the appeture and that to the shutter speed, etc. I thought these turned out pretty well. Enjoy. ps ~ to view them larger, just click on the photo.

Running Journal ~ Day 18

I was supposed to walk 5/run 4 minutes today, but after work I had to go pick up my Mom at the train station so today is a holiday. If I had a treadmill I could have done it after dinner, but there is no place to put a treadmill around here; so..., se la vie...what will be will be. =0) I will be sure to go out tomorrow though (rain or shine). I don't know about running 4 minutes, since I haven't made it 3 yet. Close on Sunday. I ran 2.5 minutes without incident the first cycle, but after that my Mexican food started talking to me as well as my cramping leg muscles again and I listened. I learned that I really need to stretch BEFORE I go out. It helps to stretch once you are underway, but if you do it before it seems to prevent the cramps. More tomorrow. I must go post my homework picture to our class blog.

Homework assignment #2

Simplicity, Subject placement, and perspective

Running Journal ~ Day 14 & 15

Dateline Thursday: I was supposed to increase my jogging time to 3 minutes today. I didn't quite make it. Neither I nor my running partner Jazz (the dog) was prepared to go for an extra minute. The program I'm using said I could take short 15=30 second walking breaks if I didn't think I could do the full time, but even with those my body rebelled against me. So, I guess I will stay at 2 minutes for another day or so.

Today, I do not have time to go out before work and it will be dark when I get home, so I declare today a rest day. My body is weary anyway from a couple of late nights and early mornings. I have to quit doing that.

I now have 15 minutes before heading off to work. Perhaps I can sneak in another chapter in Numbers. I'm so far behind this week. Thankfully chapter seven I could skim read last night because the writer sums it all up at the end of the chapter. =0)

Later.

Running Journal ~ Day 13

I MADE IT!!! Two minutes without stoping!! WOOHOO!!
Today was supposed to be a rest day, but since I rested on Sunday AND Monday I just transfered one of those days to today. I forgot to stretch before I went out (in too much of a hurry I guess) and my ankle started cramping again, so a little stretching on the way helped with that. Application ~ proper planning prevents poor performance; or perhaps follow the maintenance program so you don't have to make unplanned stops along the way. Keep the fluids fresh and topped off (two glasses of water before venturing out instead on one and a half) and check your operating systems regularly and you'll have a happy, hiccup-free run. Sounds like a car! =0)
I take my puppy dog out with me because he needs the exercise too. Today I thought I was going to have to come back and get him. About the 23 min mark, we'd just finished out 3rd run period and he decided he'd had enough. He just stopped in the middle of the road and looked at me...panting, with a look in his eyes of "no more PLEASE!!! I just need a minute to breathe!" Thankfully he recovered quickly when he spotted a bunny rabbt. Miraculously, he had a surge of energy and the chase was on. That bunny would have been toast had he not been on a leash. However all that energy seemed to mysteriously vanish when the last 2 minute run time came. I practically dragged him all the way home. He was very happy to see the house--NO MORE RUNNING!! YEA!!!
Well, if I'm going to get my chores done and a run in before work tomorrow, I better turn in.
Shalom people.
eryn

Running Journal ~ Day 12

Good day for a run. Not too hot, not too cold. Lessons I learned today...if you want to avoid cramps in your belly ~ stay well hydrated!!! Also, I think one should not increase from running one minute to running two minutes when one has taken 3 days off from the task. Saturday was a "rest" day or cross train day, so I "cross-trained" in my karate class that day. Then Sunday and Monday were so full that I did not have time to go out (much to my dogs disappointment). Had I gone to bed before midnight Saturday night, I would have been able to get up and go out before church on Sunday, but my pillow won that fight. =0) I never did quite make it a full two minutes today, but came close several times. Tomorrow is a new day though. I think I will make it then. Thankfully, I had no cramping in my left ankle today. Perhaps stretching a little before going out was the key to solving that problem?
Well, off to bed I go.
Another adventure awaits tomorrow.
eryn

Running Journal ~ Day 8

What a beautiful day for a run/walk. A bit nippy though. I cut my walk short today for two reasons. #1 ~ not enough time to do all the things i need to do before work today. #2 ~ My muscles in my left ankle were cramping again!! Somehow I have to figure out how to stop that. I can be painful, but mostly it just makes walking a bit trickier.
Well, I need to scarf down my lunch and change my clothes if I'm going to get to work on time.
See ya.

'Twas a foggy night in Laceytown

Just an interesting photo I thougt I would share with you all.

Running Journal ~ Day 7

Today is day 7 of my pre-marathon training. I have learned 2 things today. First of all, I have learned that you should not wear coarse socks when power walking/running for 30 minutes. Because I did not heed my own advice I now have a blister forming on the inside of my right heel! Hopefully, it will not be a problem for tomorrow's venture. Secondly, I have learned that I do not get the concept of running without bouncing. I think I will have to study more with Gloria on that one. I will say that I diligently tried today to "glide", but my body started laughing at me (perhaps that was only my brain). Consequently, I ended up bouncing for most of the 1 minute runs this morning. Se la vie! Perhaps tomorrow I will have more success in that area. If I think like karate (the ceiling is only as tall as your lowest stance) then perhaps I will get it; or I will hit my head a lot! =0)

Toodaloo for now.

Homework assignment #1

Okay, here is my first assignment photo pick. The assignment was to take a picture that tells something about yourself. I hope this says "I love to teach Karate Kids!" Joe is "Mr. Smiley." Even when he's tired he keeps on smiling. More photos to come as the weeks progress. Enjoy.

Marathon Training Day ONE

So I am running half a marathon in October!!! Official practice starts in June, but there is no way I will survive a 4 mile run/walk, so I decided to start now with an easier pace. Tuesday, I went to South Sound Running (with my marathon experienced friend Gloria) and got a great pair of shoes. Thursday I decided to take them for a "test drive" with a half hour walk around my neighborhood. The right one rubs a bit on my heel, but I figure that will go away, either with a callous or as the shoes break in. Anyway, now comes the hard part...perseverance! Especially if it's raining. Pray for me to have the motivation and self-discipline to keep going. I'm doing it to raise funds for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society in honor of my Dad. That's motivation enough, except when I forget ~ IT'S NOT ABOUT ME!!!
Hope you are all having a great day. I'll keep you posted on my progress.
eryn

First Foto Class

So I started a 6 week digital photography class tonight.

I'll post my weekly assignments here as I complete them.

Hope you all enjoy.

Here is week one's in class assignment.

Photo scavenger hunt.

My two favorite photos were "what is that" and "frozen." Hope you like them too.

Eryn