After a couple of decent runs this weekend (8.4 on Sat and 9.0 on Sun) back to the work routine and a shorter run tonight - felt good and got 4-miles in on another beautiful evening in Seattle. Only a couple of weeks left before the time change and I'll be running in the dark or hitting the treadmill in the gymn each day - so I'm grateful for the nice evenings we've been having and will take everyone that's given!
I was thinking this morning that each day is so packed full of opportunity but I rarely chose to see it that way. All to often the focus of my day is on what needs to get done/accomplished and who I need to meet with. Yes, that is all true and important but each task I need to complete and each person I meet with is an opportunity as well... they could be "divine appointments" if we chose to view them that way. Is there a word of encouragement, a word of wisdom, a listening ear, a testimony that can be offered in each meeting? When I go into the day and each meetings with that frame of mind it is amazing how my perspective shifts - it really moves away from what "I need or want" to "what can I do for this other person" - food for thought, it certainly was for me.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Father & Son Run
What a great day it was! A beautiful fall day with the sun shining but a briskness in the air that is nothing but Autumn. It was cool with a high in the low 50’s so a perfect running day for me. Started the morning walking to the coffee shop with my wife and then down to the beach to talk and pray together, a very peaceful place to be and much needed time together before our God.
As I’ve mentioned before, my second son is a senior in High School and since we homeschool he has opted for a running program for his PE credits this year. Our Bellingham races were the first test, he passed the 5K with flying colors so now needed to start pushing up his mileage in preparation for the next “exam”, a 10K. I wanted to get some decent miles in and had decided on a route that would provide 8 – 9.5 miles in total. I asked my son if he wanted to come and to my pleasant surprise he said, “sure”. He has done a max of 5.5 miles before so this was going to be a good stretch and test for him which he of course passed with flying colors. The last mile of almost any of my “neighborhood routes” is a 1-mile hill that is a 200’ climb in elevation. So 7.5 miles in I’m plodding up that hill and my son takes off at easily 1-minute per mile faster pace (yes, he asked “if I was ok with him going on ahead”-ohh to be 17 again but I appreciated him asking!) and he finished strong and well ahead of me. It was a great run, enjoyed doing it with my son, we had a perfect day to be together, it couldn’t have been better (except me being able to keep pace with him at the end, dream on huh?)
After the run we headed over to Silverdale to upgrade his phone (the highlight of the day for him I’m sure), spend time waving political signs for credit in his US Government class, get the oil changed in the car, and then watch my other son play in indoor soccer game. So a full and very enjoyable day.
As I’ve mentioned before, my second son is a senior in High School and since we homeschool he has opted for a running program for his PE credits this year. Our Bellingham races were the first test, he passed the 5K with flying colors so now needed to start pushing up his mileage in preparation for the next “exam”, a 10K. I wanted to get some decent miles in and had decided on a route that would provide 8 – 9.5 miles in total. I asked my son if he wanted to come and to my pleasant surprise he said, “sure”. He has done a max of 5.5 miles before so this was going to be a good stretch and test for him which he of course passed with flying colors. The last mile of almost any of my “neighborhood routes” is a 1-mile hill that is a 200’ climb in elevation. So 7.5 miles in I’m plodding up that hill and my son takes off at easily 1-minute per mile faster pace (yes, he asked “if I was ok with him going on ahead”-ohh to be 17 again but I appreciated him asking!) and he finished strong and well ahead of me. It was a great run, enjoyed doing it with my son, we had a perfect day to be together, it couldn’t have been better (except me being able to keep pace with him at the end, dream on huh?)
After the run we headed over to Silverdale to upgrade his phone (the highlight of the day for him I’m sure), spend time waving political signs for credit in his US Government class, get the oil changed in the car, and then watch my other son play in indoor soccer game. So a full and very enjoyable day.
Friday, October 15, 2010
End of the week run
After a very full week I headed out of the office at 4:30 in hopes of making the 5:30 ferry - no such luck, still ended up on the 6:20. It did allow for a run and after taking Thur off, I felt great and had a very nice run. Did 5-miles at an 8:06 pace, very good for me and I'm pleased to have put 4-training sessions together all under 8:10/mile. The evening was very brisk which I enjoyed, actually cool enough that I ran in a light jacket - I do like the cooler temps and will keep that in mind for the spring marathon my son and I are targeting. Looking forward to the weekend and getting a couple of longer runs in.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Missing the long run & blessings
Well, I've partially answered my question from my post yesterday - how can I run faster and increase my pace? Answer: Go too far out on my evening run and have to race the ferry to the dock! So I now also understand "negative splits" 8:10 pace for 2-miles going out, then 7:58 and 7:50 for the 2-miles coming back - wow, what a run.
So glad to be getting the sanity-runs in and I'm happy I've been able to enjoy the good weather in the evenings, according to the forecast that is about to change for the worse. I have missed the longer runs this week though and hope to get a 10-12 mile run in over the weekend if time permits. Thankful for a healthy body that allows me to run - it's these things that we take for granted each day but I was reminded tonight as I ran past a young women pushing a friend along the waterfront in a wheelchair, we each have much to be thankful for each day, often it is being aware of the blessings that we are lacking, not blessings themselves. The wisdom of the old church hymn "count your blessings, count them one by one, count your blessing see what God has done..."
So glad to be getting the sanity-runs in and I'm happy I've been able to enjoy the good weather in the evenings, according to the forecast that is about to change for the worse. I have missed the longer runs this week though and hope to get a 10-12 mile run in over the weekend if time permits. Thankful for a healthy body that allows me to run - it's these things that we take for granted each day but I was reminded tonight as I ran past a young women pushing a friend along the waterfront in a wheelchair, we each have much to be thankful for each day, often it is being aware of the blessings that we are lacking, not blessings themselves. The wisdom of the old church hymn "count your blessings, count them one by one, count your blessing see what God has done..."
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
October Sky
So I need to find out how much of a pace “swing” other people have when they run a hilly course versus flat. Last night I ran in the neighborhood, and it is hilly. I ran 5-miles in 44 minutes so that worked out to an 8:54/mile pace, certainly nothing to write home about. Tonight I ran in Seattle, very flat along the waterfront, and got a bit over 4-miles done in about 33-minutes resulting in an 8:11/mile pace. So, moving from hills to flat cut 43-seconds per mile off, wow. I must be doing something wrong on running hills, which is every time I run on Bainbridge!
Now that I’ve ranted – tonight was a good run, sunny in Seattle and a perfect October coolness in the air. Lots of people out along the waterfront enjoying the evening and preparing to watch the sun set over the Sound and the Olympic Mtns – it was a beautiful sunset. I was reminded of the Psalm I read this morning that was a prayer of “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Ps 51:10) – this would be a good prayer to start each day with.
Now that I’ve ranted – tonight was a good run, sunny in Seattle and a perfect October coolness in the air. Lots of people out along the waterfront enjoying the evening and preparing to watch the sun set over the Sound and the Olympic Mtns – it was a beautiful sunset. I was reminded of the Psalm I read this morning that was a prayer of “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Ps 51:10) – this would be a good prayer to start each day with.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Family visit weekend
Had a great weekend with my parents who were in town for the weekend. It was great to have them with us and I am reminded how blessed I am to have parents like this. They genuinely love us and care about what we are doing, how we are doing, and most importantly are praying daily for each of us – what a great example they are of my Heavenly Father who is “interceding” on my behalf all the time!
Did get some running in this weekend although Sat was in the gym and on the treadmill. Did manage to get 30-miles in last week and started this week off with a solid 9-mile run during the afternoon on Sunday. That run felt really good and I could have kept going so I know now that I’m recovered from the race. What is interesting to me though is that my pace does seem to be 15-20 seconds off earlier training times, I need to research that a bit and see if that’s normal or something to focus on. Getting home early today so I’m looking forward to a run on the Island before dark.
Finally, I need to share and proclaim a miracle! A local Seattle Christian radio personalty’s wife had a massive heart attack in mid-July. I was praying for her and sent the husband an email proclaiming God’s protection and specifically seeking a complete healing and restoration of her heart and I know many others in the Seattle area were praying the same way. Well they found out last week that the recent tests are the heart shows no damage nor any scar tissue on the heart – AMEN to that and praise God for this miracle!! I suggest reading Psalm 40:10 to understand why I am posting this but I will again say that God is good and He gets all the praise and glory for restoring this woman’s heart!!
Did get some running in this weekend although Sat was in the gym and on the treadmill. Did manage to get 30-miles in last week and started this week off with a solid 9-mile run during the afternoon on Sunday. That run felt really good and I could have kept going so I know now that I’m recovered from the race. What is interesting to me though is that my pace does seem to be 15-20 seconds off earlier training times, I need to research that a bit and see if that’s normal or something to focus on. Getting home early today so I’m looking forward to a run on the Island before dark.
Finally, I need to share and proclaim a miracle! A local Seattle Christian radio personalty’s wife had a massive heart attack in mid-July. I was praying for her and sent the husband an email proclaiming God’s protection and specifically seeking a complete healing and restoration of her heart and I know many others in the Seattle area were praying the same way. Well they found out last week that the recent tests are the heart shows no damage nor any scar tissue on the heart – AMEN to that and praise God for this miracle!! I suggest reading Psalm 40:10 to understand why I am posting this but I will again say that God is good and He gets all the praise and glory for restoring this woman’s heart!!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Fall in Seattle
What a great evening this was in Seattle – sunny, mid 60’s temp – a perfect evening for a run! Got a quick 4.5 miles tonight waiting for the ferry, I know I’ve said this before but what a perfect way to de-compress from a busy day. This is the first run in 10-days that kinda felt normal, which is great. Quickly fell into my stride and held an 8:20 pace, not fast but comfortable, got the heart rate up and just felt like I was “in the groove”!
As I ran I reflected on God’s faithfulness. This morning I had a 3-hr meeting that I was very anxious about, a mental marathon, and I was praying for clarity of both word and thought. Although the meeting was very tense and not easy by any stretch of the imagination, it did go well and God was faithful, giving me clarity and wisdom – even to the point of when to hold my tongue, thank you God for your faithfulness. I was further reminded of this in a debrief with a friend on a difficult meeting he had today as well, I had been praying for both him and the employee he was addressing and God positively directed their conversation as well. What a great assurance that God is not only interest in our Salvation (not only… poor choice in words as this is paramount and eternal) but also in our daily activity and work. In Jeremiah He promises that He “knows the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you” and I was also reminded that we are promised in the Holy Spirit that He will put the words into our mouths if we are seeking Him and asking for direction – we must be listening though, right? So a good end to a hard day but I am grateful to God for His grace and faithfulness.
As I ran I reflected on God’s faithfulness. This morning I had a 3-hr meeting that I was very anxious about, a mental marathon, and I was praying for clarity of both word and thought. Although the meeting was very tense and not easy by any stretch of the imagination, it did go well and God was faithful, giving me clarity and wisdom – even to the point of when to hold my tongue, thank you God for your faithfulness. I was further reminded of this in a debrief with a friend on a difficult meeting he had today as well, I had been praying for both him and the employee he was addressing and God positively directed their conversation as well. What a great assurance that God is not only interest in our Salvation (not only… poor choice in words as this is paramount and eternal) but also in our daily activity and work. In Jeremiah He promises that He “knows the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you” and I was also reminded that we are promised in the Holy Spirit that He will put the words into our mouths if we are seeking Him and asking for direction – we must be listening though, right? So a good end to a hard day but I am grateful to God for His grace and faithfulness.
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