Month: October 2018

Hot Cheetos!

On By runnergirl02In Biblical Reflections, running, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Last Friday my daughter had a half day at school.  Her God-Father was chosen as the Grand Marshall of our local high school Homecoming Parade and invited her to ride in the Grand Marshall car with him.  She excitedly accepted.  After the parade I took her to her usual swim lesson and after the swim lesson we went to the Homecoming game to watch her God-Father get his plaque and do the coin toss.  Her God-Parents called her down to the field to be with them.  We got to sit in the special Grand Marshall seating and her God-Parents let her have her little friend sit with her in this section.  Her dad took her to the snack bar where she got a polish dog and a bag of Hot Cheetos.

At some point during the game I went to pick up the stuffed bear she brought with her and the Hot Cheetos slipped down behind the bleachers which are on a cement slant, alas the Hot Cheetos were gone.  My daughter was NOT happy.  The loss of the Hot Cheetos took over and that’s all she talked about until it was time to leave the game.  We attempted to replace the Hot Cheetos but the snack bar had run out.  This made her even more upset.  So from the time we left the stadium to the time we got home all I heard about were the lost Hot Cheetos.

You can imagine I was irritated because she had had a wonderful day, a parade, swimming, homecoming game with special seats, and still it wasn’t enough.  She still wanted the Hot Cheetos. I had a chat with her and reminded her about all the fun she had that day and I told her, “You get enough. Go to bed.”  She was still lamenting the Hot Cheetos.

Later on during our long run the next day, my husband and I were discussing what we should do about the apparent lack of appreciation our daughter was showing.  As we talked different topics came up.  Our conversations while running often ramble and range from when is the next fuel break to what is coming up in the following week, this one rambled along to talking about how we were led to our daughter through the gift of adoption.  The blessings we have in our lives.  All the gifts we have been given.  Our poor stewardship of those gifts.  At one point we were talking about something we wanted, I can’t remember what it was, a trip we wanted to take or some item maybe and all of a sudden my husband yelled, “Hot Cheetos!”

Holy Moly! Hot Cheetos!  I looked at him and I thought…we get enough but we still want more.  Hot Cheetos!  I began to wonder if we were modeling that behavior to our daughter.  I haven’t decided.  I don’t think so but I do know we could definitely be better stewards with the gifts God has given us.  Dave Ramsey says being content is necessary to being good stewards of our material gifts.  Deena Kastor in her book, Let Your Mind Run, talks about how she shaped her training and her life around thankfulness.  Our pastor says we should practice being thankful to God for his gifts of creation, family and friends everyday.

So every time I catch myself being greedy and wanting more I have a phrase that pops in my head now.  Hot Cheetos!  I immediately try to return to a place of gratitude and contentment with what my present situation is.  It doesn’t always work but its a start.  You’d think someone who has a blog about being thankful would actually be thankful.  Right?

For Hot Cheetos, Gods Gifts of Creation, talks during long runs with my husband that lead to realizations that I’m not really as grateful as I should be…I Give Thanks!

KOR!

Angels and Stuff

On By runnergirl02In Biblical Reflections, MusicLeave a comment

Yesterday was the Feast of the Guardian Angels.  If you grew up Catholic, you likely know the Guardian Angel Prayer…

“Angel of God, My Guardian Dear to Whom God’s Love entrust me here, Ever this day be at my side to light, and guard to rule and guide.”

We were reading about Angels last night and we found this interesting reference in Tobit.  If you aren’t Catholic you don’t have the book of Tobit in your bible.  I believe it is the only place in the bible that the Arch Angel Raphael is referenced.

“Raphael called the two of them aside privately and said to them: “Bless God and give him thanks before all the living for the good things he has done for you, by blessing and extolling his name in song. Proclaim before all with due honor the deeds of God, and do not be slack in thanking him.*“Since my blog is supposed to be about giving thanks I really liked what Raphael was telling Tobit and Tobiah.

Our pastor has a Pastor’s Corner that is published every Sunday in our church bulletin.  He’s on Part 7 of a series on Holiness.  *This week he talked about Prayer of the Heart.  He said that he likes to start his day focusing on blessings in four categories:

*1)the glories of creation 2)my life, family and friends 3)redemption through the sacrificial love of Jesus 4)the last 24 hours.

The idea is to spend a few minutes in each of these areas thinking about and giving thanks for the blessings we have in each category.  I tried it today by focusing on just the first one.  Running and Hiking have taken us to many beautiful places.  I love being outside, spending time in God’s creation, so this was an easy place for me to start.

I can report that Father John was right.  It is a nice way to start my day.  I have to admit I didn’t spend a lot of time on 2-4, guess my road to Holiness will take a bit longer.  It was hard to be in a sour mood after contemplating all the amazing things God has created for us and how ALL of creation bends to His will.  I had help with a song by Hillsong United called, So Will I…if you are looking for a good way to start your day, you can’t go wrong with this song and time with Jesus.

I definitely feel that I’m getting a clear message from Jesus about Thankfulness and its importance in my life…

So for today, God’s Creation, Guardian Angels, and a call to Holiness…I Give Thanks!

KOR

*Father John Warburton, O.S.J., Pastor, Pastors Corner, September 30th Bulletin, St. Joachim Catholic Church

Here’s the song if you want to give it a listen:

PT Guy

On By runnergirl02In running, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Well I had a visit with my PT guy today for me knee.  Here’s my issue…I have really flat feet.  When I first started running I wore a motion control shoe by New Balance, I forget the number now, anyway, the shoe was discontinued about 10-12 years ago, give or take a few years.  I can’t remember.  I tend to try to block traumatic events from my memory.

Ok, so it wasn’t a traumatic event, except it kinda was, because after my shoe was discontinued and since I have spent years and I mean YEARS looking for a shoe that I love.  First, I tried Nikes Motion Control Shoe and I ran in those for a year or so, then my right foot started hurting so I tried some Brooks Ariel, hated those.  I’ve tried HOKA, Altra, different New Balance Motion Control shoes, Asics, Saucony, which I actually ran in for a several years.  Nevertheless, my right foot kept hurting or I would have shin splints or my knee would hurt and I’d have to switch shoes again or I would see if switching shoes would help.  If you are a runner you understand exactly what I’m talking about, if you aren’t, it’s likely you just think I’m crazy.  I’m not, trust me.  The right pair of shoes for a runner is super important.  It makes all the difference in the world.

About two years ago I was in so much pain in my right foot that I had to cut my running way back.  My doctor recommended a PT guy.  She thought I had PF, Plantar Fasciitis.  PT guy said I needed a custom pair of orthotics so I got fit and $285 later I had a new pair of orthotics and after several weeks of healing I was back on the road again with less pain.

Just before summer my foot started hurting again and so I went back to PT guy.  PT guy said your orthotics are two years old, you need some new ones.  Since they had worked before $285 later I got a new pair, at least the price was the same.  This time, however, I was not just back on the road.  Since that new pair of orthotics I have had an IT band injury, my PF flared again and now my left knee has been bugging.  As I’ve increased my mileage training for our fall half, its been really bugging, so back to PT guy today.  $105 later and some adjustments to my orthotic and my knee is feeling better.  He says he’s pretty sure its not a meniscus tear, just an issue with alignment.  My orthotics look like Frankenstein, they have all these additions and pieces of foam on them now to better “align” my foot.  Today he added a heal raise to move the pressure from the back of my heal toward the front.  No real idea why that matters but apparently it does.  I have spent hundreds of dollars on shoes and PT guy to be able to continue to do something that I love, even though now a days I’m slower than I have ever been.  I enjoy the places running takes me and its helping me get back into shape. Running is a good friend, it’s been there for me through a lot of rough times.  Running helped me through the loss of my baby, which the anniversary of is this month.  We actually ran the Big Sur Marathon in her honor in 2003.  Running has helped me figure out answers to problems.  I’ve run so many beautiful places.  I just never want to stop.  Ever.

Since I have had all this trouble with my shoe I have gained a lot of weight and since I started Whole 30 I’ve been losing it again.    I had to cut way back on my running because it just hurt too much to run the way I wanted.  When I cut back my running I neglected to cut back my eating.

This all happened because in 2006ish New Balance discontinued my shoe!! I ran in those shoes for a decade without any issues, sigh and BOO! New Balance is an American company and all their shoes are made in the US of A so if you happen to be looking for a shoe try them first. They failed me but they might be good for you.

Currently, I’m back in Asics.  I run in Gel Nimbus 20, which is actually a neutral shoe but with the orthotic it’s more like a custom fit motion control shoe.

Anyway, there you have it, the saga of my flat feet and journey to find some combination of shoes and orthotic that will keep me on the road.

PT guy said I could run tomorrow and to call him Wednesday to let him know how the knee feels.  I’m hoping to have a good report.

Today I am thankful for:

1)…my PT guy.  He really is great.  He was a runner and understands.  He hikes mostly these days but it was running that let him stay fit enough to do what he does now.  He’s been encouraging me in my weight loss, reminding me that every pound I lose will make it that much easier to run and keep me on the road. He’s also nice to chat with as we share the same faith.  He gave me some things to ponder about that Truth blog I’m thinking on.

2) I made Salsa Chicken tonight for dinner.  It was yummy and easy.  Take a container of Pico De Gallo put it in a pan with warm oil, cook for few minutes and then add in chicken.  I used cut up chicken breast.  My husband and I are actually nine days away from completing a Whole 66!  We decided to stay on Whole 30 for 66 days because we read that it takes that long for a habit to form.  The book says not to go past 90 days without reintroducing some foods.  If we go 90 days that will put me at just before our half marathon.  I haven’t decided yet.  I really miss oatmeal and peanut butter but I’m losing weight and have way more energy than I’ve had in a long time.

3)My parents.  My mom and dad are still with us. I have a friend who is flying back to Virginia to be with her Daddy, who started hospice today.  My heart hurts for her.  It makes me appreciate that I still have my mom and dad to check in with.  I love them so.

So today…for PT guys, Salsa Chicken and the love of parents…I Give Thanks!

KOR!

Here’s our breakfast from today.  It was pretty yummy, different colored bell pepper and zuchinni with chicken and egg.  I call it a Pepper Scramble.  Super Easy and Tasty!

Scramble(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bullet Proof

On By runnergirl02In Music, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I have some thoughts about truth rolling around in my head lately. How do you know the truth? What is the truth? Who’s telling the truth? I don’t have time to put that all together tonight so instead I just want to share a fun thankful moment from today…

My mom and I were washing dishes after Sunday family breakfast. We usually meet at our house after church for breakfast most Sundays. Today everyone was here, some Sundays there’s only one of my siblings but today was nice because they were both here. Always makes me happy.

Anyway, the song Bullet Proof came on and I was dancing around and my mom said, “ok, you want to dance? Let’s dance.” So, my mom and I danced around in the kitchen for a few minutes. Somewhere in there my God-Daughter wandered in, she’s 1, and the most adorable thing ever. She came to me after I coaxed her over and so my mom, my God-Daughter and I danced around the kitchen to Bullet Proof by Citizen Way.

Another one of those moments that don’t cost anything and that you know you’ll treasure.

So for today…for my mom, dancing, Bullet Proof, dishwashing, and family breakfasts, also for the amazing sunrise I saw on our Saturday long run this weekend…I Give Thanks!

KOR

Here’s the song if you want to give it a listen:

Here’s the sunrise…