Things I think about while running. (April edition)
Posted: May 10, 2013 Filed under: running | Tags: athletes, detours, exercise, fear, motivation, road racing, running, seasons, sour cream, spring, squirrels, tacos Leave a comment »
(Photo credit: @Doug88888)
I often have deep and random thoughts while I run. Here are a few things that went through my head while I ran in April:
1. How much pollen do plants hold?
2. Everything is so green.
3. I need more plants in my yard.
4. There is no way to sneeze gracefully while running.
5. My trail is blocked.
6. I hate detours.
7. That guy in the hard hat looks mean.
8. I love new running routes.
9. Ohh. Taco Bell.
10. Yum. Sour cream.
11. That squirrel is going to move out of my way.
12. That squirrel is NOT going to move out of my way.
13. OH GOD! IT’S ON MY LEG!!
14. There is no way to gracefully shake a squirrel off of you while running.
15. Do squirrels like tacos?
What do you thing about while running?
Five things I learned this week. 4.14.13
Posted: April 14, 2013 Filed under: What I learned this week | Tags: athletes, christian, christianity, God, golf, grace, jet lag, pollen, running, seasons, spring, travel, weather Leave a comment »Here are five things that I learned or was reminded of this week:
1. Jet lag is real.
2. Pollen is ridiculous.
3. Running + golf = speed golf.
4. I wish I had 1/10 of the golf skills that the pros have.
5. You are never to far gone to receive God’s grace.
What did you learn this week?
Five things I learned this week. 3.10.13
Posted: March 10, 2013 Filed under: What I learned this week | Tags: bible, christian, christianity, exercise, faith, learning, patience, running, seasons, spring forward, time change, weather Leave a comment »Here are five things that I learned or was reminded of this week:
1. The first warm day of the year is amazing.
2. The first day after a time change is NOT amazing.
3. I love the feel of asphalt under my feet.
4. Patience is a virtue.
5. I’m glad The Bible is so popular on TV.
What did you learn this week?
Things I think about while running. (winter edition)
Posted: February 15, 2013 Filed under: running | Tags: athletes, dedication, exercise, humor, marathon, road racing, Road Running, running, seasons, Trail running, training, Treadmill, Ultramarathon 4 Comments »
TREADMILL TRASH (Photo credit: happy via)
I often have random thoughts while I run. Here are a few I had while running this winter:
1. I love this treadmill.
2. I hate this treadmill.
3. Are these cold weather running pants made for men.
4. These cold weather running pants are hard to get on.
5. My lungs burn.
6. My legs burn.
7. New years resolution: Run more.
8. New years resolution: Run farther.
9. Maybe I could run an ultra marathon.
10. No chance (ultra)
11. Maybe (ultra)
12. No way (ultra)
13. I’ll think about it (ultra)
14. I’m eating cake after this run.
15. I’m still hungry.
What do you think about while running?
You’re a runner. You need an offseason.
Posted: February 8, 2013 Filed under: running | Tags: athletes, dedication, exercise, learning, marathon, motivation, road racing, running, Season (sports), seasons, sports, training Leave a comment »
A Job for Scarpetta or a Tired Runner? (Photo credit: tantonr)
I believe runners are gifted athletes. We may not be able to throw a ball 100 mph, tackle a 200 lb. running back or perform a double windmill slam dunk but runners are gifted. As gifted or more so than a professional athlete. Why? Because we are consistent.
As runners, our season never ends. There is always another race. Ours is a year round sport. There is a 5k every weekend and a half marathon every month. We are constantly running and this is what makes us pro’s. We’re consistent. We always show up. But should we have an offseason?
In my mind, there is an unofficial running season. It ranges from mid march to late November, occasionally stretching into December. Just like seasons in a professional sport, there has to be a time to slow down and to take our foot off of the proverbial pedal.
Here are three benefits of a running offseason:
Healing - Running is grueling and the pavement and trails show no mercy. Our joints take a beating when we are in training mode. And just like the pro’s, we sacrifice and play hurt. The offseason gives us a chance to lower the mileage and dial down the intensity. It gives our bodies a chance to heal and strengthen.
Longevity - Though we love our sport, it’s easy to burn out. Running year round can get old fast and the enthusiasm that we usually have can be hard to conjure up at times. As much as running is a physical sport, it’s also a mental and emotional sport. The offseason is our chance to get our hearts and minds right and to make the joy of running last longer.
It’s flexible - I hate running in the cold so my offseason is during the winter months. But your offseason can be anytime. Every other month? Every two months? The beauty of a running off season is that it doesn’t come with rules or timeframes. You can take it when you want.
You are a runner. A gifted and committed athlete. You love your sport and you pour everything into it. But it’s a good idea to ease off the accelerator from time to time. Enjoy your offseason.
Five things I learned this week. 9.30.12
Posted: September 30, 2012 Filed under: What I learned this week | Tags: athletes, baseball, christian, christianity, exercise, God, learning, leaves, road racing, running, seasons, yard work Leave a comment »Here are five things that I learned or was reminded of this week:
1. I’m ready for October baseball.
2. The One who invites my prayers, made Himself low for me.
3. I’m looking forward to not mowing the lawn for the rest of the year…
4. But I have lots of leaves to rake/blow.
5. Running is a grind.
What did you learn this week?
Five things I learned this week. 9.16.12
Posted: September 16, 2012 Filed under: What I learned this week | Tags: allergies, athletes, christian, christianity, exercise, faith, God, iphone, learning, marathon, road racing, running, seasons, weather 2 Comments »Here are five things that I learned or was reminded of this week:
1. I’m craving to run another marathon.
2. I’m proud of my God.
3. Store brand allergy medicine works.
4. Autumn is exciting.
5. I will sacrifice sleep to get an iPhone.
What did you learn this week?
Seasons in these parts
Posted: September 12, 2012 Filed under: faith, life | Tags: autumn, christian, christianity, colors, faith, fall, fear, football, friends, God, leaves, life, seasons, summer, weather Leave a comment »
In these parts, summer slaps you across the face with a sweaty palm when you walk out the door each morning. It often comes across as a bully and makes you fearful of going outside. The air is soupy and thick and you sweat while standing still. In these parts, summer is grueling.
So there is no doubt that people in these parts welcome autumn with open arms. Because summer is long and it beats us down. Autumn is our saving grace.
In late August we receive hints of autumn. It pokes its head out from behind the curtain and teases us. But for a fleeting moment, the humid air becomes crisp and we flip back and forth as to whether or not we should wear a long sleeve shirt.
So on some of those late summer nights we wear our hoodies and sweat shirts as if to encourage autumn:
“Come on in. Make yourself at home. We missed you.”
Autumn brings a new color scheme and our senses are reintroduced to nostalgic sounds and smells. Orange, brown and gray. Leaves burning. Wind whistling. The roar of a football stadium. This is a season of change. In these parts, autumn is exciting.
Even though it’s exciting and refreshing, autumn doesn’t last long. In these parts it’s less of a full season and more of a buffer between summer and winter. It enters slowly and leaves quickly. But we relish in it and make the most of it.
We love the change and the relief that autumn brings and we remember that a change of season doesn’t always have to do with the weather. Our lives are seasonal. Some are longer and some are shorter. Some are exciting and some are tough but thats the way God designs it.
We go through different seasons to learn and grow and to live and celebrate. There is a purpose to every one.
So when your season slaps you in the face, remember that there is a better one right around the corner.
Because in these parts, the tough times don’t last forever. Our saving grace is just a season away.
Five things I learned this week. 7.1.12
Posted: July 1, 2012 Filed under: What I learned this week | Tags: autumn, bacon, christianity, coffee, faith, fall, God, seasons, walmart, weather 4 Comments »Here are five things that I learned or was reminded of this week:
1. Bacon is good
2. When it is 105 degrees, finding some place cool becomes a quest.
3. Oddly enough, Walmart has the best selection of Keurig coffee.
4. It’s better to turn to God rather than run from God.
5. I’m ready for autumn.
What did you learn this week?
An open letter to the weekend weather man. (a parable)
Posted: June 8, 2012 Filed under: faith, life | Tags: ambition, dedication, encouragement, faith, God, life, media, radar, seasons, storms, weather, weather men, weekend Leave a comment »
Dear weekend weather man,
You intrigue me. It seems you’ve landed that slot that’s meant for rookies who just graduated from meteorology school or for the man or woman who was getting tired of that hourly radio gig on the AM station that they’ve been doing for years. It’s a new beginning. It’s a fond farewell.
The weekend weather man position is your chance to prove yourself. Can you win the crowd with your charming personality and charisma? Will you bring them back every night just to see your white smile and your interesting take on cold fronts? Will you make the weather a reason for them to tune in?
Will you make them believe?
Right now you are a part of the Action News weather team. You are an integral piece of the whole. You’re grinding it out, waiting for your chance at the big time. Every big weather event is your chance to prove yourself.
Don’t be content at where you are. God has big plans for you. We all start somewhere. That prime time spot is your’s for the taking. Keep hustling.
Maybe I’ve got it all wrong. Maybe you’ve been doing the weather for decades. You’ve bounced around from channel to channel. You were once a highly coveted weather man with a huge following. You’ve left a legacy. You paved the way for the current breed of weather man. You’ve set the standard.
But the new kids have more energy and technical know-how. You recall the times when there were two radars and you simply called them radars. Now the young weather men have eight different radars and refer to them with wild acronyms like VIPER, ZULU and SONIC.
The weekend gig is right up your alley. Less stress and more time at home. Less hours but more make up. You are getting longer in the tooth and it’s time to step back. But you haven’t given up.
The weekend weather position is your swan song. Your final farewell. This is where you leave your final legacy and transition from leading man to wise old sage.
Your job isn’t over, its taken a new and exciting turn. You use your experience to guide and nurture. You are a leader but you do it from the weather center in the back instead of in front of the blue screen and the camera.
Lead on wise one!
Weekend weather man, you are an example to all of us. We admire your ambition and your determination. We applaud your expertise and leadership and all the years of somewhat accurate forecasts.
Thanks,
Stewart
Where are you at in life? Are you just starting out? Are you using your experience to guide others?
