Alright, it has been a long week, it is late and i am tired. this will be rather short. i did get up to run my 3 miles this morning. the first 1.5 miles took just under 14.5 minutes. however, the second 1.5 miles took just over 13.5 minutes. so, i finished my fastest 3 miles to date in just under 28 minutes, which is about 9 minutes and 20 seconds per mile, 12 sec/mile improvement over my second fastest time.
the last 2 times i have ran, 4 miles and 3 miles, i have had to fight the urge to go # 2 the whole run, think that may be slowing me down a bit. i hope i can figure something out before i start the much longer runs. shouldn't be a big deal, where i run has a lot of crop fields so i can sneak off the road if i need to. i just would rather not be interrupted during a run.
i am still hoping i can get my 7 miler in tomorrow while being on call.
quote of the night is a quote from an atheist and how they sometimes view Christians. again this is a quote that i can't remember the sayer or the exact quotation but here goes. "If all of europe was covered in broken glass and i truly believed the gospel story, i would crawl across europe on my hands and knees to tell the story of Jesus to the last person in the world." the story goes on to say that the Christians this man knew did not have that fire, so he really couldn't believe in our God. nuff said, ponder that one.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Lazy Day
Last night i was on call and had a couple of late night calls so i did not get to do my run this morning. i came home this afternoon and stretched and was about to go outside and run. when i looked outside it was pouring rain. so i have decided that if i can run in the morning i can still get my 7 miler in on sat evening. however, i am on call saturday and sunday so i may have to take my phone with me and do the best i can. as soon as i am done writing this i am going to go downstairs and do my crunch/push-up routine.
if any of you are interested you should read the posts from yesterday. Shannan and Todd both made comments. i think the scripture Todd posted can be taken in more ways than one. i need to figure out which is best, so please leave any comments that you would like to add.
trying to get Jeff S. to start running with me some- he is resisting, so if any of you talk to him put the pressure on.
Tonight's quote comes from Robert McGee in The Search for Significance, "Therefore, the only way we can overcome the fear of rejection is to value the constant approval of God over the conditional approval of people." I think this is so important for people to understand. We have to come to the realization that God loves us no matter how sinful we are or how unimportant we feel, we are extremely important to God. He sent His ONLY Son to die for each one of us. if you were the only person in the world He would still have sent Jesus to die for you. Jesus would still die for you! that is how important you are! no matter who you upset, if you are truly serving God you are doing the right thing. try to serve God and love people and you can't go wrong.
if any of you are interested you should read the posts from yesterday. Shannan and Todd both made comments. i think the scripture Todd posted can be taken in more ways than one. i need to figure out which is best, so please leave any comments that you would like to add.
trying to get Jeff S. to start running with me some- he is resisting, so if any of you talk to him put the pressure on.
Tonight's quote comes from Robert McGee in The Search for Significance, "Therefore, the only way we can overcome the fear of rejection is to value the constant approval of God over the conditional approval of people." I think this is so important for people to understand. We have to come to the realization that God loves us no matter how sinful we are or how unimportant we feel, we are extremely important to God. He sent His ONLY Son to die for each one of us. if you were the only person in the world He would still have sent Jesus to die for you. Jesus would still die for you! that is how important you are! no matter who you upset, if you are truly serving God you are doing the right thing. try to serve God and love people and you can't go wrong.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Late Night Blogging
Here i am at 11pm at the clinic watching a cat that is having a hard time breathing. i thought i would type a little in between observations. Today has been a pretty good day. i got up early and ran my 4 scheduled miles before work. i realized though that my mile markers are a little too long though, have to fix that. the 4 miles took just over 40 minutes. i did feel pretty tired for the first part of the day after that. however, i got my energy back after a while. so then i got home after a few errands, i ate supper, and then shot my bow 36 times. i am shooting pretty well, i really wish i could shoot further at home. i think i have mentioned i like practicing 60 yard shots because that makes me so much better at 40 yards, which is probably the max i would try at an elk. but i do what i can.
tomorrow is a 3 mile run day, hopefully i will be able to get up in the morning and do the run, if i can leave here pretty soon. i really need to get some upper body in too, and mid body. i did lose 3 pounds this weekend while working on the privacy fence. however, i have gained it back now that i am back to running.
i talked to a friend who lives in montana about the unit i drew to hunt. the good news is it is hard to get to unless you are really in good shape, so there will not be a lot of people there. bad thing is i may need to be in better shape than i thought. i think it is also pretty high in the mountains, so that adds a little more challenge too.
the quote of the day is from Ben Franklin, i do like what the guy has done and accomplished but i am not so sure about this quote: "Who is wise? he that learns from everyone. Who is powerful? He that governs his passions. Who is rich? He that is content." Now i really like the first 2 parts but the last i can argue either way. i do think trying to learn from everyone is a good idea. if you do that then you do not have to make all the mistakes yourself. but if this is your philosophy you must also be willing to teach those who desire to be taught, probably only a few of them around though. i also think that if you can govern your passions then you are stronger than most. i would take it a step further and add he who governs his thoughts, actions, and words. if you can govern those as well as your passions, to me (big whoopty-do)you have accomplished something 90% of people can't do. but the third part, about being rich, i am not sure i buy. maybe he meant content with what you have, not being jealous for example. i could go along with that. but i also think that when we become content in life we stop wanting what is best. not just for ourselves but for others too. so, for material things be content; for a rich and lively life never be content, live life to the fullest, every day try to be better in your thoughts, actions, and words and at controlling your passions. good thing i do not have to control my hunting, it is an obsession, not a passion.
tomorrow is a 3 mile run day, hopefully i will be able to get up in the morning and do the run, if i can leave here pretty soon. i really need to get some upper body in too, and mid body. i did lose 3 pounds this weekend while working on the privacy fence. however, i have gained it back now that i am back to running.
i talked to a friend who lives in montana about the unit i drew to hunt. the good news is it is hard to get to unless you are really in good shape, so there will not be a lot of people there. bad thing is i may need to be in better shape than i thought. i think it is also pretty high in the mountains, so that adds a little more challenge too.
the quote of the day is from Ben Franklin, i do like what the guy has done and accomplished but i am not so sure about this quote: "Who is wise? he that learns from everyone. Who is powerful? He that governs his passions. Who is rich? He that is content." Now i really like the first 2 parts but the last i can argue either way. i do think trying to learn from everyone is a good idea. if you do that then you do not have to make all the mistakes yourself. but if this is your philosophy you must also be willing to teach those who desire to be taught, probably only a few of them around though. i also think that if you can govern your passions then you are stronger than most. i would take it a step further and add he who governs his thoughts, actions, and words. if you can govern those as well as your passions, to me (big whoopty-do)you have accomplished something 90% of people can't do. but the third part, about being rich, i am not sure i buy. maybe he meant content with what you have, not being jealous for example. i could go along with that. but i also think that when we become content in life we stop wanting what is best. not just for ourselves but for others too. so, for material things be content; for a rich and lively life never be content, live life to the fullest, every day try to be better in your thoughts, actions, and words and at controlling your passions. good thing i do not have to control my hunting, it is an obsession, not a passion.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Healing
today is a day off from running on my schedule. so tonight i get to recover a little from the weekend. i thought that was good due to the rain but this afternoon the rain stopped and it was nice out. now i wonder if it will be raining in the a.m. i will have to try and run in the morning since i will be on call tomorrow night too. i heard it was supposed to rain every day for over a week. surely i will be able to find some time to run. i was going to do my push-up/crunch routine this evening but time slipped by too fast. after supper i was preparing my lesson for vbs on friday then looked at my watch and realized if i wanted to get to bed in time i would have to blog and get ready for bed. so, here i am. maybe tomorrow night i will get the chance.
"When 40 million people believe in a dumb idea, it is still a dumb idea." Don't worry about failure, worry about the chances you miss when you don't even try." these are just a couple of quotes that i have in a book that i turn to when i need a little inspiration, pick-up, etc. the first one reminds me to evaluate everything, don't just let someone tell me what to do or follow blindly behind the crowd. if the crowd is going in the right direction, good, i'll follow. but i do not want to take that for granted. i have wasted lots of time doing things that so many others were doing to look up and realize i should have never started. i would have been better off not doing anything.
the second quote (neither had authors i could find) reminds me to do things i think i can do, or that might be remotely possibly (sometimes impossible), even when others around me tell me not to. most people don't tell you not to do something because they are afraid you will fail. most people tell you not to do something because 1) they can't or think they can't do it 2) they don't want you to succeed because if you did it then they would not look as good. if someone isn't pushing you to better yourself, they are probably pulling you down with themselves. If anyone gets the chance you should read the book The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson, it is short and makes a good point.
i am trying to come up with a little signature sign off, like Paul Harvey, etc. if anyone has any ideas let me know. until then...the bad thing about reaching your dreams is that you realize you aimed too low ;)
"When 40 million people believe in a dumb idea, it is still a dumb idea." Don't worry about failure, worry about the chances you miss when you don't even try." these are just a couple of quotes that i have in a book that i turn to when i need a little inspiration, pick-up, etc. the first one reminds me to evaluate everything, don't just let someone tell me what to do or follow blindly behind the crowd. if the crowd is going in the right direction, good, i'll follow. but i do not want to take that for granted. i have wasted lots of time doing things that so many others were doing to look up and realize i should have never started. i would have been better off not doing anything.
the second quote (neither had authors i could find) reminds me to do things i think i can do, or that might be remotely possibly (sometimes impossible), even when others around me tell me not to. most people don't tell you not to do something because they are afraid you will fail. most people tell you not to do something because 1) they can't or think they can't do it 2) they don't want you to succeed because if you did it then they would not look as good. if someone isn't pushing you to better yourself, they are probably pulling you down with themselves. If anyone gets the chance you should read the book The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson, it is short and makes a good point.
i am trying to come up with a little signature sign off, like Paul Harvey, etc. if anyone has any ideas let me know. until then...the bad thing about reaching your dreams is that you realize you aimed too low ;)
Monday, July 27, 2009
Fencing II and Getting Back on Track II
Wow, what a long weekend. i will be glad to go back to work for one reason, i will get a rest. i put in about 24 hours over my 3 day weekend building a fence and fixing my dog kennels. Sunday morning i was so sore i could barely get out of bed. this morning i had to get up early again to try and finish the fence, i finished as much as i could, just one minor thing left to do. glad to get that out of the way.
i did not have a chance all weekend to get my 7 miler in so i started week 3 over again. another 3 miles today. i did it in 29min and 23 sec. which is a pace of about 9.48min/mile, not my best but i will take it considering how tired i was today. i did have to fight through a little knee stiffness, a little lower back pain, and some side pain, but i made it.
one of my favorite all time quotes is this (once again don't know who said it) "even if you are on the right track you will still get ran over if you just sit there. i will tie this in to another goal obtaining method i often use: to reach a goal you only have to know 3 things.
1)where you are: this is very important, even if you are not trying to reach a goal. be honest with yourself and know where you stand. if you don't know where you are, call me i can tell you, you are lost. when you are lost even if you have a map you can't get to where you want because you don't know where you are starting from.
2)where do you want to be: this is important because to obtain a goal you must know what the goal is. and so you need to know where you are starting so you can set progressive goals. if you do not have anywhere to go, where you are better be a pretty good place.
3)how to get from a to b: this is pretty important too. this is your map. so, if you know where you want to be and how to get there from where you are, you can do anything. now, isn't that simple.
however, even if you know all 3 you have to put the plan in motion, and if you are setting lofty goals you better get ready to get out of your comfort zone. if your goals are not getting you out of your comfort zone, you should set higher goals, push yourself a little. but, extrapolating from the quote, if you know a,b, and c but don't take action to get to c, someone else will be achieving your goal and you will be jealous. so, set Christ-centered, lofty goals and let Christ take you there.
i did not have a chance all weekend to get my 7 miler in so i started week 3 over again. another 3 miles today. i did it in 29min and 23 sec. which is a pace of about 9.48min/mile, not my best but i will take it considering how tired i was today. i did have to fight through a little knee stiffness, a little lower back pain, and some side pain, but i made it.
one of my favorite all time quotes is this (once again don't know who said it) "even if you are on the right track you will still get ran over if you just sit there. i will tie this in to another goal obtaining method i often use: to reach a goal you only have to know 3 things.
1)where you are: this is very important, even if you are not trying to reach a goal. be honest with yourself and know where you stand. if you don't know where you are, call me i can tell you, you are lost. when you are lost even if you have a map you can't get to where you want because you don't know where you are starting from.
2)where do you want to be: this is important because to obtain a goal you must know what the goal is. and so you need to know where you are starting so you can set progressive goals. if you do not have anywhere to go, where you are better be a pretty good place.
3)how to get from a to b: this is pretty important too. this is your map. so, if you know where you want to be and how to get there from where you are, you can do anything. now, isn't that simple.
however, even if you know all 3 you have to put the plan in motion, and if you are setting lofty goals you better get ready to get out of your comfort zone. if your goals are not getting you out of your comfort zone, you should set higher goals, push yourself a little. but, extrapolating from the quote, if you know a,b, and c but don't take action to get to c, someone else will be achieving your goal and you will be jealous. so, set Christ-centered, lofty goals and let Christ take you there.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Fencing, Fencing, and more Fencing
Well, this is coming a little late. This is my blog from yesterday that i was too tired to write. my hands were a little too cramped to type as well. Yesterday was a day of fencing. I had help from several friends and we put up a privacy fence around my back yard. i worked from 8am to 9:30pm with really only 2 good breaks. i am not used to that kind of work anymore, especially out in the hot sun. i am now officially a redneck. i did get to use a nail gun for the first time, that was fun.
of course i did not get to run yesterday since i was working on the fence all day and most of the night, and i still have to put up some gates and close in one spot. luckily Zeke is coming to help again or i might be in trouble.
the thought for today is helping. i am very thankful for everyone that helped me yesterday. for everyone who gave their time to help me put up a fence. take some time to help someone this week to do something you might not normally do. if you need some help doing something, give me a call, i will help if i can.
of course i did not get to run yesterday since i was working on the fence all day and most of the night, and i still have to put up some gates and close in one spot. luckily Zeke is coming to help again or i might be in trouble.
the thought for today is helping. i am very thankful for everyone that helped me yesterday. for everyone who gave their time to help me put up a fence. take some time to help someone this week to do something you might not normally do. if you need some help doing something, give me a call, i will help if i can.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Another busy day ,work, work, work. had lunch with drug reps so i couldn't shoot my bow over lunch. after work i had to go to lowes to get all the material to build a privacy fence tomorrow. i guess i finally got home about 9 then emily and i went to eat supper. so of course i have not had any time to work out today. it was an off day for running so that is good. i have to get up by 8 in the morning to start building the fence and will probably be working all day. sure hope i have time and that i am not too tired to get my run in tomorrow. i am really looking forward to it even though it will the the furthest yet.
one short comment, since i started taking only 1 zyrtek a day i am not nearly as tired, and i don't think it is helping me any less than taking 2, so far.
funny story. today i was making some copies on our new copy machine at work and it got a paper jam. i set my papers on a small table next to the copy machine to try to fix the machine. while we were working on it an employee of mine came by (one i don't get along with that well) and needed the table. she saw my sheet there and just threw it on the floor. i thought to myself, i haven't thought about doing something that childish since middle school and just chuckled. with all of the stretching i have been doing lately it was no problem to bend over and pick it up, kind of felt good. the other day she got jealous of one employee and started making fun of him for getting technician of the month. weird.
so here is my thought for today “To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.” I think some (probably many) individuals are scared of change. that is so odd to me because as the old and worn out (so old and worn out i almost hate quoting it) saying goes the only constant is change. i would think an individual like that would just fear everything. and i think most of them do. i thought of a saying while i was running the other night "life is not a rut." life was not meant to be lived by being in our comfort zones and doing the same old routines all the time. life was meant to be lived (hence live as a base word to most of the things that have to do with life ex living, lively, lived, etc.). i think those fears of change (especially small ones) are a result of not being fully mature in some aspect. those who resist change, especially when it is made for the betterment of a group are immature, selfish, and scared. now, i am not saying i always accept all change as good. i myself thoughtfully evaluate (and maybe too much) just about every change that i detect in my life. but, if the change is to benefit a group, then why not try it. the thing about change is that it can almost always be changed back. i would like other people's opinions on this. come on, give me some feedback. change my mind. :)
one short comment, since i started taking only 1 zyrtek a day i am not nearly as tired, and i don't think it is helping me any less than taking 2, so far.
funny story. today i was making some copies on our new copy machine at work and it got a paper jam. i set my papers on a small table next to the copy machine to try to fix the machine. while we were working on it an employee of mine came by (one i don't get along with that well) and needed the table. she saw my sheet there and just threw it on the floor. i thought to myself, i haven't thought about doing something that childish since middle school and just chuckled. with all of the stretching i have been doing lately it was no problem to bend over and pick it up, kind of felt good. the other day she got jealous of one employee and started making fun of him for getting technician of the month. weird.
so here is my thought for today “To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.” I think some (probably many) individuals are scared of change. that is so odd to me because as the old and worn out (so old and worn out i almost hate quoting it) saying goes the only constant is change. i would think an individual like that would just fear everything. and i think most of them do. i thought of a saying while i was running the other night "life is not a rut." life was not meant to be lived by being in our comfort zones and doing the same old routines all the time. life was meant to be lived (hence live as a base word to most of the things that have to do with life ex living, lively, lived, etc.). i think those fears of change (especially small ones) are a result of not being fully mature in some aspect. those who resist change, especially when it is made for the betterment of a group are immature, selfish, and scared. now, i am not saying i always accept all change as good. i myself thoughtfully evaluate (and maybe too much) just about every change that i detect in my life. but, if the change is to benefit a group, then why not try it. the thing about change is that it can almost always be changed back. i would like other people's opinions on this. come on, give me some feedback. change my mind. :)
Thursday, July 23, 2009
In the Dark with a Little Extra Protein
Alright, this was a productive day. i did not run this morning, started thinking it was only 12 hours from the last run and decided i had better wait. at lunch i did go shoot my bow, about 55 times, getting a little stronger and better i think. once again i worked a little late then i had to go to stewart co. to get a trailer to haul some wood for a fence this weekend. after stopping by ck outfitters on my way home i finally made it home about 8pm. after changing clothes and stretching it was 8:30. yep, you guessed, i was running in the dark. i did wear light colored clothes and have a little beeping light i wear on my arm, so i did not get hit. i never realized how dark the roads were out here after dark. on my run through part of a subdivision and then past some corn fields and near a couple of ponds, i know i swallowed at least 2 bugs, and spit out many more. the first one i swallowed was sort of big but when i first felt it hit it was already in the back of my throat. at least none hit me in the eyes.
the last 2 days i have really cut back on what i have been eating, i have been eating normal amounts. the bad thing is i had to eat so late tonight since it was late when got in and couldn't eat before i ran (i do NOT need any bowel movements when i am running, i have a hard enough time controlling it normally).
so the thought for tonight, i have been really trying to provide thoughts from a range of people. the bad things is most of my good quotes are at work and my work computer has blown up (oddly enough when i was out of town on vacation). i know not everyone wants to always hear my inspirational thoughts so i try to mix the content up a little. i want the blogs to have interesting content for everyone, and would really love any thoughts on my posts, i really like positive feedback, but disagreeing thoughts make me think about things harder, so bring those on too.
that was not the thought for tonight, it was just a little aside.
here goes. "The truth is, breaking Lou Gehrig's record for consecutive games played was partly an unintentional result of that early and then ongoing determination to keep as much of my destiny as possible in my own hands." i haven't always had the same thoughts but i read a book in college about leaders (have no idea what book it was) but it said something to the effect of taking control of your situations by being proactive so you don't have to be reactive. i think that is why batting is so tough. you always have to be reactive, your move depends on the pitcher. i do like to be in those situations, where you have to think quick and see how tough or quick or good you truly are. however, i would much rather be the pitcher (if only my arm wasn't so weak in those days). to have the batter at my mercy not knowing what was coming. when i pitched the batter usually had PLENTY of time to react. but if you are proactive and try to have some foresight it is much like being the batter with a 3-1 count. you can wait on your pitch, the pitcher has to throw you your pitch. so i have taken the approach in life to be proactive and try to do things so that i don't get caught backed into a corner. corners will come and be dealt with, but try to avoid as many as possible, don't let the decisions and actions of others control the situations you are put in and the way you live your life.
the last 2 days i have really cut back on what i have been eating, i have been eating normal amounts. the bad thing is i had to eat so late tonight since it was late when got in and couldn't eat before i ran (i do NOT need any bowel movements when i am running, i have a hard enough time controlling it normally).
so the thought for tonight, i have been really trying to provide thoughts from a range of people. the bad things is most of my good quotes are at work and my work computer has blown up (oddly enough when i was out of town on vacation). i know not everyone wants to always hear my inspirational thoughts so i try to mix the content up a little. i want the blogs to have interesting content for everyone, and would really love any thoughts on my posts, i really like positive feedback, but disagreeing thoughts make me think about things harder, so bring those on too.
that was not the thought for tonight, it was just a little aside.
here goes. "The truth is, breaking Lou Gehrig's record for consecutive games played was partly an unintentional result of that early and then ongoing determination to keep as much of my destiny as possible in my own hands." i haven't always had the same thoughts but i read a book in college about leaders (have no idea what book it was) but it said something to the effect of taking control of your situations by being proactive so you don't have to be reactive. i think that is why batting is so tough. you always have to be reactive, your move depends on the pitcher. i do like to be in those situations, where you have to think quick and see how tough or quick or good you truly are. however, i would much rather be the pitcher (if only my arm wasn't so weak in those days). to have the batter at my mercy not knowing what was coming. when i pitched the batter usually had PLENTY of time to react. but if you are proactive and try to have some foresight it is much like being the batter with a 3-1 count. you can wait on your pitch, the pitcher has to throw you your pitch. so i have taken the approach in life to be proactive and try to do things so that i don't get caught backed into a corner. corners will come and be dealt with, but try to avoid as many as possible, don't let the decisions and actions of others control the situations you are put in and the way you live your life.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Running, Hunt Draw, Eagles
Today was a tiring day. I was up past midnight last night because i had to see an emergency. no problem. however, i did not remember to change the alarm so i could run this morning (not sure i would have made it anyway). and instead of hitting snooze i turned the alarm clock off. you can imagine what that means.
so, i got up and got to work where we were busy all day (that is a good thing). but, we were so busy i did not finish and leave until 6:30 (poor dr. Holt was still there in surgery when i left). so i finally got home and got my running clothes on, stretched, and ran 3 miles. it was a slow 3 miles, but faster than last time, a whole 8 seconds faster (probably because i didn't drop my mp3 player this time). so i had another good day of running.
today i also found out which hunting unit i was drawn for in montana. bad news is it was my 3rd pick out of 3, good news is, it is still a very good area, the more research i do on it the more excited i am getting.
tomorrow is 4 miles on the schedule, think i might try it in the morning but i am not sure if that will be pushing it too much since i just ran tonight, i will let you know tomorrow.
Isaiah 40:13-"They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary." just thought i would share one of my favorite scriptures, funny i have not thought of this scripture while i was running, but i will from now on. i will also try to think of this scripture when i get tired or confused or bothered. we need to run the race and not be weary so we can run our best, only through Christ can we have that strength. when your life is coming to an end you will want to be able to say you finished your race and did it well.
so, i got up and got to work where we were busy all day (that is a good thing). but, we were so busy i did not finish and leave until 6:30 (poor dr. Holt was still there in surgery when i left). so i finally got home and got my running clothes on, stretched, and ran 3 miles. it was a slow 3 miles, but faster than last time, a whole 8 seconds faster (probably because i didn't drop my mp3 player this time). so i had another good day of running.
today i also found out which hunting unit i was drawn for in montana. bad news is it was my 3rd pick out of 3, good news is, it is still a very good area, the more research i do on it the more excited i am getting.
tomorrow is 4 miles on the schedule, think i might try it in the morning but i am not sure if that will be pushing it too much since i just ran tonight, i will let you know tomorrow.
Isaiah 40:13-"They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary." just thought i would share one of my favorite scriptures, funny i have not thought of this scripture while i was running, but i will from now on. i will also try to think of this scripture when i get tired or confused or bothered. we need to run the race and not be weary so we can run our best, only through Christ can we have that strength. when your life is coming to an end you will want to be able to say you finished your race and did it well.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
I Tried
Well, after watching a little tv and in the middle of fixing a few arrows, i tried doing my push-up/sit-up/leg lift routine tonight. I got 2/3 done and had to come in on emergency (i am currently waiting for a test to run and seeing what i can get done until it finishes). So i didn't get to finish that tonight, but at least i did some, it has been a while since i did anything but run. it's amazing how i have been doing this running and not losing ANY weight. usually when i start working out the weight drops pretty steadily (2-3 lbs a week every week). however, i have not dropped a pound all summer. it was funny that i lost about 15lbs during turkey season when i wasn't exercising as much as i am now, then after the season i put 7lbs back on and can't lose any now. maybe some of that has to do with diet, but i am not eating that bad (most of the time). crazy.
oh, the test is negative.
back to blogging.
i am going to pick on a "prayer" that may be one that some of you like, have hanging in your house, etc. so, please excuse me if i step on some toes, it is just me being over critical, probably. the serenity prayer ends by basically asking God to help you know the difference between the things you can and can't change. however, Philippians 4.13 says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"(emphasis mine). so, if you can do all things how can you ask God to tell you the things you cannot do? maybe some people think there are things they can't do because they do not trust God enough, or they expect Him to work on their time schedule. maybe you have to look deeper to see the inner meaning of this prayer. maybe what it is really asking is for God to show you that there is nothing you can't do. whatever, Philippians is out of the Bible, i do not think the serenity prayer is, so i will stick with Philippians (that makes me feel better anyway). just think, there is nothing you want to do that you can't do when your strength is from Christ. now, if you argue with that, email me, it will take a little time explaining.
oh, the test is negative.
back to blogging.
i am going to pick on a "prayer" that may be one that some of you like, have hanging in your house, etc. so, please excuse me if i step on some toes, it is just me being over critical, probably. the serenity prayer ends by basically asking God to help you know the difference between the things you can and can't change. however, Philippians 4.13 says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"(emphasis mine). so, if you can do all things how can you ask God to tell you the things you cannot do? maybe some people think there are things they can't do because they do not trust God enough, or they expect Him to work on their time schedule. maybe you have to look deeper to see the inner meaning of this prayer. maybe what it is really asking is for God to show you that there is nothing you can't do. whatever, Philippians is out of the Bible, i do not think the serenity prayer is, so i will stick with Philippians (that makes me feel better anyway). just think, there is nothing you want to do that you can't do when your strength is from Christ. now, if you argue with that, email me, it will take a little time explaining.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Back on Track?
Well, today was somewhat more productive than yesterday. i got a few things done and didn't have to take a long nap. Emily told me she wants to run clarksville's 1/2 marathon in nov. i think that may be pushing it a little for her, but who am i to judge. i think a marathon at any time is pushing it a lot for me! after my run today, emily may beat me in the 1/2 marathon. i ran 3 miles in 29 minutes. it seemed like i was going a lot faster. my legs felt good, my breathing was a little rough, but it seemed like i was running so much faster than usual. turns out i was a lot slower that usual. tomorrow is a rest day, maybe i can get some upper body in (i am on call too).
Here is a quote i got off a website and it reminds me a lot of my own running, but i am not sure that it does so for the right reasons.
"Some people create with words, or with music, or with a brush and paints. I like to make something beautiful when I run. I like to make people stop and say, "I've never seen anyone run like that before." It's more then just a race, it's a style. It's doing something better than anyone else. It's being creative."
yes, lots of people look and stare as i am running down the road and they pass me in their cars. one actually stopped and wanted to know if i needed help. i think they all say "i've never seen anyone run like that before." but i will trudge on, with my head to the grindstone, in relentless forward progress until i reach the goal. today i started to worry because it looks like i will have to be running during the heart of deer season to be able to run the clarksville 1/2 marathon and the memphis marathon. talk about sacrifice.
Here is a quote i got off a website and it reminds me a lot of my own running, but i am not sure that it does so for the right reasons.
"Some people create with words, or with music, or with a brush and paints. I like to make something beautiful when I run. I like to make people stop and say, "I've never seen anyone run like that before." It's more then just a race, it's a style. It's doing something better than anyone else. It's being creative."
yes, lots of people look and stare as i am running down the road and they pass me in their cars. one actually stopped and wanted to know if i needed help. i think they all say "i've never seen anyone run like that before." but i will trudge on, with my head to the grindstone, in relentless forward progress until i reach the goal. today i started to worry because it looks like i will have to be running during the heart of deer season to be able to run the clarksville 1/2 marathon and the memphis marathon. talk about sacrifice.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Getting Back in the Groove
Well, today was quite uneventful. I went to church then went to Emily's parents' house for lunch, overate, shot my bow 44 times, came home, took a nap, watched tv, and now i am here. I still can't figure out why i am so tired these days, i think it is because i am letting my body tell my mind i am tired. i just feel like i could sleep all the time. i think it may be that i have been taking 2 allergy pills instead of 1 (like the prescription says). 1 just doesn't do anything for me. anyway, maybe i caught up on rest today and can get back into working out. seems like i am in a little slump. i have been running regularly, but anything else, like upper body work has been so hard to do. tomorrow starts a new week on my training calendar so i will make every effort to get pumped about shooting my bow, doing upper body, and maybe riding my bike or walking on the days i don't run. i worry that just training for the marathon might not get me in good enough shape to carry my pack but i think it will get me where i need to be. at least i am doing something, and running for distance has to be as good as walking with my pack on my back for 30min to an hour. i was walking hills with it some and jumping rope a lot, but i think running will suffice.
tomorrow is my day off and i have a 3 mile run on the schedule. the rest of the week looks like rain, hope it doesn't mess the schedule up.
Following is a quote from Cameron Hanes :
"Truthfully, I run out of my comfort zone (an ultramarathon in the mountains will definitely get you out of your CZ) to not only build confidence but also to increase my ability to suffer. I want to hurt. I want to hurt in training because I know I will hurt during the hunt... Bowhunting is a test and so is running. How much pain and suffering will you go through for success? On most my hunts this is what has probably made the biggest difference…the ability to suffer more."
I think this is one reason i accepted the challenge (which was probably mostly a joke) from my cousin to run in a marathon. I knew that it would get me in pretty good physical condition for my upcoming hunt. But more than that i knew it would get me in much better mental condition for being out in the breaks of the missouri river, sleeping in a bivy sack, and trying to harvest a mature elk. this trip can be as easy as i want it to be or it can be as hard as i want it to be. i can stay in a hotel every night and drive to my spot in the morning and not get back far in the forest so i can get to the truck before dark to get back to the hotel. or i can hike 2-10 miles everyday, until i find elk and stay with them until i finish the job, staying out for up to 5 days at a time. personally, i do not want to have another fun, easy trip. i want to have a hard, exciting trip, where i know i have done everything possible, given myself every chance, to be successful. i want to get to the spot that is farthest from anyone, back where the elk have never seen a person. not just to hunt undisturbed elk (but that would be a huge bonus) but to be able to say i have been where others would not put in the effort to get to. call me crazy, just always been a dream of mine, and the marathon training will help me get there (guess i had better try and stay off the couch).
tomorrow is my day off and i have a 3 mile run on the schedule. the rest of the week looks like rain, hope it doesn't mess the schedule up.
Following is a quote from Cameron Hanes :
"Truthfully, I run out of my comfort zone (an ultramarathon in the mountains will definitely get you out of your CZ) to not only build confidence but also to increase my ability to suffer. I want to hurt. I want to hurt in training because I know I will hurt during the hunt... Bowhunting is a test and so is running. How much pain and suffering will you go through for success? On most my hunts this is what has probably made the biggest difference…the ability to suffer more."
I think this is one reason i accepted the challenge (which was probably mostly a joke) from my cousin to run in a marathon. I knew that it would get me in pretty good physical condition for my upcoming hunt. But more than that i knew it would get me in much better mental condition for being out in the breaks of the missouri river, sleeping in a bivy sack, and trying to harvest a mature elk. this trip can be as easy as i want it to be or it can be as hard as i want it to be. i can stay in a hotel every night and drive to my spot in the morning and not get back far in the forest so i can get to the truck before dark to get back to the hotel. or i can hike 2-10 miles everyday, until i find elk and stay with them until i finish the job, staying out for up to 5 days at a time. personally, i do not want to have another fun, easy trip. i want to have a hard, exciting trip, where i know i have done everything possible, given myself every chance, to be successful. i want to get to the spot that is farthest from anyone, back where the elk have never seen a person. not just to hunt undisturbed elk (but that would be a huge bonus) but to be able to say i have been where others would not put in the effort to get to. call me crazy, just always been a dream of mine, and the marathon training will help me get there (guess i had better try and stay off the couch).
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Longest Run So Far and What You Can't Not Do
Well today was a good day, aren't they all? I made my 7AM appointment. However, the farrier was 40 minutes late. oh well, i got an extra 5 minutes of sleep in the truck. Then i worked until noon at the clinic and then 'til 6pm putting together cages for the new clinic. I hurt my lower back a little lifting the cages but more on that later.
When i got home i changed clothes and stretched (better than usual) and got ready for my 6 mile run. then i thought "my ankle hurts a little, my back hurts a little, maybe i should take today off and restart week #2 on Monday." Then i thought to myself....i have been talking this run up all week, i can't not do it (more on that later). So i headed of, a little more apprehensive than usual about the run because i was a little sore in the above mentioned areas and because the 3 mile run 2 days ago was so tough.
500 yards into the run i was having a little more lower back pain, i shrugged it off. 1.5 miles into the run (and 15:26 minutes) i was feeling good, maybe a little calf cramp but nothing more. i really felt like i had made better time than that, but i felt good so i was not going to worry about a slow pace. 2 miles, 3 miles, 4 miles i felt good. at 4 miles i actually stepped into a slightly faster pace, it felt like. i was running very comfortably, actually a little worried i might be going too fast to finish strong.
About the last 1/4 mile there is a medium uphill grade. if i am going to be broken it is probably going to be here. i know that and i think that is why i can pull the hill pretty well, and as soon as i am up the hill it is downhill to the finish! one thing i realized is that if you look at the top of the hill, it looks steep. however, if you look where your next step is going to be, it really isn't that steep at all. my final time for the 6 miles was 58:12, so roughly 9:45 min/mile.
that reminded me of a quote about walking on a tight-rope. if you focus on the rope you can make it across- if you focus on all the empty space around the rope you will surely step in the empty space. so do not worry about life's problems around you, focus on the goal. and don't look at the steep incline, look at your nearly level next step. if every next step is barely higher than the previous, it is not much of a hill at all.
the book i am reading currently (life wide open..) talks about the things in life that you can't not do. the things that burn inside you, the things that take up almost all your thoughts. those are the things in life we can't not do. i think it is easy to get in the rut of life and go with the flow and the things that were once what we couldn't not do are now just tucked away. well, i am saying take them back and don't not do them. Jack Johnson has a song that talks about a guy telling his girlfriend that her dreams are just dreams. it isn't true. i challenge everyone reading this to pick one thing they always wanted to do but never did and get 'er done within the next 6 months.
When i got home i changed clothes and stretched (better than usual) and got ready for my 6 mile run. then i thought "my ankle hurts a little, my back hurts a little, maybe i should take today off and restart week #2 on Monday." Then i thought to myself....i have been talking this run up all week, i can't not do it (more on that later). So i headed of, a little more apprehensive than usual about the run because i was a little sore in the above mentioned areas and because the 3 mile run 2 days ago was so tough.
500 yards into the run i was having a little more lower back pain, i shrugged it off. 1.5 miles into the run (and 15:26 minutes) i was feeling good, maybe a little calf cramp but nothing more. i really felt like i had made better time than that, but i felt good so i was not going to worry about a slow pace. 2 miles, 3 miles, 4 miles i felt good. at 4 miles i actually stepped into a slightly faster pace, it felt like. i was running very comfortably, actually a little worried i might be going too fast to finish strong.
About the last 1/4 mile there is a medium uphill grade. if i am going to be broken it is probably going to be here. i know that and i think that is why i can pull the hill pretty well, and as soon as i am up the hill it is downhill to the finish! one thing i realized is that if you look at the top of the hill, it looks steep. however, if you look where your next step is going to be, it really isn't that steep at all. my final time for the 6 miles was 58:12, so roughly 9:45 min/mile.
that reminded me of a quote about walking on a tight-rope. if you focus on the rope you can make it across- if you focus on all the empty space around the rope you will surely step in the empty space. so do not worry about life's problems around you, focus on the goal. and don't look at the steep incline, look at your nearly level next step. if every next step is barely higher than the previous, it is not much of a hill at all.
the book i am reading currently (life wide open..) talks about the things in life that you can't not do. the things that burn inside you, the things that take up almost all your thoughts. those are the things in life we can't not do. i think it is easy to get in the rut of life and go with the flow and the things that were once what we couldn't not do are now just tucked away. well, i am saying take them back and don't not do them. Jack Johnson has a song that talks about a guy telling his girlfriend that her dreams are just dreams. it isn't true. i challenge everyone reading this to pick one thing they always wanted to do but never did and get 'er done within the next 6 months.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Lazy Summer Day and Hope from a Chinese Missionary
well, i've been pretty lazy today. i missed the partners' meeting this morning because i forgot to set my alarm clock to the right time. i have an appointment in the morning at 7am so i hope i remember to set it back tonight. so i woke up late and didn't have time to exercise. then i got off late and i am on call and had to see 2 emergencies after that. so when i got home i really didn't feel like doing any upper body. actually, i was listening to my new elk calling cd in the truck in my driveway and fell asleep in the truck for a few minutes. then i came upstairs and was listening to the same cd and took a little nap. so now i hope i don't get any emergency calls so i can get some sleep tonight and be up and ready for my early appointment.
tomorrow is a big day. i have to work from 7-12 then start putting cages together for the new clinic. hopefully that will only take a few hours. then i have the 6 mile run. i am looking forward to the run but a little nervous too since my 3 mile run yesterday was so tough. i am sure i will make it through.
The thought of the day is this: it is from a biography about Hudson Taylor, the first missionary to inland China, "his experience had taught him that whenever he made any sacrifice for God, his compensation was so full and overwhelming that 'giving up' seemed more like receiving." And i think this is so true. if you are in need, try giving something up. you will get back more than you gave and probably more than you need. Hudson Taylor said "I find increasing comfort in the thought that all things are really in the Father's hand and under His governance. He cannot do but what is best." (emphasis mine)
If we keep that thought in mind ,how can we ever fear, how can we ever worry, how can we ever do anything but give full control to God?
If you haven't read the biography of Hudson Taylor i challenge you to do so.
tomorrow is a big day. i have to work from 7-12 then start putting cages together for the new clinic. hopefully that will only take a few hours. then i have the 6 mile run. i am looking forward to the run but a little nervous too since my 3 mile run yesterday was so tough. i am sure i will make it through.
The thought of the day is this: it is from a biography about Hudson Taylor, the first missionary to inland China, "his experience had taught him that whenever he made any sacrifice for God, his compensation was so full and overwhelming that 'giving up' seemed more like receiving." And i think this is so true. if you are in need, try giving something up. you will get back more than you gave and probably more than you need. Hudson Taylor said "I find increasing comfort in the thought that all things are really in the Father's hand and under His governance. He cannot do but what is best." (emphasis mine)
If we keep that thought in mind ,how can we ever fear, how can we ever worry, how can we ever do anything but give full control to God?
If you haven't read the biography of Hudson Taylor i challenge you to do so.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Hard Run, No a REAL HARD Run
well, i am back on track for the marathon. i ran 3 miles today. however, it was the hardest 3 miles i have ran since i started. i thought this would be an easy day too. i always start off by stretching but i am starting to think i don't stretch enough. i stretch calves and hamstrings but when i first start off running my legs feel so stiff. usually this stiffness works itself out in 3-4 minutes but it didn't today. i felt stiff for most of the run except for a short downhill spot. however, i did finish the 3 miles.
another important thing i did today was that i measured the distances i was running. i marked points that were at 1/2 mile distances up to 5 miles. knowing that will help me figure how fast (or slow) i am running. the first 1.5 miles today took me exactly 15 minutes. somehow the second 1.5 miles took me just under 14 minutes. so the pace was right at what i have been running lately. tomorrow is a break day, which is good because i am on call tomorrow night. i think i might try to get in some upper body work.
i heard a biography report on a kenyan lady who won the boston marathon in the last couple of years. she works out 3 times a day 3 days a week and 2 times a day the other 4 days a week. the one thing that she said that stuck in my mind was "no one runs a marathon for the fun of it." true dat.
Vince Lombardi once said "there is more challenge in building than in maintaining." I think he missed the point a little. no matter where you are there is always a chance for building. maybe he was making the point that he had coached a team to several superbowl championships and was wanting to build a team from the bottom up. however, no matter what position we are in, no matter how great it appears to be, i believe it can always be better. also, i think that it is harder to make the best better than making the worst better. i mean think about it, how hard is it to improve if you are the worst? i think it is harder to make yourself better if you are the best (i am not saying this based on experience, just what i would think). the key is to never get comfortable with your performance, know it could always be better. now i am not saying to strive to be perfect. that would only make us all upset because we can never be perfect. just try to improve everything you do every time you do it. i know people could argue this point with me because there is a limit to how good we can do something. but i do think we should always try to reach that limit, and the push to make it a little better.
another important thing i did today was that i measured the distances i was running. i marked points that were at 1/2 mile distances up to 5 miles. knowing that will help me figure how fast (or slow) i am running. the first 1.5 miles today took me exactly 15 minutes. somehow the second 1.5 miles took me just under 14 minutes. so the pace was right at what i have been running lately. tomorrow is a break day, which is good because i am on call tomorrow night. i think i might try to get in some upper body work.
i heard a biography report on a kenyan lady who won the boston marathon in the last couple of years. she works out 3 times a day 3 days a week and 2 times a day the other 4 days a week. the one thing that she said that stuck in my mind was "no one runs a marathon for the fun of it." true dat.
Vince Lombardi once said "there is more challenge in building than in maintaining." I think he missed the point a little. no matter where you are there is always a chance for building. maybe he was making the point that he had coached a team to several superbowl championships and was wanting to build a team from the bottom up. however, no matter what position we are in, no matter how great it appears to be, i believe it can always be better. also, i think that it is harder to make the best better than making the worst better. i mean think about it, how hard is it to improve if you are the worst? i think it is harder to make yourself better if you are the best (i am not saying this based on experience, just what i would think). the key is to never get comfortable with your performance, know it could always be better. now i am not saying to strive to be perfect. that would only make us all upset because we can never be perfect. just try to improve everything you do every time you do it. i know people could argue this point with me because there is a limit to how good we can do something. but i do think we should always try to reach that limit, and the push to make it a little better.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Beautiful Parks and Passionate Perks
i am back to blogging. sorry to those faithful followers that i have let down over the last week. wow, what a week. as most of you know, Emily and i have spent the last week in montana/wyoming visiting two of our country's most amazing national parks. It was a very hectic, fast paced week but well worth it. we visited Glacier Park in northwest montana and yellowstone park.
I did not get to do much running during the last week but i did run one morning in great falls, montana. It was a cool morning at about 3000 ft above sea level. the air was a little thin and cool. i thought my lungs were going to burn. however, i did finish the 3.5 mile loop in 32 minutes. my friend let me borrow his gps, which was nice, so i did know the exact distance and time. it gave me a pace of 9.36 minutes/mile. that is not a stellar pace by far, but i will take it for now.
Emily and i got back late last night so i slept in this morning, tried to do some catch-up today (while listening to my new elk calling cd), and ran this evening. without a gps i am not really sure how far i ran but i think it was about 4 miles. i ran for 41 minutes (i think my pace was a little slower than the other day). I also finally broke down and bought a decent pair of running shoes. until now i had been wearing some nike basketball shoes. however, my friend in great falls, who is training for a 1/2 marathon, talked me into getting a good pair of running shoes, they are much lighter, if you can imagine.
so, because of my vacation, i am on the second week of the marathon schedule, which is 3 miles tomorrow and 6 miles on saturday. hope i can make it. 6 miles will be the furthest i have ever ran in one run (that i can remember).
I did happen to take over 30,000 steps during the week (I think i am still in the lead for the health dept. step contest). That included one 4 mile hike in yellowstone and 1/2 of a hike in glacier (~2 miles) that got rained out. Emily went with me on both of those hikes and she kept up the entire time. she did better than i did on my first couple of hikes many years ago.
i am reading a book by David Jeremiah called Life Wide Open: Unleashing the Power of a Passionate Life. One quote i want to share with everyone is this: "it might appear to the world that we are making a choice, but we've known from the beginning we had only one option." This quote is talking about the lives of passionate people and i think it is so true. For passionate people, we only have one way we can do things- fully, and all-out. I get criticized about trying to make things too difficult, thinking too much about things, etc, instead of just taking the easy route. but that is how i have to do things, the way i think is best, not even second best. i want everything to be the best. when i do get a little tired and drop my guard a little, i always regret it. even when things work out just fine. i don't want things to work out just fine.
Another quote from the book (and there are so many i would like to share) says: "Who needs it? If that thought doesn't cross your mind with some degree of regularity, then I question whether you are pursuing your passion after all...passion isn't about a comfortable life or big results; it's about following through with your conviction regardless of the cost." so, to you who live a passion-filled life this is not a new concept for you, but maybe the first time you have heard it put like this. to you who may not be living a passionate life, don't just read these words and think wow, he is right, get out there and put some passion in your actions, not just in your thoughts, you will feel better every night when you look in the mirror.
I did not get to do much running during the last week but i did run one morning in great falls, montana. It was a cool morning at about 3000 ft above sea level. the air was a little thin and cool. i thought my lungs were going to burn. however, i did finish the 3.5 mile loop in 32 minutes. my friend let me borrow his gps, which was nice, so i did know the exact distance and time. it gave me a pace of 9.36 minutes/mile. that is not a stellar pace by far, but i will take it for now.
Emily and i got back late last night so i slept in this morning, tried to do some catch-up today (while listening to my new elk calling cd), and ran this evening. without a gps i am not really sure how far i ran but i think it was about 4 miles. i ran for 41 minutes (i think my pace was a little slower than the other day). I also finally broke down and bought a decent pair of running shoes. until now i had been wearing some nike basketball shoes. however, my friend in great falls, who is training for a 1/2 marathon, talked me into getting a good pair of running shoes, they are much lighter, if you can imagine.
so, because of my vacation, i am on the second week of the marathon schedule, which is 3 miles tomorrow and 6 miles on saturday. hope i can make it. 6 miles will be the furthest i have ever ran in one run (that i can remember).
I did happen to take over 30,000 steps during the week (I think i am still in the lead for the health dept. step contest). That included one 4 mile hike in yellowstone and 1/2 of a hike in glacier (~2 miles) that got rained out. Emily went with me on both of those hikes and she kept up the entire time. she did better than i did on my first couple of hikes many years ago.
i am reading a book by David Jeremiah called Life Wide Open: Unleashing the Power of a Passionate Life. One quote i want to share with everyone is this: "it might appear to the world that we are making a choice, but we've known from the beginning we had only one option." This quote is talking about the lives of passionate people and i think it is so true. For passionate people, we only have one way we can do things- fully, and all-out. I get criticized about trying to make things too difficult, thinking too much about things, etc, instead of just taking the easy route. but that is how i have to do things, the way i think is best, not even second best. i want everything to be the best. when i do get a little tired and drop my guard a little, i always regret it. even when things work out just fine. i don't want things to work out just fine.
Another quote from the book (and there are so many i would like to share) says: "Who needs it? If that thought doesn't cross your mind with some degree of regularity, then I question whether you are pursuing your passion after all...passion isn't about a comfortable life or big results; it's about following through with your conviction regardless of the cost." so, to you who live a passion-filled life this is not a new concept for you, but maybe the first time you have heard it put like this. to you who may not be living a passionate life, don't just read these words and think wow, he is right, get out there and put some passion in your actions, not just in your thoughts, you will feel better every night when you look in the mirror.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Going through the motions
today was a tough to get everything done. it is usually my day off but because i am going on vacation tomorrow i worked. so that meant time i would normally have to sit around and think about my run and whatever, was nonexistent, as was the run, almost.
first of all i was on call until 8am and kept getting calls, i didn't have to go in, but the calls just kept me from sleeping well. then, i forgot to reset my alarm and it went off at 7am instead of 6am, so much for running before work. luckily, at lunch i did get to shoot my bow. the 50 yard target was occupied and the 60 yard target was gone so i was stuck shooting at 40 yards, would have preferred 60 yards but i'll take what i can get.
after work i was supposed to go to a funeral visitation and ended up not going. so then i had to go to a meeting that lasted until 8:30pm. i got home changed clothes and told Emily i was going for a run. she acted like i was crazy, but i have to be dedicated if i am going to do this, and i am not going to let a little darkness get in the way. so i ran for 30 minutes, or so. my mp3 player, that i was so excited about, stinks. it does not stay clipped on and the ear pieces don't stay in. that is why i ran for 30 minutes OR SO. part of the time i was picking up the mp3 player off the road or catching the ear pieces, etc. will have to figure something else out.
now i have to finish packing and get ready to fly to montana in the morning. needless to say it has been a long day. to tell you how busy we were at work i normally take about 500-600 steps on the average day at work (i know this thanks to the pedometer i am wearing for the health dept. contest). today i took about 1200 steps. thank God i am blessed with a steady job.
there is a song i have heard recently (is there an echo, seems like i have been saying that a lot lately) that make me really think, kind of reminds me of who i was before my job (or maybe my business partners) started getting the best of me. i can't remember the lyrics exactly but here is the gist "i don't want to go through the motions, i don't want to spend one more day, without Your all-consuming passion inside of me. i don't want to look back and wish i had given everything." don't even know who sings the song. however, this is how we would live each and every moment, not just every day. sometimes i feel like the people i work with are just going through the motions, just doing what they have been told is right or ok. for me, i want to do everything as right as possible and not be lazy, not just take the easy road all the time. i don't want to do something just to make someone happy if it means going against what i think is right or lawful. and i know i probably have a higher standard than others because i know God is watching everything i do when others may slack off because they think no one is watching. funny thing is you would think this would make stronger in my convictions around my fellow workers, but sometimes it doesn't. sometimes i feel like if they don't care, the whole thing is ruined and i should give up anyway and restart somewhere else, especially when i am ridiculed for what i do. and i think i feel that way for two reasons. 1. it has been going on for so long. 2. many of my co-workers feel the exact opposite of the way i do. i feel like i am a truck in neutral, no matter how hard i hit the gas i don't move at all and just sit there and waste so much energy. so here is what i have come to figure out recently. 1. God has put me in this place. 2. God wants to use me in this place. 3. i have to do the best i can every moment with as much passion as i can muster, no matter what the results are. God doesn't ask us to make results, only to work hard (He doesn't really ask us to work hard but as Christians we should). as long as we work hard and passionately for Him the results will be exactly what He wants. that should be all we want to happen anyway. so, no matter how small or nonexistent our apparent accomplishments are here on earth we should work hard, diligently, passionately for God and know He is using us and we are doing His kingdom work (simple concept, in a long drawn out way of saying it).
first of all i was on call until 8am and kept getting calls, i didn't have to go in, but the calls just kept me from sleeping well. then, i forgot to reset my alarm and it went off at 7am instead of 6am, so much for running before work. luckily, at lunch i did get to shoot my bow. the 50 yard target was occupied and the 60 yard target was gone so i was stuck shooting at 40 yards, would have preferred 60 yards but i'll take what i can get.
after work i was supposed to go to a funeral visitation and ended up not going. so then i had to go to a meeting that lasted until 8:30pm. i got home changed clothes and told Emily i was going for a run. she acted like i was crazy, but i have to be dedicated if i am going to do this, and i am not going to let a little darkness get in the way. so i ran for 30 minutes, or so. my mp3 player, that i was so excited about, stinks. it does not stay clipped on and the ear pieces don't stay in. that is why i ran for 30 minutes OR SO. part of the time i was picking up the mp3 player off the road or catching the ear pieces, etc. will have to figure something else out.
now i have to finish packing and get ready to fly to montana in the morning. needless to say it has been a long day. to tell you how busy we were at work i normally take about 500-600 steps on the average day at work (i know this thanks to the pedometer i am wearing for the health dept. contest). today i took about 1200 steps. thank God i am blessed with a steady job.
there is a song i have heard recently (is there an echo, seems like i have been saying that a lot lately) that make me really think, kind of reminds me of who i was before my job (or maybe my business partners) started getting the best of me. i can't remember the lyrics exactly but here is the gist "i don't want to go through the motions, i don't want to spend one more day, without Your all-consuming passion inside of me. i don't want to look back and wish i had given everything." don't even know who sings the song. however, this is how we would live each and every moment, not just every day. sometimes i feel like the people i work with are just going through the motions, just doing what they have been told is right or ok. for me, i want to do everything as right as possible and not be lazy, not just take the easy road all the time. i don't want to do something just to make someone happy if it means going against what i think is right or lawful. and i know i probably have a higher standard than others because i know God is watching everything i do when others may slack off because they think no one is watching. funny thing is you would think this would make stronger in my convictions around my fellow workers, but sometimes it doesn't. sometimes i feel like if they don't care, the whole thing is ruined and i should give up anyway and restart somewhere else, especially when i am ridiculed for what i do. and i think i feel that way for two reasons. 1. it has been going on for so long. 2. many of my co-workers feel the exact opposite of the way i do. i feel like i am a truck in neutral, no matter how hard i hit the gas i don't move at all and just sit there and waste so much energy. so here is what i have come to figure out recently. 1. God has put me in this place. 2. God wants to use me in this place. 3. i have to do the best i can every moment with as much passion as i can muster, no matter what the results are. God doesn't ask us to make results, only to work hard (He doesn't really ask us to work hard but as Christians we should). as long as we work hard and passionately for Him the results will be exactly what He wants. that should be all we want to happen anyway. so, no matter how small or nonexistent our apparent accomplishments are here on earth we should work hard, diligently, passionately for God and know He is using us and we are doing His kingdom work (simple concept, in a long drawn out way of saying it).
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Hello, is anybody out there?
If you have been following you know i am on call today so i did not get to go for a run or long walk. It was really a rest day anyway on my new schedule. However, i did do some push-ups, crunches, and leg lifts. i saw an info-merical about the P90X today and would like to try it but it cost $120. my bow is at the clinic in my personal truck so i didn't get to shoot it either. my plan is to run in the morning and shoot my bow over lunch or after work.
as many of you probably know emily and i are leaving for montana on tuesday so i may not be blogging for a while. i will be sure to make daily notes of my workouts and thoughts so i can share them with everyone when i get back.
the title of this blog comes from the fact that no one has posted any comments lately so i was wondering if anyone is even reading my posts. if you are, just let me know, send a little encouragement, or even discouragement, something so i will know someone is reading.
My deeper thought today will be about rest. today is Sunday and also happens to be a rest day on my training schedule (i think all Sundays are). so i want to remind everyone that God set aside a day especially for rest. not because He knew humans would be lazy but because He knew our bodies needed rest. after all he did make us. funny thing about muscles (that we are all made of) is that you can work them all you want and they will never grow. but start giving them a little rest between workouts and you can watch them grow. The Lord says "all you who are tired and heavy burdened come to me and i will give you rest." so give your cares, worries, and burdens to the Lord, He is dying to carry them for you!
as many of you probably know emily and i are leaving for montana on tuesday so i may not be blogging for a while. i will be sure to make daily notes of my workouts and thoughts so i can share them with everyone when i get back.
the title of this blog comes from the fact that no one has posted any comments lately so i was wondering if anyone is even reading my posts. if you are, just let me know, send a little encouragement, or even discouragement, something so i will know someone is reading.
My deeper thought today will be about rest. today is Sunday and also happens to be a rest day on my training schedule (i think all Sundays are). so i want to remind everyone that God set aside a day especially for rest. not because He knew humans would be lazy but because He knew our bodies needed rest. after all he did make us. funny thing about muscles (that we are all made of) is that you can work them all you want and they will never grow. but start giving them a little rest between workouts and you can watch them grow. The Lord says "all you who are tired and heavy burdened come to me and i will give you rest." so give your cares, worries, and burdens to the Lord, He is dying to carry them for you!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Day 6 Work, Work, Starfish and Excellence
Happy Independence day! Whoa what a day so far. It is not yet 8pm and i have seen 8 emergencies already today! i did get a little break around lunch to go home and load some songs onto the computer to put on my mp3 player for when i run. the portable radio i strap on my arm isn't cutting it. it works well but they talk too much on the radio, especially in the mornings. now i will have all my good lenny kravitz, counting crows, and michael jackson songs along with a lot of other artists. i will be able to run forever!
Needless to say i have not worked out or shot my bow today. I was going to shoot my bow after the last emergency i just finished, but a tornado kept me from it. i know more excuses, right. the good thing is today was a rest day on my schedule. i was going to take tomorrow to rest too since i ran more days than i was supposed to last week.
Just think in about 72 hours i will be in montana. the bad thing is, of that 72 hours i have to be on call 36 of those hours and work another 10 or so. Emily and i are going to montana for our summer vacation. we will get to see 2 good friends out there and yellowstone. i can't wait!
i want to share a story with everyone that i have heard a couple of times, kind of a (silly) parable, but for some reason it has stuck with me for a long time. There was a man walking along the beach. on this beach there were hundreds of starfish that had been washed up with the tide. the man noticed another man down the beach doing something and he couldn't tell what. as the first man got closer he noticed the second man was throwing starfish back into the ocean. the first man looked around and after realizing the second man was trying to save all the starfish he said "you can't do it, there are too many for you to save them all, your efforts are futile." the second man just kept on working and didn't say a word. after a few more minutes the first man said "quit wasting your time, you can't make a difference." the second man threw one more in and said "it made a difference to that one. "
now i know that is a corny story but i want to extrapolate a few points from it. always try to help, no matter how small the difference you make, the point is, you made a difference. it is much better to go through life even making a little difference than making none, no matter how small. also, we weren't all made to change the world drastically, but when we try to make a small difference in your eyes it can be an incredibly amazing difference to others, and most of the time we will never know it. and don't help others just to get something in return, your reward should be looking in the mirror at night when you are all alone and knowing you did what you could that day. if you know you have done your best, it doesn't matter what other people think. the last lesson from the story is this, when someone tries to discourage you, do not waste your time with them. by answering the first man the second man might have lost out on one more starfish he could have saved. turn a deaf ear towards negative talk. James Freeman Clarke said "if i cannot do great things, i can do small things in a great way." Booker T. Washington said"excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way."
so, do everything, big or small, no matter how tiny, in a greatly uncommon way.
one thing i do want to add is that i do not think i have mastered all the things i write about or give my opinion on. most of the things i write about are things i deal with and face every day and i just like to share thoughts and sayings that have occasionally helped me get things right. i don't want anyone to think that i think i am perfect in any area. i struggle everyday with doing things right. i am so selfish and many times very lazy and proud. i just like to share things that have helped me.
Needless to say i have not worked out or shot my bow today. I was going to shoot my bow after the last emergency i just finished, but a tornado kept me from it. i know more excuses, right. the good thing is today was a rest day on my schedule. i was going to take tomorrow to rest too since i ran more days than i was supposed to last week.
Just think in about 72 hours i will be in montana. the bad thing is, of that 72 hours i have to be on call 36 of those hours and work another 10 or so. Emily and i are going to montana for our summer vacation. we will get to see 2 good friends out there and yellowstone. i can't wait!
i want to share a story with everyone that i have heard a couple of times, kind of a (silly) parable, but for some reason it has stuck with me for a long time. There was a man walking along the beach. on this beach there were hundreds of starfish that had been washed up with the tide. the man noticed another man down the beach doing something and he couldn't tell what. as the first man got closer he noticed the second man was throwing starfish back into the ocean. the first man looked around and after realizing the second man was trying to save all the starfish he said "you can't do it, there are too many for you to save them all, your efforts are futile." the second man just kept on working and didn't say a word. after a few more minutes the first man said "quit wasting your time, you can't make a difference." the second man threw one more in and said "it made a difference to that one. "
now i know that is a corny story but i want to extrapolate a few points from it. always try to help, no matter how small the difference you make, the point is, you made a difference. it is much better to go through life even making a little difference than making none, no matter how small. also, we weren't all made to change the world drastically, but when we try to make a small difference in your eyes it can be an incredibly amazing difference to others, and most of the time we will never know it. and don't help others just to get something in return, your reward should be looking in the mirror at night when you are all alone and knowing you did what you could that day. if you know you have done your best, it doesn't matter what other people think. the last lesson from the story is this, when someone tries to discourage you, do not waste your time with them. by answering the first man the second man might have lost out on one more starfish he could have saved. turn a deaf ear towards negative talk. James Freeman Clarke said "if i cannot do great things, i can do small things in a great way." Booker T. Washington said"excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way."
so, do everything, big or small, no matter how tiny, in a greatly uncommon way.
one thing i do want to add is that i do not think i have mastered all the things i write about or give my opinion on. most of the things i write about are things i deal with and face every day and i just like to share thoughts and sayings that have occasionally helped me get things right. i don't want anyone to think that i think i am perfect in any area. i struggle everyday with doing things right. i am so selfish and many times very lazy and proud. i just like to share things that have helped me.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Running and Phone Calls and Endurance
hello there, this one is coming kinda late, i apologize.
I was wondering if i would get to work out any today since i had a meeting with the rest of my partners this morning at 6:30am (and only one was there by then). However, after work i did get to shot my bow 33 times, mostly at 60 yards and some at 40. after that i was able to get home in time to run for 50 minutes or roughly 5 miles (a little slow but that's not the point). so i actually ran more than i was supposed to according to my marathon schedule (that is one thing it says definitely not to do). so i have been working out a good bit this week but the weight just isn't coming off like it used to, i guess it is old age. i think i might have even gained a little weight this week.
anyway, on to deeper subjects. i have heard a song a couple of times recently with a line that says "we are all just a phone call away from our knees." the point is, we never know when things in life are going to happen or hit us, like deaths, deception by close friends, etc. The deeper point is that it doesn't really matter , God is with us, taking care of us ALL the time. The creator that created the entire universe cares for each of us enough to watch our own personal story unfold. and He loves us. If this God is really that mighty and loves us, how can anything hurt us? how can anything worry us? i know things get to us some times and things happen that we don't understand but, we have to have the faith that He is watching over us ALL the time, and if we can't believe that, we can't believe one word He says and might as well denounce Him as Creator and God.
So, just remember whatever trial you are in, no matter how hard it is( and you will go through many trial), God is preparing you for something bigger. It is sort of like my current training. i run and hurt, and ENDURE so that when what i am really preparing for comes, it is easy complete the task.
I was wondering if i would get to work out any today since i had a meeting with the rest of my partners this morning at 6:30am (and only one was there by then). However, after work i did get to shot my bow 33 times, mostly at 60 yards and some at 40. after that i was able to get home in time to run for 50 minutes or roughly 5 miles (a little slow but that's not the point). so i actually ran more than i was supposed to according to my marathon schedule (that is one thing it says definitely not to do). so i have been working out a good bit this week but the weight just isn't coming off like it used to, i guess it is old age. i think i might have even gained a little weight this week.
anyway, on to deeper subjects. i have heard a song a couple of times recently with a line that says "we are all just a phone call away from our knees." the point is, we never know when things in life are going to happen or hit us, like deaths, deception by close friends, etc. The deeper point is that it doesn't really matter , God is with us, taking care of us ALL the time. The creator that created the entire universe cares for each of us enough to watch our own personal story unfold. and He loves us. If this God is really that mighty and loves us, how can anything hurt us? how can anything worry us? i know things get to us some times and things happen that we don't understand but, we have to have the faith that He is watching over us ALL the time, and if we can't believe that, we can't believe one word He says and might as well denounce Him as Creator and God.
So, just remember whatever trial you are in, no matter how hard it is( and you will go through many trial), God is preparing you for something bigger. It is sort of like my current training. i run and hurt, and ENDURE so that when what i am really preparing for comes, it is easy complete the task.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Blogtastic Motivation, Marathon Madness and Miley Cyrus
Let me tell you what happened yesterday. I got a message on facebook from a cousin saying i should run a marathon with him and he had a plan to get me on track. Well, all the way home that is all i could think about. Then i got home and was going to go walking with Emily. i thought to myself "self, you can't just walk tonight, those following your blog will be a little disappointed that all you did was walk." So instead i walked with my pack, vest, and ankle weights and when i got back to the house i also did an upper body work-out. Man i was proud.
After that i thought i would look at some stuff about marathons and there i was after 11pm looking at stuff to get me motivated to work out instead of sleeping so i could get up and work out. life is funny.
Anyway, i ran by this quote "Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired." George S. Patton. So then I was motivated to get up and run for 45 minutes before work. i think this quote will really motivate me to do a lot more.
So, in less than 12 hours i had walked for 37 mins. with all my stuff on, done an upper body work out, and ran for 45 minutes. I was pumped (and still am right now). I am on a roll and everything is only getting better and easier.
On another note, while i was walking last night i heard a song i have heard a couple of times and even though i hate to like the song (for obvious reasons) i have to admit i do really like one line, the line that may describe my life over all other lines. The line is this "there's always gonna be another mountain, i'm always gonna want to make it move." This sort of ties into the message from yesterday. The only way to move a mountain is by RFP (see yesterday's blog for complete explanation).
So, here i am perpetually motivated by my blog and its followers, cameron hanes and the RFP idea, George Patton and Miley Cyrus!
After that i thought i would look at some stuff about marathons and there i was after 11pm looking at stuff to get me motivated to work out instead of sleeping so i could get up and work out. life is funny.
Anyway, i ran by this quote "Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired." George S. Patton. So then I was motivated to get up and run for 45 minutes before work. i think this quote will really motivate me to do a lot more.
So, in less than 12 hours i had walked for 37 mins. with all my stuff on, done an upper body work out, and ran for 45 minutes. I was pumped (and still am right now). I am on a roll and everything is only getting better and easier.
On another note, while i was walking last night i heard a song i have heard a couple of times and even though i hate to like the song (for obvious reasons) i have to admit i do really like one line, the line that may describe my life over all other lines. The line is this "there's always gonna be another mountain, i'm always gonna want to make it move." This sort of ties into the message from yesterday. The only way to move a mountain is by RFP (see yesterday's blog for complete explanation).
So, here i am perpetually motivated by my blog and its followers, cameron hanes and the RFP idea, George Patton and Miley Cyrus!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Day 3: Discouragement and Dr. Dre
Ok, this is the third day i have officially been blogging and i am getting a little discouraged. Even though i have been telling everyone about my blog i am still getting very little response. so, everyone, anyone, write me a little something if you are reading these.
When i left off yesterday i was on call and wasn't sure i was going to get to exercise anymore last night or this morning. well, i did get to shoot my bow 45 times yesterday evening and then the emergencies started. I saw a very sick dog and then saw a horse and finished about 12am. Needless to say when i got home it was too late to even notice my wife's beautiful haircut and hair coloring...it looks great. And after getting into bed about 1am i was too tired to get up and exercise this morning. So, i think i will go home, see Emily, and exercise a bit.
I have started loosing a little weight again, i think mainly because i was able to run for 3 straight days and cut back on what i was eating, i hope the trend continues but this is the toughest time to keep at it. What makes it so tough is that Tuesdays i am on call and usually up later than usual. then i have to try and catch up on rest for the rest of the week, so exercising gets put on hold. i guess i should quit wining and and give up a little sleep, because if i see an elk on my hunting trip i do not want my physical inadequacies to be the reason i don't harvest the animal.
Cameron Hanes talks about something he had pursued in his ultra marathon (www.cameronhanes.com) and that is Relentless Forward Progress (RFP). I think that is something we should all strive for in competition and goals, but more importantly life. we should always try to be going forward, progressing. The thing about RFP is that it does not contain "fast" but just forward progress. when we are tired and worn out, feel like we could just give up we should still keep pushing at the best pace we can and we will eventually get to the top of the hill and then it will be downhill for a while. So much for the deep side, i am trying to apply RFP to my working out routine so that when i spot a bull in the semi-backcountry of Montana i can close the deal, but if i don't i will know i gave it all i could. As Dr. Dre said "and even when i was close to defeat i rose to my feet" (from the song Still D.R.E off the album Chronic 2001)
When i left off yesterday i was on call and wasn't sure i was going to get to exercise anymore last night or this morning. well, i did get to shoot my bow 45 times yesterday evening and then the emergencies started. I saw a very sick dog and then saw a horse and finished about 12am. Needless to say when i got home it was too late to even notice my wife's beautiful haircut and hair coloring...it looks great. And after getting into bed about 1am i was too tired to get up and exercise this morning. So, i think i will go home, see Emily, and exercise a bit.
I have started loosing a little weight again, i think mainly because i was able to run for 3 straight days and cut back on what i was eating, i hope the trend continues but this is the toughest time to keep at it. What makes it so tough is that Tuesdays i am on call and usually up later than usual. then i have to try and catch up on rest for the rest of the week, so exercising gets put on hold. i guess i should quit wining and and give up a little sleep, because if i see an elk on my hunting trip i do not want my physical inadequacies to be the reason i don't harvest the animal.
Cameron Hanes talks about something he had pursued in his ultra marathon (www.cameronhanes.com) and that is Relentless Forward Progress (RFP). I think that is something we should all strive for in competition and goals, but more importantly life. we should always try to be going forward, progressing. The thing about RFP is that it does not contain "fast" but just forward progress. when we are tired and worn out, feel like we could just give up we should still keep pushing at the best pace we can and we will eventually get to the top of the hill and then it will be downhill for a while. So much for the deep side, i am trying to apply RFP to my working out routine so that when i spot a bull in the semi-backcountry of Montana i can close the deal, but if i don't i will know i gave it all i could. As Dr. Dre said "and even when i was close to defeat i rose to my feet" (from the song Still D.R.E off the album Chronic 2001)
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