It's funny how it can be 5 degrees outside, yet I didn't even notice. It isn't because I don't mind running in the cold... which I don't after a several mile warm-up. But rather the company and conversation was so fulfilling, that I honestly did not notice.
I didn't want to run so early today. Normally, I'm game. But I just wasn't up for it this morning (not good when you are training for a long-ass run). I wanted to come home, sit in the living room with John and catch up on yesterday and the plan out the rest of the week. I didn't see him but for 2 minutes yesterday and we had much to figure out as far as who needs to be where this week. I got caught up at home wasting time on the computer and didn't realize how late it was. Before I knew it, it was passed the time I would normally leave to go to TRX, which starts at 5:15. I frantically grabbed extra layers, puffy mittens, and an OJ Simpson ski mask like hood thing for the run that was to follow. I arrived right when it was starting, got a smart ass comment from Sarah (which I returned with an equally smart ass middle finger) and settled in. Midway through, I wasn't feeling right. I was weaker than usual and a bit queasy. With about 15 minutes left, as we were doing calf raises, I noticed some black spots and got a tad dizzy. Damn... I forgot to eat anything before I left. No Heed, no coconut milk... nothing. I said nothing, but walked over and grabbed a Gatorade (Sarah, I owe you a dollar :). I did the next few exercises with a little less intensity and seemed to perk back up after providing my body with the sugar it was demanding right then.
After class wrapped up and our cool down stretches were done, Sarah and I began our multi-layer pile-up for the coldest morning on record (they say in 4 years...). I said nothing about the dizzy spell, as she probably would have told me not run. But since I was there and ready, I wanted to go (half the dang battle is convincing yourself out the door sometimes). I'd let her deal with the fallout if I face planted on the sidewalk running down Harrison Ave. But I was certain a little sugar was all I needed. Turned out I was right. The run went well.
It's amazing how unimportant the actual running part is sometimes. Sure, we are all training and working toward something. And I often wonder if people who belong (in name only) to our FB running club page think "Don't these people get so tired of doing the same damn thing... year after year, training cycle after training cycle? Don't they just get sick to death of running mile after mile again and again... and OMG, if I see the word "STRIMPLE" posted one more time, I am leaving this crazy page and never coming back!"
The short answer is yes.
Yes because we cherish our weekend days off when we get to sleep in or be home when our kids wake up and not be sweaty and stinky. We cherish a Saturday night out when we aren't worried about how much wine we drink because we have to get up and run. We celebrate the fact that the long run is behind us when done on Saturday. Our spouses love when they aren't trying to get a mess of kids ready for church alone because their wife/husband is out running AGAIN (unless your kids are older or self sufficient, then it's just about the Saturday night wine... I know a few of those).
But the other short answer is no.
I read an article this morning that my sister posted on FB. It was wonderful and a much needed reminder of what we get to do and what we don't get to do. And so I'm reading it and thinking how very, very much it relates to so many sentiments about why we train, literally, year after year. And so I thought of a few of my own, based off of this author's ideas...
We don't get to choose how other people treat us, if they like us or not, or how they react to us for that matter
We don't get to choose if our kids are going to behave well or horribly from day to day
We don't get to choose if we get cancer, or worse, one of our kids does
We don't get to choose to keep our parents forever, though most of us would like to as there is childlike security in still having your mom and dad
We sometimes cannot keep the people we love the absolute most from the absolute worst kind of pain.
And writing all those things is scary and can put someone in a paralytic state of panic and worry. But then I think of all the things we can control and we can do...
We can choose to treat others with love and respect no matter how they treat us. We can also choose how we react to them.
We can also choose how we react to horribly behaving kids. No, not with alcohol, but with patience and love.
We can choose to pray for those with cancer and pray that God has His hand in their recovery and for their peace and strength during the battle
We can choose to cherish our parents for the time they are here, instead of living in dread for the day they are not
We can choose to be there for those that we love and support and pray them through their pain, whatever it may be. We can choose to trust God's plan for our lives.
All of these things are things I have learned through running with friends. All of these topics have been topics of discussion over the past several years from then friends I run with.... and we are all as different and varied as they come. These conversations sustain me, fulfill me and keep me training year after year.
Our little group has grown. Other small groups in our community have formed. And I think if you asked any person in these groups "What is the big deal about all this running?" They would tell you it has very little to do with actual running.
Thank you, Sarah, for a very fulfilling run this morning and for making me not even notice the temp!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Prayers For a Friend
Yesterday I learned that a friend who runs with our group received the news that she has breast cancer. At this time, I have very little information other than she would like time to process the news without being bombarded. I know she reads this blog and I just want to tell her that my family is praying for her. The news is undoubtedly always harsh and scary. I imagine it adds another level of fear when you are the mother of young children, as she is.
My friend, we prayed in the car and we prayed at the dinner table, specifically, for you. I hope it brings you comfort to recall the countless times you've witnessed God's ever loving presence through the life of Nora, who you also follow. Ask and you shall receive is NOT just something we say to feel better or to make others feel better. It is the truth. Grant your requests to God with utmost faith and He will lovingly lead you through the darkness and honor those requests.
I am posting this here to ask for some extra prayers for my friend. Offer up some tough runs for her or if you are not a runner, offer up something hard in your day. Be thankful for having the ability to do what so many others cannot. There is power in numbers when it comes to prayer. I've witnessed it time and time again.
My friend, we prayed in the car and we prayed at the dinner table, specifically, for you. I hope it brings you comfort to recall the countless times you've witnessed God's ever loving presence through the life of Nora, who you also follow. Ask and you shall receive is NOT just something we say to feel better or to make others feel better. It is the truth. Grant your requests to God with utmost faith and He will lovingly lead you through the darkness and honor those requests.
I am posting this here to ask for some extra prayers for my friend. Offer up some tough runs for her or if you are not a runner, offer up something hard in your day. Be thankful for having the ability to do what so many others cannot. There is power in numbers when it comes to prayer. I've witnessed it time and time again.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Creepy Cool!
I have this devotional book I read everyday. I bought it because my friend, Aleisa, has it and refers to it often in her blog about Nora. She often talks about how eerie it is that whatever is happening in her life, the day's devotional seems to fit just perfectly. Every time I was with Nora, I would see her "Calling Jesus" book laying on the desk in her living room. I would pick it up and read the day's devotional. So often the words WERE poignant to what I was feeling that day or what I was experiencing in life. It's like a little love note from Jesus and I always felt so good and taken care of when I read it.
So I bought the book on Amazon. It's little, it's portable and it's easy to read (right up my alley). I bought a few extra copies for some friends I knew would love it. I would read each day and put it down and think about the words I just read. But I hated waiting to find out the next day's message. One day I was telling Aleisa this and she said, "Well each day I read the day before, the actual day and the next day's reading. That way I've read each day twice and I can really absorbed the message." Well heck, you don't have to tell me twice to jump ahead! So I, too, started doing that.
It never ceases to amaze me that when my confidence is rocky, or my resolve is fading, when I ask for a little help, without fail, it appears (does this sentence with multiple commas make sense?).
This 100 mile thing is a little scary to really think about and absorb. Every little "what if" that could possibly pop up, does. And being that it is now the year that I am doing it (2013), I find myself in a state of "What the HELL are you thinking??" This is like running from here to Columbus, only on trails with multiple hills and rocks. When I drive to see my friend Krista, it seems to take FOREVER. She lives in Columbus. But I keep training. Upping my time and mileage in the woods, trying ever so hard to convince myself that all will be fine and by the time July rolls around, I'll be so well trained that I'll KNOW I can make it.
My friend Greg and I are planning on getting together "one of these days" to work out the kinks on launching a website that will help do this run as a fundraiser. I think when that is up and "running" (HA!), I will feel much better. For it is the sole purpose for my training.
In the meantime, however, I get little messages that remind me to keep my eye on Who is at the wheel. And in doing so, a definite sense of calm takes over and the feeling that this will be an awesome journey. One which will benefit so many needy and innocent lives.
January 5th (tomorrow's devotional read today :)
"You can achieve the victorious life through living in deep dependence on Me. People usually associate victory with success: not falling or stumbling, not making mistakes. But those who are successful in their own strength tend to go their own way, forgetting about Me. It is through problems and failures, weakness and neediness that you learn to rely on Me.
True dependence is not simply asking Me to bless what you have decided to do. It is coming to Me with an open mind and heart, inviting Me to plant my desires within you. I MAY INFUSE WITHIN YOU A DREAM THAT SEEMS FAR BEYOND YOUR REACH. YOU KNOW THAT IN YOUR YOURSELF YOU CANNOT ACHIEVE SUCH A GOAL. Thus begins your journey of profound reliance on Me. It is a faith walk, taken one step at a time, leaning on me as much as you need. THIS IS NOT A PATH OF CONTINUAL SUCCESS BUT OF MULTIPLE FAILURES. However, each failure is followed by a growth spurt, nourished by increased reliance on Me. Enjoy the blessedness of a victorious life, through deepening your dependence on Me." Sarah Young, Calling Jesus.
So how about that? I think "Someone" knew exactly what I needed to hear. He is so sweet like that.
The beautiful thing about God is that He takes care of us all. Not just those who are profoundly aware of His presence, but even those who don't believe He exists. The sadness in this is what those people are missing. The signs, the messages, the miracles are glaringly EVERYWHERE. Sadly so many ignore these beautiful gifts or chalk things up to coincidence. When amazing, "lucky" things happen, they are anything but coincidence. Each time I recognize one of these gifts, my confidence soars...my enthusiasm soars... my excitement and passion to train hard soars.
Should be a great day on the trails today :)
So I bought the book on Amazon. It's little, it's portable and it's easy to read (right up my alley). I bought a few extra copies for some friends I knew would love it. I would read each day and put it down and think about the words I just read. But I hated waiting to find out the next day's message. One day I was telling Aleisa this and she said, "Well each day I read the day before, the actual day and the next day's reading. That way I've read each day twice and I can really absorbed the message." Well heck, you don't have to tell me twice to jump ahead! So I, too, started doing that.
It never ceases to amaze me that when my confidence is rocky, or my resolve is fading, when I ask for a little help, without fail, it appears (does this sentence with multiple commas make sense?).
This 100 mile thing is a little scary to really think about and absorb. Every little "what if" that could possibly pop up, does. And being that it is now the year that I am doing it (2013), I find myself in a state of "What the HELL are you thinking??" This is like running from here to Columbus, only on trails with multiple hills and rocks. When I drive to see my friend Krista, it seems to take FOREVER. She lives in Columbus. But I keep training. Upping my time and mileage in the woods, trying ever so hard to convince myself that all will be fine and by the time July rolls around, I'll be so well trained that I'll KNOW I can make it.
My friend Greg and I are planning on getting together "one of these days" to work out the kinks on launching a website that will help do this run as a fundraiser. I think when that is up and "running" (HA!), I will feel much better. For it is the sole purpose for my training.
In the meantime, however, I get little messages that remind me to keep my eye on Who is at the wheel. And in doing so, a definite sense of calm takes over and the feeling that this will be an awesome journey. One which will benefit so many needy and innocent lives.
January 5th (tomorrow's devotional read today :)
"You can achieve the victorious life through living in deep dependence on Me. People usually associate victory with success: not falling or stumbling, not making mistakes. But those who are successful in their own strength tend to go their own way, forgetting about Me. It is through problems and failures, weakness and neediness that you learn to rely on Me.
True dependence is not simply asking Me to bless what you have decided to do. It is coming to Me with an open mind and heart, inviting Me to plant my desires within you. I MAY INFUSE WITHIN YOU A DREAM THAT SEEMS FAR BEYOND YOUR REACH. YOU KNOW THAT IN YOUR YOURSELF YOU CANNOT ACHIEVE SUCH A GOAL. Thus begins your journey of profound reliance on Me. It is a faith walk, taken one step at a time, leaning on me as much as you need. THIS IS NOT A PATH OF CONTINUAL SUCCESS BUT OF MULTIPLE FAILURES. However, each failure is followed by a growth spurt, nourished by increased reliance on Me. Enjoy the blessedness of a victorious life, through deepening your dependence on Me." Sarah Young, Calling Jesus.
So how about that? I think "Someone" knew exactly what I needed to hear. He is so sweet like that.
The beautiful thing about God is that He takes care of us all. Not just those who are profoundly aware of His presence, but even those who don't believe He exists. The sadness in this is what those people are missing. The signs, the messages, the miracles are glaringly EVERYWHERE. Sadly so many ignore these beautiful gifts or chalk things up to coincidence. When amazing, "lucky" things happen, they are anything but coincidence. Each time I recognize one of these gifts, my confidence soars...my enthusiasm soars... my excitement and passion to train hard soars.
Should be a great day on the trails today :)
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Letting Go
Today was a defining day. It was the beginning of something as well as the end of something. It was about making a choice that was both hard, yet exhilarating, all in one.
It couldn't have been more perfect. I started 2013 with an 8 mile trail run at Mitchell Memorial Forest with John, Will and my brother, Jack. This is my longest trail run since the JFK 50 over a year ago. I've been on the trails, building up the mileage (and slowing down the pace) and I am reminded each time how absolutely much I love being in the woods, running on trails. Will wanted to go with us. I knew that after seeing the movie "Unbreakable" yesterday, he would be hard pressed to change his mind. The movie follows four of the world's best ultra runners competing for first place in the 2010 Western States 100 mile endurance run. It gives a close look at their lives, their training and their journey throughout the race. We are invited to look at what one does when he think he has nothing left... what choices he makes and how he handles himself.
The ending surprised him, yet motivated him. I could tell he wasn't going to sleep through today's run.
We arrived at 7:30 and headed to the trail head. John is just beginning to build mileage and was running on his current diet of lots of protein and very few carbs. He wasn't sure what to expect, running this distance on a "lifting" diet, as opposed to a "runner's" diet. So we hit the trail nice and easy. Will and Jack led us on the single track mountain bike trail. The snow was beginning to melt, leaving behind peaks of slippery mud and slush. It took a lot of energy to be mindful of our footing in order to remain vertical. The woods were breathtaking. I told John it looked like Narnia. The branches were still covered in snow, as was the ground. Everything was so white, so clean.
As expected, Will began to pull ahead. And as expected, Jack followed. John and I stayed status quo since we were not walking the uphills like I do at Miami Whitewater. We were mostly running it all, with an occasional slow down for a swig of Heed. Soon I could not see Will. Jack backed off a bit and when I caught up I told him to stay with Will. Jack turned around and said "Let him go." What? Let my first born loose in woods he doesn't know, has never been in and running like a fool? Will is reckless. He is a thrill seeker. I just KNEW on this trail he would take a downhill way too fast, wipe out and crack his head open. I just knew it.
"He needs to do this, Kate. He'll be ok. This is what I love about running in the woods... the aloneness." In an instant, I could translate Jack's sentiment... "Let him experience everything you love about running trails and running alone. Let him get better." How would Will ever develop as the runner he could be if he is stuck at mom's pace and doing mom's training all the time. And I knew he was right. Will has never been allowed to run alone. The closest he comes is the days he runs with his buddy, Austin, after school. The boys run for an hour, all over Harrison. I usually give him a million instructions and safety reminders on those mornings. He always nods, but most certainly does as he sees fit I'm sure.
I ran with some anxiety for awhile. Wondering if I'd come across him on the ground with a broken bone or cracked skull. I wondered if someone would bother him (sure, because all the kidnappers are on trails on New Year's Day at 8 am. And they are all waiting for and expecting a 14 year old boy to come bounding by). Finally, as I have trained myself to do, I silently whispered, "Jesus... please run with him. Protect him. Be near him. Help him feel your presence."
No lie, but from that point on, I worried no more. I was more worried about not falling than I was about Will. Even when I heard the coyotes howling (I was, however, worried about ME when I heard them. But crazy enough, not Will). I knew the Protector that went with him would make sure he was ok.
At about mile 7, John and I caught up to Jack and Will, who were waiting for us. Jack said Will was maintaining a good clip, but was getting a bit tired. We took off and ran the 1/2 mile as if we were racing. I was staying with Will and clearly that bugged him. So he went faster, hitting the downhill like a madman. I fell back, but caught up, taunting him and singing "one, two, mommy's coming for you..." That absolutely cinched the deal. Will could not handle the competition from his 'ol lady and took off. I was cooked and couldn't catch up :)
We reached the parking lot in a breathless, tired state and walked back to the car. We said our goodbyes to Jack and headed home. I could tell Will was on cloud nine. He talked non-stop, instead of giving me the normal courtesy mumble. He talked about the animals he saw as well as his favorite part of the trail (the most difficult portion, of course!). He then used part of a gift card he earned to buy his mom and dad a coffee. The magic has been unlocked. Will is hooked.
My dream is not that Will develops into this awesome trail runner because I love it. It could be anything, really. But my dream is that he finds a place to go that is a sacred space. A place where he can marvel at the beauty God has laid before us and a place where he can figure out his toughest problems. A place where he can be alone, talk to God, be mad, be happy or be whatever it is he feels at the moment. A place he can leave physically spent, but spiritually filled. We should all be so lucky to find that space or that hobby that is ours and ours alone. Judging from the way he left that park, I believe that place for Will is the woods, on the trails.
I am thankful my brother suggested I let him go and proud of myself for doing it.
It couldn't have been more perfect. I started 2013 with an 8 mile trail run at Mitchell Memorial Forest with John, Will and my brother, Jack. This is my longest trail run since the JFK 50 over a year ago. I've been on the trails, building up the mileage (and slowing down the pace) and I am reminded each time how absolutely much I love being in the woods, running on trails. Will wanted to go with us. I knew that after seeing the movie "Unbreakable" yesterday, he would be hard pressed to change his mind. The movie follows four of the world's best ultra runners competing for first place in the 2010 Western States 100 mile endurance run. It gives a close look at their lives, their training and their journey throughout the race. We are invited to look at what one does when he think he has nothing left... what choices he makes and how he handles himself.
The ending surprised him, yet motivated him. I could tell he wasn't going to sleep through today's run.
We arrived at 7:30 and headed to the trail head. John is just beginning to build mileage and was running on his current diet of lots of protein and very few carbs. He wasn't sure what to expect, running this distance on a "lifting" diet, as opposed to a "runner's" diet. So we hit the trail nice and easy. Will and Jack led us on the single track mountain bike trail. The snow was beginning to melt, leaving behind peaks of slippery mud and slush. It took a lot of energy to be mindful of our footing in order to remain vertical. The woods were breathtaking. I told John it looked like Narnia. The branches were still covered in snow, as was the ground. Everything was so white, so clean.
As expected, Will began to pull ahead. And as expected, Jack followed. John and I stayed status quo since we were not walking the uphills like I do at Miami Whitewater. We were mostly running it all, with an occasional slow down for a swig of Heed. Soon I could not see Will. Jack backed off a bit and when I caught up I told him to stay with Will. Jack turned around and said "Let him go." What? Let my first born loose in woods he doesn't know, has never been in and running like a fool? Will is reckless. He is a thrill seeker. I just KNEW on this trail he would take a downhill way too fast, wipe out and crack his head open. I just knew it.
"He needs to do this, Kate. He'll be ok. This is what I love about running in the woods... the aloneness." In an instant, I could translate Jack's sentiment... "Let him experience everything you love about running trails and running alone. Let him get better." How would Will ever develop as the runner he could be if he is stuck at mom's pace and doing mom's training all the time. And I knew he was right. Will has never been allowed to run alone. The closest he comes is the days he runs with his buddy, Austin, after school. The boys run for an hour, all over Harrison. I usually give him a million instructions and safety reminders on those mornings. He always nods, but most certainly does as he sees fit I'm sure.
I ran with some anxiety for awhile. Wondering if I'd come across him on the ground with a broken bone or cracked skull. I wondered if someone would bother him (sure, because all the kidnappers are on trails on New Year's Day at 8 am. And they are all waiting for and expecting a 14 year old boy to come bounding by). Finally, as I have trained myself to do, I silently whispered, "Jesus... please run with him. Protect him. Be near him. Help him feel your presence."
No lie, but from that point on, I worried no more. I was more worried about not falling than I was about Will. Even when I heard the coyotes howling (I was, however, worried about ME when I heard them. But crazy enough, not Will). I knew the Protector that went with him would make sure he was ok.
At about mile 7, John and I caught up to Jack and Will, who were waiting for us. Jack said Will was maintaining a good clip, but was getting a bit tired. We took off and ran the 1/2 mile as if we were racing. I was staying with Will and clearly that bugged him. So he went faster, hitting the downhill like a madman. I fell back, but caught up, taunting him and singing "one, two, mommy's coming for you..." That absolutely cinched the deal. Will could not handle the competition from his 'ol lady and took off. I was cooked and couldn't catch up :)
We reached the parking lot in a breathless, tired state and walked back to the car. We said our goodbyes to Jack and headed home. I could tell Will was on cloud nine. He talked non-stop, instead of giving me the normal courtesy mumble. He talked about the animals he saw as well as his favorite part of the trail (the most difficult portion, of course!). He then used part of a gift card he earned to buy his mom and dad a coffee. The magic has been unlocked. Will is hooked.
My dream is not that Will develops into this awesome trail runner because I love it. It could be anything, really. But my dream is that he finds a place to go that is a sacred space. A place where he can marvel at the beauty God has laid before us and a place where he can figure out his toughest problems. A place where he can be alone, talk to God, be mad, be happy or be whatever it is he feels at the moment. A place he can leave physically spent, but spiritually filled. We should all be so lucky to find that space or that hobby that is ours and ours alone. Judging from the way he left that park, I believe that place for Will is the woods, on the trails.
I am thankful my brother suggested I let him go and proud of myself for doing it.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Discipline
"Our age is in search of an authentic vision of the human person. Are we just animals? Are we intelligent animals? Or are we children of God? Are we the result of evolution, a big bang, the loving hand of a creator or some combination of these? Are we here to grasp as much pleasure as possible in our brief time or is there a higher calling and purpose in our lives? The way we live, love, work, vote and participate in a society is a direct result of the vision of the human person that we subscribe to.
Here in America, we spent more than thirty billion dollars last year on diet products. That is more than we spend on books, and more than the gross domestic product (GDP)of at least fifty nations in the world. Now it would seem to me that the only diet most of us need is a little bit of discipline. But we don't want any discipline. We want someone to get on the informercial and tell us that if we take this little pill twice a day, every day, we can eat whatever we want, whenever we want. We want someone to tell us, "You can be healthy and happy without discipline."
The truth is, you cannot be healthy and happy without discipline. In fact, if you want to measure the level of happiness in your life, just measure the lever of discipline in your life. You will never have more happiness than you have discipline. The two are directly related to one another." Matthew Kelly, Rediscover Catholicism.
No wonder marathoners and distance runners are the happiest people on the planet!
All kidding aside, I took this quote from the mentioned book. If you attend Catholic mass anywhere in Cincinnati and did so on Christmas Eve or Christmas, you received this book from the archbishop. I was skipping through sections on the book and came to a section on fasting. This was where I found the quote. And although I am in no way a person who likes to fast, I got his point and I got why from a secular standpoint, it is important (lots more in the book on this subject...). But what caught my eye was what was being said. I told my mom on Christmas that reading that chapter articulated almost every point of why I want to do a 100 mile ultra marathon. It probably articulated the thoughts and feelings of many marathoners, Ironman triathletes and any other group of people that push themselves to extremes.
"Your body has a voice, and it talks to you constantly. You wake up, and the body cries out, "feed me," so you eat. A couple of hours later the body cries out, "I'm thirsty," so you drink. Later the body cries out, "I'm tired," so you rest. Again the body cries out, "feed me," and you do. WHEN IT'S TIME TO EXERCISE YOUR BODY CRIES OUT, "I DON'T FEEL LIKE IT," so you don't. And at the end of the day, the body calls out, "I'm ready for bed," so you sleep. Whether we are aware of it or not, our bod is ordering us around most of the day. The body is always crying out, feed me, sleep me, please me, nourish me, wash me, relieve me, water me...
But where is this voice leading us? In a modern climate, most people's bodies are winning the battle for dominance between body and soul. In a sense, the body is like money-- a great servant, but a horrible master."
For much of my life, I have let the voice of my body dictate. I don't deny myself much at all. Often times, I feel entitled to just lay around and do nothing and have plenty of justification why I am entitled. I know exactly why my house is sometimes a mess... and it isn't due to the age old excuse of lack of time, either. We constantly get messages from society and from others to just "give yourself a break. Who cares if you don't get some of the things you'd planned on doing done?" Well I wouldn't care if I truly had just cause not to do some of these things. But all too often the reason is "I don't feel like it."
I think entering the world of ultra distances is changing that for me in many respects. First of all, there are MANY times during a long training run that you have to mentally (and sometimes verbally), tell your body's multiple complaints to STFU (really, need I spell it out?)! You become very good at ignoring your body's ever constant commands. And as long as there is no legitimate injury, or health concern going on, each incident changes you just a little. Practice quieting that voice for a few years, training cycle after training cycle, and it changes you a lot.
I didn't want to run trails yesterday morning. And a million things told me it wasn't a good idea. The stuff hitting the window sounded like ice, not snow. The wind sounded miserable and the park gates were closed. But experience has shown me time and time again, these are sometimes the greatest moments in training. So I instructed John to park at the junior high school and we'd run to the park trails. Greg and Kim were joining us and God love them, they were game. Kim had thousands of calories to burn and Greg, well he will run just about anytime, anyplace.
By the time we got to the trails, we were good and warmed up. The wind was not a big issue and the trails were a bit slushy, but not icy. By the final mile, it was snowing heavily and it was so beautiful. There we were, the day after Christmas, in the woods, doing what we love in the most glorious weather I can imagine myself running it. It was Heaven.
So often, these are the enormous rewards of discipline. Time and time again, I have to silence the voice of my body that longs for ease and comfort. When I do, my heart and soul are filled with immeasurable happiness. This is true in all aspects of my life... helping others when it's inconvenient, looking at my husband and sincerely apologizing even when it's hard, restraining myself when my kids have absolutely shredded my last nerve and making time for silent prayer every day, especially the busiest of days.
So Matthew Kelly is correct: You can never have more happiness than you have discipline. The two are directly related to one another.
Wishing you the happiest of New Years!
Here in America, we spent more than thirty billion dollars last year on diet products. That is more than we spend on books, and more than the gross domestic product (GDP)of at least fifty nations in the world. Now it would seem to me that the only diet most of us need is a little bit of discipline. But we don't want any discipline. We want someone to get on the informercial and tell us that if we take this little pill twice a day, every day, we can eat whatever we want, whenever we want. We want someone to tell us, "You can be healthy and happy without discipline."
The truth is, you cannot be healthy and happy without discipline. In fact, if you want to measure the level of happiness in your life, just measure the lever of discipline in your life. You will never have more happiness than you have discipline. The two are directly related to one another." Matthew Kelly, Rediscover Catholicism.
No wonder marathoners and distance runners are the happiest people on the planet!
All kidding aside, I took this quote from the mentioned book. If you attend Catholic mass anywhere in Cincinnati and did so on Christmas Eve or Christmas, you received this book from the archbishop. I was skipping through sections on the book and came to a section on fasting. This was where I found the quote. And although I am in no way a person who likes to fast, I got his point and I got why from a secular standpoint, it is important (lots more in the book on this subject...). But what caught my eye was what was being said. I told my mom on Christmas that reading that chapter articulated almost every point of why I want to do a 100 mile ultra marathon. It probably articulated the thoughts and feelings of many marathoners, Ironman triathletes and any other group of people that push themselves to extremes.
"Your body has a voice, and it talks to you constantly. You wake up, and the body cries out, "feed me," so you eat. A couple of hours later the body cries out, "I'm thirsty," so you drink. Later the body cries out, "I'm tired," so you rest. Again the body cries out, "feed me," and you do. WHEN IT'S TIME TO EXERCISE YOUR BODY CRIES OUT, "I DON'T FEEL LIKE IT," so you don't. And at the end of the day, the body calls out, "I'm ready for bed," so you sleep. Whether we are aware of it or not, our bod is ordering us around most of the day. The body is always crying out, feed me, sleep me, please me, nourish me, wash me, relieve me, water me...
But where is this voice leading us? In a modern climate, most people's bodies are winning the battle for dominance between body and soul. In a sense, the body is like money-- a great servant, but a horrible master."
For much of my life, I have let the voice of my body dictate. I don't deny myself much at all. Often times, I feel entitled to just lay around and do nothing and have plenty of justification why I am entitled. I know exactly why my house is sometimes a mess... and it isn't due to the age old excuse of lack of time, either. We constantly get messages from society and from others to just "give yourself a break. Who cares if you don't get some of the things you'd planned on doing done?" Well I wouldn't care if I truly had just cause not to do some of these things. But all too often the reason is "I don't feel like it."
I think entering the world of ultra distances is changing that for me in many respects. First of all, there are MANY times during a long training run that you have to mentally (and sometimes verbally), tell your body's multiple complaints to STFU (really, need I spell it out?)! You become very good at ignoring your body's ever constant commands. And as long as there is no legitimate injury, or health concern going on, each incident changes you just a little. Practice quieting that voice for a few years, training cycle after training cycle, and it changes you a lot.
I didn't want to run trails yesterday morning. And a million things told me it wasn't a good idea. The stuff hitting the window sounded like ice, not snow. The wind sounded miserable and the park gates were closed. But experience has shown me time and time again, these are sometimes the greatest moments in training. So I instructed John to park at the junior high school and we'd run to the park trails. Greg and Kim were joining us and God love them, they were game. Kim had thousands of calories to burn and Greg, well he will run just about anytime, anyplace.
By the time we got to the trails, we were good and warmed up. The wind was not a big issue and the trails were a bit slushy, but not icy. By the final mile, it was snowing heavily and it was so beautiful. There we were, the day after Christmas, in the woods, doing what we love in the most glorious weather I can imagine myself running it. It was Heaven.
So often, these are the enormous rewards of discipline. Time and time again, I have to silence the voice of my body that longs for ease and comfort. When I do, my heart and soul are filled with immeasurable happiness. This is true in all aspects of my life... helping others when it's inconvenient, looking at my husband and sincerely apologizing even when it's hard, restraining myself when my kids have absolutely shredded my last nerve and making time for silent prayer every day, especially the busiest of days.
So Matthew Kelly is correct: You can never have more happiness than you have discipline. The two are directly related to one another.
Wishing you the happiest of New Years!
Monday, December 17, 2012
Changes
'Tis the season to begin thinking of the proverbial New Year's resolution. Most of us make them. We go full force with the intent to keep them and change our lives for the better instantly, only for the desire to fade, the enthusiasm and motivation flicker and ultimately, the flame die. This has happened to me time and time again. I keep trying to come up with a resolution that I will like so that I can stick with it... such as, eating more ice cream. Why can't that be my resolution with no ill effects?
For me, making changes for the better requires 3 things: resolve, patience and time. Many of us have the resolve to do better in certain areas of our lives, but we lack the patience to give it the time needed. Hence the reason many enthusiastic newbie runners end up with injuries and the feeling that running is somehow "bad" for them. When we are excited, we jump head first (and full force) into it. With running, you CANNOT DO THAT. Your body is not ready for speed and volume, even if your mind is. So when a few weeks in we find ourselves with sore everything, we decide it isn't for us. Not only that, we've burnt ourselves out trying to run every single day, never allowing ourselves a break for fear of breaking some magical cycle.
So if running is on your agenda for 2013, let me give you a small piece of experiential advice.... take it slow, be humble, start with 3 days a week and increase gradually. But most of all, BE CONSISTENT!!! That is your biggest factor for success.
Before Thanksgiving, I wrote about our challenges with Jack and his performance in both school and at home. I promised myself that before we made the decision to medicate him for ADHD (inattentive type), I would try whatever I could to manage him unmedicated. If after a trial period, it was obvious he could not function successfully in school without meds, then we would begin the search for the right medication. Translation... I would not let a stubborn mindset about medication keep my son from reaching his academic and social potential. ADHD is a biochemical issue and some kids simply need it. But first I wanted to be CERTAIN he needed it. I made reference to some dietary changes that we were making that were very difficult. After extensive reading and searching, we decided to remove gluten from his diet. There have been many documented successes with elimination diets in regard to managing ADHD without medication. We have also removed the majority of processed foods from his diet (and now subsequently ours), as much research has pointed to additives and preservatives as "triggers" for these kids. We've also added an omega-3 supplement and a children's probiotic, both of which are recommended for kids like Jack. We were able to pinpoint that large amounts of sugar trigger meltdowns and complete lack of attention at home, so that too, has been lessened considerably.
Yes, we are becoming that ridiculous family that I used to make fun of. I never believed or put much stock in what I would call "granolas". And although I feel my family's diet is way off from that definition, it's slowly inching that way. I have yet to plant my own organic vegetable garden and I do not have cattle in my back yard that I am grass feeding (but I have moved toward grass fed beef...). But we also live in a busy and real household with lots going on, so yes, sometimes, LaRosas is on the menu for dinner. See? Balance :)
I have to credit my sister, Maria, and her influence on our family's diet. Maria made some extreme changes in her daughter, Ellie's diet. Ellie suffered from a long list of vague symptoms that both puzzled and made my sister crazy trying to figure out if her issues were really physical or psychological. Being a single mom with a full time job, Maria's diet was to say the least, sub par. She will tell you that herself. With a heavy emphasis on processed and fast foods, Maria did what was quick and easy to suit her busy life. But Ellie's constant fatigue, malaise, mood swings, complaints, stomach aches and headaches sent Maria on a quest for answers. I give her worlds of credit for not buying the "Irritible bowel" or other diagnosis the pediatricians were guessing. Finally out of desperation, she put Ellie on a dramatic elimination diet. It was like a light switch. Had I not seen the changes with my own eyes, I would not have believed it. My once very stoic niece, who adorable as she was, was never happy at any age, has blossomed into this smily, happy, feeling good little girl. She is delightful! Maria has since been able to reintroduce some of the things she pulled out, knowing now her exact triggers.... corn and soy, which are seemingly in EVERYTHING (aka corn syrup and soy lecithin) and in which over 90% that is put into food is in the "GMO" (or Genetically Modified) category. Ellie cannot eat any animal product in which the animal is grain fed. It must be from a grass fed source, since corn is such an issue. Upon Maria's further research, which she has done exhaustively and much more extensively than me, she has learned about what exactly our food sources contain and is pretty certain the FDA is approving poisons in our food. I am not quite there as I have not done any scientific research on any of this. But it's hard to ignore the ever increasing incidence of allergies and ADHD in kids as well as cancers that are affecting people at an alarmingly high rate these days. From a strictly statistical standpoint, the evidence is glaring what is in our food is a culprit. Again, I say this with caution as I have no proof, rather simply cause to think so. Is a fresh ear of corn on the cob bad? Of course not! But the crap they put into the corn they use in processing probably is. So Needless to say, thanks to my sister, I've bitten on this one. And I'm glad I have as it seems to be helping Jack too.
In addition to diet, Jack now has a strict bedtime of 8:45. The goal is to have him asleep by 9 pm every night. This requires either John or I to physically lay in his bed until he nods off. We were finding that although he had a decent bedtime, he was distracting himself with various activities and staying awake until God knows when. Everyone knows I go to bed early. At times, something would wake me up at 10:30 or 11:00 and Jack's light would still be on and he'd be drawing or reading or making a mess in his room. The truth is, I cannot tell you exactly how much sleep he was getting each night. I only know he was difficult to wake each morning and at least 3 nights a week, he would wet the bed (make fun of him for this and you'll deal with mama bear). The pediatrician told us this is normal with some kids his age still (especially boys), but I have also learned it also goes hand in hand with ADHD.
We are now about 5-6 solid weeks into all these changes and the results are ASTOUNDING! In two weeks, with more sleep per night (about 10-10.5 hours), Jack has not wet the bed. His math teacher has texted me at various times saying he is having some "amazing" days. Homework is taking much less time, he's more obedient and attentive at home.
One could argue it's the sleep. But if you think we are going to change anything right now, think again. What puzzles me is that he is sleeping LONGER and having no bed wetting incidents. When he was sleeping less, they were what I would consider frequent for a 10 year old. That physical change is enough to keep me doing everything the same and leads me to believe that diet "could" be a contributing factor when it comes to this. Why else would more sleep cause fewer accidents?
Jack is still Jack. He is quirky and a bit immature for his age. But that is what makes him completely lovable to me. I didn't want his personality to change, I just wanted him to be able to reach his potential. I feel like I have the best of both worlds...the real Jack who is doing very well right now.
It has been really hard to keep up the diet. I get complaints daily from Emma, my little chocoholic, that there is "nothing" to eat in the house. What she means is that there is nothing to eat that she would like... junk. Organic dairy and produce is expensive and with growing kids, I am constantly at the grocery store. Often times I find myself thinking "Just forget it. I'm sure what we used to eat is just fine...". And maybe it is, but I wholeheartedly put a lot of stock in a "clean" diet now more than I ever did as evidenced by Jack's progress and as I also mentioned, my niece.
Our success has also been in Jack's unbelievable ability to stick to it. Perhaps he physically feels better or is noticing that focus comes a bit more easily than it used to. I'm not really sure. The first two weeks were tough. He was agreeable, but was having a tough time and would often say "I HATE this diet..." He was so addicted to crackers, pretzels and anything flour based that I am sure he was experiencing withdrawal. I worried that our days with it would be numbered as I realized how very little control I have over my kids and what they eat at school if they are trading snacks or being given friends' snacks (I can assure you, none of his friends likely want his lunch). But Jack is very diligent. He finally got to buy on soft taco day, with me forgetting that the soft shell tacos were flour tortillas, not corn (which he can have). When he got home, he said "mom, the shells weren't gluten free so I just ate the inside." Victory!
My point... change is HARD. Especially when it is not immediate. I don't doubt there will continue to be many days where I find myself questioning the validity of an extreme wellness diet. But put my child's well-being in the mix and give me positive results and it's enough to keep me keeping on.
Here's hoping all of your resolutions for 2013 bring about the changes you most desire.
Merry Christmas!
For me, making changes for the better requires 3 things: resolve, patience and time. Many of us have the resolve to do better in certain areas of our lives, but we lack the patience to give it the time needed. Hence the reason many enthusiastic newbie runners end up with injuries and the feeling that running is somehow "bad" for them. When we are excited, we jump head first (and full force) into it. With running, you CANNOT DO THAT. Your body is not ready for speed and volume, even if your mind is. So when a few weeks in we find ourselves with sore everything, we decide it isn't for us. Not only that, we've burnt ourselves out trying to run every single day, never allowing ourselves a break for fear of breaking some magical cycle.
So if running is on your agenda for 2013, let me give you a small piece of experiential advice.... take it slow, be humble, start with 3 days a week and increase gradually. But most of all, BE CONSISTENT!!! That is your biggest factor for success.
Before Thanksgiving, I wrote about our challenges with Jack and his performance in both school and at home. I promised myself that before we made the decision to medicate him for ADHD (inattentive type), I would try whatever I could to manage him unmedicated. If after a trial period, it was obvious he could not function successfully in school without meds, then we would begin the search for the right medication. Translation... I would not let a stubborn mindset about medication keep my son from reaching his academic and social potential. ADHD is a biochemical issue and some kids simply need it. But first I wanted to be CERTAIN he needed it. I made reference to some dietary changes that we were making that were very difficult. After extensive reading and searching, we decided to remove gluten from his diet. There have been many documented successes with elimination diets in regard to managing ADHD without medication. We have also removed the majority of processed foods from his diet (and now subsequently ours), as much research has pointed to additives and preservatives as "triggers" for these kids. We've also added an omega-3 supplement and a children's probiotic, both of which are recommended for kids like Jack. We were able to pinpoint that large amounts of sugar trigger meltdowns and complete lack of attention at home, so that too, has been lessened considerably.
Yes, we are becoming that ridiculous family that I used to make fun of. I never believed or put much stock in what I would call "granolas". And although I feel my family's diet is way off from that definition, it's slowly inching that way. I have yet to plant my own organic vegetable garden and I do not have cattle in my back yard that I am grass feeding (but I have moved toward grass fed beef...). But we also live in a busy and real household with lots going on, so yes, sometimes, LaRosas is on the menu for dinner. See? Balance :)
I have to credit my sister, Maria, and her influence on our family's diet. Maria made some extreme changes in her daughter, Ellie's diet. Ellie suffered from a long list of vague symptoms that both puzzled and made my sister crazy trying to figure out if her issues were really physical or psychological. Being a single mom with a full time job, Maria's diet was to say the least, sub par. She will tell you that herself. With a heavy emphasis on processed and fast foods, Maria did what was quick and easy to suit her busy life. But Ellie's constant fatigue, malaise, mood swings, complaints, stomach aches and headaches sent Maria on a quest for answers. I give her worlds of credit for not buying the "Irritible bowel" or other diagnosis the pediatricians were guessing. Finally out of desperation, she put Ellie on a dramatic elimination diet. It was like a light switch. Had I not seen the changes with my own eyes, I would not have believed it. My once very stoic niece, who adorable as she was, was never happy at any age, has blossomed into this smily, happy, feeling good little girl. She is delightful! Maria has since been able to reintroduce some of the things she pulled out, knowing now her exact triggers.... corn and soy, which are seemingly in EVERYTHING (aka corn syrup and soy lecithin) and in which over 90% that is put into food is in the "GMO" (or Genetically Modified) category. Ellie cannot eat any animal product in which the animal is grain fed. It must be from a grass fed source, since corn is such an issue. Upon Maria's further research, which she has done exhaustively and much more extensively than me, she has learned about what exactly our food sources contain and is pretty certain the FDA is approving poisons in our food. I am not quite there as I have not done any scientific research on any of this. But it's hard to ignore the ever increasing incidence of allergies and ADHD in kids as well as cancers that are affecting people at an alarmingly high rate these days. From a strictly statistical standpoint, the evidence is glaring what is in our food is a culprit. Again, I say this with caution as I have no proof, rather simply cause to think so. Is a fresh ear of corn on the cob bad? Of course not! But the crap they put into the corn they use in processing probably is. So Needless to say, thanks to my sister, I've bitten on this one. And I'm glad I have as it seems to be helping Jack too.
In addition to diet, Jack now has a strict bedtime of 8:45. The goal is to have him asleep by 9 pm every night. This requires either John or I to physically lay in his bed until he nods off. We were finding that although he had a decent bedtime, he was distracting himself with various activities and staying awake until God knows when. Everyone knows I go to bed early. At times, something would wake me up at 10:30 or 11:00 and Jack's light would still be on and he'd be drawing or reading or making a mess in his room. The truth is, I cannot tell you exactly how much sleep he was getting each night. I only know he was difficult to wake each morning and at least 3 nights a week, he would wet the bed (make fun of him for this and you'll deal with mama bear). The pediatrician told us this is normal with some kids his age still (especially boys), but I have also learned it also goes hand in hand with ADHD.
We are now about 5-6 solid weeks into all these changes and the results are ASTOUNDING! In two weeks, with more sleep per night (about 10-10.5 hours), Jack has not wet the bed. His math teacher has texted me at various times saying he is having some "amazing" days. Homework is taking much less time, he's more obedient and attentive at home.
One could argue it's the sleep. But if you think we are going to change anything right now, think again. What puzzles me is that he is sleeping LONGER and having no bed wetting incidents. When he was sleeping less, they were what I would consider frequent for a 10 year old. That physical change is enough to keep me doing everything the same and leads me to believe that diet "could" be a contributing factor when it comes to this. Why else would more sleep cause fewer accidents?
Jack is still Jack. He is quirky and a bit immature for his age. But that is what makes him completely lovable to me. I didn't want his personality to change, I just wanted him to be able to reach his potential. I feel like I have the best of both worlds...the real Jack who is doing very well right now.
It has been really hard to keep up the diet. I get complaints daily from Emma, my little chocoholic, that there is "nothing" to eat in the house. What she means is that there is nothing to eat that she would like... junk. Organic dairy and produce is expensive and with growing kids, I am constantly at the grocery store. Often times I find myself thinking "Just forget it. I'm sure what we used to eat is just fine...". And maybe it is, but I wholeheartedly put a lot of stock in a "clean" diet now more than I ever did as evidenced by Jack's progress and as I also mentioned, my niece.
Our success has also been in Jack's unbelievable ability to stick to it. Perhaps he physically feels better or is noticing that focus comes a bit more easily than it used to. I'm not really sure. The first two weeks were tough. He was agreeable, but was having a tough time and would often say "I HATE this diet..." He was so addicted to crackers, pretzels and anything flour based that I am sure he was experiencing withdrawal. I worried that our days with it would be numbered as I realized how very little control I have over my kids and what they eat at school if they are trading snacks or being given friends' snacks (I can assure you, none of his friends likely want his lunch). But Jack is very diligent. He finally got to buy on soft taco day, with me forgetting that the soft shell tacos were flour tortillas, not corn (which he can have). When he got home, he said "mom, the shells weren't gluten free so I just ate the inside." Victory!
My point... change is HARD. Especially when it is not immediate. I don't doubt there will continue to be many days where I find myself questioning the validity of an extreme wellness diet. But put my child's well-being in the mix and give me positive results and it's enough to keep me keeping on.
Here's hoping all of your resolutions for 2013 bring about the changes you most desire.
Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 7, 2012
And So it Begins...
"I certify that I am adequately trained, physically fit, and capable of participating in this 100 mile ultra-endurance event over and off roads, trails, and extremely rugged terrain and I recognize the significant risks involved, such as exhaustion, physical injury, heat stroke, dehydration, and vehicle and pedestrian traffic. In consideration of allowing my participation in the Burning River 100, I hereby waive and release all claims and liabilities arising directly or indirectly out of, or relating to my participation in that event, and I further agree to indemnify and hold harmless Western Reserve Trail Running, Inc., Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Cleveland Metroparks, and Metroparks Serving Summit County, and their respective directors, trustees, officers, affiliates, agents, contractors, representatives, and volunteers from all losses, costs, liability, damages, and claims arising from my participation....."
Uh, YES.... wait, MAYBE.... oh, jeez, I don't know. Where is the "I think so" box. Or even better the "I sure as hell hope so" box for me to check.
I was going to wait to register until January 1st. But since I couldn't stand "not training" any longer, I officially jump started 100 mile training this week (which conveniently started with a rest day... going well, don't you think?) Give me credit, though. Two months is a long time to be resting. Since the MCM on October 27th, I have been running very sporadically. Mostly 3 days a week and not very far, either. My longest run was 10 miles (this past weekend). So that was a good 5 weeks of downtime and about as much as I could handle. I realize I SAY a lot of things I don't really mean. And saying I was going to take it easy for two months turned out to be one of them.
So this is my adventure/goal for 2013. To COMPLETE the 100 mile distance in the Burning River 100 on July 27/28th. You know it's a long-ass race when the race date has 2 days listed!
The looks one gets when telling people about this are not of admiration like they are when telling people you are running a marathon. It's funny, the response is usually "...all in one day? Why? That sounds horrible and unsafe." And to those people's credit, they are right. I remember being with Jack during his 2nd Burning River (yes, the one I said I would NEVER, EVER do... please refer to the above sentence about me saying things I don't mean). Anyway, there were horrible and scary moments. There were times I felt it was unsafe for him to go on. I was miserable and was completing less than 1/3 the distance. But that wasn't my race and it wasn't about me so I couldn't possibly understand that Jack's mindset was totally different than mine. He was committed and ready to complete it and I was not. He spent a crazy amount of time preparing the psychological aspect needed to succeed. I had not. And I believe that without question, he KNEW his life was never in danger, even though I didn't. He felt terrible and was exhausted, but that is to be expected when doing an event like this. And because he pushed past all of it, he realized just how much the human body can endure. This is something so few people are willing to go find out. They aren't wrong or necessarily missing out for not wanting to, but the point is that we always have perceived limits and then we have actual limits. The difference between the two is ENORMOUS. I remember the surprise of my pregnancy with baby number 3, Jack. In my own perception, there was NO WAY I could handle another baby at that point in my life. With two small children, a husband who was a full-time student, living out of town, and a full time job, it simply seemed like an impossible feat. But as always, God knew I could handle it and he had a purpose for this tiny person. And gee, didn't it all work out so perfectly? Look where we are now? I can't imagine my life without this adorable, tender hearted, loving child. Perceived limits vs. actual limits... (Dear God, really... I think I've reached my actual limit on this one. Kindly requesting not to be proven wrong :)
Do I think God is telling me to run 100 miles? No way. Does He know I'm going to try anyway? Yes, He does. Does He know the intent I have in doing so and what I hope to make of it? Yes, He does. Does He know if I can do it? Yes, He does. Even if I don't know it. He already knows the outcome... whether I will complete it or not. But the outcome doesn't matter so much as the attempt in something like this and how I go forward with training and preparation.
I have a fund raising goal for this race (I really need to stop referring to this as a "race". That implies speed will be involved). In a few short weeks, more information about that will be put out, both here and on Facebook. My goal is to raise money for a select few organizations by obtaining pledges per mile. No money will go through me. All expenses incurred ... registration, travel, crew... will come out of my pocket and not be reimbursed by the pledges. Stayed tuned....
I am taking a risk and searching to bypass my perceived limits, but not quite reach my actual limit (I assume that is bad thing). I already know I can go 50 miles. I am certain I can also go 100. But don't be fooled, I am scared out of my wits to attempt it. I hope that the reminder of who/what charities will benefit from it serves to keep me strong and motivated during my training.
A few prayers from y'all would be nice too!
Sidenote: I got a lot of very nice e-mails from people who read about Sergio in my last post. Thank you for your prayers, especially for those who don't know him. Sergio's follow up appointment with his pediatrician revealed a grade 3 concussion. Concussions are labeled grade 1-4, depending on severity. The doctor was perplexed as his recovery is not matching the severity of what happened. Sergio is acting and recovering like a grade 1. Not that any one of us present needed it, but it is further proof of God's glaring presence in that gym as well as the power of prayer. Deb says that she is certain that when you call in angels for help, they come. Sergio had quite a few that night. Thank you for the prayers.
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