This is a partial post as I have a huge laundry list of things I'd like to finish. The only one on the list not feasible is probably painting. It's ok. "I've never really had 100% performance on any task and I think I'm awesome. Any way here's a quote from John Bingham "The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." This was the inspiration for the post. Hopefully I will get some time to run today even just three. Off to complete the yard work.
Tonight was another difficult run. I felt as if I was exerting myself throughout. There was not warm up or easing into this run. I was disorganized and uncomfortable. My chest was tired and sore. My left arm felt stiff and awkward. This seems to be an ongoing saga and I can't wait for it to be over! I have only eight miles more for this month and my company is coming from out of town tomorrow. I feel some pressure with the household. I want them to enjoy their time and to feel super comfortable. Tomorrow I want to weedwack the yard, vacuum the pool, clean the bathrooms to a fine sparkle, change all the linens, mop and fix up the kitchen. They are arrive in the evening so I will have time to get it done. If things move along nicely I would like to pain the hallway to spruce it up. Anyway off to catch some zzz. If anyone can tell me why my runs are dragging I would appreciate the insight.
I completed my running for the day and I dreaded most of it. I felt like a thousand pounds not fat of course but heavy laden. I don't understand why training has become such a drag. I know part of it is because there is no outside running at all which has many distractions good and bad. It keeps it interesting sometimes. I miss running places like meeting the family at walmart or running to a destination and calling home and having them meet me. Even running to the studio seems adventurous now. I guess I am fatigued with the activity (running) even though my over all energy levels are great. The past few weeks running has had to fit into a sharp increase in household chores and obligations as I am not a suzie home maker, we have company coming and we just remodeled the kitchen. I am happy to say that I am 11 miles off beating last months mileage and that is what keeps me running this week. I don't want to give up on it because it is so doable. I may need to think about running in the early morning. That has changed I am sleeping in about an hour later and perhaps that is throwing off my rhythm. I feel disjointed when I run. I think I need to plan a long run soon to boost momentum. The only problem its way too hot outside. For example I would love to run to church but the heat is a deal breaker. I'm driven not obsessed. I run to be free not bound. I'll try to remember that. 
Questions are important to ask and to seek the logical and moral answers to. As citizens of the U.S we need to rightly ask what kind of country are we becoming where divorce is the norm and abortion has become a right? In the past election is it obvious that voters wanted Washington business as usual to change and that is understandable but to what? People wanted be a part of the history to heal the wounds of slavery and segregation and discrimination and to put an end to our nation's history in this area. What are we becoming however? What is potentially happening to health care, to state rights, to freedom of speech to our ability to practice our religious beliefs in public without having to completely sanitize them into some spiritual universality appealing junk? Likewise when we see our church being criticized and a call for change in the business as usual what are we looking to change exactly? it would be nice without trashing what has worked for millennia to encourage those who identify themselves in ethnic terms to explore opening Orthodoxy to non-(fill in the blank) as a belief system an ideology. This uniformity will not strip us of our ethnic heritage but will allow us to share it with others and also more importantly will reinforce what it means to be Americans. After all to be American is not a race or group of one peoples but to adopt and subscribe to a set of ideological principles. Likewise to be an Orthodox Christan is to also adopt and uphold another set of principles. It is not about being an ethnic Greek but it is the Greek Orthodox Church no matter what state flag is flown. I want to clarify at the outset that I am not comparing slavery and oppression and the need to fight against it and the changes being made within the church. I am drawing more the comparison between the need to ask questions about the direction change will take us in as a free nation and as Orthodox Christians. I want all to come to know Christ the Savior who is found in the fullness of His revelation in the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church but I am not willing to make it more user friendly somehow to get more people in the door. It is not about trying to remove certain languages or make it easier for people to assimilate. Let's remember that it is Greek and even Arabic that we find the most ancient Biblical texts. Let's also be fair in mentioning that Sts. Cyril and Methodious where sent out by the Greek Orthodox Church to bring Orthodoxy to the Slavs and yes in there own language so that they can share it with the people. So if your experience has been with some bigoted ethnic people move on deal with it just as I and many others have had to deal with the ignorance of the proliferation of statements made about the true keepers of the Orthodox Faith the Greek Orthodox Church and all of her Holy Martyr and Theologians and Church Fathers. Keep in mind that the church in American is in it's adolescence not adulthood. We can embrace the enthusiasm and energy without yielding to the misguided over simplified steps of youth.
Today's blog was going to speak about the need for commitment, endurance and stamina. As those of you who follow this blog will know I have been exploring the waxing and waning of my training. This is where I ended up. I spoke about the need to remain good church stewards.
Today's run was difficult for now good reason. I took two days off to give myself a rest and because timing was an issue. The rest time didn't pay off though. My chest was kind of tight and i seemed to just shuffle along. I kind of wish I could run outside but it is way too hot outside for me to even think about running there. I feel like training is a little stagnant right now I suppose because I don't have a race to train for or any partners. Yesterday the kids had a karate inner school tournament and for the first time in a long long time I missed training and the dojo. I missed karate. I should start training at home again. These are the moments when discipline is essential to success. I suppose I sort of feel as if I'm doing the least I can do and still consider myself in training. 
Today was another successful run. I ran at home on the treadmill watching the Tour De France. It is always interesting watching people run or ride when training. Anyway this was a nice and slow run. Just putting in the time. It became clear that following fortitude, patience is key to endurance. Growing impatient with running or the time it takes to add steps together into mileage can be an issue. Adding speed drills keeps it interesting but running for mortals like me dictates that hard running all the time leads to breakdown in motivation and in body mechanics namely injury. Pace is central to success in all aspects of living. 
Author:Stephen Brown 
Let's remain focused on what is important let's explore fortitude. There is the type which pushes one into action to take action to do. The there is the latter which keeps one steady on the course in action. It is sometimes perceived as endurance which is one's ability gained from one's fortitude. Getting into action consistently is what keeps one steady and which in turn develops endurance. One's effort never diminishes as the expectations and goals move forward and become more demanding. One can become accustomed to putting forth such effort demonstrating great determination by not getting side tracked by some discomfort or inconvenience. One's habits can push one through laziness or a lag in motivation.
So yesterday I ran just under 8.25 miles. I have been increasing the length of my runs by 30-50% since I had the cable hooked up. I enjoy treadmill running because it takes away all the guesswork and gives me that solitude I enjoy. I realized yesterday that my legs never not tired because I failed to run long enough. It felt familiar to have some tiredness join me on my run. I also came to the knowledge that mental fortitude is the real obstacle in training. It is not the pushing through the painful or uncomfortable parts in fact those parts of running are often what pushes us harder. Rather it's the boredom. I guess that means I'm boring even to myself.
A couple of days ago a runner Mike just showed up at my house to raise money for Team In Training. I didn't make a donation as I support other runners in their efforts. He and I did get to talking a while. We both had brain surgery (he had five) and both began running about five years ago. He was a very pleasant person with a will and a drive which I'm sure has helped to keep him alive all these years. He was given only three months to live in 1992. His memory of was impaired and he was at a loss when I asked him pointed matter of fact questions. I felt quite grateful that aside from normal absent mindedness I don't think I am much effected by the surgery. Actually I was thinking how great God is that he turned a brain tumor into a baby. He used the tumor to get my attention and bring Euphemia into the world something I don't think I would have sought to do so otherwise. "This is the day that the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it."
I found this comment on a blog which was speaking about the current issue of the OCA and the Mother Churches. Without commenting on the issue itself one line struck a cord with me "emptied of their Orthodox people...". I wish rather to draw your attention to this point: this is the exact position of Arab nations about their Christian populations. 
Yesterday I began my run and stopped after just over a half a mile. I think I have only done that twice before. I had a killer cramp from the very beginning and without a race to prepare for I decided that running through the pain would only take something small and make it an issue. Not everything has to prove something. Today I ran 7.25 miles and stopped because I was done. I was a bit apprehensive during the beginning of the run I even thought about warming up first but I quickly moved through the apprehension and just ran. The nagging cramp never returned and I simply noted that my sneakers are worn as the discomfort under my metatarsal was returning. I have a bad habit of grabbing whatever sneakers are around to run sometimes. This pair I wore today is kept for weed wacking not running. I'll have to pitch them to be sure I don't wear them running again. It's sounds ridiculous and perhaps it is but I think it is like not keeping junk food in the house. If the junk is in the house it is only a matter of time, albeit a long time perhaps, before its consumed or in this case worn..JPG)
Byzantines beat the Vikings to America by 500 YEARS!
I had a dialogue with my closest confidant and friend this past weekend about the nature of my blog entries. It would appear that I have been reactive instead of responsible. I am responsible to remain steadfast in my complete belief and defense of my faith in the One True Church and in my support of the Ecumenical See. I should not however yield my decision making control to the antagonists. I have expended so much effort to dismiss the naive thoughts and claims made by others that I have failed to speak the truth responsibly rather then defensively. So to all those who would like to obsess within the framework of their small networks and in some cases minds I refer you to the AOI website and from there you will surely be referred to like minded sites. 
I would like to thank Dr. Steven Brem Chief of Neuro-oncology at Moffit Cancer Hospital. He removed a brain tumor from my frontal lobe three years ago today. This morning I woke up had my coffee and waited to hear "MA, MA!!!" from Euphemia the baby. I was in surgery at that time three years ago while my kids waited and my husband worried. Today has been a day of reflection. Of course there are those moments when I would hear myself yelling for more cooperation from my teens and then I remember the road this family has walked together. Today I ran just under 8.25 miles on the treadmill and watched some cable show. I just had the cable brought into that room which gave my brain a break and all I had to do was zone out and watch my show.
I had to fit yesterday's run it a tight time frame. So it was short. I have been emptying my kitchen for two days in preparation for a complete overhaul and renovation. That part of the project had to be done by Sat. because there would be no time to complete the clean out yesterday (Sun. because of church and a fantastic afternoon evening and night out with friends) and the destruction of the old kitchen begins today. Many of our friends are Arab, all Christians from different countries and let me tell you, they can cook and they understand hospitality. But I digress...the run had to be short fast because I had to fit it in between church and going out. I ran just under 3 1/4 miles at about 8.24 min. I'm no Speedy Gonzales and I haven't been working on speed drills or been in that mindset lately so pushing to work under 8 or even 8 min miles were not going to happen. I'm glad I ran though. I hope to run later this evening when the workers leave. I also wanted to note that aside from great food and warm company there was something else which left an impression on me yesterday. There were several of the families in attendance (and I speak of only those that I know about) who are currently going through some major trials in their private lives. Health scares, loss, and terminal family and yet they all celebrate the blessings God gave them. They don't disregard their pain or sorrow or fear but they walk through it with faith. They remember why life is so precious family, children, and good friends. They don't preach their faith they live it quietly and with dignity. It's a bit ironic but I think my run was the digression in this post.
Today's run was pretty good. It took some concentration during the middle to end part. There was a time when I could have sworn I was sleeping. It is amazing how I can lose blocks of time it's so hypnotic. For non-runners try and think of those times you may not recall all of the actual drive to a destination. Then all of a sudden it was over. It doesn't matter too much how quickly I move; basically I'll be running a while. Today was a little over seven miles so combined with my last run I only have about 78 miles to meet this months goal. For non runners it may seem steep but for runners its mild. If I was training for an event then I'd add a long run once a week and that would bump up the mileage but I use my 'off season' (summer time) to just stay in shape and not lose fitness. It is a good way to prevent injury. During today's run I did a lot of thinking and one small point I don't mind sharing is the time spent in the air. I hear a lot about the negative to running with all the pounding and pressure put on the joints but not too many people focus on the time spent flying through the air. The next time you go for a run think about the time you spend off the ground something walkers don't get. When I was a kid I used to simply love to swim when I wasn't pretending to be a dolphin (I know corny but I was a kid) I used to pretend I could fly as I would glide through the water.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate has withstood many trials, tribulations, heresy, war and oppression proclaiming with all vigor the One True Faith. It has continued throughout the millennium with an inner strength and resiliency. Orthodox Patristic Theology has never been lost or forsaken. The Ecumenical Throne has never forsaken the unchanging teachings and Theology of the Church. There is no innovation and therefore no room for error. Despite resent claims by splinter groups in the United States the Ecumenical Throne has maintained the Orthodox ethos completely and has embraced the variety of wonderful ethnic expressions of it. Some Orthodox groups in the U.S have failed to assimilate their own thinking into the Orthodox Traditions.
The welfare of the Ecumenical Throne is the sign post of the unity of the Church. Without unity among the brotherhood of bishops and therefore a coalition from canonical jurisdictions of the faithful the credibility of the Faith is questioned. Any division within the Church or disregard for the Ecumenical Patriarch and his role as First Among Equals, openly contradicts Christ's calling and scandalizes the Church. Even within the Trinity there appears to be a First Among Equals: God the Father does not to diminish God the Son, or God the Spirit. The OCA and Metropolitan Jonah in his short time in 'command' has created an unhealthy rivalry with the Mother Church while in his attempt for ecumenicism with the Anglican Church he seems to speak with an conventional indifference to the theological differences. 
