a holy man and trying to run the good race

Today was the best run in this beginning phase. I am relearning pace and recovery while still moving. I would be remiss in not mentioning the glorious shade and the wind which moved through. I ran to music which I listened to at infinitum when I was preparing for brain surgery (MRI's) contemplation. mastering the art of running is about more then hitting the pavement. it definitely gets my attention, the pavement that is...I have to respect the mile even just one. every marathon begins with the first mile. I would also like to take the time to acknowledge the team of people my family for instance who have to reschedule their plans to meet my whim. sometimes the greatest obstacles are the result of resistance of those who are inconvenienced by the time and effort training requires. It really does take a team even for an individual sport like running and even for a mediocre athlete like myself . By design and character I am one of the most unlikely person to be participating in the gold standard for endurance and excellence. Actually my only competition are the voices blaring in my head telling me how ridiculous my athletic prowess is and how it's no excuse. Success is measured by effort not accolades or winning. Humbly without personal pride I rely on the generosity of fellow athletes, by standers, my readership and family to get me through. Just as  being a good Christian takes the church community to break the isolation and provide encouragement.

i can't believe i forgot the weather

i can't believe i forgot the weather!!! this is a post script to yesterday's entry and a hopeful precursor to today's. the weather has been  a real impetus for the runs. the heat has been overbearing in the direct sunlight however yesterday was overcast, spraying cool rain droplets and occasionally a light breeze would welcome me along. Today though in the 80's, breezy and partly cloudy. I want to take complete advantage of this weather which will soon be forgotten, burned beneath the Florida sun. Soon I'll be confined to my treadmill and nighttime runs. they all offer something qualitative but knowing these cloudy days are limited makes be not want to waste one run. Beginning again makes be relearn humbleness and taking nothing for granted. I am remember how running hardens the body the mind and my resolve. When you run very few things are of significance or should i say pose impetiments or obstructions.

AADD christian programming and week one behind me

Logged another run. Running almost daily. The runs shorter then my attention span which is very limited. I may actually have Adult Onset Attention Deficit Disorder. Anyway these short tiny weeny runs won't get me to marathon day but they established a good first week. I am building up my core which is severely weakened and working off my ever expanding girth. I remain hopeful and steadfast awaiting my breakthrough. Today I was flipping through channels as I passed through christian programming and I realized the whole case for the pentecostal revival movement and redemptive edge is founded on condemning the actual framework for salvation: the Church, ritual or any semblance of religion. Let's all be spontaneous and speak in unknown tongues (gibberish) thereby proving we are going to be swept away during the rapture. Diabolical garbage.

Greetings Christ is Risen

Fellow bloggers, avid readers and  runners, spectators, visitors and you. Despite the no show of blog entries, which are more the result of computer keyboard issues then lack of interest, I have run twice since my last post. The one day I planned to run and didn't was tax day which is noteworthy only because I perceived the longing of the run. This is the most notable change. I have reincorporated running into my identity. It was scary for a while teetering between runner and slacker. I am glad to have this surety back in my life. It shapes my little world view and the way I celebrate, contemplate and center my daily living. It gives the foreground or backdrop for the events and circumstance of the day.

Right now is probably the most difficult part of training...the beginning. This is where insecurity rears its ugly head; self-conscious running is distracting and detracts from the essentials of good running. The trinity of the runner: the mind and body are 'run' into the soul. If I worry about outward appearance then the mind has escaped. The heat is compounding the issues with reconditioning but I will not be deterred. The marathon in Greece 2010 is still on he table but it is more likely that I'll simply pick up a more local race.

Once I get back my lost fitness I'll have to start to build races (half marathons) into my training as they were sorely lacking during last year.Last year I ran the half's every Sat. morning for months and more when I would run to church but races are different. They enable me to focus on gait, pace and technique. Leisurely running half marathons alone gave me joy but encouraged poor form and casualness to a fault. It seems silly to travel over 13 miles and be lazy. Also don't snicker but cycling will get put on my training map for cross training which I never do. Besides my Fuji has been waiting years (literally) for a spin.

When I train there is a clarity that occurs. It emboldens be to work harder and through one commitment be more willing and dutiful in the rest of my life.