Jogging in Jeans

I have never been a graceful runner. I kinda thought I was, that is, until I was running a 50 yard dash in middle school for the Presidential Physical Fitness Award and somebody made fun of my leg and how it would kick out to the side as I dashed. After that, I was always self-conscious and never went out of my way to run. Well, there was a time at a family reunion baseball game and I was sporting a post-baby, just-finished-weaning-a-baby-from-breastfeeding body. The video which was viewed later was not one of my finer moments and cemented in my mind why I should not be a runner.

Ba-boom-ba, ba-boom-ba comes to mind.

So, two evenings ago I decided to go for a walk and as I walked, I decided to challenge myself to see just how fast I could do one mile. I decided that if I did a combination of fast walking and some running, I could improve my time. Ready....set.....go.....

Initially my plan was to run only when there were no cars coming because of my funny running gait with the side leg kick thing that I assume I still do but haven't really checked, but all the stopping and starting was messing with my time and seriously, was there more traffic than usual?!? And, apparently I should have thought through my plan and dressed accordingly. Jeans and a regular looking t-shirt aren't "running gear". You'll understand shortly.

Backing up my story a little, let me tell you what my left leg was like when I was born. I don't think it was technically a clubfoot, at least not how I think of them, but it was more just really turned inwards. I wore a brace at night until I was at least 6 years old. It had a shoe on the bottom and my dad cut the toe end off because it got too small. I'd like to think this is why I run "funny", but I actually think I just simply run funny.

I may have heard once of twice: "You run like a girl." Which is okay, because I am a girl and I know a lot of girls who run AWESOME!!

                                 I know, adorable! But here you can see my foot rotated inwardly.                             I liked cake then. I still like cake. This is why I should be running. 

Okay, that's my little backstory.  Now, why shouldn't I wear jeans and a t-shirt to jog in? Well, just as I was bouncing along at a decent pace, deciding that I didn't care who saw me and I was just going to fly like the wind, I hear a car approach from behind. It slowed down and as there was no other traffic, no other reason to stop, I knew I was the reason. 

A concerned woman rolled down her window and asked, "Is everything okay? Do you need help?"
 I replied, in a somewhat breathless voice that I tried to make sound normal, " Umm, no, I'm just out for a walk and decided to run a bit."  To this, she smiled a little and gave me a thumbs up before going on her way. 

Oh dear. Do I really look like a panic-stricken woman running to get help when I jog?? Maybe this just means:
1.)  I was going fast (wishful thinking) like I was truly getting help.
2.) She saw smoke in the distance and thought I was running for help for real despite the cell phone in my hand that could've just dialed 911.
3.) Maybe she thought I literally needed help, like I needed oxygen.
4.) Or it was the oddness of jogging in jeans. 

I'd go with number 4. 

I'm headed out again for a walk, maybe run. If you see me, just wave and smile. I'll be the one in colorful flowered leggings and a t-shirt.

Love,
Dianne

Fit Phenomenon

 Being fit.
             Physically fit.
                          Mentally fit.
                                      Spiritually fit.

Fit. This is one of those words that gets weird the more you write it, but lately it has been simmering in my mind quite often. At Oak Dale Church, we are doing a sermon series "Get Fit" and I suspect this has something to do with this Fit Phenomenon in my brain. (Go to http://oakdalechurch.net/ for more info and video links to sermons).

 Having shoulder surgery is possibly another reason I am thinking about being fit. I learned really quickly that "if you don't use it, you lose it". When simple isometric exercises where introduced into my physical therapy regimen, I seriously thought I had done serious damage to my arm. I was fit to be tied (haha) and so worried I had messed up the surgical repair. My thoughts sounded a little like this:  "Oh nooooooo! I'll be in this crazy sling contraption even longer! But wait...they added some exercises. Really simple exercises. Do you think maybe...? No. I am NOT that out of shape! Or am I? It has only been like, what...three weeks, but could that make my muscles hurt so badly??" 

It turns out that, yes, it was just my muscles relearning and that even though it hurt, I needed to keep on doing those exercises and increasing the number of reps and even adding more exercises. Fast forward about four more weeks and those same muscles that screamed in pain are now stronger, haven't hurt since that first week of doing the exercises, and I can lift a full coffee cup to my lips (victory in the sweetest sense). Another lesson for me here is that I need to follow instructions. When I try to push the boundaries, or I just simply do too much and my husband, a friend or one of my children ask, "Should you be doing that??", I know I need to rein it in so the healing can continue in a healthy way without my impeding the process with my impatience to have full function again. Kind of like life sometimes, eh?

One way I have counterbalanced my limitations with my shoulder is to get out and walk. I get bored easily when exercising and so I've tried to turn this into a time to pray, reflect and review verses that I'm trying to commit to memory. You want to talk about a spiritual workout? Try memorization. I discovered I am quite terrible at it, but it is like my arm and shoulder muscles: I haven't used that skill for a long time and it is out of shape. The other way I have made walking fun and also more of a challenge is to walk with a friend. Kelli and I have logged about 12 miles this week over three days and it was good. Good for my physically and great for me mentally. 

On one of the days that Kelli and I walked, we nearly had to walk home as my car, sweet old Scarlet, left us stranded. You see, Scarlet has run her race (that may or may not be an admission to speeding) and we have been waiting for this day to happen. Part of that may be because of a lack of regular maintenance on my part and that tells me something. It's easy when I start something new, or purchase something new, to keep up with it. But, as time passes, it is easy for me to get lazy or discouraged because I don't see the results I want. Then things fall apart. Kind of like life sometimes, eh?

Andy's outdoor workout zone

I want to challenge myself physically, mentally and spiritually. I met someone this week who has challenged me to set some goals and aim to go the distance. Andrew Yoder is a dynamic, passionate man who wants to help others to create, clarify and build a vision. Two hours spent talking to him and doing an adapted workout outdoors on a sunny day left me motivated and enlivened. Take some time and check out his website:  http://www.lionheartedcoaching.com/ or find him on Facebook Lionhearted Coaching.

FIT Lessons (or something akin to rambling) a la Dianne:

1.) Being physically fit requires movement. I know, that seems so obvious but sometimes I want results without having to do the work. It doesn't work that way. Ever. 

2.) Having a goal, a finish line in sight, is necessary. Gotta keep my eye on the prize and it doesn't matter if it's physical, mental or spiritual, but for me, I need to state my purpose and have a vision. 

3.) Following directions (and doctor's orders) is important. Guidelines keep me on course. This is a good thing as I tend to wander, in my thoughts, my Bible reading, and yes, in my physical exercise too. 

4.) In 1Thessalonians 5:12-24, there is a lot of final instructions that Paul passed on but the verse I want to remember is vs. 23: "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."

4.) Here's a bonus one for you. Not all sports bras are made equal. Try getting into one of these one-armed and you'll see what I mean. It is like an entire workout before the workout. And really, even with two good shoulders, it was sometimes a challenge. It gives new meaning to the phrase "fit to be tied".

And on that note, I gotta run. Not literally. I'm not a runner yet; walking is my thing. 

Love, 

Dianne

Final Instructions

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.

13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

16 Rejoice always,

17 pray continually,

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit.

20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt

21 but test them all; hold on to what is good,

22 reject every kind of evil.

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.