A walk, the moon, Matthew and the ditch!

Five o'clock was finally here - I had time to get home, change my clothes and go for that promised walk with Alan and Pepper before the sun went down (I love it that's it's staying light just a little longer now).  But first, a quick stop at Dr. Greg's to get that kink out of my neck. . .ahhh, now home. . .just to find out that Alan, Pepper and Matt had already gone for a walk!  Oh well, I can walk faster without them - I was going to get a good 3 mile training walk in.  Just before heading out the door, Matt decided he'd go with me and I welcomed his company, as it was going to get dark before I'd get back home and I thought he might push me into going a little faster .

It was a great time, we warmed up with a walk and then ran for awhile but I had to walk again to catch my breath so I could talk!  I was telling Matt how it looked like there was plenty of room to walk in the gravel on the side of the road, but  that really, it was too soft to walk on. He was being a perfect gentleman and walked on the outside when we got to the main road because he had lighter colored clothes on.  It was getting darker, but the moon was shining.  We ran across the bridge to get to the other side before more cars came.  Matt was telling me that there sure wasn't anything to do in this little town and we were discussing the pros and cons of  life in Yoncalla.  I almost had him convinced to run the Newport Marathon in June with me when suddenly I felt myself rolling  - I didn't fall, I slid and rolled right straight down into a drainage ditch and was more than waist deep in water, mud and who knows what else!  I was shocked!  Matt was shocked!  Oh no, my iphone was in my hand - in the water!  I pulled it out fast and handed it to Matt (he couldn't believe I was more concerned for my phone than getting myself out of the ditch).  He kept trying to help me out but the bank was all very soft mud.  I walked ahead to get to the end of the ditch where I could see rocks and there got my footing and he gave me a hand to get me up out of the muck!  A couple of cars slowed and I think were going to stop, but didn't - they must have been trying to decide if Matt pushed me into the ditch, was helping me out or if maybe I'd had a little too much to drink!!!  LOL  It was SO hilarious!  Matt would NOT laugh, though!  I told him it was ok to laugh but he said not yet, maybe tomorrow!!!  We still had 5 blocks to home and I was SOAKED and it was COLD!  By the time we got home, though, Matt had a grin on his face and could not wait to tell his Dad what happened.

All is well - phone was in a good case that protected it, my clothes are washed and dried, nothing is broken (well, I'll see how I feel in the morning - I may need another visit with Dr. Greg!) and I'm off to my nice, warm bed for a good night's sleep - that is if I can quit laughing!  I guess I COULD just tell everyone I was training for the mud race with Julie and Tonya!

Gadgets

On this morning's walk/run I got to try out my new Go Belt-the original No Bounce Runner's Belt.  I have to say - I LOVED IT!  It worked exactly like all the reviews proclaimed - my iphone fit in the large pocket perfectly.  When I got home, I was looking all over for my phone until I realized I was still wearing it!  So comfortable, doesn't bounce or get in the way.  It will hold my chapstick, keys, hydration tablets, gel, bandaids and any other "gadget" I'll need for the marathon.  Now, I'm waiting, waiting, waiting for my new UV Ladies Moisture Absorbing Sweatband Cap.  Thanks, Leslie, Linda and Vivian (my sisters and mother-in-law)  for my Amazon Gift Cards!!!!

I usually walk alone but today I had two companions that kept me going. . .the wind and the rain.  They both were at my back and sure helped me home in record time!  Sometimes I think having a friend to train with would be fun and challenging but so far no one has come along that shares this interest!  (If you're out there, please let me know!)  However, I never really feel "alone" when I'm walking.  I enjoy the solitude.  It gives me time to enjoy creation and time to reflect.  My mind tumbled upon this thought today - If I were to ever get a tatoo (so far I haven't thought of a good enough reason to get one) I think I would get one on my foot and it would say "He walks with me" because no matter where I go, God does go with me.  So, I really am never alone.  It doesn't mean I won't get tired or sore or stumble or fall or get hurt - but when I do there's someone there to help me get back up again.

Fresh Brewed

"We find time for the things that are important to us.  Period." ~ Scott Douglas
Another perspective of this quote is looking at what we don't have time for (or haven't made time for lately) and realizing adjustments need to be made.

OK, well, I've gone and done it again!  I've committed to walk/run another half marathon in May - and then a whole marathon in June!  This decision was made after the last half I walked at the end of October - the whole time telling myself I WAS NOT going to do this again - that there was absolutely NO REASON whatsoever to put myself though this!  LOL.  But, my health and my daughter are important enough to me to find the time.

So, this second day of 2012, finds me on a new journey - blogging my way through what I think are some great New Year's Resolutions.  I'm not going to list them today, but will be sharing from time to time things from my "heart" (devotional thoughts) to my "sole" (marathon training)  and hope they will be an inspiration to you.

Nicole Johnson said in her book "Fresh-Brewed Life" that life with Christ is a journey of awakenings: to God, as we learn to respond to his love for us; to ourselves, as we recognize our true identity, and it illuminates us from the inside out; and to others, as we relate in new and healthy ways that bring joy and peace.

Just like waking up to a fresh-brewed cup of coffee each morning, I want to enjoy this new year one day at a time.  I want this new year to be richer, fuller, and more flavorful than ever before.

~ went on a nice just-over-a-mile walk this morning to get myself started for next week's "serious" marathon training ~





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