If you need to be humbled, run long!

You might know that I’ve been training for a relay race coming up in August. I was feeling rather pleased with my efforts. In fact, on July 4^th I ran a 5K and finished with my best time yet! I’m almost 57 and I’ve been running for 10 years. I’ve been thinking, “I’m faster! I’m faster!”

As the summer wore on, four miles became a “good run.” Four miles with hills was a little more challenging, but not exhausting. I’ve been thinking, “I’m stronger. I’m stronger!”

My training partner and I jumped from four to six miles a couple weeks ago for our long runs. Still, we held a steady pace and did not die at the end. I’ve been thinking, “I’m prepared. I’m prepared.”

Then I remembered that my longest run on the relay is 6.6 miles. I’ve been thinking, “I need to run longer. I need to run longer!”

Enter the seven-mile long run. Perhaps I wasn’t hydrated and fueled enough. It’s hard to fuel before a morning run. I like to get as many minutes of sleep as I can! It had to be a morning run because, well – it’s hot out there! Water? Why didn’t I plant a water bottle somewhere along the route? Yes, I bonked! I couldn’t make it up a hill at mile 5.5 without taking a walk break. We finished the seven miles, but it wasn’t pretty on my part. I wandered home, drank some water, stretched, drank some electrolytes, ate breakfast, puttered around, ate some lunch and downed more fluids, puttered some more, and complained about my aching muscles. By evening, I finally felt like myself again.

What’s my take away? I know how to prepare, but I was feeling confident enough that I didn’t prepare properly. I paid a price today for my pride. I am humbled. I’ve got a few long runs prior to relay weekend and you can bet I will anticipate them more carefully by fueling and hydrating better the day and hours before.  I might even plant a water bottle along the route.

That’s why we train – so we can learn about our weaknesses. When we know where the weak spots are, we can reinforce them and make them strong.

“And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them” – Ether 12:27 

What weak things have you changed into strengths?

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Happy Running!
Carol - aka Running Granny Green

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Dessert - A Runner's Weakness

Double Chocolate Biscotti

I spent the morning updating my Recipes Page to make it easier to locate the recipes I have shared on this blog. I had a difficult time letting go of some of the yummy photos, but now they are much easier to locate. A quick click on the link will take you to the recipe post and there you will find those yummy photos, too!

It’s no surprise that my biggest recipe category is DESSERTS! I know, I know! I’m a runner. Some would suppose that in order to call oneself a runner she must run AND eat healthy – always. Well, some of us runners also believe in moderation. Just because I love desserts does not mean I eat poorly – always. I’ll admit, tho, it’s a good thing that I run.

3 of my Healthy Eating Habits

·         I eat breakfast – always.

·         I cook at home from scratch - most of the time.

·         I grow a garden.

3 of my Poor Eating Habits

·         I often put off lunch until my hunger overpowers my judgement.

·         I LOVE a Costco hotdog with sauerkraut and all the fixings … and a soda.

·         I’m a late afternoon snacker.

3 Ways I could Eat Healthier

·         Drink more water.

·         Plan my snacks

·         Eat more veggies – always. Oh, but I love simple carbs!

While I’m working on my healthier eating, you can visit my Recipes Page and find some healthy recipes as well as some of my favorite desserts. Try them!  You’ll see why I give in to their temptations!

Happy Running!
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Guest Blogger: Carlos writes about overcoming weakness

Meet Carlos, an educator, photographer, and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is also a husband, and a father. He and his wife, Bridgette, have one daughter. (Well, she is expected any day now!) Carlos is a Spanish high school teacher, and loves to photograph, spend time with his beautiful family, and be active in his church. You can visit Carlos’ photography website and personal blog at http://www.carlosrendonphotography.com 

 

Overcoming Our Weaknesses  

 

What are your weaknesses? What are your strengths? What are some things that used to be your weakness but are now strengths? How did you change? Who have you become?   Who helped you? 

  

Jesus Christ taught: “If [you] humble [yourself] before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto [you] (Ether 12:27, The Book of Mormon: another testament of Jesus Christ). 

  

I have found tremendous strength and comfort in knowing that if I place my faith in Jesus Christ I can do the impossible. And so can you.  

  

What are you willing to do to be who you want to be? 

  

Our whole existence in this life is to be happy! Yes! Happiness! So how do you do it?  

  

There’s a small phrase that I have told many people and I believe it to be true:  

  

  

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight 

 

To be happy you must work for it. Put your body into motion and that emotion will come. 

Be kind to the fellow that everyone hates 

Lift someone up 

Serve, serve and serve. 

  

A dear friend of mine taught me this powerful lesson:  

 

You love those whom you serve and you serve those whom you love.   

  

 True Love is true happiness. And serving everyone will give you that love, which love transforms our being into who we want to be.   Service is an expression of love and love, a powerful source of change. 

 

So why talk about happiness if you want to make your weakness, strengths?  

  

Happiness is that force that will drive you to believe and push yourself to be better and better. Happiness is a gift available to all that will do more for you than you have ever thought. 

  

Go home and write down the things you wish to be better at. Then next to those weaknesses find a way to love someone in the process of seeking to do better. For example, if you want to be a better husband, or child, you might consider making dinner for your wife, or cleaning the entire kitchen for your mother. 

  

In all, we are endowed with the seeds of greatness, so trust in God and go and make your weakness strong as you serve, love and be happy. 

 

Follow Carlos at CarlosRendonPhotography. Give him a visit and show him some love.  He's going to be a daddy soon!

 

Visit my Guest Blogger Page to get to know all my blogging friends!

Happy Running!