Aftermath

Well, I am sore today. I was already having some moob pain from a workout a free days ago, in which I introduced some new weight training type stuff.

But today, after last night's run, I am hurting. It was a race, afterall, and I pushed myself much harder than I normally do. Surprisingly, most of the pain is localized in my calfs and ankles.

I guess I know where to focus on future workouts. Once I've healed, that is.

Today's workout I actually had to warm-up before I could run. That's how bad it was. Generally, I just take off jogging at a good pace, then adjust from there. I got the blood flowing and was soon running, did some weights (the same pain inducing sets as before), and then some stationary bike.

I don't think anything helps the body heal quicker than getting the blood flossing through it faster.

And now I am home again, needing to continue with actual life related thing, instead of laying on my bed, blogging on my phone.

First* 5k, of many.

* It was my first 5k since I was 16 years old running Cross Country in High School.

Tonight was the Brookwood Elementary Fun Run/5k. And it was the first running race of any kind that I have been in in over 15 years.

I won...sort of.

My time was 22:30, which I am pretty psyched about. I doubt I have any chance of ever reaching my former levels or cross country prowess. But, I think about how I was 40 lbs. fatter a few months ago, and couldn't run 50 feet without dying of a heart attack, and I'm pretty happy with where I am now.

I won, first place in my age group, 'younger' adults. But I only got 7th place, overall. The sad thing was that I was beaten by two old guys (40+), two 6th graders, and two teens. And the first female runner finished only about 30 seconds behind me. But, I'm happy. I was really only racing myself, to see how good I could do, time-wise, and to set the bar for my next race.

I need to also mention that my wonderful girls also participated. In the little half-mile fun run for the little kids, Elyse got second place out of the girl kinder-gardeners. She may have caught the running bug now, too.

Katy and Tauni, and Elyse, walked/ran most of the 5k. I appreciate Tauni sticking with the girls so that I could do a race speed run. I feel a little bad for Katy, who didn't get a medal. I've been trying extra hard to make her feel special.

...winter comes again.

This morning I was in a meeting with several of the local leaders of out church. As we discussed a family in need of assistance, their house in dire need of repair and they do not have the resources to do it themselves, our Bishop made the statement that we, and they, need to get things done now, because "winter comes again."

He meant it literally when he said it. But the statement struck me figuratively as well. Perhaps that is because I am in a figurative winter right now.

I guess the lesson here is that winter always comes, so prepare in the summer, figuratively. Perhaps you should also say that summer also comes again. Which can be hard to remember in a winter.

Figuratively, of course.

On a not completely unrelated note, I was released from my calling of Elders Quorum President today. While I feel some relief, as it has been a big responsibility and sometimes burden, I am saddened by the loss of opportunities to serve my brothers. Before my experience as the EQP, I cared little for people outside my own family. I never sought to help others. I hope that if I
learned anything, it's to love people and to actively serve those who need it.

I know that Tauni fears that with my release, we will lose what divine help we had been receiving. I do not feel that this is the case. If anything, I think there will be less opposition to his blessing.

I know, I know. I'm not normally one to get so religious in my blogging. But, it is a part of who I am.

Also, we finally got rid of our Chrystler Town & Deathtrap. We traded it in for this wicked Nissan Altima.

Oh, lordy, my nips hurt!

I guess it's something that I'd conveniently forgotten from my days of running cross-country in high school. Or perhaps I repressed the memory, like I do with all horrible things.

Either way, I certainly recall it now:

running = chaffing

I'd become reacquainted with the chaffed inner-thighs thing a few months ago, and got some new undies that took care if it.

Over the last few weeks, I've experienced some new chaffing. On my nipples. And it's getting worse. Seriously, it's like running in sand-paper shirts.

I hear there is some sort of roll-on anti-chaffing stuff, like a deodorant stick. As soon as I figure out where to buy some, I most definitely will do so.

Green Monster

After running 6.51 miles on the treadmill this morning, I had this yummy green monster shake. It consists if fresh fruit, protein powder, and a butt-load of spinach. Turns out it was freakin' delicious.

"Daddy, I don't want to hurt your feelings, but your shake looks like throw-up." -Elyse

I'm OVERWEIGHT! Woo-hoo!!

I know, I know...being overweight isn't something you'd normally celebrate. But today it is, for me. For the past couple of years, I have been obese. And, as of this morning, I'm not. I'm only overweight.

So, I'm gonna say it again: WOO-HOO!  I'M OVERWEIGHT!

Honestly, I didn't expect this milestone for a few more days, but weight just fell off me between yesterday and today. I lost 2.2 lbs. Verified on 2 separate scales, so I know it's legit.

To celebrate, I went to the gym and burned 800 calories on the treadmill.

If you really want to show me that you love me...

I can't say it any better than Elder Lynn G. Robbins. Watch it, please.

I recently did make a 'to be' list. I call it 'My Standard'.

Yesterday, this talk was given in General Conference. I think it was in direct response to my own poor parenting. And this talk spoke to me more than any other given this conference.

The day before yesterday, Katy made me a little snowflake out of paper, and colored it carefully. When she gave it to me, I was already frustrated and angry at being the only person to have done any work on the house that day. I had done laundry, dishes, cleaning, cooked, laundry, and dishes. So, instead of accepting her loving gift as I should have, I said "If you really wanted to show me that you love me, you'd help me."

While my statement may have been true, it wasn't said in a loving or teaching way. And what did Katy learn from it? Well, she walked away sad, and didn't help any more after I had said it than she did before. So, I'd say she learned that her angry daddy doesn't appreciate her.

Since listening to Elder Robbins's talk, I think I have done better. When the girls fought yesterday, I sat them down and talked to them about principles of the gospel, specifically about loving God and your neighbor. I reviewed that lesson with them on the way to school with them this morning. And, hopefully, one day I will get it to stick.