Cemetery Runs

So this morning was absolutely beautiful, cool, and breezy in the Chicagoland area. Not to far from me stands the Free Sons of Israel Cemetery, I walked over and went for a light jog. The graves and memorial buildings are eerily beautiful. I think I’ll be making this a regular place for running, especially when I need to just think.  Here are a few pictures I took on the way back (more to be uploaded to my panoramio as they come) :

          

Being there made me think of my dad, and just how many of actually fallen asleep in death. It makes me wonder who these people were, and what kind of lives did they live, and what about their families now, at this exact moment, does anybody even miss them now that they are gone?  I can’t wait for the beautiful prospect our Father has given. (John 5:28, 29)  I also noticed that a few of the graves reference the “book of life” since it’s a Jewish cemetery, I wonder what that means to them exactly?

Runners Update:

I’m still at 2 miles, I think, duh! I really need to invest in something that tracks my timing and distance a little better. I can tell I’m getting stronger though, I don’t feel like my heart is going to immediately jump out of my chest and punch me in the throat after a running interval anymore. My goal is to increase my running intervals to minutes vs. 30 sec spurts.

Oh and thanks to eating A LOT better I’ve lost 3 more lbs. Yea me!

Take Care Readers, why? Because YOU ARE MADE OF AWESOME! 🙂

Powerhouse Book List

I am a list maker, a control fReAk, and a little bit obsessive compulsive.  With that being said before I embark on any journey I usually start with a  researching phase, books, blogs, magazines,and  talking to experienced people.  During this phase regards running  I saw a book at the library a.k.a  work 🙂 that literally stopped me in my tracks.  It was this book:

I thought ” what an utterly ridiculous cover” but I liked the little hint of pot belly and the winged shoes. Actually I thought ” I want some sneakers with wings to!”  Anywho, I devoured it, almost all of John’s stories about his childhood and the lost of desire when it came to sports, just reminded me of my childhood play.  John’s book helped me take my desire to run and let me know it was okay to start exactly as I currently was and without apologizing, because if I just continue eventually I won’t have to wish, I will be where I want to be. 

Here are a few of his other titles:

The Courage to Start

Running for Mortals

No Need for Speed *(More on this gem in a later post!)

Marathoning  for Mortals

Here are a  couple of other titles by other authors that I thought were pretty awesome as well: 

I Run, Therefore I am—nuts! by Bob Schwartz  —This book was Funny, Funny, Funny stuff that with training tips that won’t soon be forgotten.

Running Start to Finish by John Stanton–A very practical title, I especially love the section on injures and warming up/cooling down with pictures.

50/50 Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days by Dean Karnazes  (I haven’t read this yet, but I am VERY curious!)

My Current Training Progress:

I am indeed a  penguin, but darn proud!!  I’m at 2 miles  in 45 minutes. 4 times per week.

I’ve also decided to really kick it into higher gear with my eating habits. It’s true : Junk in/Junk Out.

I’m still fighting high blood pressure, so that’s actually my number one goal at this point.

 Let me know what YOU have been up to, I’d LOVE to hear all about it!

Until next time folks..

-J.

Great Post FlintLand! Hey Fat Girl

Below is a great motivational post by another blogger: http://flintland.blogspot.com/

Please visit his site and leave a comment, but I absolutely loved this!

Hey Fat Girl….

Yes, you. The one feigning to not see me when we cross paths on the running track. The one not even wearing sports gear, breathing heavy. You’re slow, you breathe hard and your efforts at moving forward make you cringe.

You cling shyly to the furthest corridor, sometimes making larger loops on the gravel ring by the track just so you’re not on it. You sweat so much that your hair is all wet. You rarely stay for more than 20 minutes at a time, and you look exhausted when you leave to go back home.  You never talk to anyone. I’ve got something I’d like to say to you.

You are awesome.

If you’d look me in the eye only for an instant, you would notice the reverence and respect I have for you. The adventure you have started is tremendous; it leads to a better health, to renewed confidence and to a brand new kind of freedom. The gifts you will receive from running will far exceed the gigantic effort it takes you to show up here, to face your fears and to bravely set yourself in motion, in front of others.You have already begun your transformation. You no longer accept this physical state of numbness and passivity. You have taken a difficult decision, but one that holds so much promise. Every hard breath you take is actually a tad easier than the one before, and every step is ever so slightly lighter. Each push forward leaves the former person you were in your wake, creating room for an improved version, one that is stronger, healthier and forward-looking, one who knows that anything is possible.

You’re a hero to me. And, if you’d take off the blaring headphones and put your head up for more than a second or two, you would notice that the other runners you cross, the ones that probably make you feel so inadequate, stare in awe at your determination. They, of all people, know best where you are coming from. They heard the resolutions of so many others, who vowed to pick up running and improve their health, “starting next week”. Yet, it is YOU who runs alongside, who digs from deep inside to find the strength to come here, and to come back again.

You are a runner, and no one can take that away from you. You are relentlessly moving forward. You are stronger than even you think, and you are about to be amazed by what you can do. One day, very soon, maybe tomorrow, you’ll step outside and marvel at your capabilities. You will not believe your own body, you will realize that you can do this. And a new horizon will open up for you. You are a true inspiration.

I bow to you.

Jumping off Wagons—First 5K Sign-up

I wrote the above post over 2 months ago. Then I completely fell off the wagon. I didn’t even get up and try to chase the wagon. I jumped off and said “peace out!”

That being said I type this post today 15 lbs heavier and in some serious pain from spending the last week trying to catch up with that same wagon. I’ve done a lot but trying to lose this weight has been the hardest.

So I’ve done the one thing I know that usually helps me: I’ve shelled out some cash and signed up for my first 5k and told as many people as I can find that I’ll be participating in it. What difference does this make?

#1. I absolutely hate to waste money

#2. I care way to much about saving face. (Sad but honest truth 🙂 )

Maybe not the best reasons to do something, but it’s a great start for me to get to a goal that I’ve set and want to attain for me!

So everyone have an awesome day.

Today’s workout: Water Aerobics and 1 1/2 of Water Volleyball (which by the way is the most awesome class that a water baby can take! 🙂

Oh, by the way the 5K I’ve signed up for is July 28, 2012. Its the Bring the Movement 5K supporting the Chicago Dance Institute. Click here for more information.