An assignment leads to an offense...
I am going to start off with the thing that is bothering me most. We had an assignment to observe a group fitness class. I went to the gym and observed a circuit training class. I told the instructor why I was there and what I was doing. She was so kind, and told me she would like for me to take her class. I explained that I was not taking it that day because I had an 11 mile run the next day, and really needed my rest. She cringed when I said 11 mile run, and looked repulsed at the thought (that should have been my first clue) but I just brushed it off as I realize a lot of people cringe at the thought of running that distance, heck even I used to. I don't cringe anymore, but I will tell you it takes a certain amount of discipline and "psyching up" to get myself through it. I sat and observed the class, then went on my merry way to do the rest of my reading and studying for school.
While I was writing my paper from the observance it had occurred to me that I never asked what her certification was, and I knew that if I didn't include that information my paper would be incomplete. I went back to the gym several hours later and none of the people from the morning were there. I found the instructors business card labeled "Personal Trainer". When I called her to ask about her certification, we were talking, and she was wanting me to take her class, and I informed her that once this half marathon was over I was going to back off of the running a bit so I could concentrate on strength and such and that I would love to take her class. Then she says to me "you know...running makes your butt small" I say, "well, I have had a big butt for all my life" and before I could get anymore words out she interrupts and says, "No, I mean flat, a flat butt that has no form."
Now I know no woman wants a flat but, I get that, but I am of the firm belief that my backside is not now, nor has EVER been in danger of going "flat". I am not so much upset about the fact that she told me my body was going to change in an undesirable way from running as I am that a "Personal Trainer" would condemn a healthy habit that I have worked so hard to establish. She is supposed to be encouraging cardiovascular exercise, and human movement in general! I will not hold a grudge and I especially know that being offended is a sin(1). WHAT?? you say? BELIEVE IT. Why? Because when we are offended we often get tripped up, and led to anger, resentment, and hate (that's sinning). I don't want to sin because I want to please God, and live my life as a light. Rather than going through all that, I will just let it go, and know my boundaries with this woman. I will also chose to focus on her positive attitude and good qualities. I am almost certain that when she hung up the phone she soon realized the blunder she had made.
An 11 mile run...
Did you know that it is only okay to type a numerical character if the number is 10 or higher? How cool is it that I have run so far that I can use numerical characters? ha ha, I am just full of information. Oh just wait, now that I am fully enveloped in studying, cramming all sorts of information into my brain, I will probably be sighting more little known facts...bear with me :).
Saturday morning (yesterday) while I was preparing for my run, my Haley asked me how far I was running, and I told her, then she said "But won't you run out of breath?". I explained to her that I have learned to control my breathing, and that my body was conditioned to do this type of thing. But friends, that little question she asked carried me through my run. When my hips and back began to ache, and when I began to question my own endurance, and wondered where my energy had gone, I remembered that I was conditioned, and out of the depths of my imagination. "The body is stronger than the mind"(2), there was a place that I could find the energy, the endurance. I believe God gives me strength, and I also believe he gives me little nuggets of encouragement to reflect on for those moments of doubt.
More of my take on running in general
When running long distances I really want to find the flattest run possible. Sorry folks, I like to run, I never said I was into self torture. You have read in the past of my dealings with hills, and if you haven't it won't take long to fill you in...I have tried them, I run them when I have to, and avoid them when I can. Avoiding hills feels a slightly like sneaking a candy bar into the middle of a salad though. I have been hearing about the dangers of running on cement. Most of the time I don't run on cement as I run the roads around my house.
The pros of running by my house...I am out in the country so there are no lights. I don't have to deal with lots of cars and their exhaust.
The cons...hills, and the danger of being alone while running.
Which reminds me...I need to get hand held pepper spray. While I was on my last 3 mile run I passed by a man on the other side of the road. Of course every story I have ever heard about runners being taken over flashes through my head, and as I size this man up, a terrifying thought hits me "I couldn't take this guy if I needed to." It is very unfortunate and angering to think that just because I am weaker that it would be "okay" to do with me as you please. I guess in a way it's like leaving a million dollars in your car and not bothering to lock the doors, so I guess I will be locking my doors with pepper spray. These are real thoughts and fears I face when going out alone.
Rest day...
So today I will enjoy a rest, take the kids to a birthday party, and then begin it all over again next week. My Half Marathon is on October 14th. I am supposed to run 12 miles next saturday. I am still debating on weather I want to run that long the week before the Half. I don't want to be burnt out and dread the Half.
Forgive me...
for the long blog post, but it has been so long since I have written a quality post, and who knows how long it will be before I can write another...if this even is one ha ha.
I learned that if I am going to quote people, or insert things I have learned, I need to site where I got the info...so here it is. Numbers are behind the quote or reference in the paragraphs above.
1. Strongs Concordance: Offend. Greek 4624: To entrap. i.e. trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure):--(make to) offend.
2. Chris Powell on Extreme Makeover Weight loss edition.
I am going to start off with the thing that is bothering me most. We had an assignment to observe a group fitness class. I went to the gym and observed a circuit training class. I told the instructor why I was there and what I was doing. She was so kind, and told me she would like for me to take her class. I explained that I was not taking it that day because I had an 11 mile run the next day, and really needed my rest. She cringed when I said 11 mile run, and looked repulsed at the thought (that should have been my first clue) but I just brushed it off as I realize a lot of people cringe at the thought of running that distance, heck even I used to. I don't cringe anymore, but I will tell you it takes a certain amount of discipline and "psyching up" to get myself through it. I sat and observed the class, then went on my merry way to do the rest of my reading and studying for school.
While I was writing my paper from the observance it had occurred to me that I never asked what her certification was, and I knew that if I didn't include that information my paper would be incomplete. I went back to the gym several hours later and none of the people from the morning were there. I found the instructors business card labeled "Personal Trainer". When I called her to ask about her certification, we were talking, and she was wanting me to take her class, and I informed her that once this half marathon was over I was going to back off of the running a bit so I could concentrate on strength and such and that I would love to take her class. Then she says to me "you know...running makes your butt small" I say, "well, I have had a big butt for all my life" and before I could get anymore words out she interrupts and says, "No, I mean flat, a flat butt that has no form."
Now I know no woman wants a flat but, I get that, but I am of the firm belief that my backside is not now, nor has EVER been in danger of going "flat". I am not so much upset about the fact that she told me my body was going to change in an undesirable way from running as I am that a "Personal Trainer" would condemn a healthy habit that I have worked so hard to establish. She is supposed to be encouraging cardiovascular exercise, and human movement in general! I will not hold a grudge and I especially know that being offended is a sin(1). WHAT?? you say? BELIEVE IT. Why? Because when we are offended we often get tripped up, and led to anger, resentment, and hate (that's sinning). I don't want to sin because I want to please God, and live my life as a light. Rather than going through all that, I will just let it go, and know my boundaries with this woman. I will also chose to focus on her positive attitude and good qualities. I am almost certain that when she hung up the phone she soon realized the blunder she had made.
An 11 mile run...
Did you know that it is only okay to type a numerical character if the number is 10 or higher? How cool is it that I have run so far that I can use numerical characters? ha ha, I am just full of information. Oh just wait, now that I am fully enveloped in studying, cramming all sorts of information into my brain, I will probably be sighting more little known facts...bear with me :).
Saturday morning (yesterday) while I was preparing for my run, my Haley asked me how far I was running, and I told her, then she said "But won't you run out of breath?". I explained to her that I have learned to control my breathing, and that my body was conditioned to do this type of thing. But friends, that little question she asked carried me through my run. When my hips and back began to ache, and when I began to question my own endurance, and wondered where my energy had gone, I remembered that I was conditioned, and out of the depths of my imagination. "The body is stronger than the mind"(2), there was a place that I could find the energy, the endurance. I believe God gives me strength, and I also believe he gives me little nuggets of encouragement to reflect on for those moments of doubt.
More of my take on running in general
When running long distances I really want to find the flattest run possible. Sorry folks, I like to run, I never said I was into self torture. You have read in the past of my dealings with hills, and if you haven't it won't take long to fill you in...I have tried them, I run them when I have to, and avoid them when I can. Avoiding hills feels a slightly like sneaking a candy bar into the middle of a salad though. I have been hearing about the dangers of running on cement. Most of the time I don't run on cement as I run the roads around my house.
The pros of running by my house...I am out in the country so there are no lights. I don't have to deal with lots of cars and their exhaust.
The cons...hills, and the danger of being alone while running.
Which reminds me...I need to get hand held pepper spray. While I was on my last 3 mile run I passed by a man on the other side of the road. Of course every story I have ever heard about runners being taken over flashes through my head, and as I size this man up, a terrifying thought hits me "I couldn't take this guy if I needed to." It is very unfortunate and angering to think that just because I am weaker that it would be "okay" to do with me as you please. I guess in a way it's like leaving a million dollars in your car and not bothering to lock the doors, so I guess I will be locking my doors with pepper spray. These are real thoughts and fears I face when going out alone.
Rest day...
So today I will enjoy a rest, take the kids to a birthday party, and then begin it all over again next week. My Half Marathon is on October 14th. I am supposed to run 12 miles next saturday. I am still debating on weather I want to run that long the week before the Half. I don't want to be burnt out and dread the Half.
Forgive me...
for the long blog post, but it has been so long since I have written a quality post, and who knows how long it will be before I can write another...if this even is one ha ha.
I learned that if I am going to quote people, or insert things I have learned, I need to site where I got the info...so here it is. Numbers are behind the quote or reference in the paragraphs above.
1. Strongs Concordance: Offend. Greek 4624: To entrap. i.e. trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure):--(make to) offend.
2. Chris Powell on Extreme Makeover Weight loss edition.
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