Unforced Rhythms of Grace

I returned from vacation last Thursday.  I was somewhat rested I guess but I found myself feeling stressed.  I have to say I haven’t been on track with workouts or food for the past couple of weeks.  I didn’t even count the number of healthy meals.  At times like this it is easy to get down on yourself and I did.  I had a difficult weekend. I do know that I see progress in myself.  I asked for help and prayer from some friends.  I know I wouldn’t have done that before.  I would have just allowed myself to sink deeper into the hole I was digging for myself.  Sometimes I am tempted to believe that God won’t forgive me for my latest failure…  that I have exceeded the boundaries one too many times.  It is friends we need to remind us that is not the truth.  They love us unconditionally, hug us when we feel un-hug-able. Yesterday I started my new running clinic.  I am taking the same program over again because I don’t feel re...

Someone asked me last week in the comments what the coldest I have ever run in was.  I often get comments about how impressed people are that I am still running outside no matter the weather.  I used to make the same comments and I actually thought that running outside in super cold weather was dangerous.  I have learned that I was wrong. The coldest I have run in so far is –32 Celsius.   It was –40 with the wind chill.  I haven’t had the opportunity to run in anything colder.  I haven’t set a limit for myself.  The cold doesn’t really keep me from running.  What would keep me from running outside is if the sidewalks were impassable (either too icy or covered with  a lot of snow.)  So far I haven’t had to run on those days.  I have cold weather gear and grips for my runners. I have found that I actually enjoy the cooler weather when I am running.  I am warm but I don’t get too hot.  I realized that this winter I do...