Wise Choices

Well, I am thrilled that I've been able to do a few successful, very short trial runs (road and treadmill). I am always telling my kids to make, "wise choices"(Mrs. Willett's line, the SK teacher at school) and I think it has paid off for me ... after taking 13 days off from running.
My right leg isn't 100% yet but I have very little pain, during and after, my runs. I went to Donnie , which was helpful and kept listening to my body. But, the Peachbud is definitely a no-go tomorrow (June 28). Would love to do it but just shouldn't. So, I will continue to build from here. The best thing is that I don't believe I've lost much fitness so hopefully things will keep progressing. The plan is to do the Runners Feed 10 km, Aug 21.
I will now go to the gym with the 3 kids, 3 days each week for the summer so will have the opportunity to get in even more cross-training and treadmill running.

Fam Pic

The beginning of summer 3/3

Sweet Leah sure is growing!
Seth can write his name!
The rain has helped our garden grow!
A snuggle with daddy after her bath.
Aunt Joyce and Uncle Glen visit.

The beginning of summer 2/3

I've really enjoyed spending time at home with Seth. There is just something about a 3 yr old! Micah has his last day of school tomorrow so I'll have all 3 kids in my care, full time! Wish me luck! It will be fun. We'll go to the gym (well, I will...Maureen and Jeanetta will care for them while I train...they are wonderful ladies), African Lion Safari, Kettlewell's pool, soccer, Grammy and Grampa's, and the cabin at Maple Grove. That should keep us busy!
We enjoyed a day to Jonathan's parents a few weeks ago. What great weather and great company. I just love them loving our kids.
The boys got Bey Blades. What a blast! "Letter Rip".

The beginning of summer 1/3

First trip to African Lion Safari. Had a great day with the Duynhoven family on a special June 3.
The boys continue to love their little sister more and more.

Not about me.

Check out the picture of my 3 yr old and I wearing Saucony's compression socks. They are quite spiffy. I've been wearing compression socks a lot lately to try to help w/ my wonky leg. My husband kindly asked me, "Can we expect to see these on you all summer?". Likely! The Saucony calf sleeves are great too but I'll keep them for workouts!

For the second time, I am reading through, "Experiencing God" by Henry T. Blackaby & Claude V. King. I am on Unit 8, Day 5, "Total Dependence on God". Several statements have been very meaningful to me, in a different way than they were the first time. Specifically, Blackaby and King explain that in depending on God alone, "The adjustment requires moving from doing work for God according to your abilities, your gifts, your likes and dislikes, and your goals to being totally dependent on God and His working and His resources. This is a MAJOR adjustment! It is never easy to make".
I can't help but think how this relates to me. Right now I am not running (ok, it's only been 5 days but it seems like forever) due to this weird thing in my right calf. But, it's not about me and my abilities and my gifts, etc. In training for the Ottawa Marathon where I ran a 2:39, claimed the title of National Marathon Champion, and had the fastest Cdn female marathon time for 2010, my training was perfect. I did not miss one workout and did not have one injury. It was great! But, it was not everything. Like I said about Job in my interview with Runners Feed, everything (my great family, career as dietitian, etc.) can be stripped away... except for my faith in God, which is forever. So, it's not all about me. Rather, Him. So, I press on. I aim to "let it go" that I have to take a bit of time to let this leg heal.

Down but not out!

Well, folks...I think I need to take it back a bit. My lower right leg is a bit of a nuisance these days and I am going to listen to it. Considering I've increased my mileage to 85 km/week (on top of the pool, bike, and elliptical) and won 2 races within 3 months of giving birth, I think I need to listen! It's just not smart to push myself. I do not want regrets a year from now. Nor do I want to ask myself, "When did Leah grow up so fast?". Last week I tried to do waaaay too many things in one day (school run, Chariot run to track for a workout, groceries, African Lion Safari) ... and it was a disaster. Leah was fussy and that's when I knew I had to hit the brakes (combined with the leg pain)!
So, I think I will decrease the running to 3 days/week for now. The great thing is that I can still cross-train with no leg problems. So, my focus is strength and increased fitness, not speed.
The Peachbud 5 km or 10 km June 28 is a question mark for now. I would like to do Runners Feed's Rock the Road 10 km August 21 and the STWM 1/2 Oct 16. But, like I said, I am listening!