Starting back up

I spent a little time at the YMCA today. I dropped the kids off in the Child Watch area and headed toward the fitness center. First up, elliptical. I did 15 minutes on that machine. Next, the treadmill...and my first attempt at running since the doctor told me to take a week off. I decided not to push it and start with a few minutes of walking. At the 3 minute mark, I was bored, so upped the speed to running. I managed 5 minutes of running. I think that was a good start since I'm getting back into it. I ran with no pain and haven't had any pain for the rest of the day. My goal is to get back to 30 minutes of running and stay there for a good while. I may plan to do a couple 5K runs during the fall months and a 10K or 2 in the spring. I did take a meloxicam this morning, so I don't know if that helped me not have any pain or if I'm just doing better. I'm testing a theory tonight and not taking the Tramadol. The last few nights when I've taken it and gone straight to bed, I've been freezing and unable to go to sleep quickly. I'm skipping it tonight and hoping that I'm not freezing when I go to bed. (Which will be soon). After I spent my 30 minutes in the fitness center, I got the kids and we headed to the pool. I did not hurt when swimming this time, which is good. I'm very hopeful that I'm well on my way to recovery and I can work my way back up to longer distances.

Today is the day

Or at least is supposed to be the day. I am supposed to start running again today. Unfortunately, I don't know that I am going to have time. You see, VBS started last night and that will take my entire evening. I also have to work during the day. (I'm doing that now, can't you tell?) I'm already tired, so I'm thinking attempting to run will be put off until VBS is over. So, I'm aiming for Friday or Saturday right now. I'm also still hurting a little, so I probably do need to rest a little longer.

One of my favorite times of the year

Yes, it's VBS time! I love VBS. It's exhausting, but rewarding. I am in charge of food...for the 4th year. I love coming up with a menu and then working on those foods all week. I enjoy the busyness and how hectic the kitchen can get at times. But, I was reminded earlier this week that VBS is not about the food we serve. It's not about the games the kids play. It's about reaching others for Jesus. It's about the kids who already know Him becoming closer to Him. It's about planting a seed in the young minds and hearts of the kids who attend. Yeah, the food is good. The games are fun. The real message, though, is Jesus.

So far so good

We're almost 2 weeks into summer vacation and so far everything is good. The kids have been fighting some, but for the most part it's gone well. Each day, they have to pick up and put away 5 things in their bedrooms. Generally, they've been putting away more. It may take all summer long for Kristin to get everything put up, though. We've been spending at least an hour a day at the YMCA in the pool. Once I'm able to start running again (Monday!) then we may be there a little longer so I can hit the treadmill before the pool. Counting down the days until our vacation in Pensacola with my parents and my brother and his family.

Good, relaxing day

We spent the morning with the in-laws today. It was a nice, relaxing, enjoyable morning. We had to leave not long after lunch for a birthday party. The party was for a 3-year-old and a water party. The kids had such a good time playing in the little pools and with the water guns. I enjoyed sitting under the tent with some couples from my Sunday School class just watching the kids and talking. It was just a nice time. I'm closing out my day with an episode or 2 of Hoarders and will get a glass of chocolate milk just before bed.

Finally gave in

I finally gave in and made a doctor's appointment for my hip. X-rays were done and showed that I do not have a stress fracture or arthritis in the hip. Yay! That's good news. I've been given 2 anti-inflammatory medications to take. One is stronger for nighttime and the other is a once a day that I will take in the morning. I will be taking a week-long break from running and taking the prescriptions around the clock for the next 2-3 weeks. I am able to start back running after a week, but I am to start back at the 5K level. If I still have pain, then my family doctor will refer me to the orthopedist. I am fortunate that my family doctor also runs, or jogs, as he told me. In fact, he told me that he did the White Squirrel race a couple years ago. I'm glad that he is a runner and understands the love/need to run and how much I want to get back to it. All non-impact exercises are a go. I can swim, use the elliptical, and the bicycle. So, I'm hoping that Monday I can get to the equipment room at the YMCA and do one of those things. I would love to be able to maintain my weight until I'm able to start running again. I've lost 22.7 pounds, although my weight on the Wii is evidently not my correct weight. My mother-in-law's scale and the scale at the doctor's office are the same, which means the Wii has me about 9 pounds lighter that I am, so I just need to add about 9 pounds to my total amount that I need to lose. I'm about halfway there if I add the 9 pounds.

Spiritual discipline

Why is it so hard to be spiritually disciplined? Certainly it's because man is fallen. And maybe it's because being disciplined is hard anyway. I was thinking about this the other day and came to the conclusion that if I can be disciplined to run 3 times a week, then surely I can discipline myself to keep my house clean or spend time with God in His word and in prayer. Yet, it doesn't happen that way. I prayed the other night that I would be woken up early to spend time with God before all the goings on of the day got started and I got too distracted to spend good, quality time reading my Bible and praying. God answers prayers. I'm not so good at the follow-through, though. Yesterday, He woke me at 7:10. I got up and then crawled back into bed for another hour and a half of sleep. Today, it was 6:10. I got up and once again crawled back into bed for almost 2 more hours of sleep. Why is it so hard for me to be faithful in this? He wakes me up early when I ask for it and then I don't follow through. Why is He still so faithful to me when I don't hold up my end? Why does He love me so much that He keeps answering prayers and being faithful to me. Evidently I love sleep more than I love my God. But, He is faithful and will continue to be faithful even when I fail Him.