Core Strength!

The core is everything, isn't it?  No, I'm not referring to the core of an apple.  I'm talking about your core. Your middle.  The area everyone tries to improve through sit-ups, crunches, pilates and the like.  The area many (including this girl) would love to be able to spot reduce. When I began running I had no idea how important this area of my body was to well, just about everything.  A weak core can lead to poor form which can lead to injuries in the legs. When the core is ignored one can find oneself dealing with an achy back.  And as if to add insult to injury a tired core (like at the end of a hard or long race) can lead to slumping which is like carrying a sign on your back that announces to all around you, "Hi!  I'm really tired!  Maybe I should have trained harder."  Even playing the Wii Fit Plus I am reminded of how important core work is as I try to shift my balance from side to side in an attempt to dodge snowballs, soccer balls or stand in Tree Pose without hearing, "Your legs are a little shaky." How do you stand in Tree Pose without your feet shaking a little?  Personally, I think I'm pretty steady. Sigh ... even my balance is tied into my core. 

Yes, the core is everything in fitness and so it is in life. Take a look at yourself.  First, can you identify your core?  Do you know what you stand on?  What do you center your life around?  Who keeps you balanced in this topsy turvey world?  For me, it's Jesus Christ. It is He I stand on.  It is He I center my life around.  It is He who keeps me balanced.  But just as in running sometimes I let myself get lazy about doing what it takes to keep a strong core.  I don't feel like doing crunches.  Can't I get by with just running?  My form won't suffer too much, will it?  Famous last words. 

Jesus knew we would need help keeping our core strong in this world so he gave us exercises.  We have the Bible, prayer, worship, church and spiritual gifts. All of these areas are meant to strengthen our core belief and reliance upon Jesus.  If we utilize them we will have energy in our spiritual walk.  Better, we won't finish the race slumped over with a sign that reads, "I'm tired!"  Rather, we'll run across the finish line of life shouting "Victory!"  I don't want to hear God say, "You missed so much I had for you.  You should have trained harder."  I want to hear him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant.  You trained well!" 

So how do I train my spiritual core?  First, I need to recognize that I have and need a core within the core.  What does that mean?  It means I need a core group of fellow believers.  This begins with my  church.  The church would be considered the overall core muscle. If I go to church regularly, worship with other believers and listen to the message I will grow stronger in my walk with God.  However, the core has varying levels and degrees of muscle, doesn't it?  Stretch one way we work this set of muscles, stretch another and you work another set of muscles.  All muscles need to be utilized for the core to be considered truly strong. This means I need to develop relationships with the people in my church.  I need to find a core group of friends I can be honest and real with and who will hold me accountable.  I need to reach deep and work muscles that won't necessarily be strengthened if I keep to the outer edges of the church. 

What is another way to dig deep into church?  I need to be active and involved.  Walking the outer edges will work the heart and make me healthier than if I were to stay home and sit on the couch but to truly reap the benefits I need to step up the game.  I need to figure out what my gifts are (spiritual and otherwise) and use them!  I need to run into the church, through its halls and into the areas that are in need of help.  Children's ministry?  You bet!  I've run a marathon.  I can keep up with those kids.  Women's programs?  Bring it on!  We'll do sit-ups together.  Worship Team?  In a heartbeat! I can sing and dance at the same time!  Clean-up duty?  I work out.  I can lift and stack chairs with the best of them. 

There's another reason I need to help my church.  Not only does it strengthen me but it allows others to rest.  What happens when our core is weak and we run hard and long?  That's right, we begin to slump.  If only a few people are doing all the work at church those few will eventually grow weary.  If no one else is around to step up the church will begin to slump.  A slumping church is not part of God's design.  We're to be energetic!  When people hear us talk about the joy of the Lord it goes a lot farther if we've enough energy to act joyful.   A healthy church is full of healthy believers.  Are you contributing to the health of your church?

Why not take a moment to look at your current core strength.  How are you doing?  What does your church look like?  Are you attending?  Are you involved?  Do you have friends who know you and are a part of your life?  How are you doing in your prayer life and bible study?  Do you take time to worship?  These are indicators of the strength of your core.  And remember, a strong core leads to a stronger run both in life and on the road.

Wahoo! I Survived My First Summer Run!

Yes! I did it! I almost didn't. As I watched the temperature rise throughout the day, to degrees I hadn't yet seen this summer, I continually found myself reaching for excuses.



1.The pool is up (a 4ft deep Intex soft side) and you ran circles in it and kicked and splashed with the kids. That burned calories, right? That got your heartrate up, right?

2.You're not used to the heat. You will collapse in the middle of the pavement and someone will have to utilize your Road ID and call your husband to come mop your sorry puddle of a self off the trail.

3.You have loads of laundry to do and that would be so much more fun than running in the heat. For the record, I hate laundry so the fact that this excuse was temping says a lot.

4. All your non-running friends have said, "It's too hot!" and if they wouldn't run why should you?

5. Okay, you're at the trail, running shoes on, tunes cranking in your ears, you're ready to go but look around ... The only people out here are cyclists! Where are all the runners? I'll tell you where they are. Home. In front of their fans. They ran early in the morning when it was still somewhat cool outside. You can still go home.


Well, guess what? I ignored all the excuses and I ran anyway. And as for that last excuse, I saw three other runners on the trail so I wasn't the only crazy one who waited til the evening to run. Why did I wait? The kids are home from school, dh is up early for work so ... evening is all I have.

Now, I know many of you are dealing with scorching temperatures and have been for some time now, but I live in the Pacific Northwest where temperatures have been in the 60's with overcast skies. In fact, the 4th of July found people wearing sweatshirts and coats. Suddenly, in one day we find ourselves jumping to 85 degrees. I'm not acclimated! Even when I am acclimated to the heat I can't say I enjoy it so the fact that I pushed myself to run yesterday feels really good. Today is a cross-training day so I get to reward myself with a workout dvd done in front of a fan (not a lot of air-conditioning in my neck of the woods) and a dip in the pool with some friends who are coming to cool off and then leave their kids for an overnighter. Yes, both my kids are having friends spend the night. Hey, I ran in the heat yesterday. I can handle a few extra kids for the night, right? Right? :)

Finally Running Again!

I went for my second run (4 miles) yesterday since taking 2 full weeks off to let my injury heal up. It was my first outdoor run as my other run took place on the treadmill. I am happy to report no pain! Whoo hoo!!


It's been a pretty sad month for me in regards to running. Two full weeks off (one week of pretty much nothing at all exercise related as it all seemed to bother my shin) and the two weeks prior only consisting of a 6 mile run one week and one 6 and one 4 mile run the next. I can't believe I ran 26.2 miles only 3 months earlier. I'm so bummed I've lost all that training but life happens and I need to get over it, pick up and move on.

I pretty much ignored my running life these last two weeks and avoided all running reminders (hence not much activity here) and that seemed to help me avoid the temptation to run sooner than I should. Of course, a camping trip and family visiting helped occupy my time, too.

The good thing about taking time off is I am now quite ready to begin training once more. I feel fresh rather than burned out and anxious to see how I can push myself for my 2nd marathon. I will begin to slowly build my mileage base back up these next two months and will begin my offical training in late August. I'm excited!

On a sidenote, I signed my 10 year old daughter and myself up for the Seattle Aflac IronGirl 5K race in September. Even though it is only a 5K and will be run at my dd's pace, I felt a rush when I clicked the registration link. A race is a race and they all bring a certain special thrill. It will be fun to spend some time with my daughter "training" together for what is her big race of the year. She was genuinely excited to run this race again. When I told her we were official she smiled and said, "Cool!" I totally agree!