Mind over Matter

I've begun running again recently. I used to be a runner.   

It was my release, my freedom. It was how I unwound. 

And it was different then too. I could skip a week or three, and pick right back up, 8 mile pace, for  3 miles...no problem.

But when at age 36 I decided to run again, my body and I had a little disagreement.  After birthing two babies and adding a few years of life, my body was sure it was time to relax.  I just heard someone say that our bodies have one goal...to become mulch, and I think mine was well on the way.

So I got plugged into a running program and managed to run around the block. And then the neighborhood. And one rainy day, I even ran in a race.  

And then I gave in to my body and went back to holding the couch down for a few months. But now I'm back at it. 

Well, today I realized that I've gotten past the point of sheer effort and anguish.  Now my body is ready to go.

I was told years ago by one of my coaches that running is 85% mental.  I think he was wrong. I think it's 99% mental...give or take.

Because now I can go further, but I'm inclined to stop sooner than I should. I'm getting bored. And thirsty.  And sweaty.  I need chocolate.

Mind over matter. 

I've got a flaw. I love new things. Moving to new cities, trying new foods, starting new projects. Starting to get in shape. But then the new become routine and must be maintained. And that's where I usually start to lose momentum.

I procrastinate. 

Even with the things I love.  

James chapter 1 tells us this in verse 4: "And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Lacking in nothing sounds amazing. Being perfect and complete sounds like something I desire. But first I must endure in testing. 

I must persever through the mundane. I must get up, put on my running shoes, and walk out the door, and then, run. And run well.  I must build up strength.

I must let endurance have its  perfect result. 

With the small things. Like words. And attitudes. 

With the details. A job done, or a job done well with a joyful heart. 

With the great matters of eternity and my soul.  I can tag a verse of the day, or dig in deep, in study, in prayer, in worship, and grow my soul. And then water the souls around me.

Endurance. The results are worth it.

And it all starts with mind over matter.  

No Regression...

So, confession time. I've been noticing my jeans were a little tight. And I thought to myself, "gee, I really need to start running again, now that it's warm."

And to make myself do it, I gave myself a goal...no new jeans til I run regularly.

Well, I've managed to do just that...you know, run once or twice in the four weeks since I decided it was warm enough.  (and for all my friends in the north, I know, 50 degrees with no ice or snow is warm...)

And then I went to the doctor who had to take my weight.  Oh.  Reality check.  The one or two pounds I thought I'd gained were actually ten.  In four months.  

I'm a fairly active person, my son has food allergies, so we eat really well, and I've always been in decent shape.  Until now apparently.  

What startled me was that I hadn't changed anything. I wasn't eating more or worse or exercising less.  And this kind of gain had never happened to me before.

Here's the reality.  There comes a time in life when your regular routine will actually cause regression.  

Ouch.

It's time to change things up.

That's a picture of the chocolate chip cookies I made tonight (and yes, they're dairy free, gluten free, egg and nut free and even gluten free...). But a cookie is a cookie.

So instead of snuggling with my handsome husband on the couch, eating cookies, I went for a run. And I ran further than usual, feeling that lovely jiggle with each step.  Sigh.

Half of America has learned from that P90x guy that you gotta change things up to build up and maintain strength.

Because things change. Life changes. Our age changes. Our bodies and metabolisms and appetites change.

There are people I admire so much.  People that live life that looks the way I want my life to look. People that talk the way I want to, with so much grace and warmth and love and wisdom. People that laugh and cry and dig in. People that are strong.  

They love and serve God with a grace and fervor that I hope I have.  And when I wonder how they've managed to maintain through the kids and jobs and dogs and cookies...

The answer is always the same.  They've all gotten there by changing it up. 

And that's how I want to live...No Regression.