Setting Fire To The Rain

Thursday, May 05, 2011

I can't hide the fact that I am a lyricist. When I listen to a song, it's not just the music that draws me in..it's the WORDS. I'm captivated, I paint a mental picture, and get swept away. Music has ALWAYS been important to me. It was where I first found escape as a teenager. It was my soul companion and we had many a journey. I did music videos in my mind before MTV did them for real!

I've just bought a CD which has a song the same title as my blog title. But it's not the words of the song that I'm captivated by, it's the title and the image it brings. Picture with me a torrent of rain, a downpour of unrelenting cloudbursts. Suddenly it's met by flames from the ground. Igniting the rain, it turns to steam, then vapour. A steam haze results; a battle between the colder rain from above and the heat and fiery flames from the ground.

Now put that to an image of life. The pain, the suffering, the disappointments, the hurts. Those emotions and situations that rip us apart, that tear us from the inside and leave us open wounded. Pain that can only paralyze us as we are left gasping for relief. These are the rainstorms encountered by each of us.

Then the flames begin, they sooth, they move us into action, they ignite; like a spark that bursts forth and somehow brings relief..somehow brings life to the frozeness of the rain. Warmth and yet comfort. The call to action.

Because of the fire, the rain seems to lessen, the pain settles, the numbness loosens it's grip and a desire to move forward calls. A determination to continue, even though and through the vapors, out of necessity.....out of survival....we move. No longer staying still, no longer accepting that which is showering down and about to drown us. The fire has brought an awakening, a jolt into action, and demanding response. Move or drown.

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Let's Take The High Road!

Tuesday, May 03, 2011

I'll be heading off to Edinburgh, Scotland in less than 3 weeks to run another marathon. Edinburgh, the Scottish Capitol is only approximately 190 miles from my village south of the border.

I've traveled that distance once before, 5 years ago when I was about to run my first marathon. I hold those memories very special. I had stepped beyond anything I ever imagined I could attain. Soon it will be time to prove to myself that I can go the distance for the 9th time!
As I look forward to the journey that awaits I see that I have about 100 miles left in my training and then the 26.2 of the marathon. I've decided to do a visual on a map of my last 3 weeks of training as I approach the start line in Edinburgh. I've ploted our drive up and using the miles I have left to run I am virtually approaching the Scottish Border; having left Penrith,
Carlisle and Todhills and nearing the line at Gretna Green. We will take a break there, refuel and move onward to where the road branches West to Glasgow and East to Edinburgh.

Let's do this together. Taking a journey with good friends always makes it even better! I'll update our progress every couple of days until hubs and I physically leave to drive up. Having you along will help keep me focused, motivated and calmer as the race approaches.
Got your shoes on???

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Puttting a bow on Monday

Monday, April 18, 2011

Today was a slower paced day because I made it so.
No run day as I am taking a self imposed rest day. It's so like me to push each and every day without a break. Seems like I am always doing something

I see the value of rest and keeping organized through the day to not end up craming so much into the last remaining hours. Tonight is my planned 8 hour sleep night.

Food was logged and watched to make sure calorie deficit wasn't too great. Food logged in during th eday to stay under calories.

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5 and 5 more

Sunday, April 17, 2011

I'm taking a bit of a look back and then a look ahead.
Five years ago now I was preparing for my very first marathon in Edinburgh, Scotland! This was to celebrate my second year of running. I was incredibly nervous, I had never run some of the distances I was running in that training.
I used a novice program by Hal Higdon and put my trust and confidence in that as well as my more experienced husband.

It was a hot June day, and I melted as the sun got hotter and the miles got higher, but all I desperatly wanted was that medal! The time was not a factor to me then, just crossing the line, feeling the elation and pride of achievment was the reward I wanted, and received!

So now I look ahead...5 WEEKS ahead and see the Edinburgh marathon looming. Yes, it's a return trip to the capitol of Scotland and my 9th marathon!
The course has been changed to make it flatter and faster (as if that matters to me!) and the field will be larger.
Yes I have run the 26.2 mile distance before, but every marathon is different. Even the same runner is different in each marathon, if you follow my thinking. I'm a much different athlete than I was 5 years ago; I train differently, I think differently, I run differently and I live differently. I have 5 years of experience behind me to carry me these final five weeks. I will dip my feet into the pool of information I have gathered and lived and RUN.. and RUN.. and Run!

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Sunday's thoughts

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Just jotting down a few thoughts about how today went.
Sleep...not enough as got up an hour earlier to be able to get out for a 6 mile run and not be late for church.
Run...very pleased with the run and used my Brooks racers and much improved time from Saturday's six. I probably could have gone faster if not for only getting about 5 hours sleep!
Food..planned and logged in advance to make sure calorie deficit was where it needed to be.

As usual there are always things to improve and work on: SLEEP for sure and getting some ST in. Plan to do the BLC gym on Monday to have another day of ST and will log food early in the day to keep the deficit right.

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