STRANGE WEATHER FOR THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY

photo credit: public domain

3.14 mile jog this morning in 48 degree temps feels a little more like December.  That is until I ran upon a blooming Forsythia.  For more than a week we've had temperatures in the low to mid 70's and when that happens we are again reminded how nature rules nurture unless human engineering provides an artificial environment designed to fool Mother Nature. 

Discovery of gifts in nature unfolding along the way is definitely a bonus for being determined enough to demand the body move faster than it usually does.  I've always delighted in nature's gifts and as I grow into the middle age years, nature's great bounty and mystery is even more appreciated.

I hope you're enjoying it as well. 

7 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS AND COLD ENOUGH TO SNOW!

"LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW"....

WISHFUL THINKIING - Last year's snow

 Overcast blue/gray clouds, 36 degrees this morning at 11:30 am...but no SNOW!  Where is the snow? 

YAY! IT'S DECEMBER, BREAK OUT THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS!!!

2.85 MILES this morning and working on 4!  Elated to be back in the groove even though it was raining for most of the time out. The turkey, dressing, cheesecake, etc is all behind me now. And, that's not easy pulling up hills either.

shoes by  BROOKS

This morning's jog in the rain brought thoughts and prayers of thanksgiving for those who serve our country and often are required to be in situations so much more demanding, difficult, and dangerous to protect and serve us all here in the USA. My little jog in the cool rain, at first, seemed rough this morning. Then reality brought to mind and appreciation your greater service and dedication.

Thank you all and everyone! I hope your Thanksgiving was generous, blessed, and your Christmas Holidays will be as well!
  
Vicki

MOUNTAIN VIEW - STOP AND ENJOY IT - HAPPY THANKSGIVING

photo credit@vickilsullivan 2015

Beautiful view, isn't it?  Jogging this morning, thankful my knees seems to be holding up well as they brought me up a small hill, I stopped to take this picture. The road looked peacefully empty of traffic. And, peace and solitude is what getting out there is mostly about. I wanted to capture the moment of the empty road with the distant mountain view standing stately as it was just at that moment.  I wondered if those folks who pass along the road ever look up, take time to notice the view, and appreciate it. 

 Life will pull us along at its' pace unless we ourselves from take a break from the hectic pace of it and make time for the truly important parts of life.

Getting centered within our own person and taking one's life where one wants to go, rather than following others in just plainly unconscious  living, like a sleepwalker going through a mundane existence, is critical to living a self-fulfilled life.  Self-fulfilling meaning, "to realize one's deepest desires and capacities through one's own efforts by fully using ones' own abilities and talents.

Today, for so many in our culture, "self-fulfilling life" means following the social crowd on twitter, facebook, texting, or other social media.  The enjoyment of conversation is becoming extinct when groups sit with heads hung over looking down. For me "self-fulfilling life" means face-to-face building upon peaceful and loving inter-dependent relationships  with family and friends characterized by mutual support and enjoyment. And, yes,  even when the goal requires hard and difficult personal work. 

Interpersonal work is exactly like being out on a run and struggling uphills and downhills until one completes the task! Getting through both is rewarding and fulfilling.

I hope your Thanksgiving will be characterized by warmth, loving family, good friends, and exercise! Well, of course, delicious turkey on the table or your traditional favorite meal.

 Happy Thanksgiving! 

THANKSGIVING AND RUNNING - LIKE THE GINGKO ARE PREHISTORIC TREES

photo credit@ vickilsullivan 2015

These golden leaves were wind strewn along the roadside this morning.  They're from a Gingko tree. The Gingko tree has ancient origins in China recorded to be more than 270 million years ago. The photo credit below is a free domain wikipedia photo showing a Gingko leaf fossil from the Eocene  period dating back 56 to 33.9 million years ago.  The leaf produced this year and the one fossilized millions of years before look identical. 

 Gingko Bilboa: the only living species in the division Ginkgophyta, all others being extinct.

I carefully jogged a little over 2 miles this morning past 3 or 4 of these golden trees before gathering the 2 leaves.   I am so gladdened to be back enjoying the cool autumn mornings!  What a tremendous way to celebrate nature, especially during those times when seasonal changes bring such differences to the outdoors. My thoughts naturally ran to being thankful for such abundant beauty. 

Thanksgiving and running being prehistoric trees like the gingko is an apt metaphor because such activity brings a natural euphoric (confident wellbeing) experience. The body is challenged to work as it was created to work.  When challenged over time with good conditioning, it responds and gratitude naturally follows! Surely, such has been going on with humans since the beginning of the world. 

I hope you will get out there to enjoy an exercise our human ancients participated in and discover the all the wellness benefits.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!  

Vicki

RUNNING THROUGH THE PAIN

Running through whatever life brings into the path.  For me, since August this has meant learning how to live with and recover from my first bout of Runner's Knee.

Photo credit: Public Domain@wikipedia.com

I've been reading a lot of articles like this, and this, and this.  Doctors visits x2 and finally after months of coping, I think it's getting better.  There's lots already written on the subject if you happen to be interested. My only thought is it might have been helpful to have been aware of the problem before I experienced it myself.

I've run through pain before.  In my first years of running most runs were with a running partner. We ran through my Dad's death, and her Mom's death. Those weren't easy running days but running with a friend in Christ made all the difference in helping us get through the pain of exchanging earthly ties for heavenly ones. And, like the runner's in the article linking in the first line of this blog post, I've found myself caught in a few storms thankfully to arrive safely back to shelter from the storm.

And, laced up my BROOKS  and back jogging this morning! Light dawned on me while doing the first 2.14 miles in several months - that being; I've never before been in a length of time jogging or running without also doing cross-training to strengthen supporting muscles.  (linked articles speak well to this)

 

BROOKS

The sunshine was a glory this morning! The temperature was cool, fresh, just right for jogging after the rain.  I hope writing about this latest "running through," might help you along the your journey running the road as well!

Happy Running!

BROOKS RUNNING SHOES - TAKE 2

JUST IN TIME FOR YOUR FAVORITE HALLOWEEN RUN

RUNNER'S WORLD 2015 Fall Shoe Guide is out and Brooks Running shoes have taken 2 places in the top 5!  Great job Brooks!

 There are many new models, styles, and redo's in the Fall 2015 guide! And, BROOKS leads the way. Taking the coveted #1 Editor's Choice Award is Brooks Ghost 8, selling at a suggested price of $120-$130, with enhanced, engineered comfort and stability! Looks great, too! I love the splashy colors as much as the newly engineered mesh top. I've never worn the Ghost model but Jonathan Beverly and Martyn Shorten, PHD describe the changes as, "mesh that is supportive in some areas and softer in others, making this stable and cushioned shoe more comfy."

Brooks Ghost weighs in at 8.8 ounces and it is specifically designed for medium to to high arches.  One of my favorite Brooks features in the sole treading.  The Ghost tread features a segmented tread to give a soft but stable foot landing every time. 

INTRODUCING: THE GHOST 8

Taking Best Update and 3rd Place is my all time favorite for the past many years, (too many to speak of),  is Brooks Glycerin 13.  The Glycerin has guarded my steps now through all those years.  From the very first in-store try on, my feet and I knew these shoes were my best choice.  And, though the style has evolved and improved it still remains my shoe of preference. 

The Glycerin 13 hails in with upgrades in tread, flexibility, and continued reliability.  Runner's World 2015 Fall Shoe Guide authors describe it very well by stating, "The Glycerin 13 is a shoe that coddles while delivering high performance."  I like that feature. Sort of reminds me of the  Goldilocks  Locks and 3 Bears Story.  When the little bear found the right size rocking chair,  he said it was, "Just right." Not that I am bearish, but that's how I feel about the Glycerin! They're just right. 

Introducing: The Glycerin 13

Brooks   describes what I characterize as, "just right fit, as: "Underfoot, the Super DNA midsole provides 25% more cushion than our regular DNA for the ultimate in soft rides. Ideal Pressure Zones in the outsole optimize disperse impact away from the body and the rounded heel helps keep your body in its Ideal alignment.  Great description of a shoe fit to provide the best care for those serious about running! Pricing out at $150 for these at 9.3 ounces and worth every dollar.  

BROOKS OCTOBER FEST OFFER - ends October 17.  Check it out if you love socks!