Small Steps

Running has been a powerful teacher in my life, and one of the most potent lessons has always been... "It takes many small steps to yield a great run" (no matter what the distance). I often find myself wanting to jump from a grand idea, right to the completed version. This leaves me feeling hopeless, and heavy... how could I ever accomplish such a monumental task? The answer is... the same way I complete a run! When I am out on a run I can't get too caught up in being "done", or I will go crazy. I must take one step after another, and do my best to enjoy each one. The idea of getting back into shape, accomplishing a big project, or even something like moving past grief can feel overwhelming. However, the way forward is always a series of small steps. Each step has its own beautiful details, and deserves my gratitude. Today was another chapter of small steps in my life. I am grateful for each one.

Today: 2.5 miles
Week: 6.5+ miles

New Year...

Oh hello... it must be time for another edition of... can Micah get back into shape (physically, mentally, spiritually... take your pick!)?

As we roll into 2013 there are certainly going to be no shortage of people determined to start a new challenge, or pledging to find a new routine. And why not? We have just transitioned through what feels like a powerful solstice time, and we are now heading toward the light of Spring and Summer! As the days emerge into longer, warmer, and more vibrant partitions of our journey... what will each of us be working towards bringing into the light?

For me... I am committing to bringing running back into the mix of self care... perhaps even a marathon before the year is out.

Yesterday I got my first run of the new year in...

1.5 miles (plus additional walking milage)
20 min

Here we go!

Mission Acomplished

Ok, got my 3 runs in last week... basically learned that I am starting from scratch. Well, maybe not quite as bad as last time, but I am in pretty bad shape. However, because of the work that I put in last year... I know I will progress a bit quicker (which is a helpful thought). Knee is feeling a little better (beginning to stretch out a bit), but I am going to have to baby it for a while. Weather is coming around, better get going before it gets hot (I think that is worse than the cold to me... well, not worse than the -10s and such). Time to make a plan.

Why? Why not just enjoy getting out the door everyday, or every other day... hmmm (thinks to self). I suppose that is just not in my blood. Maybe it should be, but I have never been able to leave it at that. I know I need to have times where that is the focus (like last week, and maybe for a few more weeks...). However, running has always been a tool for me, and you use a tool for a purpose. Right now that purpose is to re-gain discipline in my life. To push myself out of my comfort zones again... absorb the positive things that running brings to my life. So... got to go to the drawing board and figure out the best (most intentional) way to do that.

That is the goal this week... get 3 or more runs in, and make a plan.

Run Again

I have been working on building mental and physical energy to get the running on track again... today, I actually got out on a run. My legs aren't quite up to the task yet. Hopefully a few short runs, and some decent stretching will help get things worked out.

Last year I used my running to help bring my life out of the darkness and haze of grief I was held up in. I can now look back and see that time as my Road of Ashes. This reference comes from a book called Iron John by Robert Bly, a book I have been reading for a while now (I'm kind of slow). As I read this book it seems like I am now entering a time where I may need to use my running to help develop my "warrior" self. The part of me that can carve out the environment for my soul to take the next step in the journey. The "warrior" that I speak of is not the warrior we know today (armies, terrorist, etc.) this is the mythical warrior, a state of being that is only one part of a person's (Iron John speaks directly to men) path to a fully developed self.

How will running help me in this matter... well, running was the last time I had a "warrior" self. A time when I was highly focused, committed, and disciplined, the last time in my life where I fiercely defended myself to achieve my goals. So, it is my hope that I can use the small steps of getting my running back in gear... as a teaching tool, and road map to getting my deeper self back in gear. We'll see how it goes. I'll keep you posted...

Today: 2ish miles
Week: the same

Life. Stuff. Spring.

Ok... this has been a really lousy blog as of late... my apologies if you have been checking in. However, if you have... then won't this be a great surprise ;-) I had all intentions of getting a run in today, but it doesn't seem to be working out. I did get a few miles of walking in this morning and that might have to count for today. Tomorrow it WILL happen though!!! Spring has arrived (even in Iowa, or so I hear), and I need to add the running component back into the mix of my life. Life in 2007 has been pretty crazy so far... I can feel energy awakening this Spring that I haven't had access too in a long time. That is exciting. Now the trick will be to harness that energy in an efficient way. At the moment it is shooting in every direction at once. I think the running will help with this. When you get into a routine with running, it adds some order to your life... no matter how chaotic. It always helps focus me, and I need to pick up that tool once again. I had hoped to be doing a marathon this Spring... obviously that is not in the works, but as I look to this next year... that is the goal. Where as last year I was beginning to have the energy to make the claim... I can now feel the energy building to back it up. So, as with so many things in life... the cycle begins once again. Runners take your mark...

This was supposed to be a quick "hey, I am really going to run tomorrow post"... and then I was going to send you to a great blog post from a new Flickr friend of mine. *warning* if you don't want to see a picture of me rockin out in my undies... do not follow the link to Hilary's Blog.