Lately, like in the past few weeks, BC and I have been running…on the treadmill…like 3 miles at a time. No kidding! There is nothing pretty about us running, but we know this is good for us (at least that’s what they are telling us)! Twenty years ago, I ran 20 miles a week…no problem. Three weeks ago we tried that…uh…but we ran into a slight problem…we ran out of breath (not to mention I almost ran off the machine). So we are doing better, and we are trying to pace ourselves.

We have found it helpful to play mind games and make “deals” with the timer (run fast for a minute, slow down for a minute, increase our speed every minute for ten minutes, try to see how fast we can run a mile, etc.) One helpful tip I have learned is not to close my eyes while I run anymore…I tend to lose my footing when I do that.

Let me jog my memory a bit…I haven’t had a desire to run in over 20 years! When I was in high school, I was on the track team. I remember a time when I needed to run in my new neighborhood (Double Oak) because I was running cross-country. So, I took off running by myself one afternoon. I wasn’t aware that there wasn’t a leash law at this time, but I quickly found out that I was being followed by about two, then four, then six dogs (some not very friendly-looking). I was scared and did the most logical thing I could think of— I jumped on top of a brick mailbox, and kept on jumping (because those dogs were nipping at my heels). The only thing that was running then, were the chills up my back! Thankfully some kind, older man came running out of his house and rescued me! My hero! He reminded me of Teddy Roosevelt—He was walking softlyyelling loudly and carrying a big stick! So, thankfully the treadmill at the gym provides a dog-free atmosphere (not that I don’t like dogs).

Another memory I have of running cross-country involved directions. I was at a meet…listening to them explain where we were to run at this park, but I just assumed I would follow the crowd (mostly because I am directionally-challenged). Well, I ended up being in first place (surprise), but leading the entire group in the wrong direction (surprise again). Oops! So, the second benefit of the treadmill…I hopefully won’t get lost.

Years ago, we tried to run around our neighborhood, but we ran into two major problems:

• We live in South Texas, and it’s insanely hot.

• We developed shin splints from running on the hard pavement.

So, again…the treadmill is a great choice because we are running with better cushion for our bodies, and we are conditioning in air conditioning!

Ah…my mind is running away with running memories. One of my favorite memories of running in middle school was the Turkey Trot (I’m not sure if it was an 800 or a mile) in seventh grade. I was the fastest girl in the school, so I won a great big turkey! I remember just beaming as I rode home on the school bus with our Thanksgiving meal!

Food has always been a bigger motivator for me to run fast compared to a medal or ribbon. I still find myself wanting to run, so I can eat that gooey brownie. When I really want to run fast, I imagine I am chasing that gooey brownie…and those unfriendly dogs are chasing me!

Okay, so now you know I like food. I ran into my high school track-coach a few months ago. He asked me if I was still running. A big smile ran across my face, as I replied, “Do I look like I have been running? No way…the only running I’ve been doing is…running a household and running errands. I do play tag with the kids. Does that count?”

We have dear friends of the family who are avid runners. They are always giving us these nice marathon t-shirts. The only problem that I run into is when strangers ask me if I run marathons. Again, my response is: “Do I look like I run marathons?”. I seriously don’t look like a pro big runner…more like a pro big mama. Oh well, one step at a time, will shed some pounds…maybe. I am definitely sweating like I haven’t in years. Who knows? Maybe running will help me not to feel run down. I think I am feeling like I am in better shape, whether I look it or not.

I know exercise is important to keep our bodies running efficiently; however, balance is key! What about my Christian walk? I should be exercising myself in seeking His face everyday in prayer, and finding the beauty of Jesus in every chapter of the Bible. Jesus should be the first person I run to when I run into problems. These are great Bible verses that talk about running:

“For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”                                      1 Timothy 4:8

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,²Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.                                                               Hebrews 12:1-2

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.       1 Cor. 9:24

So, my next comment was, “Should I get out?” (this comment was based upon my previous post). Everyone smiled at this amazingly smart question. I know they were proud of Mommma for learning her lesson! Well, I did announce I was getting out, and thankfully, the dogs came over to us…all wet and muddy. They enjoyed a lovely ride in our front seat (windows down), and I was in the back. I really didn’t care…at least I was in the car! BC’s cousin met us out there, and took the dogs home. The funny thing was that I had on my favorite shirt that read, “I love my husband.” When we got back to grandma’s house, my uncle said: “So, I see you’ve got your dog catcher shirt on.” He always knows how to make me laugh!

We saw a tiny chihuahua on the highway…running out in front of our car. So, we naturally slowed and stopped. We noticed the owner in a car—calling to the dog. I told Brad we should try to catch the poor, lost, and scared puppy (the traffic seemed slow enough). So, he got out to catch it. Unknown to BC, I got out to stop traffic, and possibly catch the dog, in case he ran the other way. Well, he ran the other way…past BC and the traffic on the other side, and he headed for Church’s Fried Chicken.

As I stood there (behind our suburban, moving towards the front), BC speedily took off in the suburban. I now stood there looking like a lost puppy myself. I wasn’t sure what he was up to, but thankfully my brain function came back…prompting me to also speedily move out of the way!  Then, I finally saw BC pull over to the side of the road…only about a 1/2-3/4 mile up the road. Needless to say, I wasn’t too happy.

I got out of the vehicle with only my socks on. I despise shoes, and they are always the first things off my feet, esp. in the car. Now socks…I love, but these socks weren’t looking or feeling too pretty (they were now totally black and covered with sticker burrs). I was thinking: “I know I told him we need to try to exercise on our vacation, but this is taking it a bit too far.” The funny thing was that I was wearing a t-shirt that read: “I love my husband”. I wonder what those passers-by thought…”Yeah, but lady, does your husband love you?”.

When I finally arrived back at the Suburban, BC said, “I am so sorry, Honey. I didn’t know you got out. I got back in the car, was driving along and I told you, ‘Well, I hope they catch that little dog.’ Then, Benjamin asked me, ‘Daddy, what about Momma?’. That’s when I stopped.”

I suppose it could have been worse. However, I gave Benjamin a dollar for his keen observation. Boy, we laughed so hard about this ordeal! BC said, “Ai, Chihuahua!,” and I said, “Never leave your wingman…and wingman…never leave!” We talked about having him use the child-safety locks for me from now on. You know…”No momma left behind!” The kids took a picture of me on the road. I’ll try to post it later.