Just One More Cup of Coffee

There is a lot to be said for routine. It is great for our son who understands that bath time leads to story time which leads to bed time. He has recently begun rejecting bath time and tries to engage us in all sorts of other activities instead. I laugh a little at him knowing how much he enjoys playing in the water and how each step leading to bed time is fun for him.

I'm somewhat the same on days when I've got one reason or another to slow down the 'routine'. I usually do this by telling myself that I'll have one more cup of coffee and then I'll get started. Whether the getting started is cleaning house or heading out for a run, I cling to the 'coffee stage' of my routine as long as possible.

Coffee or caffeine of any kind is a funny thing. Sure it gives our bodies a jolt, but it doesn't last. In fact, I find myself much more alert and energized if I don't linger over that 'one more cup' but jump into the tasks at han with focus and determination. Admittedly, it can take a huge amount of determination to self motivate some days, but I always find that the results are worth every ounce of effort. Maybe tomorrow I won't waste my time lingering over one more cup!

What about today?

This is truly a beautiful day. I've been up since 5 am and still haven't made it out for a run, but we've been busy. Some days are like that. I made time before I got ready for the day to do my abdominal routine and push ups, but felt that playing with my son after bringing him along to my meeting and errands was more important that loading him into the running stroller. We spent a while running around the park and swimming in the pool. Something about all that totally exhausted him as he nearly fell asleep eating his lunch.

So, I've been reading this week about love. Loving your neighbor as your self is the summary of the commandments according to Romans 13. I've read this many times, and understand it when it is discussed theoretically. Of course it is loving to 'not commit murder' or 'not commit adultery' or ' not steal'. Of course it means that I should think of how the other person might feel as I contemplate my actions. I guess that is just it... taking time to think about how my words, plans, actions might impact my 'neighbor'. I wouldn't normally think of my son as fitting into this category, but really... he does. He is most affected by the choices I make. Some days circumstances and commitments are such that it is important to just play- to run with him, to enjoy a break from my training to get down with him and focus on his delight first. Running is important, but so is rest. I usually don't plan my resting day because I know that days like today happen at least once a week. Who knows, maybe we will run later today, but if not, we will play catch, run across the lawn, jump in the pool and enjoy activity at a toddler pace. Hey- that can be pretty exhausting as well!

So, enjoy a day off and find delight in serving some 'neighbor's' need!

"I'm going"

Misty Mornings can be beautiful and sometimes more easily admired from a window. This morning the wind was violently brushing the trees and heavy clouds barred the sunrise from view. I contemplated how much more enjoyable my run might be should I wait for the clouds to burn off and the sun to warm the air a bit. I have plenty of ways to fill the quiet time before the rest of my family stirs.... plenty of ways to enjoy a quiet misty morning without lacing up a bracing chilly, windy, wet air.

However, this was one of the rare mornings that I had plans to meet a friend. Her text msg gave me the motivation I needed to get moving... all it said was "I'm going". It is a pretty simple sentence, very basic, very generic but powerful all the same. It means: whatever the obstacles, whatever the alternatives, this is what I am doing now- I am going. I am not waiting, I am not watching, I am not sleeping, I am not stopping. I am going.

We have choices every moment of every day- we can 'go'- that is accomplish what we planned to do, intended to do, hoped to do, want to do, believe we should do, or we can 'wait' until the winds subside, until there is better light, until we feel more into it, until the circumstances are perfect. Sometimes those circumstances we'd like to ignore actually make the 'going' even better. Today.... that was the case. Fresh, clean smelling air, light misty wind, and a friend to share the miles made the going great.

Hope you get 'going' today too!

Successful Running as Summer begins

Today I had no choice but to run early with my son. I mentioned 'no choice' because now that a summer is upon us, school is out of session, the days are longer, and my schedule is even more flexible. I could run at 5 am or wait until dusk should that be my preference. However, I find that a schedule or plan actually increases the success of turning my running intentions into reality.

The forecast called for mighty thunderstorms through the early afternoon into the evening. We loaded up in the jogging stroller, small bubble container in one little hand and Colts cap in the other. Leo is gaining a great affinity for his running stroller as he now understands that it is his transportation to the local park. Had I ignored the weather channel, well, I probably would have missed a run today and disappointed my son's daily desire for fun at the park.

Success often depends on predicting the future!