Our first week of training happened to fall on the coldest week of the year.  We are talking below-zero, freezing, record breaking, town closing down cold. This weather did not fit into my plans, and I tried to fight it, but in the end you cannot control the uncontrollable.   More than one lesson was humbly learned this first week.

Day one, however, was not as cold, even though we all knew it was coming thanks to the dramatic reporting of the weather channel.  I really wanted to get outside before the cold held us all captive to the inside.  The challenge was the slippery slush everywhere and it was kind of raining.  Looking at the dramatic weather channel I saw there was a small gap of no precipitation and decided that was my chance for escape.  Even if I couldn’t run I was going to do a 5 minute fresh-air-breathing walk.

Surprisingly the dramatic weather channel got it wrong and half way through my escape I started getting pelted with little ice balls. By the time I got back face numb and completely wet I was reminded of what it is like to train for a race in the winter. I was also hoping this was not a sign of how this week or even the whole training was going to go.

My hope was dwindling away when I got a message from my running partner, aka husband, saying the whole campus where he works was closing down at midnight.  This bit of news brought on a new challenge because on that campus is the gym where I run when the weather is bad.  I thought I was being responsible and smart this first week by planning my workout schedule for the week. I was strategic to plan my strength training around when I would run making sure not to work the same muscle groups, planning a rest day, and working around our family’s busy activities.  All this planning backfired on day two.  My plans usually backfire but looking at the whole ratio of 13 weeks of training and on day two my schedule falls apart, that might be a record.

We ended up heading over to the gym that night before the polar vortex hit and the lock down began to do a speed run.  The problem was I had already done an intense leg workout that morning so trying to do a speed run on the same day makes for quite a challenge.  A challenge I then paid for the next day.  But let’s look at the positives of day two.  After rearranging our schedule for the evening we scrambled over to the gym with our two youngest in tow.   They were not excited about this new change of events or the little corner we found for them to play while we can run the track with them in full view. They expressed their dislike by both simultaneously crying.  Adding to the chaos, below the track in the gym an exercise class was just starting with music so loud we had to yell in order to hear each other.  At this point, the obstacles were laughable, but we were going to push through, and I was planning on putting all my frustration into running laps.

I did say we were looking at the positives, so here they are.  We found another corner of the track where the music was not as loud and when the track was not crowded the kids were able to run the track with us.  They loved this and so did we!  We got to interact with them and they got some much needed exercise.  Lots of pent up energy on all persons was released in those laps.  My youngest ran so hard her legs hurt the next day.  Day two ended on a positive with a pretty enjoyable run, and some new knowledge that we can do our speed runs with them and each other. Day two ended with a great discovery.

This first week was definitely a learning week.  I learned several things not to do.  Like do not do back to back leg and speed workouts and then get up the next morning and do another workout.  Yes, that is what I did.  I tried to stay faithful to my already failed workout schedule and do a workout first thing in the morning.  I woke up tired and sore and continued to be along with short tempered. I found myself yelling at the TV, actually the coach who was leading the workout on the TV because I couldn’t keep up and believed in that moment it was entirely his fault.  I wish I could say my temper settled and my grumpiness subsided, but it didn’t.  I was not fun to be around that day.

The rest of the week was enjoyably uneventful.  I ended the week with soreness and fatigue and a couple lessons learned.  The biggest being I cannot plan for everything and need to be super flexible.  Flexibility is not something that comes naturally to me, physically or mentally, but I am learning if this training is going to work with this season of life, I need to learn how to move and flow with it instead of trying to control it. Honestly, I love when things are in control, it is comforting and safe, but we all know there are many uncontrollable things in life, one being the weather.  Once things were out of my control and I had to veer from my carefully calculated schedule I discovered something new, a new way, a better way, a way that fits the needs of my family.

If only I could remember this is the big things in life.  To let go of my carefully calculated plans and allow room for new discoveries and room for God to work His purpose into my life.  How much easier and stress-free would life be if I stopped trying to fit God into my plans and instead paid attention and followed His.

Yet, O Lord, You are our Father.

We are the clay, You are the potter;

We are all the work of Your hand.

Isaiah 6

Other posts in this series:

Running Rockey – An Invitation