I had a thought today while I was running. For anyone who would like to participate but are not sure what type of freedom to run for I have a suggestion!
Watch any or all of these videos below:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/08/20/magazine/kristof-audioss/index.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvee_dGl9yw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlIv55oLfsA
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
October 10, 5 K
So the run was great. Thank you Rachel! It was fun to see all the people in different costumes. They called us the Blue girls, because we were wearing our blue t-shirts (from the last race) over long sleeve shirts. We did a better time too - last one was completed in about 35 minutes. This one was completed in about 32 minutes. Just for the record, Rachel would've finished earlier but she is good enough to run with me.
The interesting thing about this 5K is that there was a "false" finish line. They had us run back through where we started and many, including myself, thought it was the end. I got a boost of energy thinking it was the end, a pair in front of us, sprinted through the cones and .....ooops...keep going! Some people just stopped and walked, I thought they might even end right there. It made me think of life - of getting different spurts of energy to get through something, and then when we find out that isn't the end, sometimes we want to give up. So my lesson - steady and constant finishes the run, and if I get energized in a season of life, great. Just don't let myself give up when that burst is gone and there is still the journey to continue.
May we all be constant, with sprints here and there, even when its not the end!
The interesting thing about this 5K is that there was a "false" finish line. They had us run back through where we started and many, including myself, thought it was the end. I got a boost of energy thinking it was the end, a pair in front of us, sprinted through the cones and .....ooops...keep going! Some people just stopped and walked, I thought they might even end right there. It made me think of life - of getting different spurts of energy to get through something, and then when we find out that isn't the end, sometimes we want to give up. So my lesson - steady and constant finishes the run, and if I get energized in a season of life, great. Just don't let myself give up when that burst is gone and there is still the journey to continue.
May we all be constant, with sprints here and there, even when its not the end!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Hey Everyone! April & I are running a 5K tomorrow morning. Here's the link that explains the cause. http://utahlosetheshoes.com/costume-5k
It's for a local organization that fund raises for an NGO that works to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and education among African youth through their love of soccer.
It's for a local organization that fund raises for an NGO that works to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and education among African youth through their love of soccer.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Up the Hill
I want to share one specific experience that happened on the 5K. This was my first time to do the full 5k - I hadn't even done one around Liberty Park yet. Plus, the park is pretty flat compared to the hills of BYU campus. The first big hill came and I slowed down, but I could do it. The 2nd big hill came going up the south end of campus (towards the Benson building) and I was already feeling oxygen depletion. Rachel was a great encouragement, and yet my legs were still about to buckle. Then I remembered that Dad had asked me to think of him when we were running - and to run for him, since he can't anymore. I thought of that, my eyes welled, and I knew I had to make it up the hill running, because I could. Thanks Dad, for asking us to run for you.
Since the 5k I have been pushing myself harder around the park when I go running, and sometimes I just want to stop. Why not? Nobody is watching, no race or run is at stake..in fact it would just be easier to stop. But then I think of individuals particularly in my family who inspire me in many things, who love me, and who would cheer me on if they were there and knew I was struggling. And so - I keep running and I make it.
So to all of you, when it seems that the "run" almost has you beat - think of me - I am cheering you on, and think of all those that love and inspire you - and remember you CAN DO IT!
I love you all!!!!
Since the 5k I have been pushing myself harder around the park when I go running, and sometimes I just want to stop. Why not? Nobody is watching, no race or run is at stake..in fact it would just be easier to stop. But then I think of individuals particularly in my family who inspire me in many things, who love me, and who would cheer me on if they were there and knew I was struggling. And so - I keep running and I make it.
So to all of you, when it seems that the "run" almost has you beat - think of me - I am cheering you on, and think of all those that love and inspire you - and remember you CAN DO IT!
I love you all!!!!
Voices of Courage
I finally uploaded the pictures from Rachel and my first run. It was a free 5 K sponsored by the Women's Center at BYU and the theme was "Voices of Courage" against abuse in any form. Here is the pledge - and I think it is a great one.
Even David, Ian, and Sol signed their names to the pledge after the run. It was great to have fans there, and especially to have David's encouragement and support in this.
I am SO grateful to be able to run with Rachel. I think this run was pretty easy for her, but it was intense for me. Thanks for staying back with me sis, chatting with me, and doing it together!
Ian asked if he could run the race and go across the finish line with me too. We did a rerun - which you can below and I told him I could take him on a full future run. He is a great fan to run with because he says, " Go mama! You can do it! Almost there!"
Even David, Ian, and Sol signed their names to the pledge after the run. It was great to have fans there, and especially to have David's encouragement and support in this.
I am SO grateful to be able to run with Rachel. I think this run was pretty easy for her, but it was intense for me. Thanks for staying back with me sis, chatting with me, and doing it together!
Ian asked if he could run the race and go across the finish line with me too. We did a rerun - which you can below and I told him I could take him on a full future run. He is a great fan to run with because he says, " Go mama! You can do it! Almost there!"Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Race the Rain
So I was determined to not let my day get by on Mon without a run. It was 4 pm. I decided to get Sol in the stroller and Ian on his bike (because he didn't want to go in the stroller) and head to the park for a run. It was a run walk of about a mile to 1 1/2 miles. Ian biked the whole way - an amazingly strong 3 year old. Half way around the park we saw the dark clouds coming and decided to race the rain. In Ian's words, "the rain won us mommy." We got home wet and a little chilly but energized and had fun. I found that running backwards (as I pulled the stroller so Sol could see Ian coming towards her) is an interesting work out for muscles I never knew I had. :)
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Gratitude
Awesome Rachel! Thank you for getting this going! As I ran one day this week, I had an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for the body. Gratitude for the ability to move, to extend my joints, and to move in a way which increases my heart beat and releases endorphins.
I am super excited this morning to run, and silly enough - somewhat nervous. I couldn't even sleep very much last night because I was thinking of this morning. I am so grateful and happy that I get to do it WITH someone, and who better to do it with then a dear sibling. Thank you Rachel! And thank you everyone if our family for your loving support and words!
I am super excited this morning to run, and silly enough - somewhat nervous. I couldn't even sleep very much last night because I was thinking of this morning. I am so grateful and happy that I get to do it WITH someone, and who better to do it with then a dear sibling. Thank you Rachel! And thank you everyone if our family for your loving support and words!
Friday, September 11, 2009
I ran 55 minutes this morning!! Even though I had a really bad night last night it felt super good! I have a feeling it's going to set my whole day right, it's going to be a wonderful day! Happy 9/11 everyone! I thought of a goal while I was running... I want to smile at everyone today to be a promoter and a creator of unity and love within our amazing free country.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
WELCOME!
My Dear Family,
Today in my Positive Psychology class I learned a lot of interesting things about exercise. Bare with me as I share a few very significant findings.
Exercise (preferably aerobic) not only releases endorphins which help us feel good, it also increases the natural production of neurotransmiters such as seratonen and dopamine (the lack of which cause depression and anxiety disorders).
Exercise also burns off excess adrenaline that builds up in our blood stream durring the day. Adrenalin is caused by stress... overflowing stress = excess adrenalin = overflowing anger. I never realized how wise it was of mom to order us to go run around the block when we had been couped up inside or were getting really anzy or tempermental.
So this is the Running For Freedom blog, welcome. April and I have started training to run races. One day while she was running, the thought dawned on her that we should have a theme for the causes that we are running for. Once coined with a theme cause, our efforts have felt more empowering and meaningful. April came up with our excellent theme: Running For Freedom: Freedom from violence, from fear, from food, from negative talk, from abusive relationships, from bad habits, from internal demons, from anything that is oppressive in your life or in the life of a loved one. This Saturday morning, September 12th will be our first race, 5K for Abuse Prevention. It starts at 8:00Am just outside of the RB on BYU campus. I know this is late notice, but we'd love to have spectator fans or/and fellow runners!
As you all know, it is often very hard to find motivation and time to do physical exercise. We've created this blog so that we can share not only our progressive with eachother but also lessons that we're learning along the way. We've also found that it feels even more gratifying and motivating when we give eachother positive and encouraging feedback.
Morgan recently shared with us that he is running on his lunch break at work as well as doing yoga two times a week! That is so awesome and admirable! Everyone has at least something that they wish they were free of. We'd love to have you all get involved with our theme and share with eachother what you are doing for physical exercise (does not have to be running), as well as the lessons, thoughts and experiences that you have along your journey. I think we can all learn a lot from eachother and I know that having eachothers' enouragement along the way will be a priceless and extremely motivating benefactor.
I love you all immensely. Please jump in and get involved and remember, it does not matter what level everyone is at. If it's that you hiked up a huge stairwell instead of taking the elevator and were totally out of breath at the top but it felt good, that's great! Hope to see your posts soon!
Love,
your baby sister and daughter :-),
Rachel
Today in my Positive Psychology class I learned a lot of interesting things about exercise. Bare with me as I share a few very significant findings.
Exercise (preferably aerobic) not only releases endorphins which help us feel good, it also increases the natural production of neurotransmiters such as seratonen and dopamine (the lack of which cause depression and anxiety disorders).
Exercise also burns off excess adrenaline that builds up in our blood stream durring the day. Adrenalin is caused by stress... overflowing stress = excess adrenalin = overflowing anger. I never realized how wise it was of mom to order us to go run around the block when we had been couped up inside or were getting really anzy or tempermental.
So this is the Running For Freedom blog, welcome. April and I have started training to run races. One day while she was running, the thought dawned on her that we should have a theme for the causes that we are running for. Once coined with a theme cause, our efforts have felt more empowering and meaningful. April came up with our excellent theme: Running For Freedom: Freedom from violence, from fear, from food, from negative talk, from abusive relationships, from bad habits, from internal demons, from anything that is oppressive in your life or in the life of a loved one. This Saturday morning, September 12th will be our first race, 5K for Abuse Prevention. It starts at 8:00Am just outside of the RB on BYU campus. I know this is late notice, but we'd love to have spectator fans or/and fellow runners!
As you all know, it is often very hard to find motivation and time to do physical exercise. We've created this blog so that we can share not only our progressive with eachother but also lessons that we're learning along the way. We've also found that it feels even more gratifying and motivating when we give eachother positive and encouraging feedback.
Morgan recently shared with us that he is running on his lunch break at work as well as doing yoga two times a week! That is so awesome and admirable! Everyone has at least something that they wish they were free of. We'd love to have you all get involved with our theme and share with eachother what you are doing for physical exercise (does not have to be running), as well as the lessons, thoughts and experiences that you have along your journey. I think we can all learn a lot from eachother and I know that having eachothers' enouragement along the way will be a priceless and extremely motivating benefactor.
I love you all immensely. Please jump in and get involved and remember, it does not matter what level everyone is at. If it's that you hiked up a huge stairwell instead of taking the elevator and were totally out of breath at the top but it felt good, that's great! Hope to see your posts soon!
Love,
your baby sister and daughter :-),
Rachel
Today I was able to squeeze in some running time at school. I ran for about 25 minutes and walked another 5 minutes on the indoor track at the Smith Field House on campus. I did not have time to shower before my next class so I just changed back into my cloths and went the rest of the day caked in dried salt from my sweat (beautiful, I know!)
But I am so glad that I did it! Tonight in my positive psychology class we talked about exercise and I learned some very interesting things. One in particular is a study that has shown that rhythmic activity (such as running or biking) causes a hemispheric shift in our thinking from the left brain to the right brain. (The right brain is the creative thinking side.) This explains why I am often able to solve problems, think of new ideas, and even receive revelation while running. April came up with our great running theme one morning while she was running!
But I am so glad that I did it! Tonight in my positive psychology class we talked about exercise and I learned some very interesting things. One in particular is a study that has shown that rhythmic activity (such as running or biking) causes a hemispheric shift in our thinking from the left brain to the right brain. (The right brain is the creative thinking side.) This explains why I am often able to solve problems, think of new ideas, and even receive revelation while running. April came up with our great running theme one morning while she was running!
Friday, September 4, 2009
I ran/walked on the Bonniville Shoreline this afternoon for about 67 minutes. I learned a good lesson about heat exhaustion and distinguishing between good self-talk and rationalizations of why I should not go running. When I'm having a lot of self talk happen in my head and loose track of which talk is good and which is negative I need to step outside of myself and talk to myself as if I were another person.
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