The Light and Fight Within

Sometimes it is hard to get out there and run. Following a schedule and being motivated daily can be a challenge. But I am doing it. I have now been training for a full 3 weeks. And those three weeks have been in the not so lovely month of January. I am feeling pretty good. I have a long way to go to feel ready to go the distance. I am putting in the effort to get there. 

Luckily for me, we have had an incredibly warm winter so far, and the temperatures have felt more like Springtime. It is often gray and not the most glorious time of year as far as beauty goes, but warmth goes a long way when getting out there and pounding the pavement. It means I don't have to load up with so many layers, and I can run a little more free, rather than slipping on snow and ice. It has been such a blessing for me this year to have an unusually warm January. I hope it continues! 

I have a new favorite song that I often turn on before I go out into the elements. It is called Fight Song. I am sure you have heard it. It has become my running war dance song. I will get fully dressed in my running gear, and then I will turn the song on in my room, and bounce around to psyche myself up. It is not a silly, wispy, graceful, bounce; but like a warrior preparing for battle. I allow the song to reach my heart, fill me full of courage, and give me power. I often cry during my war dance, as a fire and desire to fight pierces my soul. 

There is a lot of fight left in me. 

I am doing something that scares me. I have always loved running, but I have never been a fan of tracking time, miles, and improvement to accomplish a goal. This is all new for me. I have always just run for the freedom and health benefits. It is different to be in training mode. I find that my time and mile tracker has become my friend and my enemy. It pushes me more than I would expect to be pushed. I have the desire to improve my time, and to go longer. I can see the numbers, rather than just guessing, and the numbers are a great motivator. 

I run 5-6 miles most days, with a long run on Saturday. I run 5 days a week, with 2 rest days of Thursday and Sunday. I wasn't going to take that extra rest day on Thursday, but my sister highly recommended it, and I can see how it really is a good thing to let the body recover. I also strength train daily with weights, squats, crunches, etc. After my run I take about 25 minutes to build up my strength along with the endurance that running provides. It feels good to be so physical. My body is built to do hard physical things. 

Here is my time/mile tracker... 

I do at least 5 miles daily

 At about a 9:18 pace

 Burns a lot of calories

I ran my first longer run of 10 miles

At a 10:11 overall pace. (Some miles more, some less.) Which may not seem great, but it's only been 3 weeks!

 And check out those calories burned. Whew!

 Here I am after the 10 mile run. Feeling pretty great.

I have had to change my food too. I have reduced my daily calories, and I track them. But now my food is all good power food. For example, this breakfast of 1 whole egg, mixed with egg whites, on a yellow bell pepper is way more yummy and filling than a bowl of cereal, and less calories too. It takes a little time to prepare, but it is worth it. And yes, I need to reduce my calories even when running so much, because I simply eat too much normally, and need to cut back to get on track.

I also started adding Chia seeds to my water throughout the day, they are supposed to be good for energy, and a variety of other things. My sister recommended them. I usually add some frozen berries or something to the water, along with ice, and it's pretty good.

I still eat some regular non-power food here and there, but I try and keep it in my calorie intake for the day. (Don't worry, I am getting plenty of fuel from food.) The other day I had a cookie, and it was like something took over me and I just wanted more... so I reached for another. It is hard for me to resist the power of sugar, so I have to be careful. If I fill myself full of good stuff, I am less likely to reach for the junk. I do allow one item of chocolate, and that is a protein bar, but it satisfies my addiction. It is not like I will not eat any junk food, but if I do, I will have to fit it in my daily allotment. This is a struggle for me, for sure. It is not easy, and I blow it sometimes, but then I just jump back on the health wagon.

I drink a TON of water throughout the day. Water is one of the best ways to clear the mind. It is like a coolant for the brain, it makes it fresh and more lively. At least for me. I love to chug water. It makes me feel good, real good.

As I fight this fight, I learn so much about myself, and what I am capable of. Sometimes when I go out there for long runs I listen to music, but a lot of the time I pray. I talk to Heavenly Father, and connect with Him, and my Savior, in a beautiful way. My courage to continue comes from on High. In these winter months I find that the light so often has to come from within, because there is no light from the sun. 

That light -- The Light of Christ -- is what gives me the power to fight. 

Here are the lyrics to Fight Song. They describe so perfectly where I am at now, it's almost been two years. 

Like a small boat
On the ocean
Sending big waves
Into motion
Like how a single word
Can make a heart open
I might only have one match
But I can make an explosion

And all those things I didn't say
Wrecking balls inside my brain
I will scream them loud tonight
Can you hear my voice this time?

This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I'm alright song
My power's turned on
Starting right now I'll be strong
I'll play my fight song
And I don't really care if nobody else believes
'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me

Losing friends and I'm chasing sleep
Everybody's worried about me
In too deep
Say I'm in too deep (in too deep)
And it's been two years I miss my home
But there's a fire burning in my bones
Still believe
Yeah, I still believe

And all those things I didn't say
Wrecking balls inside my brain
I will scream them loud tonight
Can you hear my voice this time?

This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I'm alright song
My power's turned on
Starting right now I'll be strong
I'll play my fight song
And I don't really care if nobody else believes
'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me

A lot of fight left in me

Like a small boat
On the ocean
Sending big waves
Into motion
Like how a single word
Can make a heart open
I might only have one match
But I can make an explosion

This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I'm alright song
My power's turned on
Starting right now I'll be strong (I'll be strong)
I'll play my fight song
And I don't really care if nobody else believes
'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me

Know I've still got a lot of fight left in me

The Piano Guys have a beautiful rendition of the song... combining the fight and the light. It is perfect. It stirs up my Scottish blood, and gets me all emotional. It makes me want to wear a kilt. :)   

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