Lessons Learned in First Year of Running

This year has been a transformational year for our family health wise, emotionally and physically. We have began a journey I hope we are able to continue for years and years to come! It's been life changing. Our perspective on things is totally different! You may think this all sounds silly and a bit exaggerated but I promise you, there is so much wholeness when the body, spirit, and mind align and work together for YOUR good! It's for you! It makes you a better version of yourself! Sure there are days when chocolate just has to be eaten, and days when exercise just doesn't happen, but the overall picture, the majority of the time, when your feeding your body healthy whole foods and exercising it with any kind of activity that suits you, it changes every area of your life. I have learned so so much about myself, my life, and my family through this journey to wellness. It's an experience that will never end because just like a relationship, it takes daily commitment, attention and intention. I'm so so fortunate, that not long into my journey, my other half saw the change and jumped aboard! We now experience all this together and it's AWESOME! We have daily conversations about our goals, joint and separate, about lessons we have learned, and about our future of wellness we have to look forward to! Chris was by no means unhealthy, but let's face it, you can be small size and active without really being intentional about your health. (Not the case with me but some are just naturally built with a smaller frame). And might I clarify too, that this journey was not just about losing weight (I came to find out just a couple months in), although that was an amazing side effect, but it was about loving myself, treating myself with respect, and nourishing every part of me, physically, mentally and spiritually. It's been an interesting learning experience as well. We have learned lessons, picked up the pieces from plans gone wrong, and attempted to heed the advice of fellow clean eaters and runners, while having to learn what works and what doesn't. We have learned that each journey is individual and a lot of trial and error is involved. So...here's just a few things we have learned in our first year of running...

1. It's a process. A physical process, mental process, and spiritual process. What begins as a means to lose weight or  health improvement, becomes a life changing process that feeds your mind, body and spirit. It's sometimes slow, sometimes fast, sometimes mundane, sometimes easy, occasionally very hard, always changing, always evolving process. And so so worth every experience that comes with.

2. Some days you rock, and some days you just don't.

3. The first mile is ALWAYS the hardest. If you've been running a month or running for years, you've learned this. One of my favorite quotes is "never judge a run by the first mile"...yes! You will struggle to find your pace, your breathing will be out of whack, you will be all over the place in your mind, and then, a mile or two in, you will find your place...your good place...the place you go to run the next 4 miles, the place that makes you love it. The place that makes you lace up tomorrow and do it again.

4. Music helps. It has become my private time, to worship, reflect, and look within. I have my favorite worship/christian music with the occasional favorite artist mixed in and saved to my Running Playlist. I never used music during my previous running experiences, but I've come to really enjoy it!

5. Get sweat proof ear buds. The ones that come with your phone are NOT suited for running. ;) 

6. Best laid plans sometimes aren't meant to be. But the beauty of running and training for a big race or reaching a goal you set is that the success is not always in running/completing the race, but in training for it. Sometimes, much to our disappointment, we set a goal or register for a race and it just doesn't work out, and we move on, better, for the training experience and lessons learned in the process. 

7. I've tucked my tail and accepted that I actually HATE the expensive running shoes I thought I HAD to have to make me fully qualified to enjoy the sport. I HATE them. They are the biggest, ugliest, shoes I've ever had. I kick myself when I run in them, they just aggravate the snot out of me. I will eventually go to find a running shoe alternative for these, after baby when I get going good again, but for now, my pride says I must wear them until I can't anymore. As much as I hate them though, they have taught me. They have taught me that you may not get it right the first time. They have taught me that just because they work for someone else doesn't mean they will work for you. And they have taught me that I was a "runner" long before I got these shoes. Some people need big thick soles, some go barefoot. Some people need a certain type of socks, hats, shorts, tops, etc. And what works for you may or may not be the same as some one else. It's in the journey, that you find your place and through trial and error that you figure out these details, and it's all part of the fun.  

8. Weather is irrelevant. Before last summer, I would let a rain shower, cold day, or windy day stop me. I would be easily convinced that it wasn't appropriate weather to be out, and last year, I figured out that it is on those days that is actually the most fun and rewarding. I mean, I feel like a kid when I go for a rain run...and we have even gone as a family a  few times...so fun! When you finish and realize that nothing, NOTHING stands between you and your wellness or goals, magic happens! It's awesome!

9. Injury. It happens. It happens with any and everything you do. We have both had a couple hiccups, causing forced time off or forced lulls in the progression, but again, they teach us. An injury does not mean stop. It doesn't  mean give up. It means how bad do you want it. How much are you willing to work for it. It test you and it teaches you. And if you can hang in there, you run out of the other side, stronger spiritually, mentally and physically.  

10. Cross train. I never did in previous running days. This time around, we got into strength training, completed the beachbody PIYO program (totally love it!!) and supplement with 30 minute workout videos, or short strength training circuits. They have been so beneficial to us. We can see so many benefits to doing more to support your body than just cardio running. During PIYO, a combo of pilates and yoga, I felt my run change. Running became easier. Cross training provides such amazing support to the muscles used to run and really helps you become better, not to mention the variety is fun! There is so much you can do! And it's an opportunity to really test your muscles and build them.

11. You never know until you try. There's a waiting period. You can give up and say it's not for you after a time or two (I've done that many times), or you have to give an honest 4 months (12 weeks is what I set my original goal) to really see where running (walking or exercise of choice), clean eating, and self discipline will take you. If you can muscle through the "don't want to", "what am I doing this for", "this is not going to change me" part, then you will look back and realize you have just reached a point in the journey of no going back. The part where it becomes less about a number on the scale or a pant size and more about wholeness, and THAT is the best part!

I am so grateful for this journey, the only regret I have is that I didn't figure it out years ago. It's an amazing experience, as a parent, to teach your children how to take care of themselves. To do what they can to treat their body, given by God, with respect. To go out and run with the kids alongside, or bike ride with them following, to grocery shop while they pick out all the "good stuff"....this, THIS is the best reward thus far from our journey. I have become a better version of myself, a more complete me, and I am so glad they have been able to take this journey with me, and I look so forward to many many more years of living healthy, feeding our bodies, mind, and spirit what it needs to keep us the best we can be. Call us crazy, but we are loving this and so grateful.   

Moving Up

3 years ago, we began a  journey that neither of us had any idea would have the magnificent impact that it has. Homeschooling has been the most wonderful, amazing, joy filled, challenge. And a couple weeks ago, the kids, Chris and I completed yet another year. It's been the best yet, I think! You begin to relax and find a better groove with each passing year. It's been awesome to have Grayson and Ada doing lots of their work together side by side. It's a great experience to see them growing in knowledge, faith and love alongside one another. There really was so few "bad" days this year, attitudes were fairly acceptable most of the time, there wasn't much fight going up about doing the work, and together we learned so so much...and it was FUN!

Ada, our Kindergartner, who turned 6 in February, currently says she wants to be a doctor when she grows up. And watching that girl and her eagerness to learn, this is so doable for her. She has blossomed into an incredible reader this year. She loves to write. And her little mind retains so much of the information presented to her. It's incredible! We have let her move at her own pace, as far as core content goes. I don't want to hold her back and certainly don't want to push her too far, so I just let her go, and go she does! She completed all first grade math and one semester of second grade math. She completed her first grade phonics this year and joined Grayson in Adventures in US History for all other subjects. She enjoys cursive and computer work, and as mentioned before LOVES to read! She checks out 4 or 5 chapter books at a time and reads every word of them by the second week...she definitely takes after her daddy with that one! :) She will continue moving through second grade math, spelling, and language, next year. She loves doing extra stuff here and there, and we let her go as quickly as her heart desires, and that's one of the many beauties of homeschool!

Grayson, our second grader, has completed all his second grade core subjects. He, as of now, is not totally decided on what he would like to be, and we constantly have to reassure him that it's okay not to know exactly what you want to be for the rest of your life, at 7 years old! ;) He loves hands on learning but was so much more compliant and willing to dive in to book work this year, as well.

We started Adventures in US History in January and it is so fun!! We are having a blast with it! The read alouds are great, the work keeps them busy and content, and together we are learning so much. We paused for our summer break at the beginning of the states review, because that seems like a fun place to start back. :) We were so fortunate to be able to step back in time a little and board a 17th century ship, as it passed by The States, it really was a wonderful way to finish up the discovery and establishment of America, portion of Adventures. They all had a blast and Chris and I thought it was pretty neat too! The El Galeon has sailed pretty much around the world the old fashioned way! Cool experience, and pretty magnificent to see!

The year over all was one of growth and maturity for them both. Ada continued not only progressing academically but also in her gymnastics. She very much enjoyed the opportunity to take an art class as well. That is one of her favorite subjects, for sure! Grayson really grew maturity wise and much more eager and excited about all areas of school, not just what he likes. He continued in the art class, was able to begin piano lessons...which he truly loves, and completed his wolf rank in Cub Scouts. It was a good, successful year for them both, and as I said an enjoyable one as well!

Next year is looking fun and exciting, full of change! Grady's new preschool material came and looks like he will have such fun learning alongside big brother and sister, and he also is anticipating a rank change, becoming a big brother this winter! ;) He starts T Ball this week, and is so excited. He's been practicing and we are all looking forward to cheering on that little cutie.

The big kids will continue in Adventures of US History and hope to complete that mid November before little brother/sister ("bruster", as they have named it) arrives. Our school year has gotten into a good little schedule that really works well for us. We are more year rounders, with a month off in May and December, and six weeks on and one off while in session. They typically, as of now "move up" a grade (Math, Language, Spelling) after May break, and begin new "extra" curriculum (History, Science, Bible) in January. This is really working well for us and hope this year will be as successful as last! :)

What an amazing year we had. I am so grateful for the opportunity to teach my children, not just academically, but really pour into their characters the way my heart desires. I would actually venture to say, homeschooling, for us, has so much less to do with academics than it does with raising good people, and helping them learn through experience. Watching them get their hands dirty, or just play. Pretend with one another, spend way too many hours outside before we do school, reading any book they want, as often as they want, taking a trip to see something we are learning about, it's all such a blessing and I worry so little over where they are according to the academic "standard", because I know that if I have raised good people, that will take them far, and God will equip them for their calling!

So, exhausted, joy-filled, and teary eyed, we have completed another year, and moving on to the next! I am so blessed. Truly truly blessed to call these children mine and maybe a tad bit of pride to know that I actually helped teach them what they know...a teacher! That's one thing I said I would NEVER do! Ha! Guess what I am doing....sitting here planning for next year! ;) Thank goodness God knows much better than we!