My Running Shoes

In my life I have been very blessed. God has sent me so many blessings. I can tell you exact dates of the important ones. For instance on July 28th, 1969 God sent me my parents, August 10, 1995 God sent me my boo, August 3, 2000 God sent me Isabella, in October 2007 God sent me GS (again, and this time for good) and in January 2009 God sent me these:

My running shoes

Now there are days when I curse these Godsends, when they call me at 4:00 am, out of a deep sleep, to come play.

But God knew I needed them. He knew that I was praying for something to enter my life to help me move forward, He knows the worries of my heart and He knew that these shoes were what I needed.

These shoes are symbols. Symbols of accomplishment.

These shoes have shown me moments of beauty, like seeing the early morning fog come over the mountains, seeing a beautiful sunrise, or the flowers that you don't notice driving in your car.

These shoes have allowed me to achieve. Achieve a healthier body. Achieve one of the biggest accomplishments of my life...running a 10K. Achieve a sense of self worth, and a renewed self esteem.

These shoes have given me many moments of clarity, moments when answers come to me, ideas form, and God shows me that I am on the right path, doing the best that I can.

These shoes have shown me that obstacles, like a strong head wind and a 6.2 mile run, can be overcome by taking a deep breath and putting one foot in front of the other.

These shoes whisper to me...don't give up don't ever give up.

More Later

-A Ro

Just Call Me Grace

Well it happened...I knew it would, hoped it wouldn't, but knowing me...

...it was inevitable.

I fell running this morning. I was entering the sixth mile of my run. I was coming to a dreaded stoplight, the stoplight was red so I was slowing down, but then it turned green and I started speeding up. The speed adjustment and the curb didn't agree with me and down I went. I fell...

...bit the dust
...ate dirt
...went boom boom
...took a header
...ate pavement...good fiber
...went ass over appetite (that was my dad's favorite)
...I've fallen and I can't get up

I think you get the picture, but in case you didn't here are some pictures (thank you Andrew and Bell for taking the pictures)

Now I must warn you there is a little blood involved in these pictures...and I am not posting them to gross you out, I am posting them to document the klutz that I am.

My shirt...as I hit my head blood went everywhere...and I had to use my shirt to stop the bleeding as I walked home. I am certain people driving by me thought I was a walking crime scene...however no one stopped to see if I was OK, except for the guy who saw me fall...and got out of his car to help me up and to tell me that I was bleeding, to which I replied "I know"...I didn't have much to say except "I live close" "Thanks for stopping to help me"

Here is my gaping head wound, and as you can see the small goose egg above it...the one thing I was thinking as I walked home was boy that's going to leave a mark. As I was walking I was sure that the entire side of my face was marred...as you know it always seems worse until you get a good look at it...I wonder if I need stitches??? I hate that mole, by the way.
my road rash
the goose egg on my left knee

my hands...these hurt the most

As I was walking home I called GS, who was already at work, he switched hours and I was so happy. This meant he could be here for Easter dinner and the Easter egg hunt. However, he wasn't at home to nurse my wounds. I almost didn't call him because I didn't want to worry him and I knew there was nothing he could do about it from work...

...well at least that was what I thought. He definitely earned his GS standing. He was appropriately worried, appropriately caring, appropriately encouraging, and stayed on the phone with me until I got home. He also understood my grief when I exclaimed (in tears) "I didn't even get to finish my run"


...OK maybe I am a true runner

...crap.

More Later

A-Ro