Marathoner

I want to become a marathoner. I’ve been trying to get back into a regular running routine, and I caught myself looking ahead to the end goal of completing a marathon instead of taking it one step at a time.

Our driveway entrance 

It is exactly one mile from the end of our driveway down to the stop sign at the end of our road. I’ve been (slowly) running that 2 miles and anxiously desiring to run it faster and add on more miles. Some days it feels great to get out there and run and other days I have to talk myself into putting one foot in front of the other.

The other day I was on the way back home on the second mile, and my feet felt SO HEAVY, my body felt SLOW, and I just felt tired and unmotivated. I started feeling discouraged that I’ll never run a marathon. It’s been years since I first started! Things keep getting in the way of training! I can’t even run two miles without getting tired! It’s taking too long to get back in shape!

All of that negative thinking was squashed when I remembered that becoming a marathoner isn’t really about running the marathon. Running 26 miles happens at the end of the journey, after all of the training, all of the slow miles, sore feet and blisters, tired bodies that get out and run anyway, sticking to a schedule when it’s too cold, too hot, or you’re just not feeling it, falling down and getting back up, pushing through discomfort, finding motivation to go a little faster and a little further. A marathoner is great because of the hard times during training, when they wanted to give up but didn’t.

I shouldn’t be discouraged when the second mile is hard. It’s not about how hard it is, it’s about what I decide to do when it’s hard. The second mile is just as important as the 26th mile, because I have to master it before I ever get to mile 26. Every marathoner had to start at the beginning. There was a point when mile 2 was hard and they pushed through and kept going until it was easy.

A selfie with Gideon while out for a run

I’m not a marathoner yet, but I’m going to be. It feels a little silly to tell people I’m training for a marathon when I’m struggling on mile 2, but this is the time I get to find out if I have what it takes to keep going or if I’m going to stop. Spoiler alert: I’m not going to stop. It would be fantastic if I am able to run the marathon this year, but there’s no deadline. It will happen when it happens and I’ll keep slowly trucking along until then.

Here is a link to the first blog post I wrote about the marathon I want to run across three countries.

All or Nothing?

It's hard to keep up with a blog about running a marathon when I haven't been doing much running. 
My body just physically does not want to run very far or very fast or very often. I still have the desire to get out there, I'm just moving much more slowly than I would like.

Running isn't the only thing in my life that I'm only doing part of the way right now. I've gone back and forth about whether I need to give up those things completely. If I can't do them 100%, should I be attempting to do them at all? One of the things that motivates me to run is to set goals to run faster and farther than the last time. Doesn't that also motivate us in life? To move forward, make gains, and feel like we are achieving something?

So what happens when we are stagnant? When we aren't really achieving anything and maybe we even feel like we're moving backwards instead of forwards? Should we quit? Should it be all or nothing?

I went back and forth about this with running. I went out for a run and ended up walking a lot and running a little. When I stopped to walk I thought about giving up on running completely. Why continue if I'm just going to have to stop and walk? After walking a bit I felt like running again and made up my mind that it doesn't really matter how much I walk or how much I run. I love to run, and I'm going to keep doing it as long as I'm still enjoying it and my body is physically capable of doing it!

Luke and I going for a run on Global Running Day

I don't think it is all or nothing. God has me where I am for a reason. I have times in my life when I can jump into things with both feet and give it everything I've got, and I have other times when I have to scale back and just do what I am able to do. There may be times when I need to quit, when something is taking up space that shouldn't be taking my time and energy, but there are other times when I quit things that maybe I am supposed to hold onto a little longer. Even though I am not making the progress I would like or getting the results I think I should, it doesn't mean it is over.

My encouragement for you and for myself right now is not to give up when you can't do it all. It just matters that we are doing something. No matter how big or small it seems to be. Keep doing it.

I'll leave you with a yoga website to check out. Yoga has been something I can always fall back on and do even when other workouts seem out of reach.

Yoga for Runners

Survival Mode

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:1-2

Springtime in Middle Tennessee is exactly what it should be: warm afternoons and cool evenings. The first signs of spring here are the cherry blossoms and red buds. The purple pops of color are a welcome arrival and are a sign of new life and new beginnings peeking out from the branches of winter. Along with the beauty of trees blossoming, comes a whole lot of rain! When you are running in the rain, you can't look very far ahead. If you look up, you are pelted with rain drops in your face and depending on how hard it is raining, you can't see too much ahead of you. You have to focus on the road right in front of you.

Last week I was determined to get a run in one morning even though it was raining. It was just a drizzle, but it was cold and kind of miserable. I'm glad I got out and completed my run, but as I was running I couldn't think of much else besides the rain running down my face, that I felt cold, and I was ready to just be finished. I was in survival mode. 

Dreary, rainy run

A few days later I ran the same route on the most gorgeous day with perfectly blue skies and flowers that seemed to be actually popping up as I was running by. I didn't have to look straight down at the road, but lifted my head and looked up at all of the beauty around me.

Red buds under a blue sky

In life, we sometimes need to lift up our eyes and see the beauty around us. It's impossible to do when we are in survival mode. When the rain is falling all around us, we can't see through it, we can't lift our faces against it. We feel hopeless. Mercifully, God brings us out of survival mode so that we can catch a glimpse of the bigger picture. It might be for a moment or it might be longer, but that's when the clouds clear out and new life begins to bloom around us. That's where hope lives.

I could never do that

We hear a common phrase when someone finds out that my husband and I are foster parents:

"I could never do that."

On the first day of training to become a foster parent, they ask you why you want to do it. This is not an easy question for me to answer. I will tell you that I do not want to be a foster parent. I'm doing it for one simple reason, God told me to do it.

You might think that foster parenting is difficult, and you would be right. You might think it will disrupt your life, add a lot of stress, and force you to be around people you would rather avoid. You might think you'll love the kids too much and want to body slam the adults who put them in this mess, you also might worry that you won't love them enough, that they will push you away, scream at you, and it will be hard to show them the love they desperately need. All of the things you think would be difficult are resoundingly correct. It's hard. You also might think you don't have the qualifications that are needed, your life is too hectic right now, or maybe it's calm and you want to keep it that way! You think you could never do it.

Maybe you're right.

Here are the qualifications I have to be a foster parent: 

I'm a living, breathing human being. 

I love Jesus. 

That's it. I can't do it either, but I'm doing it anyway. I'm not special. There is nothing about me that makes me believe I am capable and lots of things about me that make me believe I'm going to mess up. I don't even have the desire to do this. My willingness to do foster care comes from my willingness to follow Christ. Luke recently started saying that we have not been called to "foster success" but to "foster care". We aren't responsible for the success of these children. We can't save them, change them, or make them into something they are not. That is God's responsibility, not ours. We can't do it. We were called to say "yes" and God, in his mercy, has held us, supported us, loved us, strengthened us, and taught us that it is all about him.

God promises us that we can rely on his strength. I've been wondering exactly how this works. How do I tap into that superhuman God-strength and do the things he has asked me to do?

Here's what I know:

1) Sometimes it feels like I can't do it and that's ok. I don't need to feel guilty about how I feel.            "it" might be foster care, my job, going for a run, helping out a friend, being patient when something irritates me, or even just making dinner.

                     But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10  

Since Paul delighted in his weakness, we can be comforted that there isn't anything wrong with being weak. In fact, if we follow Paul's example, we should actually boast about our weaknesses! Paul asked for God to remove the thorn in his flesh, but not only does God seem ok with keeping us in our weakness, he also plans to use us there. 

  2) God will use me when I am tired and weak.  

                     He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.Even youths grow tired and weary,and young men stumble and fall;but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary,they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:29-31   

There are more ways than I could list that God has shown his power and work in my life. When I think about these moments, there isn't one time that I felt strong, capable, or that everything was going wonderfully. Each of these moments consisted of hardship, brokenness, and difficulty. I desperately needed God to be there, and he showed up in amazing and mighty ways.

3) Whatever it is I don't feel like doing, do it anyway.

                        Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:10-17

Our foster daughter lived with us for about a year and a half and has now moved on to her next home. There were so many moments that God fought for us and I want to share one of them with you.

Around Easter last year we went to the Good Friday service at our church. It had been a rough week and Luke and I were looking forward to taking the time to remember what Christ has done for us and spend time in worship with our church family. Just before we left for church, an incident came up with our daughter that we had to deal with. It put a damper on the evening but we moved past it and went to church. When we got back to our house that evening, our daughter was still upset about what had happened and began yelling and arguing with us. At one point she told us that she had never known anyone that made her life worse than we made it. That felt really good. *sarcasm* We did our best to remain calm and let her storm off to her room. I checked my phone and saw a text from a friend that said she and her family had "egged" our house. This was a little confusing, but it was Easter after all, and I figured there was more to the story, so I went outside and found this on my door:

Luke asked if we should go get our daughter and have her come search for Easter eggs with us. My response was, "of course not, are you crazy??" Thankfully, he decided to go and knock on her door anyway. She flung open the door and threw herself into his arms crying. I went over and put my arms around them both. She said she was sorry and we talked a little more, and then we went outside and hunted Easter eggs! She had a blast and it brought our family closer together. My friend couldn't have possibly known how God was working through her by hiding some eggs in our yard that evening.

One more thing I want to share. When our daughter came to live with us she had a laundry basket full of clothes, a drawing set, and a small bag. Here are all of her things ready to move out:

The majority of these items are from friends and family who have loved and accepted our daughter as a part of our family and as you can see, have spoiled her a bit! Luke and I are so thankful and blessed for everyone who has supported, listened, and encouraged us through this first placement. We are going to take a short break, but plan to jump back in again. Not because we think we can do it, but because we have seen God hold us up and get us through it. As long as he continues to ask, we will continue to say yes.

My update with running is that right now I feel like I will never be able to run a marathon. I've felt nauseous every morning for about 4 or 5 weeks straight. It's pretty miserable. Dramamine is helping, but some days it doesn't cut it. The results from the GI doctor came back normal, which ruled out anything GI related. He said it is most likely related to the endometriosis and has to do with my hormones. Next step is to go back to my doctor in Atlanta and see what he recommends.

Running at Dunbar and stopping to give Cody a pat:






I don't feel like doing much of anything when I feel nauseous, much less go for a run. I've realized though that I just have to get out there and do it. God put a desire in me to run. He is constantly teaching me lessons through running. The one that speaks the most clearly to me right now is that it doesn't really matter how I feel, sometimes I just have to get out there and do it anyway. No, it doesn't feel great and yes, I've thrown up on the side of the road, but those moments when I run a little farther or a little faster than I did before and when I have accomplished something that I wasn't really sure I could do, that's when my faith is strengthened, when I know God won't let me fail. I'll have difficult days, but if I just get out there and do the thing, God will show me things I never thought were possible.

Has God placed something on your heart or put something in your life that you feel is too much for you? Can I encourage you that it's ok to feel like you can't do it? Take that weakness and let it be a testimony to the unavoidable need we have to depend upon God's strength. Then be willing to move forward and do what he has asked you to do. All he needs is our obedience. He will do the rest.   

One BIG change though many SMALL steps

I have plenty of goals aimed at becoming healthier:

• I want to eat better and exercise more.
• I want to cut out highly processed foods and eat only "real" food.
• I want to run a marathon.
• I want to become stronger and more flexible.
• I don't want to feel like I'm going to die when I do certain workout videos.
• I want to be able to do even one push-up.
• I want to run a mile in 7 minutes. 

That's a pretty long list, so where do I start? 

Poster at Results Physiotherapy

I propose a new way of thinking about making a BIG change stick. Break that BIG change up into many SMALL changes and conquer each step, one at a time. 

One BIG change through many SMALL steps. 

What does that look like?  For my goal of cutting out highly processed foods, it meant choosing one action to take. Just one.  

It is overwhelming at the starting line of a new routine. It's tempting to try to do it all at once. Just throw all the "bad" food away and only eat the "good" food. This is easier said than done. I had a hard time figuring out what in the world I was going to eat! 

To begin, I simply bought more fruits and vegetables. I didn't worry about the processed food I was already eating, but bought, cooked, and ate lots of veggies. The main way this was achieved was by joining a local CSA. Luke and I picked up a box a organic produce from a local farm each week. Often it contained vegetables I had never eaten or even heard of including all different kinds of squash like acorn, delicata and butternut, and lots of different greens like swiss chard, bok choy, and kale. Here's a link to the CSA in case you live in Middle Tennessee and want to join.

Eating lots of veggies is a good start, but I was still eating a lot of food that is highly processed. That meant I needed to take one more small step.

I began taking one food out of my cabinet and either stopped buying it completely, or found a replacement that was less processed. For example, I stopped buying cream of chicken soup and learned to make it from scratch. It's also cheaper. 

I didn't add the next step until I felt comfortable with the last one and little by little I've changed my diet to eat less highly processed foods and more simple, real food. Lisa Leake's blog at 100 days of real food was very helpful in defining real food and why I should eat it.


Adding one small step at a time applies to my goals for exercise as well. I created a segment on Strava called the "Kimbrough Mile" to keep track of how fast I can run a mile. At this point I'm running as much as I can, but 1/2 mile has been my starting place and I'm adding a little bit more each day.

Strava run through the hood

Especially after surgery the concept of one small step at a time has been important for me. My body needs me to take it easy and my desire to do more can cause me to push myself a little farther than I should. I have been feeling a TON better after my surgery. The biggest improvement has been a huge decrease in pain. Unfortunately, the nausea continues. Most days I wake up and feel incredibly nauseous. I don't usually throw up, only when it is very bad. Sometimes I feel like I'm going to throw up any moment and I stick close to home, other times I know I won't throw up, but I just feel queasy. I'm still going for a run and if I have to stop and throw up, so be it.

Luke actually took a picture of this pit stop on a run at the Greenway!

Luke and I also went on a bike ride together, which was a blast despite the fact that I ended up in a lot of pain. I think being hunched over irritated my abdomen, so I may have to take it easy on the bike riding. After our ride we headed over to Dunbar Cave and tried out our new trail running shoes. Running through the woods just might be my favorite thing ever. I think Cody loves it too, which made me wonder, has Cody developed a personality more like Luke and I the longer he has lived with us? All three of us are happy running (or biking: Luke) around outside and then crashing on the couch with a blanket and some yummy food. Luke says it's just that he and I have a personality like a dog. I think I'm ok with that! ;) 

Dunbar Cave trail run with Cody

Time for a nap!

What is one SMALL step you could begin to take each day towards a goal you have? Maybe you could begin to do a plank every day. Give yourself permission to only add that one thing. That's it. Eventually, it will become part of your routine and you can add something else. It might take a little longer to get started, but you will be less likely to give up after a couple of months because you're overwhelmed. That kind of change will last because you've created a lifestyle. Let me know in the comments what your first small step will be. 

Keep that Youthful Spirit

I was listening to a song by Band of Horses in my car this week and when it was over I had a moment of sadness (that the song was over), then I hesitated for a moment before I pushed the back button and started the song over again. It's one of my favorite songs, I was alone in the car, so why not play it over again? and again, and again?

Here is the song for you to enjoy as many times as you would like:

When I was younger I used to play a song over and over again until I had it memorized. My poor parents! This week had me thinking that there are several things I used to do that made me happy that I don't really do anymore. Maybe it is because I am older and wiser. For instance, I used to be fearless. I didn't worry about what I ate or drank (more chocolate cake and cherry coke please!), I listened to whatever I wanted, watched scary movies, and walked around cities like Atlanta or New York by myself without a care in the world.

Top of the hill

It's hard to tell from the picture but this was one of the hills at my elementary school that we would ride our bikes down, trying to avoid the trees to get to the big field at the bottom. I landed in the bushes a few times. The telephone pole helps show the steepness. 

When I was 10 or 11 I would regularly put my bike at the top of the tallest, steepest hill I could find in our neighborhood and then sail down it as fast as I could. Sometimes I would crash and sometimes I wouldn't. I went home with bumps and bruises and perhaps a little more caution? Today, I will squeak the breaks all the way down a hill. I don't want to go too fast! Some of that caution I've learned is a good thing, but I think there are several things I need to revive from my childhood to make my life a little more fun, silly, and fulfilling.

 Here are some of the things I thought of:

• Writing down my hopes and dreams on a regular basis. I kept a journal from the age of 8 through college but stopped writing after I got married. 
• Singing and Dancing. All the time, every chance I could get. 

Doing the locomotion at one of our "dessert theater" productions for the neighbors

• Spending hours upon hours with my friends. It helped that we were in school all day together, but then we wanted to spend as much time together as possible after school. I remember walking my friend Ruth home and then she would walk me halfway back to my house. 
• Praying uninhibited. This is one where I think I've matured in my prayer life in a lot of ways because I'm more intentional, I don't just ask for what I want all the time, and I've grown to have a closer relationship with God. However, when I was younger I would just pray about whatever, whenever, and I never worried what I said or how I said it. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing.
• Getting bored. Ok, I don't think I've ever been bored in my life, but when I was younger I had time on my hands to just sit and contemplate the meaning of life, or the color of my walls, or the color of my crush's eyes. ;)
• Laughing as much as possible. My friends and I were always laughing and being silly. We would quote something funny and laugh hysterically. My friend Sarah was the best at this. She had a quote for every situation. Actually, I don't think it mattered if it fit the situation, we would still laugh. Here is my favorite Sarah quote that I still use today: Sarah was at a restaurant (Shoney's maybe?) and was coming out of the bathroom as a woman was entering and ran into her. The woman said, "Uh oh, Cooz me baby!" It's really better when it's said with some attitude. It'll make me laugh even though I wasn't even there when it happened! That also just shows that Sarah is a good story teller. 

The girls I went to Elementary School with

I'm sure the girls I went to school with will be very happy to see the pictures I've chosen to share of them! ;) It just portrays the silliness and fun we had together.

The girls I went to High School with

So, in the effort to share more fun and silliness here are two videos that will bring out your youthful spirit. The first one is from FemFusion Fitness and is about 8 minutes long. It is a great stretch to make you feel good and put a smile on your face.

 The next one combines my love of yoga and Harry Potter. This is a great one to get kids interested in yoga, but also is just a fun way to bring some magic into your day! She has several videos with other themes (Star Wars, Frozen, etc.)

Finally, Meet Meddy Teddy! With the intention to teach kids about yoga and mindfulness, this adorable bear will bend and stretch into every yoga pose imaginable. You know you want one!

From MeddyTeddy.com

Exercise should be fun. It shouldn't be boring, stressful, or something you have to drag yourself out of bed to do. It should push you and challenge you, but it should also motivate you, relieve stress, and have you feeling renewed and refreshed! I'm going to refuse to let exercise be a chore, but allow myself to enjoy it, have fun, and let go of my inhibitions.

Can we do that in life as well? Let go of anything that is holding you back and make time for what really matters! What's on your list of things that will help you revive that youthful spirit?

Running to Escape

Cody escaped from the house and joined me on a pre-surgery run.

The word escape brings an image to my mind of a prisoner breaking free or running away from someone holding you captive. I suppose escape could bring about nice images like a vacation on the beach, but when I think of escape I'm more focused on what I'm trying to get away from than where I'm going to go. 

What am I trying to get away from? This feeling of needing to escape wells up inside of me. Sometimes it comes on urgently and it breaks me down to a sense of hopelessness. Other times it is very gradual and is a slow feeling of restlessness, a growing need to get the heck out of here.

I don't think I'm alone in this. How many of us read Eat, Pray, Love or Wild and immediately started planning (in our daydreams) an adventure of our own, an escape from reality and responsibility? A pursuit of finding ourselves and indulging our selfish nature.

 
I think the reason I don't picture the end destination when I think of escape is because it's an illusion. A week on the beach is nice, but temporary. Even a soul searching journey, while I'm sure would be a great adventure, wouldn't really get me anywhere substantial. I want something that can't be achieved on this earth. I see a shadow of it in treasured moments with my family and friends, finding beauty in exploring nature, laughing at a funny book or movie, or yes, enjoying a really great vacation. I can soak those moments in and try to create as many of them as possible, but it's fleeting. 

Enjoying a really great vacation with Dad and Luke in Maine.

When that itch to escape comes on I could try to take control of the situation and start making plans to get out of my discomfort, but most likely I need to turn my back on that feeling and embrace the reality of my circumstances. This is where you suck it up and keep moving forward, where you "hit the wall" and push through it. 

As runners, we train our bodies to endure these moments. We learn to recognize the difference between hitting our limit and stopping before we injure ourselves, and hitting that metaphorical wall that causes our mind to think we've had enough when really we need to dig down deep and just keep moving.

Let me introduce you to Pop Pilates with Cassey Ho. The YouTube video below actually made me cry the first few times I did it. Cassey will make you feel the burn, and sometimes that is just what our bodies need. The move that she does in this video is called "prisoner position". No wonder I wanted to escape from it immediately. There are workout videos I've disliked and never returned to, but I knew this one was good for me. I kept at it until I could actually complete the whole video without putting my leg down (or crying). :)

Too much?? Cassey does have beginner workouts, so don't be intimidated. I'll warn you that when I first watched her I was pretty annoyed by her insane perkiness, but it's all for a purpose to distract you from what is happening to your muscles! She will make it worth your time and most videos are short 10-20 minutes. Pop Pilates for beginners is a great place to start: 

Right now I am still not allowed to run or do any hard core workouts. I'm walking, doing yoga, and stretching! I can taste it though, just around the corner...I think I'll be running soon. My body is ready to be pushed. It is restless and longing to hit the pavement. For my mind, running provides a temporary escape from the stress of life. For my body, it reminds me that escape isn't necessary. That I can endure some pain and discomfort, I can persist through it, and come out a little bit stronger on the other side.

Wake up and get moving!

I've been told numerous times, by very wise and knowledgeable people, that there are two things I should do first thing in the morning, before anything else: Bible study and Exercise. 
(my dad would probably add "brush your teeth", but I think that's a given)  

I argued against this logic for years because I am not a morning person. I value my sleep and try to get as much of it as possible. It is not just that sleep is good for you (research shows benefits for your brain, your heart, and even your waistline, see this article from the NIH), but I ENJOY sleeping. I really love it. Sleep is not a waste of time or something to feel guilty about. 

However, the wise people in my life were right, if I don't prioritize certain activites, the day will get away from me and I won't find time for them. It is all too easy to downgrade important things like sleep, exercise, and time with God into luxuries instead of priorities. I don't think it has to be that way. For me, it just means I have to get to bed at a decent hour to get all of the glorious sleep I need!  

I would like to share my morning routine with you, but before I do I think it's important to stop here and watch a funny animal video. Watching cute and funny animals should always be a priority and this one will help get you in the Christmas spirit, so enjoy!
 
 

 

Don't you feel better? Now, here is my morning routine:
I wake up and read whatever Bible passage I'm currently reading and then have time in prayer. For a long time, I actually wrote down a prayer and read it every morning because I had trouble knowing what to say and was getting distracted. Every now and then I'll still go back to that written prayer, but I've found the more I pray, the easier it gets. Just like getting to know a friend better and better, the conversation gets easier. 

Next, I get out of bed and do hip circles, squats, and a plank. Sometimes the hip circles happen while I'm brushing my teeth. What are hip circles? Click here. If I'm going to get in a run or walk for the day it has to happen NOW, in the morning. Ideally, I would walk everyday for 30 minutes, but reality is that I'm more likely to do it every other day. This is a great time to pray as well and perhaps just listen to what God has to say. I do my best listening when I'm outside. Somewhere like this:  
 

Family Life Center Hiking Trails

If I have more time in the morning I will do a workout video from youtube, but usually this doesn't happen until I get home from work in the evening. These videos can be as short as 4-6 minutes if I'm really crunched for time, but usually are around 10-15 minutes. 

All of the above links go to FemFusion Fitness videos. Dr. Brianne Grogan is a physical therapist whose motto is, "Eat Clean, Move Everyday." She has fantastic workout videos for all levels, plus advice on clean eating and other topics related to women's health. She has videos I've been able to do even when I feel pretty bad and I still feel like I'm getting a good workout. She is a huge proponent of integrating movement into your day with things like taking the stairs, parking further away, and adding exercise into something you already do, such as her bathroom fitness routine.  For a good place to start, check out her cardio-abs for beginners video:
 

 
That's my routine. Make it a priority and it will happen! How do you fit exercise into your day?

Moving Down Memory Lane

This week Luke and I brought our daughter down to Valdosta, GA to spend time with my family and celebrate Thanksgiving. It was my mom's favorite holiday and is full of traditions for our family. When you have happy memories to look back on it makes traditions feel important and special. Traditions remind us of those good times together, of family and friends who are no longer with us, and help us feel connected to one another through the special times we have shared. Most of our family traditions involve food. Thanksgiving is an obvious food focused holiday, but we can pretty much make any celebration revolve around food: Chili and guacamole on Super Bowl Sunday, sugar cookies for Christmas, Mexican food for many special occasions, and Krispy Kreme donuts anytime the sign says they're hot! It's a good thing my dad has instilled the tradition of running into our family!

Cooking squash casserole from mom's recipe.

My brother makes whipping up all of our favorite 
Thanksgiving foods look easy!

To work up our appetites we often participate in a Turkey Trot 5K or when we were young we would watch dad run the Atlanta Thanksgiving Half Marathon. This year I wasn't able to run, but Luke joined the Jackson family runners.

Dad, Bryce, Luke, Sydney, Landon, and Parker 2016 Turkey Trot

Dad taught me to run. I started my miles in Clarkston, GA, running through the neighborhood or on the PATH trails in Atlanta. The purpose of those miles culminated in the ultimate annual event of the Peachtree Road Race every July 4th. The Peachtree is one of my favorite family traditions. We watched dad run every year. His first year running it was in 1976. My first year running the Peachtree was in 1994 for the 25th anniversary.

My brother Mark greeting dad at the finish line in 1977.

Ryan, Mollie, and I congratulate dad after he finished the Atlanta Thanksgiving Half Marathon in 1993.

Luke and I celebrate our one month wedding anniversary July 4th 2006.

Showing off our t-shirts after the 2006 Peachtree.

Dad has run countless miles in marathons, 10Ks, and 5Ks. He is still running around Dasher, GA everyday, and after having knee surgery added bicycle riding to his routine. This man is my inspiration and has never made me doubt that I could do anything I put my mind to. I was never a particularly athletic child. I attempted playing various sports, but fell short in my abilities for team sports. Dad never stopped encouraging me to get out and play! I finally found my groove in running and have attempted to follow in dad's footsteps mile after mile. 

Dad at the finish of a triathlon with his best cheerleader.

Joining dad for the BRAG: Bicycle Ride Across Georgia.

Dad took me with him on the final leg of the BRAG: Bicycle Ride Across Georgia in 2003. I never would have thought I could bike 60+ miles in one day, but dad taught me how to ride and motivated me mile after mile to the finish line in St. Marys, GA. In 2012 I was able to join dad for the Atlanta Thanksgiving Half Marathon. No longer just a spectator, I was able to participate in this annual tradition with him.

Atlanta Thanksgiving Half Marathon

Taking Cody for a run in Dasher a few years ago.

Dad walked with me on my first walks after surgery. Hopefully he will join us when we travel to Germany to run my marathon! I'll need my first running partner and coach there to cheer me on. Today he took my brother and Luke out on Luke's first bike ride on the road since his wreck.

First road bike ride since the wreck!

My dad inspires me to keep moving. He taught me the love that is running and the life lessons that go along with it. Just put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward. I love the quote below that hangs up in my Physical Therapy office.

Keep moving one day at a time, one step at a time.