The gyms might be closing...but I'm still running

 Sometimes I sit and stare at this computer screen and I am completely overwhelmed.  My heart is full of a whole range of feelings.  That is what this fall brought upon us.  My children are blessed to be able to go to in person school which is not the norm in our corner of the country.  Most students are in virtual school.  The oldest is in high school two hours a day.  There are no sports or extracurricular activities right now and barely any school events.  It is the bare bones of school instruction with masks and face shields, social distancing and lots of sanitizing.  Don't get me wrong--I am thankful.  When school started in September, I would take whatever they offered.  But I am not going to pretend I am not grieving the extras.

I am grateful I have a full time job.  It is not anything like being a teacher last year in my own classroom.  So much has changed that I feel like I am navigating through new territory and figuring out a new normal every single day.  I am also grieving what I once had and may not have for awhile.

I never would have dreamed the challenges of leading a church during a pandemic and watching my husband navigate through each one.  At the end of the summer my daughter said she was sick of hearing the phrase, "We're all in this together" because she witnessed one too many divisions.  That has crept into the church as well.  

Sometimes we are functioning with a skeleton crew and it reminds me of the days of the mid 2000s when we moved here and there were many volunteer needs.  I am wearing the hats of middle school youth group leader, nursery team member, and singing on the praise team (which I have not done since 2004).  Yet I think God fills us with strength when we need it and calls us to opportunities in the short term or long term.  When I see the sixteen energetic and eager middle schoolers file into the fellowship hall, I remember that calling.  These are the times I don't feel weighed down by COVID 19.

One thing I keep doing through all this is I run.  In the last eight months I have run through anger, pain, frustration, and yet joy too.  I have cried while I am running.  I have given thanks to God.  I have expressed my anger.  Some of my runs are a way for me to work out my feelings.  

I am grateful I can run.  Because sometimes I do not know what else to do.  Something so simple as putting one foot in front of the other, basking in God's creation, and hoping for an end to this draining pandemic is what I can do.  I will keep doing it.  Even though my gym is probably going to close yet again...and more things sadly seem to be shutting down around me...I will still run.

Running Update: 145 Mile Challenge

I am still planning on doing a total of ten races in 2020 for 10 10 Ministries.  I have learned to appreciate and even be motivated by virtual races.  The last race I completed was the PDX Sprint 145 Mile Challenge.  I had thirty days to complete it and I did it in 26 days.  They encouraged competitors to incorporate all three triathlon activities (swim, bike, and run).  I also included some hiking and walking.   

The highlight of this race was hiking and walking in Arizona especially in Prescott where 10 10 Ministries is located.  I had the honor of spending part of Labor Day weekend at one of 10 10 Ministries' retreat suites.  The rest, relaxation, visiting with Joey and Robyn, and basking in the beautiful southwest was what I needed.  I had no idea that a little over twenty-four hours after I came home, my beautiful state of Oregon would get ravaged by wildfires.  This is why last few workouts were indoors except for one walk in the smoke wearing a mask.  I felt like my neighborhood was ghost town.

Below are all the workouts I completed.  I kept track of them mostly for the sake of entering them correctly on the Why Racing website.  I did 3 miles of swimming, 84.71 miles of biking, 41.97 miles of running, 9.4 miles of hiking, and 6 miles of walking.

I had not run in 19 days.  After being stagnant for that long, it is difficult to start up again.  It is amazing how quickly motivation goes out the window.  I managed to get a run in this morning.  My next race is a virtual 5k on October 3rd.

Tuesday, August 18: Day 1

0.5 miles swimming at the Battlecreek Courthouse

1.5 miles biking back and forth from Salem, Swim & Tennis Club

Total = 2 miles (143 to go!)

Wednesday, August 19:  Day 2

27 miles biking with Salem Bicycle Club

Total = 29 miles (116 miles to go!)

Thursday, August 20: Day 3

4 miles run outside in the neighborhood

Total = 34 miles (112 miles to go!)

Friday, August 21: Day 4

5.4 mile hike in the Mc Donald Dunn Research Forest

1.6 mile bike ride to and from the pool

Total = 41 miles (104 miles to go!)

Saturday, August 22: Day 5

6 miles ran in the neighborhood

Total = 47 miles (98 miles to go!)

Sunday, August 23: Day 6

3 mile intervals at Wendy Kroger Park

Total = 50 miles (95 miles to go!)

Monday, August 24: Day 7

Rest! (Still 95 miles to go)

Tuesday, August 25: Day 8

Ran 4 miles in the neighborhood before work (it was hard to get up!)

Total = 54 miles (91 miles to go)

Wednesday, August 26: Day 9

Biked 20 miles with Salem Bicycle Club

Total = 74 miles (71 miles to go) - Over halfway!

Thursday, August 27:  Day 10

Ran 9 miles in the neighborhood (planned on doing 8 but it turned into 9!)

Total = 83 miles (62 miles to go)

Friday, August 28: Day 11

Biked 4.11 miles to and from the Crossler Track.  Ran 3.47 miles doing sprints/intervals around the track

Total = 90.5 miles (54.5 miles to go!)

Saturday, August 29: Day 12

Swam 1 mile at the Battlecreek Courthouse (it was tough--felt slow!! Also did weights)

Total = 91.5 miles (53.5 miles to go)

Sunday, August 30: Day 13

Ran 2.5 miles at Bush Park with friends.  Heather's first run!! 

Total = 93 miles (52 miles to go!)

Monday, August 31: Day 14

Rest

Tuesday, September 1: Day 15

Rest

Wednesday, September 2: Day 16

Biked 20 miles

Total = 113 miles (32 miles to go!)

Thursday, September 3: Day 17

Ran 10 miles (about 2 miles with Heather...starting to get hot...really struggled on the Mildred hills)

Total = 123 miles (22 miles to go!)

Friday, September 4: Day 18

Travel day to Prescott.  Was hoping to get a hike or walk in but too much traffic in Phoenix.

Saturday, September 5: Day 19

Hike = 4 miles

Hiked in Sedona.  I climbed up near the base of Cathedral Rock and walked along a the Easy Breezy trail.  Also walked up to the Chapel of the Holy Cross.

Total = 127 miles (only 18 miles to go!)

Sunday, September 6: Day 20

Walk = 4 miles through Prescott Lakes neighborhood

Total = 131 miles (14 miles to go)

Monday, September 7:  Day 21

Rest

I have to get 14 miles completed this week.  Should be doable but the air quality is terrible right now due to fires.  

Tuesday, September 8: Day 22

Swim = 1/2 mile

Total = 131.5  miles (13.5 more miles to go)

Wednesday, September 9: Day 23

Rest...a lot shut down due to the fires

Thursday, September 10: Day 24

Bike (stationary bike at the gym--air quality still bad) = 10.5 miles

Total = 142 miles (only 3 miles to go!)

Friday, September 11: Day 25

Walk two miles in the smoke with a mask on

Total = 144 miles...only one more mile!

Saturday, September 12: Day 26

Swim one mile!

Total = 145 miles.  Complete!

All that I could want but nothing that I need...

There's tarnish on the golden rule

And I wanna jump from this ship of fools

Show me a place where hope is young

And a people who are not afraid to love

This world has nothing for me

And this world has everything

All that I could wanted

And nothing that I need

(From This World by Caedman's Call)

    I live in one of the most beautiful states in the United States.  Oregon has breathtaking mountains, a picturesque coast, countless waterfalls, and miles and miles of hiking trails.  We do not have to travel far to bask in the beauty and flee from the busyness of the city.  A week ago we witnessed how gusty warm winds and the spark from downed power lines can ignite our wooded areas.  Little recreational towns we know and love were completely destroyed.

    When I go through challenging times in my life, God often puts some type of verse or song on my heart.  More often that not, it is a CCM song from the 1990s.  This time it was Caedman's Call "This World."  I found myself singing it often around the time the racial riots broke out in our town and the COVID pandemic continued to delay reopening our schools and businesses.  Now our beautiful state is on fire and our air quality is hazardous.  We have not seen a blue sky or a full yellow sun in a week.

  

        As beautiful as this world is, it will not ultimately give us everything we need.  The true hope of this world is only through Jesus Christ, the son of God.  If I don't have that, what else do I have? 

    Paul said in the book of Philippians that he learned to be content in all circumstances.   We do not stop and consider that world "learned."  It did not come naturally to him.  Yes, we are learning too.  In COVID, in rioting, in forest fires, in hazardous air quality, in numerous schedule changes, and in personal struggles we are learning to be content in every circumstance.  It can only be gained through a relationship with Jesus Christ.  

    This crazy season has caused much waiting.  I hear people constantly asking, "When?"  When will schools open?  When will I be able to go back to work?  When it will rain?  When will they be able to put out the fires?  When will there be a vaccine for COVID?  and the ever popular "When will life get back to normal." Whatever "normal" is or will become. We don't know.  Every day is simply a waiting game.  

    The love of the God the Father is not something we have to wait for.  It is guaranteed and it is freely given to us today.  Right here.  Right now.  Everyday.  No matter what we are going through.  There is no "When?" question about that.  When will God show up?  He is already here.

From Summer to Fall

 We are nearing of what has felt like one of the longest summers that I can remember.  Even though COVID 19 changed the summer we were dreaming of back in January, we made the most of it.  We managed to create some special memories.  

We did many outdoor activities including exploring local places.  I do not think we would have taken the time to do this had we been traveling extensively.  We spent many...in fact most...afternoons at the pool as a family.  It always allows us to bask in the sun, open up a good book, cool off, and play water games.  This summer  in particular, it allowed us to do something normal and forget about COVID 19.  I am grateful our local pool was able to open in mid June. 

Now on to fall where "back to school" is very different.  We are extremely grateful our children's school is offering in person schooling even if it is limited.  The oldest will be going to school two hours a day but all her course work will be in person.  There are no electives yet and very few sports or activities.  But we will take what we can get.  The younger two will be in regular in person school with some COVID 19 regulations in place.  I am teaching preschool but am a float teacher.  I will be circulating between four different classrooms.  If it were not for COVID, I would have my own classroom.  I see how everything is part of His plan for the fall...and maybe into the winter and spring.  Rob is still of course dealing with opening up our church one program at a time while keeping people healthy and safe.

I failed after the ninth week of summer to take a photo for each day as my daughter had challenged me in June.  I did take quite a few photos and I am posting them in order by date with a few stories behind the pictures...

Tuesday, August 11: When the pandemic hit in March Rob and I were playing Euchure online--a Midwest game I loved playing in college.  Not many Oregonians know how to play it much less have heard of it.  Then we ventured into learning Spades which we love even more.  We play a couple nights a week.

Wednesday, August 12:  I got a new tent for Christmas.  I took the younger two camping in early August.  Then they decided to set it up again and sleep in the backyard.  They slept in it two nights in a row and attempted a third night.  They did not make it all the through and slept most of that third night in their own beds.

Thursday, August 13: When Rob and I were doing the Oregon Coast challenge I did a few rides on the stationary bike.  I tried to take a picture of my mileage so I would remember.  Guess it helps to take the picture before the numbers change.

Friday, August 14:  Derek unsuccessfully trying to get Rob out of his lawn chair at the pool

Sunday, August 16. I am slightly obsessed with huckleberries.  They are very difficult to get because they only grow on high elevation.  I am told you have to watch for bears when you pick them.  Rob somehow got me some rom a mysterious person.  He baked them into cinnamon rolls and they were amazing!

Monday, August 17:  We took one of the little girls Hailey nannies to downtown and spent some time playing near the Willamette River.  

Thursday, August 20:  One of my favorite days of the summer!  Playing in Butte Creek in Scotts Mills.  Jumping and climbing off rocks.  It was such a refreshing afternoon.

Friday, August 21:  Rob and I did an intense hike in Corvallis.  We had no idea a lot of it would be uphill.  I was not even wearing hiking or running shoes. It was still nice to get away.

Saturday, August 22:  Celebrating Rob's birthday at the Yard.  Even though I did not take a picture of Rob.  Sad.  Will need to go back and try the waffle truck Derek and Kara went to.

Monday, August 24:  Beautiful red tomatoes from the garden that Hailey took care of while the owners were on vacation.

Thursday, August 27:  Loved this "cookie dessert flight" Rob and I ordered at one of our favorite restaurants in downtown Salem.

Tuesday, September 1: Beautiful day with friends at Neskowin.  Started the summer here and ended it here.

We are the COVID 19 teachers

How are we going to virtually teach this fall?  COVID 19 pulled the rug out from our classroom routines and activities. 

The "I can't do this" thoughts are a burden I sometimes carry in tough situations.  It is often other people such as co-workers, friends, and my husband who have more faith in me than I do in myself. In two different instances last year, my supervisor and my husband both told me I am not allowed to say, "I'm done.  I can't do this."

Last year as the summer was concluding, I was preparing to be a preschool teacher. I had the honor and pleasure of being an assistant for two school years to three amazing teachers.  They encouraged me to apply for a teacher position which I was offered that summer.  I had many fears of being the "teacher in charge."  Everything from challenging behaviors to working with difficult staff to doing assessments.  

The first day my preschoolers arrived I was excited yet extremely nervous.  I had several assistants and teachers including my supervisor helping corral children and teaching them the routine.  It felt like herding cats and honestly it was pure chaos.  We even had an escapee child who exited out the classroom door towards the parking lot.  Part of me looked at the day and said: "It can only get better from here.  I can make this work."  Another part of me felt defeated and said, "I can't do this."

Slowly over the next few months teaching preschool became manageable.  Not only manageable it became rewarding.  Then it became fun.  It reminded me of the early days when I did youth ministry.  I loved my job to the point I said, "Wow, it is so great I get paid to this!" My class went from chaotic, anxiety ridden, and unpredictable to an organized chaos of happy and excited children.  There were plenty of challenging days and stressful situations.  I did have a few, "I'm done. I can't do this" moments.  In the end, I was carrying more joy than sorrow. 

When COVID 19 hit in March and shut down our school, it felt sudden and without warning.  We had to think outside of the box and figure out our new role as remote teachers.  It was never a position that existed in our agency.  We were not even working from home prior to COVID.  We tried things that worked and others things that did not work at all.  Only seeing preschoolers via Zoom or looking out their front windows was hard.  Having our end of the year party virtually was the best we were able to do.  I never felt like I properly got to say good-bye.  I still feel an emptiness because of that.  

I think we all assumed COVID 19 would disappear and the new school year would begin in a somewhat normal fashion.  Everything is different.  Sanitizer, temperature checks, masks, separate baskets for each child, reduced class sizes, closed learning areas, less people allowed in the classroom, no circle time are some of the things that changed.  Not to mention some of us teachers don't even has a classroom.  We are virtual teachers and we are treading on new territory.  Whether we will remain this way until November or January or June or even longer is not determined.  Part of me is saying, "This is terrible.  This is not going to work" and the other part of me is saying "This is an adventure.  I really can do this."

We spent a lot of time creating activities to go in learning packets we delivered to their door

When we were hired as teachers we were given a job description.  Obviously virtual teaching, running a classroom during a pandemic and setting up zoom calls were not listed on that description.  Among other things. 

 It is pretty easy to say, "This is not what I signed up for."  But no one signed up for it..  

But what if we saw it as charting through new territory?  Exploring a new way of teaching and perhaps a new way of learning?  Making history as teachers who sought new ways to reach students during a somber time in our country? We are the COVID 19 teachers.  And my friends, we can make this work.

Running Update: Finishing the Oregon Coast and tackling PDX Sprint

 Rob and I completed the Virtual Oregon Coast challenge on Friday.  As a team we logged 350 miles in the duathon (run/walk/bike) category.  I went 218.68 miles and Rob went 134.11.  Most of Rob's workouts were riding the stationary bike at his gym (yes, we have separate gym memberships) and he did some walks around Salem on the weekends.  He did one bike ride with me the week he ended up in the hospital with diverticulitis.  The two did not have anything to do with one another.  However, it is impressive he biked fifteen miles when he was already showing symptoms.

My online certificate from the Oregon Coast challenge

My workouts included four rides with Salem Bicycle Club, one ride with Rob, one ride with my sister while I was in Michigan, and two rides on the stationary bike at my gym.  It also included a hike up Black Butte, a hike to all ten waterfalls at Silver Falls State Park, a walk with a friend in my neighborhood and lots of running workouts.  COVID 19 affected many of our summer plans, but it has been good for all of us to look back on all the opportunities we did have.

Hike Up Black Butte

What is next?  Originally I hoped to do an Olympic distance triathlon in 2020.  I have not done anything longer than a sprint tri.  That is typically a 1/4 mile swim, 12-15 mile bike ride, and 3.1 mile run.  An Olympic distance is double that.  Why Racing, another race company in our area, is putting on the PDX 145 mile challenge.  Portland, Oregon is 145 square miles.  The challenge is to run, bike and/or swim 145 miles and it must be completed in 30 days.

This challenge is an incentive for me to keep cycling and also get back in the water and swim.  I have done only three swim workouts all summer.  I have the running down already.

Some people have been very motivated to workout during this pandemic and some have not.  I have seen the question: "How do I get motivated?" on several message boards and among people I have talked to.  There is no quick fix answer.  For me personally, running is something I do and has been a part of my life for twenty years.  I gain much from it and that alone motivates me.  I know that is not true for everyone.

What I can say is that people need to be realistic what they can do and not set their goals too high.  If you have never run before or been stagnant for a long time, start with a run/walk rhythm or even simply walking at a brisk pace.  My first workouts were ten to fifteen minutes and I ran/walked to a gas station at the end of my street.  

Find a time that works for you.  Some of us need to work out in the mornings because we lose motivation as the day goes on.  However, in the winter months I love running in the afternoons.  Take advantage of it still being light in the evenings.  When I trained for marathons when my children were little, I would put them to bed and go running when Rob was home.  Sunset runs can be very picturesque.

It has helped Rob to have his gym close to our house.  It is a very short walk up our street.  He thinks if he had to get in the car and drive somewhere, he would be less motivated.  This has allowed him to work out in the mornings and not have to get up before 6 AM or work out over his lunch without extending his lunch break.  

For myself it has helped to have some "social workouts" mixed in with solo workouts.  I have biked mostly with other people this summer.  I sometimes run with a friend though I really enjoy running alone.  Before COVID I was swimming with a group of people which is probably why I have not been as motivated to swim.  I have had to put myself out there a bit and join groups or ask people to run with me.  When you meet people who enjoy what you do, you have this natural connection.  Some fellow cyclists, runners, and triathletes I met over the years are some of the nicest and most hospitable people I have met.  I have learned a lot from them.

  

Weeks 7, 8 & 9

One photo for each day in Summer 2020.  I have been somewhat successful in rising to Hailey's challenge but I have missed a few days.  Going through these photos helps me focus on what we HAVE been able to do versus all the things that got postponed or cancelled.  I really needed that these past few weeks as we learned at least one of our kid's school will be virtual this fall.  Back to school will not look the same as it has in the past.  Sometimes the news, social media. and people's opinions have a way of spiking my anxiety.  Then I focus on our mighty God who meets each and every single one of our needs and blesses us with multiple blessings.

Sunday, July 19: 11 mile bike ride on the Old Kent Trails in Michigan with my sister

Monday, July 20:  Tunnel Park in Holland.  I love Oregon and by far my favorite place I have lived thus far in my life.  But I will always miss Lake Michigan and was grateful for the few years Rob & I lived only a few miles from the shore.

Tuesday, July 21:  Craig's Cruisers!  Rob is CRAZY on go-carts.  He may or may not have gotten a warning from the attendant.

Wednesday, July 22:  Congratulations, Jordan!  We are so proud of you.

Thursday, July 23: Cousins playing together at Millennium Park in Grand Rapids

Friday, July 24:  Flying home from O Hare airport.  I always called this the "psychedelic room" when I was younger.

Saturday, July 25:  Spending an afternoon in downtown Portland.  Walking around Pioneer Courthouse Square.

Sunday, July 26th: Bring on the heat!  First time turning on the A/C.  I welcome the hot days.  

Monday July 27th:  Making chicken kabobs on the grill.  BTW--there is no picture for Tuesday the 28th.  This turned into a pretty miserable day when we found out the public schools were going virtual for the fall.  Although our kids are in private school and my job is not affiliated with the school district, their decisions greatly influence our kid's schools and the agency I work for.

Wednesday, July 29:  Derek built a computer and it has become a cool hobby he took on this summer

Thursday, July 30:  Rob and I went kayaking on Turner Lake!  Thankful for good friends who let us use their kayaks

Friday, July 31:  I climbed Black Butte with some friends.  It was a long 9.8 mile hike but we did awesome.

Saturday, August 1st:  Date night!  In order to encourage social distancing some our downtown restaurants have seating in the streets on the weekends.  We ate the Wild Pear for the first time.  There is no picture for Sunday, August 2nd and Monday, August 3rd.  I simply forgot.

Tuesday, August 4:  Watching my nephew's graduation on Facebook Live. 

 

Wednesday, August 5:  My cat sitting in the dark.  She has been our "COVID" cat brought comfort in a feline sort of way in stressful times.

Thursday, August 6:  Camping with the younger two at an organic farm we found on Hipcamp.

Friday, August 7:  Picking peaches at Olson's.  We picked TOO MANY!

Saturday, August 8:  Trying to can all the peaches I picked.