Workout update: A Week of Running and Swimming

"For me, running is a lifestyle and an art. IÂ’m far more interested in the magic of it than the mechanics."
Lorraine Moller, Olympic Marathoner

This week I totaled 21 miles running, 5 miles walking, and was able to swim twice. It was great to be able to run outside in the mild weather that blanketed Pennsylvania this week. Also, to get in a pool and stretch my muscles and swim was incredible. I am not training for anything in particular right now, but I am lining up my races for next year: the Cherry Blossom Ten-Miler, maybe the St. Patricks Day 10k, and hopefully a sprint triatholon this summer.

Today, Cynda and I ran the 6 miler loop of Peace Valley Park in Doylestown, PA. The path dipped up and down weaving in and out of woods along a man-made lake. We got the run in right before the rain started.

I know I have mentioned this before, but running, walking, swimming, or any type of exercise is a great release for me...moments of contemplation, of pushing your body, of seeing results...and a path to better mental health. The ability to get out and experience this every day this week was in a way very "magical."

Wishing everyone a festive and safe night!

A Quick Note on Families

Desmond Tutu once said, "You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them."

For some reason I feel that even if I could have selected my family, I would not have been wise enough to put together such a wonderfully unique group of individuals. This week Tim and I travel to both sides of our families. Despite partiality, our families are certainly filled with special people...people who are gifts from God. Living with one other person of the same age for three years, I have forgotten how much I learn from those younger and older than me, and what a delight it is to be in their company.

Again, safe travels to everyone this holiday season.

Our Light and Our Life

We have arrived at our holiday destination, Sewickley, Pennsylvania. We will stay here for several days....days of reading, running, dinner chats, catching up with family, listening to Christmas music, and sitting by the fire.

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas, a restful and relaxing holiday, and many precious memories with family and friends.

"There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I am here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you are to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger." The Story of Jesus' birth, told by Luke. Version: The Message.

* To my family further east down the turnpike...I will miss you all very much. I hope that you have fullfilling days of fun, food, laughing, and conversation. I love you!

Weekend in Doylestown, PA

Preserved House on the Worthington Farm

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul." John Muir

Muir, who was actually born in Scotland but made his mark on US soil, was the voice for the protection of Yosemite and other parks and environmental areas. Although his organization, the Sierra Club, is loathed by many today and rather radical, Muir's ability to see the importance of nature to man's soul WAS rather radical for his time. Muir Woods, a beautiful 12 mile expanse of redwoods on the pacific coast near San Francisco is named after Muir. This fairy tale forest has miles of trails that rejuvinate and give strength. Tim and I visited Muir Woods on our honeymoon and spent hours climbing up and up on the trails until you get glimpses of sea.

Recently I have been relying on the outdoors to give me strength. Spending a day outside walking and running in Doylestown, PA did more for me than three night's sleep. Walking around the Worthington's farm, attempting to run on a iced path, and running up and down hills of nothing but grass and farmland was incredibly soothing and in a way spiritual. I have always felt closest to God outside running, feeling my muscles move in and out, back and forth.

There are several places where I feel this even more (I think Geoff once time called these places something, but I can't remember now): On the streets of my parents neighborhood in Havertown, Pennsylvania; in Maine as I smell the pine trees; on the golf courses and beaches of Carmel; on the streets of misty England and Ireland; and along the lakes of the Adirondacks. I am always thankful that God has given us these places, these times and moments away from everyday life. They motivate us, change us, and give us strength.

Below are pictures from our weekend in Doylestown, PA.

The Worthington Farm

Dusted Candles and Moravian Stars

A Muddy Sherman

A Worthington/Meffen Christmas

Worthington Decorations

Kuyper

I have been trying to keep my head above water the last couple of weeks. Running from Christmas event to Holiday party, dinners with family, weekends with friends, packing and unpacking, weddings and more weddings, checking out interns, and work. This morning my head is spinning.

We didn't even put up a Christmas tree this year...there was not much time. And going to the Home Depot in the middle of DC, literally dodging bullets on our way and trying to pick out a Christmas tree, pay for it, and put it on our car before someone steals our car did not sound like fun this year. I didn't even get a wreath.

I did however get a balsam fur candle. Our friends joke with us. Everytime Cody comes over he says, "Wow, your tree smells so good."

To compensate for our lack of Christmas flair in our apartment, I have been hijacking the comfort of lighted trees and wreaths from friends and my office building. This weekend I stared at my friends gorgeous Christmas tree and her decorations, on some level thinking they were mine, thinking about putting the lights up and the ornaments on.

When I run in the evenings on the Capitol Mall, I stare at the Christmas tree in front of the Capitol and pretend it is in my living room. It looks beautiful against the backdrop of the Capitol. When I walk into my office at work I stare at the wreaths on the doors, pretending I put them there, pretending they are hanging on my door at home.

It is the event of cutting down a tree, hanging a wreath, and decorating that I miss. The hot chocolate and Christmas music in the background as you seperate your ornaments and gently place each one in its proper spot on the tree.

I am not even half way done with my Christmas shopping. Tim and I are both looking at a long week at work. Congress is still in, wrapping up business before they depart as well. We are also both trying to fit in workouts...preparation for long days of eating ahead.

Have you ever looked forward to just driving in a car? To not thinking, doing, or acting...to just being? I am looking forward to driving to Pittsburgh, then on to Philadelphia and Doylestown. I am looking forward to staring out the window...praying for things and people who pop into my head, listening to books on tape, talking with Tim. And I am looking forward to tomorrow, when life will hopefully slow down.

"Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done..."--C. S. Lewis, from a letter "To Mrs. L."

A Wonderful Life in Roanoke

The past couple of days have included a lot of friends, family, and eating! Becca came to town. We all walked arm in arm to the restaurant and home, sheilding the wind and cold. We had a wonderful dinner and conversation...I could have talked for hours more.

Friends came to town the next day. We were all gathering to drive down to Roanoke to see our friend perform in A Wonderful Life. The drive was beautiful, we were guided by the mountain range. We were constantly laughing...the kind of hard laughter that is silent and makes you cry... the laughter that only comes from years of knowing someone and feeling comfortable. It was so nice to be around close friends. A warm feeling, a constant warm hug, one that makes you smile.

A Wonderful Life was well, wonderful. The music and singing were difficult yet the actors and actresses all played their parts extremely well. Some of us got teary eyed at the end. It is such a wonderful story with a meaningful and important message.

We walked around the streets of Roanoke. They were decked in holiday color, lights, and decoration. It was a great way to ring in the Holidays.

First snow in Washington, DC

First snow in Washington, DC

Wind

"Cypress, Wind and Seak", limited edition on canvas by Steve Memering.

"Just got back from the windy city. The windy city was mighty pretty, but it ain't got what we got here." From the movie, Calamity Jane

This song popped into my head as I hit the streets the other night. It has been obsurdly warm here in DC, reaching the mid-70s during the day. It makes it hard to get in the Christmas spirit, but quite-perfect weather for running. My legs have finally healed although I do still feel a twang in my knees, and it feels great to get out and run again.

However, the wind is not absent from the warm fall weather we have been having. It makes running twice as hard, but I guess you reap twice the rewards? A 3-mile run feels like 5 miles and your body has to work overtime. It is somewhat eery running on a dark windy night with only the light of the Capitol and Washington Monument to guide me, leaves swirly around...kind of like a scene out of the Wizard of Oz. It adds a sense of adventure to my runs...for the moment.