Archive for the 'The Fit Life' Category

July 12, 2008 @ 11:32 am | Filed under: Family, The Fit Life

A year ago this week, I began running. Looking back, it makes me laugh to think that I could scarcely run sixty seconds straight without running out of breath and out of steam.

These days I continue to run a steady and consistent 3-4 miles several times a week. Running has given me so much: better health, better mental clarity, and…has bonded me in a special way with Braxton!

This is a picture of Braxton with his proud parents, Brian and Stefanie (my cousin.) On Friday, Braxton ran in his regional track finals and I went to watch.  Braxton ran a 6:20 mile and I couldn’t have been more proud if he’d been my own son!

Way to go, Braxton!

Tags: Family, running, track meets

March 21, 2008 @ 10:43 am | Filed under: The Fit Life, The Solid Rock

“Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been more than conquerors, we feel almost despondent. I feel that I shall never be like that. But they won through step by step.  By little bits of wills.  Little denials of self.  Little inward victories. By faithfulness in very little things. They became what they are. No one sees these little hidden steps. They only see the accomplishments, but even so, those small steps were taken. There is no sudden triumph, no sudden spiritual maturity. That is the work of the moment.”

                              —from the journal of Amy Carmichael, as quoted in Holy Sweat: The Process of Peak Performance

“What is WRONG with me?” I limped into the house, scraped my running shoes off of my feet, and all but collapsed on the living room floor. “I don’t understand this.”

“Your knee again?” Mike had become quite adept in noticing when my right knee - the definite weakness in my body - was once again making its presence known.

“Not just my knee. It’s both legs.”

This was Saturday and, for the third day in a row, I’d suffered a horrible case of shin splints. I’d not felt this kind of discomfort (and, at times, downright pain) since last summer when I was in the beginning stages of training for the 5K.

“Last Saturday I ran 4 miles, without even thinking about it.” I was in full-on whine mode and - unfortunately for him - Mike was the only one within earshot. “Today I ran only two and the last half I was in HORRIBLE PAIN.“

Irritatingly unfazed by my drama, my sweet husband had the good sense to just humor me. Or so…I thought…

“Okay, let’s think about this. Have you done anything differently this week?”

“No.”

“Are your shoes still in good shape? Are you lacing them properly?”

“Yes. To both.”

“Still stretching first, aren’t you?”

“Of course.”

“Hm.” Mike continues to be maddeningly unfazed even as I continue to bemoan my sudden, unexpected fall from runner-girl-goes-far status.

“Let’s go over this again. Have you done anything differently?”

Uh-oh.

A little niggling of something remarkably akin to discomfort began to worm its way through me.

“Well, have you?”

“Not really.” I hedged as much as I dared to. “I mean, I increased my speed…some.” The truth was that for the past week I’d spent three days on the treadmill, rather than outdoors, working on taking my speed from 5.2 to 5.6.

“Uh-huh, that’s what I thought. What about stretching? Are you compensating for the extra stress by doing extra stretching?”

“Not really.” This time I didn’t even try to hedge. The picture was becoming crystal clear and it was letting me know that I’d made some simple, stupid mistakes.

Not only had I not done extra stretching but I had become so comfortable and complacent in my running routine that I’d all but told myself I didn’t really need the stretching anymore.

“I get it.” I held up a hand in protest when my kineseology major husband opened his mouth to say more. “Believe me, I get it.”

And I did get it.

Before I ran early this morning - I followed ALL that I knew to be right. I spent the needed time in stretching. As I worked the muscles still sore from days of neglect and (okay, let’s call it what it was - abuse) I was struck by the odd feeling the stretching gave me.

It hurt…so good.

There was soreness, definitely. Even a few twinges of pain. But the longer I stretched, the better I felt about what I was giving to my body. It hurt…so good.

God began to speak to me like He does during times like these, this time giving me an analogy that was very personal, very timely. Very real.

These past weeks have been such a growing time for me. Over and over, I have found myself being challenged in ways that are taking me to a new level. He’s calling me to new places, new levels of ‘fitness’, new dimensions of awareness, and new endeavors.

At times it is pure delight. Still - many other times, it’s quite painful.

He’s shaking up my complacency, calling me to spend extra time in ’stretching’ in order to be flexible enough, limber enough, strong enough - for the course He’s setting me upon. I can’t get away from the feeling that He has much He wants to say to me, but I have to get myself out of the way in order to hear it all. I have to let down the masks I wear, the disguises that I use to hide my imperfections, my weaknesses. He wants me, real and honest.

He knows those ‘weak’ spots too. Just like my right knee, He whispers words of both, caution and encouragement and I know I’d be wise to listen, to pay attention to the ways I can compensate for those weaknesses. My weak spots need not be a hindrance; they can just serve as a reminder that my only chance of true strength is when I place myself completely under His care.

He’s calling me to something ‘different.’ All my past training is just that - in the past. This is a new thing - a fresh thing - and requires a fresh vision, fresh faith, a fresh anointing.

These are those baby steps, revisited.

But I’m excited. I want to be ‘more than a conqueror.’

That can only happen in those little steps.

Those little bits of wills.

Little denials of self.

Little inward victories.

By faithfulness in very little things.

This new call to more is not always comfortable.

There is soreness, definitely. Even a few twinges of pain. But the longer I spend in these new things, the better I feel about what I am giving to my soul.

It hurts…so good.

August 3, 2007 @ 7:01 am | Filed under: The Fit Life, Uniquely Me

Today is Friday, the third day of August, and I - Staci Wilder - just completed my first week of 5K training! Only…<gulp> EIGHT. MORE. gut-wrenching, sweat-drenching delightful. WEEKS.

Eight.

I can do this.

In honor of this effort, and the efforts of women everywhere who are trying to fight their way to fitness, here’s something to make us all smile! Enjoy!

A WEEK AT THE GYM: ONE WOMAN’S STORY

Dear Diary…

For my 40th birthday this year, my husband purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me. Although I am still in great shape since playing on my college tennis team 20 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.

I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Joe, who identified himself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swimwear. My husband seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started!

The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress…

MONDAY

Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Joe waiting for me. He is something of a Greek god - with blond hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile.

Woo Hoo!!

Joe gave me a tour and showed me the machines. He took my pulse after five minutes on the treadmill. He was alarmed that my pulse was so

fast, but I attribute it to standing next to him in his Lycra aerobic outfit. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which he conducted his aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring!

Joey was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, all though my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time he was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week!!

TUESDAY

I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Joe made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air - then he put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Joey’s rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT!!

It’s a whole new life for me.

WEDNESDAY

The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn’t try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot. Joe was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. His voice is a little too perky for early in the morning and when he scolds, he gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying.

My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Joe put me on the stair monster. Why in the world would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators?

Joe told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. He said some other crud too.

THURSDAY

Joe was waiting for me with his vampire-like teeth exposed as his thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn’t help being a half an hour late. It took me that long to tie my shoes.

Joe took me to work out with dumbbells. When he was not looking, I ran and hid in the ladies room. He sent Muffy to find me. Then, as punishment, he put me on the rowing machine — which I sank.

FRIDAY

I hate that jerk, Joe, more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, little cheerleader! If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat him with it. Joe wanted me to work on my triceps. I don’t have any triceps! And if you don’t want dents in the floor, don’t hand me the bloody barbells or anything that weighs more than a Sonic Route 44 Diet Coke. The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn’t it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?

SATURDAY

Joe left a message on my answering machine in his grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing him made me want to smash the machine with my planner. However, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.

SUNDAY

I’m having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my husband will choose a gift for me that is fun — like a root canal or a hysterectomy.