One Tough Run

I went for a 7 mile run this morning at 9am.  Never did I think the HEAT and HUMIDITY would be so bad at that time of day.  I really did not think I'd be able to complete my goal.  In my mind, all I did was whine and complain and think about quitting early.  It was soooo hard!  Seriously, running twice that distance was easier just because it wasn't so hot.  Then, I thought, "well...I am running this for God...I'm out here miserable and sweating my brains out for Him...maybe praying for strength will help me finish".  So I did..and I did! 
It is so easy to forget to lean on God for even the simplest things.  He is ALWAYS there for us..in ALL of our weaknesses.  One of my Incline youth kids wrote a verse on Facebook this morning and it stuck with me..thank you Danny :-)

Matthew 11:28
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Here's a little story for your amusement ;-)
I thought running in the sun was near impossible so I decided to run down the road instead since it was all shade.  I was attacked!!!   The bugs were sooo bad that I had to abort that route asap and go back to the sun!  I must have looked hilarious running, ducking, weaving, speeding up, slowing down, and flailing my arms around to get the bugs and bees away from me.  All I could think was, either I smell like roadkill and they want to feast on me or they know something I don't and I'm about to BE roadkill, passed out from the heat and they want first dibs on my carcass.  I'll be investing in some very strong bug spray very soon!

Boyce Park

I do most of my running in Boyce Park because it's almost in my backyard.  I wanted to share with you some pictures of my favorite Boyce scenery.  Well, this is my favorite scenery minus all the trails I run when the weather is more dry.  At the rate this spring is going, it's going to be a very long time before I see the woods!

Join me as I take you on a short tour of "my training turf".

The entrance to the park.

River that runs through the park.
I see it when I run along Pierson Run Road.

Deer.
The fact that I actually got a picture of them inspired me to take pictues and make this post.

This big hill is along side the big hill that I dread running up.
I thought it was so pretty with the fog and sky that morning.

This is the Boyce ski area. 
I watched many skiers take to these hills throughout my winter running.

An access road for the park maintanance and police vehicles.
Pretty scenery.

Beginning of the trail named "Silver Beaver".  I'll always wonder how it got it's name.
Love this trail...it's half paved and half gravel so I can run it during wet weather.

At the top of another hill.

Pretty tree on a hill.
I like to imagine myself sitting at that picnic table with nothing to do :)
haha, that day will neverrrr come

The log cabin on Pierson Run Road.

Of course the best scenery of all is at home.  My family!! 
This is what I came home to after that particular picture taking run.
Left to right:  Cocoa, Meredith, Matt, Caroline

I am fortunate to have such a great place to do all this training and thank God every day for the fantastic supportive family I have to come home to after each run!