This weekend I did a 5K that served as a stark reminder that I do have a heart condition and I do need to take it easier than I really want to. I really don't even like admitting I'm dealing with CHF or any kind of heart issue. I've tried to talk all my doctors out of that diagnosis and no one will budge off of it. Saturday's race has helped me refocus and I'm spending this week resting and regrouping. Here's how it all went down. My blood pressure has been running a bit high and was up a little at my cardiologist appointment last week. He didn't offer me any meds for it as he knows I want to manage it, if possible, with diet and exercise. I was also given some paperwork for being overweight . That kind of hurt my feelings. lol. But I am barely at that marker and if I lose one pound I'm not in the overweight category. (Side note - I've lost 5 pounds since then! lol) Some of it can be water retention - which should also be a clue I pay attention...

I don't think I have ever taken a full week off by choice! Why would you not do something that you love so much and that pumps you so full of energy? But with the recent back to back races and extra training plus the pain in my back (the real reason) I decided to take this entire week off to rest. My body actually has appreciated it! It's funny how a little bit of real rest without pressure to perform can give you such a boost for the next phase! I can't wait to pound some pavement next week. And it's even okay to just run 3 or so miles each morning. Then the next week I'll bump it back up. Well I do have another half marathon to train for you know! I've always overrated rest. It seems so unnecessary and there's so much more that could be accomplished while sleeping or resting! But this week it's almost like my body has told me "thank you." Hebrews talks about a rest for God's people. I have to wonder if it's something like this fe...

I had my shoes on and was all ready to hit the pavement this morning when the aid called and said she couldn't come today as she had a family emergency. She's my relief. I am the caregiver for my son who was in a tragic accident two and a half years ago. And since she cannot come this morning I don't get to get out today at all. Actually, his accident is why I started running to begin with. After I fell in love with running I found out what a great stress reliever it has been...but I cannot run today...so what now? Running helps all the tension run out of my body somehow. I can run four or five miles and am mentally, physically and just all around refreshed! I have found running to be great at relieving stress, mentally - just pounding the pavement for an hour or so and I can solve all the world's problems! lol! So when I have a day like today I wonder if I am coming to rely too much on running for relieving stress. Is that possible? With the back injury I will prob...