You Can Do This

 There never was a better time.   You can do this. Don't look to the right or left.  Put all force forward, one step ahead of the other.  Don't quit; don't make excuses to retreat to ease and comfort.  Embrace the pain.  It's part of life. Grit your teeth. Deal with it.  Don't be humbled by it.  Be humbled only by God and all He can do with even poor material like you.  

Move on, keep moving on; forward.  Accept His help.  Depend upon His promises no matter what today looks like.   Live out your faith in trust in Him to get you through this no matter what happens. Nevertheless.   

You are tempted for lesser days on every side by family, friends, social media, and mostly your own lack of courage and laziness.    Get over yourself and your comfort and conformity addiction.  Move on.  Your prayers have been answered with "Trust me."  You can do this. Praise God and keep moving forward.

Cold Thoughts- For the Good Days

 Ice on the steps and I am wondering when the power will go off.  With all the high-tech new and improved plastic everything, I wonder why, more than ever, we have trouble keeping the power on. So, I am stuck in the house, thankful for a fireplace and the hope that winter won't last forever.  

I did a couple hours on my trainer bike last night which left me hopeful.  Today, I am living the old man in me, and need to get moving.  I haven't done much but read, check my phone, and take a nap.  If this is a normal day for an 80-year-old, I really won't make that turn in life well.  I don't know how people do it.  Maybe they just feel worse than I do? Maybe illness and disability over time have taken the stinger out of the bee in their lives.

And two, I don't see how folks live up north where this weather as normal winter fare. So I have sat here, thought about it, and written myself into feeling blessed.  

I am blessed I have that hot coal in my heart that wants more, that is intensely dissatisfied with lethargic living.  I am blessed to live where I do, where this kind of raw weather will pass into beautiful days; days for good training; days outside with good people who care for me.  God thank you for the hope within in me - for the good days, now and every more.

Ironman Waco 70.3 - Silly Me I Think It Will be OK

 How can this be?  A new beginning and the first fresh day of a new year and I forgot to do my strength and flexibility regimen.  I also messed around until it was too late to do my indoor bike ride. So, the New Year's question is: am I really that committed to going all in for a half-ironman event.  It doesn't look like it from here, today, no, not at all.

And I don't seem all spun up over my negligent behavior.  Maybe I really don't want this bad enough?  Maybe I know I am over the hill and realize that this is all one big facade where I try to act like a younger man without significant injuries?  But it is most likely part of the wisdom that comes with all this aging stuff.  Silly me, I think it will be OK.  

Of course, I did run on my trails for the first time in a few weeks.  Painful but tolerable, not bad.  Glad I faced that one down for now.  Plus, I did about 40 minutes of good mountain bike riding.  I split firewood for a spell and worked with my tractor before coming in for the night.  So, the day wasn't a complete waste.  I ate clean today and feel good as I ready for bed.  I am at peace about my half-Ironman 70.3 training, as it is months away.  And I gave all this to God, win, lose, or whatever, a long time ago.  Since it is essentially out of my hands, Silly me, I think it will be OK.