Day-40: Did I Mention I Enjoy Jogging?

I do, I enjoy jogging. 

I've never considered myself to be a natural runner but I enjoy it. I like that when I'm running that's all I am able to do, it’s "me" time. When I go for jog I like to listen to audio books or music fine. Mostly I run by myself but I'm not opposed to running with others. 

In my life I've:

• Run the Grand Rapids Marathon twice (full marathon)
• The 5/3 Riverbank Run three times (25k)
• The Elk Rapids, Harbor Days 10K once
• Random 5k's - ten to fifteen times 

I think I'm an athletic person. Still, I do not consider myself to be a natural runner. I look at others and see natural runners, when I look into a mirror I do not see one.  When it comes to my running I have three things going for me: self-awareness, stamina and determination.

• Self-Awareness: I know my body, when I'm doing something athletic I can listen to my body and tell how tired I am, what I have left in the tank and what hurts.   
• Stamina: I have good stamina, even when out of shape I get oxygen to the necessary places in my body. With minimal exercise my stamina quickly increases.
• Determination: I was a college wrestler and if nothing else I know how much abuse I can take and still keep moving forward. I know how hard I can push my body and still have it do what I need. I know how much output can be achieved even when my tank is hovering around empty. 

Knowing these three things is important because I recently started running again.  Running on a liquid diet is not easy. I have limited energy at my immediate disposal. I have limited reserves to access. I have to listen hard to my body and wonder how much is left to use.

I've been running for about two weeks and have logged the following: 4.05, 3.57, 5.75, 3.53, 3.55, and 7.25 Miles. May 10th is the 5/3 Riverbank Run and I hope to make that weekend is completion #4. 

Other than expediting my weight loss running is important to my journey. I hate struggling with things and each run is a struggle. Having no extra energy and running is not easy and the "me time" of the endeavor allows for thoughts as to why I'm doing this. 

I miss food, I miss snacks, I'm annoyed with not eating, but for the last two weeks I've been pleased with nearly every other emotion attached with what I'm doing. Jesus was in the desert for 40 days without food and came back into civilization for dinner, betrayal, pain and to complete the prophecy. I have V8, Slimfast, Beer, Soups and Milkshakes - when I'm running I hurt and those moments give me even more appreciation as to why I'm doing this. 

Jesus had 40 days without food and was accosted with temptation and challenges from a being nearly as powerful as him and significantly more powerful than me.  I think I can limp though a couple more runs and handful more days of only liquids. 

Started the day at 187 LBS.