The value of cross training

Sorry I haven't blogged for awhile, life has been rather hectic and not with marathon training. My first big news is that my dad and mom arrived safely from South Africa and I am blessed to have them with me for three weeks.
We have done a big camping trip with them up to Turquoise Lake near Leadville and there I did some cross training, a lot of canoeing and a hike up to Hanging Lake. Hanging Lake is one of my favorite places, it is a tough hike up to the top but the view at the top is so amazing. It totally makes the hike worthwhile. As you get to the top, you are treated to the most amazing blue green lake that looks like it is suspended on the mountain. I was so proud of my dad and mom, they did such a great job and actually my kids did a great job too, well done girls.

I have also added swimming to my training, so every Monday I am swimming 50 laps at the local rec center and then taking part in a Zumba class. I know it is good to have fun while keeping fit and Zumba certainly is a party.

Today was the true test of cross training, Scott, my dad and I decided to do a 50km (30 mile) bike ride from our house, to Chatfield dam and then home again. Sounds easy, well that is what I thought, I guess I just assumed that I have been doing a lot of running and that riding 50km shouldn't be a problem. Oh how wrong I was! The bike ride started with a steep climb up to the top of Fox Hollow golf course, so far so good. Ok it was rather humbling to have my dad riding right behind me, in fact he even passed me up the hill. And I really felt like I was peddling my heart out. Anyway I did have a bit of an emotional breakdown about half way through the bike ride, my dad and Scott were far ahead of me and there was a really steep hill in front of me. I just felt like I couldn't keep going anymore and I guess I just felt like wow if I can't bike ride this distance how am I going to manage running a marathon.
Well I caught up with Scott and my dad and they encouraged me, I had something to drink, had a good cry and then wiped my eyes and got back on my bike and kept peddling. As Scott said it is good mental training for the marathon. I think in life we are faced with difficult situations and we have a choice to make, do we just quit, or do we keep going. I really believe that God wants us to keep going, keep trusting in Him and know that "we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength." Philippians 4:13. I kept repeating that scripture over and over again as I as out there riding. And do you know what, I finished that bike ride and felt so great afterwards, so my advice to all of you whether you are training for a marathon or a 10km run or even just going through some tough times right now, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and run the race He has called you to run and don't give up the reward is worth it.
I must also add it was a real blessing to be able to bike ride with my dad. He has always been one of the people who has inspired me to never give up. I did sleep for about two hours that afternoon.

So over the past few days I have enlisted the help of my whole family in my training program, we have done some family bonding time, my dad and mom on the bikes, Amy and Emma on their bikes, Chloe in the stroller which either Scott or I push and it has been so fun to all be out together, enjoying the beautiful scenery and actually just being together. The photos in this post are from our last 10km run up the South Platte trail just below Hudson Gardens.
So as I have said before I think it is so valuable to have the whole family involved in your training, it really does motivate you to keep going.  Next week I will be able to do a few long runs as my dad and mom will still be staying with us, so I have some baby sitters.

An encouraging scripture for the day:
Hebrews 12: 1-2 "....let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith..........."