Am I the only person out there who relates every single event in life to my spiritual growth? Sometimes, I want to believe that events in life are just random and insignificant in meaning, But being an introspective thinker, I am always looking for the lesson...the opportunity to examine and grow.

You see, I don't do anything less than 100%. I tend to jump in with both feet and give whatever I am attempting to achieve, my all. I can be pretty extreme (everyone that knows me in real life now nods and agrees:) For example, I absolutely love cycling and would give my right arm to purchase a bike. My friend let me borrow one over the summer when I was having IT band issues. I enjoyed a few rides before going out on a 30 miler with my BRP Jenny. The ride was a breeze but I fell and broke my wrist and  Injury number 4 ensued. I had to have surgery.

Why is this an example you might ask? Well, because maybe my all or nothing attitude lead to a 30 mile bike ride...perhaps I should've just enjoyed cycling around town for a while. And maybe, just maybe I shouldn't have continued for 28 miles then ran a mile with a broken wrist...hmm, did I injure my head when I crashed?

So, four weeks ago when I started having pain, I wanted to smack myself for once again forgetting what my running journey is truly all about. You see, I started doing speed work again. I was very cautious about this and put it off as long as possible. My running group was ready to get back into these drills and I was nervous.

Once we started doing them, it felt so good to go fast again. With seeing miles in the 8's, I felt like I was flying. It was a great feeling of accomplishment and freedom.

But, I guess somewhere along the way, my speed became too important. I forgot the reasons I love running. Things like alone time with God, self discovery and just pure peace. This time, it wasn't weeks and weeks that I got to be lost in my self absorbed regimen and pride induced denial; it was only a period of weeks. Three weeks to be exact.

I guess I can be thankful for that.

I tried to learn from my past mistakes and take time off. In the past, I spent too many hours running through pain which only perpetuated my injuries. this time, I immediately took a full week off and scheduled an appt with my chiropractor. I visited his office three times the first week receiving friction therapy (picture foam rolling on steroids) and a deep tissue massage. During this time, I would attempt a run here and there with little to no pain. But once I went full back into training, the pain gripped me and at its worst, my leg buckled under me.

Since that last painful run, I have taken off 5 days. It's hard to believe it's only been 5 days. It seems like an eternity. I plan on attempting my long run of 10 miles this weekend. I'm telling myself that if there is pain, to just bike it (borrowing Jenny's bike) I really hope i can be this smart.

I look around my group of girls and they rarely get injured. It can be so frustrating. I know I have it in me to run and I plan on doing it for life. So, what are my lessons here? Am I "thinking too much" and an injury is just an injury, nothing deeper?

What injuries have you experienced and what have you learned from them?

Help a girl out...clearly I am not getting it..

So I am living it up here in good 'ol Rocky Top visiting the sister, Medical Mama and her kiddos. So far its been really busy and really fun! The first night we went to the Country Club, to have a birthday dinner with my sister's nephew. The food was amazing and the kids had a blast.

Well its that time again sweaters! I hope youve been throwing it down b/c we sure are. We really need a name? Any suggests? I have one for our Summer Ride girls.....Summer Ridge Gangstas, my original group is my OG's and Jenny is my BRP. (best running partner.) However, the group seems to be changing and I think we need a new name ......so help me out. It can't be cheesy like "running girls"

So, lets get on to the slide show. The bottom pics are of me running KILLER hills in good ol Rocky Top. Totally insane but I have a route and I might even have a friend joining me from Johnson City to attack the greenway. Can't wait!!

Oh and I almost forgot-I got a call from the YMCA which is so exciting!! They called and offered me to "try out" with a 3 day conference in October. Can't wait. It is connected to a beautiful hospital complex, with a Subway, lap pools, and tons for kids in the winter. Pray for favor please!!!

For our sweaters out there, keep it up! You know you feel better! We ran, rowed, stair climbed, cycled, weight lifted, bootcamps and walked. What did you do?

OH and here one of my bestie's sent me this and I just have to share: Rock on - girl power! (total 90's but you get the point)

"Your body will argue that there is no justifiable reason to continue. Your only recourse is to call on your spirit, which fortunately functions independently of logic." - Tim Noakes

"Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired. When you were younger the mind could make you dance all night, and the body was never tired..You've got to make the mind take over and keep going." - George S. Patton, U.S. Army General and 1912 Olympian