I am a Runner

As many of you know (certainly not because of my incessant whining) I have been training to run my first half marathon in just a few weeks. While my training has not been near the intensity and perfectly planned schedule I would prefer - it has taken up quite a bit of my time. Due to mine and my husband's work schedule I cannot get out of bed early enough to run in the morning so I try to hit the trails as soon as I get off work.

By the time I get home, cook dinner, do some housework, talk to Jody and drool over Adam Levine watch the Voice, I just don't feel like writing to my imaginary cyber friends about much of anything.

I've been saving up - imagining what it will be like to finally pull off that 13.1 miles then tell you all about it! Through training I've already surpassed distances I never even thought I could reach. I've also had a lot of time to think (which is probably my favorite part of running). 

One thing that's been on my mind lately is a question I read in Train Like a Mother that asked "when did you first know you were a runner?"

I've called myself that for a while, but several times a week I now pinch myself and say "I really am a runner!"

I'm not athletic. I never played basketball, softball or soccer. I suck at putt-putt and get winded swimming across a pool. I have trouble opening jars, and seldom get the volleyball over the net on a serve.

But I am a runner. 

Not the best, fastest or most graceful by any means, but I lace up those shoes, and go at it as if my life depended on it time after time after time.

I've gotten stronger, I've gotten faster, I've placed and even won my age group in a few small races.

I was leaving a doctor's appointment yesterday when the receptionist told me there had been an explosion at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Obviously, because I'm a 29 year old American, the first thing I think is "terrorists"; (the fact that that was my first thought is an entirely separate post in itself) but I felt my heart start to break a little.

My mom was calling before I could get to my car. We were all in shock, and I couldn't quite wrap my mind around what was going on even after getting back to work and seeing it play out on television.

All I knew was: those were my people.

I don't plan to EVER run a full marathon, but I'll always be a runner.

I know why one endures sore joints, blisters, sweat and blood for a PR or finish line.

I know what it's like to cheer and be cheered on.

I know what it's like to be dog tired and starving, but not sure which need to meet first.

I know what it's like to block out everything - EVERYTHING - and just run.

I know it's a happy place, but yesterday someone, some very evil spirit, attempted to steal that joy.

I am hurt, I am angry, I am sad; but I know there is a God, even in the midst of chaos, who cares, loves, rescues and comforts. I am praying now that His peace encompasses the victims, families, runners and supporters affected by yesterday's madness. 

I know there are still good people - a lot of whom run! - and there will always be hope.

And when I run UNAFRAID in two weeks - it will be for Boston.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

2 Timothy 1:7

How to Be a Shupa Ninja

Last week my Google search results showed that the phrase "how to be a shupa ninja" landed someone on my blog.

This got me thinking...how exactly does one train in the necessary skills for becoming a Shupa Ninja? It's certainly not an easy job, and in all honesty some of the traits can only be inherent. But alas, if this is what the masses want...I must oblige.

I did a little research first on regular ninja traits and found things like loyalty, strategic knowledge, bravery, strength, ingenuity and technique...

BORING 

So without further ado, here are the necessary traits for:

How to Become a Shupa Ninja

LOUDNESS - I'm sure most would associate silence with the stealthiness of a ninja, but oh no - a Shupa Ninja is LOUD. Loud to the point that she frequently gets in  "trouble" at work for laughing, is told "wow, you're talking really loud" by her loudest friend (yes, you MB), and can get the attention of a crowd full of people with little more than a HEY Y'ALL!!

LACKS THE GENE FOR EMBARRASSMENT - Sometimes the heel of a Shupa Ninja's shoe may get stuck in a crack causing the ninja to walk completely out of it. Sometimes she says really dumb stuff that I'm not even going to give you an example for. Sometimes...ok, a LOT of times, her bangs stick straight up and refuse to lay down all day. Sometimes she forgets she's wearing a lime green band aid and spends all day trying to act professional in front of her top accounts...

But rarely, possibly never, does she get embarrassed or even apologize because she's Shupa.

LACK OF COORDINATION -  I know, I know - you're thinking ninjas are beyond coordinated! Like swifter than a cat and all agile and what not. But no, not a Shupa Ninja...while she can run for miles and miles, it should never be attempted when ice is on the road, she has broken down running shoes or a ball is involved. Never. 

0 UPPER BODY STRENGTH (and very little in any other area) -  Oh she tries and she'll never give up because I'm pretty sure determination is also somewhere in the top ten, BUT it ain't gonna happen sweetheart. Just forget it, and stop trying to open that jar by yourself.

LOVE OF FOOD  - Other ninjas probably have some amazingly strong willpower causing them to go days without food and still whoop somebody...but not a Shupa Ninja! No, we be baking, grilling, snacking, oohing, aaahhing and photographing all day long!

SUPPORT - Maybe you're thinking ninjas are solitary creatures, spending long hours alone in meditation. NOT Shupa Ninjas. Shupa Ninjas have got other ninjas there to back them up when their spouse/boss/parents/acquaintances don't have a clue. They answer texts and phone calls at all hours of the night because the ninja had some random event occur that may forever alter the universe (or because they can't sleep and are hungry). Without fellow Shupa Ninjas...the ninja would still exist, but it wouldn't be very fun. Or sane.

GOTTA ROCK - Shupa Ninjas may get sidetracked with other silly tunes, but when it's been a long week and their ninja skills are starting to wane all they really want to do is...ROCK BABY!!

This ninja saw Thousand Foot Krutch live at the Vernon Club in Louisville last Friday night, and it was so stinking amazing I haven't been able to get over it. It was pretty much exactly what I needed to clear my head after what felt like a reeeallllyyy long week. The Vernon Club is actually a bowling alley and the concert was in the basement. It was a really small venue with probably no more than 150-200 people and the place was on fire!! 

I've always liked TFK, but didn't realize how crazy talented these guys are. And for those of you who think you can't worship and rock at the same time...you're obviously not a Shupa Ninja.

So there you have it: 

How to be a Shupa Ninja

It's a tough job, but seriously, somebody's gotta make the sacrifice.