Lately I have not made going to church as much of a priority as I should. Although I’ve made it to church about once a month, I’ve skipped church to get an early start on a long bike ride or when my to-do list seemed to long. The thing is, whenever I go to church, I’m always glad I went, and I always hear a message I need to hear.
Let us not grow weary from doing right,
for we will reap at harvest time
if we do not give up.
It was just the kick in the pants encouragement I needed. It both acknowledges that doing right can be tiresome and prods me to keep at it, because good will prevail–but only if we don’t give up.
Since this week brought even more reasons to feel helpless and hopeless–and even more reason why we cannot give up on trying to make our world a better place for everyone–I wanted to share this verse with you in case you also might need some encouragement.
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One thing I haven’t given up on is my workout schedule. Here’s my summary for the Weekly Wrap Link Up hosted by Holly and Tricia.
Monday: July 4th Run
I got in a very humid, very sweaty run before the rain moved in.
Tuesday: 45 minute strength routine at home.
I started with this circuit from Tamara and added some bridges and clam shells.
Wednesday: Rest Day
My daughter was in flight delay hell on Tuesday–her 1:59 pm flight did not take off until 12:22 am. While I wasn’t with her –although when they announced at 6:30 that the flight was rescheduled for 11:30 she came home for dinner–I was texting her until she took off, and then again when she landed 4 hours later. So, it was one of those rare days when I really needed an extra hour of sleep more than I needed a workout.
Thursday: 4.25 miles on the treadmill.
When I saw the humidity level was at 90%–and felt it while walking Tiger Lilly–I decided to run on the treadmill. Since I was trying to be careful with my knee this week, I resisted the urge to do intervals, and instead inched the pace up from 6.3 mph to 7.0 mph, holding for 5 min at each pace.
Friday: 45 minute strength routine at home–based on Tamara’s workout again.
Saturday: 40 mile bike ride.
With the weather still very hot and humid, we decided to ride on the shady C&O canal towpath. We rode from Georgetown to about 5 miles past Great Falls, and it was great! It was so scenic I could have stopped every few miles, but we only stopped a few times.
This is one of the sunny stretches!
As we rode from the Billy Goat trailhead up toward the Great Falls parking lot, I couldn’t help but remember that painful walk last year after I broke my foot. I am so grateful to be healthy this year!
Unlike the other trails I ride on, the C&O towpath is mostly flat, with a slight elevation climb in the outbound direction. It wasn’t hard, but there was no coasting until that “cliff” on the way back.
The elevation “bumps” mark where the towpath goes past a lock.
I was exhausted after riding for 40 miles, but it took almost that long to burn off the stress of the week and quiet my monkey mind.
Sunday: 8.3 mile neighborhood run
I set my alarm so I could squeeze in a long run before heading to the airport for a business trip. (Yep, another Sunday without church! 🙁 ) The elevation climb over the last half of my run was greater than it was on that bike ride!
How do you fight off hopelessness?
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If I had an answer to your question, I’d be in much better shape myself. I find it really interesting that so many of us touched on this feeling of hopelessness this week. If anything good came out of this, it’s that we’re not alone. I thought it was just me.
It has been a tough few weeks in the world for sure. I feel sad that we are leaving this to our children to grow up with. On a positive note, always love your photos
Thanks! It’s more disruptive to take photos cycling, but it’s worth a break or two!
It’s not the best thing as far as being informed goes, but I stay away from the media coverage. It unsettles me. It’s a self imposed “Ignorance Is Bliss” attitude. I’d give anything to be able to ride on a trail such as the C&O canal towpath. It looks so pretty! I think I’d ride more than I do now. 40 miles is a long ride, Coco! Thanks for linking.
The towpath is fantastic and goes for 100+ miles I think!
Recent events make it tough to fight off hopelessness. Meditation and reflection help me. Also spending time with people who make my heart happy helps.
Yes, and having kind interactions with “strangers” to remember that we are all in this together.
I haven’t been on the C&O Canal Towpath since late last fall. I need to head back over for a run soon. I like starting at Point of Rocks unless I’m meeting my MD friends, and then I meet them across from Old Angler’s Inn.
We must have ridden past Angler’s but I didn’t notice it!
ahhh yes.
and sometime we need to talk about Venezuela as well.
I cannnot think clearly about there as I went to college with the “imprisoned leader.”
It’s all crazy, but seems to be another us vs. them situation. NPR reported that there’s no milk in the stores but you can still get lattes at the pricier restaurants ….
I actually try not to watch a lot of news. My husband has it on all the time when he’s home & I have to take myself elsewhere. The animals are usually a good stress relief, but obviously not this week.
And exercise. Man I needed my run on Saturday!
I am an NPR junkie and try to catch the evening news. I guess that’s the price I pay!
I’ve actually had to avoid the news and social media as of late, but the discord in the world is just heartbreaking.
I too am in your shoes when it comes to church, I am not there every Sunday like I should be but I always, ALWAYS hear just what I needed to hear. God’s word is truly amazing that way. He does give us hope for a better world but we must stay on track for the prize that is not of this world. Thanks Coco for this reminder! Hoping you have a great week ahead of you!
Thanks! I hope you are having a great week too!
That really is a great message. Thanks for sharing.
I too often think about a year or so ago when I couldn’t run without being in pain ( I didn’t have a broken foot like you but my IT band was horrible), and it just makes me appreciate all the beauty of being out on the trail and being healthy (even if I am slow)!
Once you’ve recovered from an injury, you do appreciate being healthy! ITB issues can be bad. Glad you recovered from that.
I can relate… so much crap going on in the world. It has been the European soccer tournament for the past 6 weeks and it has been such a great – and positive – reprieve from all the crap. It has given people energy and lightened everyone’s spirits. Even if France lost, that team gave something very great to the people of this country… hope, happiness and unity.
Yes, it’s nice to have a unifying distraction. Unfortunately things are just going to get uglier here with the presidential campaign. I think that’s depressing me too.
It has been a rough patch and I have not felt like going to church myself. Why it that I wonder. I skipped Sunday and went to a fundraiser yoga class for the Orlando victims and families- just seemed like the right thing to do.
Wow, that yoga event sounds very worthwhile. My excuses were much more selfish!
Sounds like another eventful week! Keep it up girly!
Hello, my little Coco Puff. Thank you so much for the scriptures you share. It refreshes my spirit each time I read them.
Thank you. Your kind words always encourage me. ((hugs))
I avoid the tv a lot, especially now that all the campaign ads are heating up. I totally detest all the negative stuff both of the presidential candidates throw at us….it makes them both look bad to be mud-slinging all that stuff back and forth. That said, I have been in bit of a challenge myself with my Ultra happening in a few days. I get the wonky heel to feel all better, and BAM! I rebounded with more glute/hamstring issues. I’ll be able to do my race, but it certainly will not be as “easy” as I’d hoped LOL
That is a beautiful verse :0) and it is true, God will never fail us if we just hang on.
You had a good week, I know I am like a week late seeing this, lol but your bike ride really was awesome! I need to check out the path. I am goign to look it up!
beautiful pictures 🙂