Best day yet!!

I wonder how my friends are doing at Boston? Can't wait to hear all the reports! So I'm really out of shape! Wow!! Amazing what a 5 month lay off can do! Yet I'm clawing my way back! Today was a 20 minute effort, walk/run. The ankle and heel actually felt perfect! Normal! Pain free! Now it's time to push it...right? NO!! Take it slow, Mark! I will continue the glacier like advance to more running....I still plan on a marathon this year. I will only run a marathon giving my best effort. I don't believe in junk miles or junk marathons...I've learned my lesson!
Well, we really need rain! Remember the 200 trees I planted last year on the property? I planted another 100! They are thirsty!
Going into a recording session tonight! The ole' Banjo will be smokin' hot! Peace!

Thanks!

Thanks for the encouragement, friends! I really do appreciate you all! Your comments helped me! Yesterday was like the most stressful day I've had in the ministry in years! Seems like everything is coming at me at once! Sometimes I feel like the guy on the Ed Sullivan show spinning the plates! Needless to say running wasn't in the cards yesterday. I don't want to jinx myself but my heel is feeling real good?!?!
I woke up feeling very rested, too!? So I headed out for another day on the hills and enjoyed myself immensely! 12.5 miles/ 2:22:45/ 11:25's. Yes the pace appears slow but the number and intensity of the hills will cause a decrease in pace speed. I am wondering how I will perform come marathon day. The route is basically flat! Today I'm better...thanks again. I intend to cut back a little this week.
On another note, this pastor/runner is speaking this afternoon at the annual association meeting. What this means is a bunch of pastors will be there and I get to talk to them about leadership! I'm excited! Hope you have a great day!! I know some of you all are closing in on your big race! Good luck and best wishes to Marlene, and Meg! Hope I didn't forget anybody! Peace!!

Friday morning! T minus 47 1/2 hrs! Woke up early after an excellent nights sleep! Sandy says I have sleeping sickness? I have been eating everything, like the blob, sleeping like Rip Van Winkle, and healing steadily!

The soreness around the hip and back has dissipated substantially. There is still, at times, the low throb of sciatica, but it is on the mend!

As of right now, I believe I could start slow, get good and warm, stop and stretch, and complete the 26.2. I am doubting, right now, that I would be able to go full throttle. However, it is not Sunday morning yet.

My plan for today is to run easy for 3 to 4 miles, and I will only use ice therapy today. No more scalding baths. They seem to intensify the sciatica, but I believe it helps in the healing process. I will freeze a towel and drape it over the entire area, I am sensing that I am really close to 100%, but remember I am an optimist!

Yesterday the funeral went well, as far as funerals can go. It was a joy to see the facility filled up with friends and family. This is a huge transition in life for this family. This wonderful lady has left such a legacy that her influence will live on for ages!

As a speakerI no longer care about impressing, that is an element of self and we all deal with it, but what I do is pray and fully surrender my ability to God and allow Him to work through me. It is a difficult process. We have to study, think, invest, investigate, pray, trust, and then do with confidence! Being a runner is like the Christian life. I think that'll preach! As a matter of fact that's just what I'll talk about come Sunday!