I am so proud that other people recognize the heart of a marathoner!
(p.s. I tested my resting heart rate and it's just over 60. I blame the caffeine that I am addicted to.)
On the medical side, a marathoner's heart has a slower resting heart rate because 1-- the arteries are less clogged so it doesn't have to pump as hard and fast to get blood flowing and 2-- the heart is stronger, pushing through a greater volume at each squeeze, making it more efficient at pushing oxygen fresh blood through the cardiovascular system, and thus, slower. The marathoner's heart is stronger and less stressed.
But in non-medical-technical terms, what does it mean to have the heart of a marathoner?
I know many of us crazy running chicks may not be marathoners.
But the truth is, we probably have hearts for endurance whether or not we acknowledge it.
We wake up running-- running kids to school, running errands, running the office, running the household, cooking, cleaning, listening, encouraging, giving, laundering, baking, more cleaning, chauferring, loving... We are in it, for the long haul, day after day.
And when the heart gets stronger it gets less stressed.
I don't know about you, but somedays I don't know about that "less stressed" part. In fact, some days I'm holding on with everything I've got looking forward to some down time. That's when it's time-- passed time-- to listen to my heart and SLOW DOWN.
I had the opportunity to go to Medora to cook for a retreat this weekend, a crafting retreat of about 20 ladies, plus myself and the director. On Sunday, as I was making brunch for 20, I was asked if I was going to relax after working so hard all weekend. I smiled and said that it was my long run day, so I was headed out for 13 miles, followed by a birthday party, followed by pancake supper at my church. The person just said "wow, you're busy."
Yes, I am. But you will never hear me complain about it.
A few years ago, I was sitting with two other women on a planning committee. Admittedly, I wasn't fond of these other two women. And we had to spend the first 15 minutes of our meeting chatting about how overly busy and stressed they were, each seeking sympathy and empathy. And as I sat there listening to their kids' hockey schedules, dance schedules, swim team schedules, not to mention finding the time to pack for vacation-- all I could think of was how ungrateful they seemed.
Which is why I don't complain about being busy. If God has chosen to fill my life with abundance and opportunity and adventures, who am I to complain about it? I am grateful for every little thing that comes our way!
And do I still take time to go train for a marathon in the middle of it? Yep. Yes, I was exhausted this weekend after long hours in a hot kitchen. But God has given me a strong, healthy body to endure working in His ministries and still go run outside, enjoying the beautiful world around me! Ironically, the long run was my slow-down time.
I know it seems like life is too hectic sometimes. I know I would rather stay home than go to the grocery stores. I know my legs feel weak some days and I would rather veg out in front of the tv than lace up my shoes again. But my heart IS strong. And my heart IS trained for endurance. And I can push myself just a little more, just enough to open it up to love and abundance again. Just enough to strengthen it just a little more, so that it's less stressed when I'm resting.
I know you have a heart for endurance too. I know whatever piles up in your day, in your path, you can conquer it, one step at a time. I know, whether or not you admit it, you have the heart of a marathoner too.
Happy Heart, Happy Running! ~Jen
Thanks Jen. As always, very positive. Mom
ReplyDeleteI met a gal the other day who was in her 50's and as we were chatting somehow we started talking about running and it just so happens she had completed the Fargo half last year. Never being a runner she trained on her own, her longest run was 8miles and she completed the entire race without walking and loved every minute of it! After Fargo she continued to do some shorter 3,4,5 mile runs and in July suffered a heart attack while running! She finished a 4miler & was just feeling exhausted and had some tingling which she just attributed to some exhaustion. She did not go in to a DR until the next day and they thought she was just dehydrated but decided to run some tests just in case. They discovered that she had a heart attack but she had NO blockage or heart damage and she has since seen a couple different doctors and cardiologists who can't really explain it other than she may have had some plaque that came loose & casued a clot. She has a healthy heart (the heart of a marathoner so to speak)but they have told her she should not run cause she may not finish the race......after hearing her story and being inspired is when I made the decision that I was going to train again for another race and now when people ask WHY I just say WHY NOT!! Thanks to you all for being an inspiration!
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