Thursday, March 15, 2012

A Prescribed Burning and the Ipod Void


OK, so I was siked about going to the trails yesterday to get a quick run in.  I dressed in the car on the way, just to make sure I had a few more minutes on the trail, since I had a 7:00pm appointment that I had to make.  I don't think anybody noticed....:)  Anyway, in these two years of running I have become a Garmin (my sport swatch) and an Ipod addict....Like, I don't feel like I will have a good run if I can't check my heart rate, pace and listen to some tunes.....So, I found out quickly that I was going to run with neither or not run.  I decided that I might be enough company for myself and headed out on the 4 mile path at Country Lane in Palos. 
Fortunately enough my quiet run and personal time with listening to my heavy breathing and my thoughts without distraction, did not disappoint.  As I approached the 1 mile marker, I noticed the smell of burning trees.  Sure enough in a few feet, several dead trees where being burned.  I also noticed several signs that indicated that this was a "Prescribed Burning." I figured quickly that this would be my running lesson for the day and started focusing in on why I might need  a prescribed burning in my life. 

Prescribed burns are used most frequently to maintain and restore native grasslands. Prescribed burning can recycle nutrients tied up in old plant growth, control many woody plants and herbaceous weeds, improve poor quality forage, increase plant growth, reduce the risk of large wildfires, and improve certain wildlife habitat. To achieve the above benefits, fire must be used under very specific conditions, using very specific techniques. Sargent, M.S and Carter, K.S., ed. 1999. Managing Michigan Wildlife: A Landowners Guide.  Michigan United Conservation Clubs, East Lansing, MI. 297pp.
 How often do we miss the forest because the trees of life have become too big?  I would have missed an opportunity to recognize that even good things need to be let go of in order for the best things in life to grow.  My ipod would not have taught me that.  What needs to be recycled in you? What needs to be restored?  Don't you want your "life plants" to grow?  Prescribed burnings only work, as written above if they are done under specific conditions and using specific techniques.  It makes a difference whom you are accountable to in life.  They just might burn you in the wrong place!  Nuff said! (Post your comments below as to what needs a prescribed burn in your life, whether its emotional, physical, spiritual or relational.)

I am hours away from my "BIG CHOP!" I am nervous, but anxious to be liberated.  I can't wait to post pics or video.  I am headed out to do sprint intervals today.  Somewhere in my hurry up, wait, hurry up wait of a schedule, I will find the time!  You make time for what you really want to do!  Shamrock in 10 DAYS!

"Put first things first and we get second things thrown in: put second things first and we lose both first and second things"
CS Lewis
Until the Springbok writes again....

Friday, March 9, 2012

Nirvana....4a, Sprint Intervals and Construction Hats

Helloooooo!
I have had such a busy few weeks, but I did not want to allow another one to go by without checking in. My Shamrock race training is going fairly well. I have unfortunately missed a few crucial training days, due to work, family or teaching commitments, but none the less, I feel pretty confident about the upcoming run. I have learned to listen to when my body says, its time to rest and when it's time to speed up. I refused to accept unnecessary injuries, because I won't to listen to her! Listen to the pain, folks! It means something..... Nirvana#1 (BTW...The Chicago Shamrock closes this weekend!)

 
I recently came to the conclusion that the "Big Chop" is in my near future. Why stay in bondage to this transitioning hair? (Clarification: Big Chop-to cut off all of the existing relaxed or permed hair and be satisfied with the natural stuff that is left. Transitioning- the period of time that a person moves from permed or relaxed hair to all natural hair.) FREEDOM!.......Nirvana#2

So, now I have also discovered or at least I think, I have 4A natural hair. I am a newbie to all of this so I didn't realize there was a natural hair scale. Wow! Times have truly changed. Nappy used to be negative and ugly to many. I think the days of hearing "good hair" are almost over or a least behind us. Amen somebody!

  My sprint intervals are pretty exciting for me these days! I am averaging approximately 7:30 min per mile splits for my 0.25 mile, of which I have to complete 6 to 10 during speed sessions. I'll take em! So Tina A. Swain, I might be closer to your challenge than I thought!.....Black Girls Run!....and can run fast!....Nirvana#3

And lastly, I had one more inspiring moment, listening just today to a podcast about a wonderful book by Dr. West Stafford of Compassion International called, Just One Minute......Basically, you never want to miss even a minute of an opportunity to impact the life of a child. When you are with them, put on your construction hats because they are always an opportunity at work!...Nirvana#4

........Until the  4A Springbok writes again!

"There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in."
Graham Greene