Training

^{This is an old picture of Amana.} 

^{It was taken in August 2011 just after she finished her first Mud Run.} 

^{It's a happy face, glowing with a sense of accomplishment.}

^{To me it is the bright face of endurance and grace.}

^{And more recently, of hope and encouragement.}

^{Lige and I decided that it would be a super-great idea to sign up our whole family to do a Mud Run this May.  In order to finish without crawling and gasping, we've started "training."  We got a free run-training app, and we both use it.  The kids have taken an interest in training, too.  Amana and Anlynn went out one day.}

^{It was a bit rainy, windy and chilly that day!}

^{Anlynn decided that running wasn't really her thing.  But Amana loves it.}

^{So she trains me now.}

^{Well, she runs with me.}

^{And inspires me.}

^{Our first time out together, she stayed with me at my s-l-o-w pace.  I could tell she was itching to really stretch her legs and fly, so I told her to go on ahead.  She said she didn't want me to feel bad.  :)}

^{We went out again yesterday.  Our running program instructed us to run for a minute and a half then walk for two minutes.  We do that six times.  At the start of each run, Amana lept out like a greyhound shooting from the gate.  I am old.  I ease into my runs...pacing myself to ensure I don't keel over with half the run left.  Meanwhile, Amana takes off at a 90 second sprint, a good half block ahead of her trotting and gasping mama.  She keeps checking back to see if it's time to stop to walk.  When I signal to her the run part is over, she plops down on the dirt road and does sit-ups while I sputter and trudge to meet her.  Just as I catch my breath, it's time to run again.  It's like this the whole time.}

^{Until the 2nd to last session.  I must have had a pretty good song playing on the iPod because I got the bright idea to really push to keep up with Amana on this run.  We start the run, and I take off fast.  Amana switches gears, realizing I'm keeping up with her.  I push it a little harder.  She does, too.  We both just run hard.  She looks over at me with wide, bright eyes and an even brighter smile.  I smile back.  Because I love her so.}

^{And because I can only run like that for 30 seconds, and there was a whole minute left.  I back way off, so I won't die, and just watch her run.}

^{Back at the house, we stretch together.  Although I hate running, I'm starting to like the feeling of accomplishment that accompanies it.  I bring up how I ran hard with her.  She smiles.}  

^{I say,}

 ^{"I could tell how surprised you were that I was keeping up."}

 

^{Then she says,}

^{"I wasn't surprised.  I was just proud of you."}

 

^{Never underestimate the power of a ten year old being proud of you.}

 

^{Tears.  Fill up my eyes.}

 

 

^{This girl amazes me.    Delights me. Inspires me.}

^{I am proud of her.}