Take Aim

Being a SAHM now I am lucky enough to spend my days with LBM.  Who is our youngest or little bug man aptly nicknamed for his love of bugs and all things nature.  I am doing my best most days to help prepare him for kindergarten.  Due to that fact this running fitness blog is often filled with photos of bugs, salamanders, rocks and plants that we find on our near daily nature walks as part of our "science" time.  Today when we were checking our container garden on the back deck to see what plants had sprouts, which ones needed watering and what little critter we might find to learn about online; LBM again mentioned the rose.  Which really isn't a rose as I have explained multiple times to him.  It really is a sole tulip that for some reason was planted within a small flowering shrub. 

 

 

Today I started to again explain that this flower was a tulip when LBM stopped me.  He started to explain how he could see the pollen and started reciting what we had just watched on an old Magic School Bus episode about pollination.  LBM told me the bees didn't know if it was a rose or a tulip, they didn't care.  He told me that nature sure did make it easy for bees.  Even though they flew around in crazy patterns instead of a straight line, he said that nature marks exactly where they should aim. 

 

Gee, wouldn't that be great.  If we instinctively knew exactly where to aim?!  If we could know that we would reach the desired outcome if only we hit that mark.  That sure would make life, family, training, everything easier.  The only problem is that unlike bees or nature our paths are not so perfectly aligned.  What works for one person may not work for another even if our starting and ending points are the same.  The journey between them can be quite varied. 

 

Whether your target is a happy family, a marathon, better health or an Olympic triathlon it doesn't matter what name you give your goals it only matters that you keep your eye on the target and an open mind to a less then straight path to get there. 

 

T-24 days to Massanutten Mountain Trails 100

I Dreamt about Another Man

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, it's not going to get better.  It's not.

 

 

We have been living The Lorax since it's release on dvd.  I mean last night my dreams were filled with an extremely long legged man in green dancing around singing, "...how ba-ah-ah-ah-ad can I be?"  I don't think I should be doing anything aside from running so often that I start dreaming about it and humming it subconsciously.

But having that movie in my mind so much did get me thinking about that Unless.  How it applies to everything in my live.  I can't make anyone other than myself to do anything.

Life has tried to teach me this.  I got engaged to the perfect man.  Well, for all but those few things that annoyed me and I silently thought I would change him after we are married.   But once we are married I realize that I had to come to love those things as predictable pieces of my mate if I wanted our marriage to survive. 

 

Then comes children to revisit the lesson.  As babies they try to teach me that lesson.  They won't even sleep when I want them to.  As a toddler they wouldn't do anything I wanted them to. Forget about teenagers.  They don't even hear what I am telling them.   Yet still I try to get everyone else to do things I want them to.  And I still often try to accomplish this without actually telling anyone what it is I actually want them to do.  Have you ever done that?  Expected your family to simply know that you needed XYZ because they should know you?!  Me = guilty.

 

Which brings me to my point.  If it is true that unless someone like ME cares a whole awful lot, it's not going to get better.  It's not.  Then I had better start caring enough to open my mouth and tell those around me that what I need. 

 

How will I do this?  First I won't wait for the super secret spy to offer to "watch" the kids so I can run on the trails without the jogger, I will plan evenings when I know his work schedule will allow it and I will greet him at the door after work and tell him that I am off to run.  I will help the kids understand that mommy has "business hours," meaning that if you want mommy to help with homework, story time, baths, snacks, play or whatever it must happen before a certain time.  Sound harsh?  It shouldn't. 

 

If I can only change one person than I better make sure that I am making that one person the BEST person I can.  Because although I can not make anyone else DO anything, I know that through being an example I can help mold those around me.  And I am not tiring to mold door mats. 

although this one is a great one!

 

L.O. & Ts

 Lessons

If I think my shoes are getting close to needed replaced, replace them before the next big race.

I should be a Body Glide test subject because I am the chafing queen!

When I have dropped shoes I should run through a few creeks even when there is a bridge.

I should never use gear that I haven't tested well.

Observations

A 100 oz CamelBak loaded with gear weighs A LOT.

I can make really great friends with a person after spending 50 miles with them.

The distance to step off the trail in the event of a nature call is directly dependant on the urgency of said nature call.

A course that is too dry will result in blisters.

Thoughts

I think the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail has some of the most beautiful rock formations I have ever seen.

I think point to point races are the hardest to run.

I think I am even stronger than I thought I was.

I think crossing the finish line at Laurel next year will be the sweetest satisfaction!

L.O. & Ts

My take aways from the 2012 HAT Run 50k

Lessons

When will I learn that there isn't enough Glide on the planet to keep me from chafing in the middle left part of my back. 

I can talk fairly non-stop for about 5 hours if someone is willing to listen. 

Probably even if there isn't anyone around to listen, too.

Salt via olives works wonders for me.

I can run up hills even if those around me want to walk.

I want to always be the lead runner.  (see observation below)

Observations

Chafing can happen any where.  It does not care if it gets, let's say, personal.

Trail running is like crack to me.  But crack that makes me giddy and cheerful not willing to steal to get more of it or forget about personal hygiene.  Although while trail running I do stop caring if I am fifthly and stink.  Maybe trail running is even more like crack than I thought. 

On the trails runners often do whatever the "lead" runner does, i.e., walk a hill, charge a creek, go around mud.

It is super fun to have a fellow runner tell you mid-race that they love your blog.  Thanks to those reading that shared (put up with my chatter) the trails with me at the HAT!

Thoughts

Eavesdropping on other runners early in the race would have lead me to believe that I was running with a field of super stars.  I think I zoned out for a couple miles simply listening to three male runners play a game of one up with each other. 

I think I'm due for a non-muddy ultra soon.  That 50 miler in two weeks would be nice.

Getting my gear ready sooner might eliminate some of my stress. 

Running in the rain and mud is badass!  Too bad the photographer didn't brave the weather to get those amazing photos of me smiling through it all.

If I could, I'd run the HAT course every.single.year!

L. O. & T.s

Day # 670
What running the Seneca Greenway Trail 50k showed me:

Lessons

I learned that more than any other running goal, I want to be like this man

Oldest finisher at Seneca!
I learned that when traveling with the super secret spy, I should always drive.

I learned that mud isn't stronger than me even if its a foot deep.
I learned again that my mind is 1000% stronger than my body will ever be.

I learned that when I run with others I really never stop talking.

I learned that just when I think I've ran my favorite course I run another favorite course.

Observations
I noticed that I end up running alone because I never stop talking.

I noticed that I can ignore that fact that some runners don't like cheerfulness after 15 miles of mud.

I noticed that some runners care waaay too much about getting to the finish line quickly.
I noticed that no matter how many times you say thank you, people still like to hear it.

Thoughts
I wonder how many runners missed the after picnic because they didn't know where it was this year?
I wonder if I could have run a faster race if I had gotten there sooner?

I think my kids will look back on the day mommy ran for 7 hours and then went to see The Lorax

 before even getting a shower and know how much I love them.
I  still wonder if my family knows how much ultra running is a part of who I am?
I think I am beginning to feel like 31+ miles isn't really that long.

I wonder how I'll survive waiting until March 24th for my next race?

L. O. & Ts

I run every day. 

Today is day #661.

I like this saying a little better this way:

If you always do what you always did, you always get what you always got.

Saturday I proved how true that saying is for me.

What running the Hashawha Hills Trail Run 50k showed me:

Lessons

I learned that I can run with someone else and not get lost.

I learned that what works for some runners isn't always what works for me.

 I learned that I can ignore a lot of discomfort when distracted by good conversation.
I learned again that my mind is 1000% stronger than my body will ever be.

I learned you can run fast across a hay field and not break your ankle.

sorry pappy, you were wrong.
I learned that just when I think I've fallen in love with this sport I fall deeper.

Observations
I noticed that I can run a 50k on very little fueling.

I noticed that some people don't like cheerfulness after 20 miles.

I noticed the same views can be just as breathtaking the second time around.
I noticed that people are really nice especially when you stop mid-race to help them pick up their dropped mail.  

I noticed that body type and age have nothing to do with how well you run an Ultra!
I noticed there is a child-like joy about splashing mud while you run.

Thoughts
I wonder how many runners were tempted to not get the gum bands?
I wonder if I will ever be able to share that level of joy with my family?

I think about those volunteers and wonder if they know how much their smiling faces helped me?
I wonder if my family knows how much ultra running is a part of who I am?

I think about the runners whose only desire is to go fast and I wonder why?
I wonder how much of this I will be able to put into practice on Saturday?

Ultra training at the grocery store

First we stretch to loosen up.
This is never a good sign.  It usually indicates that this could be a long episode.

The the declaration of demands which is quickly followed by the mock walk off.  But the walk off thwarted by strangers.  It will required a second declaration and a rerouted walk off. 
But that too fails. 
The plan begins to unravel and all the stops are pulled out.  Demanding, pouting, whining. 
He just wants the blue gun.

Although LBM's attempts to get the blue gun were not rewarded,
come on a toy at the grocery store.  Why?  It doesn't help sales when moms have to walk out.
he did demonstrate a few techniques that apply to running.

First he sets impressive goals. 
Did he just meet me to think that he was going to get a toy at the grocery store?  Clearly, it's not on the list.
He changes up his approach.
Here I could learn a lot.  When I don't like the results I'm getting or not getting, I need to follow his example and change what I'm doing.
He is relentless.
I will really need to draw on this approach as the racing season begins at the end of the month.
He doesn't care how he looks to others.
Sometimes I worry too much about what everyone else will think of: my training, my race schedule, my weight, my pace...
He quickly got over his unsuccessful attempt.
This one I'll will keep in mind when I get that first 100 mile attempt.  Knowing that I will give everything to finish doesn't mean I will.  Being able to accept whatever happens and move forward quickly will help me better reach my goal if my first attempt doesn't see that 100 mile finish line within the time limit.

I just can't wait to see what LBM teaches me during his next tantrum!

What have your kids taught you lately?

TTT - What the Kids are Up to Edition

I hope she didn't forget her glasses

S'ghetti Girl

Today is picture day number 1 at school for S'ghetti Girl.  There are two.  Because of course parents need two school photos of their child each year, one at the beginning and one near the end.  This photo will be the one in the year book and on Ids.  Mom usually gets to pick the outfit and hairstyle for this photo and S'ghetti gets to be a little crazy with the other one.  This year S'ghetti girl wanted to choose.  I'd say she went school girl and did a pretty good job....except for the mismatched socks.

S'ghetti girl helped LBM on this one....but I don't know why his face is red.  I bet he was running!

Little Bug Man

LBM has been learning....everything.  It's crazy how fast he is picking up things.  His vocabulary has exploded.  He question and answer sessions take for.e.v.e.r.  I don't get away with curt explanations anymore.  Why this?  Why that?  And when he wants to tell me something that he saw or did or understands forget, I just sit done because it's going to be a long story.  Yeah, he is really becoming like his big sister; smart!  His art skills?  They might still have a ways to go.

A tractor trailer, two cars and the grace of God.  No one was hurt.

The Big Kid

The Big Kid had a big day yesterday.   

He lost half a day of pay due to rain.

His car got backed into my a tractor trailer.

Pushed into another car.

Then he got yelled at by his boss.

He has finally come to the realization that just having a job is not all he wants out of life so he is willing to move out of his comfort zone and do things to help prepare him for what he'd like to do a little more long term.

It's tough that some lessons are learned through challenging ways.

The cows wouldn't mind

If you follow me in FB life you might know that Saturday I committed a runner's no-no.  I told my family I was going to be running a certain route and distance only to completely change and length my run but more than twice the time and distance.  I mean I figured I was headed out for 3 -4 so what was a potential 8 - 12.  In runner's logic I was simply taking advantage of extended a great run.  So what if I was completely unprepared.  A completely rookie use of potentially bad judgment.  I didn't have a head lamp, water or cell phone.  Chalk it up to runner's logic.
As it turned out everything went fine and in fact my family didn't really notice that I was gone quite that long.  I simply got caught up in that wonderful feeling when a run feels great and you just don't want to miss out on it.  I declared my mistake to my virtual world to keep myself accountable for not making the same mistake twice only to leave for my run Sunday morning and forget my water on the back porch.  I should have ran back for it however I figured I was getting out much earlier and I knew I wouldn't be running as fast today after the strong effort yesterday (all week) BUT I did end up running nearly as fast and I did not respect the humidity in VA.  I guess that's a VA rookie mistake.  I guess I still haven't logged enough time here to understand that there are major differences in the conditions in VA versus in PA. 

I stopped running two times.  (FYI:  I did stop my watch when I stopped running)  First at this elevated bridge.  Let me tell you that little creek looked inviting!  I walked circles trying to get my core temp down.   I was certain that the cows wouldn't mind if I took a quick dip to cool off.

I stopped again when I finally made it back to the familiar connecting road.  Relief!  I knew I only had a few miles and could make it despite myself, again. 

Tell me your latest episode of runner's logic?

The Not Really a Race Race Report

As you might recall from yesterday's clifnotes post, our family weekend was a busy one.  It came on the heels of several very full weekends.  Although I knew we had several activities planned with the kids I was actually looking forward to getting to relax, put my feet up and let go of some of the stress of the hectic schedule.

However when the kids and I arrive in VA it wasn't long before Hubbs told me that he had registered us for a 5k, aka the least favorite distance for Shelly to run let alone race ever!

I am no longer 20 something.  It hurts to run fast and not in that "I've been running for 10 hours" good kind of hurt way that I currently love.  Running fast hurts.  Running fast makes me feel like I am going to puke.  And I promised myself a long time ago the puking was something I wasn't going to do anymore*.  But in light of my Hubbs new found desire to run and race a little more I cheerfully agreed that it sounded like a great way to start our Fourth of July day.

while secretly starting to worry about what kind of paces I could hit

The morning of the Fourth I was up early doing all the normal pre-race things.  We were ready to go in plenty of time.  Hubbs even had time and energy to be the one to start the trash texting with his guy friends who would also be running. 

We arrived for the Kiwanis Independence Day 5k sponsored by the Charlottesville Track Club and picked up our bibs and T-shirts.  Then joined Hubbs friends for a little pre-race discussion of the other runners race plans.  While we were talking another friend, D shows up.  D is running late and quickly goes to get his bib.  The next time I see him he has a year old-ish baby in a jogging stroller and is standing near the back of the pack.  The group of guys are saying how D is really getting back into shape and is really working hard.  I figure that his wife probably had to work and he figured he would get in a little supported 5k run in with his daughter. 

I tell Hubbs I'm going to offer to push the baby so he can race with the guys.  Hubbs thinks that a great idea.  I sprint off to ask D if he'd rather race with his friends.  After several offers D seems very interested in being able to race and I'm rather okay with pushing the jogger since I do it all the time anyway.

But then....

The WIFE

I see a lady walking towards us and she seems concerned as I have my hands on the jogging stroller. 

Oh snap!

Seems D's wife isn't working, she is working on learning to run and preparing for a September 4 miler.  This is to be her first race EVER.  Okay I'm cool with running with the jogger but she isn't inclined to allow me to do that without her.  Although D is now eager to get to the front of the pack. 

Now I enjoy helping others reach new goals.  I was a trainer for years after all.  So I assure the wife that she can set the pace and I will just stay with her.  Finally she's okay.

RACE VIRGINS

After so many years of running you forget all those little things you learned and race habits you picked up along the way until you race with someone who has never.ever.raced.  When the "gun" went off she didn't move.  When there was a person in front of her she didn't go around.  Once I got her moving and away from the pack, she fell into a steady pace with really good form.  Race virgins don't realize that without a garmin they are very likely to be pulled along with the other runners causing them to run a faster pace.  I did do most of the talking but when I picked up the pace the slightest bit she responded without her form decaying at all.

FIRST MILE

Our first mile was 10:20.  I swear a minute and a half was spent standing behind the start line.  But I digress.  The Wife is breathing hard now but it is very hot and humid.  I ask her how that pace is for a mile.  A PR?  She says it's very fast!  I am praising her up on side and down the other.  She is not as happy.  I ask if she needs a walk break knowing she had said she might not be running the entire race.  She says no.  Her form is great so I do what any supporter would do....

...I start running a stride or two in front of her.  Now remember I'm pushing the baby not her.  She keeps pace with me.  I frequently check in with how she is feeling. 

WATER STOP

aka Get the F away from me

That is the most accurate way of describing how the wife was looking at me when we reached the bottom of a hill and the water stop at about 1 3/4miles.  Even though I assured her we could walk she was adamant that I go on without her.  We had seen my husband as we come down the hill to the water stop and she encouraged me to try and catch him on the return trip.  She had had enough cheerleader Shelly.
CATCHING UP
I thought there might be an outside chance I could catch Hubbs.  And we all know I didn't really want him to beat me anyway...stroller or no stroller!  So I was off on a sprint to catch him.  Let me just say, not everyone knows what you mean when you say, Left, Left, On your Left, Passing Left.....10 dozen times.  It was really fun to feel so fast as I passed people but a bit humbling when I saw how many young kids were out running the 5k.  A few of them were not very happy that I was passing them. 
Every blue shirt I saw I would sprint to only to see it wasn't him.  I passed D and paused to explain that the wife had nicely asked me to go on without her.  I wasn't happy to see him double back (he was so close to finishing, now I really feel bad!) but he assured me that she had run far more of the race with me than she had planned on running anyway.  What a great husband.  Off I went one more blue shirt.  Could it be? 
Unfortunately it wasn't and I ran out of race course.  See why I do longer races?
Hubbs had finished and was walking back from the finish shoot to meet me.  So after a 10:20 first mile and a 10:40 second mile (that's where the wife and I walked at the end) I finished a 5k in 29 minutes, a Personal Worst.
LESSONS LEARNED
Since I didn't race until the last mile or so I can't really count this as a race so I won't beat myself up.  I will have a list of take aways from this experience and will share those in my next post. 
I'll leave you with one final thought, some times we grow the most when we've performed at our least.

* yes there is a whole story behind that comment.  I'm sure you can figure it out.  If not and you are interested feel free to email me.  I'd be happy to share my story.

Can you ask for help?

Today is Day 291


Even as a child I preferred to play alone.  I didn't need anyone else to have a good time.  I did enjoy when I had playmates to join in the fun, I just didn't require their presence to play.

I am sure that my mother thought that was a wonderful quality to have as a child.  She didn't have to arrange for friends to come over to "keep me occupied."  She didn't have to spend hours playing with me.  I was just fine to find something to do on my own. 

In my adult life my independence has served me well.  When my husband has been out of the country for extended periods of time while I missed him daily and worried about his safety, I held life together at home with the kids without any problem.

But recently I have found that this quality about myself may not be such a positive personality trait.  My independent nature makes it very difficult for me to ask for help from anyone for anything.

I think LBM has inherited this same quality.  This morning while I was getting ready and loading the car for the day he was in the living room watching How to Train Your Dragon.  A movie that he had been in love with just a few months ago. 

As I walked through the house to make sure I hadn't forgotten something I noticed the tv screen was blue.  I thought, 'Great! The dvd player is broken.'  But after popping out the disc I immediately saw the problem.  LBM had taken out the disc snapped it in half and put it back into the player. 

I wonder if my habit of "doing everything" on my own did in some way cause this situation.  LBM is responsible and old enough to understand not to damage his "toys."  But maybe in his efforts to do it himself he took on a task that he isn't quite old enough to do yet. 

It makes me think about the example I am being vs. the example I think I am being.  I think independence is a valuable and needed trait but maybe those around me view my "example" a bit differently.  If nothing else it is something to consider as I continue to refine the person I am and want to be.  I'll think a bit more about what others might be actually getting out of my example instead of what I think they should be learning from me.  Do you every wonder, what are my loved ones really learning from my example?  Is it what I want them to be learning from you?

I will start, today, by asking for help with at least one thing. 
It will be a new way to teach others that I value them and their skills.  By asking for help maybe I will be able to show my family more of what I want to be teaching them by giving them a chance to get a clearer message.  Do you find it easy to accept help from others?

Because it's it a fact that we are not given more of any thing but instead we are given more opportunities to practice what we have already been given.  I am given love every day and I have been provided with people to share that love with.  I am given energy every day and I am blessed with the time to productively use that energy each day.  I am given patience every day and I am provided with many chances to practice or not that patience every day.  How would you have handled the broken dvd situation?

So while I asked LBM to help me dispose of the broken dvd, I practiced some of the patience I had been given.  You know what I think LBM and I both benefited from the lesson.

L. O. & Ts

Run # 89 - (3.5/ 29:22)

Don't worry I'll do the laundry soon!

What running The Skyline Challenge showed me:

Lessons

I learned that I must follow the trail myself.
I learned that there is always a price to pay for using anything "new" on race day!
I learned I have to drink, fuel, medicate before I think I do.
I learned that I can ignore a lot of discomfort when distracted by enough trees.
I learned that my mind is 1000% stronger than my body will ever be.
I learned that on any given day I can amaze myself.

Observations

I noticed that I can pee anywhere after running through the woods long enough.

I noticed that people will DFN for lots of reasons - kittens being one of them
CLICK HERE to read the story.

I noticed the same view can be just as breathtaking the second time around.
I noticed that people show their inner-selves after about 10 miles on the trails.
I noticed that body type has nothing to do with how well you race an Ultra!
I noticed there is an unpleasant satisfaction when a blister breaks 18 miles into the race.
I noticed that 6k of elevation gain and loss is not more than I can handle.

Thoughts

I wonder if people would all get along better if they had to help eachother
overcome a challenge once in a while?
I wonder if those salamanders stayed off the road?
I wonder if I will ever be able to share that level of joy with my family?
I wonder if my family knows how much it meant to me to have them there cheering for me?
I wonder how long I will be able to wait before asking to do another trail ultra?





Misszippy is hosting a CSN giveaway.  Misszipppy is a long time running, mom of three who is a running coach and freelance writer to ice the crazy cake!  She claims she is not really zippy but she really is!  She is a constant commenter and encourager to me.  I love who I feel she is so honest in the things she shares with me.  I never get that feeling of being told "great job", "you can do it", without her actually believing it and offering me advice to make it happen or improve for the next race.  She just found out her family is going to Australia!  So hurry over and introduce yourself so you don't miss out on following her adventure down under. 

What's that feeling called?

My daughter recently ran a mile with her daddy after that run we had the following conversation.

S'ghetti:  Dad is SO mean! I don't like him at ALL!

Me:  You don't mean that.  Your dad was just trying to help you be more active.

S'ghetti:  (almost crying) I don't want to talk about it!

... much later...

S'ghetti:  Mom what is it called when you like something you don't like?

Me:  You like something you don't like?

S'ghetti:  You know! When you do something you don't like and then maybe like it but not like it just be happy that you did it but not just that it's over.  Just that you did it!  Understand!?!?

(said with the total attitude that parents don't understand anything!)

Me:  Do you mean being proud of doing something you didn't like doing?  That feeling is pride, honey. 

 S'ghetti:  That's it!  Being proud.  

Me:  What are you proud of? 

S'ghetti:  I don't want to say yet. 
(with a growing smile on her face ...and mine)

Don't Run with Cows

While running this morning, I was reminded of a lesson I learned while I was a young girl. 

Growing up on a farm in rural PA daily life was full of lessons.  Some lessons were the kind that would only reveal themselves later in life.  Like all the times my father would tell me how doing the job well once would save me work in the long run.  Now I have come to realize that lesson applied to EVERYTHING about being a parent and a spouse.  Taking the time to do the task at my best the first time helps avoid allowing things to pile up and become overwhelming.  

 But some lessons were the kind that hit you right in the face.

Those were the lessons you had to learn the hard way.  The lesson I learned the hard way and was reminded of today was:

DON'T RUN WITH COWS.

As a little girl we often helped with chores around the farm, my pappy and my daddy would remind me that while I was in the pasture or barn yard with the cows I was not to run.  The cows would think I was part of the herd and begin to chase me.

I heard them tell me this...over and over.  See, I never ran with the cows near so I never fully understood why I shouldn't.  And more interestly, I often wondered what would really happen if I did.

That brings me to the lesson.

My father was taking my older sister on a 3-wheeler ride (yes, before there were 4-wheelers/quads, there were 3-wheelers)  and I had wanted to go too.  But being that I was probably the last one sitting at the dinner table being forced to eat something gross (gross as in red meat, NOT gross as in my mom was a bad cook) and having a slow time of feeding it to my dog.  So they were already ripping off across the pasture as I ran down the yard and hopped the fence to chase after them.

Cows being herd animals fell in behind me running along getting more and more excited as they caught up to me and began to surround my little 50 pound string bean body.  My dad hears me yelling after him to stop.  When he looks back he sees me in the herd of cows and yells for me to stop running!  I just know that I'll be trampled if I stop so I keep running and running and running.  (maybe that's were my love of endurance was born?)

Eventually, I run back to a fence row and stop, not being able to crawl under or over it quickly enough.  I turn around only to see that all the cows have stopped too. 

They stand there looking at me.  Almost as if saying, "Okay, you win!"

While on the surface that lesson is actually DO NOT RUN WITH COWS, it is also something else to me.  I learned that I would much rather be in the front leading others, setting an example, helping to show the way.  And one final lesson, it's a good thing to know when to stop.

How does my DO NOT RUN WITH COWS lesson apply to your life?