First Run in Norway….

Today was the start of something great! It was my first run in our new home country of Norway!!

We started off walking to the city center. I guess you could say this was my warm up as it was so cold….that is what we will call it! I started running as Micah walked around the town with Kayla. At first I stayed close to the center where there is a lake and it is flat, then I headed to the harbor which is also flat. Then starring at me, almost calling me where the little winding streets with all those glorious hills. I started up and felt on top of the world until it was time to run down. This is where my knees got the best of me. I did not stop as I was having too much fun but I can tell the hills are going to be a challenge for me. Not the journey up, but going down! Another thing which was hard was the cobblestones. I remember hearing about this when I registered for the Rome marathon. They were saying do not expect a PR as there are so many roads throughout the older parts of the city that are hard to run across. You really have to watch where you are going, but I did well.

It was strange. As I was running I could not help but be overwhelmed at one point. You see, I have run here before. Back in January of 2009, when we were moving from Russia to the US, I came here to Stavanger with my husband as he was here on business. I ran around the very lake I did today……granted I was much slower then!! There I was as happy as could be running around. I had lost my weight in Russia and I was headed back to start a new life in the US! Little did I know how my life would change. Fast forward now and I have been blessed with the love of my life, my baby girl and we are now living here!! I am also far thinner than I was at that time. I thought I was towards the end of my fitness journey but little did I know the great things God had in store for me. It just goes to show that we may have a plan, we may have an idea of what we think is perfect or what we want our life to be like, but when we honor the Lord, HIS plan is far greater, brighter and more meaningful than ANYTHING we can imagine!!!

After a strong run I met Micah at a little french cafe for a latte. There were other tempting things there but I resisted 🙂 I did enjoy my latte however, it was so very good…and hot which was perfect as I was getting cold after stopping my run. We then shopped around town and went to a little cafe for brunch. I had a fantastic vegetarian omelet with salad….no cheese or anything crazy….however I did eat the bread. Guilty as charged! It was so good!

We then headed to the grocery store where I bought some things to make a Dahl and Salmon curry tonight!! I have to say the Dahl is cooking as we speak and it smells amazing! It is red lentils with curry spices, onions, garlic, leeks, carrots, tomatoes and celery……..SO GOOD!! And I made it super spicy too!

MiMi is napping now and we are enjoying a lovely afternoon here. It is very dark out and damp. Not raining just wet and cold in the air.

Here are some pics from todays run…….my first of many, many, many runs here!! As long as God continues to bless me with health, I will do my best to make the most out of this glorious life He has given me. Thank you Lord for another day to strive for more and to lift up your name and give you praise!