Run For the Dream and run we did! My sister and I attended the inaugural run for the half marathon that takes place in beautiful Colonial Williamsburg. While Aaron, Chris and John did not run, I felt that they were just as much a part of the event as we were. I can't describe how awesome it was to have family celebrating the journey with you and to know that your sister was out there sweating with you. I loved seeing posters with my name on them and hearing someone cheer for you, the whole thing was exhilarating. The weather was awesome, being 80 degrees and 96% humidity. I could ring my clothes out during mile two. However, I wasn't really bothered by the sun after I "warmed" up and never really thought about it again. What I did think about was my sore, scrunched toes, the rolling hills and mostly consumed with the chaffing that was taking place where the seams of my compression shorts rubbed against my inner leg. I thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and all the diverse terrain that we ran on.
To commemorate the event I ran with a disposable camera in my fanny pack and took pictures at places that I had good thoughts. I did run out of film and am not quite sure how that happened since I took 20 pictures on a 27 exposure camera. My muscles were tired at mile 11 and I need to somehow figure out how to train for those last three to four miles. I can see that I have a lot of work to do prior to the marathon in October. Even though my time was slower, something that I have been struggling with, this was by far my favorite half marathon up to this point. I am sure that we are going to do it again next year. One of the most inspiring and encouraging things surrounding the weekend was hearing that my brothers would like to train for one. It was so sweet at how moved they were as we crossed the finish line, maybe, if not more so, as much as we were. They thought that they might train for one this summer and do it together this fall. Just the thought of this is awesome.
I never thought that I would run 13.1 miles, and I got to do it in beautiful country, with a terrific sister. I feel like somehow this resembles the tough stuff that we have been through. While we may not have run side by side, each person making their own story and partaking of their own journey, to know that someone you love is going the distance with you makes the hard parts bearable.
Amanda and family, thank you for going the distance with me, whether you are cheering me on, celebrating with me at the end or running the path, each of you are vitally important to me and help make life worth living. Thank you all!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Really? It's in there?
Yesterday I met some magnificent young ladies in Minnesota (which that state surprised me a little) and we began talking about running. Colleen was encouraging, as she too doesn't enjoy the ordeal, but was willing to jump on board for a Hood-to-Coast team. Stacey was inspiring with her discipline and training for the 5k she is running this weekend. Through the course of the conversation it was mentioned how we truly are made for going the distance and movement. I was reminded of what Jeff Galloway, an olympian medalist, refers to in his book; "Experts and others point to the ancient bio-mechanisms of the ankle, achilles, buttocks, and many other components which are forward motion exercise-specific adaptations." Isn't that wild? It's in there!!!!! As a healthy individual I have access to everything I need to be able to do this half marathon next weekend... and with some training, all those pieces begin to work together and running "becomes easier".
On the same note, I am reminded of 2 Peter 1:3 where it states that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness. I have been given everything I need to live the life that my heavenly Father desires and is glorified by. Col. 1:28 tells us that Christ is in us, it's that simple. These things don't always feel true. When I run and my muscles are in agony, or more like I can't breathe, or I see a hill (to be honest, it doesn't even have to be that big in order for me to want to complain) and I long to walk, it doesn't feel like I have what it takes to accomplish the task, but the truth is, I do!!!! I can do it!!!! I can live according to the gospel!!!! and I can run a marathon!!!!!! I have been entrusted with the opportunity to believe God's Word even when I don't think I see or feel anything that would help me believe. I am so excited!!! What a great gift! I have been given all that I need to survive those runs. Maybe I should use another word besides survive so I can get mentally stoked about going the distance... let's say it like this...I have been given all that I need to run the race, finish the course. I also have all that I need to live according to the gospel through the true knowledge of Him who called me by His own glory and excellence. Now this is inspiring!!!!
On the same note, I am reminded of 2 Peter 1:3 where it states that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness. I have been given everything I need to live the life that my heavenly Father desires and is glorified by. Col. 1:28 tells us that Christ is in us, it's that simple. These things don't always feel true. When I run and my muscles are in agony, or more like I can't breathe, or I see a hill (to be honest, it doesn't even have to be that big in order for me to want to complain) and I long to walk, it doesn't feel like I have what it takes to accomplish the task, but the truth is, I do!!!! I can do it!!!! I can live according to the gospel!!!! and I can run a marathon!!!!!! I have been entrusted with the opportunity to believe God's Word even when I don't think I see or feel anything that would help me believe. I am so excited!!! What a great gift! I have been given all that I need to survive those runs. Maybe I should use another word besides survive so I can get mentally stoked about going the distance... let's say it like this...I have been given all that I need to run the race, finish the course. I also have all that I need to live according to the gospel through the true knowledge of Him who called me by His own glory and excellence. Now this is inspiring!!!!
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Mile?....I just Need some Electrolytes, water and HELP!
Anyone ever ask how you are doing and you don't know how to respond? I find myself wondering if they REALLY want to know what's going on, are they just asking to be polite, do they want to just get some dirt or do they REALLY want to know. I have my general response's that I go off of, but need some new ones. I get tired of hearing myself say the same things over and over, it's almost like I lose my sense of creativity for the moment, my mind freezes and I say the same things I always say.
Running has helped me with this. I can compare many moments in life to that of some kind of run. For example, there has been a little bit of emotional/ relational upheaval in my life the last couple of weeks and the closest thing I can compare it with is being at mile, well... who knows. You don't know how far you have come, you don't know where you are, you don't know how much farther you have to go and you just want an aid station to appear out of nowhere with some AWESOME heat electrolytes and a moment of temporary relief. You continue to run, remembering on the course layout that there was an aid station... somewhere, and the only way to get there is to keep running. You know that on the last run you went on that you had to run until the end. Wait, there is an end, you must keep going. Yes, this is how I felt my last week went. I can write about it now because I came to the aid station. It took awhile, some mental stamina and the forcing of moving forward, but I found it. Life is much the same way, we must keep moving forward. The Good Book says come to Him all who are heavy laden and He will give you rest. AMEN! He says, "Take up your cross and follow me." He doesn't say where we are going but implies that it won't be easy. I feel all the better for it and know that my core values and beliefs are all the more solid. I don't know about you, but I am going to keep running.
Running has helped me with this. I can compare many moments in life to that of some kind of run. For example, there has been a little bit of emotional/ relational upheaval in my life the last couple of weeks and the closest thing I can compare it with is being at mile, well... who knows. You don't know how far you have come, you don't know where you are, you don't know how much farther you have to go and you just want an aid station to appear out of nowhere with some AWESOME heat electrolytes and a moment of temporary relief. You continue to run, remembering on the course layout that there was an aid station... somewhere, and the only way to get there is to keep running. You know that on the last run you went on that you had to run until the end. Wait, there is an end, you must keep going. Yes, this is how I felt my last week went. I can write about it now because I came to the aid station. It took awhile, some mental stamina and the forcing of moving forward, but I found it. Life is much the same way, we must keep moving forward. The Good Book says come to Him all who are heavy laden and He will give you rest. AMEN! He says, "Take up your cross and follow me." He doesn't say where we are going but implies that it won't be easy. I feel all the better for it and know that my core values and beliefs are all the more solid. I don't know about you, but I am going to keep running.
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