Painful Beginnings

Well today while my 3 week old napped I decided to go on a jog...something I have been hurting to do for the last few months. I put on my tank and decided to commit to pushing through the pain and getting back in shape. Running has always been a love of mine, and because I began running so young it has never hurt...today that all changed it was the most painful mile and a half I have ever experienced. I thought of all of you...even though I don't even know most of you...and how you are pushing through pain and I was encouraged that I was not alone. I took my jump rope with me and every time I wanted to stop I jumped rope then continued on. I am so thankful to the Lord for giving me a body that can move...and I will continue to press on through the pain.

Half Marathon

Well I now officially have a little over a week left. I'm very nervous and I keep reminding myself that I'm not running it to do it in a certain time I JUST WANT TO FINISH!!!! My friend Allison who is supposed to be running with me registered too late and it closed because they had reached its max numbers. This stinks but she is trying to work something out. I also find that I'm not a very good runner when the conditions are not the best outside. Many people tell me It rains almost every year. So I guess I just need prayers that my attitude changes and that I don't chicken out. I'm already losing sleep over it.....

Lincoln City half marathon

Hello ladies

   I just wanted to put a reminder out there that we have three ladies from our blog running the half marathon.  Hannah Randell, Ellie Stutzman and Erin Fisher.  It is so fun to go and cheer people on if you want to go and cheer for these ladies.  If I lived closer you can bet I would be there screaming and crying because I am so proud of you all.  

  I have a new favorite breakfast before I go work out.  A big bowl of oatmeal with cinnamon, brown sugar and either apples or bananas and you can also add nuts.  I get a lot of energy from this.  My fuel never runs low and I don't burp it up if I eat it right before I work out.  Well I am going to go run with my dogs. love you all!!!!

Long time no see!

Well I realize that i haven't been on here in forever... i have been so busy with everything! I am so excited to hear that so many girls are doing the lincoln half marathon!! I can't wait to do it as well! I did 10 miles this past weekend and felt great! This just makes me look forward even more to he triathalon!! I'm sad to hear that you (Jen) and Jake won't be able to be at the triatholon. Is this final or is that just a guesstimation!??

I hope everyone else is still going strong!!!

BY THE WAY... IF ANY OF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK "SAFELY HOME" YOU MUST READ IT!!!! Its about the underground churchs in China and the persecuted Christians there. It is a life changing book, that only brings you closer to God and makes you feel closer to Him. I just finished it and am still in awe of God and how he works.

Have a good rest of the week!!

Ellie

burn out

Two weeks to go before the marathon. I have been trudging through these final weeks of training. After losing my grandfather two weeks ago, I have felt beat down and burned out. The emotional roller coaster I rode then was enough to make me want to wear my pajamas every day and not even look at my running shoes for a week. But then, He reminds me.

^"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you." (II Cor. 4:7-12)

Thank you Jesus for your power and strength to finish strong. I have your strength because I am your daughter. I cannot accomplish anything without You. May your life be revealed in all of us as we press on in our pursuits of taking care of our temples.

Slow, but steady...

Yes...still here. My work outs have been good. It is still very strange to me to use the words 'work out' and 'good' in the same sentence :-). As I like to tell Liz, "It hurts so good!" I have found, personally, that working out with a buddy seems to really push me farther/harder than I would working out by myself. I did go out on a walk/slow jog monday with me, myself, and I...but its just easier to excuse yourself from more pain when you're alone. I love the accountablitiy and companionship of running with a partner.

Also, will Jake still be designing the t shirts?? I just loved Annie's suggestions of writing 'DENY' somewhere on your body as a reminder to beat our flesh into submission that I thought...maybe we could print the word 'DENY' on the backs of all the shirts that way, as we're racing we have that constant reminder...everybody besides the person in the lead, I guess ;) Just a thought.

Still GOING

Jen- I haven't given up. 3 weekends to go to the Lincoln Half Marathon....Allison and I are registered and getting nervous. I had about 4 weeks of sick kids and myself being sick so I had a little bit of a back slide but now hitting it hard. My goal is to run 6 miles...then walking 3 then running the last 4. We will see how it goes. Sorry I haven't posted a picture with my tank but I have worn in out on the trails.... I will post pictures of our run day also. Keep going everyone!!!! God Bless!!!!

Sad News

It does not look like we will be back for the triathlon.  This is very hard for me to give up.  The approval for the kids has not come through yet.  Even if we were to get approved in the next few weeks we would not travel until June and that is too close to July to travel again.  And we have not gotten the kids yet, we will not be leaving.  This breaking my heart to write this.

Still Here

I am still here! I am still working out 5 times a week and am slowly seeing my body change. I am getting used to saying "no" to myself when it comes to overeating. 15 pounds to go to reach a healthy weight for my frame, and I am energized by the spring weather. Running/walking outside has been my main exercise.

I was pushed to train harder by my husband. He hasn't worked out consistently since he had knee surgery almost 2 years ago. But last month something changed in him and he started working out hard. In one week he was running 4 miles! I was shocked when he did it once, but then he kept doing the same distance consistently. That inspired me to increase my distance with running from 1 mile to 2 miles. The hardest part of this training is when you have a bad couple days or more. . .. no exercise, junk food, and you think you have ruined all your work up to that point. This is the test, to wake up the next day with hope and determination to keep going. This blog is an important part of motivation for me. So, if anyone is feeling like giving up out there-Stop!
Every day is new!
If I want to change, I have to do something different, right?
Tie on your running shoes and get out there girls!
Please write and let me know where you all are at-Love to all!

Where are you???

I have not heard from anyone in a while.  I guess you have all just given up???  I have had a major sinus infection for over two weeks, I think it is getting better.  I have continued to work out but it has been difficult.  I have done some P90X with Jake which I don't really like all that much.  It is great if you want to get very strong.  I don't mind getting strong I just don't want to do something that will take me a lot to keep it up.  So I do some with Jake but not all of it.  With all the delays in the adoption I am wondering if we will make it back for the triathlon.  We will see what the Lord has in store for me.