Focused thoughts

After coming off my running hiatus, I have found a new appreciation for running. All I desired tonight was to just BE with the Lord...not really pray about anything specific or really seek Him on any one thing, but just BE in His presence. With all the craziness of life, I find it hard to do this even in the comfort of my own home. So I went for a run, knowing it would help clear my head. Not only did it allow me to clear my thoughts but it was such an intimate time with the Lord. I went through so many emotions as I ran--I even cried at one point. I just felt so blessed that running allowed me to spend that time alone with God. For some reason, I can focus best when I am running. I am so very thankful for my run tonight. Because I was so focused on the Lord's presence, I ended up running 4 miles.

We are all so blessed to have the ability to work out. I think about that often when I am running. So many people can't do simple things like run or swim. So today I praise God for my legs and for the ability to run. He is so good to us! All glory and honor be to the King!

Romantic Run

First, I have to say, I miss you too, Lil Sis! You always push me a little further than I go on my own. You are a very good motivator. I ran 3 miles for the first time in years and it felt really good, I was really shocked. Jeni didn't tell me how long the big Bertha hill was, so I was thinking the worst. Then I saw the end and was relieved that my estimation was wrong. I have very few hills out here in central Nebraska.

Now to the romantic run. I took off at 8:30 tonight for a run. It was 68 degrees with a calm breeze. I was listening to Bethany Dillon "So Far. . The Acoustic" (highly recommended) and the song "The Kingdom" and "Hero" just brought my heart to great joy thinking of my King and my Hero, Jesus. I thought of His heart for me, the day when He will come to take me away. My face burst out in a huge smile and my arms outstretched to be with Him, my King someday. Heaven will be more beautiful than the periwinkle twighlight sky against the glowing moon that I saw tonight, and the way He loves me will be more glorious than my happiest day on earth. The beauty in this creation and the thought of His strength and faithfulness romances me. I haven't run at night at all, but it was a beautiful thing. So maybe changing up the time that you run or walk will be a fun thing for some of you to do.

triathlon

Okay so I just saw the new tshirts for the triathlon and they are sooooo cool.  I cannot believe that we will not be there.  I have decided that whenever we do get back to NE I will be doing the triathlon, so any of you that want to join me that would be great.  I will just be doing it and seeing if I can improve my time from last year.  It could just be a fun day for us all to work out together.  LEt me know what you think.

Liz visited with her family last week.  WE were very diligent to work out even with the kids everywhere.  We did turbo jam a couple of times and ran a couple of times.  Liz made it up the big bertha hill without walking and that is very hard to do.  GO LIZ!!!  We thought of all the marathoners on Sunday, you guys all rock.   It was very fun for me to have a work out buddy for a week.  Miss you Elizabeth.

Battles won

What a beautiful day for a race! Waking up to 55 degrees and not having to wear gloves, tights and a hat was an absolute dream for this tired-of-cold-dark-mornings runner. Prayer #1: answered. With all the runners this year, it took my pace group 8:45 minutes to even get to the start line. Luckily we were microchipped. It was elbow to elbow for most of the race, and I was thinking what a good girl I was for following the rules and not wearing headphones while several rule-breakers ran to their tunes. I've always had trouble keeping my blood sugar even during long runs but this time I ate a clif blok every two miles or so. It worked! Prayer #2: answered. The bike path was extremely packed with people so that slowed me down. I won't forget running that path with Jen 6 years ago and waving at our lovely husbands on their bikes on the highway, in the pouring rain. The dreaded hill came at mile 9, but I asked for perseverance. Prayer #3: answered. Miles 11 and 12 proved extremely difficult for me as my low ab and low back took on extreme cramping-the crippling kind. A running couple came upon me about that time and said, "we've been watching you the whole way. you can do it!". I nearly cried on the spot. "Lord, get me to the finish line. I just want to make it!". I crossed the finish in 2:17:30. Two and a half minutes faster than my goal this year. Prayers #4 and 5: Answered! The Lord watched over me and was with me for every stride, even when I wanted to lay down on the street it hurt so bad. And yes, I too cried at the finish; tears of joy, tears of mental battles won, tears of physical pain, tears of strained faith. I'm so thankful for the faithful God I serve. He is the best running partner I could ever ask for.

I Finished...

Well I made it across the finish line. My goal was to at least run 7 miles and do it under 3 hrs.....Accomplished both. 2 hrs. and 45min. We ran the entire thing not stopping once to walk. My pace was slow but we did do a few 10 min miles. Between 10-13 I wanted to stop and walk but when I tried my legs hurt so bad that I knew I would never be able to start running again. At times my slow jog was matched with people who were walking but I'm soooo ok with that. From someone who hated running and never ever thought I could run even 5 miles I'm happy with what I did. I had a blast too....The people who come out to watch and encourage are awesome.... My friend Allison stayed with me the whole time even though she could have left me in the dust. I had my little fan club at mile 5 and at the finish lines holding GO MOMMY signs..... When I was on the final run about to cross the finish line I saw my husband and my kids and I lost it and finished crying..... It was a very emmotional thing for me. My legs and feet hurt so badly.... So this week will be resting and stretching and were hoping to do a short run on Friday. Thanks to everyone for encouraging me and supporting me. The funniest thing to me was seeing people peeing in trees....not just men but ladies just pushing their shorts aside and going.... I'm excited to do it again next year and train a bit more now that I know what to expect. Hopefully take 20 min off my time......

Runner 6718

Tomorrow's the race and I am pumped! My hubby is taking me to the pasta-thon tonight after we drop off the kids at my mom's. He is so supportive of me and I appreciate him so much. I can count on him to catch up with me every few miles on the sidelines with water bottle and camera in hand. I will post pics also when this race is accomplished. The forecast is for 45 degrees and partly sunny in the morning with no rain!! PTL; hopefully it holds out. Thank you for all of your encouragement on this blog!

Runner 4253

Well I picked up my Marathon info this morning.... I am runner 4253 out of 6500......I 'm really excited and it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of the marathon festivities that are going on here all weekend in Lincoln. I also drove the course so I could mentally have the distance in my brain....I had the stomach flu Tuesday and Wednesday and still have some issues that are lingering from that (but people say there are port a potties along the route...or I will run up to someones house and beg ). My friend Allison did get in to the race so we are set. Thanks to all who have been encouraging me to do something I NEVER EVER thought I would do. I will post pictures this week.