Let's try this again.

December 30, 2013.......so......I thought it was bad that there were 2 months between the 1st and 2nd post on this blog.....well.....I guess it can be worse......let's try over 4 months between my 2nd and 3rd post!  I am disappointed in myself that I basically haven't followed through with blogging about my Disney Half Marathon preparation.  In blogging about my preparation for the Boston Marathon,  I started 12 WEEKS before the race. Well.....today will be an attempt to start blogging about the Disney Half Marathon 12 DAYS before the race.  I guess it's better late than never.                             Anyway, to quickly summarize the previous 10-11 weeks, I have averaged between 60 and 70 miles a week.  There was one week where I ran around 45 miles rather lightly b/c of a setback where I fell over top of someone at the start of a race, and landed almost squarely on my hip/glute area. Although I finished the race, I could barely lift my left leg an inch off the ground after the race.  I couldn't even do my cool down jog.  (On a side note, I want to throw in that something is either wrong with this website and/or my computer b/c it will not let me hit 'enter' or start a new paragraph.  Therefore, everything will be running together...sorry about that).  Anyway, as I sit here 12 days before the race, I am VERY EXCITED FOR THE RACE.  God has been so faithful.  There have been times over the past 3 months where training has been less than ideal, and I simply felt like I was in a 'rut' where I wasn't improving much. In fact, I felt as if I was getting slower.  Also during that time, I believe I was in a 'spiritual' rut as well.  My heart's desire is still to run as a worship to God, to empty myself, and let Christ be lifted up through my running and my life.  There have been times over the past 3 months where my heart has strayed from that desire.  It's really a miserable place to be.  Whenever I do this, I start to feel the pressure of performing to a certain standard, instead of just working hard, and surrendering myself and training  to Him.  I believe God wants us ALL to live our lives in surrender to Him b/c He wants His best for us; and His best might be different than what we think His best should be.  He wants our hearts.  He wants us to love Him with wreckless abandon.     When we do this, it certainly does not mean life is perfect, but we are equipped to walk in His fullness and purpose; as well as being able to face any adversity that inevitably comes our way.   My ultimate desire....and I know His desire for us is to walk in His fullness and purpose each and every day.  This is also where I want to be when I toe the starting line 12 days from now.  To Him be the glory.

Ouch!

August 18, 2013.....WOW!  It's been almost 2 months since my first post!  Ouch!  Speaking of ouch, that's what my hip is feeling a little bit right now.  Since June, I had worked up to running between 50-60 miles a week.  The good news......my foot keeps getting better!....Thank you Jesus!  The not so great news.....last week my right hip area started bothering me.  I continued to run for a few days hoping and praying it was something that would just go away.  It hasn't.  The pain is not excruciating, but I do not want it to get to that point.   I had plans of running the 5K that coincides with the Charleston Distance Run 15-miler, but those plans are definitely in question now.  I also had thoughts of running the Great Race 10K in Pittsburgh in late September.....hopefully this will still be possible.  I am disappointed, but at peace.  Again, this is the wonderful thing about my Ultimate Source being Christ.  I know He has a plan, and it is GREATER than my plan.  I just have to keep trusting.  He is faithful.  He is good.

Starting a New Journey

6/21/13 - With today being the first day of summer, it is also my first post in blogging about my next major running adventure.  This time, the planned destination is the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Fl for the Walt Disney World Half-Marathon on January 11, 2014.

Since the Boston Marathon, I have run very little.  The nagging foot injury (plantar fasciitis) that hung around for almost 3 months heading into Boston, still has not gone completely away 2 months after Boston.  I think it's gotten a tad better.  However, at this point I feel at peace about starting back with some consistent running.  I plan on treating the foot with ice, heat, massage, stretching, etc, then trusting God with the long-term result.  During my devotion time this morning, I read a Scripture in 1 Peter that goes something like this: "...and the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you, and make you strong, firm, and steadfast."  I believe that God is my ultimate healer.  I want to trust Him with the journey ahead.  I want it to be a journey where He is honored, glorified, and people are drawn to Him.  Although I have goals heading into Disney (which I will discuss later), it is not about me.  It's about Him.  As I have said before, God can do with this immeasurably more than I could ever do on my own.  I want to totally commit and surrender everything to Him.

For now, I plan to blog at least once a week.....maybe more often as we get into the Fall months.  In the blog, I will include a brief synopsis of the week's training, and whatever else God lay's on my heart.  Although I am not very vocal about it at times, in my heart of hearts, I just want people to experience the fulfillment, freedom, joy, and peace that comes with having a surrendered relationship with Christ.  It's time to run to Him, then with Him.....and enjoy every minute of it!