Boston Marathon

TURN OFF MUSIC TO THE SIDE BEFORE PLAYING VIDEO! ; )

The 113th running of the Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 20th. I know one of the folks I will be cheering for will be Ryan Hall. In an interview with Runner's World magazine, Ryan says he has no plan for the race but to run in the Spirit. Check out this long but good video on why he runs!! I wanna put on my shoes and run!!

Thank you Lord that we get to live in the victory of the cross and the triumph oer the grave everyday!

GO RUNNERS! RUN BOSTON! 26.2 OR BUST!

preaching to myself

Ever have those days or weeks when you feel like nothing is going right? You feel defeated and Satan has convinced you that you are a worthless blob that God could never use. I have many times. I feel defeated quite often to be honest. He reminds you of your faults, flaws and past sins. Well, I am a worthless blob but I'm a forgiven redeemed worthless blob living on grace to get through each moment. I often forget that.

I heard this song on the radio today. I did not get to write anything about it earlier when I posted it. It just spoke to me. It reminded me that I've come a long way and I've got to keep running. I get knocked down but I get up again to quote some other lyrics. One of my favorite lines is "you are not lost." 3 Things come to my mind when I hear that line - 1) a child lost in a dark forest and scared 2)the sweet relief and reunion that comes after being found 3) I am not lost - my life still has worth and can be used for the Kingdom ...even when I don't feel it. The other line I like is "his grip is sure and ...there will be no letting go today." Thank you Lord for you have every right to kick me to the curb.

We struggle each moment to live this life full of trials and we each have our moments of doubt, defeat, fear and despair. I hope you will be encouraged to keep running. And tomorrow or next week, when I forget this please remind me to get up, put on my redemption sneakers and keep running because this race can be won.

Stay strong
You are not lost
Come on and fix your eyes ahead
There's a new dawn to light our day, our day
You've gotta stay strong
You and I run
For the prize that lies ahead
We've come too far to lose our way, our way

We've gotta stay strong
You are not lost
Come on and fix your eyes ahead
Our Father's dawn will light our day, our day
Come on and stay strong
His grip is sure
And His patience still endures
There'll be no letting go today, no way

Stay Strong

Stay Strong
Newsboys

You're in the moment now
A bitter root
A wandering eye and then
The ties that bind start wearing thin, thin

You're in the moment now
When all you've been blessed with
Is not enough
Here's where the ground gets loose
Here's where the devils call your bluff

Stay strong
You are not lost
Come on and fix your eyes ahead
There's a new dawn to light our day, our day
You've gotta stay strong
You and I run
For the prize that lies ahead
We've come too far to lose our way, our way

We've seen the tragic flaws
The tortured souls
The saints with feet of clay
Here's where sin becomes cliche'

We've come through wilderness and watched
The cloud by day
The burning sky into dawn
Have you forgotten who you are?
Did you forget whose trip you're on?

Stay strong
You are not lost
Come on and fix your eyes ahead
There's a new dawn to light our day, our day
We've gotta stay strong
You and I run
For the prize that lies ahead
We've come too far to lose our way, our way

Get up, there's further to go
Get up, there's more to be done
Get up, this witness is sure
Get up, this race can be won
This race can be won

We've gotta stay strong
You are not lost
Come on and fix your eyes ahead
Our Father's dawn will light our day, our day
Come on and stay strong
His grip is sure
And His patience still endures
There'll be no letting go today, no way

Come on, and stay strong
You and I run
For the prize that lies ahead
We've come too far to lose our way, our way

Running Scripture Life Scripture

In August, I built my staff training days for my job around an Olympic/Ironman theme. In the process, I made these postcards with a picture of different Olympic events and a scripture that matched. I planned on using them for decorations around the room. Well, our copier at work decided we needed A LOT of these and did a double batch of them. We had plenty to begin with and a double batch was overkill. I never knew how this extra batch would help throughout the year. I've used them to write thank you notes on to my staff and encourage them to stay the course with a scripture. I've looked through them when I've felt discouraged. I've given them to friends who were feeling overhwelmed. I never knew at the time that I would run a half marathon but these scriptures have helped through the training and the race. They are not just "running" scriptures but scriptures for life. Here are several:


Hebrews 4:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those that have been trained by it.

Nehemiah 8:10 For the joy of the Lord is my strength.

Acts 20:24 ...if only I can finish the race and complete the task the Lord has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

Matthew 19:26b ...with God all things are possible.

2 Corinthians 13:11a ...aim for perfection...

Hebrews 12:1 (The Message) Keep your eyes on Jesus, who began and finished this race we're in.

Isaiah 40:31 Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; ...they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint.

Philippians 3:12 I've got my eye on the goal

Psalm 56:13 You have delivered my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

Psalm 121:1-2 I lift my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

Psalm 42:5 Fix my eyes on God ...He puts a smile on my face.(the message)

Philippians 3:13b-14 Forgetting what is behind me and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all runners run but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

2 Chronicles 32:8 (paraphrased) They only have human strength but we have the Lord our God to help us

Habakkuk 3:18 I will triumph in the Lord; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Hebrews 12:1-2 ...let us run with endurance the race set before us focusing on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross...

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

I think it is great to run and have some time to commune with God.

Duh Theme Music

What was I thinkin'? We need theme music!! song "We are the champions" removed.

13.1 and Done!

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7 (I should've added this earlier)

Day Before...
big butterflies
a little stress
consuming large amounts of fluids
running to potty
praying
please Lord let me go potty before big race
ate dinner late - salmon on the plate
gathering clothes, knee braces and bib
reading scripture
tossing turning all night

Pre-Race...
beep beep beep it's 4am
up anyway can't sleep
eat half banana unsure about eating
drink water
bundle up for bowel motivating jog up and down street
it's so cold! stretching jogging
the word "Port-a-Potty" makes me tremble with fear
praying for all of our bowels
port-a-potty strikes fear in us all
shower to warm up
get dressed
gather things
talk to Nat
THANK YOU LORD I run to potty!!
time to go
dark streets nobody out
Arise on eagles' wings song playing on KSBJ
praying
tearing up
not sure why
scared
line is beginning to form at Vet's park
meet at church
running out of time
get to park
quickly pin bib tie shoes
no gloves
hands freezing
have extra socks
extra socks make great gloves
hubby calling
leave bag by pole
calling all runners
no time to warm up
jumping in place
freezing tail off
where's JB?
can't do this without her
2 second stretch
wanted to pray before we left
but there is no time
should've tinkled again
nerves
excitement
10, 9 , 8, 7....loud horn!!
and we're off
still no JB

Miles 1-7...
Feeling good but soo cold
Where is JB? Looking for orange hat
Gazelles and Kenyans long gone
uphill
K and JB find us - happy reunion
cheering people
Hwy 30 more flat
feeling great warming up
shedding clothes - oops shed headphones by accident
JB sharing scripture
Isaiah 40:31
Hebrews 12:1-2
Jesus endured cross
we can endure 13 miles
Hubby following along to gather our gear and cheer
sip some aqua and keep going
singing dancing running
Yakety Yak
Woolly Bully
Bohemian Rhapsody
Bird Pond is fun to run
nose running too
feeling like heaven!
hey we're at 7!
hubby man cheering once again!
this is awesome our time is great!
we rock!
we love running!

Miles 8-9.5...
hills!
hills!
hills!
water break
the hubby motivator van in affect!
hills!
nose still running
moving at record speed
Brick family visit!
water from kiddos, high fives, cheers, potty breaks
Sebesta surprise
Gunter kiddos with homemade signs and cheers
motivating!
love those girls!
runner's jelly beans
too much water

Miles 9.5 - 13.1...
piercing cold wind
wishing for jacket I shed at mile 3
uphill for over a mile
back hurting
running in place
foot hurting
Nat not slowing
must keep going
snot slinging - gross but true
feeling fatigued
yea downhill
but not for long
must walk at Gander Mountain
breathing too hard to take in water
Lord help me
shivering cold
finally Harvey Road
one mile left
close to mental breakdown
tired
everything hurts
marathoners are insane!
I want to quit
Bill jumps in alongside
motivating encouragement
so close
so far away
longest mile of my life
finish line looks like a speck
please don't speed up
I can't go any faster
huffing
puffing
chest hurting
losing form
stride diminishing
making turn to finish line
can't give up now
almost done
can I make it?
body is saying No!
gotta keep going
Nat says c'mon!!
cheering friends
leave it all on the road
2 hours 26 minutes 55 seconds
first half marathon done

Post- Race...
wobbly
sucking in air
may barf
need to pee
medals
hugs
pictures
congrats
thank yous
cheers for friends
freezing sweat chills
feet hurt
brain mush
can't peel banana
go home
peel off clothes
legs bright red
take shower
warm thawing power
ouch - chaffing stinging skin!
barely moving
dress
eat peanut butter cups
mexican food out the wa-zoo
rest
rest
rest
shuffling to walk
pedicure
o yea!
peanut butter cups
visit
face chapped
dinner
peanut butter cups
facebook
muscle cramp
peanut butter cups
the best night's sleep ever
hobbling
sore in pain
quads beat up
thank you Jesus!
let's do it again ; )

Done!

It is finished! I will write more when brain is functioning properly! So tired! Going to bed!

Going the Distance

Check out these ROCK STARS!! Just to give you a frame of reference - they are swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles and running a marathon - a mere 26.2 miles! If you watch closely, you can see the winner's time 8:22:36! Wow! It takes me 2 hours to run 10 miles. I like the song a lot. It is not about the winner but the guy that keeps going even though the crowd has left and the trophy has been claimed. I'm going to watch this before I leave for the race on Sunday.

...Let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross...Hebrews 12:1-2

Run

Well, we are a week away from the big race day. My emotions are on a roller coaster between excitement and self doubt. Can this 30 something aged woman really run a half marathon? We ran 10 miles this morning. In September, I couldn't run over 3. I completely amazed that we can run this far. I am moved emotionally when I think about it all. I feel like I'm shedding off the chains that have bound me emotionally and physically for so long.

This morning I had many thoughts out on the road. We got the pleasure of running under the stars and moon in the sky. They were very sparkly this morning. I kinda felt like the heavens were rooting for us. We saw our ever constant but silent spectators, the deer. They gathered to see if we were going to make it up the street. ; ) My crew and I chat some but we have stretches of silence too. I feel like the Lord is right there running with us encouraging us to run for those who cannot. Today, I thought about how Jesus died on the cross and how this run is nothing compared to the pain he went through. I can keep going. I thought of the NY city firefighter that ran a marathon with his deformed body after being hit by a bus a few years earlier. I do not have a physical deformity so I can keep going. I thought of B's sister that is in so much pain right now fighting MS and how her body betrays her and won't let her move. I do not have a disease so I can take another hill.

I do not know what March 1st holds. I may fall apart. I may have to scooch across the finish line on my bottom because I can no longer stand. I may win the trophy! LOL!!! All I know that so far, this has been a monumental experience in my life. I say this daily to anybody that asks me about running but I truly believe that IF I CAN DO THIS ANYBODY CAN! I cannot boast of my own ability because I know it is only God that picks my feet up and puts them down. I am thankful for this opportunity. I hope you will be encouraged to try something that you never thought you could do.

10 Sweet Things About My Hubby

Hit Play if you want tunes >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> george strait, the man in love with you, removed.

10. He makes me coffee every morning.
9. When it's cold, he puts my covers in the dryer to warm them up before I go to bed.
8. He runs to the store at all hours of the day or night without complaint usually because I have forgotten some integral part of whatever it is I'm working on.
7. He holds me in the morning before he gets out of bed.
6. He knows that my PMS cravings are a NEED and not a WANT type situation! ; ) Hand over the bottle of real Coke!
5. He makes sure that he hugs, kisses and says "I love you" to each of us before he leaves for work.
4. He is my #1 fan and encourages me in all of my pursuits.
3. He gives awesome back rubs.
2. I needed to get my training miles in on Saturday and I had not been able to get it done during daylight hours. So, he drove the "pace car" alongside me so I didn't have to run alone in the dark.
1. This morning he said, "I love you. I love the whole concept of you." Woohoo! Say that again!

Thank you Lord for a man that loves you, me and our children!

Things That Make You Go Hmmm...

These things have made me pause and say "hmmm..?" this week:

1. In this economy, 37 year old MLB player Manny Ramirez, turned down a 2 year contract for 45 million. He wants a 4 year contract. How many of you would work for 2 years for 45 million? How many of you would work for 2 years playing a game for 45 million dollars?

2.Bernie Madoff, who was arrested in a scandal recently for stealing millions from investors, says his 7 million dollar penthouse apartment is a prison. He is currently on house arrest and cannot leave his apartment. Bernie have you seen prison? There are no maids, no butlers, no chefs, no high thread count sheets, and no gold potties! There is a thin mattress on a bunk bed and a stainless steel potty with absolutely no privacy. Not to mention Big Buford that wants you to be his boyfriend! Bernie stick with the penthouse!

3. Microbeads - hmmm... they are supposed to be great for exfoliating your face and making it softer and clean. Why does it make my face breakout? I had a great facial cleanser until it started adding what I call "grit" to the formula. I don't want grit! Daddy Boy (at my request) bought me some different cleanser to put in my stocking. It has mircobeads. : ( I know it says that it is not supposed to clog pores but why do I look like a freshman in high school?

4. Moisturizer - Why does the $18 dollar moisturizer make my face dry? I bought it with Christmas money. I have 2 dry patches on my chin. They were worse after the application of the moisturizer. It also has a tint to it which would be great if I had a tint to the rest of my body. I am white - sooo white my husband says I glow in the dark. So, I look like my face got a tan while the rest of me was wearing a speed skating suit. Hmm! I didn't notice the mention of tint when I purchased it.

5. Shopping Bag - I wanted to order a few things from a popular department store online. I had found my items and put them in my shopping bag and used the new nifty "save your shopping bag" button. I needed to go put my Christmas money in the bank before purchasing the items. I thought this would be fabulous! Well, this does not really help you. Your items are really not being held for you. It is simply a list of what you hoped to purchase so at a later date you can see the clothes that somebody else bought. The advertisement for the bag was a little misleading. Hmm!

6. Why does my cell phone ring most of the time when I'm in the potty?

7. Why do boy bicycles have a bar connecting the front to the back but girls do not? Bar = ouch! in my opinion.

8. For the last 2 weeks, my daughter has studied rigorously for her spelling test. We have come up with creative ways to learn the words and have spent a lot of time on them. This, mind you, is in addition to all the other homework she has had. For the last 2 weeks, the teacher has not given the spelling test. I love her teacher and I'm sure she had a good reason but it is frustrating to spend so much time on this and then not let her have a chance to succeed.

What makes you say pause and say "hmmm?"

Quote of the Day

from LPie.....

"God is another name for Jesus in Spanish!" ; )

Visitors

Update: Tonight when we were running, we saw the buck again and he has 6 points!! The rack looks a little better than the previous picture so I've updated the picture to look more like my running route buck. Sorry the pic is so small.


I found these web photos to simulate the new visitors I had stop by my running route this evening. I've only seen little bucks with just tiny spikes down this way before but this one was a young buck with a rack (4 to 6 points). I've never seen a hog along this route before. Neato!

Exercise Ball

Well, I thought I was somewhat athletic and I've been pretty impressed with myself being able to run further than I had ever thought I could. Maybe I've gotten a little too cocky and the Lord thought I needed to be brought down a notch or two or maybe all the way down to the carpet. I bought an exercise ball thinking it would be great for toning and it is something I can do when I can't go run. It has humbled me and my athletic ability. It is more like a blooper show than a workout. "Hmm....no one seems to be falling off the ball and hitting the carpet as much as I am in the informational DVD." I am far from the svelte little perky 20 year old that was modeling the exercises with the greatest of ease with nothing to help her balance. "But I've got skills, I should be able to do this, right?" Wrong! I had trouble with the sit ups, the push ups and the ball lunges. Wow, and this is the "stay put" exercise ball. I guess I'd get a free ride across the room before smacking my body on the floor with the "non-stay put" type ball. I was able to do the back lifts where you "drape" yourself over the ball and lift your chest up. "Drape" means lay your big ol' belly on the ball and it will "stay put." However, draping my belly over the ball made me nauseous and light-headed. So, I'm thinking that this ball and I may not be able to get along. Maybe I need to lift some more weights or do more ball-free toning before I attempt to join the circus ball clown show. I'd just rather go run!

What would you be?

A friend of mine had a neat post on her blog the other day that asked basically "what did you want to grow up to be when you were young and did you become that?" That gave me an idea for a blog entry....


If you could be anything you wanted to be or dreamed of being, what would you be? Skill, talent, schooling doesn't matter - just what you daydream about.

Twenty Below!

Check it out! The weather pixie says it's -20 in Minnesota! Yikes!! I don't think I could handle negative temperatures. I would never leave my house in winter if I had to live there. Could you imagine what this would be like? I would have to go to Sam's in September and buy all I would need for months. I would probably weigh a ton because I would get bored and bake cakes and cookies. It would be hard to put on my running shoes with all the pairs of socks I'd be wearing so the treadmill would be out and any amount of sweat could cause a chill and that's BAD when its 20 below zero! So, exercising would be out. I would have to homeschool my kids because I could not get up and shovel the snow off the driveway in the -20 degree temperature and take them to school. Much less, actually maneuvering the car on the icy snowy roads. Trapped in the house with nowhere to go and 3 kiddos might cause me to lose my mind but hey we would be warm! I'd gain tons of worthless trivia knowledge watching too much mindless TV and playing on the computer too long. So, I'd be dumber if I lived in Minnesota in the winter.

At night, I would hibernate in my cocoon of quilts and blankets carefully wrapped around my head and body so not to allow one single draft of cold air to seep in. I would look like a big mummy lying in the bed. I would love it there in my perfectly warm cocoon but would be a little light headed from breathing in my own recycled air. I would only reluctantly get up from my cocoon to go potty. Then I'd have 16 layers of flannel and wool to peel off while doing the "tee tee" dance because I waited til the absolute last minute to go. Then while pottying, I would get a chill and have to run back to the cocoon after pressing Kleenexes up my nose because cold = drippy runny noses in our family.

Only after the begging and pleading of my poor children for me to come make breakfast and a serious self pep talk, would I take the polar plunge off the bed, into the day. I would be a tad jittery from the cold and the pot of coffee I would have to drink to warm up each morning. Come spring, I'd be pale and fat and stir crazy but WARM!! Can you imagine the heating bill?

You think I'm kidding about the 16 layers, you should see me at home on a cold day. My mom-in-law laughed at my several sock layers I had on just the other day. "Warmth knows no ugliness!!" - a little saying we came up with after standing in the freezing rain at the Cotton Bowl in college. We did not care what kind of mis-matched fashion statements we were making. We just wanted to be warm!

I'm a Texas girl! No can do 20 below!!!

Blanketful

It is cold and wet here! The cold just seems to seep into my bones when the weather is like this and I have a hard time warming up. After we got our big sister off to school with Daddy Boy, LPie, Sugar and I have had the heat on, had on our warm socks and have spent the morning wrapped in quilts and blankets cuddling. LPie said she wanted to stay wrapped up all day. I told her that I wish we could too.
She then asked, "Mommy is everybody warm?"

"What do you mean?"

"Does everybody have a warm air conditioning at their house?"

"No, not everybody has a heater at their house like ours."

"They have to use blankets to keep warm?"

"Yes, they do but a heater would probably work better."

"Well, we need to be "blanketful" to God that we have a heater and warm covers!"

"You are so right LPie!"

"Blanketful" - I don't think she even realized that she said that instead of "thankful" but I think for this topic "blanketful" was the most appropriate word.

Lord, we are very "blanketful" that we are warm on this cold morning!

Tagged and Didn't Know It!

Well, I'm behind the times on reading other blogs and I got tagged with the 4th picture thing and didn't realize it! Sorry! So, here is my picture of Puddin' making Easter basket cupcakes or "pupcakes" as she pronounces them. Sweet Memories!!

OK, I'm off to snuggle in a quilt, watch the Fiesta Bowl and drink hot chocolate because it is COLD over here in our neck of the woods!! BRRR!!!! I should be pumping iron for my training but I'm claiming it as a rest day!! ;) Happy Monday to each of you!!