Let me brag for a minute

Okay folks, my husband is pretty great but sometimes he just pulls stuff out of thin air that reminds me why I married him...

Today, he came home from Sunday evening church and had a bouquet of beautiful flowers with a card for me.  What special occasion was it for you might ask?  Well, I truly did not know.  Usually around the time I start to complain that I haven't gotten flowers in a while, he had them planned for me anyways and there I go ruining the surprise. 

So, the anniversary he was celebrating was that 1 year ago tomorrow, I officially "moved in" with him.  We lived apart for the first 7 months of our marriage due to my job and my dad being sick, but on Memorial Day weekend of 2010, mom and I loaded up the van and the pick-up, and I was really leaving home.  We've made our house in Belleville a home this past year and I've loved every minute of it.  Being here to cook, clean, meet for dinner, sleeping in the same bed, etc.  It made the first 7 months bittersweet, though I wouldn't change anything.  It's our life and as Dad told me, "You and Nathan have to write your own story."

The vacations keep coming...

We just got back from Vegas for Nathan's brother's wedding.  Let me just say, I don't gamble or drink all that much, but I had a blast!!!  The lights, things to see, music...truly amazing!  I'm a small town girl but I love the big city life (for a while anyways).  And best of all, there is no humidity!  My hair stayed straight the whole day!  Being there was great, however I find that a lot of people there are trying to fill a void in their life with money, sex, drugs, alcohol, only to be left completely empty.  I loved the city but it reminded me of what to fill my life with.  Anyways, here are some pics from the trip!  Go if you can!

Tips on Running #2

I'm on a roll, so might as well keep going!  Plus, I'm stuck sitting on the floor in a church office waiting for the tornadoes to pass.

Tip #2

INSPIRATION

What is your inspiration?  Do you just run to run or is there something behind your running?  Or if you don't run, what is it that you do with something or someone in mind?  Maybe it's your kids or a phrase or thinking, "Believe"!  I have a friend who told me once that when her son his crying in the middle of the night she says to herself, "This too shall pass."  So scripture is an inspiration to her.  What drives you?  What allows you to run through the pain in your back, knees, arms and the sweat, and how do you pick up your foot when it feels 100 pounds heavy.

My inspiration is really 3-fold.  

#1 - Jesus.  Hello?  What is the title of this blog?!  I think of Eric Liddell from Chariots of Fire  when he said, "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure. "  First of all, God did not make me fast, but I'm okay with that.  But when I run, I feel like I am at home.  I feel his pleasure in something that I can do with him and for him.  A lot of people don't get that.  They see running as running but when I run, I feel Jesus' power, strength, and determination.  Heck, if he can hang on a cross and endure the suffering and pain of everyone's sins, I can surely run 1 more mile, and pick up my feet and put one in front of the other.

#2 - Hebrews 12:1 - This is my favorite scripture to think of when I run.  I encourage you to have a scripture that you hide in your heart for times of joy, trouble, pain, and just to have!  This is my "go to" verse.  It says -

 ¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

I included verses 2 and 3 because they are just plain true and awesome, but focus on "the race marked out for us".  God has set the path before me in a race.  He has marked it off and surrounded us with help (witnesses).  Get rid of everything that holds you back.  For me, it's the lack of sleep, injury, poor diet, late start, etc.  Get rid of all that and run the race he set before you.  When you do something for Christ and with Christ, nothing gets better.  And you will be amazed at what you can do and accomplish through and for him.  For myself, I went from a 2:11 half marathon time to a 1:53 time in 4 years.  And I'm not fast.  

#3 - My dad.  Dad just started running again in 2007 and even ran a 5k in a really good time (32 minutes but don't quote me on that).  Although I'm convinced he ran it for the free beer!  He told me after that he just wanted to prove to himself that he could do it.  And my dad did anything he set his mind too.  He gave the best advice and was so wise.  Before he died he told me, "I know you'll keep running." He was right and I was able to write him a letter his last week with us telling him that when I run, I would think of him and talk to him.  And he'd better be with me!  And oddly enough, he is.  I can't really explain and I don't really believe in ghosts/spirits, but Dad talks to me.  I hear him and feel him.  When I ran my PR 1:53 in Indy this year, I heard him say, "Kel, you know you gotta run this under 2 hours."  That was an order and I felt alive after hearing that.  We had a special connection and I rely on him still to this day.

Whatever you do, do it well.  Whatever you do, do it for the Lord.  He will open doors and allow you opportunities that you could never imagine (PR 1:53!!!).  Find something that gives you inspiration and do it with excellence.  I always tell people that "I'm not a runner", but I still keep running.  

Hug your kids.

Tips on Running #1

I decided to give tips on my thoughts on running.  What I wear, listen to, how I train, and what races are "must do's".  Maybe it will help someone out there.  Maybe it's just for my eyes, but I enjoy helping and teaching others about quite possibly my favorite pastime. 

Tip #1
Shoes!!!

Let me first say, I have a shoe problem.  Counting flip flops and slippers, I have over 70 pairs.  I know, insane, but I just can't resist them.  Heels, sandals, tennis shoes, etc.  I love, love, love shoes.  They make or break an outfit, in my opinion.  But when it comes to running shoes, I run in 1 pair and 1 pair only.  I sometimes buy 2 at time to replace the ones that wear out. 

The best running shoe I have found are Asics GT 2100 series running shoes.  They are the best.  They provide stability and comfort.  I have special made insoles due to my flat feet which fit in perfectly.  I replace shoes every 300-400 miles to keep from being injured and always buy the newest in the series.  For example, I used to have 2140's and now have the 2150's.  Same shoe, newer number.  They are affordable also (around $90). 

**Mega tip - If you buy the shoe as the newer number in the series is coming out, you can get the shoe for around $70 online either at Dick's Sporting Goods or Sports Authority.

**Bonus tip - If you frequently run and run in races, look at what the elite athletes run in or even just the people around you.  Most of what I see are Asics or Saucony.  Nike's are not very good to run in, period.

Kelli - 1, Raccoon - 0

Got up today to run.  Yes, I know it's only been a few days since my half and PR, but I have to get back into it or I will go stir crazy. Word to the wise, don't do a kettlebell workout with a 20lb weight before running 4 miles the next day.  The insides and back of my legs are very sore and tight.  It's definitely been more difficult walking due to this.  Anyways, got up around 5, which is normal, and hit the road.  I run the same road all the time so today to switch up the scenery, I ran on the opposite of the street.  Daredevil, I know!

So I'm about 5 minutes in and I see a raccoon crossing the major road in my direction.  I see these fellas quite often on my morning runs, but any encounter is one too many.  So this guy crosses the road, stops at the edge of the sidewalk which I am quickly approaching and and stares at me.  Like, "Bring it sista".  I yelled, "Move raccoon, you're annoying," clapped my hands and he still stared with those glossed over eyes.  So I just kept on coming and he kept on staring until he finally got the sense to dart off into someone's yard or garbage.  Whatever raccoon.  We will meet again and I'm sure I will win again.  Stay off my sidewalk.

Another PR!

On April 2nd, I ran the Springfield, IL Half Marathon in 1 hour 55 minutes, a personal best for me.  It was a cool 40 degrees at start, with a few big hills, and I was bookin it.  Never knew I could go that fast when I didn't really train for that.

This last weekend, I ran Indy Mini for the 3rd time and yet again, hit a personal record of 1 hour 53 minutes and 13 seconds.  Avg pace of 8:38.  My first mile was 9:57.  Yikes, somebody needed to pick it up.  So I did and figured I would run as fast as I could for as long as I could. Running on the speedway is truly an adventure and I felt like I was sprinting it.  I think I played Jeremy Camp's, "The Way" 5-10 times on that track.  There's a line that says, "You poured out all your blood and set the captives free."  Wow.   Just picturing that gave me an extra step.  It was truly incredible and I definitely had Dad and Jesus with me that morning.  I'm paying for it today with massive amounts of back pain, but God gave me a gift to run and I run for him....hence, the blog title.

 

Going to Indy

Today, Nathan and I are heading to Indy for my 6th half marathon!  I am pumped, but all of a sudden, nervous.  WhY?!  I've ran this course 2 times and it's flat, and weather is in our favor.  No clue.  Just jittery nerves.  Maybe because I haven't been in bed before 10:30 this entire week and I want to break 2 hours!  It should be great seeing my aunt and uncle, cousins, and my bro and sis-in-law who will be running as well.  His first race, her second.  Plus, we're picking up my bro as a stowaway on the way.  Love road trips!  Even if it puts miles on my car =(

When I run, I cling to several Bible verses. The one that hits me today is from Hebrews.

Hebrews 12:1-3 -
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Consider him who did it all and did it all for YOU, so that you can keep going and finish the race set before you.  Throw off the troubles of this world, and Satan's remarks, and run (literally) with perseverance the race laid out beforehand.  It is ordained and set by God, so run it for him.  Don't lose hope.  Don't give up.  I hope these words catch you today and help you with whatever is being thrown at you today.

Hug your kids and your moms this weekend!!!!

Let's be real honest here for a second

I don't blog.  No one even reads my page.  But I feel like I should because I get so much out of those that I follow and others.  I don't have an exciting life, no kids, I try to craft but really don't, and I have no clue how to use this blog.  But I'll keep posting for anyone and no one at the same time.  This should be fun.

It hits you like a ton of bricks

I miss my dad today.  A lot.  Don't get me wrong, I miss him everyday.  I miss him every moment.  There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about him or what he would have said or the advice he would give me.  Sometimes it just hits me, and I start crying like a blubbering baby.  The other day, it was song lyrics that got me.  Today, it's knowing he wasn't at my wedding, or won't ever meet my perfect niece Leah, or my future children.  That he is so much a part of me that a part of me feels dead or missing without him here.  Gosh, life sucks sometimes, and I am the first to say that I trust God, but sometimes I wish he'd give me what I want. 

I want my dad back.  I want an "easy" life that does not exist.  A life without trials and pain.  A life that God intended us to have.  I live for the day when I feel like God has put this whole back together in my life.  And believe, sooner would be better.  I can't just be randomly crying all the time right?  God has blessed me and my family a ton, but I'd give back all the blessings to have Dad back.  I have learned to perfect my bargaining skills and I keep thinking that maybe someday, God will honor my requests.  Because I still want him back, I want to feel whole again. 

Yes, God is good all the time, but there are times I doubt his fairness or goodness because pain sucks.  It is a hurt I have known in and out but have to get up and cover up most days.  I will never turn my back on God, but I would love to understand the master plan some days. 

If you are struggling with loss, whether a pet or a family member or a relationship lost, believe that God is near even when you don't feel him because maybe he will change your heart.

Hug your kids.