21 min

I ran my 8th half marathon on Saturday and PR'd (personal record).  My watch said 1:50:33 but official time was 1:50:50.  Whatever.  This was a very hilly course and after my first mile was 8:34, I knew I was in for trouble and that I wouldn't slow down. I did something new this race and prayed each mile for family, friends, etc and honestly, it helped them pass.

As I approached the last half mile, I felt my calves literally burning and my quads tightening.  Side note, they are still tight.  It looked like I just got off of a horse yesterday.  Needless to say, it was a great experience and I am truly impressed at how this girl who held down the10:30 min mile in high school has come so far.  Believe me, when you tell your mind to do something, your body has to listen.

In 2007, I ran my first half marathon in 2:11 and didn't walk once.  Five years later, I have shaved 21 minutes off of my time and did not walk.  Again, I am not a runner.  I don't have the body shape or physique.  But I do have the training.

#9 is next week....yikes.

I must be crazy

In two days, I will go home and run the Springfield 1/2 Marathon.  In 11 days, I will run the Go! St. Louis 1/2 Marathon.  That's right....2 Half Marathons, 1 week apart.  I've never done this before.  The closest I got was last year when I ran 2 in roughly 6 weeks.  I'm not entirely sure how my body is going to handle that.  My Monday morning bootcamp class should be interesting see as I might not be able to move!

Goals for 1/2 #1 - Pray for different things each mile.  I pray a lot when I run, but I wanted to specifically write down names or things to pray for each mile.  I probably won't be able to pray the entire mile because that would mean non-stop praying for 2 hours.  I'd love to say I'm in that kind of place, but I'm not and being realistic. 
Here's my list:

 

Goals for 1/2 #2 - St. Louis - finish the whole darn thing!  Believe me, that will be a miracle after this Saturday.  I will be running the Go! with my friend Caitlin and it's her first, so I hope to be right by her side as we finish together!  

I would say a time, but I'm nervous to say a time and then not do well.  I'll go for under 2:10 for both, or at least the first.

Happy Running!

He is Faithful

Something awesome happened yesterday....First, let me start with our church.  We make these sort of like credit cards during holiday seasons with our worship times on them so we can invite people to church during Christmas, Easter, etc.  I usually take a few, thinking, "God, you know I'm not going to go up to random people and invite them."  But I'll go ahead and take the bait to make myself feel better. 

Anyways, with the one card I took at Christmas, I was able to invite someone, but then forgot all about the freakin' card!  I wrote our address down on a napkin for him!  Good going!

So to appease God and myself, I took 1 card last Sunday.  Just one and thought, "Ok God, provide the person or it's going in the trash."  And later that day, I had a thought on who to invite. We have a new receptionist at our doctor and she knows about our church because she lives near one of the worship leaders.  Easy right?!  Not intimidating and I sort of already asked her to church so I had a destination for my card instantly!

Flash to Monday morning.  I teach a Fitness Bootcamp class in Belleville and there is a lady there that is super energetic and friendly and I often talk to her at the end of class about her goals and what changes she wants to accomplish.  She brings a handicapped woman with her who is always dancing or singing to our music during the workout.  After the workout, I mentioned how this lady wasn't singing that day.  And our member said something like, "She loves praising Jesus, don't you?!"  OK, door opened.  I asked her where she went to church and described mine and asked her to check it out sometime.  She asked where it was.....BAM.  Hello God, would you like to surprise me any more today?!  I ran to my purse and gave her the card.  Mission accomplished.

My point in this silly tale is that I was begrudgingly getting a card to invite someone to church.  Someone I had picked out already.  And God took my unfaithfulness and showed me how faithful he is by providing something else.  A greater opportunity....and another chance to grab more cards.  =)

Have a blessed day and step out in faith!