Seaside Half Marathon

I've thought for a long time about how I'm going to blog this. This has been one of things I've tried to really seek God on how to share because if I just post pictures, it can be a "look what I did" kind of thing, and that's not at all what this was or what I want to say. It's no mistake that this was the devotional that was emailed to me this morning. I'd never studied this scripture but this really is what was at the heart of me and exercising. So before I go on, be inspired and know that I had to come a long way to get to this point. So much prayer has gone into breaking my old ways of thinking on this issue. And if I can, you can.

I started couch to 5K last May when my second child, Jay, was 5 months old. I'd never done anything my whole life -- no gym, no dance, no sports, no running, no sweating. For some reason, that was the only spring we have ever watched Biggest Loser (probably because I was nursing and stuck with tv a lot). Towards the end of the season, they did a marathon. Driving around the next few days, I saw two super old men running. Then Ashleigh posted about Emma running a mile fun run. I felt like running was everywhere, and the question was in my face, "Do you really think you can't do this when all of these people can -- young/old, big/little, etc?!" So looked up the couch to 5K plan.

I started alone, me and a kitchen timer around a pond near my house, determined to build up endurance. It took me weeks to run one mile -- I went slow and followed the program. Really, there was no physical way I could have jumped steps in the program. The beginning months with running were really tough -- I would lay all over our floor afterward trying to catch my breath! :) It was the dead of summer so I had to run early to beat the heat which meant getting up even earlier to pump first (sorry if guys read this). It wasn't an easy thing to fit into the day as a new mama of two, but I kept telling myself I wasn't that big of a deal to get up super early twice during the week then one on a weekend that didn't have to be as early. This post was awesome at targeting my tendency to make excuses -- watch the commercial!

Eventually, I had enough confidence to try running with friends. I'll never forget Ashleigh at the top of a hill coaching me not to stop! Their accountability twice a week at 5:45am was priceless -- I'll meet anyone who wants to start this if that is what it takes! :) Remember the episode of Friends where Monica runs all around Chandler coaching him -- my friends were so great to be Monica for me!!! My man is awesome to handle the morning routine for our fam several times a week!!!

We did our first 5K in July, first 10K in November, and first half-marathon this past weekend. Now by no means does this have to be your track. I am happy as can be to go back to running 3-5 miles on a regular basis, but this was really fun to set a goal, train (well, that part was not 100% "fun"), and race! As I looked back at these race pics, I realized Scarlotte was at all of these with me -- WAY ahead of me but with me! Accountability is priceless!
Scarlotte, Emily, Casey, and I headed down for a girls' weekend in Destin and did the Seaside Half Marathon together. Our men were awesome to provide us with a quiet retreat together, good nights of sleep, and sweet time away for fun and fellowship! We sure did miss them and our little ones but a getaway can be invaluable!

We were up at the crack of dawn (except for Casey who never slept and beebopped in our room after our 5am alarm went off all dressed and ready to go!) to head to Seaside. Don't be deceived -- it was windy, cool, and overcast -- really my favorite running weather!

Our devo for that morning from Jesus Calling:

Continue on this path with Me, enjoying My Presence even in adversity.
I am always before you, as well as alongside you.
See Me beckoning to you: Come! Follow Me.
The One who goes ahead of you, opening up the way,
is the same One who stays close and never lets go of your hand....

Casey and I hung together the whole way running almost a minute faster a mile than we'd been training, much in part to a girl named Jessica who appeared at mile 6 with a pacing watch (I'd left mine at home!). I quickly made friends with her and her pacing watch then we realized that she and Casey went to high school together. So us three hung in there the rest of the race and finished together! God sent her at just the right time -- miles 6-8 are my hardest! Then at mile 10 we started rattling off things we're thankful for to keep us going (this book is already in my head).

We crossed the line (with Emily and Scarlotte cheering!), and just as I'd been warned, felt myself starting to get emotional. Until they handed me a medal, and it was time to pick out what color Vera Bradley bag I wanted! :) So thankful Jessica was right with us!

I really had to have a major heart/perspective change about this to get here. To be grateful for healthy legs, the ability to run, the chance to show my daughter what a mama of two little ones can do (I hope she's inspired when she's in my stage one day), etc. A grateful heart was in stark contrast to my previous way of thinking it's a pain, I didn't have time for it, I'm not athletic, etc. This has been such a big life lesson for me!

"Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting."
Psalm 139:23-24

"Those who live according to the flesh
have their minds set on what the flesh desires;
but those who live in accordance with the Spirit
have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
The mind governed by the flesh is death,
but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace."

Romans 8:5-6

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified
the sinful nature with its passions and desires."
Galatians 5:22-25

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

"always giving thanks for all things
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God..."
Ephesians 5:20 NASB