Sights on Santana

I set out this morning with the goal of Santana High School. I thought that would be about 5-6 miles and I was right it was just at 5 miles. I ran 6 miles a couple of days ago at Lake Murray. Saturday is a good day for a longer run because Jim is at home with the girls.
I set out and about a mile into it started my thinking, it gets me in trouble, would I be able to make it the whole way, I was feeling less than sure. I seem to have a lot of what I will call encounters once the thoughts start and then I know to pay attention there is much to gleam

1st Encounter - I saw Michell and Diane Cook and exchanged smiles and ran off with a sense that someone knew what I was out doing in the world, not for bragging rights or anything but just that sense of accomplishment being shared with others. Thanks

2nd Encounter - I turned down into the Lakeside Water Park for some scenic time on my run and was feeling a bit tired at about mile 2 which is typical and always passes but encouragement at that point always helps. Just as I was going to reach for the phone to call Jim and seek that encouragement the man up ahead on the path caught my eye. He had silver hair and a full silver beard, two beautiful dogs with him and just struck me as someone who was fit and full of joy. I almost said something like bless the Lord this morning to him but he spoke first , "you are looking good young lady, keep it up, " I kept running past and called out my appreciation for his encouragement. Not sooner than I needed it or after I had thought about it but right on time... Thanks

3rd Encounter - Up to this point my encounters have been with people but slowly I felt the thoughts and words coming to me, I began looking at the surroundings as pictures of what was being spoken and I got excited. It was familiar and comfortable and I knew to listen closely because the voice I heard was Holy. I made a left turn and kept running no longer so focused on the running but more the thoughts I ran right at the end of a dead end, a bit exasperated at first I heard, "Is is not the dead end that counts but your attitude in dealing with it" Ah ha ! I will choose to see it as extra credit on my run and turn back with a positive outlook. Thanks

I was now turning the corner out of the river walk and onto Riverford up towards Mast and I started to notice things along my path. Who had traveled here before me? What were they doing? I noticed litter and how it seemed to have a theme of sorts. Cigarette butts, empty boxes, mini liqueur bottles. As I kept running I realized that I had seen the same little bottle a few times over the last 1/2 mile or so, I wondered had it been the same person? Thoughts about the paths we take in life came to me and how we make choices to walk a certain way whether consciously or unconsciously. I had walked a different path than this in life, one that was far less healthy and proactive. I had been lost and desperate searching for a way out before. As I turned down Los Ranchitos I knew that I was coming upon an old familiar landmark in my life. Only the landmark was gone, torn down and the property was desolate except for a few trees and a large pile of rock and rubble. As the word desolate hit my mind, I began crying tears streaming down my face. I realized then and there that I could never go back to who I was then and that I no longer fit in that place. Just as in the physical those buildings that I had spent time in, laughed in, cried in, sinned in, worked in, made connections with friends in, grown in were gone so was that person. Not really revelation to me I know that I am a new creation but sometimes it just hits you and at that moment I was overwhelmed. I could no longer relate somehow to who I was but one thing about it.... I was desperate then, weak and in a position of needing strength greater than me and hear I was running by identifying that I was still that person desperate, weak and needing strength. The only difference was that now I chose to consciously walk each step knowing from whom I could find it. I cried and cried and it freed me to run fast toward the finish line. I thought it interesting that I made my call for Jim to pick me up before I hit the finish line because there was no doubt in my mind where I would finish! My goal was set and the price set before me and I know what lies ahead. VICTORY Thanks

These encounters each of them are with the living God whether through thoughts , a smile, or an exchange of conversation I meet with Him on my path and this is valuable.

I made the finish line today and was filled with the reality of my life, my husband, my kids, my God and my health and that is good for today!! Thanks

Why blogging?

I turn 40 in January. I didn't set out for this goal to be my "Fit and 40" but so be it it is! My husband and I have signed up to run a half marathon in January. Money has been paid and there is no turning back now. There is a part of me that feels confident that I can accomplish this; after all I did give birth 2 times with no drugs. One was 14 hours long and the other was 9 stinking pounds!! After those experiences I was sure that I could do just about anything but there are those natural hormones running through your body clouding your mind with ideas that you are unstoppable.



I started running at the beginning of the summer and logged my every mile. I was shocked by the ability to keep moving forward despite my mind telling me that throwing up or passing out was in my near future. Then it got really HOT and I took a break for awhile. I am back at it and feeling a bit of pressure that my performance must improve in order to finish strong in January. Everyone tells me it is OK if I walk some but inside I really want to run the whole way or at least only walk for very brief spurts of time.



Why am I blogging this journey? Well in a nut shell I felt the Lord telling me to, He impressed upon me that on my path as I run the thoughts I have are valuable, to me, to my daughters and to those who would choose to take the journey with me and see what He would say. It became clear to me right out of the gate that my thoughts towards myself while I began running were filled with lies and negativity. I ran with my love (Jim) beside me and he would point out as I murmured about my lack or my slow speed or how much I was dragging, that my words were not true. I was challenged that these thoughts would keep me, slow, feeling inadequate and would not be helpful at all towards the finish line.



I began to see that the Lord wanted to replace these ideas about myself with new ones as I grew strength and ran farther, I would be transformed in my mind. So every time I would set out to run He would speak, I would feel filled with the wisdom of the Lord and with knowledge that was not my own and I would fear that I would never remember what He was saying. I love to write and as a wife, a mom , an employee, a business owner , a friend and a volunteer I seem to find little time to dedicate to this passion.



One thing led to another and I decided as silly as it seemed in my mind to start blogging about my journey to the finish line. I pray that you will find encouragement through my struggles and my triumph. That we can relate as humans beings trying to live our lives in a way that counts. I know that my running a half marathon does not end world hunger or bring people to a saving knowledge of Christ BUT maybe just maybe it will fill someone with a sense of awe because of His glory and that is a worthwhile effort.