13.1 More Lessons I Learned

Running a half marathon is hard. It's physically and psychologically demanding. But, the Finish is so worth it. I finished my second half marathon in 2:16 minutes (4 minutes better than my first). This time I was in better shape physically, but there were a lot of elements to overcome. I had to deal with the wind, heat, thunderstorms and rain, but a race is a race. No turning back, even though three miles into it, I was like God, please let it storm? Please? If it's lightening, they'll have to stop the race and I get an out. My stomach hurts and I'm tired. Well, in fact it did start to storm during my 10^th mile and at this point, I decided no way; I am 3 miles from the finish. I'm finishing this race. I pushed on a little more, trying to get to the finish line and then it started to rain (I'm at mile 12 now). Great, and I'm so close. Then it started happening. I started breaking down on the last hill right before the finish. I got up the hill but then I stopped to walk. This girl beside me said "no, you can't quit. You're too close." You have to keep going. "Thank you!" I told her "Thank you" and picked it back up and dug in for a strong finish. You never know how you will affect or be affected by someone's encouragement. Those words spoken to me on the overpass at Clemson Road helped me more than she'll ever know (I hate I didn't remember to look for her at the finish line). I just wanted a break. That's all. I knew I was close to the finish and I knew I could finish but I was just ready to stop. My body needed a break. Life is a lot like running. Sometimes you just run and run and things get thrown at you left and right and you think, God, I just need a break and then I can keep going. The reality is we don't get a break. We don't get to say, "God, take this from me for a moment and when I'm ready, I'll pick it back up." But we do get the peace of knowing that our Heavenly Father is right there with us during the struggle. He gives us strength daily to keeping running our race. It's up to us to determine how fast or slow or determined we'll be to get to the finish. Now that I have Half-Marathon number two completed I have a few more lessons to share:

13.1 More Lessons From My Journey

1. Run your own race. It's about you and you only.
2. Run with faith and stop looking back and having doubts.
3. Believe. It all starts with what you Believe.
4. You can make it through the worst conditions as long as you keep going.
5. Sometimes it's ok to slow down and even to walk, but never stop and never quit. As they tell me, it's during those times when your breakthrough is right around the corner.
6. Hills make you stronger. You see what you are made of when you can run up the hill without stopping. Runners hate hills but they are unavoidable obstacles in a training and in a race. The good thing about running is you get to see the hill and anticipate how steep or long it will take you to climb. In life, you don't. You just have to activate your faith and believe you're moving closer to the top.
7. It's easier to become discouraged than it is to try.
8. It takes Determination.
9. Encouragement is priceless. Two people spoke something into my spirit during my race week that was totally unexpected, but right away I knew it was God-sent. Run without restrictions and self-imposed limitations and anxiety. God wants us to have faith and to believe. When you start to relax and run freely, you'll see all kinds of strongholds breakaway and you'll start to run your best. He'll restore to you what was taken away.
10. The enemy is real, but guess what God made me a promise and he'll restore everything (plus more) that the enemy stole. In due time…..
11. Running builds relationships and character. As SMC pointed out, we bond over runner's trots, a hard run and sore muscles.
12. You can't do anything alone. Even while running my own race, I lean on the encouragement of volunteers cheering on the course, runner's agonizing beside me, friends at the finish line and my trusted running buddy who always comes back to get me. "Come on, you can do it J!"
13. And don't let me forget, Black Girls DO RUN! Yes, we do. And, some of us aren't afraid to sweat out our hair either.

.1) I'm Blessed. I'm blessed beyond measure. I'm thankful for the people in my life and my experiences. I'm getting better at this faith thing too. It still gets hard, but when it does I find Encouragement from unlikely sources. So, for anyone who's been my encourager, thank you because you helped me to not quit. I'm stronger, wiser and better. It ain't over until God says it's over, and I just Believe that.

Gratitude Journal
I am grateful for my wonderful mom.
I am grateful I can say I've completed two half-marathons.
I am grateful that I know God.
I am grateful for a day off.
I am grateful that one day (soon I hope) Apple will re-stock their IPAD 2!

Click Here To Read 13.1 Lessons I Learned From My First Half-Marathon

34 and FABulous

Happy Birthday to me. It's my birthday (April 15th) and I'm celebrating ME! This year I'm Determined. I'm Determined to Live in Faith and Walk in Love. I'm Determined to Believe. I'm Determined to be the purposely, wonderful woman that God predestined me to be. So, Devil shame on you for trying to steal my JOY!

Enough of that, Half Marathon #2 is on the schedule for April 16th. Pray for me. The weather forcast calls for rain and possible thunderstorms. The grass is pollenating right now and that's my most extreme allergy (I just took a couple of Benadryl) and I have another, issue bloating and cramps :( But, I'm determined!!!!

Happy Birthday

Gratitude Journal
I am grateful to be turning one year wiser and one year better and stronger.
I am grateful the Best is still yet to come.
I am grateful for my life.
I am just grateful to be able to see and experience the things that I have in my life.

Recognizing

It's 10:52 pm (and I have to run in the morning) and I just got off the phone. But before I started talking on the phone, I  had been reading this blog that made me go WOW! and stop and thank God for my blessings ~ big and small. Here I am getting a little anxious about my half marathon in a few weeks (and my 13 mile practice run on Saturday) and I read this story of a couple who were both diagnosed with cancer nine days apart and have an 18-month old child. They're both going through chemo at the same time.  Count your blessing one by one. Earlier today, I caught myself complaining and whining over one little thing that mophed into a bunch of other little things, and for what reason? What a way to gain a different perspective and realize the importance of being thankful.

Phillipians 4: 6 (NLT) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done,

This scripture verse is a perfect reminder to not worry, to pray and most importantly give thanks. There is always a reason to give thanks. My life is a blessing and it's full of blessings. So today, take a moment to remember and pray for this couple and to give thanks. In all things and all circumstances, remember to give thanks.

Gratitude Journal
I am grateful for the woman I've become.
I am grateful for my health.
I am grateful for a bank acount with a little change in it :)
I am grateful for my new love, running.
I am grateful that I am discovering my purpose.
I am grateful that God spared me...........

A little Inspiration to Make you Smile

I am NOT my Hair

I am a Black Girl and I Run….. I'm proud that I Run. I love meeting with my running group to run. I love connecting with other people who run because only they understand the craziness that we do for the love of running. I love looking for the latest gear or gimmick or trying something new that will improve my running performance. I love talking about running and I love it's not just a hobby but it's also part of my career and now it's a part of my lifestyle. The one thing that I don't love about running is after a run I find myself transformed into this:

I love running but I don't love dealing with and thinking about my HAIR! UGH! Why wasn't I blessed with some wash and wavy just get up and go hair? But, I wasn't so now I just have to deal with it. I'm was in the season of transition, and I got a little restless and cut my hair last week. Yes, I know..... and summer in the south is coming up really quickly. So, now I'm on a quest to find the right products and solutions to the age old dilemma of working out while being a black woman. I really just wanted something different, but now I'm like, I should have thought this thru a little more carefully. Going natural is another thought, but it's more work and more time. Yeah, it's nice that you don't have to worry about sweating out your do, but you still have to manage your style. But, while I think over my next move here are a few items I'm trying to maintain my new do:

1. Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum
2. Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Relaxing Balm
3. L'oreal Frizz Serum
4. Carol's Daughter Tui Leave-In Conditioner

Now, I'm still in the "trying out phase". I do really like the Paul Mitchell products. I did have a good experience with washing my hair and it dried pretty quickly and pretty straight. No real frizz on the end. I'm hoping the smoothing serums will help counter the morning humidity that makes my hair draw up a little like I might have some waves, but honestly I don't J
I've used the Carol's daughter twice. I hope this will keep my hair conditioned and stop the drying and breakage that perspiration can cause. Well, wish me God-speed in working with my tresses in the next few months. I'll update you about my progress
And, don't be surprised if one day I suddenly end up rocking something like this J

Gratitude Journal:

1. I am grateful I'm learning how to truly worship God.
2. I am grateful for a good night's sleep.
3. I am grateful that I gained a couple of pounds.
4. I am grateful for my sister-girls.
5. I am grateful to wake up every day fully clothed in my right mind.
   
   
   Please pray with me and for me this week. On, Saturday I'll be doing the preview run to my upcoming half-marathon. This will be my first time running 13.1 miles since last November.

RANdomness ~ Thoughts from ME

RANdomness

1. I have a PR ~ Personal Record that is! YAY me. I had a great 10K on one of the hilliest, toughest courses ever.
2. OK, really when you do a race, wait to wear your race shirt AFTER the race. I hate to see people walking/racing in the race shirt. UGH!
3. We're getting a taste of spring and I'm getting antsy. I can't for new dresses, and shoes, and purses, and more shoes.
4. Retail Therapy is great but it's like going on a food binge. Makes you feel good when it's happening but then I'm remorseful when I think about it later. Well, maybe not. I did get some cute shoes at some some great prices – Mama, I hope you aren't reading this J
5. I have really been obsessing about my weight lately. It is really bothering me. I don't like being skinny. I'm not a skinny chick. I'm used to looking at myself in the mirror and seeing some booty sticking out. Since becoming a half-marathon runner, I just struggle with my weight and I'm am so discouraged with my jeans sagging in the butt. And people will tell you, oh gosh, you've lost so much weight. Don't you know I know it? Please stop telling me, OK already!
6. I think I'm still mad that my favorite discount shoe website closed down in favor of opening retail stores. I wouldn't care if a store was at least near me. WTH??? I would think you could reach more people with online shopping, but I guess not.
7. Am I the only one who's realized that gas is too freaking high? I mean really ~ $3.41 for regular?
8. I'm thinking is it better to go on an all-inclusive vacation to some tropical island or shopping or both?
9. Things you should not say to a woman?

• When are you going to get married?
• When are ya'll going to have a baby?
• Are you pregnant yet? Well, it will happen?

Look, we understand the state of our lives. We don't need others reminding us of that fact! Ok, that's all of the RANdomness that's on my mind right now.

Thought for the day: My blessing is greater than my hardship.

Pastor Darrell Jackson

Gratitude Journal

I'm grateful for Teddy Grahams.

I'm grateful for a good manicure and pedicure.

I'm grateful that it's ok to get angry as long as you don't stay angry for long.

I'm grateful that I can be grateful J

The Beginning of Better

I had to take a little blogging break. Lots of personal stuff was going on that prevented me from blogging and keep up with my blogging friends. Today, I've been having one of those days when my emotions are getting the best of me, so I decided to return back to my blogging. When I blog and when I run, I seem to get clarity and encouragement.

Short Recap: I'm training again. It's week six of my second half marathon training. My running is good, but my faith is struggling. I know what I know and I even know what I believe, but I'm shaky with taking a step out in faith and believing the impossible. Some days I see it and I feel it, but other days my flesh takes over and I begin to question myself. The reality is I have trust issues. It's hard to trust the unknown. It's hard to trust my thinking and discern if it's me, the enemy or God. I read something about discerning the voice of God and it spoke about how God will speak to you through his Word. He'll also place certain people in your life to help you grow, to stretch you and to mature you. In recent weeks, I've had some conversations that I know have to be God's intervention. Why else would I have been in the situation to hear the advice or the testimonies? You know, friends have been telling me how strong I am, but sometimes I don't want to be strong. I don't want to be the one to pull it together and keep it together. But, I realize I'm just fulfilling my purpose. My favorite song is Never Would Have Made it by Marvin Sapp. This song ministers to me. I feel better every time I hear it. I find strength to dig deeper. This song is on my running playlist and each time it comes on, I run faster, longer and power up hills. On several occasions, my running group has asked, what got in to me? And, I'm like I was listening to Marvin Sapp. This song is my testimony:

Never would have made it, never could've made it, without you
I would have lost it all, but now I see how you were there for me

And I can say
Never would have made it,
Never could have made it,
Without you

I would have lost it all,
But now I see how you were there for me and I can say
I'm stronger, I'm wiser, I'm better, much better,

When I look back over all you brought me thru.
I can see that you were the one that I held on to
And I never
[Chorus] - Never would have made it

I know that God was the one I held on to. It's been so much going on in the last year, and I'm waiting on my season to change. I don't think I'm patiently waiting, but I am waiting. I know it's during this time that God's building me up. He's making me stronger, wiser and better; He's helping me to go through things I never could have imagined.

James 1: 2 – 4: Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (NIV)

The above scripture just came to mind. Thank You April for choosing this as our scripture reading during last week's prayer group. Patience. Sticks out like an elephant in the room. I want my change to come now, but God isn't like that. Over and over we've heard/read stories in the bible of how it took time for God to manifest his purpose and his plans. Sara was 90 years old when she had a baby. Patience. Sara was impatient and Abraham had a child with his servant. Patience. Maybe, my faith is tied to my Patience and my ability to endure. During my time of waiting for a new season, I have to be Patient. I have to maintain a spirit of gratitude, a heart of praise and a desire to grow closer in my relationship with God. I can't let my circumstances or my situations weigh me down because I am a child of God. He didn't bring me to it, not to bring me through it. So cliché, but so true. Maybe, that's my faith-building lesson for today. Scratch the maybe. It is my faith-building lesson. Joel Osteen preaches a lot on declaring faith and victory over your life. I think this is part of my test. Starting today, I declare a new season. I declare a breakthrough and healing. I declare this is The Beginning of Better. God I trust you. I trust you more than ever. I see you working in my life Lord. I pray for strength to trust you and not question what I don't understand. I'm fulfilling my purpose and honoring and you, Lord. I declare I Made It.

James 1:12 (a) says God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation (NLT)

Gratitude Journal
I am thankful for my health and my strength.
I am thankful this is The Beginning of Better.
I am thankful that I love you.
I am thankful for my mother.
I am thankful for supportive friends.

Here is my favorite song, I pray it ministers to you too.

I Want An A

I should be eating my late night snack or at least sleeping, but instead I'm moved to blog. I hear people say all of the time how the spirit moved them to do something or the Holy Spirit was nudging them. Well, I think I may now be one of those people. Let's rewind three and half hours. I sat down to do this new bible study I started. I'm really trying to focus, commit and block out my distractions (TV, Facebook, internet, phone, etc.). I ignored my text alerts then the phone started ringing. For some reason I answered this call. So, now it's three and a half hours later and three phone calls later and I'm thinking and praying about something. Before I begin to read my bible, I say a quick prayer. It goes something like Holy Spirit come into my presence. God, create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit. Speak to me and give me wisdom through your words. Amen. Because I believe that nothing just happens or happens by coincidence, then I must believe that God is speaking to me and the spirit is moving me with these thoughts.

My mama didn't raise a quitter, and she didn't raise me to just be average. How many lectures do I remember her saying, why settle for a B and not study when you can study and apply yourself and make an A? And my response: if I don't have to study and can still make a B, then why should I study? Many years later, I get it. You gotta work at some things. What feels good or comfortable is not always our best. You have to push yourself to bring out the best in yourself. Let me get back to running. Every runner wants to be faster. But being faster doesn't just happen. You have to work outside your comfort zone. Speedwork sure isn't easy. I mean really, who wants to do exhausting repeats to the point that you're ready to vomit? But if you don't give up and push past that point of pain, you'll realize on race day that you finished faster, stronger and maybe even set a PR (personal record for my non-running readers). My point is that God wants our best and he wants what's best for us. We can exist and be fine with a B or we can push towards getting that A. Since running my half-marathon, I've been so-so about running. But this week I made a new training plan for myself. I did it because I needed a plan to follow with some clear goals. Mama's message is now loud and clear, and my response at age 30-something is: I'm not a quitter; I'm committed. I've been running for a B, but now it's time I run like that A student. 

The spirit is really on me about some things in my life. I pray, but am I praying continuously. I read the bible, but not every day. I love, but am I forgiving? Being a Christian and being a runner ain't easy. You can't expect results from either if you are not putting in the time and following the plan (God's word). Ephesians chapter 6 instructs us to put on the full armor of God, to stand firm and to resist the devil. As a runner, I put on my "runner's armor" for every run. You won't find me running without my technical clothing, running socks, running shoes, IPOD and Garmin. So, I have to ask myself the hard question, why do I not put on God's armor daily?

Remember Paul's instructions in Romans 12:2 to renew your mind. A renewing of your mind requires putting on God's armor. To me, running is 30% physical and 70% mental. If your mind isn't focused and controlled, your run will suffer. Where the mind goes, the body will go.  I think the spirit was leading me tonight to the conclusion that I have some commitments to make and some commitments to honor. It's not about perfection, but persistence. I don't want just a B when I can attain an A. My new commitments:

1. I need to be a good steward over my finances. I mean really how many pairs of shoes must a girl own and did I really need to purchase that Coach bag on Sunday J!
2. I'm going to PR on my 5K on December 26 so I must do speedwork!
3. I need to get up earlier in the mornings. Earlier days are more productive and I'm less likely to skip a workout on a non-running day.
4. I need to stop skipping my second weight training day during the week.
5. I need to read my bible every (most) day.
6. I need put on God's armor every day.
7. I need to pray continually and in the spirit.
   
   
   Gratitude Journal:
   I'm grateful for the word of thankfulness that I've been reading.
   I'm thankful for hot tea.
   I'm thankful for my Carolina Girls.
   I'm thankful that God allowed me to love such and imperfect man.
   I'm thankful God hears my prayers and knows my needs.

(I just realized I used the word thankful instead of grateful ~ the spirit is still moving). Be Blessed and run harder!