Weeks 7 & 8 Marathon Training: Losing Myself

Saturday, June 15, 2013

I am realizing that my blogs are less about running and more about God. And I think that is how it should be, when one goes on a journey with the sole intent to become closer to Him, that the result is exactly that. I just honestly didn't expect it. When I answered that voice that said I should run a marathon, secretly I didn't think it was God talking to me. Maybe it was my secret wish, to run a marathon. That was a thought, that I was just spinning it I to thinking it was God's plan, not my own, to perhaps feel a little less selfish. And as a Christian I want to follow God. And I sometimes feel a little (ok, a lot) undeserving...I am still building my relationship with Him, how do I "really" know that it is his words I hear? Who am I to think I can hear Him? It Is called faith, my friends, and it's true what they say, you don't need a boatload of it, just a tiny mustard seed, like the bible says.

So...part of me felt that during this journey I wouldn't hear him speak, that my footsteps wouldn't walk with His, that this whole marathon thing would really just be about running.

But it is anything but.

Yes, I am training, and getting stronger physically, but spiritually and in my relationship with Christ I am growing by leaps and bounds. Like my Faith. And yes, I am trying new fueling methods (I like cliff shots), and have learned ways to recover from sore muscles (foam roller), and I a building endurance, but it is the race to salvation that concerns me.

Acts 20:24
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace

1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

I am reading a book called "Anything" by Jennie Allen. This book is nothing short of amazing, and is exactly what I needed right now at this point in my journey. A spark friend, Rachel, (RUNNERRACHEL) recommended it to me and I am so glad she did. This book is about one simple word, "anything" it challenges the reader to make a promise to God. Promising to do anything He asks. Go wherever He may lead us. Not questioning, but having a faith as large as this world that God created. I want that.

Last week I talked about running from God. I didn't want to be a runaway bride, I wanted to get closer to God, and in fact, would do anything to do that. This marathon is my anything. Letting go of my past and people in it that don't serve me, or even more importantly, enable me serve GOD as I should, is my anything.

In the book, Jennie says that "little deaths always feel like big deaths until you let go. After you let go you wonder, what was the big deal?" Let go. This is something I've been wrestling with. Letting go of people and things, ideas I don't need and most of all, letting go of my fear.

In the book she also says that at the root of all sin is unbelief. I believe that is true. We look for other things to fulfill and sustain us other than our God. But nothing else can ever fill us up like He can. It's like going to the gas station for fuel for your car, and filling up the car with water - it just won't work.

Another quote from the book, "he'll always feel far away, drowned out by other louder rivers, until every other thing fades away and He becomes the only thing."

I'm finding that my love for Jesus is outweighing my love of the material things and people of this world. That I want to follow him. It's not a "have to" anymore.

I also love this:

”But God often seems unconcerned with helping us maintain same, simple lives where everything fits and works. I don’t know what God’s plans are for you, but I do know that we don’t hear from him until certain things die. He doesn’t compete. And when he does speak, it typically costs something.”

There are things in this world that are going to be hard to give up. But I am renewing my vows and will release those things that take up space inside my head and heart. I'm going to make room for Him.



And I've found that even when we are running from god, he is always faithful, and is running towards us. Our past doesn't matter. Who we are doesn't matter. God weighs our hearts and sees what is on the inside, he redeems us. And we are NEW.



"No amount of falls will really undo us if we keep on picking ourselves up each time. We shall be very muddy and tattered children by the time we reach home. But the bathrooms are all ready, the towels put out, and clean clothes in the airing cupboard. The only fatal thing is to lose one’s temper and give it up. It is when we notice the dirt that God is most present in us; it is the very sign of his presence."

-- C.S. Lewis



This week I was out of town in Michigan for my long run. I have always wanted to run the Kal Haven trail --the closest I got was walking it once n the winter for about 5 minutes. I wanted to run 8 miles to prepare for my upcoming half marathon. But I didn't want to do it alone on the trail. So I asked my dad if he would come with me and ride beside me on his bike. My dad has bad knees, and his feet are pretty messed up. The bike was too short for him, but he rode along with me, every step of the way, encouraging me.


A photo of my dad ahead of me on the trail


My dad


After the run





It reminds me of how God is always there with us, directing our steps. Of how much Jesus sacrificed for us up on that cross. It was amazing. I had reverted back to listening to hip hop and rap for running, but it didn't inspire me anymore. So this past week I turned back to the Christian music and it made me feel so light on my feet, like I was flying. Reminded me that I am running for those women and children who don't have water.



The prayer for this week is simple to get closer to god, no other demands that make my heart heavy.

Plan for this week:

Mon: 3 miles
Tues: 3 miles
Wed: strength and core
Thurs: 3 miles (hard)
Fri: rest
Sat : 5 miles long
Sun: cross training

Power Verses:
Joel 2:12-13, "'Yet even now,' declares the LORD, 'Return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping and mourning; And rend your heart and not your garments.' Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil." (NAS)

Galatians 5:7
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?

Colossians 1:9-14
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[e] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[f] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

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Week 6 Marathon Training: Running From God

Friday, May 31, 2013

Well, after the promises from last week, about returning to God and He will return to me, you would think I had a stellar week, right? A week full of certainty in my faith. It was like I had been given the all knowing “nod” from God that I was on the right track! Everything should have been great. Until, it wasn’t.

One thing I am learning in my journey is to surrender. To let things go, to let God do what He will do – he is the author and perfector of our fate, and I want to give him the controls. The problem is, I am a control freak.



I realize that these blogs are turning more into my spiritual journey than my physical one. My training went well last week – except that I only did one short run in addition to the group run, due to being all encompassingly busy at work. Maybe that is the stem of my “terrible” week. The thing is, I know I am in trouble when I a.) Don’t make time for my runs, and b.) Don’t read my bible daily. Taking time to be in the Word really focuses my day, and when I neglect that, other things fall to the wayside, too. So for me, it is all connected. The one short run I did get in was mid-week, I had worked another late night, and came home to my two beautiful daughters, begging me to spend time with them. What was a working mother with a backpack-size of guilt to do? I spent time reading with them after we ate dinner as a family, and then I felt that other tug, the desire to get my run in. I looked at their faces, now 8 PM and not a glimmer of sleepiness in them, and the daylight outside on this gorgeous spring day.

So I decided to do what I do best (multi-task), and told them to get out of their PJs, put on their gym shoes and I let them ride their bikes and catch fireflies as I ran up and down the sidewalk of our very short block. Now I tell you, that is love, that run was more boring that running on the dreadmill, or around the track at the gym over and over. But I did it and it made me happy to be able to watch them in our front yard as I ran, and to let them take advantage of the balmy spring day. It made me feel like a.)– a good mom, and b.) a runner in training who was doing what she needed to do, at any lengths.

So what does this have to do with running from God? Well, just like when our parents told us what we should do, when you get closer to God, his helper, that pesky Holy Spirit gets inside of you and tells you what you should be doing vs. what you are doing. There are certain behaviours that God may not like, perhaps some addictions, that I like just fine, and I want to have both. There are certain things that we turn to instead of God to fulfill our needs, and I want my proverbial cake, and I want to eat it, too. But the bible is very clear about double mindedness, that we should have an undivided heart, and love God fully with our own hearts.

Sin is anything that keeps you from God. When we are in this place, we won’t open up the bible, we won’t pray, because we feel so guilty, we feel we aren’t worthy, and so we avoid God (although He’s always watching). We create this distance that becomes a chasm if we aren’t careful.

This week ended in a blow up between me and my husband because I wanted MY way in a situation, in an argument, and I ended up hurting him. I forgot all I had learned about words and the weight they carry. About praying first, about listening more than speaking. And I could have ruined one of the most important relationships I have. I think this blow up was designed by God to bring me back to reality, and to show me the things that are important, and the things that are not.

I am also reminded of how when you pick a fight, and want to be “right”, to remember that with every “winner”, there is a “loser”. I don't recall who said this, but I heard it recently.

It’s not easy to juggle working full time, being a mother, a wife, and also being a good daughter, sister and friend. It’s something I’m working on – we are all works in progress though. And I am thankful to God for his faithfulness to me, and for not giving up on me, no matter how many times I turned up my nose at Him.

I’ll get it right someday, God. Not perfect, not in my own time, but yours, I will learn to follow you and to trust you, not my own plans.

So I am learning this week to let go.

I'm also learning that no matter how far or fast you run, God is always there, waiting to peek out at you from behind the clouds.


Photo taken from the train ride home after a late day at work


Caitlin and I on a long run.

The schedule for this week is:

Mon: 40 min run
Tues: 30 min walk
Wed: 40 min run
Thurs: 30 min walk
Fri: 40 min run
Sat: 60 min run

I am up to run/ walk intervals of 5 min/1 min.

Bible verses for the week:

The unfailing love of the Lord never ends!
By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction.
Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day.
-Lamentations 3:22-23

I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,
Your sins like the morning mist.
Return to me, for I have redeemed you.
-Isaiah 44:22

Prayer: Heavenly Father, when I think about your unfailing love, I am amazed that you continue to love me even when I sin and turn my back on your or just become apathetic. I am amazed that in your mercy you continue to welcome me back. I am amazed at your faithfulness, that you never give up on me. That you would lavish all this on human beings – on me—is beyong my comprehension…thank you.

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Weeks 4 and 5: Marathon Training: Recalibrating Route

Saturday, May 18, 2013

"The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth" (Luke 3:5).

In this blog I'm combining the 4th and 5th week of marathon training (woo hoo week 5!) because week 4 was a crazy/ busy week for me at work and I didn't have time to write.

Along with the physical aspect of training is the spiritual. I'm on a journey and I can't have one without the other. When God gave me this God-sized dream of running a marathon, I knew that it wouldn't just be me running the race. He would be right along beside me, every step of the way. So while I am getting stronger on the outside, I am also changing on the inside. I am shedding the old and becoming new. So in these blogs I will talk about the spiritual breakthroughs I've had as well as the milestones and barriers I break through physically.

I love the Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in the new cars. A voice comes on and tells me how far I have to go and when to turn. However, sometimes I get off course and the voice says: "Recalculating route." The GPS is telling me I have gone off course and it is now recalculating the route based on my wrong turn. Sometimes we can make wrong turns in our spiritual lives. There is an amazing thing about God. He can make our crooked places straight. He has an ability to make whatever blunder you make turn out right. It may mean there might be some consequences to those decisions, but He will always allow your actions to work together for good for those called according to His purposes if we repent and seek Him fully to make things right. These lessons can even contribute to greater wisdom in our lives if we learn from our mistakes.

(Above from "Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.")

So my relationship with God is hot and then cold. Meaning that most times I am reading the bible, feeling God's presence in my life, and following that straight path. But sometimes, I veer off. I stop living in the Word. I get a little selfish. I want to have some fun, and I become more of this world, and living more in temptation than I care to admit. But I am human. Still, in bible study this week something pretty noteworthy happened. One of our questions was to put on our own words Jacob's promise to God. Now these are my own words and are not Jacob's (if you want to read what Jacob promised refer to Genesis 28:18-21)

I wrote: "If you will promise never to leave me, I will never leave you. And if I should lose my way, please make the path back home clear."

Now this is nothing profound. Until the following day, I refer to the next day of the bible study, and it asks us to read Malachi 3:6-12, which reads:

"Return to me and I will return to you." (Verse 7)

Now, call me crazy, but this to me felt like God's affirmation to me, his returning of the promise I gave him the prior day. I was sitting on the train en route to work and I got such a case of the "God is with me" moments, those moments that affirm our faith. Since we can't see God, there is no way of knowing if he's truly with us sometimes, but it's these moments where our faith grows, and we know we are on the right path.

I was also brought to this scripture during this same time, not through my study, but a podcast I was listening to through Redeemed Girls Ministry:

"Return to me, for I have redeemed you." - Isaiah 44:22

Ok God, I am listening!

See God takes up residence within us, "Emmanuel" means "God with you" and he is with us, and I'm blessed to have felt His presence this week. And we saw a double rainbow this week during a family walk, reminding me of another promise, made by God to Noah.



Last week, in Week 4, I missed two of my short runs. It was a really busy week at work, and it was near impossible. However, the group run was great, and Caitlin and I went early again so that we could double our mileage. Here are some pictures I took of Knock Knolls, the beautiful place we are running:









This week, Week 5, I got all of my runs and cross-training in. I am so happy with myself, it wasn't easy to get up at 5:30 to run in the mornings, but that way I can spend time with my family after work. I have to say though, sometimes even the short runs feel hard. It makes me worry that I won't be able to do this. I know though with training, faith and prayer that I will push through. We are on a run 4/ walk 1 interval right now, and I like it. I run for more time if I feel strong, otherwise I stay on the intervals. They actually make me quicker, and I get more recovery time. And those minutes go by quickly!

We ran a different route on our short runs this week, and we ran two towns over from where I live, it was such a sense of accomplishment!







I am feeling very happy and just honored to be able to run for such a great cause, and to make a difference.

I had a wonderful Mother's Day, my husband planted me an herb and veggie garden and I got to spend time with my lovely daughters.







The schedule for next week is:

Mon: 40 min run
Tues: 30 min walk
Wed: 40 min run
Thurs: 30 min walk
Fri: 40 min run
Sat: 55 min long run

I think one of my short runs this week I will double the time to run at least 8 miles so I'm prepared for the Women's Half at the end of June.

Here's some photo inspiration that's been sent to me this week by family and friends.









Have an amazing week!

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Week 3 Marathon Training: The Perfect Pace

Tuesday, May 07, 2013

This week went great, I usually don't run two days in a row to avoid injury but the training plan had me running on Friday and Saturday, and I followed my plan and felt good about it. I have been feeling a pain in my right hip, so I've started incorporating stretches before running to extend my hips and encourage my running gait to be correct, I may not be extending my leg all the way back.

My 6 yr old daughter came on my run Monday with me on her bike. it was really rewarding to see her ahead of me on her bike,I felt like a healthy mom and I was so proud of her for riding 3 miles on her bike, the farthest distance she's ever gone! It was also nice because I'm aware of how much time I spend away from the girls while at work and now training for the marathon. it was a win win.

Then Tuesday I got my walk in walking to and from the train to my work. Wednesday I ran with my friend Caitlin, who is also running the marathon for Team World Vision. She signed up for the marathon after registration sold out. I posted on my fb page that TWV had extra entries and she signed up. I feel like this is such a blessing. She lives blocks away from me, and she is one of the few people who are the same pace as me. My good friend Blaize is as well, but she lives in CA. It is so rare to find someone like this, and she is there to go on my training runs with me. I am thrilled about this.

Thursday I taught walk class, so got in my walk that way.

Friday morning Caitlin and I got up early for our run as I had plans to see Iron Man 3 that night. Then Saturday was our group run and I went there early to get more miles in, and Caitlin offered to go early too! We went 5.77 miles total, I wanted to go 5 or 6 so I am right on track. toward the end of that run, Caitlin took her earphones out of her I phone and we danced while running to love shack. it was do much fun! I know this is going to get much harder, but I have to say, right now with the team support the runs go by quickly and I feel great.

I am really liking the walk/run intervals. I am at a run 3 min, walk 1, and my pace has actually improved! I'm at about an 11 min mile vs 12 and I have more recovery time between runs.

This week's schedule looks like:

Mon: 35 min run
Tues: 30 min walk
Wed: 35 min run
Thurs: 30 min walk
Fri:: 35 min run
Sat: 45 min run (I'm going to go for 6-7 miles)

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Week 2 Marathon Training: Honoring and Celebrating Loss

Monday, April 29, 2013

To start off this week of training, I packed my running gear Monday so that I could meet up with my amazing friend Jenn (KITHKINCAID) to honor those who lost their lives in the Boston marathon tragedy.


Martin Richard, the 8 yr old boy killed in the Boston bombing

Lots of running stores around the country were having group fun runs to stand in solidarity, this one was through Ram Racing. I had the misfortune of getting a cab driver who didn't know where Lincoln Park Zoo was, and once he did he dropped me off at the opposite end of the zoo, so I was late and had to run around the zoo to meet up with Jenn. I called her and we met up ( she was sweet enough to wait for me!). We missed the pack, but on the way back we saw a sea of runners in blue and yellow, it was inspiring. Jenn toward the end of our run said "Well here we are, 2 people who have each lost over 100 lbs, and we are running." It reminded me of how far we both have come. Jenn ran the Chicago marathon last year, and I'm running it this year. It made me thankful and grateful for this life I've been given, for my friendship with Jenn, for both of our new lives.


Jenn and me after our run


Me and Jenn the first time we met, a few yrs ago

I had a really busy week, so didn't run again until the group run on Saturday. I did teach walk class on Thursday.

Saturday we met at Knock Knolls, a forest preserve in the suburbs. I hadn't run there before, and it was beautiful! A gorgeous day in Chicago, it would near 70 later in the day. My friend Caitlin couldn't make it due to an event at the school she teaches at, and the woman I encouraged last week wasn't there (I'm hoping she's there next week), but I found a new friend that ran at my pace and the time went by so quickly! We ran for 35 minutes as we are building up 5 min. each time. What I loved most was the smell of fresh cut grass as we ran, and being out in nature. Growing up an overweight child since the 3rd grade, I avoided being outside. I preferred to be inside, watching TV with some Cheetos and a pillow. I didn't like to sweat, to walk, to live, basically. So now, whenever I am in nature it sometimes hits me how much I missed during those years. And that makes me sad, but also, it's all so new to me. The smell of that grass made me tear up, it was just so crisp, so fresh, so alive! And I felt alive, too. I was thankful for the sun, for the beauty that surrounded me, for these new people I was getting to know. It was amazing, a life changing run. I know they aren't all like that, so when they are, I cherish them.


Here is a picture of the group after our run.


Here is a picture of some of the group after the marathon last year at a reunion run. Can you tell how positive and fun these people are?? They are amazing.

After the run we went to breakfast and I got to know some of the team better. It was great. I came back home and took the girls for a walk out in nature, I don't want them to be like I was when I was younger.

Sunday was a rest day.

Since the Chicago Women's Half marathon is at the end of June, I'm in a bit of a pickle because my training schedule doesn't have me running 13 miles until the end of July. So on the group runs I'm going to have to either get there early to run more, or stay later. For example this week we run for 40 min., and we build up to a 5k on June 8. But I need to be running at least 10 miles by that time, if not more. So I need to double my mileage.

Nutrition wise I've eliminated dairy, wheat, gluten, yeast and processed foods from my diet. **EDIT: I CAN ALSO NOT HAVE RICE AND CORN** This is for my skin condition, I have psoriasis and its gotten pretty bad. The downside is I'm not eating a lot of calories and I'm afraid my body will start losing muscle mass. I'm working on making sure I get enough protein in, but without carbs it's a challenge. For example I love toast and peanut butter plus a banana before a run. I've discovered Udi's bread, and did that this past Saturday, and it was good. Not as filling, but good. I'm supposed to get around 2,000 calories in while training, maybe not now, but when my mileage gets up there, and I'm worried I won't get those calories in.

I've also been listening solely to Christian music while running. It's inspiring me, I used to think without my rap, high paced music I wouldn't be able to do it, but I've been actually running faster with the Christian music. Score! I want to devote this time to Christ.

The schedule for this week is below:

Mon: 30 min run
Tues: 30 min walk
Wed: 30 min run
Thurs: 30 min walk
Fri: 30 min run
Sat: 40 min run (I'm going to extend so I run 5-6 miles)

The run walk intervals for the runs are: run 3/ walk 1, but for the shorter runs during the week I'm just going to run them straight out as I'm used to that distance. If anyone knows of a good app for the smart phone for intervals please let me know, thanks!

Ending with some inspiring images:




Blaize (INSPIREBYNATURE) sent this one to me, I love it!

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