Reflections - A Guest Post by my Mama

My mom wrote this after walking her first (and so far only) 5K of the year. She originally wrote it as a way to work through her thoughts, then typed it up to consider sharing. Showing true bravery, she allowed her English major daughter to edit it with the red pen of doom. To say I'm proud of her would be understating an obvious truth. I'll shut up now, and allow you to read just a glimpse of why.

March 6, 2014

Life is a series of events, emotions and choices. We learn or grow when our faith is stretched. Sometimes in the middle of a trial we beg God to hurry His process so that we can get to the “end” of the learning pains. In His wisdom, the growing pains come at the proper timing to enhance our spiritual walk.

In February, Sam and I wanted to do our first 5K since his knee replacements and my knee scope. We decided to participate in the Wounded Warrior Benefit Run. As the date approached, we were not sure we could actually finish. However by the day of the race, we were ready to go! After a fantastic start, we were, for us at a good pace. Encouragers were pushing us to kick it up a notch without knowing our limitations. 

We aspired to finish, hopefully before the first 10 miler crossed the finish line. My desire to speed up my pace remained strong with the finish line in close view and the leader of the 10 miles in our rear-view, coming closer. But after careful reflection, the hurried finish was not worth the potential cost. Re-injury would have only put us on another long recovery.

Do I do the same with God? By hurrying to get to my “finish line,” do I rush headlong into a choice? Do I ignore my faith and make the journey more difficult and painful? I see what I think is the answer and rush head-long without waiting for God to give me directions. Without His guidance, I am insecure and inpatient. Anxiety, emotional hurt and depression are abundant. My mind is filled with insignificant thoughts and my spiritual life is non-productive. 

Saturday, Sam and I had patience and approached the finish line at a comfortable pace. With no injuries, we will continue to exercise for a better life. In life, let us have patience for God’s guidance so that we may strongly finish not only for our benefit but, also for the sake of others. Dear God, I pray that when I have a closed heart and ears that I will visualize the “finish” and wait on You.

{Guest Blogger} - Fitness Friday

Several of the friends I've made through the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans have chosen to fundRace for the Luekemia Lymphoma Society.  While I've supported each of them with a financial donation, this time around I'm a tad more involved.  I'm turning my blog over to Allyson today, and I'll let her explain.

I struggled and struggled with how to start this post.  I have never been a guest blogger before, so I decided where better to start than at the beginning.

When I was a kid I joined track because I wanted my parents to notice me.  I ran 3 miles straight during one of my practices and I remember that exhilarating feeling of, "Holy crap! I did that."  

Years went by, 6 pregnancies and 6 births went by and I was at my heaviest weight ever, I was depressed, and I needed to get out of my house. That is how running began for me.  People will say, "ugh I hate running."  The thing is I don't love running.  I am generally a lazy person at heart that is why I chose running.  If I was going to exercise I needed the most bang for my buck.  I wanted to burn the most calories in the shortest amount of time.  That meant running.  

Once I began running I decided to do some races and started meeting some online friends.  I have built up a great group of friends over the years and this is how Brooke and I came across each other. This year I decided to challenge myself and start checking things off of the bucket list.  I wanted to just be able to say I had accomplished some things.  First was to complete my first tri, then I complete my first half marathon, my most recent adventure was completing Tough Mudder.  The last big bucket list item on my list for the year was to finish a full marathon.  

Everyone thinks I am crazy.  If you look at me I am no fitness buff.  I am overweight.  I am in contention for world's slowest runner.  All that aside though, if I want something I will finish it, no matter what that takes.  So what I like in physical ability I make up for in heart.  

I knew I would need some support to get through this marathon so I decided to join the group Team In Training.  You might have seen them running around in purple shirts if you have ever done some of the longer races.  The Team in Training group runs for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  I did my research and found that they have a great score on Charity Navigator, and that the money collected really does go to research and not just to pad the pockets of CEO's.  So I jumped in with both feet.  

It was less than a week later that Brooke asked for prayers for a family member.  Just a few days later she revealed to us that her young 19 year old cousin had been diagnosed with Lymphoma.  My heart sank for her and for her family.  Immediately I thought, "Hey, I should run my race for Zach."  I mentioned it to Brooke and she thought it sounded great!  

I have often thought back to being 19, you've just discovered that adult freedom and are living some of the best times of your life.  Then I thought about how much different that would be if you were undergoing treatment and spending all of this time kicking cancer's butt instead of being able to be a carefree teenager.    

So here I am running this crazy race just to say I can.  The race is the easy part though, because I am able to do it.  I have the ability to get up in the morning and put on running shoes and just start running.  Not everyone gets this privilege.  On top of that I get to raise money for a wonderful cause and I know that every dollar has to potential to make someone else's life easier, by creating more effective treatments, less invasive treatments, or maybe someday even a cure.  

How awesome is it to be able to say that you did that?  You right there sitting in your chair can personally affect the life of someone else for the better just by clicking a button and donating $1, $2, $10, or more.  THAT IS AWESOME!  YOU ARE AWESOME!  

 I am just the messenger bringing this to the forefront of your minds.  You are the ones that hold the power.  

With joining the Team in Training group I pledged to raise $1100.  I am 53% of the way there.  Every little bit helps.  I would love if you would "run" with Zach and I too by making a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  http://pages.teamintraining.org/in/CHNIndi12/alyon

Thanks so much Allyson!  I'm sure Zach appreciates your training and fundraising efforts.