*just less than* 4 months to go

last wednesday i realized that i had 4 months exactly until my 40K run.

that's not very long.

i had been slacking in my running schedule so that realization hit hard.  

i had just run 11K the weekend before.  

that was a difficult run, i was pretty worn out after.  

so the thought of running 40K began to scare me.

yet, not enough to abandon the plan.

i ran 12.3K this past weekend 

- it was supposed to be a 13K run, but i missed a section - 

completely forgot about it once i got out there running.  

but man, i felt good.

tired and worn out but felt strong most of the run.

my 6k this morning was a little tiring.  

may have something to do with the fresh wet snow that we got overnight.

or may have something to do with 12.3k did tire me out.

and snowshoeing with the family yesterday added to my body tiredness.

but the fact that i checked my schedule this morning and said to myself

"oh, it's just a 6K"

ya.. just a 6K.

i had to check myself and realize i truly did think it's JUST a 6K, that a 6K is an easier run for me now.

that encouraged me as i have less than 4 months until my 40K.  6K better feel easier.

in 2 months my husband is running his first 50Mile race.

the Cayuga50.  it looks like it will be an amazing day:  check it out

we have just booked our campsite for our trip.  

i am so excited for him.  He is training so hard for this race.

and i'm excited for myself... 

i'm bringing my camera so while he runs i will be hiking and adventuring with my beloved Gertie.  

in 2 and a half months i am running my first ever half marathon here at home: check it out here

*note my toque in above picture. got it for registering early*

yes, the thought currently scares me but i know i can do it. 

i will do it.

so instead of focusing on my 40Km run i'm needing to focus on my half marathon.  

it's a smaller goal.  

it is in line with my training for the 40K so i just need to think of the half and concentrate on being able to do it.

i pray that my new found love for running is an encouragement to my kids, and husband. 

yes, i took this upside-down and it's staying that way

for my family and friends.  

i'm doing something i never thought possible... actually i never thought about it at all.

i'm excited to have this goal.

yes, there are other things out there in life and the world that are more important than a lady wanting to run 40KM.  i get it.  

this is not a world changing event.  

but this is a personal decision, a personal goal.  

a goal to be healthier, to encourage others, to be proud of the woman God made me.  

to push a physical limit, and rely on God to give me strength, courage, determination.  

i can't do it without Him.  

my running has been a gift from Him.

i feel better about myself after a run.  i wrestle with Him during a run sometimes.

He has gifted me with the ability to run.  

He has given me a husband who loves to run and it has been amazing to be able to be encouraged by my husband and to encourage him through our runs.  

i get it when he wants to go for a run to clear his head.  or to do a 50M race.  

sure 50M is crazy... but i get it.  

and to run on a trail in the middle of our favorite place to be - the woods.

running has given me the ability to grow my endurance.  

i can hike out back with the kids and be the last in line because they want daddy to lead 

- not because mommy is worn out and needs to walk slower for a bit.  

my kids are both running at Band on the Run too.  and they are excited about it.  

so no, i'm not going to solve the world's issues with my run.

but i believe that for me it is making me a better wife and mother.  

and that, my friends, is very important to me.   

*unfortunately i will not be doing my 3rd Tough Mudder in Aug as i had hoped.  

maybe i'll be back at it next year.

one foot in front of the other.

Last week my Thursday Women's Bible Study wound up our study by Lisa Harper on Hebrews.

it was a great study.  

i thoroughly enjoyed it.

my favorite moments were the small group discussion and prayer times at the end of each day.

however Lisa Harper is a great speaker.  

i anticipated the videos.  

her life stories and jokes mixed in with Biblical truths were so enjoyable.

last week we watched a special video where Mandisa was the guest speaker.

*Madisa was on the only season of American Idol that i ever watched from start to finish.*  

she shared from Hebrews 12.

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:1-3

she focused mainly on the running and fixing our eyes on Jesus.

Mandisa spoke about how when accepting Christ into your life it's like gaining a running partner.  

but one that is beside, in front and behind.  

surrounding you, supporting you as you run the race of life and faith.

as she spoke about the difference a running partner makes i could relate. 

the difference of running alone and having someone there with me is huge.

the encouragement just having them there.

Mandisa then spoke about Jesus, our running partner, encouraging us.

since He's Jesus he doesn't have to just run beside us.

He can run ahead and turn around to face us.

he runs backward so that he can encourage us.

"c'mon Michelle.  one foot in front of the other.  keep going.  look at me.  keep coming.  
one foot in front of the other."

that picture hit home with me.

i know exactly how that feels.

a couple years ago i ran my first Terry Fox run.

here's what i wrote:

Throughout the run when I was slowing and struggling Dan would run ahead of me and run backward so the kids were facing me.  They would cheer and laugh, it was so great having them help me find it in myself to do something Dan believed I could do.  I finally believed it too.

*read the whole post here: Terry Fox Run

Having them looking at me as i was wanting to give up.

fixing my eyes on them.

to picture Jesus doing that as i go day by day, moment by moment.

Mandisa gave me a word picture that i can relate to.

Jesus is my running partner as i run this race.

my strength gets weak.  

but he's there running ahead of me - facing me - locking his eyes on mine.

"you can do it Michelle. i'm right here.  focus on me.  look at me.  not at the stumbling blocks.  
look at me.  keep going.  one foot in front of the other.  we'll do it together."