Faith Racing

Please forgive me if this blog is long, and if you make it to the end thank you in advance!

I received my BIB on Saturday night and I aint going to lie, when I say that the words "half marathon" on the top terrified me. What in the world was I thinking. I went to bed at 11pm and as I laid there trying to fall asleep I cleaned out pictures on my phone. I noticed a picture of my treadmill that was taken back at the end of February. It was a picture of my time it said three miles @ 1 hour 10 minutes. Wow, I am not sure when it happen but over the course of the last five months I went from 23 minute miles to 10 minute miles.

And so we set out at 4:30am in the morning to long beach on only two hours of sleep, surprisingly I was not to nervous or tired. I proudly wore my pink shirt to honor my mom, and bring awareness to breast cancer. And on the right side of my shirt I ironed on a "G" so that I remembered to take Gracie with me. I lined up with my dad, brother and my brothers girl friend who were also running the race.

As it got closer for our wave to start people started to file in and then it became real and totally claustrophobic. There was so many people, doubt started to creep in and then it was right in front of me " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"- Philippians 4:13..

This man was wearing a shirt from Team 413 a Christian running ministry who wear the shirts to spread the gospel and give encouragement. This scripture happens to be my life scripture and it was divine timing that I was behind this gentleman at the start of the race.

I decided to flick some pictures and document my run, since some of you have followed my journey along the way. It only seemed appropriate for those involved in Operation Pledge Prayer. It was so beautiful out there, the course was amazing, the weather couldn't be better. As I approached mile five, I couldn't help but think of Gracie. I posted a pic of mile five with the caption " The first five were for Gracie". It wasn't till now that I remember that the number five in numerology is the number of "Grace".

There were moments when I was running that It became emotional. I cried, I laughed and I prayed alot. All the runners were great on the course, so friendly. One lady asked if I was ok because I was crying, not able to say much I said yes "God is good". When I was running I felt the prayers of all those praying for me. In the five months of training, I have never had a better day of breathing. That has always been my struggle and that day, I had never experienced breathing that came so natural.


When I approached mile six I was greeted with, I think is my biggest fan. It was just the boost that I needed. There stood Noah and daddy, and I could see the excitement in his face that made my heart smile.

Well friends I wish I could say it was smooth sailing from there but then I hit the wall! I mean big time. Miles 7 through 10 I believe were all ran on the beach on the bike path. When I hit mile 8, I thought that I had already ran that mile and when I realized I didn't it freaked me out. I started to see people stopping to stretch, made me wonder if I should. Then I looked ahead it there was no end to the sea of runners. Doubt started to sink in, my legs started to get tight, I started to get a cramp and I had to stop to use the potty. For a second I started to feel lonely but there were thousands of people around.

This can also relate to our race of faith. When I started to look to the right and left ( other runners) and instead of up I started to feel like Peter when he got out of the boat and started to sink. Then mix that with doubt and my physical circumstances it was a recipe for disaster. When I could not see that there was a mile marker ahead and the road looked long I started to panic. I didn't want to stop running, but when I got to mile nine, my feet started to burn.

Like really bad, every step felt like torture. So I started to walk and pray, I prayed for Noah, Elias, Sheanne and Sarah. My present circumstances were nothing to the things they face daily. I am sure there are times when their "Miles" seem long. Finally I approached mile ten. Then I resurfaced and snapped another picture, sent it to facebook. I had been silent since mile six, just like in life there are times when the Lord has us in a place of still. When we feel like we are lonely and the present time seems tough, but it was those miles that I will remember. Those miles made me stronger. Miles five through ten where labor, labor for operation pledge prayer.

And if I am being honest, the nice man passing out donut holes at mile ten gave me the boost that I needed. It was at mile 11 that I saw another team 413 runner and I knew that the Lord was speaking to me. I walked miles 9 through 11 so I feel that like my body recovered somewhat, so I started to run.

As I turned the corner and saw the finish line, there were thousands of people on both side of the street. It felt like a movie, I didn't hear anything other than the worship from my ipod and I didn't see anything but the words "finish line". There was no greater feeling, I simply heard my Lord say " you finished well". Many start the race, not many finish and even fewer finish well.

Now it was time to locate the family, but how in thousands of people? As I came around the corner to leave the corral where all the racers were I saw Mike & Anna Aroz standing there. And I didn't at the time, but am now... crying. There she was wearing her button with a picture of Gracie and it just completed the day.

I have been reflecting the last two days and it seemed like I was training forever but the race was so quick. I looked over the course map and it still amazes me that I completed the run. All and I mean ALL Glory goes to God! I will never take credit because I am weak, I hated running and I doubt to much.

Today I take joy in achieving a goal, that I know that I was not capable of, but only through the support of my husband, friends, family, prayers and the Lord. I am excited for more things to come. I know that there are more plans in the works for FFF and children's cancer.

And now I thank you.. I thank you for taking time in reading my blogs. I thank you for praying for me, but more importantly praying for my warriors. Please don't stop, please I know they feel them, I did. I was so humbled and overwhelmed by the calls, texts, FB
comments I received. Thank you from the bottom of my heart..

Also if I can ask for a favor, check out this ministry.. They are truly making an impact on the course. You just don't know how much of a difference a shirt with scripture can make when all you have is that to cling to..

http://www.team413.org/

If you are lead to buy a shirt, and who knows maybe one day you will wear it on a run and someone will be encouraged. If you missed that, I am challenging you.. :) But more to come..!
Will leave you with this gorge pic!




I will stop I know this is really long.. I will post stats tomorrow.. Night.. love you all!!!