I have a confession. I visit McDonald's almost daily because I enjoy Sweet tea and there large drinks are $1.00. Lately the people working there have been so cheerful. It makes me smile as I leave. It is the positive attitude that is contagious. I am very fortunate that I have family and friends who have been encouraging me on this Ironman journey.
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
I have friends who have encouraged me to go run even though it is my least favorite discipline. (Annick). My goal as I run this race is to encourage those around me. Words are powerful, and I want my words to be those that build others up, my kids, my husband, my friends and even the stranger I pass by.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Hebrews10:24
Let us encourage one another. Be kind. Love. It makes a difference.
Friday, May 15, 2015
Monday, May 11, 2015
Comparisons
Triathlons are an individual sport,where you compete not only against other people but also against yourself. It is hard for me to show up to a triathlon and not start looking at other people to see , are they in my age group, do I think I can beat them, and what kind of gear do they have? Of course, I just bought a triathlon bike so I can no longer look on with envy. I have been doing triathlons for about 9 years now. I often do the same triathlons so I can compare my times from year to year. But my competitive side still wants to do well among people in my age group. There are two things I have struggled with through this training process that God is working on. First is, I have struggled comparing myself to others. Comparing training plans, am I doing enough, am I doing too much. The other thing is envy. Envy of what others have, a coach, a nutritionist, able to afford the host hotel. Whatever it is, either comparing or envy, neither one are very becoming.
The Bible says, "Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load." Galatians 6:4-5. I shouldn't be comparing myself to others in any of this. We all come into this with different motivations, different obstacles, different strengths. Not one of us comes into this on the exact same page, so Ironman Texas isn't a race against others. It is a race or better a challenge for myself. A physical and mental challenge. I know this verse talks about "taking pride in himself". It is referring to a pride we can have knowing we are created in God's image and saved through grace. I can't do this apart from God. I am not doing this on my own strength. I wouldn't be able to do this on my own strength, but I go into it with confidence that I am ready.This has been a good lesson in being content with all I have. I have and am exactly where God wants me to be. "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Which comes first?
In March I ran the Cowtown half marathon, as a training run. The weather the week before had been less than desirable. Snow and ice had blanketed Fort Worth so much that the 5k and 10k that were supposed to be held on Saturday had been cancelled. Sunday morning I gave myself a little extra time to get to the starting line due to the road conditions but I wanted to run this rather than run on a treadmill for 13 miles. When I got to my corral I saw a friend and fellow tri club memeber, Ron. I went over said hi and asked if I could run with him for a little bit, until he left me, because I was using this as a training run so was not going to push very hard. He said I could and that he was using this as a training run as well. He told me his plan was to run a 10:30 pace but that he was going to start slow and work up to that pace. Hmmm...I have always tried this but always end up running way to fast in the beginning. Crews had worked hard over night to clear roads and sand them. I thought I would just pretend I was running on the beach with snow all around. Ron and I started running with an 11:00 pace for the first mile. The second mile was a 10:45 pace, mile 3 a 10:30 pace and mile 4 a 10:15 pace. The route was more beautiful to me today than it has been other years as it was covered in snow. The temperature was not that bad and my feet didn't get wet until mile 11. Ron and I talked a lot while we ran, at mile 6 I lost him somewhere though. So I ran the last 7 miles by myself. Mile 9 is mostly uphill into downtown Fort Worth and there on the side of the bridge was a friend ringing his cowbell cheering people on and I saw a few other people I knew in downtown cheering as well. As I approached mile 13, there were two women who looked to be struggling. I told them they were almost there and asked them to run to the finish line with me, which they both did. Close to the finish line were two more friends, Annick, who runs with me most Monday's and Fridays, and Monica who was one of my coaches for my first half ironman. They came out in this cold weather to cheer. Amazing!!!! I finished in 2:18. Just 8 minutes slower than my fastest time.
Why do I share this? I had more fun on this run than I may have had on any race. I felt great the whole time. I talked to and tried to encourage the people around me. And I feel like if I had raced this I would have had a PR. So the question is....which came first the great race or the geat attitude? The Bible says, "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life- in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing." Philippians 2:14-16. This leads me to believe the attitude comes first. If I can get my mind right than the joy follows. Hmmm. Pretty powerful. How often during my training have I grumbled or complained...more than I would like to admit. Those training days were not very good either. What would happen if I went into my daily life with an attitude of thanksgiving and praise and didn't grumble and complain. I am pretty sure the outcome of my day or training would be completely different.
My husband asked me this morning if race day will be a joyful time or a grin and bear it kind of day. Would I be smiling or looking miserable? After reading this verse, I will be smiling as much as I can and encouraging those around me. "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22 I want good medicine not dried up bones on race day and in life.
Why do I share this? I had more fun on this run than I may have had on any race. I felt great the whole time. I talked to and tried to encourage the people around me. And I feel like if I had raced this I would have had a PR. So the question is....which came first the great race or the geat attitude? The Bible says, "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life- in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing." Philippians 2:14-16. This leads me to believe the attitude comes first. If I can get my mind right than the joy follows. Hmmm. Pretty powerful. How often during my training have I grumbled or complained...more than I would like to admit. Those training days were not very good either. What would happen if I went into my daily life with an attitude of thanksgiving and praise and didn't grumble and complain. I am pretty sure the outcome of my day or training would be completely different.
My husband asked me this morning if race day will be a joyful time or a grin and bear it kind of day. Would I be smiling or looking miserable? After reading this verse, I will be smiling as much as I can and encouraging those around me. "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22 I want good medicine not dried up bones on race day and in life.
Friday, April 3, 2015
Everyone has a Story.
Everyone has a story that is their own, and why they do what they do. Here is mine. I saw my first Ironman on television back in 1980, on Wide World of Sports. I was 10 years old, and I remember thinking that was one of the coolest things ever but there is no way I would ever be capable of doing something like that. My passion back then was soccer and continued to be that through college. I always watched the Ironman when it was televised and it always brought tears to my eyes because I was so impressed by not only their physical strength but also their mental strength. It always stirred up emotions in me watching it. Not sure I have still watched one without shedding a tear or two.
I grew up a soccer player, it was my passion. I even played soccer in college. As a result I have my share of injuries. In fact, I broke my ankle in college and didn't know about it for 7 years. I have had 8 surgeries. A double hernia, three knee surgeries, two on my left, one on my right, two back surgeries and two C-sections. I have had a lateral release in my left knee and have stage 4 chrondomalacia in my left knee. I have had a herniated disk in my back at the L5-S1 and waited too long for back surgery the first time and have permanent nerve damage in my right leg. I have a hard time getting up on my toes. This makes my running gait a little interesting. My back caused so much pain that I could not walk my dog without having to sit down on the curb until the pain subsided. I lived on the third floor of my apartment complex and couldn't walk up to my apartment without sitting down on each level because the pain was so intense. My last back surgery was 2003. I don't take my health for granted and am grateful I can be physically active.
I had put the thought of triathlon behind me until I started working at TCU, and a group of co-workers suggested training and doing one together. This was in 2004. So about 10 of us during our lunch break or before work would get together and train. I was slow, very slow. My first triathlon I did on my mountain bike and was the last to finish from our group. I may have been last but I had a blast. I continued to do sprint triathlons for the next 8 years. In 2012, I decided to do my first half ironman and trained with Team in Training. I had so much fun I signed up for another 6 months later. I joined the local triathlon club and was now surrounded by people who do Ironmans for fun. I decided to do one because it has been on my bucket list. I chose, Ironman Texas because it makes sense for my family. I have two young kids, a 3 and 5 year old, who I would love to see at the finish line. My husband is a high school teacher and coach so the Fall Ironmans do not work with our schedule. Ironman Texas was the perfect fit. I can't wait to get to the starting line.
Everyone has their reason why they are doing this. I can't wait to join the few people in the world who are called Ironmans. And even though I am doing this it is not what defines me. God is what defines me and that is so much bigger than this race.
I grew up a soccer player, it was my passion. I even played soccer in college. As a result I have my share of injuries. In fact, I broke my ankle in college and didn't know about it for 7 years. I have had 8 surgeries. A double hernia, three knee surgeries, two on my left, one on my right, two back surgeries and two C-sections. I have had a lateral release in my left knee and have stage 4 chrondomalacia in my left knee. I have had a herniated disk in my back at the L5-S1 and waited too long for back surgery the first time and have permanent nerve damage in my right leg. I have a hard time getting up on my toes. This makes my running gait a little interesting. My back caused so much pain that I could not walk my dog without having to sit down on the curb until the pain subsided. I lived on the third floor of my apartment complex and couldn't walk up to my apartment without sitting down on each level because the pain was so intense. My last back surgery was 2003. I don't take my health for granted and am grateful I can be physically active.
I had put the thought of triathlon behind me until I started working at TCU, and a group of co-workers suggested training and doing one together. This was in 2004. So about 10 of us during our lunch break or before work would get together and train. I was slow, very slow. My first triathlon I did on my mountain bike and was the last to finish from our group. I may have been last but I had a blast. I continued to do sprint triathlons for the next 8 years. In 2012, I decided to do my first half ironman and trained with Team in Training. I had so much fun I signed up for another 6 months later. I joined the local triathlon club and was now surrounded by people who do Ironmans for fun. I decided to do one because it has been on my bucket list. I chose, Ironman Texas because it makes sense for my family. I have two young kids, a 3 and 5 year old, who I would love to see at the finish line. My husband is a high school teacher and coach so the Fall Ironmans do not work with our schedule. Ironman Texas was the perfect fit. I can't wait to get to the starting line.
Everyone has their reason why they are doing this. I can't wait to join the few people in the world who are called Ironmans. And even though I am doing this it is not what defines me. God is what defines me and that is so much bigger than this race.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Rules and Grace.
I am a rule follower most of the time. Yes, I have had my moments of rebellion, some small, some fairly big, at least to me. The older I get the more I enjoy following rules, except the speed limit, I admit I have a heavy foot. Part of this need to follow rules is the need to follow my training schedules. I don't have a coach and this is a schedule someone sent me. I looked at a lot of schedules but this is the one I chose. It is a lot but, I am doing an ironman so I probably need to train a lot.
My struggle with my plan and being a rule follower is that things come up that cause me to miss a training day and then I beat myself up for missing the training. Things like being called into work, sick kids, two weeks of this by the way, a death, family in town, the holidays, me being sick. These things are out of my control. I am not missing because I don't feel like doing the workout I am missing because of life.
People have told me that if I do 70% of my training I should be okay and that it is better to be undertrained than overtrained. I hope they are correct. So knowing this I wish I could tell my brain that it is okay to miss. I wish I could give myself the grace to miss and be ok with myself. Instead I have a tendency to beat myself up mentally.
It made me wonder about grace and my faith in Jesus. I have people tell me they don't want part of Christianity because of all the rules that they must follow. That they are tired of feeling guilty because they, in their mind, have not lived up to these "rules". I know that guilt, I feel it when I miss a workout.The great thing about Christianity though is it isn't about a set of rules to follow it is about a relationship with our Savior that is personal. The Bible says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and not that of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9. I don't have to do anything but have faith in Jesus Christ to be saved. Wow. God desires that relationship not because of anything I have done to deserve it., because there is nothing I can do to deserve eternal salvation.
My struggle with my plan and being a rule follower is that things come up that cause me to miss a training day and then I beat myself up for missing the training. Things like being called into work, sick kids, two weeks of this by the way, a death, family in town, the holidays, me being sick. These things are out of my control. I am not missing because I don't feel like doing the workout I am missing because of life.
People have told me that if I do 70% of my training I should be okay and that it is better to be undertrained than overtrained. I hope they are correct. So knowing this I wish I could tell my brain that it is okay to miss. I wish I could give myself the grace to miss and be ok with myself. Instead I have a tendency to beat myself up mentally.
It made me wonder about grace and my faith in Jesus. I have people tell me they don't want part of Christianity because of all the rules that they must follow. That they are tired of feeling guilty because they, in their mind, have not lived up to these "rules". I know that guilt, I feel it when I miss a workout.The great thing about Christianity though is it isn't about a set of rules to follow it is about a relationship with our Savior that is personal. The Bible says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and not that of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9. I don't have to do anything but have faith in Jesus Christ to be saved. Wow. God desires that relationship not because of anything I have done to deserve it., because there is nothing I can do to deserve eternal salvation.
Friday, January 2, 2015
Encouragement from a small voice.
I want my family to be as involved in my training as I possibly can get them. December 1 was the kick off to my training. That weekend we went for a family jog and bike ride. It was good to have them all out there, because I know there will come times that they can't be there because of the distance I need to train, weather, or other obligations.
I normally run on Monday and Friday's with my youngest child, she is three. She is my biggest cheerleader, coach, motivator.. I wish everyone had someone like my youngest child in their corner, or stroller, or burley. When we run, if I stop to tie my shoe she starts yelling, "Run mommy run." If I start walking with a friend she will say, "Faster mommy faster!" When we are done running she always says, "Good job mommy, Good job!" I can't tell you how motivating this is for me. My youngest daughter is being pushed in the stroller while I am jogging for up to two hours and she is enjoying herself and encouraging me along the way.
When we go for a bike ride, I normally have both kids, the 3 year old and her 5 year old sister. Let me tell you, they are crammed into the Burley but they never complain. We talk while I ride. I occasionally will get a "Go faster mom!" But always when we get home the youngest will say, "Thank you mommy!" Like I just gave her a present or something. Maybe that present is my time....even though I am pulling them in the burley we are still talking, they are sometimes sleeping or watching a movie on the Ipad, but we are together.
I don't want to lose time with my family because of training. I hope I gain time with my family because of training.
It is amazing how such small words coming from such a young child have an impact on my outlook and training. If those small words have such a big impact on me how can my words impact those around me? The Bible tells us "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." Hebrews 3:13 If my daughters words encourage me, when my self talk is not all that positive, and lifts me up. How much more can my words encourage those around me. This is the lesson I am learning from my daughter. Encourage. Speak kind words. Enjoy the moments together.
I normally run on Monday and Friday's with my youngest child, she is three. She is my biggest cheerleader, coach, motivator.. I wish everyone had someone like my youngest child in their corner, or stroller, or burley. When we run, if I stop to tie my shoe she starts yelling, "Run mommy run." If I start walking with a friend she will say, "Faster mommy faster!" When we are done running she always says, "Good job mommy, Good job!" I can't tell you how motivating this is for me. My youngest daughter is being pushed in the stroller while I am jogging for up to two hours and she is enjoying herself and encouraging me along the way.
When we go for a bike ride, I normally have both kids, the 3 year old and her 5 year old sister. Let me tell you, they are crammed into the Burley but they never complain. We talk while I ride. I occasionally will get a "Go faster mom!" But always when we get home the youngest will say, "Thank you mommy!" Like I just gave her a present or something. Maybe that present is my time....even though I am pulling them in the burley we are still talking, they are sometimes sleeping or watching a movie on the Ipad, but we are together.
I don't want to lose time with my family because of training. I hope I gain time with my family because of training.
It is amazing how such small words coming from such a young child have an impact on my outlook and training. If those small words have such a big impact on me how can my words impact those around me? The Bible tells us "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." Hebrews 3:13 If my daughters words encourage me, when my self talk is not all that positive, and lifts me up. How much more can my words encourage those around me. This is the lesson I am learning from my daughter. Encourage. Speak kind words. Enjoy the moments together.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Inspiration
I normally don't run with music. I figure I am going to train like I race. I can't listen to music when I race. However today I listened. I had an 1:20 minute run and I was struggling through it. About 45 minutes in this song came on. I ended up listening to it for the remainder of my run and my pace picked up drastically. This song provided encouragement and motivation on my run. It is such a great promise to us.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1N3zac7648
"Love walked among us. Love laid down his life, steal sin for us. Oh love, has a name, Jesus crucified, alive today. Lift your voice and sing out. For all that has held us down. Where is it now, where is it now.
Love, watch it fall. And the walls that trapped us in and held control lift your voice and sing out. For all that has held us down. Where is it now, where is it now.
Lift up our hands, glory has risen open our hand we have been forgiven. Nothing can shut what the father has opened. Nothing can lock what the Father has broken through. Lift up our voice, joy it surrounds us. Sing and rejoice, the King's come to crown us. Nothing can shut what the Father has opened, Nothing can lock what the Father has broken through.
We are the sons and daughters of the king.
Sons and daughters of the King. Lift up your voice and sing. Love drove the darkness out. When Jesus rose and Life poured out. Sons and Daughters of the King. Lift up your voice and sing. God has brought us victory. We've been set free, we've been set free." - Sons and Daughters Of the King, Fellowship Church.
As I listened to it I was encouraged by the lyrics "nothing can shut what the Father has opened, nothing can lock what the Father has broken through." I know that I was supposed to sign up for IM TX. And that this journey isn't just a physical journey but a spiritual one as well. So on my days of training when I am feeling discouraged I can be reminded of this.
The other encouraging piece was that we are sons and daughters of the King. Now that I am a mom of two young girls...I understand a different kind of love. I love of a parent to a child. What an amazing honor to be called a daughter of the King.
The last lines that brought encouragement were, "God has brought us victory. We've been set free, we've been set free." No matter what or how I finish IM TX I already have victory. Victory in God. I am set free. So often I put limitations on myself, past defeats, past sins, past injuries, negative self talk. Guess what? I can throw that all out the window because I am set free. Those are things that bind me. I need to remember when I am running or training that this is not about me. It is bigger than me, and I am a daughter of the KING. It doesn't get much better than that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1N3zac7648
"Love walked among us. Love laid down his life, steal sin for us. Oh love, has a name, Jesus crucified, alive today. Lift your voice and sing out. For all that has held us down. Where is it now, where is it now.
Love, watch it fall. And the walls that trapped us in and held control lift your voice and sing out. For all that has held us down. Where is it now, where is it now.
Lift up our hands, glory has risen open our hand we have been forgiven. Nothing can shut what the father has opened. Nothing can lock what the Father has broken through. Lift up our voice, joy it surrounds us. Sing and rejoice, the King's come to crown us. Nothing can shut what the Father has opened, Nothing can lock what the Father has broken through.
We are the sons and daughters of the king.
Sons and daughters of the King. Lift up your voice and sing. Love drove the darkness out. When Jesus rose and Life poured out. Sons and Daughters of the King. Lift up your voice and sing. God has brought us victory. We've been set free, we've been set free." - Sons and Daughters Of the King, Fellowship Church.
As I listened to it I was encouraged by the lyrics "nothing can shut what the Father has opened, nothing can lock what the Father has broken through." I know that I was supposed to sign up for IM TX. And that this journey isn't just a physical journey but a spiritual one as well. So on my days of training when I am feeling discouraged I can be reminded of this.
The other encouraging piece was that we are sons and daughters of the King. Now that I am a mom of two young girls...I understand a different kind of love. I love of a parent to a child. What an amazing honor to be called a daughter of the King.
The last lines that brought encouragement were, "God has brought us victory. We've been set free, we've been set free." No matter what or how I finish IM TX I already have victory. Victory in God. I am set free. So often I put limitations on myself, past defeats, past sins, past injuries, negative self talk. Guess what? I can throw that all out the window because I am set free. Those are things that bind me. I need to remember when I am running or training that this is not about me. It is bigger than me, and I am a daughter of the KING. It doesn't get much better than that.
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