Half Marathon Recap

This past Sunday, I ran my second half marathon with my amazing sister, Mere. We ran in the Gulf Coast Half Marathon on Pensacola Beach.

After running my first half about a year ago with my hubby, I really didn't know if I would do it again. I didn't exactly love running. I didn't decide to do another half until I went to cheer on my sister-in-law, Christy, at her half in January. I was up for the challenge again.

Training this time around was pretty good. And for the first time, I was starting to enjoy running. This was a new feeling for me. I would usually dread going out for a run. I finally found a comfortable pace, and decided that it wasn't about how fast I was running, but how I felt during the run.

We arrived at Pensacola Beach around 6ish on race day. The sun was rising, there was an incredible breeze, and it really couldn't have been a more beautiful day for a run. Mere and I lined up towards the back of the running line-up so we wouldn't be a roadblock for the fast runners :)

The first half of the race was pretty awesome. It was nice and cool, and our energy level seemed to stay up. We stayed good and hydrated. I felt great! About mile 10, it started getting really hot and my knees started aching, but I still felt really good. I was ecstatic when I saw the 12 mile marker...

As I neared the finish line, I saw my amazing family cheering me on. That makes all the difference in the world.

I finished with a time of 3:03. Yes...I am aware that is slow. But I don't care. I honestly felt awesome the entire race and finished with a smile on my face!

God answered so many of my prayers-- I had no dehydration issues, no side or stomach cramps, and had a lot of energy the whole race.

It is nice to know that I don't have the pressure to train anymore, and that I can just go out for a run when I feel like it. It will be a while before I do another half--but I definitely plan to keep running :)

Be blessed!

Jenn

Let it Go...

"Sometimes, you just have to let things go."

Ever heard that quote? I usually hear this when I least want to hear it, if you know what I mean. There is a lot of truth to it, but it is not always the easiet thing for me to do.

The older I get, the more I see that I cannot control everything. Some things are completely out of my control. And through that lack of control--I have to learn to "roll with the punches."

Lately, I have had some situations in my life where I so desperately want things to change--and no matter what I do or say--things stay the same. Sometimes I think I even make them worse. I get frustrated. I want to just throw my hands in the air and scream, "What's the point??". I find myself racking my brain for solutions--when the only conclusion that makes sense is to: Just give it God, Jenn--give it to God.

Sometimes you just have to give up the reigns, and trust God to change a situation. I totally believe in being proactive for positive change with some serious prayer tied in, but sometimes you get to a point where you have to entrust it fully to God. A place where you will believe for some serious change that could only be the work of God's hands. Then God gets the glory when He answers. And I get to add yet another time to my testimony where God was faithful.

He has much more power than I do. There is something incredibly peaceful about knowing that I am placing my problems and burdens into the same hands that created this universe.

So after I give it to God--then comes the really hard part. The waiting...

Sometimes I don't feel like I can make it--my heart hurts, my frustrations get me down, satan tries to make me feel like the most insignificant person on the planet--and it's definitely in the waiting period where satan does his best to ruin you.

I was encouraged by Psalm 55:22 which says this:

"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."

Not only can I give Him all of my burdens, but He will sustain me!! He won't let me lose all hope. Man, if that isn't encouraging, I don't know what is!

God is definitely being faithful to sustain me in this waiting period--He is good no matter what :)

Be blessed!!

Jenn

Just an Update :)

It has been over two months since my last post...just call me a blog slacker! I can't say that I have been too busy to write--or even that I haven't had any thoughts to share. The truth is I have almost had too much to say, and the thought of sitting down and typing it all out was just too overwhelming :)

I figured it was time to at least give an update--in list format--because that's how I roll :)

• David and I are all settled in after our move to Navarre, FL in December. We are loving the area. David loves his job. I love being a stay at home wife for the time being. It has been so refreshing to be back around friends and family. I still have to stop and give some major thanks to God who worked everything out so intricately for us to be back near the people we love--it was only by God that this could have come together like it did.

• We had a recent addition to our family--our sweet (and crazy) boxer pup, Delilah. She has definitely been some added humor to our lives, and when she isn't running around like we all know puppies like to do, she is the sweetest, snuggliest thing. We love her. She has definitely been a lot of work--I feel like I am getting practice in for being a parent :)

• David and I have been training for different goals--for me it's a half marathon and for him a half Iron Man triathlon. My race is actually this Sunday at Pensacola Beach--and I am excited. I am doubly excited because my sister, Meredith, is coming to race with me. Somehow several months ago I convinced her to run it with me. It will be her first half! I know she is going to do just fine :) Definitely a cool sister bonding activity. David has been working his butt off with his training--from running half marathons like it's nothing to doing 56 mile bike rides...I am amazed by him. Seriously. His triathlon is in May :)

• God has blessed us in some amazing ways. I can't say things are perfect in our lives--we have definitely had our share of trials the last few months, but in the end, there is joy because we know that we serve a God who has our best interest at heart and loves us unconditionally!

I think that is about it...for now at least. Stay tuned for more posts to come (hopefully).

Be blessed!!

Jenn