It will be two weeks since I finished the Tough Mudder tomorrow. I
am excited to say that it was a wonderful experience. So much so, that
I've signed up for another one! These last two weeks had me recovering
from some weird bacterial infection, washing mud out of my hair over and
over, and gearing up for my next race... which is in two days... the
half marathon. Eek.
But back to the Mudder. There were 6 of us on the team and we started out a little frazzled. Due to parking problems, we were in traffic for 2 hours, thus delaying our start time by 1 1/2 hours. I'm pretty sure we were one of the last waves to start. The course was a full 12 miles with 25 obstacles. Even though I knew it would be muddy, I was surprised by HOW MUCH mud there was. We were constantly in it. And it was thick and slippery. The hardest obstacles were climbing walls and ramps. But everyone was incredibly helpful and the camaraderie was amazing. Guys were constantly pulling me up and pushing me over. I did each obstacle and only fell off one. The monkey bars were just too much at mile 10. :)
BUT the most amazing thing happened during this race. An experience I've already told 20 times. I experienced a miracle. I very obvious and amazing miracle. I have a history of migraines. They have been hormonal in the past, but now I am getting them due to dehydration. I have learned in the past two weeks that even though I drink water like crazy, I'm not staying hydrated. I am needing more minerals and electrolytes.
Anyways, my migraines have always been predictable. 20 minutes of blurry vision, followed by a screaming, unbearable headache, then finishing with nausea and vomiting. It goes away after I fall asleep. Well, I didn't have many options to treat a migraine when I saw my vision going blurry on MILE 3 of the course. My first response is, like always, fear and anxiety. How would I finish the race with a migraine??
Well, God is amazing. The day before, I was doing my Bible study and reading about God the healer. He is introduced as God the healer in the Bible after he performs a miracle over bitter water. The Isrealites were nearing death from dehydration. They found water, but it was extremely bitter. God made the water sweet, healing their dehydration and bitterness at the same time.
This immediately came to mind when my migraine started. My comforting migraine medicine was 5 miles away in the car. Ibuprofen was 3 miles away in my mother's purse. I had no other choice but to pray and trust God to heal my head. So that's what I did. I prayed, sang, and talked to God for the remaining 7 miles. I never got a headache after my vision cleared up, just constant communication with my Savior during an intense physical challenge. He used something so simple to allow me to see Him so clearly. It was an amazing experience and I get goosebumps every time I tell the story. I will always be grateful for what He did for me.
I'm excited to do this again. I've already signed up for the one in Austin in October. But, this time will be even more amazing. Because, this time I will have my best friend and partner through life by my side. My amazing hubby is doing it with me and I'm extremely excited!!!!
I tackle my half-marathon on Sunday. I'm looking forward to my time talking to God again. The weather is calling for thunderstorms and constant rain. Yikes. I'll let you know how it goes....
But back to the Mudder. There were 6 of us on the team and we started out a little frazzled. Due to parking problems, we were in traffic for 2 hours, thus delaying our start time by 1 1/2 hours. I'm pretty sure we were one of the last waves to start. The course was a full 12 miles with 25 obstacles. Even though I knew it would be muddy, I was surprised by HOW MUCH mud there was. We were constantly in it. And it was thick and slippery. The hardest obstacles were climbing walls and ramps. But everyone was incredibly helpful and the camaraderie was amazing. Guys were constantly pulling me up and pushing me over. I did each obstacle and only fell off one. The monkey bars were just too much at mile 10. :)
BUT the most amazing thing happened during this race. An experience I've already told 20 times. I experienced a miracle. I very obvious and amazing miracle. I have a history of migraines. They have been hormonal in the past, but now I am getting them due to dehydration. I have learned in the past two weeks that even though I drink water like crazy, I'm not staying hydrated. I am needing more minerals and electrolytes.
Anyways, my migraines have always been predictable. 20 minutes of blurry vision, followed by a screaming, unbearable headache, then finishing with nausea and vomiting. It goes away after I fall asleep. Well, I didn't have many options to treat a migraine when I saw my vision going blurry on MILE 3 of the course. My first response is, like always, fear and anxiety. How would I finish the race with a migraine??
Well, God is amazing. The day before, I was doing my Bible study and reading about God the healer. He is introduced as God the healer in the Bible after he performs a miracle over bitter water. The Isrealites were nearing death from dehydration. They found water, but it was extremely bitter. God made the water sweet, healing their dehydration and bitterness at the same time.
This immediately came to mind when my migraine started. My comforting migraine medicine was 5 miles away in the car. Ibuprofen was 3 miles away in my mother's purse. I had no other choice but to pray and trust God to heal my head. So that's what I did. I prayed, sang, and talked to God for the remaining 7 miles. I never got a headache after my vision cleared up, just constant communication with my Savior during an intense physical challenge. He used something so simple to allow me to see Him so clearly. It was an amazing experience and I get goosebumps every time I tell the story. I will always be grateful for what He did for me.
I'm excited to do this again. I've already signed up for the one in Austin in October. But, this time will be even more amazing. Because, this time I will have my best friend and partner through life by my side. My amazing hubby is doing it with me and I'm extremely excited!!!!
I tackle my half-marathon on Sunday. I'm looking forward to my time talking to God again. The weather is calling for thunderstorms and constant rain. Yikes. I'll let you know how it goes....
