A Tough Mudder Miracle

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....

55:15

So I haven't written since my injury.  I was really upset by it and took the week off.  I came back around last week and ran a couple short distances, followed up by ice packs.  :)  I accomplished a cautious 7 day work out last week in anticipation of having to take it easy this week.  In addition to my short runs (4-6 miles), I did yoga, weight lifting, and a zumba class. 

I ran the Azalea 10K Saturday and had SO MUCH FUN.  The weather was GORGEOUS.  My energy was great and the Azaleas were in full bloom.  I conquered the ridiculous hill that is Robertson Ave and my speed picked up towards the end.  In fact, I sprinted through the finish line to beat the woman in front of me..Ha!   The official times were just posted and I beat my fastest time by 5 minutes!  I ran 6.2 miles in 55 minutes and 15 seconds.  So, as you can tell, my spirits are high.

The plan this week?  Not too much.  I ran 3 miles today and I'll probably do two classes.  The Tough Mudder is Saturday and I'm trying not to think about it.  I am as prepared as I can be.  I'm just ready for it to be behind me. 

On a different note, I started a Bible study call A Woman's Heart: God's Dwelling Place.  I've been looking forward to a deeper study of God's word... craving it almost.  In the first week we are being challenged to identify where we are.  God asked Adam where he was because his sin hid him.  God is wanting to meet up with me.. craving to spend time with me.  He is asking me "Where are you?  I want to meet you."

So where am I? 
Parenting in a whirlwind of 3 small children.
Trying to be a wife that is supportive, respectful, and adoring.
Running the house smoothly as Brock travels with work.
Juggling my part-time job, PTA obligations, and the kids activities.
Challenging myself physically.
Worried about my two brothers and the life that is before them.
Craving to hear God speak to me and see Him work.

This is where I am.  Right now.  On March 26. 2012.  What will God say to me during our time together these next weeks??

the One who makes me who I am

Okay, I realized I did a lot of whining and questioning myself earlier this week.  I'm over it.  This is hard.  This is time-consuming.  But I'm not weak.  I'm not a quitter.  I can do this.  Since my 8 mile run Saturday, I did a 5 mile pace run on Monday, a circuit training class yesterday, and the kill-me-now power hour class as well as 30 minutes on the elliptical today.  I can do this.

I can do all things.... through Christ.  He is my energy.  He encourages me and gives me strength.  My friends showed me this wonderful bracelet she ordered.  She wears it when she exercises as it gives important information if she were hurt or injured.  But it also serves as a constant reminder and encouragement to her because she has Philippians 4:13 on it.

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.


What an amazing reminder when I start to doubt myself.  I was in the process of ordering a bracelet for myself yesterday, trying to decide what I should put on my bracelet as a reminder.  What is my motivator??  Nothing fits quite like this verse. So, it is going on my bracelet as well.  Along with "weakness is pain leaving the body".  Ha!!  I do not like being viewed as weak in any way.. so this has always motivated me.



Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. (MSG)



That is the same verse in a different translation.  I LOVE this translation.  He knows me better than I know myself because he MADE me.  He knows what will teach me, help me, motivate me, and encourage me.  He is my rock and He gives strength to my weary butt.


I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. (GNT)


Christ gives me the strength to face anything.  (CEV)

What is your passion?

Goliath

Today I conquered my Goliath hill again.  With a cold.  While it was 38 degrees.  With a sore gluteus maximus from a previous work out.  And at the end of a 6 mile run.  Am I bragging yet??  I feel such a sense of accomplishment after I complete a work out.  This proud of myself-I can do anything feeling is wonderful.  I'm not saying I didn't have battles before the workout.  Who wants to run when its 38 degrees?  With a cold?

Before each hard workout or race, I always get nerves that make my stomach upset.  I don't know why, it's very silly.  But, I make myself do it and I'm always glad I did.  During my run this morning, I encountered 2 very angry looking dogs, 4 beautiful deer, and one mischievous coyote.  The coyote looked like he was wanting some calf steak for breakfast, so I scared him off.. because I want to be a cow's hero.  Ha!

Anyways, all of God's creatures coming across me this morning reminded me of how small my world is.  I get so consumed with the drama and everyday tasks that I forget that this is a HUGE world that God created.  There is life all around me that I am completely unaware of.  In fact, I probably miss a lot of nature if my music is too loud or my focus is too concentrated.  I become so obsessed with whatever task I am involved in at the moment or goal I am trying to meet, that I forget to slow down and see what is happening around me.

God is speaking to me a lot these days.  I hear him frequently in the morning, when I run, and through my children.  I have made it a priority to spend 15 minutes with Him each morning before anyone wakes up in my house.  It is quiet and peaceful and I love it.

This week, I heard Him during Wednesday night church.  Our associate pastor was speaking on how passions engulf us so much so that it is evident to those around us.  My passions, in this moment, are running and training, cooking, writing, hearing God speaking to me, and working on being a better mother and wife.  I would be offended if my children went to another adult with questions on how to cook something.  I would also be offended if they asked to go run with someone else instead of me.  But they don't.  They know to come to me with those topics just like their Papa has answers to all their hunting and fishing questions.

In that same sense, do my children know I am passionate about Christ?  Not talking and teaching about Him constantly is communicating that to them.  I NEVER want them to think they have to ask their Sunday school teacher the deeper spiritual questions.  My passion for Christ needs to be evident in how I act, what I say, and how I spend my time.  I ONLY have 18 years to mold them.  And for Cole, that just means 8 more years...

Nothing could make me happier than getting reports that my children continue diligently in the way of Truth.  3 John 1:4

I know it's hard to see, but there's a large deer staring me down as I stop to pull out my camera!

And now he is hiding with his 3 friends in the woods looking at me running by :)

I stole this off the web... the class that made my hiney ache so!  LOL