Tag Archives: marathon

June 6, 2016 · 8:49 am

Divine Detours…

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This photo was taken 5 years ago yesterday – June 5, 2011  – at the San Diego Marathon. This is where I attempted to qualify for the Boston for the first time.  Seeing this photo come up on the ‘On this Day’ feature of Facebook brought back so many memories and emotions.  Ones I will not detail today!  It appeared in my newsfeed after I had been to church in Destin, Florida and heard an amazing sermon by none other than former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.

The night before we were looking for churches close to the condo due to the fact we had planned on walking to the service because we were without a car.  Destiny Worship Center popped up with the banner – Guest Speaker, Governor Mike Huckabee.  This is where I wanted to go – so we did. 🙂  And, I am so glad we did.  I have heard him preach before but that was in college – a long time ago! 😉

He spoke about detours.  How we all have them…How we don’t like them…How we don’t plan them and we don’t want them.  He asked the question – “What if your detour is your destination?”  He gave examples from the Bible which included –

  • Joseph – being sold into slavery
  • Jonah – being swallowed by a fish
  • Jesus – who was betrayed and paid the ultimate sacrifice – death on a cross

As we all know – we all have detours! He went on to say that God’s priorities may be different from ours.  We have to have spiritual maturity and totally trust God’s best for us. The detour will take us down a path where we will learn things we would have never learned on the main road.  The purpose is to help us reflect the character of Jesus Christ and the product will be something bigger than we could have ever imagined!

What are the benefits of these detours?

  • We will see things we wouldn’t have seen normally.
  • We will go places you wouldn’t have gone.
  • We will go slower than you intended to go – so we can hear Him!

He closed with Romans 8.28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  As many of you may already know – this is the verse my family calls our family verse.  It is one dear to my heart and one the girls and I had been discussing while at the beach this past week.

As he dissected this verse, he pointed out what many miss – it doesn’t say that all things are good – it says all things work together for good AND it is for those who are called according to His purpose – or who KNOW Him and call him Savior.

The detours in life are working together for good for all of us who love and know Him. NO – it is not all good but in the bigger picture – bringing glory to Him – it does work out for good! And – we may never understand or see it on this side of heaven.

Wow! What a powerful message! I needed to hear that in regards to detours I have had recently – so thankful He has the big picture and I only have a small piece of it.

Now, back to the above photo.  As I stated, the photo came up on my Facebook page as a memory.   That day God had planned a detour – a major one in my mind.  I missed qualifying for the Boston Marathon by 53 seconds(around 2 seconds per mile).  I was CRUSHED! But, I didn’t have the whole picture.  Oh, and how thankful I am!!!

Due to that detour – I met Team Hoyt.  I had the amazing privilege of running the Boston Marathon not once but three times! I was able to qualify two times after this race and one of my qualifying runs was while running the Boston Marathon itself.  Running solo became running with a team – a team who makes a difference.  (And guess where a lot of the team members live – San Diego. I was surrounded by them that day and didn’t even know it!)

I could go on and on about how this one detour in San Diego truly changed the trajectory of my running and my life but I won’t.  Though yesterday after Governor Mike Huckabee’s sermon I knew I had to write the story down.  The story about how attending a different church service than planned – because we didn’t have a car was a divine detour.  A divine detour that enlightened me in so many ways!

God is good all the time and all the time God is good!

Ephesians 3.20 – Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…

Sidenote:  Governor Mike Huckabee was one of my dearest friend’s pastors in Arkansas. He performed her and her husband’s wedding ceremony.  I will never forget he had them face the congregation during the ceremony because he said everyone had come to see them not him. So true! Due to this fact – Mike and I did the same thing in our wedding. 🙂 Another divine detour….

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December 31, 2015 · 8:44 pm

Running Recap…2015 was out of this world!

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1 Corinthians 9.24

 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

This year the Lord blessed me beyond measure with my running.  I ran fewer miles – by a lot – than I have in the last 4 years.  With that came rest and many PRs(personal records) as well as 3 marathons.  Never did I imagine I would be able to attempt, let alone complete 3 marathons in 62 days… if you told me on December 31, 2014 I would run 3…I would have called you crazy! (I hear I am crazy all the time!)

Ephesians 3.20

 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

By God’s grace I did just that.  I ran two world major marathons and an awesome small town marathon!!  I also set PRs in all race distances(1 mile, 5k, 8k, 10k and Half marathon) expect the 15k and the marathon.  I will get the times I am after one day! In His time!

Ecclesiastes 3.1-8

A Time for Everything

3 There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
4     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

The miles He has given me represent the strength and the struggle…the ups and the downs…the loss and the victories of life.  My running journey mirrors life.  I love the parallel.  During many of the miles of the journey I have my amazing family and friends by my side and at other times it is just God and me.

God has taught me so many lessons on the roads.  This year I would say He taught me less is more.  When I started pose running over a year ago, I had no idea how it would affect my running as a whole  Well, now, I know. It works. Fewer runs – but quality runs – work! I have not been as tired and I have been able to slow down and smell the roses. 😉  I had more time on my hands this year because I wasn’t running every day.  (and I am not knocking running daily – at all!)  I just know for me I had lost the joy in running. This approach helped me find my joy as well as help me be successful in my efforts.  I also have had more time for family and friends.  Joy!

In the spirit of the shorter runs(the ones I hope to focus on in 2016), I am keeping this running recap short and will sum it up by saying ~  2015 was out of this world! 

Hebrews 12.1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Happy New Year! Here’s to running blessed in 2016!

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November 3, 2015 · 8:23 pm

A marathon post about the Marathon of a lifetime…beware – reading this could take 26.2 miles!

We are home! We did it! We survived a month of whirlwind travel which included 2 major marathons – Chicago and New York and a trip to Arkansas.  What a month October was for me! It was a month of reflection and a month of thankfulness.  It all started with an amazing trip to Chicago with my running angels.  Chicago – Major #3 for me is in the books.  See previous blog for race report.  I will say one thing – I was running for time at Chicago – didn’t get it but learned A LOT.  The learning did not stop but continued in New York with a stopover in-between in Arkansas.

Why Arkansas? Well, let me first say the seed to run was planted many years ago when I watched my mom and dad run races.  I didn’t really start running until I was 30 but watching them in those early years made an impression.  Now back to the question – Why Arkansas?  My dad was inducted into the Ouachita Baptist University Athletic Hall of Fame.  Dad was the golf coach at OBU for many years and helped the program grow and win!  Dad was a difference maker.  His work ethic and care for his players was contagious.  He is a life changer.  His love for athletics of all kinds filtered down to all of us.

This was a perfect stopover between Chicago and New York.  It helped me remember where I started and helped me focus on what is really important in the game of life – relationships!  Running has helped me develop many relationships I would NEVER have had without it!  Thanks mom and dad for planting the seed that has forever changed my life for the better!

Proverbs 22.6 ~ Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

 

New York, New York – Frank Sinatra

Start spreadin’ the news, I’m leavin’ today
I want to be a part of it
New York, New York
These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray
Right through the very heart of it
New York, New York

I have so much in my head about this trip – a trip of a lifetime –  and don’t want to lose any of it or bore anyone. 🙂 So a photo journey it will be!  I will start from the beginning.

Day 1:

We are on our way! NYC we have arrived!!!  Welcome to New York!IMG_5130

The Expo – it is getting real!!!  I have never seen so many people in one place.  It was absolutely crazy.  The line to purchase official gear snaked around forever.  I know we had to have walked close to a half of a mile just in line to pay.  It was a mad house! We met a mother and daughter while making our way to the checkout line.  This would be the daughter’s second NYC Marathon.  She was local.  She gave me a great piece of advice – take cardboard to the starting village to sit on.  The cardboard kept me from sitting on wet ground or pavement! I was so thankful for this awesome advice.  🙂  Once we made it through the check out line we explored the expo itself.  This is always fun.  Once this very important step was over – we headed out to the streets of NY!

First stop – Empire State Building!  It was breathtaking to see NY from the top of the Empire State Building.  Mike and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the 360 degree views from what seemed to be the top of the world.  Mike chatted with a worker while I hit the restroom. Hydrating for a marathon was not fun in NY where there are NO public restrooms unless you pay for services.  Crazy! She told her story of working on 9/11 and how it affected her.  Story-telling at its best!

Second stop and third stop – Rockefeller Center and Times Square

Night was coming and so was the chill.  Perfect for watching the ice skaters in Rockefeller Center.  Times Square was nuts.  We were there about 10 minutes and were ready to move on.  We are glad we saw it but – WOW – sensory overload.  I know all of this was preparing me for the run of lifetime – the largest marathon in the world – 50,000 runner and over 1 million spectators – talk about sensory overload!

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Not only was New York hosting the largest marathon in the world but they were also hosting games 3, 4 and 5 of the World Series! We got to enjoy the hoopla around this as well because we had to get off the train at Mets-Willets Point…the train stop for Citi Field – Home of the Mets.  This was fun all three nights.  We took in the sights and the crowds before heading back to our hotel.  We even picked up a free towel and sign that said BELIEVE! This was my first sign for the marathon – Believe!

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Day 2 – Subway rides, fall foliage, Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center, 9/11 Memorial – What a day! We packed it all in. We rode the subway, the bus, the ferry and a taxi.  We walked as well – across the Brooklyn Bridge and beyond.  The love locks on the Brooklyn Bridge were fun to see with the one I love! I am so thankful to be experiencing this city with him!  The One World Trade Center was very emotional for both of us.  It is hard to put into words the feelings that arose when looking at the memorial where the towers once stood.  There was a sense of sadness in the air and respect given by those visiting.  Then we went to the top of One World Trade Center.  This was one of the highlights of the trip.  New York has definitely done it right when it comes to remembering the victims, survivors and families of 9/11.  We were honored and humbled to be there reflecting on the loss of our nation.  We are proud to be Americans! This city is a melting pot. We heard so many languages spoken.  We saw so many nationalities.  While visiting these two sites we were reminded why we love our country so and the freedoms we have just by living here.

Now, to the TCS New York Marathon! Wow is really all I can say! What a day.  A day to let time goals go and enjoy being a part of the largest marathon in the world.  God had a plan for this day.  He knew I would struggle letting my time goal go, so He placed people along the way to remind me to let go and let HIM!  There is so much to this part of the story.  It started long before we hit the ground running in New York.

Proverbs 27.17 ~ As iron sharpens iron,
    so a friend sharpens a friend.

God has blessed me with many close friends who know me well.  I had more than one remind me to relax and run on November 1.  They knew I had a battle going on inside because I didn’t meet my time goal in Chicago.  The battle was real and raging until Sunday morning at the starting village.  Though these friends continued to remind me of the real reason I was there….I kept wanting that Garmin time of 3:45.  But God placed two people in my life after arriving at the start village on marathon day that helped change that!

First, I had to load the bus by 5:30 a.m. to get to the starting village for a 10:40 start.  That’s 5 hours to kill – wow!  As you can see in several of the photos, I dressed warm for this occasion and it worked out well.  I took my cardboard from my Domino’s Pizza  pre-race dinner to sit on.  I found a spot next to a light pole and made myself comfortable.  I wrapped up in an old thermal blanket from a race I ran in Louisville last October and settled in.  As I was sitting and taking it all in I received several texts.  One was from a dear friend.  It was a prayer for the day.  I so needed it…it was the first of amazing encounters all day.  I thought of this prayer often as I ran that day.  The struggle was real and He is what got me through.

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After corresponding back and forth I just sat there and looked around at the people.  Two girls next to me were from another country. They spoke no English.  This is one of the things I loved the most.  There were so many nationalities running this race.  We were all there together to achieve one goal and that was to finish the world’s largest marathon.  Prejudice and hostilities pushed aside all working together toward a common end. Too bad we can’t get along like this everywhere and all the time!

As I was listening to the sounds around me I heard the word ‘y’all’ come from behind me.  I turned around and asked him where he was from.  Are you ready for this?  He was from Arkansas AND he runs with and does running groups with a friend of mine from college.  Can you believe that? YES! Because God is that good!!!  Out of 50,000 runners hanging out in the starting villages, I was able to run into someone from Arkansas – not only from my home state but someone who knows a friend of mine AND loves the Lord.  Can I say it again – God is that good!

Romans 8.28 ~ And we know that God causes everything to work together

for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

I call it a Godincidence – divine intervention by God! He was talking to another guy from Kentucky that is going to Arkadelphia, Arkansas(where I was born and spent the previous weekend with my family!) in a couple of weeks to do a race.  Small world! We discussed everything from running to our jobs and to our spouses jobs.  We talked about how running has been a great way for us to share our testimonies.  What a way to start my day! One of my friends who encouraged me to relax and have fun also said she knew the 5 hours of wait time would be special.  She was right!  Boy, was she right!

At 8:15 I was supposed to meet up with two of my Team Hoyt buddies.  We were all blessed to be in the blue corral.  There were three corrals – Blue, Green and Orange.  God is good yet again.  🙂  On the way to the meeting place – Blue Corral letter D – I passed the Interfaith Religious Service tent.  They were playing praise music.  I had time to kill so I sat down and let the words cover me.  They announced the service would start at 8:00.  I decided to stay for about 10 minutes and I am so glad I did.  We sang a praise song about God being our strength.  One paster prayed over the race and runners.  Then another pastor gave a short sermon.  He started with the words – ‘Let Go and Let God’.  I told my mom on Thursday before we left that I was changing my mantra for the race from ‘Let Go and Let God’ to ‘Let God and Go Have Fun!’  This was another way of God tell me to run and enjoy every step of the way.  Again, God is so good.  Next the pastor gave us three scripture references in a certain order – Psalm 22, 24 and 23.  He said for the OCD runners that order would drive them crazy but there was a purpose in the order.  It too gave me strength for the day.

Here is the short of it:  In Psalm 22 Jesus feels abandoned. He says,  “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?”  Then in Psalm 24 we see is not forsaken but He is lifted up to Heaven and seated on God’s throne.

Lift up your heads, O you gates!

And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!

And the King of glory shall come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The Lord strong and mighty,

The Lord mighty in battle.

Then back to Psalm 23. We see “ he represents Christians receiving the benefit of all the care and tenderness of that great and good shepherd.” The pastor was saying we could fill abandoned on this course of 26.2 miles but He is with us. He will carry us through and we will finish well for HIM!  Let Go and Let God! Oh, how I needed yet another confirmation.  I slipped out of the service as they were still sharing to meet 2 friends/family amongst the 50,000.

A Team Hoyt reunion was about to happen.  I found Wes first and shortly thereafter we met up with Dana.  We had a group hug and wished Wes well.  He was in the first wave because he is the fast one.   It would also be an understatement to say how grateful I am for Team Hoyt.  Team Hoyt is the reason the three of us from very different parts of the world could meet up, hug and share encouragement.  Wes is Canadian.  Dana lives in New York. And I am from Soddy Daisy, TN!  Again, how good is God???  Team Hoyt is my forever family that God introduced me to on my road to Boston several years ago.  They have been and will continue to be a blessing!

So off Wes went and off we went to gather our Dunkin Donuts coffee and beanie hats. 🙂 I can’t put into words how awesome it was to spend the rest of my morning and the start with Dana. Her spirit is contagious.  I really don’t think she has ever met a stranger. We lined up to get in our corral and watched Wave 2 move to the start line.  Then it was our turn! We moved in and finally moved up.  As we towed the start line I removed my warm clothing and deposited it for Goodwill of New York.  It felt so good to let go of one piece of clothing that represented part of the past for Mike and me.

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.”
― Bil Keane

As we waited for the canons to go off and Frank Sinatra to sing we met Hugo.  Hugo was starting and hoping to finish his 100th marathon.  100! Wow! I can’t imagine 100 marathons!!! It was a true honor to meet him. (and he did finish!) Yay HUGO!  Then what we were all waiting for…the canons and the serenade!  As we started running the excitement was electrifying.  The announcer yelled my name and go Team Hoyt. Dana and I were happy! I took one last selfie with Dana and off I went…to run my race. 🙂

I figured out early on I was really going to enjoy the race and take it all in.  It was freeing.  I stopped looking at my watch and started looking around. My Garmin was not going to control the run. I was going to Let God and Go Have Fun!  I ran on feel and for the first half did pretty well. The sights were amazing.  At times I was thinking – am I really doing this? Is this real?  And, of course it was.

Mike had a plan to meet me and encourage me on the course.  His first stop was the 5k.  He met me there joyfully with a kiss. I was feeling great here! Mike was and always is an uplifting sight! So very thankful for him and his never-ending support!!!  He was able to meet me two more times on the course. He walked a marathon of his own.  I am one blessed wife! 🙂

In days leading to the race I read a story about the Quinn brothers from Ireland.  35 years ago they ran the NYC Marathon together and they returned to do it again in 2015.  I ran up on two of them early on.  Frank and I had a great conversation and took a selfie.  🙂 Then further down the course I met another gentleman.  He tried to take a photo of me running but to no avail. So, we took a selfie.  He encouraged me to keep moving! And I did!

I felt pretty good until around mile 15 as we approached the Queensboro Bridge.  It is about 1.5 miles with a steady incline.  There were a lot of walkers and I joined in because the pain started here. I knew I was in to finish so this is when the camera really started to come out…hence the windy selfie on the bridge. 🙂  Upon leaving the bridge the crowds were deafening! It was so encouraging!!! It gave me a little pep in my step.  But, I was hurting.  Though, I knew at this point Mike would be a mile 19.  I kept pushing through knowing I would see him there and he would lift my spirits.

As I approached mile 19 I was looking for my tall handsome husband with the Tennessee hat on.  I found him and the tears started flowing.  He reached out and embraced me with a hug and a kiss.  I was honest with him and told him I was struggling…I was hurting.  He said you can do this! You have this! He knew I could dig deep even though at that point I didn’t believe it.  He gave me the lift I needed. I told him I would probably walk a lot the last 10k.  Thankfully, I had the strength to keep running.  Though it was slow – it was not a walk unless I was getting water at a water station.  I am so glad because Mike surprised me again at mile 22.  I knew then I would make it…running…to the end! And I did!

Mile 24, 25, and 26 couldn’t have come any sooner.  The finish line was magical.  I did it! I was a New York Marathon Finisher! I had just finished my 4th world major.  Wow! Can I say again, GOD is so good!

God provided so many people and things along the way…

  • The gospel choir serenading us on the course.
  • The smells of great food.
  • The cheers of random strangers yelling ‘Go Trish!’ or Go RUN..because of the big RUN on my tank.
  • Encouraging words like “You’ve got a good pace!”
  • Another runner saying “Hey, Trish…how are ya?”
  • Congratulations from all the volunteers.
  • The friendly NYC Police and Fire personnel.
  • The amazing crowds….over 1 million of them….truly electrifying!
  • The helpful strangers!!!!
  • The prayers felt when the struggle got real – I felt every one of them.

Philippians 4.13

 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Let’s get this party started!
Ready for random strangers to call out “Go Trish!”
Loading the bus!
View for first 2 hours…
The starting bridge…
Starting village
Sunday morning church service!
This made me happen – DD coffee anyone?
Wes – Team Hoyt
Dana – Team Hoyt
Wave 2 waiting…
They are off and we are next!
Mike saw MEB!
Flying by…
Wave 3 getting ready…
Toeing the line!
Hugo – today would be his 100th marathon finish! Wow!
Moving to the start line!
Look at the people!
Discarding warm clothes…
It was therapeutic for Mike and me!
Start line selfie with Dana! Off we go!
Mike captured this at mile 3!
Frank Quinn – one of the Quinn brothers. They ran it 35 years ago and are back!
Another random stranger encouraging me!
Brooklyn
The Queensboro Bridge
The views…
Selfie time!
The runners entering the LOUD zone off the bridge….electric!
Welcome to Manhattan!
Mile 19 – I am dying! 😉
He saved me! Precious memory!
East Harlem
Willis Ave. Bridge
Central Park
Mile 24…
God knew I would need a photo of my wallpaper when looking through the photos….
Getting closer…
Mile 25 – I can do this!
Mile 26 – I have this!
Finish Line!
I did that! TCS New York Marathon Finisher!

 

 

As the Taylor family verse states: IMG_3049This is the card dad pulled out while doing our family devotion the morning we were all in Arkansas.  It has long been the verse we live by.  For dad to pull it out of the daily bread box that day was as mom likes to call it ‘a God wink.’  God was with us that day in Arkansas as He was with me on Marathon Day.  I am so very thankful, blessed, humbled and undeserving of and for His love and mercy.  God has been good to our family and He has been good to Mike and me.  He has been to me with running and He has given me a testimony for Him – saying God is so good all the time and all the time God is good.  God allowed me to run my race – which was His race on November 1, 2015!

Thanks for making it to the end of what was supposed to be a short post! I had too many God winks and just had to share.  😉

Running blessed!

4 World Majors down…2 to go! Tokyo and Berlin…here we come!

Oh, and I made the New York Times….

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October 18, 2015 · 10:22 pm

Learn from yesterday, live for today and hope for tomorrow…Albert Einstein

To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift…
Learn from yesterday, live for today and hope for tomorrow! Albert Einstein This would become quite ironic…

So our trip continues on to Chicago.  At one of the stops along the way we found some inspiration on the wall.  Little did I realize as I took the pictures, that the second one would be foreshadowing of my race day.  And the crazy thing is…that I just reread it today and realized how true it was! God is so good…He knew I would need to read the words and find encouragement once again.   The first picture was true too…we all planned to give our best to the streets of Chicago and not sacrifice the gift we had been given.  I truly believe each one of us did that on October 11, 2015.  Now, here’s the rest of the story….

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As you can see from the above photo gallery, we had fun.  #1 goal = accomplished.  We all said we wanted to train hard but have fun.  God blessed each one of us with a desire and gift to run.  He then allowed our paths to cross due to running.  Now, we are friends because of running but the thread that holds us together is our love for our Lord Jesus Christ.  We encourage one another and lift one another up.  We obviously have fun together and do all we can to point upward as we live.

We exploded through the expo.  We gathered our numbers…took photos, many photos….We bought a few items(just a few)…We got our pace group info for race day….we just had fun with the MANY other runners who were doing the same.  Once we were done at the expo, I split off from the girls to go meet up with a few Team Hoyt members who were running Chicago too.  I met some new running friends at dinner as well.  We had a great time catching up and celebrating these friendships.  God started the Team Hoyt journey in 2012 and though I don’t run Boston with them any more, I am still part of the alumni and they will always be family.

One of the very cool parts of this story is that Jim and Riley, who I am seated next to, were part of the first group of DUOS allowed to run the Chicago Marathon.  This was the first year they allowed Jim to push Riley after trying for the last two.  I guess third try is a charm. 🙂  Jim is really fast – even pushing Riley. I had the great fortune of beating him at Boston 2014 because he started before me but stopped to walk and finish the race with Dick and Rick as I did.  We finished together but due to my later start I beat him.   I decided to mention that to him at dinner and then the next day I got a Facebook message stated that he beat me even having to push Riley through the crowds of people.  They did not give them preferential treatment…they had to start way back in corral E.  I was in D. 🙂  His chip time was 2 minutes faster than mine.  Oh well, like I said, he is really fast. And, I deserved it! Go Team Hoyt! Yes, You Can!

Dinner was great and then off to the hotel to prepare for the next day!  The hotel I met Team Hoyt in was about 2 miles away from my hotel.  I took a taxi so I didn’t have to walk in the dark alone. 🙂  My taxi ride was a fun one.  We started talking football….college football.  Being a good SEC fan and an Arkansas fan I had to talk about the Arkansas vs. Alabama game I was missing and headed back to watch.  We were actually leading and I wanted to see it played out.   Throughout the ride through the city, the driver I continued to banter back and forth.  He was from up north and didn’t have a dog in the fight but he sure had the last laugh when I exited the taxi.  I told him to make sure he cheered for the Hogs and he quickly said, “Roll Tide!”  At that point I was tempted to take my tip back. 😉

I beat the girls back to the room which gave me a chance to get my race gear ready.  Once I was prepared I put my PJs on and settled in to watch the game.  I was alone and able to enjoy the Arkansas lead for a while.  As soon as the girls got back Alabama took the lead and kept it.  It didn’t help that Deirdre is a HUGE Alabama fan. 🙂  She was very gracious unlike several I received text from that evening. 😉 At least we held our own and didn’t get slaughtered.  Go Hogs!

I was able to fall asleep…but sleep was not easy.  It was a lot like Christmas Eve.  The anticipation for the next morning made the night a long one.  It gave me time to pray and reflect but boy I was glad when the morning alarm finally went off….

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RACE DAY is here! This is the day we have worked so hard for.  Now we are all hoping and praying our training pays off and we finish well! We all got up on time and started our individual routines.  It was real.  We were doing this whether we liked it or not.  We headed downstairs to the sea of runners headed to the start line.  There were so many people.  We jogged a little to warm up and get the nerves out.  We finally made it to the welcome gate….and we had to stop and stand.  There were so many people waiting to get through the bag check.  It was crazy.  It was a sign of things yet to come. Here are some statistical information provided by Competitior.com on the number of runners:

  • 45,000 entrants are selected to run through a lottery, which had more than 70,000 applicants.
  • A total of 37,182 runners finished the race (20,144 men, 17,038 women)
  • Dickson Chumba won a slow men’s race in 2:09:25, while Florence Kiplagat won the women’s race in 2:23:33.

Crazy numbers – number of finishers and winning times.  I will come back to some of the additional stats later.

We did make it through the bag check and in to the porta potty lines.  Thankfully they were short.  While we were waiting it dawned on us that this would be the last time we would be together.  We all had different corrals.  We grabbed hands – yes, as we waited on the porta potty to come available – we prayed.  We asked the Lord to bless our steps, keep us injury free and help us to glorify Him as we ran.  He answered those prayers…we all finished for Him!  Once we all finished up we gave one another hugs and off we went….To run our own race!  We all had had numerous texts and messages from dear friends and family encouraging us to do just that – run our race.

Run my race is just what I had planned.  I decided to get with a pace group to help me do so.  Nike provided runners who led different pace teams.  A pace team is a group of runners led by an experienced leader who run together in the marathon. The pace leader runs a steady pace and keeps track of that pace so that the group can achieve their goal of finishing the marathon at a particular time. I wanted to finish in 3:45.  My personal best is 3:48:59.  I wanted to beat this time and go for around 3:45.  Pace groups can be good and they can be bad.  My experience was the latter.  Here is how marathonpacing.com describes problems for marathoners: One of the biggest mistakes that marathoners make is starting out too fast and then hitting the wall in the later portions of the race. The pace team will run at an even pace per mile. Sadly for me this is what the pace group did after having two slower miles in the beginning.  They did all they could do to catch up and this caused us to have 9 miles too fast.  We were supposed to stay steady at 8:35 and we did not.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have trained all season not looking at my watch and trying to run on feel…so on this day I did the same.  If I had looked at my watch I would have realized we were way off on pace.  I didn’t realize it due to the fact I felt like I was always jockeying for position to keep up with the pace group leaders.  It was a constant up and back for those first 9-10 miles.  There were SOOO many people out there.  I constantly felt like I was in someones way or I was going to trip.  It was crazy crowded!  It was fun being with like-minded souls, in the city of Chicago, running a world major – but it was crazy crowded! 🙂  As you can see from my splits above I slowed down significantly the second half.  You also may notice I had a record-setting mile 22, 23 and 24.  I should be in the record books for mile 24. 🙂 I have NOOO idea what happened here…but I do know my watch said I ran a personal best 26.2 as seen below.  LOL!

My mind raced during the first half.  I was constantly talking to myself while trying to stay close to the pace team.  Water stations were tricky and oh the turns in the course.  Between the turns, the crowds and the water stations I was back and forth like a yo-yo with the pacers.  Mentally it was exhausting.  Finally, I remembered those words – run your race.

When I let these sink in and let the pace group go, I ran my race.  Granted it was slower than I wanted but I ran it and finished well.  The second half was mental as well.  It was get through this course and enjoy.  I was hurting and feeling every ache and pain.  I know now it is from pushing too hard on the front end.  You can not bank time. You can not start too fast in 26.2 and not have it bite you…you just can’t.

I would go through my ups and downs like the training.  I had moments that I knew I could and would do it.  Then I was trying to figure out ways to get to finish line without walking or running.  Was there someone who would carry me or drive me? 😉  Then the amazing crowds would lift me up.  I had on my music but seldom heard it because the crowds were electrifying! I did hear some of the music at just he right time.  The song Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave came on.  Mike and Chase sing this as a duet and I could hear them in my head.  It lifted me and kept me moving.  Another highlight was running through Moody University.  I listen to Moody Radio daily and am encouraged daily.  It was a quick shot of encouragement on the course.  I kept putting one foot in front of the other repeating the faster you do it the sooner you get to quit. 🙂

Once I made to mile 20 I knew I had it.  I can do a 10k in my sleep.  But, then I remembered it would take me at least an hour.  Oh, I didn’t want to run another hour.  At this point, I took it one mile at a time.  I had a PBJ on the run.  I had Peanut M & Ms as well.  My fueling was on target…now to get my mind and feet to follow suit.  During the last 10k I did have to walk through some water stations and pull over to put BioFreeze on my hamstring.  It was slow going but it was going.  I hit the 5k mark and knew I had it.  3.1 miles was a walk in the park.  One mile at a time….one mile at a time….  So the sign I was waiting for….ONE mile to go…finally came.  At this point, I finally looked at my watch.  I knew it had taken me 10 minutes to get to the start.  The clock showed 3:58 and my watch had 3:48.  I knew then I had 12 minutes to finish in under 4 hours, which was my secondary goal.  The last mile was broken down in meters for us.  At the 800 meter and 400 meter sign I was in the mode of “I so have this!”  We did so many 400 and 800 meter repeats in training I knew I had it…and I did. I finished in 3:57:39.  This was my official time and my watch time….even with the crazy splits…the two were identical.  🙂

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I am thrilled with my finish and my run.  How can I not be? I ran Chicago.  I ran my 3rd world major.  I ran with my amazing friends and I ran for HIM! He gave me desire and gave me the opportunity.  Did I finish like I wanted? No.  Is that okay? Yes! As Albert Einstein said, “Learn from yesterday, live for today and hope for tomorrow!”  I lived for the day.  I will learn from it now that it is a yesterday and I will hope for tomorrow which is NYC, November 1.

Also, I was 10,336 out those 37,000+ finishers.  I was 2995 out of 17,038 females.  I was almost an hour faster than the average finish time for my age group – it was 4:50.  I am thrilled! God was good. He showed up that day in many ways.  He showed up in China Town in the form of music to keep me going.  He showed up several times along the route when people yelled “Go Iron Lady!” (I had Iron Sharpens Iron on my shirt.)  He showed up in a sign that had Philippians 4.13 on it – I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.  He showed up every time I crossed a timing mat knowing it was sending a text to many of you.  He showed up in the last mile when I saw 8oom LEFT and 400m LEFT.  He showed up every step of the way! He was there and will continue to be there during my next steps.  I felt Him! I felt the prayers! What a glorious day for a run!!!! Now to find my running angels…

We all found one another in the mass of people…the runners + spectators = unreal numbers.  We hustled through the crowds to make it back to our hotel.   We managed to stop and have our picture taken as a group – Chicago Marathon Finishers. We did it.  Yoli and Deirdre met their goals of around 3:30.  They both qualified for Boston 2017.  Shannon and I finished our race and enjoyed leaving all we had on the streets of Chicago.  This trip was a gift from God.  He allowed me to run with like-minded friends and we have amazing memories we will live with forever.  God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

We made back to hotel in time to shower and get on the road.  The second marathon of the day – the 12 hour drive home – was about to begin.  We relived the day and kept one another awake as we made stops to refuel the car and ourselves on our way back to home sweet home – TN.  Now on to the next one….NYC! I will learn from yesterday, live for today and hope for tomorrow!

 

My Garmin said I ran 28.32 miles and that my marathon was my fastest…hmmmmm!
Post Race Fuel! Yummy!
Now on to the next one – NYC!

26 scriptures for the MARATHON – Marathon of life! Thanks to Dorothy Beal from MilePosts for compiling this list!

Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of age.

Matthew 28:20

 The Lord will work out his plans for my life.

Psalm 138:8

 I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as the mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.

Matthew 17:20

 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given.

Luke 19:26

 I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we can not see. Hebrews 11:1

 ‘I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and hope.’

Jeremiah 29:11

Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

I Timothy 4:12

We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Romans 8:28

Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

Hebrews 12:1

Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.

Psalm 37:5

With God’s help we will do mighty things.

Psalm 60:12

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. Romans 5:3

 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4:9

The Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you.

2 Thessalonians 3:3

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.

2 Corinthians 3:5

Be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.

Chronicles 15:7

Whatever you do, do well.

Ecclesiastes 9:10

He will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.

Psalm 91:11

 Anything is possible if a person believes.

Mark 9:23

The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.

Luke 6:38

 I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize…

Philippians 3:13

 Our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

2 Corinthians 4:17

I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.

Proverbs 16:3

 But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

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October 8, 2015 · 7:48 pm

World Marathon Majors…checking them off one at a time!

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God has truly blessed my life with running. In a little over 2 days I get to take many steps to get closer to my goal of running all 6 of the World Marathon Majors.  Up until this point, I have had the great fortune to run 2 of the 6 – London and Boston. Sunday it will become 3 of 6 and after running New York on November 1, it will be 4 of 6.

If you had told me many years ago that I would be running and running all over the world…I would have told you that you were crazy. The Lord has allowed running to introduce me to many different cultures as well as introducing me to many different wonderful lifelong friends. On Sunday I have the AWESOME privilege of running with three of these running angels…Yoli, Deirdre and Shannon.  We have been coached well and we will own Chicago.

Major number 3 will be in the books and major number 4 will come shortly there after. Majors 5 and 6 are on the bucket list! On Sunday I get to run with three of these running angels. We will own Chicago. Feeling blessed!!!

God has taught me a lot about life along the journey as well!  These scriptures sum it up perfectly:

Hebrews 12.1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

1 Corinthians 9.24-27

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Phillipians 3.13-14

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Starting tomorrow expect many updates and photos recording the journey! #blessings #runforgod #chicagomarathon #TCSNYCMarathon

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Running Blessed! Let’s do this! For HIS glory!

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October 4, 2015 · 9:19 pm

Ready or not…here we come! Chi Town Bound!

Last week was our last official week of training.  Taper begins tomorrow…yay! It was a successful week for me.  I felt good on all my runs and feel READY! I had some fun runs…most of them this last week involved rain.  We are like the postmen/women – no matter what the weather we run. 🙂

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Here are my rain-soaked donkeys and I was a drowned rat most runs…but that is what memories are made of. 🙂

Run #1 – 6 x 600 with 400m rest – comparable to past 600s.  Some better some not…but overall consistent and felt good.  It was one of the sunny runs of the week. 

2:32

2:36

2:41

2:42

2:29

2:34

Run #2 – Ladder – 4 x 200 w/ 1:30 rest; 3 x 400 w/ 1:30 rest; 2 x 1000s w/ 3:00 rest – WET!!!

200s – :44, :45, :44, :43  – consistent and GOOD

400s – 1:37; 1:37; 1:43 – consistent again…:)

1000s – 4:22 and 4:26 – HARD but done! 🙂

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Ladders – THUMBS down!

Run #3 – 18 miler  – 2:47:59 – 9:20 pace – I knew I needed a change of pace and scenery to mentally get this run done.  I decided to go to Cleveland and try out their greenway.  I knew I would be able to get around 9-10 there and then would have to double back at times.  I was willing to do that because I needed to be able to run and not know how much more I had to go because I knew the landmarks.

When I woke up Saturday, after sleeping in,  it was pouring down rain. 😦  Yoli called and invited me to run with them.  I hadn’t been up long and couldn’t get it all together to meet up with them.  I debated staying closer to home but then decided to stick with the original plan.  I drove to Cleveland and I am sooooo glad I did.

The run was supposed to be a time trial but considering the rain wouldn’t go away and I had to do some trail and river running…I was pleased with my time! This was a fun run believe it or not.  I listened to Pandora and sang along as I ran in the rain. I loved to play in the rain as a child and I was reliving those memories.  God sent song after song about being there in the storm or hurricane…there were numerous songs about rain…it was humorous at times but also I viewed it as a blessing for my soul.  He was showing me He will get me through what He started!  I was soaked when I was done…but it was fun!

At one point, I ran by a prayer garden.  I ran to it and stopped.  It was a blessing in the rain as well.  I prayed for the girls. I prayed for our trip. I prayed for our run.  I prayed we would run well, finish strong and glorify Him in all we do.  As I keep stating, He is the reason we run and He has brought us this far…He will help us through to the finish line.  We are excited!!!

Run #4 –  10k – Today, I still had my 10k left.  My thinking was the hay is in the barn…I don’t need the run. 😉  About that time, Yoli text me and asked if I had run yet.  Of course, I had not.  She made me do it…:)   I am glad I did because it was a great run on tired legs. I am ready.

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DONE with official training….LET THE TAPER BEGIN!!!!

We have been working hard and we are all ready for Chicago. It has been a fun journey with amazing friends and an awesome coach.  Four of us will conquer Chi Town together – Iron sharpening Iron….Proverbs 27.17 – As iron sharpens iron,  so a friend sharpens a friend.  We will all start in different corrals and run our own race.  He has prepared the way and we will travel the streets of Chicago taking it all in. My prayer is for safety, strength and endurance.  

Later in the week I will post information on how to track our run, if you are interested.  I ask that as we finish this week of tapering you will join us in praying that we glorify Him with every move and every step….pray for safe travel…pray for a safe and strong run finishing the race He set out for each of us!

 

Hebrews 12.1 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

Exodus 23.20 

 “See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you.

RUNNING BLESSED!!!

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When I run…LEAD me…

This week we had a ‘recovery’ week with only 3 days of runs(though one day had 3 runs in that day!) We are only on week 4, but it was time for a little rest. Emphasis on LITTLE! 🙂  We are running hard, quality runs…so a little recovery and rest was in order.  As I am typing this I just realized we are almost 1/3 of the way through our training…WOW! Only 9 weeks left! Can I say it again? WOW!

Here is out it all panned out:

Run 1 – 8 x 400s – Tuesday
1:31
1:37
1:41
1:43
1:39
1:31
1:40
1:36
Felt pretty good.  I still need to work on consistency.  I was able to start faster than I have in the past couple of weeks.  I did correct that…now to keep them closer to each other time wise.  We have a great space to run early in the morning.  It is even better now that they have repaved it. It always helps knowing Yoli is meeting me and suffering with me. 😉 In fact, all four of us who are training for Chicago were running together, separately…virtual partners.  It sure does help knowing they are out there! Iron Sharpens Iron! i2
Proverbs 27.17  
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

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Run 1 – done early a.m. – We like to get it over with!

Run 2 – scheduled 5 mile run – Saturday – substituted with 8k Missionary Ridge Road Race – 37:15 – average pace 7:51 (on Garmin)
1 – 7:34
2 – 7:43
3 – 7:46
4 – 8:21
.74 – 5:51 (7:55 pace)
This was my first time running this race.  I am so glad I did. It was a tough rolling hill course.  I was thankful for my training 400/800 meter repeats because that is what I felt like I was doing…struggling up hill and recovery down hill – repeat.  It paid off! I did not PR this distance but I did come in 2nd in my age group.  I didn’t look at my watch throughout the whole race and just ran on feel.  Race day is magic.  I produce so much better on race day than in training…that gives me hope. I also had the awesome privilege of running in a newer running friend I met through another running friend.  She calls us running family! I am so thankful for my running family…they get me through when I don’t want to do it myself.  Great run Jessica! It was fun spending my Saturday with you!

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Run 2– Missionary Ridge Road Race – It was a beautiful morning for a run. Cooler temperatures and gorgeous views.
Run 3 – 3 5ks –  Sunday
1st 5k: 25:29 (6:45a.m.)

8:22

8:18
8:00
:47
Rested 10 minutes…
2nd 5k: 25:13
7:56
8:17
8:11
:47
3rd 5k : 24:44 (1:30p.m.) HOT but best. 🙂
7:54
8:04
8:00
:45
The first two 5ks were done early in the cooler weather.  Yoli was kind enough to come support me and run some with me so I would not be out there alone. She is SO good! I couldn’t ask for better.  I was a little nervous about these runs.  I tweaked my back on Thursday and rested Thursday and Friday. I was registered for the race yesterday and made myself do it…I am glad I did. 🙂  So today I was worried it might be too much…but it wasn’t.  It was the confidence builder run I needed for the week.  My first run was okay.  My second run was better and the 3rd was the best.  I was thrilled with my negative splits and SHOCKED I could do it in the heat. I so needed this day…the one I dreaded…to be so good.
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Run 5k x 3 in one day
God continues to remind me that He is in this and I can do it with His strength.  Rebecca St. James song Shine Your Glory Down came on as I was running the last one…she starts with “When I run, lead me!”  This is so my prayer! Here’s to another successful week…
Week 5 I am ready…When I run, lead me!
Psalm 25.5
Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.

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August 9, 2015 · 9:32 pm
July 28, 2015 · 11:13 am

Week 2 – oh how I despised YOU! ;)

My post is a little late because I wanted to forget about last week’s training.  Here is the subject line in the email I sent to my  running coach:

Week 2…YUCK! 🙂

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These pictures show my real feelings about the whole week.  I am not sure why it was so bad…humidity, heat, fatigue…excuses! LOL! But it was! When I emailed my runs to our coach I felt like a poor student reporting bad test results to my teacher.

I will say I love having goals for every run.  It breaks the monotony and helps with purpose and getting it done…but oh, do they hurt! 🙂  I sent the girls a text at one point saying, “what doesn’t kill us or make us puke, makes us stronger! Right?”

We decided to tackle the hardest run first…Wow! Here is how that played out:

Run 1 – Tuesday – 8x800m with 600m recovery
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400 – dodging ankle biter dog!
Last week’s 800s were better but both workouts were challenging.  One we had rest and the other active recovery.  It does make a difference. We also had a dog nipping at our ankles on the last repeat.  Not so much fun! 🙂  When we were done…we were done!  We sent this picture to show how we felt about 800m repeats! Deirdre was right there with us – many miles away!
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Run 2 – 6 x 400m repeats with 90 second rest…
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We thought going into this one…piece of cake! It is only 400m and only 6 of them.  Well, we were wrong once again! They were tough.  As you can see, I start out slower…I have to work on making it more consistent with the others.

The 3rd run was better…I ran it thinking of the fallen heroes in Chattanooga and the sacrifice they made.  Praying and thinking of others made it much more doable.  I am running. God has blessed me to be able to move.  I need to be thankful for life and the ability to put one foot in front of the other…daily!

Run 3 – 5 miles at 80% 5k pace – goal 807-809 – average 809 
Mile 1: 804
Mile 2: 803
Mile 3: 805
Mile 4: 808
Mile 5: 823 – This mile was hard…I tried to pick it back up and was unsuccessful.  My average was good overall but I really struggled that last mile.

 

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Run 4 – Sunday:  5 miles @ 90% 10k pace – 8:00-8:05 goal – 810 average – yuck!
This was the worst run by far.  I had a really hard time and didn’t keep pace.  All I can say is YUCK!
Mile 1: 801
Mile 2: 805
Mile 3: 808
stopped and walked for about 30 seconds between mile 3 and 4
Mile 4: 812
Mile 5: 821
Tough and brutal!!! But done! Mentally challenging! But done! I was so glad to have others out there with me.  It made me keep going and not quit.  We chose to have a little fun once we finished.

 5 miles @  90% of 10k pace on a bike is NO problem….

IMG_3538 IMG_3537

Thankful for friends to suffer with…and grow with!

Proverbs 27.17 ~ As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

This week’s runs showed me that we will have bad runs…we will have good runs….and we will have done runs! And in the middle of it all we can still have fun runs…we can still grow and we can still do more than we thought! All runs were finished and I didn’t regret one of them!!!!

1 Corinthians 1.11-12

11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully  12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

Galatians 6.9
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
So here’s to week 3….
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July 14, 2015 · 4:25 pm

Crazy & Busy…or BOTH!

This summer God has been dealing with me when it comes to busyness and/or craziness.  These two words have been used as adjectives to describe me a lot lately! Wow! I know that everyone who uses these to describe me are doing it in jest…but there is so much truth to both.  Are they bad descriptions? Yes and no! Yes, when they get in the way of what should be my main priority.  No, when they are in line with God’s will for my life!  So, these two words got me thinking, contemplating and re-examining where I am in line with His will and calling on my life.  (I know-thinking, contemplating and re-examining can be considered crazy and scary!)

So today, my devotional was titled BUSYNESS.  HMMM!  And then the above picture was posted online.  I do believe the busyness gets in the way more times than not.  I figured this would be the best time to meet it head on.  All summer I have said once I have a chance to slow down I would make a ‘new’ plan for how I say yes and no to things in front of me.  One thing I read earlier this summer on a blog or post was to make sure all things are God-initiated.  Not all things I am busy with are bad…there are just way too many of them. 🙂 When that happens I neglect my quiet time with God.  I neglect my family.  I fall down on my job.  It’s like running with too many ‘things/gadgets’ on me – it slows me down and make me inefficient/ineffective! I don’t want that. I want God to have my best, my family to have my best and my job to have my best.

Where does this leave me?  It leaves me learning to BE STILL. The Lord says He will fight for me if I am still…Who wouldn’t want Him on his or her side?

Exodus 14.14 –The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

Here’s to being still and saying no unless it is God-initiated.

Now to the crazy claim! Yes, I am FULL ON CRAZY!  16 years ago, God gave me the desire to run…for fun. 🙂 6 years ago, God gave me the desire to run faster…not always fun…but rewarding.  Then 11 months ago, I was introduced to CrossFit and my whole world did turn CRAZY! (At least that is what I am being told, over and over and over again!) But, I disagree.  I found something that helped me realize God’s potential for my body.  He designed us to MOVE! He designed our bodies to be fueled well with what He has provided and to move well with His incredible design.  I have seen results unlike any other time in my life.  Why? I now see my body as His temple and treat it as such.  (Body image has been a struggle for me my whole life – this has finally taken hold – I am HIS and I need to glorify Him with ALL things!…this is another whole blog post!)

Now, that I am finally putting all of the pieces of the puzzle together, I am seeing results.  My body has responded very well to eating healthy – His way! It has also responded well to moving in different ways –  running and performing high-intensity functional movements several times a week.  My running performance has improved because of the combination of it all.  I am so excited about this! Why? Because as His plan would have it …I have the amazing opportunity to run the Chicago Marathon AND the New York Marathon this fall.  I deferred my entry to Chicago last year due to burn out and injury.  It was the best thing I could have done because that is when CrossFit and CrossFit Endurance found me.  I am a new runner now.  I run better and more efficiently….hence the better performance.

Chicago and New York are both part of the World Majors.  The WMM is a series consisting of six of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world: Tokyo, Boston, Virgin Money London, BMW Berlin, Bank of America Chicago and TCS New York City Marathon. I have done London and Boston.  After November 1st, I will have done Chicago and New York.  I will have Tokyo and Berlin left.  God planted this seed a very long time ago when I was just running for fun.  This was way before I realized He was going to use running as part of my ministry for Him.

Running has been God-initiated from the beginning…way before I realized it.  With that being said…this blog will now be about my journey to Chicago and beyond.  thenextmailboxboston is taking me to Chicago first and on to a walk(because that is what I will be doing-3 weeks after Chicago) in New York’s Central Park.  Will you join me on this God-given journey? I cant’ wait to see how this training season plays out.

Chicago training officially started today.  Yay!  This training plan will be done completely different from in the past.  I will only run 4 days a week and will focus on quality runs vs. quantity.  I am excited because there of my 3 other running angels who are running the Chicago Marathon as well.  We will be in this together.  i2 – Iron Sharpens Iron!

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
 Proverbs 27.17

Today was day one of training.  Day one is done and in the books.  I am going to keep a simple journal to keep track of my times so I can report back to my coach.  I am also going to document here for accountability purposes.  Some days I just don’t want to run.  Now I will have more eyes on whether or not I do it. 🙂 i2!

Here is the week’s schedule:

Tuesday – 10 x 200 meter repeats with 300 meter recovery – DONE!

Thursday – 5k @ 85% of 10k pace

Wednesday or Friday – 6 x 800 meter repeats with 2 minute rest

Saturday – 5k time trial

Here’s to a great day looking forward to a great first week and an awesome 12 weeks!

Running Blessed and to Glorify HIM every step of the way! Trish

Habakkuk 2.2-3 – My training passage!

Then the LORD answered me and said, “Record the vision And inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run. “For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.…

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April 7, 2014 · 9:41 pm

God’s 45th birthday present to me…

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Run with Trish 5k 2014 Prayer Circle

As Boston 2014 approaches, I can’t help but reflect on Boston 2013.  My emotions have been pretty tame up until about a week or so ago.  I think of the joy and excitement we had going into the run and then the tragedy that struck and broke those emotions apart.  But we are runners and we are resilient…we will run!

Little did I know on April 15 that God was giving me an early 45th birthday present.  He was delivering beauty from the ashes on that day…He allowed me to run a 45-year-old Boston qualifying run at age 44.  So, I turned 45 on Saturday – 4/5/2104.  Race day age is the age you get to count when trying to qualify…of course that didn’t dawn on me until the Saturday after Boston 2013.  God allowed me to live through April 15 and let His goodness soak in through the tragedy.

My dream of running Boston as a true qualified runner is coming true on April 21, 2014…and God orchestrated that last year.  He also knew when I started my Boston journey in 2011 that it would work out this way.  He knew I would find Team Hoyt and be able to run with them for two years as a charity runner.  He knew the beauty from the ashes in 2013 would be to once again join Team Hoyt in 2014 as a qualifier!  Happy Birthday to me! Thanks to the Lord for this amazing blessing!

So, this past weekend we had our 3rd Run with Trish for Team Hoyt for my Boston journey. This year was different from any other in several ways.  First, I had the majority of my family and Mike’s family present for the run/walk.  They all participated and some of them even won their age groups. Blessed and thankful is all I can say.  Our families were on a roller coaster ride much of 2013.  To have us all together and healthy brings more joy than I can truly describe!

img_8390Newsom/Taylor Families…

img_8361Mom – Doesn’t she look great??? She won her age group! 🙂

img_8337Dad – He too won his age group.

img_7923My niece Taylor did too!!

img_7674My sister, Lisa cheering us all on!

Secondly, I had the incredible privilege of pushing a sweet 12-year-old named Gracey.  Gracey has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair.  I was able to be her legs across the 3.1 miles.  When a hill would come I would push through it for her.  I would tell her what was coming up along the way.  Gracey did a couple or should I say several wheelies as we turned corners.  She exclaimed with excitement throughout the whole course.  AGAIN, what a true joy!

img_8251The Estes Family

img_7981Gracey and I coming into the finish!

Thirdly, we had GREAT weather. It was perfect! We couldn’t have asked for more idea running weather! The venue was ideal.  The surroundings made for awesome pictures by a wonderful photographer…my other niece, Lane.

img_8397The photographer, my niece Lane…

Check her photos out here:   http://laneybugphotos.smugmug.com/Proofing/2014-Sessions/2014-Run-With-Trish-5k/

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Fourthly, my dear husband and gift from God spoke of his experience during the Boston bombing aftermath.  He talked about how without the bad we really and truly wouldn’t experience the good…how it all works together to help us appreciate the life God has given us!  Mike is such an encourager and he definitely shared his heart with us!

Romans 8.28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,

who have been called according to his purpose.

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img_7647Mike…:)

What was the same? My running angels…they were there all around helping make the DAY a grand one.  They started it by singing happy birthday and providing goodies to snack on at our early 6 a.m. set-up.  They made sure the race went smoothly from registration, to timing, to emceeing, to the sound system, to ice for drinks, to post-race food, to door prizes and awards, to clean up…I couldn’t ask for better friends!!! It takes a village to run the Run with Trish 5k for Team Hoyt!

img_8401My running angels!!!

So needless to say…God gave me a BLESSED 45th birthday…He started orchestrating it last year with a BQ and had it complete itself with an AWESOME day that cannot be replicated! It was a day to remember forever! One to say was truly one of the BEST! I was surrounded by people I love more than life itself, doing something I love and God gave me as a tool to use for HIM all while helping others in the process! What a day!

God is good all the time and all the time God is good…as one of my running angels likes to say!

So, going into Boston 2014 my joy runneth over!!! The good and the bad help me see the joy in life! I am ready to go to Boston and run for HIM with a team that is an earthly example of what our heavenly Father does for us….check it out here:

This God-given journey that started many years ago is going to finish Boston Strong on April 21, 204.  Stay tuned!

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