Run Ugly- Coach Russell

Check out my friend's blog...

http://chickchatwithgod.blogspot.com/2008/02/run-ugly.html

Just A Thought...

Today is March 30th and I'm at a random person's house with my two guy friends that I haven't hung out with in FOREVER. Of all the things, I am watching Halo completely lost and wondering what in the world. Ha ha!.

I typically sleep pretty well but last night I had the worst night's sleep in a while, then to make it worse whenever I took a nap today to try and catch up on my ZZZZZZ's, I had an even worse "dream". Anyway so who knows what I'll feel like "tomorrow" whenever I wake up for two three hour classes yuck!...

I can't believe April's practically here already ,craziness. One of my best girl friends is getting married AND my brother's graduating from high school AND I'm turning 21!... JUST KIDDING!... 24. All this is going on within the next couple months. Wow!

I'm looking forward to my trip April 16-21st. Where am I going you may ask?... well... Washington DC for a few days and then heading to Charlotte, NC. I'm gonna get to see 4 of my favorite girls during this time. woo hoo!!

Alright, well guess that's all for now..

....... Running......Running... And More Running......

I woke at my usual Saturday morning time, 6 AM!... and headed to trinity trails to meet my coach and team mates training along with me. As I drove there I prayed for God to help me keep a positive attitude about my distance running because I was suppose to run 7 miles to stay on target for my running, but you see, I didn't plan to run 7 miles, instead and at most,5.5 miles was my goal due to my knee hurting me within the past week or so. I went to the Physical Therapist last Monday and he told me it was my I.T. band, I wasn't stretching it enough. He gave me different stretching techniques and also advice on how to keep it conditioned properly, one being icing it ALOT! (after each run for sure!).

With all of that said, here comes the fun part:). I made my assumed goal and not only did I meet my 5.5 expected goal I passed my on target goal by one mile!I RAN 8 MILES!! I couldn't believe it. Running with at least one other person really made a difference. Along the way (while running) one of the mentor runners even gave me some advice on a specific breathing technique he learned from yoga, it did wonders!! However as soon as I finished my run my knee was KILLING me! I iced it almost right away and then icing it again before going to sleep. It hurts more now than it ever has but at least I know what stretches to do to speed up the recovery.

It's still crazy to me how much running is like my walk with Christ. Getting hurt or "injured" can really bring you down and even at times instill fear that normally would not be there if you/I were at your/my peak in physical health and well being. Same goes with our relationship with Christ, we at times are afraid of things and because of the fear never move ahead to see God's bigger plan. Instead we sit on the sidelines watching other people "Run hard" after a goal and wish it were us thinking it never could be. Just like running, I NEVER thought I'd run 3 miles, I never thought I'd run 5! But now I can say I've ran 8! I didn't get there overnight. It took a lot of work, just like following Christ does. No one ever said it would be easy, if anything it's tough and just like running if you get out of a routine then you have to start back where you USED to be because the pace you once were running so easily has now gotten harder.

Endurance, discipline and determination are great words that help a person achieve great things whenever you or I put our mind to it. Believing in yourself is the hardest part, after that you've got it in the bag ;)

Anyway, thanks for listening to me spill about my running sprees.

G-DUBB!!!

Isn't my college mascot cool?!...

I attended Gardner-Webb University from 2002 until 2006 recieving my degree in American Sign Language with an emphasis in Interpreting:)...

Now I work for Sorenson Communications video interpreting:)
http://www.sorensonvrs.com/

An answered prayer

I recently visited The Village church out in the middle of no where but at least 45 minutes or so from where I currently live. Nonetheless, I am looking forward to going back! You see I've been going to Beautiful Feet ministries for church for almost 4 months now and don't get me wrong I LOVE IT, however I felt like I was needing something more. I was needing a place to worship for my own spriritual growth not that I can't have it at Beautiful feet, Lord knows I do, the homeless people there teach me something new each week! Still, my heart's desire was to be around people who weren't necessarily from semianry but weren't necessarily nonbelievers, married people or near my parent's age. These people are great and all but I was just feeling this emptiness to be around people more who were out tof the "semainary bubble" persay. So with all of that said, I feel like God is answering my prayer to have a church that I can go to for me and be surrounded by people my age learning abou Him and that being all that matters anyway and then on to serving him in the rejuvenated capacity through the homeless ministry, Beautiful Feet. I'm pretty siked to see God at work through me. With this, brun out hopefully will not be a factor, I can sign during the service with out feeling drained and instead can be reminded the night before that it isn't about me in the first place, it's about HIM.


Also, God's been showing me a lot about how running and discipleship with him go hand in hand. But considering I'm out of time for what I have to do next, I'll save that "lesson learned" for another time.

Thanks for reading,

P.S.: my friend, Sarah- job situation, big life changes, my friends Christina and Katrina- God's plan for them ( to make it clearer than it is now), My friends, Adam and Brandon- they are hiking 60 miles and camping for 5 days in the Smokys ( pray for their safety), my friend, Dominick-direction and comfort from God, my brother's knee, .... okay I'll stop there for now:), thanks again.