The Victory Run

 

 

I'm feeling very emotional about going to Tulsa to run this weekend. I feel so blessed to be back to run, something I had lost the ability to do before we left two years ago. Although I ran some it had taken on a different tone...colored by anxiety and worry. To be going back to Tulsa to run a race feels like an incredible gift...the gift is NOT that I CAN run but rather, the fact that my running gives overwhelming testament to God's faithfulness and goodness toward me. Does that make sense??? I just know that my heart feels full of praise and thanksgiving. "...but in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us" They call it the Tulsa Run but I'm calling it the Conquers run!

Hell-O-Hills

 

Boston Avenue Methodist Church, Tulsa

Running has gone well with a total of  31 miles on the books this week. I'm hoping to finish this month out close to last months mileage which was around 143 total miles. I am looking forward to the Tulsa Run this weekend and seeing some running buddies and dear friends. This run will be a bit sentimental since the course goes through some of my old running trails. And as any runner knows those trails become familiar friends... The weather should be perfect and my running outfit has been tried and tested! The only thing I'm not prepared for are the hills which I have done zero, zip, nada, (or as they would say in Yiddish), bupkis, training for. This is a new course which I have not run. They changed the course a couple of years ago after finishing the BOK Center and added Boston Ave. at the end of the course which they tout as a "breathtaking finish." Well breathtaking it will be with a huge climb that starts around 7.25 and doesn't end until you are on the steps of the church crying for Jesus! Yep this should be fun, especially since I have no other plan other than to take it easy gut it out. Expect a race report soon after!

I have a friend who is doing the MCM in DC this weekend. I'd love to hear about your race plans for this weekend?
 

I love it when a really great song gets stuck in my head. This week it was this song (see video below). The song was in my head so much so, it became like prayer...I know so many people including myself that need the Saviors healing touch...weekly, daily, sometimes every moment. I know life can be tough in so many ways...rising above our circumstances can seem impossible at times. I hope you'll listen to the video and the words will also become a prayer from your heart and cause you to worship at the Well which never runs dry.

 

 

FIRST AGE GROUP WIN

Just a quick update...the last of the company left on Wednesday and although it was a nice visit I'm glad to be done spinning around this revolving door for a while! My husband returned back from his missions trip to Mexico on Friday safe and sound and its good to have him home. My running continues to turn a corner and I give thanks to God for His strength daily and for the continued healing to my knee and foot. Today I ran a local 5k race for the Wounded Warrior Project. The course was a bit technical in that it had 11 turns, yes 11 in a 3 mile race! Also it was rolling at times so I had difficulty keeping a steady pace. It was not a PR but I am happy considering. It WAS though my first ever AG win and I took 1st!!! Technically it was 3 age groups (40-59)! The gal who took 2nd was on my heels the entire race. I thought she might be in the lower range of our AG. She moved over next to me right before the gun went off and stayed behind me the entire way except for the end when her husband showed up on the course and began to encourage her to pass me! I wasn't sure who had already crossed the finish so I knew if I let her get in front of me it could be the difference between a 3rd or 4th place finish. I took off like a bat out-a-hell and I don't think she (or her husband) was expecting the kick I gave at the end. I have always had a good end kick but I surprised even myself-snort! When I saw her move next to me with the finish line a good .25 away I thought about Steve Prefontaine's philosophy and knew that the difference between the two of us would come down to who was willing to suffer more. IT WAS THE LONGEST SPRINT OF MY LIFE!!! hahaha!!! I gave everything I had today and ran with all my heart. All honor goes to my Lord who enabled me to run this race to His glory and for His praise.

 

I look forward to slowing down in a couple of weeks for the Tulsa Run but this was a boost and a great way to start out my fall season of racing!

 



This last sprint was a 6:16 pace!!! hence the face of suffering

with the race director and 2nd place finisher

I LOVE the shape of the trophy :)