Congratulations!

I'm very proud of everyone for completing the half marathon! My only wish is that I had been able to do it with you. I guess it just wasn't in the cards for me this year. But with God's help, I'll be out there every step of the way next year. After all, I am a Marathoner!

The party was great! Thanks to Clark and Jana for getting the Club House for us. . .it was just perfect for the occasion. Makes me want to start planning the next party. What do you say guys? Are you up for another party in a few weeks? Maybe after one of the shorter runs? Matt, thanks for the entertainment!

Have a great week training everyone! I'm afraid mine will be a little slower this week since I'm preparing for my trip to Michigan. I regret that I will be returning from my trip the same day you will be doing your 15 miles on the Rez. Rest assured, I will be thinking about you during those hours and you will be in my prayers. I'll also pray for nice weather like it was for the half marathon! Blog on Marathoners!!

Isn't she the cutest thing!?

I had such a wonderful weekend with my granddaughter, Iliana (and her parents)! She talks constantly and runs everywhere giggling all the way - maybe she'll do the Chicago Marathon one day, especially since her Dad is going to do it with you guys this year. She'll be there to cheer everyone on too!

My knee and tailbone are still sore but it is so wonderful not having to use that dreadful walker! I will be having a bone density test tomorrow and will see the doctor Tuesday to get the results. It has been hard to accept the fact that the older we get, the longer it takes our bodies to heal. I haven't done enough exercising this week and I could tell yesterday when I went swimming. One lap and I was breathing hard. Of course it could have been all the "birthdaying" we did at work yesterday. I haven't eaten that much in weeks!!! I'm going to eat lighter until our ½ marathon party Saturday evening. Then I'll get back on track. It sounds like we're going to have a lot of good food which may or may not be on the super foods list! ;o)

I'll see you guys Saturday morning for the ½ marathon at Lakeshore Park. I'll be the one sitting on the sidelines for you should you need anything. Remember, it's a good idea to take your cell phone with you just in case you need some help along the way. Robin and Clark can't be everywhere all the time, so I'll be at home base if you need me. My number is 601-212-3548. Save the number in your cell phone for emergencies.

See you Saturday morning, Marathoners!!

Mini Vacation

I'm traveling to Arkansas, just north of Little Rock, today to visit my son and his family so I won't be with you guys tomorrow on your "short" run. Be careful out there, and be sure to hydrate! I'll see you next week for the big half marathon. Until then, have a good week and watch out for the heat!
Blog on Marathoners!

GOOD NEWS & BAD NEWS!

First the good news - I'M OFF THE WALKER!!! Now the bad news - I'M OUT OF THE MARATHON!!! Yes, I cried when the doctor told me that it will take at least six months for the bone in my leg to completely heal. So, I'm now officially a part of the Curb Crew. I will be there for each and every one of you every step of the way. . . I just won't be walking beside you. But I will be one of those familiar faces in the crowd cheering you on! I was so proud of all of you for doing your 12 miles last Saturday. I was glad I was nearby when Robin called to tell me there were no cups at Fox Bay, so I was able to get them to you. If I can do anything for any of you, please let me know, and I will be there. Keep up the good work, Marathoners, and you will cross that finish line in Chicago and scream "I COMPLETED THE CHICAGO MARATHON!!!"

Big Day!

Tomorrow is the big day. . . I'll find out if I can stop using the walker. Please pray that I'm healed enough to do so.

It was so wonderful being out there with you guys on Saturday. You all did great against the odds of the heat, humidity and the hills. I'll see you in two weeks at the ½ marathon (although I'll probably be sitting on the sidelines until June 30 in Clinton-I'll have to ease back into training).

Blog on Marathoners!!

P.U.S.H.

I received this in an email, which I had seen before, as many of you probably have. But I thought is was fitting for us marathoners. The whole time I was reading it, I kept thinking about our common goal of pushing ourselves across the finish line. I hope you see it too.

A man was sleeping one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light, and God appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might.

So, the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sunup to sundown, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, Pushing with all of his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.

Since the man was showing discouragement, the Adversary (Satan) decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the weary mind: (He will do it every time) "You have been Pushing against that rock for a long time and it hasn't moved." Thus, he gave the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. Satan said, "Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort; and that will be good enough."

That's what the weary man planned to do, but decided to make it a matter of Prayer and to take his troubled thoughts to The Lord. "Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in Your Service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?"

The Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to Push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to Push. And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back shinny and brown; your hands are callused from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. True, you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be Obedient and to Push and to exercise your Faith and trust in My Wisdom. That you have done. Now, I, my friend, will move the rock."

At times, when we hear a Word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He Wants, when actually what God wants is just Simple Obedience and Faith in Him. By all means, exercise The Faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God Who Moves The Mountains. When everything seems to go wrong... just P.U.S.H.! When the job gets you down... just P.U.S.H.! When people don't do as you think they should...just P.U.S.H ! When you can't find the right work... just P.U.S.H.! When your money is "gone" and the bills are due... just P.U.S.H! When people just don't understand you... just P.U.S.H.!

P = Pray
U = Until
S = Something
H = Happens

I don't know why, but sometimes I have to be reminded that God is on my side and will get me through everything, IF I just lean on Him and ask for His help. I have asked God to grant me strength and patience to get through this injury. When I asked the doctor if I could stop using the walker and he said, "Not until I see you next week," it was really God saying, "Be patient just a little while longer and you will be healed." When I look at it that way, it's so easy! In the grand scheme of things, a week is nothing!

Blog on marathoners! I hope to see you Saturday just to say "Hey, I'm still with you!"

Blog Name Change

As you can see, I have changed my blog name from Marathon Runner in Training to Complete, Not Compete! I don't care if I have to use my walker every step of the way, I am going to COMPLETE the Chicago Marathon. I appreciate all your words of encouragement! I can't possibly thank you guys enough for helping me get through this depressing time. I'm swimming to build my strength and endurance and can't wait to get off this walker. I'm going to call my nurse case manager tomorrow to find out just how much longer I have to use the walker. My knee feels so much better, I really believe I can walk without it, but I don't want to push it too soon. The doctor told me I would feel better, but if I pushed things too soon, I may have to start all over and I DEFINITELY don't want to go through that! I would love to get to the point where Runs with Sandy is right now. It's so encouraging to read all your blogs and to know that I can get through this. We are a team; we are friends; we are family!
Until I can see you guys again - keep up the good work! WE ARE MARATHONERS!