3rd Time's a Charm:)

As the saying goes..."Third time's a charm". The journey to my third half marathon has been a good one! Despite the sometimes crazy Louisiana weather, I was able to train. I figured out I could run treadmills better than I thought I could ( I have always avoided them because it's not my favorite). Anyways despite a few hiccups along the way, I felt stronger going into this race than I ever have.

I was also very excited to have 2 friends a long for the journey as they conquered their first half marathon, and they did awesome!! I am always looking to bring friends into the running world because it's just no fun to go it alone!

I am pretty sure I came close to running 2 half-marathons. The first one was on Saturday trying to keep up with these two lovelies.

We had such a great day in New Orleans!!

Then it was time for the actual half marathon! We were SO excited in case you can't tell:). The weather was forecast to be nasty all weekend, but God answered prayers and gave us a beautiful morning! I LOVE these big races. There were thousands of people running and hundreds more lining the streets to cheer us on. Bands, cheerleading squads, and spectators kept us entertained as we made the 13.1 mile trek through New Orleans. I don't listen to music while I run because I like to eavesdrop on the conversations going on around me and enjoy the other sights and sounds along the way. I would encourage an unplugged run...it's fun!

Sites and Sounds on my journey:

*About 2 miles in, I heard a man say "I am not doing this 'mess' again." 2 MILES friends...he had barely gotten warmed up good lol.

*There were several fun signs, but the only one I remember was "This is the worst parade ever".

*The wheelchair runners. So inspiring! And a mom (I assume it was his mom) pushing her disabled child. Amazing!! 

*All of the fun bands. They played all kinds of fun music! 

Goals: 

There is this quote in the gym I go to: "Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow." - Ronald E. Osborn. This quote is one I have quoted many times on my long runs to push me when I wanted to stop. Well today I grew a bit! I love growing in all areas of my life, so I am quite happy about it!

*I have always had to stop and walk a bit. Today I ran the whole thing!! I was SSOO excited!!

*Ever since my first half I have wanted to get my time at about 2 hours 15 min. Well today I got in at 2 hours 12 minutes!! I was thrilled!! For those non-runners any amount of time you shave off of your personal best is a great success. My first half marathon was 2 hours 22 min. and my 2nd was 2 hours and 19 minutes. So I took off about 7 minutes:)!

To wrap things up I would like to say how thankful I am that God has made us to need one another. I was amazed at how much just running alongside a few thousand people with the same desire to finish motivates, encourages and excites you. (Ok and I have a confession, I like passing people...bobbing and weaving around them is a big game for me;)) For someone who mostly trained alone it was AMAZING! Not to mention the complete strangers encouraging you along the way. And we can't forget the incredible support I had at home with my family and church family encouraging me and praying for me this weekend! I was overwhelmed at the thought that we were created for community, created to encourage and motivate each other towards the finish. Because don't we all have the same goal: "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you will obtain it. And everyone competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown."1 Corinthians 9:24-25 We run to glorify the Father and to bring the good news salvation to a lost and hurting world. So lets run together, encouraging one another, pushing one another forward, carrying one another when we fall, and loving one another with the precious and perfect love of Christ, so that others may know of the hope that we have. It's a tough journey to go a lone, which is why we were never meant to!

Thank you all for the support and encouragement you offer not only today but in so many other areas of my life. So whose running the next one with me!?!