Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The Adventure of the God Run and the Girl in the Red Bug

In one of my previous blogs, I touched on how blessed I felt participating in the Midnight Madness Run on New Year’s Eve. Then I was just reading a Facebook entry from, Gibson’s Daily Running Quotes, which said how critical it is for us to record moments of inspiration when we are running; such as finishing our first runs, etc. This reminded me that I wanted to blog about some of the blessings I have encountered when I have been on my runs lately.
I realize there are many things bigger in life than me trying to become a runner. But it is something I have literally wanted to do my ENTIRE life, but have always struggled with and have basically given up on each time I have tried to conquer. Last year, with the help of my sister, I finally started to see progress. I was up to four miles of running, without stopping. Granted, I won’t be making the Olympic team with my speed, but I was finishing each run - which was so exciting to me. But, as the hot months got here, I stopped running consistently. When I started back up this fall, the struggle and frustration were back, in full force.
So, I continued going to runs, but hadn’t been pleased with my performances at all. So, part of Operation 2012 was to start the year out differently, which I did by participating in the Midnight Madness 5k. I had a bit of a drive to the 5k, so I decided to use my time wisely...I prayed. Yes, prayed. I fully lifted my drive to and from the run and the run itself up in prayer, the entire drive - which was about 45 minutes to an hour. Then throughout the run, I continued praying for strength and endurance to complete the run. As the steps were completed, I would then praise God for the strength and endurance. It was an experience that is difficult to explain in words, and as I am reading what I am writing, it sounds slightly odd - perhaps a little “out there” even. But, I tell you it worked!!1 As I was finishing the last portion of my run, I could feel that I was going to finish the run and I became so excited that I began to pick up my pace - I was THRILLED! And...none of it was me, I know that is was all God.
Not only did I start my new year out differently as I wanted, I also had something reinforced to me; God wants all our “stuff.” He wants the major things, but He also wants the minor things. He wants to be with us through all things. The runs since the Midnight Madness are still speckled with struggle and frustration, but I find the ones that I fully, and truly, turn over to God are speckled with strength, endurance and of joy. If I use my run times to converse with God, to praise and thank him, the run takes on a whole new meaning. I pray that each of you find something that you want to do, and share it with God, and see what happens! It will be spectacular!
Until the next time....The Girl in the Red Bug

The Adventure of Operation 2012 and the Girl in the Red Bug


The end of one year has passed and we are already half way through the first month of the new year...and I am already thinking, “where has this month gone?” It truly is amazing how quickly the days go by and how caught up in day-to-day life we can get.
My fear for this year, is that it could potentially become a repeat of last year...or what I refer to as the lost year. As my years on earth tick-tock away, I become more and more aware of the lost years, the lost moments, the lost chances of creating lasting memories for myself and those that are important to me.
So, my cure for the lost year, was to start out 2012 differently from years past. I am typically a stay at home person on New Year’s Eve and am slightly embarrassed to say, that normally I am asleep on New Year’s Eve, by 10pm. But this year I wanted to do try something different, that included being awake past 10pm. So my remedy was to complete a 5k. The run started at 10:30 pm so it gave runners and walkers ample time to complete the course and be back to ring in the new year, with other participants and a bowl of chili, cornbread and some music. What a great way, to start the new year! I ended up going to the run by myself...another first for me. And, I completed the entire run with no walking, not necessarily a first, but it has been a while since I had done that, so I was super excited and felt extremely blessed (which I will write about in a later blog).
Back to my resolution of not having another lost year...I wrote in December, some goals I have for this year. Not necessarily resolutions, but adventures for 2012. I had listed a few, but really wanted to sit and thoughtfully think of things I wanted to spend my time on this year. A friend at work shared her goals for 2012 and the theme of “12” that she is using in conjunction with her goals, then I was watching my new favorite TV show and one of the co-hosts said how they don’t make resolutions they refer to it as “Operation Year,” the year is whatever year it is. I loved both ideas so much, that I wanted to incorporate into my adventures for the year. With that being said....here is 
Operation 2012
The Year of Doing Things Differently
Try 12 new recipes
Complete 12 runs, including one run outside of the state of AZ
Read six books
Go on six hikes
Take a photography class
Lose 12 lbs
Participate in a Bible Study
Attend church, at least twice a month
Finish a quilt
Become a couponer, yes with a snazzy binder and everything!
Take 12 pictures a month 
Take a cooking class
I am looking forward to the adventure of 2012 and creating memories.
Until the next time...The Girl in the Red Bug