Inspired by GREATNESS

“Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.“ Psalm 145:3

They are calling for rain all week. You can bob and weave the rain but if you stick to your training program chances are you are getting wet!
Heidi and I set out to do 8 miles this morning. I am getting so excited for her. If you would have asked Heidi a year ago what her chances of doing a marathon would be she would say "No, not right now."  And in 2 weeks she will be completing her first marathon, The Chicago Marathon. This was my first marathon as well. This marathon is popular because it is flat and fast. And Heidi is going to conquer this Marathon with victory.

Heidi and I enjoying our "cool down " at Tim Hortons!

I see someone like Heidi and am always inspired by their  GREATNESS. The GREATNESS of running her first marathon. Greatness is watching anyone perform their first. You may think " GREATNESS" for running a race that does not produce anything for anyone. How can running create GREATNESS?

"To be great is to be misunderstood." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

DEDICATION is defined in GREATNESS.
COMMITMENT is defined in GREATNESS.
SACRIFICE is defined in GREATNESS.
HARD WORK is defined in GREATNESS.
PERSEVERANCE  is defined in GREATNESS.

When I see someone like "Heidi" running her first 26.2 miler, someone like "Katie" running her first  1/2 marathon or someone like "Sara" my high school friend running her first 5K or someone like  "Maria and Tiffany" working on couch to 5k program I am inspired by their GREATNESS.

My mother in law inspires me walking to get ready to complete her first 5k in 2 weeks. She is so disciplined in her diet and her exercise.
Ryan Hall inspires me by his walk with God. As an Olympian he manages to stay humble and modest giving Glory to God through every step.
Josh Cox another record holder inspires me as he was so helpful and encouraging when I met him at the Chicago Marathon. Josh and his wife do missionary work and he too gives glory to God. His encouraging posts on facebook.
Andy, my amazing husband inspires me with his strength and perseverance with his injury prone body.

There are many others that inspire me as well.
Gods' promises are always inspiring. He showers me with strength and healing. He encircles me with all these angels to promote his promises to me. Each person is a reminder of his promises.
I have his words and his songs but through people he has enriched me with  an illustration.
I have an angel to describe commitment, dedication, one to portray Godliness, integrity, and strength, I have someone in almost every facet  He has illuminated in my life to achieve GREATNESS.

“I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble” (Helen Keller)

THE RUNDOWN:

Distance: 8:05
Pace: 8:47
Times: 1:110:47
Nutrition- Struggling with my weight. Everyone in my family is holding me accountable with my diet. So I am eating not only more, but I am eating when I am not hungry and I am eating things I might not normally eat!

Whole Wheat English muffin w/ ham and egg whites!

Anita

Character building.

You can't really tell but I am drenched!! And smiling!

I woke up to dark skies and the rain tapping on the deck outside. It was 6:30am.  I just received my morning forehead  kiss from Andy as he departed for work. Then I hear my good morning wake up call from my son, Austin, as he was getting into the shower, "Get up MOM". I thought who needs an alarm clock when you have this. 
I grumbled in my head and listening to the rain I continued to grumble more as I  remembered I had a Running Date with "Katie." UGH...Rain, Wet and Cold.

I secretly waited by the phone waiting for "Katie" to cancel. Through breakfast, making beds and getting the kids off to school my phone NEVER rang.   I gathered my gear and remembering what I learned on those "survivor" shows and  grabbed some dry cloths to put on after my run.
"Katie" and I met at our usual place and drove out to Indian Springs Metro park. It was still raining. Without any more whining I adjusted to the idea of a "Rain Run" I thought to myself,  "Katie is watching my response to the weather, If I am a fair weather runner I may as well be a phony." The foliage was so green it looked majestic. The rain was coming down romancing us. Soft and rhythmic, . like God himself was singing to us. It was not cold at all. It was 64 degrees and perfect. Everything was perfect. We were even entertained by frogs and toads dancing around our sneakers throught our 8 mile trail. This Rain Run was my favorite run of the season. And to think I entertained the idea of staying home.

Romans 5:3 "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,"

"Nice Job: Eh just builds character! Way to keep keepin on!" This was a comment on a run this week where I was whining. We miss out on so much when we quit or do not follow through. By digging our heals in and reminding ourselves that alone we can not find the strength or the will but with Christ we are strengthened, prepared and awaiting victory.  God does not promise an easy road. But through adversity we do build character. The adversity of a challenging run is parallel to life. We can no more predict the weather than we can predict what the following day holds for us. But as we Build our relationship with Christ we are preparing for whatever comes our way. We are challenged daily with obstacles and diversions. It is our response and reaction to this that either builds us up or tears us down. As I wrestle with my mind I have to remind myself alone I am WEAK. But I do not want to be alone. So with God supplying my nourishment and strength I know I can conquer all those obstacles. Because he designed me to do so WITH HIM...And each struggle, each trial, each heartache I am growing. I am Learning, I humbly allow God to build me, break me and build me again.
1 Peter 5:10 "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you" 

Anita