Boston Marathon Prayers List



I am less than a week out. I am so ThankFULL for those that are going to pray for me. I am circled around so many friends. And Thank You to my Family, Mom, Sarah, and Leeanne for your prayers love and Support.

I still have some miles opened. I am not SHY about asking for prayer. I know that I alone can not do this. I NEED God in SO many ways. I know God hears our prayers. I want to Glorify HIM in this Race. I want to Point People to HIM.

Some Ways you can pray:

• Pray for safe travels
• Pray for Safety
• Pray for health
• Pray that I can be a witness to HIM
• Pray for strength, stamina and endurance.
• Pray for the good WEATHER..God is the weatherman! 60% showers currently!
• Pray for my family to have a good attitude!
• Pray For Boston and all those running, spectating and volunteering.



There is POWER in PRAYER. There is Power in Numbers. God can use ALL things for his GLORY...Even 26.2 Miles!
*****************************************************************************************

1. Sarah Fox (new runner and great encourager)
    Terri Williams (dear friend)
2. Terri Williams
3. Stephanie Lookebill (Kids school mom & Road Runner)
    Linda Haberman (the date of her 1/2 marathon, attended church together)
4. Christine P. (Friend from high school)
5. Maria R. (our dear friends from church.."New family of 5" they just had a new blessing)
6.  Lesa B. (In thoughts of Burgess clan of 6!)
     Linda K. (THIS IS HER ANNIVERSERY DATE!)
     DEDICATION: Christine(Battling cancer)
7. Lori Stoi (old neighbor, 7 years, she has been with her hubby) 
8. Steve F. (attend church together, He is praying for me and "Team Harless"
9.  Leah P.( attend same church, Great woman's leader)
10. Cara F. (voice of an angel, sings at church)
      DEDICATION Kathy ( new runner I met, we ran 10 miles together, Boston Runner too)
11. Ashley D. (attend church together)
12. Michelle and Ali R. (SISTERS! They both picked the same number just minutes from
       one another!)
13. Carri  (fellow Blogger, Christ Follower and Runner)
      Brooke D. (Fellow Christian, beautiful leader)
      DEDICATION: Justin W.  (Terri's Youngest son)
      DEDICATION; Gina D, Daddy Roy
14. Danielle M. ( My dear friend and Running Partner that I MET after 18 years at the
      Boston Marathon in 2011!)
      DEDICATION: Peggy, Miranda
15. Devon W. (Austin's best friend) Also this mile is a DEDICATION to
      Kathy M. ( the new runner I just met! She is praying for me where the HILLS start!)
16. Aunt Pat and Uncle Darryl (Andys Aunt and Uncle in Minnesota)
      Linda P. (a dear client of mine and sweet lady from church)
17. Steve Everett (Andys High School Friend, Such a Blessing that he is praying for me)
      Georgette A (XC mother)
18. Minnie C. (Dear friend from Church, amazing Godly woman, Prayer warrior)
19. Rachel D. (Fellow Runner, that I hope to have the opportunity to run with one day!)
      Jama P (Running Friend)
20. Jess D. (Running friend, Christian woman, dear friend)
      Anthony T. (Runner Friend, ran Boston last year and writer for running magazine)
21. Debbie C. ( Long Client from work, Beautiful Godly woman)
22. Jessica L (An angel in my eyes, we have been through a lot together)
       DEDICATION; Larry, battling Lymphoma.
23. Michelle B (Fellow Marathoner, Fellow Blogger Rock Star Marathon runner.)
      Amanda E. (Steves Wife, beautiful woman, and family)
      Georgette A
24. Brittany B. ( One of our youth group girls, now a beautiful young lady)
      Heather B. (Christian leader, Blogger)
25. Kristy S. (Fellow runner and high school classmate)
       DEDICATION: (Colleen, My best friends friend battling cancer)
26.  Alexis N. (Ran Boston last year, and I ran into her at NYC Mara!
       Minnie C.
26.2 Debbie C. (Dear Client of mine, Godly woman, beautiful inside and out)
        Tamela Riggs. (Pastors wife, Loving lady)
Praying throughout:
MOM- Andys mom, MY mom. She prays with out ceasing.
Sarah- MY NIECE, So thankful to have her be part of my run by praying for me. Love this girl!
Maureen A - This is one of the Cross Country girls. She made me smile reading her post that she would be praying for me the whole time! So sweet.
Leeanne Cook- My sweet sister in law. Man did my brother make out good getting her! She text me today and said that her WHOLE office, 2 offices combined would be with me! I saw this picture of a virtual poster board with her work cheering me on and it made me so excited to know they were rooting me on!
Kirsten H.-Kirsten is our old neighbors. She was such a great support to me last year. She will be praying for me through out the race again this year!
Erin S- School Mother
Karen M. Dear Client and friend, Very special Lady!
The Charles Family- Great family My kids go to same school and we go to church together.
Amy Sergio- very special Client of mine. She is going to be a MOMMY!


*  note: There have many many others that have said that they will be praying for me throughout. I have listed the ones that have messaged me, left comments on my blog or on Facebook. Thank YOU for all the Prayers!!!
Anita

Boston Prayer Sheet

10 days and counting, Boston Marathon 2014

Romans 15:30

 "I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,"

Last year I was blessed to have so many holding both me and my family up in prayer. 2 days prior to the Marathon I had gotten deathly ill. It was random and debilitating. Andy found me lying on the hotel floor in the middle of the night. He attempted to pick my lifeless body up, only he could not get a grip on my skin due the sweat that was drenching my body. I had so many praying for me. Before my race, during my race and after my race. I begged God to hear my prayers. With only enough energy to cry out to him, I prayed.

I am amazed at the healing that took place over the next few hours.

PRAYER.

 

I would like to ask you to Pray for me. The Boston Marathon is MONDAY April 21st.

*I will be heading to the buses for transportation at 7-7:30a,

*Heading to starting line at 9:50am.

*Starting the Marathon at 10:25 am.

 

 

The Marathon consists of 26.2 miles.  

If all goes the way I have trained I will be running  sub 8:00 minute mile. My Goal finish time is 3:28.  This is the first I have posted my goal.
You can use my Bib Number 15339 and TRACK me.

I am asking if you would SIGN up to prayer of a MILE of the Marathon or if you have a dedication I will write those on my arm and Pray over them at that MILE! 

 I am going to GO FOR it. I am going to try and PR. If I do "YA HOO"...And if I do not I will have the satisfaction of knowing that I Gave my ALL.
 I am going to RUN this Race with Perseverance. I am going to RUN with more than Legs but with all my heart and all my strength seeking God to fuel me. God Speed.

JEREMIAH 33:3 "CALL UNTO ME AND I WILL ANSWER AND SHOW YOU GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS WHICH THOUGH KNOWEST NOT."

26.2...The Finish. Someone Bring me to the Finish!-

Sincere Gratitude,
Anita

GOD WINKS.

My old neighbor, Amy gave me a book called "When God Winks". The book talks about the miracles in life that many others see as "coincidences"

I am going to tell you a story today that is INCREDIBLE. TO me a GOD WINK.

I do not believe in coincidences.
If you are not a believer in Christ and his omnipresence, if you do not Believe in the Power of Miracles than you are just going to think I am CRAZY.
You are going to think I am a freak who is trying to string together anything to believe that there is something Greater out there.
I am Fine with THAT.
At 40 years old I do not have enough pages to list the Miracles that GOD has performed in my life.
Unexplainable.
Unimaginable
Immeasurable Miracles.

HERE IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME THIS MORNING:
1. I finished yesterdays post, A Tank full of Discouragement.. It rehashed the feelings of fear as I typed the keys beneath my fingers. I was reminded what a failure I was yesterday during my track session.
I deeply read Gods words and his promises as I was seeking HOPE.

2. I left the house to meet Danielle at 8:35am to run.

3. Running late, we decided to only run 7 miles. We took off down Silver Park Way. This was a different route than we had ran just the week prior.
As we were running, I confided in Danielle about my terrible track work out. I told her of how discouraged I was at the same time as how distracted I had gotten from my own training plan. I was bragging about how amazing Rochelle and Kathleen were to be able to run that same session like a beast. The same one that almost killed me.
As we turned unto Leroy street I heard my name.  Danielle and I stopped to turned around in the direction of the Bigsby Coffee behind us. AND GUESS WHO WAS calling my NAME?
ROCHELLE. As we were talking about her! I introduced Danielle to her. I was compelled to admit my failure to her. As I finished telling Rochelle that I failed on the mile repeats, explaining that I couldn't reach the 6:50 minute mile, she laughed at me.  Then Rochelle replied "NO, that was not this weeks repeats, this weeks repeats were at a 7:50 pace!"
I felt this huge burden release from my shoulders. Danielle was laughing and shaking her head. We all were laughing at that point.

During THAT run I received this text from Ashley "So I Read this on FB this morning. I feel like God meant for me to share. Just read your blog! You got this!"

I do not know what YOU believe. I do not know who even reads this.
BUT THIS I KNOW.
Yesterdays VERSE: "TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL THINE HEART, LEAN NOT UNTO YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING, ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AND HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATHS."
HE led me right to Rochelle. I just met her less than 1 week ago. What are the ODDS that she would see ME at that precise time?
What are the odds that I would see her at that precise place. After all, we are not running the same route or even city every week.
And what are the odds that she would share with me that I had made a mistake?
The Lord KNEW I was discouraged and deeply burdened about that run. As I finished writing yesterdays blog this morning I picked those verses to ask God to help me get out of the pit.

HE did. In His Perfect timing. He cares about EVERY detail in my life and in my heart.

Please let me encourage you. Never be ashamed, embarrassed or feel unworthy of his LOVE and Guidance.
God can use all things, all people and all failures.
God cares about the big things, the little things and the things no one else cares about.
God performs miracles. People do not.

John 15:7

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you."

 

 

RUNDOWN:

Distance: 7 miles

Terrible head wind. Danielle and I somehow managed to do a progressive run, finishing against the wind  (21 MPH winds) at a 8:22.

 

So grateful.

Anita

 



A tank full of Discouragement.

WEDNESDAYS Track WORK OUT.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.    Proverbs 3:5-6

I have people ask me what program that I follow for my training. I sheepishly answer "The Anita Program."
I have never followed a training plan due to my work schedule. On the days that I work, I am typically on my feet anywhere from 7-9 hours. Training consistently on work days has never worked for me. It was more than just being on my feet all day, it was also being away from my family.
4 -5 days of running has always worked for me.
I usually average about 40 miles a week, peaking at 50 miles before a marathon.

My FIRST DISTRACTION:
HANSON HANSON HANSON program. I have been hearing this chiming in my ears now for weeks. From different people training this program. It trains accumulative fatigue, 6 days a week.
Training 6 days a week is not something I can do.

I made the mistake of entertaining different training runs that the Hanson program lays out at this time in my marathon training.

This past Sunday, I ran with Kathy. Kathy is training under the Hanson program and we both have similar goals for the Boston Marathon. I was able to run her run.

That seed started to grow..Distraction..
Kathy told me what she was running this week... More Distraction...

I bit, like a fish on a hook.

And I fell on my FACE in defeat and discouragement.

I went to the track this morning to run mile repeats. It was a beautiful morning. Jeff, came out to coach me. I wish I would have listened to him.
"Anita, why do you feel like you need to do this?" Jeff asked
"I just want to see if I can, maybe to help build my confidence." I replied slightly embarrassed.
Jeff shook his head and as an old time runner he responded, "At this point, you don't need a confidence booster."

Why didn't I listen to him. I knew better. I went to the track with perfect conditions. I was a bit sore in my legs, but nothing I thought a little shake out wouldn't fix.

My first mile repeat, I knew I was off the first 800m. I held nothing back. I ran as fast as my legs could go. I had nothing in the tank when I finished but a vessel filling up with discouragement.

I could feel the discouragement filling up more and more. My mind was racing frantically trying to figure out what I was doing wrong.

There were so many voices screaming in my ear.
"What if I didn't train good enough?"
"What if I fall apart at the race?"
"I gave my everything, how can I give all this at the race and still fail?"

It was awful. For the first time I was scared. Discouragement brought some additives. Fear, doubt, confusion to name a few.

I knew better. This what NOT my training Program. Who was I to Think I could just pull out pieces of a totally different program.
I tried to reason with my defeat as I left the track with my tail between my legs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The thing I KNOW. I am giving this to GOD. I was a mess all day yesterday afternoon. I would like to say I feel great today and have gotten over  it but that would be a lie.
I knew I should NEVER have ran the track work out.
I didn't train in such a way to reach the numbers required to have the outcomes that I was supposed to reach.
I really need God to restore my confidence and trust Him to move my legs at Boston.
I am on my knees begging God to give me the strength I do not have.

I don't want to be discouraged. I despise all the emotions circulating in me right now. DOUBT is a horrible emotion that drives you directly to defeat. It tosses your mind in all different directions.  It is like your mind goes on autopilot and you throw in the towel before you ever try.

Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind.James 1: 6

Asking for Prayers. I am 10 days out.

ANITA

Why I am going back to run to Boston Marathon 2014.



1 Corinthians 16:13

 "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."

"Why are You running in the Boston Marathon?" Monica Drake from the Oakland Press asked me. I hardly noticed my sushi sitting in front of me as I pondered the question.



That was over 2 weeks ago. I have taken a little more time to comb through my feelings.

I had a monumental race at last years Boston Marathon. Everything was perfect, I even had a PR at 3:28:10.
My family made it to the family welcome area with hugs and kisses. We took a few pictures to preserve the brief joy before it would be robbed from us.

The Boston bombings stripped smiles off our faces just 30 minutes later.
It was gone. The joy was invaded by terror and fear.
I have never felt pure horror like that in my life.

I was ever so fortunate to finish and even have a few minutes of victory before the devastation of the bombings would overshadow my epic Boston Marathon.

For months afterward, I didn't speak of the desire to return. That desire grew in me with every run.
I had no idea how I was going to convince my boys to return to Boston.
In November, I had the honor to run Ing NYC, I could not convince them to go to the Big Apple to watch me.
They were stuck on Fear.



This year we will be going back as a FAMILY. Together United. It was a very difficult decision.
My heart yearned to be able to return. It is something deep within me that does not like to give in.
I am a fighter. I just can not imagine not going back to Boston to run.

 This years Boston Marathon is so much bigger than I am. Maybe that is why I have to return. I am not just running this year for a TIME or a FINISH.
I am running in Honor of those that cannot run. In Honor of those that were pained in a way I was not.
I am going to support a great event. To remind myself and others that as Runners we run with more than our legs we run with our heart.
I am running to show my boys that we will not allow FEAR to hold us hostage. We will courageously go in Faith, trusting God to keep us safe.
I will go boldly to Honor something that is beautiful. This years Marathon is like no other. It defines Strength, Perseverance and Bravery.

It humbles me. It sets me on the sidelines of "AWE".  How a nobody, I nothing, a girl who didn't stand a chance could be part of something so immense.
A ragamuffin of a child could fight through a life of brokenness and through the Grace of God see Glory.
I am brought to tears at the opportunity to be part of something so much bigger than I am.
I refuse to back down. I will not cower in fear. I will run in Faith, in Love and Hope.

Over the last few weeks I have taught my boys as a family we are a team. Team Harless. We each will have to sacrifice at times for one another. We each will have to hold each other up. We will have to cheer and support one another. But together we are stronger. Together we will go to Boston and go in the Spirit of Courage and Love.

“To learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings.” ~ George Mueller

Anita

Bailed on and Boston Bound : Let the Taper Begin!

I have been looking at the forecast for the last week. Sundays forecast was spot on all week.
50's and Sunny.
Could the last long run for training be any more perfect?
Other than everyone BAILING on me, it was great.

Monica Drake with the Oakland Press was coming out to meet me and some runners for interview and pictures at Indian Springs.
The article is dedicated to the Boston Marathon. I was supposed to have good size group of Boston Runners out there but..Yeah, the sunshine must have detoured them!

The really cool thing about today's run was I had the opportunity to meet 2 really great runners for the first time. I have a client, Karen, who has spoke about her sister in law, Kathleen, who was training for Boston. That same week I was in the cold Plunge and a random person was chatting with me. As we tried to ignore the frigid temperature she asked if I knew a runner named "Kathleen"
It just so happened to be the same person!

I sent Kathleen a message on Facebook. Back and forth we shared little bits about ourselves. I asked her if she would like to join us at Indian Springs. We conversed until about 10pm. She finished with accepting my invitation to Indian Springs.

We were supposed to meet at 1pm. I like to get there at 12 and run a few miles solo. I was scheduled to run 22 miles today. As I approached mile 2, a lady was hiding water and asked if I was "Anita".
Without thinking I smiled and said "Yes". It was Kathleen! I quickly explained I was running 5 miles and would meet her back by the bathrooms at 1pm.

Off I continued.

At mile 3, I passed 2 runners and heard my name called. It was Mike from DM. I also ran a trail run with him and about 15 other runners last year. I invited him to meet the group with Monica.

I finished my few miles solo and met back by the bathrooms to meet the "group".

The "group" ended up being us 4! Kathleen, Rochelle (Kathleen running partner),Mike, and I. Everyone else bailed.

Monica showed up and interviewed us. She took pictures and videos. We had fun.
Mike had just finished running 16 miles, He headed out when Monica finished
.
Rochelle and Kathleen are training under the Hansons Plan. Their plan was to run 10 miles at a 8:40 pace. I really wanted to run that with them. I had already ran 5 at a 8:45 pace. I decided to go for it.
They both are great runners. Rochelle had to bail after 4 miles she was having some pains.
My Garmin died so Kathleen was trying to pace us. After running 10 miles we looked at our pace and it was 8:25. A bit to fast. I still had 7 to go.
We said our goodbyes, wishing we were all in the same corral for Boston. Then they left me to finish on my own.
22 miles. I began recalculating that plan, after all I had just ran much faster than I had planned. MUCH.
I Bailed too. I ran a little over 5 ,making my total miles a  little over 20 total.

RUNDOWN:
Distance: 20.45
Pace: Ave. 8:45
Weekly Miles: 52 miles



I got a little package in the mail!!! My stomach does flip flops when I see all this information.
I will share my bib number and corral tomorrow.

It was a great run today. I was really nervous before I started. Once you are out there running, everything just falls into place. It is like a puzzle. Running just fits perfect.

Anita

Shout OUT!!

I had one of those emotionally draining kinda days yesterday.
But I got through it. I really could have used a run. I went to bed before 10pm! That made getting up at 6 am easy and unnecessary.


So, since I am up I decided to....
Give a SHOUT out to my New Follower. SEM.

Have a great day all. Happy Running!

Anita