One more week completed.

So slowly we are creeping closer and closer to the race week. But yet it feels so far away. Today was another 7 mile run, and for some reason when i have already ran that distance it seems to drag longer. But today, as i was running past Kollen park, i just had to stop. It really was SOO beautiful. For those of you not familiar with the park, it is right on the shores of Lake Macatawa. The Lake is lightly frozen over and flocks of seagulls were sun bathing on the ice. So i had to sit for a sec and stop...stop to enjoy the beauty, stop just to take in the wonderful day, stop to realize i have a lot to be thankful for, and stop just to relax for one sec. Sometimes i think that i have allowed this running thing to be just another thing for me to do. i forget to see the beauty behind the running, or the good it's doing, or to just actually try and enjoy it. today i felt like i took a little time to enjoy it instead of allowing it to be another thing to check off my to-do-list.

But i do have a shout out there to Chris and Jill....Thank you for letting me borrow your ipod!! I'm enjoying the random assortment of songs! It's great!

Also, any suggestions from you guys. In a couple of weeks we are going down to Florida to visit some friends. one of my friends is running a 1/2 marathon (13 miles or so) that weekend and I'm scheduled to run 10 miles. What I'm debating is if i should run the race or not...they also have a 5K option...but that i feel isn't enough BUT I'm also debating taking the weekend off from running :) IT'S VACATION RIGHT?? The race will cost about $50, which to me it could be $50 i put toward the money i raise for youth for Christ. but it is also along the Florida coast line. Help me decided, any thoughts are appreciated! :)

7 MILES....COMPLETED!!

i did it...Olympian style! :) well, it wasn't exactly Olympic style but i did average my 10min miles, so i felt pretty good about that, now it just feels good to be done! Happy almost valentines day!

7 MILES....

So the Olympics obviously started tonight and i have to use these Olympic athletes, who are amazing, to by my inspiration for tomorrow...I hate to say it...BUT...running has not gotten any easier. I've been struggling through my weeks and 7 miles sounds scary. But these Olympians have trained and practiced and have given their all to be where they are...and i can do the same for this run...right!? :) i may not win a gold medal in this race, but i can be an Olympian at heart! I'm starting to sound real gay, but i think i have to. I've discovered this running thing is kind of a mind thing...a lot of my run consists of my mind saying...just cut it a block shorter today...and then the other side says "are you kidding me!!...keep going.!!" It's like i have the little devil on one shoulder and the saint on the other side and they like to argue...But as the speaker tonight said...may we all aspire to be Olympian!! So tomorrow THAT WILL BE ME!!

Helder Winter Fest 2010

Every winter my Helder Family looks forward to going up to Lake City for a weekend of fun in the snow. This year's festivities consisted of: the most intense broom ball game that has prolly taken place on the frozen waters of Lake Missaukee, A visit to the infamous Helder Hill where the craziest sledding ever (grandma even broke her ankle one year), and of course eating all chili, chips, hot dogs, and hot chocolate one could desire.

As much as I was looking forward to going, I was nervous that my running of the 6 miles might get pushed to the back burner. BUT, my dear husband decided to encourage me by running right along with me, AND that he would run at my speed...and believe it or not, it worked! Let me tell you that we have tried to run together before and it ends up that he would enjoy running backwards as I am running forward, or it was a time to take the opportunity to shows how his walking pace is equal to my run, BUT yesterday instead of running backwards he serenade our run with sweet songs like "I would do anything for love" as we were running into the freezing 50 mile an hour wind. It definitely helped and i loved it...plus the run actually went pretty well. So not only did we get a good run in at a new location, we also spent the rest of the day in the participating in the competitive festivities...here are some pictures to get a little glimpse of the fun.

My Partner for life before the run...you don't want to see us after :)

The Helder Broom Ball Teams...we even use mallets...and no one even got hurt...that is talent.

Sledding on Helder Hill

Can I take the day off??

I have to remind myself that i choose to do this. Today is the 45 min run and honestly that sounds like forever, even if running 3 miles prolly takes about that long...45 mins feels like forever. So I'm procrastinating...which makes me not want to go even more. Excuses are quickly coming to mind like...it's getting dark and you don't want to get hit by a car, and i haven't seen teddy all day i should play with him (p.s. he still isn't allowed to go for runs due to his 'operation'), and i really should do a load of laundry, and what if i just did a work out video, and...and..and....i need to stop this right now...I'm pathetic...my run could be at least half over if i would have just started........ok, I'm going to do it.....

HAPPY GROUND HOGS DAY/only 6 more weeks till Spring!!

So Happy Ground Hog's Day...what a wonderful day it is...I heard the Ground Hog saw it's shadow so we only have a few weeks left of winter, right?!! Man I certainly hope so. I must say, I do believe that the snow makes everything SUPER beautiful...however it makes running rather tricky. Today on my run most of the streets were snow covered so each step was like running in sliding sand. But as I trudged further and further I truly was thinking about how thankful I am that race day running is not in snow (please pray it won't be), or sand, or dirt, but just nice roadway. I really don't think I care too much if it rains, well I'd rather it be a nice sprinkle to cool me off just a tad...no torrential rains, or cold winds. Actually PLEASE pray that it is just the perfect day! Birds chirping, blue skies, about 65 degree weather, and the smell of sweet flowers filling the perfect air. It sounds like a dream, but that is what I'm praying for...please pray too!



Around me lately, many reminders of the frailness of life causes me to stop and realize none of us know if we even have tomorrow. It has made me look at my life a little closer and those around me. Maybe I might be gone, or maybe a loved one, or maybe even someone I really don't care for. Have I done everything I could to show them love? Am I spending my days in ways that carry out God's plan, God's love, God's desires? I've been reminded to give it all, so I have nothing to regret later. Sometimes it's hard to find the strength but this Bible verse has encouraged me today.

Ephesians 1:17-22

17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Lord WHAT POWER YOU HAVE!!! Help me to remember that you have given us that power so that we might be able to live and love fully each and every day just as if we knew it were our last.