Calling All Athletes

If you're a walker, runner or athlete of any kind, this is a great devotional book. I started attending a Run for God bible study at my church. The title was something I thought the leader had thought up. You know, it's a church ministry and a run group, so Run for God was a logical name. After attending the first meeting, I found out it was a national bible study that has 5k, 10k, Half Marathons, and Junior Triathlon challenges. 

This Fifty-two week devotional is a collection of stories to inspire and challenge you weekly. The  study also has a get in the Word section, scripture memory, things to ponder and running observations by Dean, a friend of the Run for God ministry. I'm into the first week and so far, I'm hooked.

The group bible study is doing The 5K Challenge which is approximately 12 weeks long. It is preparing many for their first local 5K.  Our group chose to participate in the Run Forrest Run Race at Joe Riley Park on May 16th. Bill and I have run this race several times and it's a lot of bang for your buck.

If you're looking for a challenge physically and spiritually, join me and my group or look for one in your local area. Who knows, you may be the next person called to lead a group.

Fifty to Fifty-One

My last days on top of the hill are coming too an end. Shoosh, don't tell anyone, I'm turning fifty-one! It's been a year of adventures, accomplishments and just plain old fun.

I trained and finished my first triathlon with this other fifty-year-old, Deanna Galasso.

 More to come about her in another post.

Because I didn't torture myself enough at Parris Island, I went on to do three more triathlons. Two of which really catapulted me out of my comfort zone, and into open water swims not in a lake, but in the Atlantic. The second Beach Bum Tri in Hilton Head was a real challenge.

 I can't say I haven't been stung by a jellyfish anymore, OUCH!

Then I got a surprise visit from this girlie. It's my tall beautiful little sissy. 

We always have such a great time together and can't wait to see her sweet face again.

After planning and saving for over a year, came our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary trip. 

Hawaii really is a Pacific paradise.

My mom hadn't been to South Carolina in while so, she came for Thanksgiving. We had a great time and the best part was she made chicken and dumplings. This is the two of us at the Festival of Lights at James Island County Park enjoying our hot chocolate.

My fiftieth year was made special by this hunk.  He has brought so much adventure to my life.  He's a living example of Ephesians 5:25 - "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."  He's  my biggest cheerleader and I love him to pieces. 

If last year is any indication of what this year may be. 

I say, "bring it on", I'm ready for fifty-one! 

First Day, First Race, First Place

It's 2015! Happy New Year

Our friend Deanna talked us into signing up for the Race The Landing that Lisa Deaton directs.  

 

It was such a great idea at the time. Deanna is such an encourager and can talk just about anyone into anything. "Start the New Year off right with a run," she said. 

"It won't be too cold," she said

"It will be fun!" she said.

 Bill and I whined the whole way to the race. We even jokingly fought over who would beat up Deanna first. What were we thinking? We weren't.

• One, we both dislike running in the cold.
• Two, I don't think I ever went to bed before ringing in the New Year.

 Living in SC, any kind of holiday means firework extravaganza night. I think our neighbors bought out the surrounding fireworks stands this year. There were huge cannons going off all night. So, there was very little sleep for this lady. After meeting up with Deanna, I was relieved that we weren't alone in the whining department. The same person that claimed this would be fun, admitted if it wasn't for us, she wouldn't have come. It was downright cold, it was a very early wake up, it was all the way across town, and did I mention, it was so cold, we saw white yards everywhere from the frost.

Once the race started, those thoughts were long gone. I had forgotten how beautiful The Charles Town Landing was. One long stretch of the race course, the trees covered the road as the morning sun was shinning through. It was a beautiful sight as the race participants ran greeting the first day of 2015.

This race is kind of whacky. It's a 5k that reuses old awards and race bibs and includes a race t-shirt swap that really doesn't require you to swap anything. There is a pile of old t-shirts and you add yours to the pile and take any that you like. 

 Fleet Feet was one of the sponsors and at registration we had our choice of a headband or a croakie. At the end of the race we had a variety of delicious soups and cornbread to choose from; including Hoppin' John. Our entertainment was a musician playing some upbeat songs and the sound was perfect for the size of the room. 

We met up with our Try Sports running friend Amy, aka The Tiny Terror. She diligently trains and her training pays off. She is witty, fun and very fast. Amy consistently places in many of the races she runs.

The race was fun and we were all winners today.  But who doesn't love a race where you take home a prize and the title of First Place in your Age Group, or Third Place in your Age Group, Female Overall Master, or Second Place Female Overall. That was us today on this First Day, First Race of the year.