Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Running in the winter

Had a couple of snow days over the last week.  Winter weather sure makes it difficult to run.  However, I have tried to put some miles on the treadmill at the local YMCA, and make use of some easy runs on the wet and slushy roads with my "Cold Gear" on to keep me warm. 

I miss running every morning, however, because of my triathlon training, I need to make use of training on my bike a lot more.  The snow looked to wet to run in yesterday, so when they called off school yesterday, I hopped on my bike that sits on our trainer for the winter and biked 15 miles while rewatching the awesome KU vs. Iowa State game.  The game was intense which helped me to keep my cadence up for an hour.  I thought about going to the YMCA pool to get in some laps, but being home all day felt good.  Sometimes we just have to take a break!

How do you train in the winter weather? 

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Slow doesn't mean the opposite of progress

From Rick Warren's Decade of Destiny,

Delay is not Denial from God
"The Bible is filled with examples of how God uses a long process to develop character, especially in leaders. He took eighty years to prepare Moses, including forty in the wilderness. For 14,600 days Moses kept waiting and wondering, "Is it time yet?" But God kept saying, "Not yet."
Great souls are grown through struggles and storms and seasons of suffering. Be patient with the process.
Don't get discouraged. When Habakkuk became depressed because he didn't think God was acting quickly enough, God had this to say: "These things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!" (Habakkuk 2:3 LB)
Remember how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. You are not where you want to be, but neither are you where you used to be. God isn't finished with you so keep moving forward. Even the snail reached the ark by persevering!"

I'm glad I read this, like so many other things in my life, my running isn't where I want it to be.  I want to be faster and stronger than I am right now.  However, I have to look how far I have come. In 2011, I never thought I could endure a half-marathon, triathlon, or even a marathon!  Yet, in 2012, I accomplished all of that!  Each for a great fundraising cause, I completed the race and in great time for a new runner and triathlete.  God has brought amazing people in my life to encourage me and bring me the coaching I need.  First of all, my husband and best friend who started making me believe in myself and worked on my form and taught me all of the foundations I needed.  In addition, the cycling community helped me out a ton through the group rides through Tailwinds Cycling.  Then, Rufus Racing has provided not only an awesome circuit of friends for encouragement, but amazing training at each level.  God is so good!  He knows what I need and is prospering me slowly to become a better runner and triathlete.  I'm excited about what God has planned for me for 2013.  Maybe my first pool triathlon in March???  We will see.  I also would like to complete a Warrior Dash.  The money fundraised through the Warrior Dash's go to St. Jude's. 

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Daily Devotion Feb 20, 2013

Grow by Cooperating with God
In my Decade of Destiny by Rick Warren, he said,
"As you grow to spiritual maturity, there are several ways to cooperate with God in the process --
Believe God is working in your life even when you don't feel it. Spiritual growth is sometimes tedious work, one small step at a time. Expect gradual improvement.
There are seasons in your spiritual life, too. Sometimes you will have a short, intense burst of growth (springtime) followed by a period of stabilizing and testing (fall and winter).
Keep a notebook or journal of lessons learned. This is not a diary of events, but a record of what you are learning. Write down the insights and life lessons God teaches you about him, about yourself, about life, relationships, and everything else.
The reason we must relearn lessons is that we forget them. Reviewing your spiritual journal regularly can spare you a lot of unnecessary pain and heartache.
We are often in a hurry when God isn't. You may feel frustrated with the seemingly slow progress you're making in life. Remember that God is never in a hurry, but he is always on time. He will use your entire lifetime to prepare you for your role in eternity."

Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven
 
 

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Morning Devotion Feb. 19th, 2013

From Rick Warren's Decade of Destiny
"Growth Requires a Teachable Attitude
While you were given a brand new nature at the moment of conversion, you still have old habits, patterns, and practices that need to be removed and replaced.
We are afraid to humbly face the truth about ourselves.
We often build our identities around our defects. We say, "It's just like me to be " and "It's just the way I am." The unconscious worry is that if I let go of my habit, my hurt, or my hang-up, who will I be? This fear can definitely slow down your growth.
Only as God is allowed to shine the light of his truth on our faults, failures, and hang-ups can we begin to work on them. This is why you cannot grow without a humble, teachable attitude.
Godly habits take time to develop. Remember that your character is the sum total of your habits. You can't claim to have integrity unless it is your habit to always be honest.
Your habits define your character. There is only one way to develop the habits of christlike character: You must practice them - and that takes time!
These character-building habits are often called "spiritual disciplines," and they include such things as meditation, prayer, fasting, Bible study, simplicity, stewardship, solitude, submission, service and evangelism."

I Timothy 4:15
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 


Dear Lord, 
Thank you for revealing to me my habits of worry and stress and how it slows down my prosperity.  Help me to develop more Christlike habits so I can be a better witness for you in our middle school ministry,  triathlon team,  family,  circle of friends, and the general community.  Build in me a driven attitude to continue even when Satan tries to tear me down.  Forgive me when I allow Satan's lies to distract me and become a stumbling block.  Help my family and friends also grow in their their spiritual walk with you and heal my loved ones who are sick.  We know you provide healing and we pray that it is done in a way that your glory will be shown.  Be with us today and the rest of the school/work week and help each one of us excel in the gifts you have given us.  I pray these things in Jesus name, Amen.

-J

Monday, February 18, 2013

Lent

For lent, I wanted to give up my evening TV time to read my bible and pray.  I've been reading the book of Nehemiah.  I don't remember much about this book of the bible and not sure when the last time I read it.  I was encouraged by our Youth leader at Ignite Missions to start reading this book because we taught the kids about how courageous he was. 

Nehemiah was very sad when he heard his home town of Jerusalem had been attacked after the exile.  The wall of Jerusalem was tore down and the gates set on fire.  He fasted and prayed to God because he was so torn up over the issue and wanted to do something to help his hometown.  Many of us could relate to the end of his prayer:

Nehemiah 1:11 "Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.
I was cupbearer to the king."
 
Nehemiah asks the king for permission to go home and rebuild the wall to assist his home town.  Because the Lord gave him favor in the King's eyes he was granted this wish.
 
Nehemiah was able to gather men to help him rebuild the wall, however, Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod started to plot against the Jews.  In fact, it caused havoc in Nehemiah's own people.  Many insulted the builders and worried for their safety.  The builders had to hold weapons in one hand and tools in the other.  Half the workers ended up working as security instead of assisting with the rebuilding efforts.  Nehemiah didn't lose heart and still had the same drive to help his people no matter how bad the circumstances got.  
 
In Nehemiah 4:14 "After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, 'Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.'”
 
 I pray that God will give me the courage, heart, and faith Nehemiah had for his people, family, and his home town.  I pray the words of Nehemiah 4:14 over me family and friends and their daily struggles right now.  I know how it feels to work so hard toward something you believe in only to have people insult you and try to bring you down.  In fact, it is really difficult to stay focused during those times and Satan really uses those insults to tear up your faith in God.  I say this because it has happened to me.  Thankfully, I have had Christian parents, family, and friends who always remind me of the very things Nehemiah said to his people in 4:14. 

Dear God,
Thank you for your word and the story you are showing me in my nightly time with you in your word.  I pray this blog will bless someone else in their walk with you.  Forgive me for losing heart and faith in You when I go through daily trials and tests.  Give me the strength to endure and become stronger to overcome the devil and his plans. In Jesus Name, Amen.

-J

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nehemiah+1&version=NIV

 

FREE Fitness Apps on my iPhone

Nike Training Club - This FREE application will provide a variety of workout at various lengths to help you get or stay in shape.  I love to use the GET FOCUSED workouts because they are only 15 minutes and you can focus on your core, upper body, or lower body while still working multiple muscle groups.  As you use these workouts, it allows you to share on your social media as well as earn other workouts from famous athletes.  In addition, it will also give you the opportunity to set it to your playlist you have on your device.  http://www.nike.com/us/en_us/c/womens-training/apps/nike-training-club

My Fitness Pal - This FREE application will provide a way for you to journal your food and liquid intake, track calories, and subtract the calories burned during workouts.  If you need to watch the amount you eat, this is the best app to use to stay honest and aware of your daily intake and output. 
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/

Comment if you have other FREE applications you like to use!


Monday February 18, 2013

In my daily devotion by Rick Warren it says,
"Although God could instantly transform us, he has chosen to develop us slowly.
Why does it take so long to change and grow up? There are several reasons --
We are slow learners. We often have to relearn a lesson forty or fifty times to really get it...Growth is often painful and scary. There is no growth without change; there is no change without fear or loss; and there is no loss without pain. We fear these losses, even if our old ways were self-defeating, because, like a worn out pair of shoes, they were at least comfortable and familiar.
Every change involves a loss of some kind: You must let go of old ways in order to experience the new."

Deuteronomy 7:22 "The Lord your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you." 

 I'm guilty, especially recently, in rushing God's plans for me.  Things have gotten difficult all around me in the things I do.  My running has slowed down, my direction with my job has changed, and my school work is much different than before.  I miss teaching photography this semester, however, I believe God is using this time to mold me or prepare me for the things ahead.  My devotions have been telling me the same thing over and over the last few days but I still found my self overwhelmed with stress.  Today, I want to lay my burdens upon him and watch how things will slower be formed in myself to prepare me for the next career, mission, or project He has planned for me.  

Dear Lord,
Thank you for reminding me again today, you are helping me grow into the mission worker you have created in me.  Please forgive me for getting anxious and reacting unChristian like.  Help me form into the employee, student, wife, mother, photojournalist, and triathlete you have planned for me to be.  Keep my family in your safe hands and provide healing to my aunt who suffers from breast cancer.  Help our lost love ones find a Christian friends who will lead them in a closer walk with you.  Keep your hand on our middle school Sunday-School and Ignite Missions kids.  Help them strive to be more like you and provide them peace this week as they go through their school week.  I ask these things in Jesus name, Amen.

-J

Sunday, February 17, 2013

7 miles with God

7 mile Run/Walk by jdphotog at Garmin Connect - Details

After church, I went for a jog.  Soreness from the Train 2 Run and 1000 yard swim yesterday, got to me.  I walked a good part of this route, but enjoyed my Christian music and alone time with God while appreciating the beautiful day he created!

Start of the week

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6 NIV)

God showed me this verse last night to start my week off. It reminds me that God uses our trials and tests, even things Satan throws at us, to mold us into the person He wants us to be to serve Him. Rick Warren once said that it takes time for fruit to ripen and become a good tasting fruit and if we rush it the outcome isn't as good as if we would have waited the proper time. In the same way, God take HIS time to mold and shape us in what He plans for us to be and do for His work.

As I start out my work week, my triathlon training, and my school week, I want to remember this is a week God is using to mold me to become something GREATER for Him.

Lord, thank you for showing me your word and reminding me this very important lesson. Your words are the food I need to nourish my soul. Lord, help me through this week to do all you need me to do and help me form into the fruit you can use in your MISSION FIELD. Forgive me of my sins and rushing things too quickly. Be with my family and friends this week in their walk with you and help the ones who need to find their way back to your path. In Jesus Name,
Amen

-J

Creating Memories

I created a memory box of our marathon experience. It is a great way to display our achievements and reminders of the reason we ran for the kids of St. Jude. I also created a memory book of our whole trip with our Phi Theta Kappa (Team TENN-KAN) group.



Saturday, February 16, 2013

Train 2 Run

I did a make-up class today with Train 2 Run at Freeman Sports and Rehabilitation.  We did circuit training, including treadmill runs for 2.5 minutes at 7% incline.  I felt pretty good after the hour long work out and even swam 1000 yards later this afternoon.  I hope the training will help me PR this year in some races this year. 

I'm also excited about coordinating the 3rd annual Holden's Hope 5K http://www.facebook.com/HoldensHope5k?ref=hl.  People can register for the race by going to this link: http://www.racesonline.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=public.race_detail&race_id=14772

Friday, February 15, 2013

Training with friends

I was asked by a mutual friend to start running with a girl who has never ran before but wanted to start training for a 5K to get in shape.  I gladly took on the project and come to find out when we started to make plans to run early in the morning, we live only a block apart!  I think God links us together with special people for special reasons. 

Kerri is quite a bit younger than I am, but since I have a couple of years of running experience at many distances, I can offer her novice training and understand some of the things she is going through as a new runner. 

We are doing a modified Hal Higdon novice 5K and she is running 3 times a week together.  The companionship she provides me helps keep me motivated to run early in the morning before work!   This has been a blessing to me and hopefully for her too. 

I pray Jesus will keep us safe on the road each morning we run and continue to bless our training and new found friendship. 


St. Jude's Memphis Marathon by jdphotog at Garmin Connect - Details

St. Jude's Memphis Marathon by jdphotog at Garmin Connect - Details