I'm under 2 weeks away from the Runner's World Half-Marathon on October 20th and my training has been pretty good. I had a bit of an interruption because I caught the flu in late August and then developed sinusitis on top of that (note to self: don't try to keep training when you're running a fever...not the smartest move - felt even worse). Anyway, I'm not at the level I want to be for this half-marathon but I'm determined to do it - I'll just take it easier than I originally planned.
I know that I can hit my "Good" goal and I'm quite confident that I can hit the "Great" goal. I'm not so sure about the "Awesome" goal. That one may have to wait until the next half-marathon (I'm still planning on trying the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon in May of 2014). This half is mostly to get me over the mental roadblock that seems to have set in because I continually keep getting injured or sick before a half-marathon and then my training is off.
Oh...and the last time I weighed myself I was 165.6 lbs. I can't seem to get myself down to 160 or 155 - I think that whenever I try my body just seems to resist it. Oh well...I'm happy at 165.
Hey! I'm also training for a half on October 26. I wish you the best. Rest up. Aim for good or great!
Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tiptoe if you must but take the step.
So glad that you have joined, the best tip that I can give to be consistent in tracking and interacting with your teams.
"I firmly believe that in every situation, no matter how difficult, God extends grace greater than the hardship and strength and peace of mind that can lead us to a place higher than where we were before" Andy Griffith
Hi everyone I'm new to this and just signed up for Spark people. Any tips and tricks you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Hope everyone is having a skinny day :)
Have you ever grown frustrated with God over situations in your life? Have you gone to Him and poured out those feelings in prayer?
If so, you’ll be able to relate to the prophet Habakkuk, who lived roughly 600 years before Christ. His book of the Bible begins with this complaint: “How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save me. Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong?” (Hab.1:2-3, NIV).
God answered Habakkuk by telling him to be patient and to watch, that He will do amazing things and usher in justice – but only in His timing.
Passionate, honest, gut-level prayers have been recorded through out the Bible. Habakkuk wasn’t the only one to complain. Moses, Gideon, and Elijah all questioned God. Job even cursed the day God made him and said, “I loathe my very life; therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul.” (Job 10:1, NIV).
In his anguish, Job accused God of afflicting people for no reason (Job 9:17), overwhelming them with misery (Job 9:18), and not caring about injustice (Job 9:22, 24). Job even wondered if maybe God was laughing at the pain of the innocent (Job 9:22). None of these accusations are accurate – far from it – but we can sometimes feel that way in times of severe suffering or testing. God knows our deepest thoughts and feelings, so it’s futile to think we can hide them from Him. Better to come clean with how we really feel, get it off our chest in prayer, and hopefully clear the way to hear and receive God’s reply or comfort.
I’ve complained to God in the past for allowing my loved ones to die or fall deep into sin, for allowing valuable things to be stolen from me, for allowing my reputation to be unfairly tarnished, for allowing physical suffering in my body, or for not allowing what I felt I deserved. My goal is to be a woman of faith who can take such things in stride with Him. But when I’m losing that stride, I’ve found the best thing I can do is honestly take these feelings to God where they can be traded for His perspective and His comforting assurance.
Though God does not always change my circumstances the way I want Him to, He can and does change my perspective on those circumstances – enabling me to endure them.
God listens when we complain about injustice. He understands when we feel shortchanged or opposed. Read through the gospel accounts of Jesus’ life and you’ll be reminded of just how much Jesus can relate to undeserved opposition!
Be honest before God in prayer today. While maintaining a holy respect for Him and thanksgiving for His saving grace, pour out the good, the bad and the ugly of your feelings. As Habakkuk, Job and others discovered, God can handle our intense emotions and questions. He may not explain Himself fully to us – perhaps because we can’t fully understand – but He will flood us with His love when we come humbly and honestly before Him and pour out our heart.
Dear Lord, it is often hard for me to deal graciously with the difficult situations in my life. Help me to see them through Your eyes. Help me to endure, with grace, all that You allow into my life. Fill me with Your peace and love today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.