A Running Blog

So I decided to start a running blog.  Just keep track of my progress, my failures, my disappointment, and my success.  First I love to talk about running and different techniques.  I didn't want to clutter up Gary's blog with my running stuff so here we are!  Not sure if anyone will read this but its not really for anyone who is not interested.

I want to start with the who, what, when's and why's of my running.  Well the who is clearly me!  I started running in October of 2009.    I started with 1/2 mile.  Soon that turned into 1 mile.  It is so much fun looking back at how amazing I thought it was I ran a mile.  I would sack out on the couch afterwards and just start in pure exhaustion.  Little did I know, God had much bigger plans for me in a short amount of time.

In May of 2009 my son Gary was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease call Juvenile Dermatomyositis.  Gary is my third child.  After having 2 healthy babies, you don't think something like a disease is even possible.  I never even entertained the possibility.  Well I suppose I did as a mother.  I always worry about falls, drowning, ect,. things of that nature, but not a disease.  BUT that is what he has.  A doctor said to me, "what are you doing to take care of yourself?".  Instinctively, I found this annoying.  My kid could not walk very well, swallow, and had the beginnings of ulcer wounds, not to mention a terrible rash, and she wants to know about me.  I have traveled out of state to see this doctor.  You can imagine our time was limited.  Talking about me was not at the top of my list.  Little did I know that one sentence would cause me to have a profound epiphany .  How true.  How true it is.  In order for you to be at the top of your game, to deal with your life in the most efficient way, having your physical self in order helps more than you may think. Sitting in hospital rooms and infusions centers for days and hours is just a smidge better when you yourself feel better about yourself.  It's just one less thing.  Taking care of yourself doesn't fix things, but it lets you have at least control over that one thing when other things spin out of your control.  I know God is in control.  For me that is comforting.  But He gave you two legs for a reason.  He gave me these muscles that are healthy.  I fully intend to use them.  I look at the people who can't.  I will because they can't. I owe myself that much.

On February 14, 2009, in Austin, TX, I ran my first marathon.  It was best thing I have ever done.