The Spring is coming. I can feel it...as I wait expectantly and continue to run on this journey called life. Though I still feel like I'm fighting in a battle, I will remember that "the battle is the Lord's," and not my own. It is Him who saves! ~1 Samuel 17:47

~AMH~

Yesterday...

I ran yesterday. Not the same without ya, Ang!

I'll run tomorrow morning, I'm taking the day off as my body seems abnormally exhausted! I slept most of the morn/aft yesterday. Then watched Breakfast at Tiffany's with Brad.

It's funny how exercise creates a need for rest and food. It's almost as if the training has allowed me to give my body permission to eat and rest in deeper ways than I ever have before.

I have not slept this much in years.

I have also not felt hungry or thirsty in years. Not so anymore! I actually needed to get snacks in order to make it through the work day.

--JB--

Sunrise

It was a gorgeous, crisp morning. However, I must say it was not nearly as fun running alone as it is running with Jen! Despite the lack of company, I made it. I can't wait until I'm back in town, and I can have an encourager by my side!

~AMH~

Hm....

I heard that running was 90% mental, but that must only be for those who already eat and poop regularly on their own.

--JB--

Freedom

The Lord is teaching me to run with freedom and not fear. I shiver at the thought of making a wrong stroke with the brush, but God shows me that He is the Artist and Painter of my life. What looks like a mistake on the canvas is truly the beauty of a larger picture that I have yet to see. It comes down to Trust.

Landscape
I get caught up in the details.
The big picture escapes me
And Perfection drives my mind.

Freedom calls, but I freeze.
One foot forward is all it takes
But I fear a mistake.

It's only a brush stroke.
Yet the flowers bloom and unfold
As the layers come in view.

Philippians 3:12-14
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

~AMH~

Rest...

Matthew 6:34

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

This is an important week for us, because it builds up the stamina we need to continue in the training next week as we build more mileage into the workouts we do. 3 miles lurks there on the horizon...and will remain there for quite sometime...

But for now (and this morning!) it was great to sit and warm ourselves by the Fire!!!

--JB

After the 2 Miler

Another Day

Today:

~~~> My hands did not fall off from numbness...oh the art of wearing gloves, what a difference they make!

~~~> Again, the Lord continues to surprise me with joy and peace in our running conversations! I'm not sure I could have asked for a better running partner. He continually shows me His face and reminds me of His goodness.

~~~>Last but certainly not least, I have to agree with Jen in that running regulates many things in your life...and for that, I am thankful! ;)

~AMH~

We Made It!

Aw Yeah!

All I have to say is that it's 8am, and if that's all I accomplish today, it's still a good day! We ran hard (for us!) and we ran well (continuously!).

Now for the morning poo! You become regular in many areas when exercise gets thrown into the mix.

If that's TMI you probably shouldn't read the blog anymore. This is fair warning!

--JB--

At the Lion's Gate

New Every Morning

The second day of training, 3 miles, was very refreshing! Jen listened to me blab my mouth for the first mile and a half, which I'm thankful for because it distracts me from the actual run! As Jen and I rounded the corner to the Lion's Bridge, we saw the beautiful sunrise and gorgeous colors reflecting onto the river and my heart leaped with joy! It was the perfect picture of His love! I'm so thankful that God does not run out of mercy for us...He doesn't tire of us, even when we our tired of our own mistakes and downfalls. Thank goodness for God's grace!

"Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

~Lamentations 3:22-24~

~AMH~

Crack of dawn...

Zeph. 3:17...

The LORD your God is in your midst,

A victorious warrior

He will exult over you with joy,

He will be quiet in His love,

He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy...

That was a straggling, ragamuffin type of run. But I did it.

Angela on the other hand is born to run. :) In her deep kindness, she slows down when she runs with me, and I get to breathe. I run just hard enough to where I can grunt out short phrases while she is speaking. I'd much rather listen anyway, especially because it's Angela!

The best part of the run this morning was waking up in the dark and realizing I didn't have to run alone.

It is getting easier to breakthrough the shell of inconsistent, fearful indifference.

And, like the little spot at the bottom of a boiled egg, there is only enough air to peck my way out, and not enough to remain.

First day in training!

2 miles today!