Focus on task at hand!

In a little over 16 hours, I will be doing something that I have never done before ~ a 1/2 marathon!  If you had said a year ago ~ Hey, Beth, in Oct of 2011, you will do a 1/2 marathon ~ I probably would have spewed Dr. Pepper out of my nose!

This was me with Aaron Solomon a little over a year ago!

A year ago, I was not exercising so NO muscle tone, about 35 pounds heavier, and about 3 (maybe 4) sizes bigger!  This has been a tough years in so many ways.  So many obstacles have been at every turn.  And even a few obstacles placed by the most unlikely people?  But thru it all, I have tried very hard to be completely focused and very honest with myself!  When I look at the 35 pounds lost, at first, I was completely bummed that the number had not been moving cause after all I was raised to think that whatever number is on the scale is the gospel truth!  My great friend, Trenda, reminded me one day ~ don't get hung up on the scale number ~ muscle weighs more than fat and GIRL you have converted!!!  I love that I have friends around me that not only encourage me but will be honest with me!  I know I have a ton of work to do to get to my goal but I am on the right path.

That path began last January with a phone call from a good friend, Jennifer Boyd, and I have not looked back.  When I started walking(really walking) in March, I could not believe how hard it was!  But I pushed thru it!  By May 5, something came over me, and before I knew it I was signed up for the Murfreesboro Middle Half.  Well, in May ~ October 15 seemed like FOREVER! And now it is HERE!!!  In May, I was completely worried at what I read ~  15 minute Mile ~ at the 6 mile mark by an hour 1/2 after start ~ if not get on cart and don't cross finish line ~ OH MY GOSH was I prepared for that!  Was I crazy! So I clicked submit and have not looked back!  Then my sweet daughters said hey we will do it with you!  Then my sweet friend Annie (who just did a FULL marathon last Sunday) said, I will stay with you ~ we will get you to the 6 mile mark!  SO again I focused on the task at hand and on my long day I went 10 miles, not even really trying to do it in a time limit, in 2 1/2 hours ~ a 15 minute mile!  And my daddy talked to me thru mile 8 & 9 ~ and KNEW ME!  (another story) 

So the past several weeks, my focus has been to get my 15 minute for sure mile down and I have!  My best mile has been 12.70!  So now my goal is about a 13 minute mile average and to not only FINISH my FIRST 1/2 Marathon but to come in at or under 3 hours!  (My Birthday Goal is 1000 miles! As of today, I have logged 460 miles since mid March!  But I must focus on the task at hand!!!) 

OH MY GOSH~ I have a bib number with my name on it!!!

And the other two ~ they are AMAZING!!!

My Daughters INSPIRE me!

Which Wolf Will Be Fed?

Funny how words, out of the blue, speak to you at the exact moment!  I am teaching a Bible Class at church on Wednesday night for the youth girls.  Today in my devotional study for the class, I found this...

~In a Native American proverb, a father while training his son tells about the battle that goes on inside everyone's head.  The father says, "My son, that battle is between two wolves inside us all.  One is weak.  It is jealousy, distraction, sorrow, regret, arrogance, inferiority, fear, and self-pity.  The other is strong.  It is joy, love, hope, focus, kindness, compassion, confidence, and peace of mind."  The son thought about it for a moment and then asked his father, "Which wolf wins?" The father simply replied, "The one you feed".~

As a parent, we try hard to help our children feed the stronger wolf.  I would say it is very fair to say that all parents want their children to achieve their potential as well as succeed in life.   The problem lies with the fact that because of our own wolves, we sometimes feed the weaker one therefore, we don't quite get how to show our children how to feed their strong wolf. 

The girls and I have LOTS of time to chat in the car, and I am so grateful that they are so willing and comfortable to want to talk to me.  In those chats, I try very hard to look for teachable moments.  Sometimes it is easier than others.  Funny how sometimes, they can say the "lesson" before I can, which tells me they get it and are listening! 

So today, I can truly see an opportunity to ask my daughters a very simple question~Which Wolf Will Be Fed?

 

Mary Lane and Katherine's last 'boro tri!

The 3rd Annual Try Boro Kids Triathlon was held on August 27, 2011 at Sports*Com in Murfreesboro, TN.  This was Mary Lane and Katherine third and final appearance in this event.  Mary Lane finished 33:31 and Katherine finished 34:34, which was personal best times for both of them!  Mary Lane is very inrested in doing more!  Katherine....might need a little more time to think that one over.  Regardless, they are amazing little athletes and so proud of what they have already achieved!!!! 

 Katherine coming out of the water.  She was the second one in the water.

 Rachel coming out of the water.

 Mary Lane coming out of the water.

Nicole coming out of the water.

 Girls in the transition area getting ready to ride almost 5miles.

 Mary Lane and Katherine in the in the final lap of biking

 Eli got into the water first, first into biking, and now first into the running!  GO ELI!

 Rachel coming out of transition to finish up her run! 

 Mary Lane coming out of bike transition ready to run!

 Katherine on her heels!

 And Nicole on Katherine's heels.

 Mary Lane finishing up! 

 Nicole right behind Mary Lane!

 Katherine just finished!!!

Rachel took first in the 13-14 girls and Mary Lane took 3rd!

Way to go girls!!!