Triathlon 2009 - a done deal!

This morning as the alarm went off at 5:00 am, I was quick to pray for God's grace to rain down on me. I did not sleep too well, nor did I sleep too well the night before. But, sleep or no sleep, I had committed to doing this team tri with my nephew's wife, Beka. She was going to be my runner after my efforts at swimming and biking were completed.

So, we met up, signed in, and had the number 74 written on our right arms and my right lower leg since Beka, as the runner, was to wear our number on her shirt. Her baby hadn't given her much sleep either, so we were set on just doing our best. Ready or not, I was there with a job to do! We prayed together and then I got focused!

My 300 yard swim felt pretty good. I felt as if I was holding back a little too much. I swam 7 seconds slower than my time last year, but I did better than my goal time so I was okay with it. The biking went pretty well and I'm happy to say I beat my bike time from last year! I only had one little issue in the beginning when I was going up the biggest hill of the course. My gears started messing up as I neared the top and I ended up having to walk my bike just briefly. My gears seemed to be cooperative the rest of the bike course. I was so thankful! Beka did an awesome job with the 5K run! Together we managed to place 6th out of a total of eleven teams and 2nd place among the female teams.

A year has gone by since I was in the environment of a competitive race. Being there quickly reminded me why I keep going back for more. I love the comradery, the energy, the determination, the endurance, and the encouragement that takes place and is experienced. When you are passed by another participant during the race, these phrases are commonly heard - "Great job, keep going!" "Way to go!" "You're doing awesome!" "You got this!" I love hearing others shout these words to me and I love saying them to those I pass by. I also love seeing folks go through the finish line. Since I'm not running anymore, I miss out on the joy of going through the finish line myself. But, my teammate gets to go through it and I get to be there at the last few yards cheering her on for a strong finish. I am always reminded that some day I will cross a heavenly finish line and Jesus will be there cheering me on for a strong finish. And until then, I must keep training my spiritual muscles. I can never quit implementing the spiritual disciplines in my life. The Word, prayer, fellowship with believers and connection to a local church, fasting, and witnessing must always be maintained in my life. Not for the sake of judicial standing before a holy God for Christ's work alone and my faith in Him has established that, but because these are the things that help my faith and knowledge of God grow and become stronger.

The triathlon is now behind me and I am relieved. The nerves that existed just yesterday and this morning before the event have disappeard. I am feeling tired and have a post tri headache. I'm resting and spending a day with my family. It has been a good day and I thank Jesus for the health and endurance He has given me to race for His glory!

"You're So Dedicated!" At least trying to be and want to be...

The other day when I hopped on my bike for a 15 mile ride, I heard some teen shout out these words to me as I passed by, "You're so dedicated!" It was quite surprising but very timely because it was hot and I was at about mile 11 and I had found myself slacking a bit. Hearing those words perked me up as thoughts of "how I try to be" raced in my mind. I picked up the pace of my peddling as I quickly looked back at the teen. I had seen this same teen at the beginning of my bike route and so, I guess when he saw me some 45 minutes later still peddling away, he just decided to bust out and say, "You're so dedicated!"

Naturally, my thoughts raced to the word "dedication" as I continued ride. I was actually trying to be just that...dedicated...dedicated to getting in a work out and dedicated to training for a triathlon. I was trying to be dedicated to keeping my body in some sort of decent physical shape. I was trying to be dedicated to doing something that would be healthy for me. I was trying to be dedicated to being a good steward of my physical side. Yep, I was trying.

As I thought of what it meant to be dedicated I thought of words with similar meanings such as devotion, faithfulness, commitment, loyalty, and perseverance. What great words - full of substance and quality! I definitely want to be these things and to have these qualities in all the meaningful areas of life. Dedicated to Jesus, dedicated to husband, dedicated to my calling as a mother, dedicated to my children, dedicated to my church, dedicated to my friends, dedicated to the ministry the Lord has called me to, dedicated to truth, dedicated to the gospel, dedicated to working hard in areas of homemaking and other service opportunities, dedicated to my elderly father, dedicated to my extended family, dedicated to seeking God through the disciplines of the Word, prayer, and fasting, dedicated to a life of education and learning, and dedicated to dying to self and carrying my cross.

I realize I cannot be dedicated to any of these things without the Lord extending His grace upon my life. As I think about the word dedication, I think my greatest comfort is that the Lord is actually dedicated to me in a way I cannot even fathom and desires to produce in me these things for His glory. In fact, I believe He wants to be able to shout out to all of His children at the finish line, "You've been so dedicated! Well done good and faithful child!"

MIA for awhile, but now it's been Back to Training!

Yes, I've been MIA (Missing in Action) for awhile. Missing that is from writing on this blog, and I must confess, missing from doing much biking or swimming from December 2008 to April 2009. Though, I do have a good excuse. I have been involved in another kind of training. Training that involves saving the lives of unborn babies. It has been an exciting adventure and I praise the Lord for allowing me to step up the pace in my prolife ministry involvement. During my MIA months, I received training in Obstetrical Ultrasounds through an organization called Alliance For Life in order to perform ultrasounds for pregnant women. I began volunteering at a local Pregnancy Resource Center last summer and they were needing RN's to do ultrasounds. So, believing this was part of God's path for my life, I began the process of training. Since my training I have performed nurmerous ultrasounds on women with unplanned pregnancies. It has been a joy to see life and a greater joy when a woman sees her baby for the first time thanks to this fantastic piece of medical equipment and chooses to keep her baby. I am truly priviliged to be a part of this important ministry. I wish I had time to write more about what my awesome God has been doing in my life and in my family. He is truly good and more faithful than I deserve.

Of course, I can't be MIA too long. Exercise is too much a part of who I am and what I love. So I hit the pool again in April and then began biking in May. I have been pretty faithful going to the pool and swimming 1 mile each time I go which is 2-3 times per week. I've also been biking 2-3 times per week. It's a hilly course and I ride between 10-15 miles at a time. They are fast miles -I'm riding hard and keeping my heart rate up.

On July 27th I finally found someone who could be my runner in the annual summer triathlon I've been doing for years. So I am officially registered for the Tri (300 yard swim, 18 mile bike, 5K run) and am stoked about it! It keeps me accountible and faithful. I have to bike now and I have to swim now. No MIA allowed! So the training continues for the race is on and awaiting! "Everyone who competes in the games excercises discipline..." 1Corinthians 9:25