Oh...the long run

Lately when I am asked how the marathon training is going, I proudly say that I have finished my long run.  I did it- 20 miles finished, done, adios. 
***There are NO pictures to document this run- you won't want to see them- it was not a pretty sight!

Now you are probably thinking- WAIT, you still have 26.2 miles to go.  You still have one more long run.  Yes you are correct BUT the conditions of this next long run will be much more favorable.
Let me explain...

First, I have been running the majority of my long runs after 8 am in hot, sunny Florida.  The temperatures have been consistently in the low 90s with lots of humidity. 

Second, most of my runs have been solo and at times even without my music.  I have developed a love/hate relationship with my IPhone- it seems to not want to work when I have to complete a long run.  I wasn't able to play my music for my 18 miler- the same thing happened to me with the 20.  So unfortunately I had to run both of these runs without music which was a mental challenge to say the least.  BUT I am doing this for pleasure- some people in other countries have to cover many miles to get water, food, etc.  I am doing this for pure enjoyment- HA!

Lastly, Florida running is flat, flat and again- flat.  There are no hills. Personally I think that my legs work better for long distance runs when there is some variation in elevation. 

But New York City- the city that never sleeps- will be a whole lot different than my training runs. 

First, New York City weather shouldn't be hot or humid.  It might be cold but I won't have to battle the humidity.

Second, I will be running with my husband PLUS 50,000 other people.  PLUS there will be a ton of spectators and other sights & sounds to keep my mind from focusing on mile after mile.  Even if my IPhone chooses to not work the day of the marathon, I should be well entertained for the 26.2 miles.

Lastly, New York City is not flat- we will have hills to climb and bridges to cross.  The terrain might be a challenge since I haven't been training for hills but it will at least be an interesting course.

So with 3 1/2 weeks to go, I have to continue to run injury-free, pick out my race day outfit, and enjoy my taper phase of the training.

 I have lots to figure out before heading to the Big Apple-

• pre-race food
• race food
• post-race food (beer)
• cold weather outfit
• cool weather outfit
• not sure the weather outfit

Right now I just need to keep my eye on the prize which is to finish this race and to continue to run the daily race set out for me by God.  He is the giver of good and perfect gifts- 
James 1:17 "Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens."

Jenny

RUNNING after the Romans 12 life

My church's Women's Bible Study Facebook page is participating in a daily devotion from YouVersion.com.  The devotion we are currently reading as a group is called "Soul Detox". 

Today's devotion was about the toxins in our life that affect our relationship with God.  We read Romans 12:1-21 which is an awesome passage- packed with lots of real life application for living a Spirit-filled life.

So I began thinking-  I want to live a Romans 12 life- really live it out in my day to day relationships.  So I came up with a list- a Romans 12 to-do list! 

1. God's will and the world's will clash- they can not co-exist. (v.1-2)
2. I need to ask myself daily- is "this thing" good for me, acceptable for me, and perfect for me?  If not, then it needs to go. BUT in the process of eliminating my own toxins, I can't think too highly of myself or judge others because God deals with each of us on an individual basis. (v.3)
3. Use the spiritual gifts God has given me to serve Him and others. (v.4-8)
4. Let my love be true- Hate evil- Cling to goodness. (v.9)
5. Be devoted to others- be willing to yield to others.  (v.10)
6. Enthusiastically serve the Lord. (v.11)
7. Rejoice in hope, Persevere in trials, PRAY-PRAY-PRAY. (v.12)
8. Practice hospitality- be willing to roll up my sleeves and help. (v.13)
9. Bless those who are mean to me- actually pray that God will bless them. (v.14)
10. Be happy with those who are happy and cry with those who need to cry. (v.15)
11. Live peacefully with everyone- don't be too proud to hang out with all types of people. (v.16)
12. NEVER pay back evil with more evil- period. (v.17)
13. "Do all that I can to live in peace with everyone" (NLT) (v.18)
14. Leave room for God to intervene- instead if my enemy is hungry, feed him- if my enemy is thirsty, give him a drink. (v.19-20)
15. Don't let evil overcome me but overcome evil by doing good. (v.21)

My prayer is that this speaks to your heart and helps you to see the benefits of living a Romans 12 life.  Not a perfect life but one that is running after God's principles for your life.

So what about you?  How has scripture influenced your daily life?

Jenny