30 days and counting for Vicki's next race...A BIG one!

A note on our latest running adventures:

Vicki has 30 days until the Seattle Rock 'N Roll Marathon! It's coming fast, fast, fast! and she's doing great! I'm so proud of her for pushing hard to be at her best to run this incredible course with an incredible amount of people. 28,000 people are registered this year.

(This image is from the starting line of last year's race....WOW! And this year, it's way bigger!!!)

If you see her or talk to her, CHEER her on! It's a big race for her and we're all excited to be her support crew! Go VICKI Go!

"...let us encourage one another - all the more as you see the Day approaching." ~ Heb. 10:25

-----------------

For those of us who have never run an actual marathon (me included). . . .

Have you ever considered or wondered what it would be like to prepare and then actually run in one? Since I've never done one before and am now committed to run my first full marathon in October with Vicki in Victoria, B.C., I've been studying up on how to train. In the process, we ran across a movie at the library that both Vicki and I found captivating. It's called "The Spirit of Marathon."

The setting is the very popular Chicago marathon and movie's main characters are actual runners who range from professionals racing to win to people who run for the exercise and personal challenge. The filming starts with about 4 months to go before the race and it highlights all that these participants do to prepare themselves to compete at their highest level. The tagline that grabbed my attention was this "When you cross the finish line, it will change your life, forever!"

For us, it was a real inspiration and we recommend you watch it if you're at all interested in running races (or competition of any kind).

We've attached a trailer if you're interested in checking it out.

If you do see the movie, we'd love to hear your feedback about it.

http://marathonmovie.com/pages_film/film_trailer.html

BTW.....Thanks to all who have shared in our blogging journey so far. We've really enjoyed hearing from you and it's been great to know that you keep coming back to read our ramblings about the course of life the Lord has given us. We hope you find encouragement and inspiration from it, while keeping up with our family! We've enjoyed sharing....Until next time!

Running on course for Him -
Jay, Vicki, Hannah and Grace

Logging In the Miles

Well...this week has been interesting for running because it has been raining here like CRAZY!!! I mean...CRAZY!!!! So...this has put me on the treadmill for miles and miles of running. Not necessarily my favorite thing to do- but I am thankful for a treadmill =)! It's been testing my mental discipline!

The Seattle Rock n' Roll marathon is just about a month away! Yahoo!!! There are 28,000 people signed up to run either the 1/2 or full! I've been in big races before- but this one is by far the biggest one! It's going to be CRAZY! I mean...CRAZY!!!

Speaking of "CRAZY" check out the elevation chart for the race:

If you are wondering...yes it's the green course...and yes it is hilly! And yes...if you are thinking it...so am I...that's CRAZY!!!! =) And now I am wondering...am I CRAZY? lol =)

So, anyway...I've been running with the course map imbedded in my mind...thinking through some strategies for running those hills and finishing strong. It's going to be tough...but I am totally trusting that Jesus will give me the strength to run for Him.

I have another marathon in October, in Victoria, BC with Jay=)! Yes...Jay is going to run a marathon=)!!! More on that later!

I was thanking God the other night- that I can run- and how much I enjoy it- but that I don't want my love for running to be above my love for Him.


A person I find great inspiration from is Eric Liddell. He loved God and was a runner- an awesome runner...and he was fast!!! You might know him from the movie "Chariots of Fire". I love this quote from him ,"I believe that God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast. When I run, I feel His pleasure."

I love that Eric knew God made him for a special purpose. What motivated Eric was his love for Jesus...that's why I think he felt God's pleasure when he ran. He was all about running for God's glory- and not his own. Eric later went on to be a missionary to China-after winning the Gold in the 1926 Olympics. He stopped competing in races- and ran after people to win them to Jesus.

You and I are made for a purpose. Isn't that awesome? That purpose is realized when we're on the right "Course". Jesus said that "He came that you might have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). The "abundant" life- is a life with purpose-and fulfillment found in Him, and through Him.

I want to run well on the "Course" of life God has laid out for me. I want God to be glorified in my life and for others to see Jesus in me.

Sometimes those life "hills" can be so tiring, discouraging, and disheartening- but as long as I'm running with God- He's going to get me up and over those "hills". I just want to encourage you- don't give up...don't give up...don't give up on the "hills", they won't last forever! Stay on the "Course" even when it looks like it would be easier to get off and quit! God is good- He is faithful- He hasn't forgotten about you- He is in control- He has a purpose for the "hills".

Well, that's it for now...just some of the thoughts I've been having on the treadmill this week=). If you think of it- pray for me...I've got an 18 miler this Saturday...rain or shine!

Thanks for being on the course with us! We are grateful for you=)

Running In His Footsteps-

1 Cor. 9:25
Jay, Vicki, Hannah and Gracie=)

We Finished "The Half" - TOGETHER!

We did it! And we did it TOGETHER!

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work." - Ecclesiastes 4:9

Vicki & I finished the 1/2 Marathon today in 2 hours 39 min. It wasn't a record-breaking time but fairly decent when considering it was
my first 1st half.

Today was also Vicki's Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VICKI! And WHAT a way to start the day!

Our race started promptly at 7:45 am and we were off and running. It was so much fun to be running together. Vicki, being a vetern runner, said that this course was a pretty tough 13.1 miles. She was such an encouragement to me as we kept pushing on and on past each mile marker. She also was so patient to stay with me the whole time as she easily could have gone faster. (Thanks Sweetie! You're great!)

As we got closer to the end, it was tough to keep going, but together we just kept running and running. Once the finish line came into sight, Vicki and I put it in full throttle and sprinted to the end. What a thrill! And to top it off, Hannah & Grace along with our close friends, Ron & Drena Scott were cheering us on at the end! What a great sense of relief, accomplishment and joy!

(And let's not forget the sore muscles too!)

It was great to finally accomplish the task that we set together earlier in the year! And thank you for all your support and prayers. It's been so fun to share this stretch of our journey with you.

Running on course for Him alone! And looking forward to new adventures ahead. . .

Next up: Vicki's preparing to run the Seattle Rock 'N Roll Marathon on June 26th! Go Vicki Go.....Until Next Time. . . . Jay, Vicki, Hannah and Grace

3 Days to go!!! We're getting excited...

Wow.... We can't believe that the race is only 3 days away!!! How time flies when you're having fun. It's beautiful here today (70's and sunny)...we're running this afternoon for sure.

We thought you might like to hear from another member of the family...Gracie!

Gracie is 9 years old- in 3rd grade and just finished her first book- which we just got published with "My Publisher"! It's pretty cool!

She wanted to say a few things to you today...

"It's been so much fun to ride my bike along side my mom and dad. I love to cheer mom and dad on while they run! I think that they will do great! I'm excited that the race is only 3 days away. On Friday last week (5/7/10) I biked 16 miles with my mom. It was fun but I was a little sore afterwards. Everytime I go biking with mom and dad, I see so many interesting things.


For instance, last Friday I saw 7 baby geese with their mom and dad. I also saw tons of baby calves and they were so cute!!! And I saw buffalo...yes buffalo! They were huge!!! Anyway, I'm very excited about the race! My parents call me "the support team"=)! I like that. I'll have to tell you more about the book I wrote next time I get to write on the blog. I worked really hard on it all school year! =) "

Well, that's it for now...

Gotta hit the road!

Running In His Footsteps,

Jay, Vicki, Hannah and Gracie
1 Corinthians 9:25

7 days and counting to our 1/2 marathon!

Only 7 days to go and Vicki and I will be running the 13.1 miles together in the Capital City Race in Olympia! We are both looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity to share in the event together.

Our training has been going well. Yesterday (Friday) we were able to go the distance on our long run! It started out a very nice afternoon but by the time we finished, it was windy and cloudy, with lightning and thunder! Vicki ran a whopping 16+ miles and I was able to go 11 miles. I think we're physically ready. But for me, I'm now learning how important the mental part of running is to be successful.

Honestly 5 years ago, I would never have dreamed of running in a race like this. However, I must admit that after watching Vicki over the years build up her running endurance and miles, I continually have been inspired and challenged by her. (If you didn't know, Vicki is slated to run in the 2nd Annual Rock 'N Roll Marathon (26.2 miles) in Seattle on Sat. June 26 with 28,000 other people. How fun will that be. This will be her 2nd full marathon! Wow! Go sweetie! Go! )

But now, after training for the past 16 weeks to prepare myself for our 1/2 marathon, I 'm starting to understand the mentality of a runner. I've been told it's 40% physical and 60% mental. I believe it!!! To demonstrate what I mean, I'll give you an example of what I'm thinking when I run ...."Just one more mile....push, push, push....10 more minutes!...come on, you can do it!.......1,2,3,4, go, go, go.....keep going....don't stop.....focus, focus....ignore the pain, keep going......I'll keep running until I get to those trees....ok I'm there, don't stop GO further" It goes on and on.... But I must admit that there is something special about pushing yourself to your limit and then going even further..... It's a great thing! And what gets me...... I'm liking it!

In the past, I'd cheer Vicki on as she ran her races. But, now it's changed! I have the opportunity to spend time with my favorite person in the whole world (aka. my wonderful wife) and our girls who ride their bikes alongside us as we run in the wonderful setting of WA state. Secondly, I'm getting GREAT exercise! What more can I say!

Thank you Vicki for being an inspiration to me! I can't wait for next week! 7 more days!!!

Also I want to say to Vicki....HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
You are truly a GREAT Mom and I'm so thankful to God for you!

I LOVE YOU!

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies...a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised!" Proverbs 31

Be looking for blogs from Hannah and Gracie in the future!

Running In His Footsteps ~ Jay