Mind Over Matter

For those of you that know me well, you know I hated running! I actually made fun of people that woke up at 5am on the weekend to run. In my mind, "those people" (as I called them) didn't have a social life! I'm sure many of you non-runners can relate. 

 Then along came my dear friend, Mitzi Espino. Mitzi spoke to me about something called the "Color Run." For those of you unfamiliar with what that is, it's a 5k (3.1 mile) race where people dress up in all sorts of bright colored costumes, run around a park for 3 miles, while music is blaring and colored powder is being dumped all over them. Hence the name: the "Color Run" aka the happiest 5k on the planet. I told her, "I don't run!" But, because this sounds more like a party than a run, I'll do it! Little did I know, that was the beginning of a year full of so called "fun runs." 

The runs ranged from 5k's, to mud runs, to obstacle course races. Hey.... it was all in the name of fun and to support fundraisers, so I thought. 

The ultimate challenge came when again, my dear friend Mitzi, came up with another bright idea! "Let's sign up for a half marathon training program" she said. My reply, "you're crazy..... I can barely run 3 miles and you're asking me to run 13.1 miles?!?!" But guess what happened??? I signed up! :) LOL 

I had no idea how I was going to do it, but I determined to give it a try. Four months later, and a lot of 5am runs into it, I was able to complete a half marathon (13.1 miles). A year later, I ran a full marathon (26.2 miles). How did I do it you wonder.... I changed my mindset. My frame of thought went from "I hate running" to "I'm going to try my best" to " I can't believe I just ran a marathon!" 

But I could not have accomplished this alone. I had friends who challenged me, encouraged me, and coaches who guided me along the way. 

My advice to you today is: surround yourself with people who build you up, believe in you, and propel you forward into a greater destiny. 

Love, 

Jeanette,
An Athlete On A Mission

  Proverbs 13:20 ~ Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. 

Baby Steps

  In life sometimes we are faced with certain obstacles. At times there are so many of them coming at you at once, that it seems unbearable. I was faced with some of these unbearable circumstances a few years ago. I just couldn't seem to figure out how I was going to overcome them. That's when I realized I wasn't supposed to figure it all out alone. It took an overwhelming amount of weight placed on my back for me to discover I needed help! That's when I invited God into my life. That strong, independent girl that thought she had it all figured out needed someone to step in and take over. 

  I still wasn't sure how my problems were going to be solved, but I figured I had to begin by taking baby steps. I began by reevaluating my priorities in life. I decided to shift things around a bit. My new priorities became my Faith, my Family, and Fitness. I knew that in order for me to truly be that strong woman God created me to be, I had to be strong mind, body, and spirit. To me these things became all encompassing; I could not have one without the other. They were a package deal! I can honestly tell you that this has been by far one of the best decisions I've made. I encourage you to take time out today to reevaluate your priorities. It all starts by taking a few baby steps..... 

Love,

Jeanette 
An Athlete On A Mission 

  Hebrews 12:1-2 ~ Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.