How to run 20+ miles with a smile

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I prepared all week for Saturday's long run. 20 miles.
I hydrated, ate clean, fueled up with Ultra Fuel, and got good sleep.
The plan was to run 6 miles on my own starting at 5:30am and then meet Angie at her house at 6:30am.
We have a 14 mile out and back that we really like. It has a good combination of hills and straightaways. Before the run I drove a cooler with iced towels, gatorade, and water to the half way point. Best idea EVER!

The run started well, I left a little late, so I was only able to get 4 miles in before meeting Ang.

6:30AM: 80 degrees already.  I knew it was going to be a scorcher.

Mile 6.4: Garmin died. Not a problem. Ang had her Garmin.

Mile 7: Stopped at the cooler. Thank God for the iced towels and coooold water! I don't know why I haven't done that earlier!?

Mile 12: I pulled ahead of Angie. She still running strong, but without my Garmin I decide to just listen to my body.  I felt like I was running about a 9:30 pace. My goal pace for long runs is between 9:45-10:00, but even with my garmin it's hard for me to keep that pace.  I usually end up around 9:30per mile. 

Mile 17: Back at the cooler. It is HOT! Some of the rubber on the bottom of my shoes actually melted off.

Mile 20-21: Temperature 89. The last leg of the run is done in our neighborhood. I no longer had Garmin, so I just kept running.  I knew that I was going over 20, but I wanted to make sure that I didn't shortchange myself.   I drove the course later and it said 21 miles. 
I jogged back to Angie's house when I was done and she had an ice cold chocolate milk waiting for me. What a great friend!

I have to say this was one of the hottest, but BEST long runs I have ever done. The reason?  I stopped focusing on myself around mile 6 and started focusing on God. The majority of the run I focused on God's goodness, how He has blessed me, and the change He has made in my life.
When I would start feeling fatigue, or a sore muscle, I could think about how my life used to be...and smile because of where it is now. 

•I am blessed with a husband who is faithful, kind, and a man of integrity. 

•I am blessed to have kids who love the Lord and aren't ashamed to pray out loud. My three year old can pray heaven to earth!

•I am blessed to have a family of friends that build me up and encourage me.

•I am blessed to have a job that allows me to serve God. 

•I am blessed with new doors of opportunity everyday!

•I am blessed because I know God has a special plan for me and my family. A good plan! God's word says in Ephesians that God will do "exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think"

 Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

Now that is something to smile about!

Have you counted your blessings lately? If not, you should! Do you have enough blessings to get you through 20 miles?

Grace and peace,

READ MY STORY OF HOPE HERE

Touch and Go

First off, I want to thank every one who has entered the giveaway already!! I am in awe at the overwhelming response!  If you haven't entered the iFitness & GU giveaway yet, there is still time!  You can enter until Wednesday 3/31.

Update on mileage

My goal for this month was 100 miles.  Today (before my run) I have 79.7 for the month.  I'm not going to meet my goal..:(  Time has not been on my side lately and I missed two runs last week.  Today I will get in 6 and tomorrow 5. It should bring my monthly total to 90.7.....soooooo close!!!
I just can not squeeze in anymore miles....

Blessings
This week my "daycare" situation fell through, so I have been taking off to check out other daycare centers and interview people to keep the boys at my home.....if any of you have ever been in this situation then you know, it is not easy nor is it an enjoyable situation to be in.  Thankfully, I have an employer who also happens to be my Pastor(I work at my church) who is very understanding and I don't get penalized for missing work. 
Child care is outrageously expensive! 

Blessing #1, I found someone that the boys like, to stay with the boys after school.

Blessing #2 I was planning on leaving work early again today to check out a couple more places for Littlest Prince.  When I got to work this morning, Pastor told me he wanted me to start taking off everyday at 2:30pm so that I could pick my boys up from school and be with them and it would not affect my pay......WHAT!?  Praise God!!!
If I wasn't emotionally retarded I would have cried.

Blessing #3: Little Prince and Middle Prince were accepted into a day camp program for the summer!  They super excited!

Blessing #4: Ok, so it hasn't happened yet, but I am expecting this blessing.  I'm going today to look at a child care center for Littlest prince.  He has never been in public child care, the place I'm looking at usually has a 3 month wait....I need it by next Monday.  So I am believing he gets in!

What are you thankful for today?  
How have you been blessed?

If you're new to my blog, welcome! If you're not new, thanks for stopping by!  I love reading your comments and feedback!

Grace and peace,