Baby it's cold outside

It's official. I've felt this way for a few years now. I was made for the sun. I was supposed to be born in Cali. I love the sun even if my extra fair skin needs to be plastered with SPF 30 or higher. I just want to be outdoors. Seeking adventure. Enjoying solitude. Mastering surfing. Hiking up a mountain. Drinking coffee and eating ice cream with friends. Laying by the pool or better yet ocean reading a book, writing in my journal, playing volleyball. I simply want to be warm right now. Why I live in South Dakota is beyond me. Love the people. Love the summers. Love to leave for at least four months in the winter. Wish I was back in Arizona now.

26.2 in 4:46:22

It took a lot of preparation, many training miles, friends to run with, and fluid intake but I successfully completed my first full marathon! Sunday morning Nancy, Karen and I rode a shuttle from the hotel to the start line at 5:20 in the AM. I didn't sleep that night. The thrill of the race was overwhelming. After stocking up on Lara bars we huddled under the heater by the band to stay warm until the race began. I absolutely love the eclectic group of people who unite for the purpose of running. Races are a spiritual experience for me. The fans and runners cheering one another through the joy and pain of each step to the finish line. I think that God roots for us in the same way. Encouraging us to persevere through the difficulties in order to continue on for the glory of His Kingdom. I find that the pain is more tolerable with a smile. 

I was encouraged the whole way. Motivated by one man leading a blind man through the marathon, a woman who lost 139 lbs, a leukemia survivor, little kids holding out their hands for a high five, a crazy runner who stopped to dance with the bands along the way, free GU at mile 19, and friends and family whom I dedicated miles too. I ran, and ran, and ran and found joy in each step. A single arm in the air and we were greeted with loud cheers from strangers. The hope of finishing became a reality. As I took those last strides I was overwhelmed with emotions. The last mile I ran for myself. I kept praying, "Bring me home God. Bring me home." This resulted in me choking back my ugly cry in order to finish. The verse Joshua 1:9 beat in my heart, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be dismayed or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." On the home stretch I was greeted by a lady holding a sign that read, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I shouted out an Amen to her and joyfully ran through the finish shoot. It was the most rewarding feeling to have accomplished such a physically draining and demanding run.

The ladies were passing out the medals and I bowed my head before them so they could put it around my neck. I didn't have the strength to do it myself. This also made me feel like an Olympic athlete. I then requested to stand on a box, be handed a beautiful bouquet of exotic flowers, and have my national anthem played. D. E. N. I. E. D. 

Running is an addiction. I am eager to sign up for my next marathon, anticipate the training and am hopeful to beat my time. I know this addiction doesn't seem normal. But, I've never been  fond of normalcy anyways. 

"Believe you can do it. Think no other way but 'Yes you can.' The human body is capable of considerably more physical endurance than most of us realize."

- Paul Reese

Did you know...

A goldfish's attention span is three seconds. (Mine isn't much longer.)

Animals that lay eggs don't have belly buttons.

Beavers can hold their breathe for 45 minutes under water.

Camels have three eyelids.

Bees are freaks. Check this out:

A honey bee can fly at 15 mph.

A queen bee can lay 800-155 eggs per day.

A bee has five eyes.

Mosquitoes are attracted to people who just ate bananas.

* More random facts to come in the future!

Why...

It's freezing outside, and that's not an expression. Reality check is that if you're outside today without gloves for 60 seconds you WILL have frostbite. FREEZING! I can't even remember what it feels like to be warm. 

This makes me ask a lot of why's. 

Why do I choose to live in the arctic tundra?

Why don't I move to a warmer climate? (I was made to live on the beach)

Why did my ancestor's stop in South Dakota and decide to flag the land?

I. Don't. Know. One thing is certain. Words cannot express the bitterness of this weather. It can only be described in the sound effects of chattering teeth, creaky car doors, and other 'cold noises.' It even hurts to breath outside.

* FYI: sound travels faster in the cold. 

Quick Update

I knew that I wouldn't be successful at posting regularly on this. A few things have happened since my last post. Please find them in bullet-point style below.

- I went galactic bowling with some friends a couple of weeks ago and happened to win a free game. If you get a strike when the 80s neon pin is in the center you score a free game. I went up to the desk to claim my prize. Enthusiastically I told the clerk what just happened. He didn't say a word. Looked to his right. Then to his left. Reached into his pocket and slid a red card across the counter towards me. I felt like it was a drug deal...

- Last week I almost hit a car and a house. I'm beginning to despise winter more and more. Why do I live in the arctic tundra by choice? Anyways, I was driving down the road to my garage and there is a curve I thought I wouldn't make. Not wanting to hit the cars I tried to slow down (I was only going about 15 or 20 anyways) without much success. In a last attempt I turned my steering wheel and was jolted into the driveway before the street parked cars. Fortunately there weren't any cars in the driveway. Scary!

- Last Tuesday I went to a Zumba class with some friends. Loved it! Recommend it to anyone. It's dance with a lot of hip movement. While in my heart I am Latina, my body movement begs to differ. Shakira said it best, "The hips don't lie..."

- We're less than one-week away from the marathon! This brings forth so many emotions. I am overwhelmed with excitement, fear, encouragement...and I love it! I keep praying for strength, endurance, perseverance and joy throughout :) I think I'm going to dedicate each mile to someone special in my life. Except the last mile. That one's for me.