Kentucky Derby Mini Marathon

Sometimes you have to travel through some valley's before you reach the top of your mountain.  This spring running season was full of valleys for me.  Heck, my entire "Half Season" has been ups and downs.  The good thing is I learn best when tested.  

Last November when I did my first half I learned training is key and what you eat/drink the week of matters.  I worked hard after the half fixing things that needed fixing.  I did a 15K on Valentine's Day that was amazing.  My best run so far, but woke up a couple days later with a sore leg.  The next weekend I ran a half.  It was a great half, but my hip injury really slowed me down the last 2 miles, but I managed to beat my time by almost 24 minutes.

The next two half's I did were not so good at all.  My hip injury really messed me up.  The lack of training made my knees week.  It was just not good at all.  It makes it hard to enjoy running when injuries slow you down and make you feel like all the work you have done isn't showing.  

I had 2 weeks between Bridge Street and Kentucky Derby so I only ran 2 short runs.  What I did do was strength train and walk.  I needed to get my strength back so my knees could last 13.1 miles.  The days before the run I ate right, drank my water and prayed a lot.

I was up early and doing my pre run ritual--a toasted plain bagel with peanut butter, WATER and a banana.  I taped up my knees, got my gear on and was ready to tackle this half.

WOW!  That was all I could say when I saw the amount of people running.  This was my biggest race for sure.  I was so nervous about the crowds.  One thing I did different was run with music.  I usually listen to music on training runs, but never for a race.  I thought it would be a good way to take my mind off the hip/knee pain if it got bad.  

Despite the amount of people the race start was really smooth.  The rain had held off so far, too.  I got my first mile done in 11 minutes so I was happy.  Mile 2 went great and around mile 3 the knee pain started creeping in.  I prayed and asked God to take the pain away.  To just remove it from me until the run was over.  I asked Him to be with me and give me the good run I had been needing.  Thankful He heard me and the pain subsided and I just kept going.  My goal was too keep each mile as close to 11:30 as I could.  I wanted to break my previous best time of 2:34:42.  What I really wanted was to break 2:30, but I was just taking it a mile at a time.

Around mile 3 the drizzle started.  It didn't bother me at all.  I had already shed my long sleeve because I was heating up so I knew the rain would help me stay cool.  One thing I don't like is getting hot.  During the first 3 or 4 miles I saw a man running barefoot.  I listened to him talking to another runner about how he always runs barefoot.  I also saw a woman running in pogo shoes.  There were so many people and it was tight the first few miles, but after that it thinned out.  I was thankful the entire street was blocked off for the runners.

It was a really great course and there were so many amazing people cheering us on and handing out water.  Not only the race water stations, but church's and frat's had set up water/fruit stations.  Music was playing and the people were so happy and positive.  

My favorite part was running through Churchill Downs and UofL campus.  It was so cool to see the race track and the horses that were practicing.  The campus was great, too.  By this time it was really raining, but it didn't bother me at all.  I actually thought to myself once "I could pee while running and no one would know because I am soaked".  haha!

Some pictures I took while running...

When I finished mile 10 in under 2 hours I realized I had a shot at beating my time.  I only wish I had run mile 9 and 10 a little faster and done a little less sightseeing.  Oh well!  My last 2 half's mile 10-13 were slow and painful, but not today.  God was with me and I would not fail.  I kept running faster and walking less.  My Galloway Method was so messed up, but I didn't care.  I was feeling good and just went with it.

I got very emotional the last 2 miles.  My heart was happy.  It was my best run ever!  Everything came together just right.  No one knew I had tears in my eyes for the rain so it was good.  I wouldn't of cared anyway.  I was on a runners high.

Crossing the finish line never felt so good!  My fastest mile was #13!  I had done it.  I had a fantastic run from start to finish.  Topped it off with a PR!  2:33:01

I got to hit the PR GONG!!! Made my day!

I also accomplished the Kentucky Half Classic.  By completing RunTheBluegrass and the Kentucky Derby Mini Marathon I got a 3rd medal that says I did 26.2 through Kentucky.  YEAH!  Love my home state and glad to have completed this goal.

Here is a breakdown of my half...

Thanks for stopping by and happy running!  

Liar Liar Pants on Fire

I have a tough shell.  It takes a lot for me to let someone in and truly get to know me.  I think my reason for this is because when I open the door I open it all the way so I want to be sure you are not going to hurt me.  I tend to feel to much, love to hard, care to deeply and forgive to easily.

Recently I started opening the door for someone despite what everyone was telling me and seeing the warning signs myself.  I tried to look past what I was told and form my own opinions.  I found that despite the issues this person had there was something there and it was slowly peeking through.  I actually was getting to a good place and feeling like things were starting to happen when a stupid lie made me slam my door shut real fast.  

Hearing other say things like I told you so or did you really think they would change was hard to hear.  I am usually a good judge, but I guess I didn't have the break through I thought I did.  I think the hardest part was the lie that was told was just so dumb and senseless.  WHY??? 

I have wondered the past couple of days what benefit would a person have for telling such a silly lie.  So I did some research on lying and found that there are two kinds of people those that tell little white lies and lairs.  Everyone has it in them to say that little white lie and when they do flat out lie they usually end up coming clean.  Habitual lairs on the other hand live in their own little reality.  The live a life full of deceit.  They are delusional.  A habitual liar is usually in love with themselves, a coward and has no real legs to stand on.

When I read this article I thought to myself seems like a pretty sad life.  I couldn't imagine.  Why would anyone want to live like this?  I just don't get what is so hard about telling the truth.  Especially when it is something so small.  Why lie and say you are going somewhere when you know you are not.  Why lie and say you went to Chicken Salad Chick when you actually went to Rosie's?  I just don't get it.

It's hard to close a door when you can see so much potential there, but sometimes you have to realize the battle is not ours.  All I can do is pray for strength in this struggle.

I love Pinterest!  Here are few things I found that I wanted to share...

What do you think?  Keep the door cracked or shut it and be done?  

I choose love!

What an amazing God we have!  I am so thankful for Him this week.  It has been so difficult to read and hear all the negativity this week.  Thankfully, my Bible study and daily Bible readings have helped me to know that God is love!

You see I live in Alabama and this week same sex marriage was legalized.   For me this was not a big deal at all.  I was fortunate enough to grow up with some amazing people that taught me to show love to everyone and judge no one.  One of my very best friends growing up happened to be gay.  We ended up going to Murray State and were together all the time.  Out of the blue he started pulling away from me and I couldn't figure out why.  One evening I went to see him and just asked if I had done something.  He sat me down and said I have something really important to tell you and I don't know how you will react.  I said give it to me and he said "I'm gay" and I was like "yeah I think have kinda always known that" and things went back to normal for us.  I begin meeting his new friends and hanging out with them.  I was so happy to see him happy and feeling accepted and complete.

Maybe I am lucky because I had a few close gay people around me growing up and I know that just as much I was into the opposite sex they were into the same sex and our brains were wired that way from the get go.  Because we were so close I could ask questions I wouldn't be able to ask a stranger and that helped me to understand.  You see as a Christian I understand that the Bible says homosexuality is a sin, but having a friend that is gay I was able to understand from his point of view and that helped me tremendously.  My friend explained that for as long as he can remember he was always attracted to guys.  I said but you dated so and so for how many years and he explained because that is what I knew I was supposed to do.  After our many talks things started to click with me.  Flashbacks from middle and high school all seemed to make sense and I gained much understanding.  

I guess you can say I see both sides.  I know where the Bible says its a sin and I accept that.  I also believe that my friend was born the way he is.  He even stated multiple times to me "do you think I want to be this way being hated and misunderstand like this.  It's just how I have always felt so for me it is normal". So how can I say he is wrong or judge him.

For me that is the big thing in all this.  I have no business telling him or anyone they are wrong or judging them no matter what the Bible says is a sin.  The Bible list a lot of sins, it also says all sin is created equal and that the only one who can truly judge us is God.

I think we could all take a lesson from the story in John 8 where the woman who was caught in the act of adultery was about to be stoned.  Jesus steps in and says to the crowd "let he who is without sin cast a stone".  EVERY person dropped their rock and walked away because they all had sinned.  

I think it is time we all drop our rocks and instead work on growing our garden.  As Christians we can be seed planters and seed waters.  We can plant a seed in someone's life or come along and water a seed planted by someone else.  One can't grow a garden if they are constantly judging everything in it.

Matthew 7:12 "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.  This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets."  I don't want anyone judging me so I try my best to not judge others.  Besides whatever I think doesn't matter anyway because I am not God.

Did you know that the phrase "love one another" is found at least a dozen times in the New Testament.  There is also an emphasis on LOVE in all 27 books of the Bible.  In Romans 12 starting at verse 9 Paul tells us to really love one another.  My study notes say Paul is telling us we need to love those inside and outside the church.  To have a sincere love for all.

1 John 4:8 tells us God is love.  He loved us so much that he sent his only son into the world so that we could have eternal life.  Jesus lived among us and endured an awful death just so that ALL our sins could be forgiven and we could have eternal life.

So yeah the bible does list a bunch sins that we all commit each day, but more and more I see where God is Love.  God is Light.  God is the one true King.  God is the only judge that matters.  So as Christians we need to drop our rocks, plant some seeds and water some gardens.  Leave the judging to God and just leave the hate altogether.

Yeah, I could be wrong, but when I get to Heaven and God questions me I want to say "I choose love and left the judging to you". 

No resolutions for this girl!

Happy Happy 2015 yall!

So hard to believe another year has gone by!  When you are little time takes forever and as you get older it just goes way to fast.  My guys and I went to Gatlinburg for Xtreme Winter and it was such a blessing.  A perfect end to a great year and a reminder to start each day with God just as we started 2015 with Him.

I don't see a point in making any resolutions I tend to not keep them, but I have decided to make goals for 2015.  Yes there is a difference between a resolution and a goal.  A resolution is a decision or determination; a resolve: to make a firm resolution to do something.  A goal is something you are trying to achieve or a desired result.  A few of my year long goals are...

1.  Spend time with God each morning.  I am not a morning person and usually get up with just enough time to get ready and grab breakfast as I walk out the door.

2.  End my day with God.  I usually study my lesson at night after everyone is in bed so this goal will be easy for me.

3.  I want to run at least 15 races in 2015.  

4.  Get to my goal weight and maintain it.  I am only 7 pounds away...

5.  Pray for things I can't change.  Things are always happening that make you feel for another person or want to scream at a person.  I want to learn to hold my tongue and say a prayer.

6.  Judge no one!  I am pretty good about this, but sometimes I still catch myself judging so I need to work on it more.  I may be wrong, but I really feel that no matter how we feel about something someone else is doing we should NOT judge them.  The bible tells us over and over to love everyone and judge no one.

I also want to do monthly goals.  I think this will help me reach some of my year long goals.

January Goals:

1.  Stick to my training plan no matter what.  No excuses!

2.  Run 58 miles

3.  Date Night

4. Lose 2 pounds

5. Have dinner together at the table at least 3 nights a week.  Between baseball practice and work schedules this has been difficult for us so I am making it a goal.  Family time is important.

6.  Deep clean a room a week

Do you have goals for 2015?  What are they?  Any advice for helping me maintain my goals?

So I run with purpose in every step. 1 Corinthians 9:26

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch- Changes

It's been a summer of changes for me.  I started off summer be signing up for my first half marathon and pushing myself to get back in shape.  I am ending the summer a little lighter, a lot healthier and with a new job!

I wouldn't say the running is getting easier, but that I am getting stronger.  I enjoy my runs more and more each day.  I love getting stronger and seeing the changes in my body.  I love taking in all the beauty around me when I make it outside for a run.

I have also taken advantage of our pool on cross training days.  I am loving swimming laps.  It gives the old knee's a rest, too.

Of course no summer could be complete without seeing my girls!  I have been friends with Kristie, Tracy and Brandi since the mid 80's.  We met when we were all between 9-11 years old and have been amazing friends all these years.  We were supposed to do the Foam Fest 5K while in Cleveland, but the race was cancelled so no run for us this time around.  We still had an amazing time!  Love you girls!

Oh yeah!  We all got these awesome tattoo's to signify our friendship.  We are always together, never apart.  Maybe in distance, but never in HEART!  I am purple, Kristie is pink, Brandi is green and Tracy is red.

The biggest change for me this summer is I GOT JOB!  I am no longer working as a full time substitute at Buckhorn.  This was a really big thing for me.  I have loved working where my boys are and have become so close to my teacher friends, but it was time to move on.  This week I started working at Wee.  It's a daycare and pre-k program.  I went from being around 12-18 year old's all day to babies!  I absolutely LOVE IT!  It's stress free, I am always smiling and the ladies I work with are wonderful.

So good bye summer break and hello to school and work.  Time to make the adjustments I need to so that I can stay on track with my running.  I can do it and I see greatness in my future!

"Your life doesn't get better by chance, it gets better by change."

-Jim Rohn

Church hunting...

Why is it so hard to find the perfect church?  I think it is harder than house hunting.   Yes it has be, because you "live" with so many more people.  I think my families biggest problem is that we were spoiled.  We had the best church back in Indiana and nothing has come close to replacing it.  It was the perfect size, our Sunday School class was fantastic, our boys loved it and it was just perfect.  It had it's moments like all church's do, but the people in the church made it great.

Our Sunday School class was a couples class and we had fun in and outside of church.  The guys all got along, us girls all got along, some of were parents, some of us weren't, but we all meshed well together.  I miss it still after 9 years.

We were going to a church here that we really liked and ended up joining.  We probably wouldn't have left the church had something not happened with my son and the youth program.  Feeling like you are wanted is very important so it was time to move on.  We found another church and were considering joining it and our boys loved the youth program and out of the blue the preacher announces that he leaving.  Here we go again.  We have been to a few church's and it seems like there is always something missing.  Great preacher, no youth, okay preacher, great youth, too big, too small and so on.

We are going back to a couple churches for another visit and hoping that something clicks with one of them. We want to find a church home so bad.  I know you don't have to have a church  home to be a Christian, but after missing it that last couple of years I know how bad I want and need it.  So my prayer is that we find a church home before the end of this year.  If you have a suggestion we would gladly take it...

The good ole days...

Remembering the story of how Kevin and I met brought me back to the good ole days of Murray.  Which meant I had to get out my old photo albums and even more memories started coming back.  My time at Murray State University was some of the best days of my life!  It was where I found myself, came out of my shell and starting becoming ME.  I met some amazing people, gained some forever friends, fell in love, got married and started a life with Kevin.

As the memories flood back I started making a list of my favorites and I want to share them with you.  I was at Murray from fall of 1993 to 1997.  Back than a lot of things were different.  For one Murray was dry so we had to go South for beer and The Apple.

• Going south to The Apple was just a right of passage and so much fun.  A bunch of friends in a car headed south for food, music and fun.  Plus, it was Kevin and mine's first date so it will always be a favorite.
• Wildcat Beach was the place to be once it started warming up.  Loved going with my girlfriends and spending the day tanning and chatting.
• Hungry Bear was the place to get breakfast in Murray.
• Thursday nights you better be at O'Charley's in Paducah listing to The Fuzzy Nuts.
• I loved hanging out with my sisters at the ADPi house.  I hate that we don't have a real house anymore, because that was the best back in my day.
• I remember going to a party of the old Sigma Chi house where they covered the floor with sand.  It was awesome.  The old house was the best!
• In 1994 the ADPi's won All Campus Sing when we did Annie.  It was fabulous!  I loved every moment of that day.  
• Speaking of memories I had some great times at a house on Farmer Ave.  
• I loved going to the football and basketball games, too.  Of course our basketball games were at the old Racer Arena.
• Who could forget going south to Taylor's to play pool.  The walls were covered with dollar bills.

I could go on and on, but I am sure your mind is racing now with memories of MSU!  Here are few pictures from the good ole days!  So now take a moment and leave a comment with some of your greatest memories of your days at Murray State...

Me, Julie and Raysha at Wildcat Beach

 My Alpha Class at the ADPi House

Raysha, me, Bonnie and Sandi

ADPi's at Watermelon Bust

'94 All Campus Sing

Shad, Tim, Kevin, Ken, Brad and Keith--awesome Sigma Chi's

 The Fuzzy Nights at O'Charley's on Thursday night

 ADPi's doing Annie 

 Brad, Kevin and Danny (haha--Danny makes me think of a certain song at camping trip with the Sigma Chi's)

 The awesome Raysha at Wildcat Beach

 Darla, Raysha and Me at O'Charley's

Greg and Me at O'Charley's

Thanks for stopping by and going down memory lane with me!  Check back soon for more about the amazing Fuzzy Nuts!  

Kelly Bea

...right in the middle of ordinary life

Yep, that is how it happened for me!  I truly believe it is the best way for it to happen, too.  What you ask?  LOVE!  I don't think it is something you should be out there constantly looking for.  I think you should be living your life, just being you and let it happen.  It shouldn't be forced or pushed it should just HaPpEn.

Don’t get me wrong I know you are going to be checking out people, making some googly eyes and flirting.  Just don’t approach every person as if this is the one and start dreaming of your future together, making list and all that stuff that we tend to do.  Think about it—how many times does that actually work?  So just go about your life.  Be you and let THAT person walk into your path at just the right time…

On a chilly day at the end of February 1995 I was leaving campus in Murray, Kentucky and headed over to my friend, Robby’s house to stay the night when he stopped me to let me know that he had to go out of town and I could still stay there, but I would be alone.  Usually that wouldn't bother me, but for some reason I decided I would stop by my friend, Julie’s apartment and see if I could crash with her.  She was closer to campus which would work better since my big test was at 8:30 the next morning.  Luckily, it all worked out for me to stay with her.

I was in the spare room studying for my huge anatomy  test when her neighbor, Bobby stopped by to let her know he was having a few of his brothers over for a little party to celebrate him getting President and we were welcome to come over.  There goes getting much studying done—NO I have to pass this test!  So, I shower put on an old jogging suit and hit the books.  After a while it gets loud in the apartment so I go out on the balcony where it is quieter and try my best to study.  That’s when it happened.  I see the boy walk up the steps wearing a Cincinnati Reds hat and his blonde hair coming out the back of the hat.  He looks right at me and I look right back at him and we have this tiny moment before one of us looks away.  After that I couldn't stop thinking about his amazing blue eyes or how cute his butt was in those Levi’s.  What is wrong with me?!?!  Just get up and go get another look, maybe talk to him, and get it out of your system so you can get back to it.  Oh my gosh, I look like crap!  Look at me—jogging suit, no makeup and I just let my hair dry natural.

Finally, I just go for it.  I go to the kitchen grab some liquid courage and someone I know that can tell me about the boy.  Within 15 minutes I am introduced to him.  His name is Kevin.  He is from Kentucky like me; he is a year older than me.  After a little small talk we go our separate ways, but he finds me later and we talk some more.  He lets me study for my test, but comes and talks to me again before he leaves.  He is gone.  Oh no!  I just met the boy I am going to marry and he is gone and I didn't get his phone number and he didn't get mine.  I failed my test the next day, too.

I went home and told my mom I met this boy and I think he is the one.  She laughed at me.  I told her I don’t know there is just something about him.  I felt drawn to him it was like nothing I ever felt before.  She laughed again.

A few days later I was back at school and Bobby saw me and invited me to Family Party Night at the Sigma Chi house.  He said someone really wanted to see me again.  So I grabbed a few of my sorority sisters and we went.  Kevin and I hung out on and off during the party and really had a good time.  He invited me and my sisters to come back to his apartment to hang out so we did.  That is when I found out he was a music man.  He and his buddy sat on the couch and he played guitar and sang “My Love” by Little Texas.  That is when he stole my heart.  He didn't just play the guitar and sing he poured his heart and soul into it and it was amazing.  To this day I never get tired of watching him sing and play.  Later that night he asked me out.  He was leaving for the beach for spring break, but said he would call as soon as he got back and we would go out.  I couldn't wait. 

The next week came around and I didn't hear from him.  I was devastated until I found out that there van broke down on the way home and they were stuck waiting on a part.  He called Monday afternoon.  We went out Monday night.  Our first date was to The Apple.  He was worn out, but he wanted to see me.  I was a happy girl.  At the end of the date I got the most amazing first kiss and promise of another date!

We were pretty much always together after that.  It was crazy because I had given up on guys.  I had been hurt by every guy I dated and was just done.  I was just going to go about my life and not mess with guys anymore, but when he walked up those steps and our eyes met something happened and I just knew.  He later told me that he knew, too.  So take my advice and just go live your life and let that person come along when the time is right.  You see how many things just fell into place for us to met--that is God!  Let Him work it all out in his time...

Stay tuned for more about my amazing guy this week!  I am celebrating him on this Father’s Day week!

Kelly Bea

Why yes, I am rich!

Don't you hate it when you hear people say:

• "Oh they got some money." 
• "Did you see what they bought they must be rich?"
• "Look at the house they live in."
• "Did you see that car they just bought?"

Drives me crazy because most don't have a clue!  Well, I am richer than I ever imagined I could be.  Sometimes I feel like I have more wealth than should be allowed.  How did this small town girl from Kentucky become so blessed to have all that I have?  What makes me so special?   Maybe it is how I measure my richness...

Aww, so that is why I feel so rich! 

I think I won my first lottery back in 1983 on a bus to Camp Linden.  I was a shy, scared and very nervous little girl headed off to camp for the first time ever and feeling like it was going to be awful.  Little did I know I would met two of my 3 life long best friends on that bus.  Kristie Leigh and Crazy Tracy became instant buddies of mine and we had one amazing week at Camp Linden.  Kristie and I even got to go back as camp counselors when we were 17-18.  What fun we had reliving the memories!  Here we are in 2013 and those two amazing girls are still my closest friends and true gifts from God!  We were blessed to add Brandi to the group a couple years later and the 4 of us have been making memories ever since.  Helen Keller once said "so long as the memory of beloved friends lives in my heart, I shall say that life is good".  So very true!

In February of 1995 a certain boy literally walked into my life and I have been getting richer daily since then! I was lucky enough to fall in love with an amazing Christian man who not only is my husband, but my best friend and father to our boys.  I can't begin to tell you how blessed I am that he is mine and I am his.  It's hard for me to even begin to describe what we have because it is just so spectacular!

Next came my two boys!  There is nothing greater than being the mother of boys!  If anyone was meant to have boys it was me and they have made me rich beyond my wildest dreams.  Carrying them in my stomach and feeling them grow was amazing, but having them here with me and seeing them grow up each day is indescribable.  There is not greater joy than being their mom.

I wish I had the time to write about each and every person that has made me rich--I would have to go back to the beginning with my family and the many awesome friends I have made through my life.  People who have touched me in one way or another.  You know those people that can do something so small, but it be just exactly what you need and you never forget them.  My 5th grade teacher Mrs. McNeely was one of those people and there was a bible study leader at Centrifuge.  I can see her face and remember how she touched my heart to this very day.  I have a few sorority sisters that will always hold a place in my heart.  I remember the first time I met 4 year old Shelby and the way she looked up at me with those big hazel eyes.  I loved that girl instantly and always keep her in my heart.  Little Catherine stole my heart when she was just 3 or 4 years old at VBS one summer!  Every summer she came to visit her Nana.  I remember swimming around the pool with her and one of our last summers together I was her camp counselor.  I left for college and didn't make it home as much, but she is one you could never forget!

So yeah, I am rich beyond my wildest dreams because it is the heart that makes a person rich and my heart is so full!    You may measure richness by material things, but they are just things that will never make your heart full...