Post-half marathon recovery week 2 (completed!)

Monday May 28th - 40 minutes --> Done = 3.22 miles in 40:00 (12:25 pace)
Tuesday May 29th - 40 minutes + Strength Training --> Done = 3.05 miles in 40:00 (13:06 pace) + ST and Core at Gym :)
Wednesday May 30th - 45 minutes --> Done = 3.28 miles in 45:00 (13:43 pace)
Thursday May 31st - 40 minutes + Strength Training --> Done = 2.50 miles in 30:00 (12:00 pace) + ST at Gym
Friday June 1st - 45 minutes --> Done = 3.53 miles in 45:00 (12:44 pace)
Saturday June 2nd - 40 minutes + Strength Training --> Done = skipped today
Sunday June 3rd - Rest Day --> Done = REST

Total miles =  15.58

Truth-Filled Thursday #2

My friend Brittany over at Three Years Down has recently started a weekly link-up she calls "Truth-Filled Thursday," in fact, this is her 5th week!

As Brittany says on her post... "The rules are the same as always - express his Word however you feel most inspired, be it simple text, a graphic or drawing. Include the button in your post." 


If you would like to participate in this link-up (which is awesome) go to her page and link-up. Let me know if you participate as I would LOVE to read your post!
 
The verse I would like to share this week actually just arrived in my Inbox from my church. They do a weekly email newsletter type thing and the subject of today's was "Reflection of Love"

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

I think this verse is such a fantastic one because it shows us that we need to love one another, it is definitely something that I aspire toward, especially since I am an overly jealous individual. 

25... The year that wasn't

Last night I was having trouble sleeping.

I kept thinking about the fact that I had 72 hours left of being 25 years old.

Over the past few weeks I have thought about how much I have not enjoyed my 25th year.

I have taken and failed the Oregon Bar Exam twice, and with that I have been stuck studying Oregon Law for an entire year, give or take a few weeks. I have lost friends due to untimely deaths, may you both rest in peace, Paola and Jennifer. Along with that I have had to watch friends going through such tremendous amounts of grief as these two girls were both taken from this world much too soon. I have had to go through the loss of one of my most favorite uncles, a caring, intelligent, loving, and wonderful man, my uncle Bud. I have had to watch Joe deal with the loss of his first grandparent, his grandpa Lee, a man who was always willing to lend a helping hand and who definitely is deeply missed. I have been jobless the entire year. I have had to help my father pack up an entire house due to foreclosure, when he should have had help from those who lived there with him.

I ended my 24th year graduating from law school. I thought 25 would be fantastic. It really hasn't. But I cannot simply leave this message with the bad, even though it has been predominant in my life.

There have been some good things happen this year. Joe and I have grown together even more. We have had to go through a lot of hard times this past year and I really think it has made our relationship stronger. I have been able to witness my sister becoming a wonderfully caring and loving mother to my niece. I have watched my parents become fantastic grandparents to my niece. I have watched my niece, Selena, grow and develop a personality. I have watched her become familiar with me and become a very loving girl. And lastly, I have watched myself grow in terms of strength and perseverance. I have been through the ringer. I have been worn down by life and the obstacles that I have encountered. But I have not given up. And I will not give up. I will not lay down and let these unfortunate circumstances win, I will overcome.

Here's to hoping that my 26th year is so much better than my 25th!

Women in the Word Wednesday - 2012 Summer Study Wk 3

Today I am linking up with Good Morning Girls for "Women in the Word Wednesday"

I cannot believe it's week 3 already!

Thursday, May 24th
- Proverbs 16:20
- Proverbs 28:25
- Proverbs 29:25

I really liked today's verses, while they weren't in Proverbs 31 they were all three about trusting in the Lord. I think they made a good addition to yesterday's verse about being a woman that your partner can trust. What I took away from this was that for us as women to be someone that our husbands can trust, and vice versa, we must first trust in the Lord. I think that is something I need to work on. Today I pray that the Lord will help me to trust in him and his plan for me and my life.

Friday, May 25th

Todays GMG assignment was to reflect on what we have learned thus far. I don't have much to add to what I have already emailed about, except that I am very excited to delve more into the Proverbs 31 woman. A lady commented on my blog recently to tell me that she thought it was neat that I was doing this study while I am engaged. And come to think of it, it is. I am learning the type of woman I should be, the type of spouse I should be to Joe and what better time than right now?

Anyway, I finished one of my other devotionals today. The two topics were Suspicious of Suspicion and The Mind of Christ. The main things I gathered from these devotionals were that we shouldn't believe in rumors and to not concern ourselves with what others "may' think of us. I know, easier said than done. But we do need to realize that when we get wrapped up in these suspicions its the Devil working in us. Lastly, in the Mind of Christ devotional I learned that we need to try to think with "the mind of Christ" which led me to think of What Would Jesus Do?

Monday, May 28th
- Proverbs 31:12
- 1 Kings 11:4
- Proverbs 31 book p. 8

"She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life"

In verse 12 we see that the Proverbs 31 woman is with her husband all of the days of her life. She does not leave him. She follows her marriage vows.

While I agree with the book mostly, I do not agree with the part on page 8 that says we must not attempt to lead our husbands, we must have them lead us. While I think this is good in theory, where I take issue is in my relationship where I am a devout Christian and Joe is not. Shouldn't I be leading him? Should I be following his non-Christian acts? I think not.

Tuesday, May 29th
- Proverbs 31:13
- Colossians 3:23
- Proverbs 31 book p. 9-10

"She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands."
Verse 13 shows us her work ethic, she works with eager hands.

I never really pictured myself as a "homemaker" but I suppose that is what I am currently since I am unemployed and Joe is the one who works full time. Reading the above verse and the assigned verse from Colossians 3:23 that states "work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people" got me thinking about my current "work". As of right now I am fully in charge of household tasks in addition to full time studying for the Bar. More often than not I dislike this position that I am in. I miss working at an actual job. Very very very much. I miss my financial independence. Very very very much. However, I know that this is what I have to do right now, until I pass the Bar and am able to have a paying job of my own again. Today I am praying that God will help me to have an eager attitude toward my work, that instead of dreading these daily tasks I will be excited and energized to accomplish them. A quote that struck me from the Proverbs 31 woman book was this: "God never condemns rest. He condemns laziness." I think that this quote goes far beyond just being busy and keeping a household, it can go to all aspects of one's life. I want to live my life with this quote in mind.

Wednesday, May 30th
- Proverbs 31:14
- Proverbs 9:1-2
- Proverbs 31 book p. 11

The focus of today was on the attributes of the Proverbs 31 woman to take care in the food and drink she presents and provides to her family and guests. Proverbs 31:14 says "she is like a merchant's ship, bringing her food from afar." This says to me that this woman does not simply rely on convenience, but rather she seeks out the best possible food for her family. Food is a necessity and the Proverbs 31 woman is quite picky. Not picky in a bad way. To be like Her we should shop to the glory of God, not just looking for convenience and quickness. We need take time and care to find the best deals, food, etc. for our families.

Today I pray that the Lord will help me to be the great hostess and provider that He wishes that I aspire toward.

Some of my thoughts this week...
It is amazing to me how much we can learn from just a few verses through simply delving into them more. Yes, it takes more time, but this is true Bible study, true learning about what God wants us to know.

Post-half marathon recovery week 1 (completed!)

So I know that traditionally you should wait for approx 13 days after a half marathon before resuming regular training, etc. That being said I decided I couldn't NOT run for that long.

So I have devised a "plan" of running for this week that shouldn't be too stressing on my fatigued legs and joints and should allow me to get out and get my run on!

Monday May 21st - REST
Tuesday May 22nd - REST
Wednesday May 23rd - 2 miles EZ --> Done 2.15 miles in 32:00 (14:45 pace)
Thursday May 24th - 30 minutes --> Done 2.25 miles in 30:00 (13:20 pace) + ST - Strength training (W = Weights)
Friday May 25th - 35 minutes --> Done 2.68 miles in 35:00 (13:03 pace)
Saturday May 26th - 30 minutes --> Done 2.31 miles in 30:00 (12:59 pace) + ST W
Sunday May 27th - 35 minutes --> Done REST DAY

I think I will continue a similar "recovery" plan for next week and then will resume my regular "non-training" schedule the following week