End of the year review

It is officially the first day of summer for me and I'm headed to work in about two hours. It's so hard to believe that I'm done with another year of school; I am a senior in college now and that seems impossible. I was reflecting/planning this weekend as I tried to fill my time with things. I realized how hard it was not having something to do. I'm so used to having a paper due the next day or something to read that when I got the chance to read something on my own, I couldn't pick up another book. I pretty much vegged in front of the T.V watching movies. Then again, my muscles were (and still are) quite sore from the half marathon I ran this weekend. More later.
As I reflected and planned I realized I have this whole month off of school, I start two classes in June (science, YUCK!) and then I'm off to Ireland for a little over a month. June 27th cannot get here any sooner for that. Then, I'm right back here for my last semester of college and then I'm getting married and in the "real world." That is quite unbelievable but I've been so ready for it for months now. I was talking with some friends yesterday (who just graduated) and they were kind of depressed about heading out into life. She pointed out how I have something to look forward too and I never really looked at it that way. I guess I really do. I get to graduate and then live the dream of getting married plus I already have a house to move into. I don't have much to worry about.
Life has thrown me many curve balls but when I look at it, I really just how blessed I am. I wouldn't be in school if it wasn't for God. Then I wouldn't have met my best friends, had some great times, or even met my future husband. These past three years have shaped me into the woman I have become and are still shaping me. I'm only today figuring out what I want to do career wise and that isn't even who I am. Three years ago I would have let that define me, but instead, I am a woman of God created to be a Wife, Mother, and Friend. There are talents and gifts that I have been given (such as writing, running...) that I can use in life to fulfill my destiny and to enjoy my career. Who I am today isn't who I was yesterday and the same will be true tomorrow. But what always stands is faith and love I have inside of me. I may go through science class hating every bit of it this summer, or sit around bored at work wishing I was elsewhere, but it's my smile and my eyes that show the world who I am. And I have those in every situation.

Like Saturday for instance. I ran the Indianapolis Mini Marathon and had a PR. I was no where near winning again, but I pushed myself harder then I thought I could. I wanted to run at least 2:10 since that is ten minute miles and 9 minutes faster than my last year's time. Well, I crossed the finish line in 2:05.24. I was so happy to cross that. I felt so strong during the race and this time, like most races I run, I was by myself. It was hard because no one else was there again, but it wasn't because I wasn't running for them anyway. I was running for God, and for me. I ran really strong for most of the race but mile 11 really got to me. My chest tightened a little bit and suddenly I felt my entire body and the pain it was going through. Satan really attacked me in my vulnerability. There were a few moments when I just wanted to walk and at one point, I even though to myself I'm never running again. It's amazing how the smallest little lie can tear apart a mindset. I knew I could run that race and run it strong, but one little put down from the bad guy and I wanted to give up forever. I immediately switched the song on my ipod to "Hold Fast" by MercyMe and just kept running. I put a smile on my face because I knew I had it. The rest of the mile was still pretty hard, but I made it. And when I hit mile 12, I was almost home and just kept pushing. My pace had depleted a little bit and I probably didn't finish as strong as I could've, but I finished; and in a time I thought impossible. I'm thinking about running another half in October. That gives me plenty of time to rest, take a break, and start training again. I'm hoping for a 1:59 next time. There is just something about running. I know most of my friends just don't understand it but running clears my head, gives me focus on life, and makes me a confident woman. There are times when satan beats me down but I fight back because I know my God is running right there with me.

I'll be sure to post pictures and official results when they are up.