Blah, Blah, Um, Need to Learn to Take My Own Advice

A great group of friends and I are running a 1/2 marathon in August to benefit World Vision. For many of the team, this will be their first race, as well as the longest distance they have run. I cannot be more proud of each of their determination, dedication, and spirit. When we hit the part of training where the goal is in sight, the distance is hard, and the belief can run low, I sent out the following to the ladies. 
I think for the next week I am going to apply this to all areas of my life... and learn to take my own "advice." 

- There will be times when you go out and can hardly seem to run a mile, despite the fact it was easy to do 3x that a few days earlier. Our bodies react to heat, humidity, energy levels, lack of sleep, stress...all of it. There are times I cannot run a 1/2 mile without feeling feeling terrible, and it comes with the territory!
For myself? I actually have learned to love these tough runs. Why? There is no better way to prepare yourself for the challenges of a run (and life!) than moving through these types of workouts. There have been runs I have literally not been able to finish because I am too tired, wiped out...whatever. However, using these as a way of reflection, learning, and a desire to persevere has been incredible.
I have a tendency to "beat myself up" over a bad run. However, as I reflect on the run, the week, my body, I learn valuable lessons on finishing a goal, believing in myself, and overcoming obstacles.
One of the reasons I love to run- and run long distances- is the opportunity to challenge myself. When you push yourself beyond what you believe you can, it transfers into all other areas of your life.
I truly believe running has been one of the reasons I have been able to handle other things that come at my life. I've learned how to be tough, fragile, strong, and listen to my body. God gave me an amazing way to quiet my mind and hear him through running.

-Have a mantra of sorts to push through hard spots. Sometimes I will repeat a saying, count to 100, visualize a spot I am going to run toward...anything to push a bit further when I want to quit!
Sometimes at marathons, they will have you "dedicate" a mile to someone. You might run mile 8 for your grandma, mile 7 for a best friend, and so on.

And finally (yes, finally!!) for the ladies:
I am heavier than when I started running, and heavier than I was after having Elijah.
I started running to lose weight and get to a certain number on a scale.
However, after many injuries, hard times, and setbacks, I learned to run for myself.
While running does give our bodies the physical exercise it needs, and can cause weight loss, it is not the ultimate goal. Run for World Vision, yourself, your limits.
Each one of you is 100% beautiful, wonderful, awesome, and perfect the way you are. Don't tell yourself that you will be better a few pounds from now, rock yourself the way you are, the strength you have today.
The ability to run has nothing to do with your body size. Your ability to train and do this has nothing to do with your body size or current pace!
Getting out and doing this is what makes us awesome!

I've got big changes ahead, so belief is going to be big...eyes on the end goal, right!? 
love ya all,