Over the past several months I’ve been seriously re-assessing my understanding of my Christian walk.  A number of things have happened to jar my complacency, and I have developed an ever growing hunger to really understand what it means when Jesus says “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10b)

I started to share about this journey a couple of weeks ago and since then I’ve finished listening to Wayne Jacobsen’s “Transition” series, and am just finishing up his book “He Loves Me! Learning to Live in the Father’s Affection” and I am being deeply challenged, moved, and hugely encouraged.

So much of my faith has been based on religion – not hard to understand when yoou realize I  grew up as a traditional Baptist!

But religion keeps us as far from the heart of God as rebellion.  In fact, I’ll bet God prefers rebellion, because it’s at least usually honest, where religion is not.

Anyway, I’m very grateful for the fact that my training is going to soon be forcing me into longer and longer walks.  It will give me much more time to listen, study, and focus on walking this new path spiritually, while I train for the physical part of my marathon.

Can’t wait to see where it leads…

Happy walking!

Darlene

So, the marathon is behind me. A New Year is on the horizon, and I’m looking for a new challenge – you know me, can’t sit around on old laurels.

I decided that I need to do a new Marathon, to try and meet my original goals, now that I know what it’s REALLY like! I want something fun, though, and inspiring. So, here’s what I’ve picked:

WALT DISNEY WORLD® Marathon Weekend

Now, the info at that link is for the upcoming one this January – obviously WAY too soon. I’m going to do it a year from now. Yep, I’ve learned my lesson! Don’t train too quickly for a Marathon!

So, here’s my plan for SLOOOOOW but steady training:

From November 1 – December 31: I’m going to just get back to minimum basics in nutrition, active lifestyle, and creative prayer (which is a tool that got me through much of my Marathon!)

From January 1 – March 16: Improving on all of the above, I will begin more serious training culminating in the St. Patricks Day Run 2009, in Edmonton.  (note: Just so you get an idea of how slowly I’m training for this and the following events, note that most people can walk out their front door and do a 5k without training and without difficulty.  I am taking just under 3 months to train for it.  This means that this whole program – start to finish – is within anyone’s grasp.)

From March 23 – June 7: Still improving on basics, I will then train for a 10k walk on June 7. Don’t have a final choice yet (not all races are listed at this point) though there’s an interesting on on June 7 called the LSLBO Bird 5 K or 10K Fun Trail in Slave Lake, Alberta.

From June 8 – September 7: I will now increase my training to prepare for a half marathon. Not sure where, as I can’t find any listings yet for September.

From Sept 14 – January 4: I’ll train for the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Marathon, and turn it into a cool family vacation afterwards, as a celebration.

The timing seems perfect, it keeps me in training all year with easier races to add smaller goals. It also means that I’m not outside for too long during the cold Alberta winters! I’ve done a LOT of research, and have put together a very slow moving plan that should get me to the final finish line without injury or overtraining. I hope. Not only have I prepared the plan, but I’m making the first part of it (November 1 – December 31 above) available to anyone who wants it. The other levels will follow as I complete them. More details will be available on Friday.

So, now the question is, who wants to train with me? (and yes, you can do it in your own hometown, too – just find the appropriate races, and join in!)

With hopeful anticipation,

Darlene

In our ladies’ bible study this session we are looking at the book “Walking by Faith: Lessons Learned in the Dark (Workbook)“.  It’s been a fun study,  but there have been times when it whacked me up the side of the head.

Today was one of those days.  We looked at two verses:

And be very careful around them so you don’t lose out on what we’ve worked so diligently in together; I want you to get every reward you have coming to you. Anyone who gets so progressive in his thinking that he walks out on the teaching of Christ, walks out on God. But whoever stays with the teaching, stays faithful to both the Father and the Son. 2 John 1:8-9

and

You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.

I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself. 1 Corinthians 9:24-26

As I read these, I felt that God was asking me what training program I’m on with my faith. Sure, I read the Bible, I participate in the Ladies’ studies 2x a year, I pray, but here’s the crunch:  What is my plan? Where am I headed? What are my goals?

When I trained for the marathon I had a specific training schedule. I woke up each day, 6 days a week, and looked at that schedule to see:

1. How long was I walking today (anything from 8k to 36k)?
2. What was the purpose (speed training, endurance, hills, etc)

So, as a Christian I am good at the first part – what’s the Bible study lesson today? What am I reading? Who am I praying for?

It’s the second part that has been missing: What am I lacking? How do I need to train to overcome that weakness?

I mean, I’ve done studies on areas where I’m weak.  I’ve prayed about those things.  But I’ve never engaged in an actual time of training and testing – on purpose – to overcome them.

I can imagine God would be delighted to have me come to Him and say, “Ok, God, I’m a mess here.  This is an area I really want to give over to You and have you heal.  Set up a training program, share it with me, and let’s get on with mastering this area”.

Over this next month I want to experiment with this.  Not sure in what area yet – there are SO many areas that need help in my life, LOL! – but this is my prayer:

God, I’m not happy with being a flabby Christian.  I know how to “squeak by” really well without letting others know how messed up things are inside.  You know, though, and You know the best way to tackle my weaknesses.  show me what needs work now, and set up a training program for me to follow.

Be my coach, and turn me into a spiritual athlete.

Amen

Join me?  I’d love to hear your comments.

Darlene

Yesterday at 2:33 I completed the BMO Okanagan Marathon 2008. It took 7 hours, 33 minutes and 59 seconds. I was a ways off my goal time of 6 hours, and was second to last finishing, but I did it!

What surprised me

• I was surprised at how difficult it really was. My longest training walk was 34k, and I did that one with no difficulty – in fact, I felt I could have gone much longer. This one started getting really hard around 20k, which for me is not a difficult distance. This was probably because my training has been so badly hindered these last few weeks with the sciatica and the exhaustion.
• I was surprised at how often I had to stop and go to the bathroom! I don’t have that many options at home when I train, so I can’t go very often. On the walk I needed a bathroom about every 3 miles for the first 15 k or so. Ridiculous. Good thing I didn’t have anything to drink that morning!
• I was also surprised at how few walkers I saw. There were about 50 of us at the starting line, and about 30 were only completing the half marathon, but there should have been more walkers along the route. I’m thinking they were doing a “walk-run” and so started with me, but then very soon they disappeared.
• I was really surprised and discouraged to see how much of the route I needed to walk entirely alone. That was very hard. I sure appreciated the volunteers and police officers on that part of the walk, I can assure you. I was terrified that they’d dismantle the route before I finished, and that I’d get lost!
• I was also surprised at how much pain I was in all last night, and even some this morning. I usually was stiff for a couple of hours after a long walk, but never like this. Oh my goodness! I have to use my hands to place my legs where they need to go!

What encouraged me

• I loved the volunteers. They were fantastic. A couple of walkers near the end were also a great support, especially after I had walked almost half the distance totally alone with no other walker/runner in site. It was so lovely to see someone else – and so friendly! – still walking. I was able to make up for their friendliness by retrieving a little stuffed bear that one of them used as a “lucky charm” and get it back to her after the race. She was so pleased because that bear had been through a lot with her, and she cried when she realized she’d lost it.
• I was pleased to see that I had brought exactly what I needed. It was really cold at the start (5 degrees C) but I chose to not wear a sweatshirt, jacket, or gloves as I didn’t want to have to carry them. After about 1.5 hours it warmed up, and I was quite comfortable. I also had enough trail mix and Energy Drink to get me through.
• Having Tom, Joanne, Jaimey and Gord walk the last 2k with me was incredible. It made me cry. I was in such pain, and so exhausted I really doubted I could make those last two kilometers, but they made sure I did. I was surprised at how desperately I needed them to be there! Their support this weekend was beyond words. More about them on Wednesday!
• I actually completed it! There were some dicey moments, but for most of it I didn’t have much option except to keep going – which was good – but those last couple of kilometers when the tents were in site, but I had to take the long way around were murder!

What I learned for next time

• Well, it was pretty obvious that I need to train differently. My next step is to get a good heart rate monitor, and then get out the Maffetone book and set up my training using that. I think I’ll be MUCH less tired on the big day if I follow his guidelines.
• Get the massage. I signed up for their 20 minute post-race massage on a whim. I’m not sure I could have walked to the car without it. Pain never felt so good! Thanks, Dana!
• Hydrate better the days before, and do more research on nutrition. I think I might have done better had I been better hydrated before I started, and had I done the maximum with nutrition during the training. So much to learn!

And there you have it! I’ve done the marathon. In spite of it all, I can hardly wait to train for the next one – but I won’t be doing ANY training, this week! I’ll be glad if I can walk unassisted to the bathroom!

Darlene

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