Rock and Roll Half Marathon

Well, I did it. I finished another half marathon. I didn't do it alone! I had many 'at home' cheerleaders praying for me! I had a few heavenly ones too! I even had a few on the sidelines of the race doing some cheering, but I never saw them! BOO.

Saturday, we headed to the EXPO to pick up our pac

kets.

They boys getting their gait checked on their stride.
INTRODUCING... the running crew!

Here is the clan. Photographer of the day... Kelli! It was suppose to be a nice warm day. It turned out rather chili which, probably worked out great, but it wasn't fun planning what to wear!

Well, here we are at the start. We start together, but this girl is like a cheetah! She is off. She is so dedicated with her running and training... and rocked this race. For me.. well, I finished!

Kelli was off to go capture the run with the camera, however, ask her what happened... it's kind of funny now, but wasn't at the time I'm sure! I didn't see her again until the finish. I had a good race. I stopped twice to use the restroom, and walked a bit when I needed to. There was a moment when I was 'in my head' too much and got very emotional. I looked up through the towering Highland Park trees to see some birds, LOTS of birds. Flying in AMAZING formation. I did take this picture, but last weekend, the only other time I have ever seen such a sight. During the race, it just reminded me that God is forever in control of my life. I choose to follow Him. He has given me everything I need. Period. I do miss my friend. I do not like some of the battles I am fighting right now or decisions I am having to make, but HE will use it all to bring Him glory!

I also missed my sister! They waited for 2 hours to see one of us, and none of us connected! The Dallas Morning News man, who took that photo, waited with her for awhile, also hoping to capture of a moment of the 2 of us. Fail. I was just thrilled they tried to come see us!

Stacey did come back and ran with me to finish. I just love him! He took this photo with my phone, moments after we crossed.

After party!

Oh, did I say after party? Brett Michaels was the entertainment after the race. I now have taught my children to sing.... 'talk dirty to me'. Nice. I recorded a bit of it on my phone and have played it for them.. now they sing it... I won't be winning any mother of the year award. All these years of KLTY 24/7, one 20 second snip of 'Talk dirty to me" and I have ruined them! That's all they sing, just that little part... over and over. I WILL get a call from the principal.

YEAH! SO proud of this team!
See the Razor? Yeah, just ask her.

This is Kelly. She is a new friend I have made through Running for Jenny! She trained, with her daughter too, for the half and ran it the day after her birthday. SO COOL!
And she trained with her sister. I've known Becky since college. These 2 girls are amazing and I am blessed to know them! So proud of their accomplishments, and can't wait to see what they do next.


My 2 favorite guys!

Shoes

You may have noticed in my blog header that I have some new shoes, or you may have just flat wondered why I put pictures of shoes on my blog header. These are my new shoes I got for my birthday to replace my old shoes (also pictured on blog header) that I got LAST year on my birthday that started this whole running thing for Jenny. Aren't they cool? I LOVE THEM! They are so comfy. Stacey took me to Luke's Locker in the midst of a huge ice storm for me to be fitted for new running shoes because that is what I wanted. I need to give a HUGE shout out to Luke's in Fort Worth for staying open for us! We were in so much traffic getting down there with all the ice that Stacey kept calling them, and they kept saying... come on, just knock on the door and we will open up for you! HOW COOL IS THAT!? That is very small town to me. That is something my dad would have do for his costumers and I like that. Stacey went back on his birthday and got the same shoe in them men's version. Different color of course!

This weekend is a big weekend. I picked this weekend to bookend my half running career. It is a bit over 1 year since I started my running journey for Jenny and I wanted to finish with a half. My goal was to do more half marathons, but I'll be real, this is my last one for a while. I just don't have the time, or I don't make the time to run the way I NEED TO to train properly for this type of running. I am going to finish this race on Sunday with my head held high knowing I have now finished 2 half marathons. If you aren't busy on Sunday, come cheer us on at the Rock and Roll in Dallas! Hold up a sign for Jenny!

From now on, I will be running 5k's and 10k's. The Gregg Pearson Foundation will also be putting on a RUN for Jenny in October. More details to come....

200/35

These shoes. They were bought 1 year ago tonight. It was raining. I bought them so that I could start running with my friend and her husband and my husband. I have run more than 200 miles in these shoes. I have cried in these shoes. I have praised the Lord in these shoes. I ran my first 5k in these shoes, plus 2 more 5k's. Then I ran my first half marathon in these shoes. Today is my birthday. I turned 35. My husband took me out and bought me some new shoes to start this new adventure, this new journey, even on the ice. I won't be running in my new shoes until this snow and ice melt, but I can't wait. It's not a secret, I don't love to run, but I love the time I get to spend worshipping the Lord, praying, crying and just telling myself to put one foot in front of the other remembering my friend, who I love, who I miss. Tomorrow starts that adventure.

Today, was filled with zebra peppermint hot chocolate, hugs, donuts, wii, bingo, puzzles, movies, kisses, grilled cheese sandwiches, cake balls, dead baby bird on porch, over 160 facebook messages, text messages, phone calls, lilly plant, babysitter, driving on ice, Luke's waiting for me, new shoes, great dinner, coming home to my kids and sitter playing Go Fish, reading all the cards the kids made me and hung on the wall.

Random Acts of Kindness

This summer, as you might remember, we have been working on Random Acts of Kindness. We have left money on gumball machines, bought gift cards for cashiers at Wal-Mart, raked neighbors leaves, etc.... but this one... this one made me cry! You might have remember back at the beginning of the month I set out to run 5 miles and almost didn't make it! Remember me wanting, praying for someone to STOP and give me water. I told the kids that we should put water in our car and look for runners who might need it. Well, we never did that, but last week, as we were driving home we saw a runner in the dead heat of the day. We talked about how she could really use some water. As we drove in our driveway Parker RAN TO GET THE WATER! Now, he ran to get one of our reuseable water bottles and went to fill it at the sink! Quickly we told him to grab a bottle out of the fridge. OUT HE RAN. I actually thought he was going to miss her. She had in her ear buds and passed our house. He caught her though. We talked about our random acts of kindness!

Tonight I checked the mail.... and guess what we had? He had a note in our mailbox from the RUNNER!!!


OH he was thrilled!! THRILLED! But maybe not as much as I was. I cried. Did you read the words in her letter where she wished for water! I immediately thought about my 5 mile run and how I was PRAYING for water! I believe God used us to bless her! Just a quick bottle of water, see how it made her day! Just a simple act.

We are going to discuss as a family how to bless other runners especially since Stacey and I are both training for half marathons and realize how water far from home is a VERY nice treat! I will let you know what we come up with, but I am thinking a small cooler we can put behind our mailbox so that runners can grab water during their run. I tried to run with a water bottle the other day, and it was hard! I ended up stashing my bottle behind a friends mailbox to get on my way back. Stacey has bought a belt to carry water, but I haven't tried it yet. You never know how your act of kindness will completely bless someone else.

GO BLESS SOMEONE!!

Happy Birthday Jenny!

If you follow the blog, you know that I have been running for Jenny! Well, her birthday was August 3rd and I let the word out that I would LOVE for everyone to run on that day! On our Facebook page, we current have almost 200 members, and we gained about 15 on Jenny's birthday. Together we ran 162 miles on AUGUST 3rd! And I know that many others ran or walked for Jenny that day, but did NOT post it for many reasons, and I appreciate each and every mile! I am thankful for those of you who told me you ran for her.
My goal: 5 miles. You know that I love you if I put the above photo out in the cyber world. A friend of mine offered to keep my kids so I could run. I started about 8:30am. It was already 90 degrees. I didn't really think about my route, should have. I planted my water bottle in my mailbox, and off I went. Like I said, didn't really plan my route, but had a big goal! I started my iPod and headed from my house to Tom Thumb, crossed over Trophy Lakes and down Village Trail. Things were going good. I went down Lakeshore, took a left on Durango, then took a right on a street I don't know the name of, but I do know someone who lives on this street, and at that moment I thought I would stop and ask for water...na. Took a left on Park View, where I know someone on that street, thought I should stop, but kept going. I am far from my mailbox at this moment and things are looking thirsty. I ran all the way to Byron Nelson High School. Now what? Took a right and headed towards Trophy Club Drive. At this moment, I am actually thinking I should knock on someone's door, a perfect stranger and ask for water. No, I can make it to the model homes, they aren't that far. Okay, they were far! I began really thinking I am in trouble. I am FAR from that mailbox and I am THIRSTY! I see a police car up ahead. My plan: to stop him and ask if he has water. Problem: he get's a call and speeds up and FLIES by me. No water there. So I keep running. I begin to think about those model homes. I get closer. Uh OH. No cars are there, they ARE NOT OPEN YET! I see water running down the street, and SERIOUSLY think about sitting in it! NOT KIDDING! So, I plan on running to the next set of model homes, they will surely be open. On the way to those model homes, I begin to pray, and I MEAN PRAY that God would send a car that would pull up and offer me WATER in the name of GOD! I was beginning to get desparate. I look at the new construction and see if I see any visible water jugs available, but it would add to my run... keep going Paige. You can do it... The model homes are visible, BUT NO CARS! They aren't open either. SO, I visit their beautiful WATER FEATURE in the front yard, put my hands on it, and begin to pat my face. Awwe. I can make it. NO I CAN'T! I have to walk. I kept telling myself that satan isn't winning. Walking isn't failure. It was 3.23 miles. I decide to walk to the church up ahead. I walk in, SCARING women and children at preschool, but they do decide to let me in and have a drink. I thank them, and head out. Walking isn't bad, satan isn't winning I kept telling myself. I put my headphones back in and look ahead of me. SPRINKLERS are on across the street. I begin to run. Okay, at this point my legs are telling me this is NOT a good idea, and they are not proud of me for running any more. They liked the walking speed. I run anyway. OH, they feel good! I ran through them like I was 5 years old. One car even slowed down and watched me be crazy. I ran to my house grabbed the water bottle and started walking. I walked past 3 houses when I spotted a woman out watering her flowerbeds. I walked up to her and asked her to spray me down! I told her I was trying to run 5 miles. SHE SPRAYED ME DOWN! It felt so good. She asked me how much longer I had.... I looked at my watch and it said 4.40. I started running and I finished strong! I was so proud of myself. I know Jenny is too! I TOLD that girl I was going to run! Next time, I will be safer, and plant more water and maybe not celebrate so loud scaring the man in the convertible as he passed me!

Oh the picture... after my run, I set up the tripod and took my picture. The picture with the paper 5 in it is now my Facebook profile, and the other photo, the one with me AFTER I ran the miles. Oh I look rough, but I did it! OH, Jenny would have been 32 so 3 +2=5!

July 4th 5K

Here is the Running For Jenny crew at the July 4th Trophy Club 5k! This was taken AFTER the run! Shew.

Patriotic Day

For our Tuesday Terrific Day this week we learned about July 4th. We created patriotic crafts, drank patriotic drinks, and did a random act of kindness. One of our crafts were making these pens for the firefighters. Okay, the GUYS may not use these sparktacular pens, but they sure made the kids feel like they would! We colored while we waited our turn to paint our hands. We iced cookies, made sandwiches, and added red, white, and blue sprinkles. We learned about the colors of our flag and what the stars and stripes represented.


We go to church with Fireman Sam, so he showed us all around the temporary fire station. The kids LOVED the bell! LOVED!



I had also picked up some red, white, and blue marshmallows, so we added them to our tray.
We didn't make the shirts, but just paper with our hand eagles.

OH, and that night... I ran 3.42 miles. Yes I did. That deserves you to COMMENT!

Jenny's Run For Hope

Jenny and I enjoyed spending time together. We did a boot camp 3 times a week at 6 am a few years ago, then once upon a time had memberships to the same gym all BB (before Bowden). We worked out there often together. Once she had gone before me, we passed each other on the road as I was going and I called and convinced her to come back and do a Zumba class with me. She almost passed out because she had already ran and did weights that day. Jenny loved to work out. I did not. I loved spending time with her though. She continued with boot camp with her friend Jenn. I didn't. I was blessed with another baby... and my body changed.

You can read about that here. That link documents the surgery I had almost a year ago. Until then, I really couldn't run. Or if I did.... whatever. Read the link.

In February I decided that I wanted to start running again. I felt like I should have been truly healed and wanted to start running with Jenny so that we could RUN with our husbands in their 10 k's or races together. On my birthday, I went to get my running shoes. My birthday is February 3rd. MOST of you know what happened next. The very next day I was standing beside my friend, telling her to GET OUT of that bed! I had new shoes that needed to be worked in! She needed to get out of that bed and train my butt into gear! We laughed. I always could make her laugh. She used her fingers to make the running motion and pointed to her then to me. Talking was so hard for her. I shook my head, and assured her we would definitely be running.

When her legs were amputated, I thought that would give me a bit of a head start! She was in such good shape. This way, I could start training and by the time she got her new legs, we could be on level playing field. I joked with her about that.

I would go to my MIL's house and run on her treadmill. It was so cold this February. I would start out walking. Walking fast. I would cry. I would convince myself to run. I would seriously almost pass out. Then I would walk. I did this over and over. I would text David every time I ran letting him know I was running for Jenny.

I told Jenny we were going to run. I wrote this on her Facebook page the day after she died.

So, I can't go to sleep with out telling you. I ran today. For you. I almost passed out, but I did it. I ran 1 mile. Okay, I lied. I ran 3/4 of a mile and had to walk a 1/4, but hey, it is a start in those new shoes I was telling you about. I told you we would run in these 5K's with our husbands, and it just may take me longer than it would have you, but WE will do this together.

I wrote this on Feb. 27th.

Today, well, I wondered what will happen when David takes down this Facebook page, so I decided I will send you peptalks through my blog. You know these are healing for me, right? Today, I made graphics for our husbands (and Brandon) for shirts they will wear tomorrow in the Cowtown 10K, I think. GIRL, I don't get all ...the half this and K that. They are just running far. I better get to know what all those numbers mean! ANYWAY, the shirts say RUNNING FOR JENNY and Mighty to Save on the back. Although we only made 3 for them, I think I will get a few made for me so that I can wear them when I do my thing for you! BUT, I better change mine to say: Walk/Run (trying not to pass out) for Jenny! I know you can see and hear all the amazing lives you truly changed. Thank you friend.

I kept up the runnings. I would cry, scream, praise, and sing during my runs. The Lord has taught me so much through those runs.
March 5th:

GIRL! I did it! I ran 1 mile without STOPPING today FOR YOU! I had Emaline stand beside me cheering me on, yelling : YOU CAN DO IT MOMMY! I kind of told her to yell it at me, but hey, it got me to finish. My legs hurt. I miss you. I'm sitting here watching GH for the first time in over a month. The new intro is different, interesting, not sure how I feel about it. Going to bed early tonight friend. My weekends are different without you in them. Plus that mile, shewww, how do I think I can do a 5K which is obviously more than 1 mile? Our boys are running like 8 or 10 miles in the morning. They are nuts. Starting my garden tomorrow! Let's see how long I can keep it up!

Friday night, the night before the race... I went to sleep. I was so blessed that night. You see, since Jenny died I have asked to see her. I so wanted to dream about her, or actually, I wanted to see her! I have heard about people seeing and experiencing visions from those they have loved. I wanted that. While I was asleep, I had a dream with Jenny. I was walking up to register for the race, it was a long walk. There were banners on each side of me. I walked right up the registration table where a man asked me my name. I was frozen. I just looked at him as tears flooded my cheeks. I looked to my right, and there she was. She was bent over on her knee, think running position. She had on a white tank top, her gray capri yoga pants, and her hair was pulled back into a pony with her trademark banks in the front. Her hair was longer than I remember. I said, "it's YOU!" She smiled and looked right into my eyes and said, " I will be cheering you on!" I again came up with- "it's you!" She again said, "I am going to be cheering you on!" The she nodded her head towards the man at the table, smiled a smirk, and said "Go on!" I woke up. I hit Stacey across the chest and pretty much cried for the next hour as he let me retell him over and over the dream. I was frozen in the bed. He asked me if I wanted to go back to sleep to see her again, and you know I didn't. I knew that was a gift. I loved it. It was just for me.
So, I was ready for the run! She was cheering me on!

SO, on April 17th I had the honor to participate in Jenny's Run for Hope. It was a crazy day. We had soccer, Dance recital pictures, BOTH in the morning, and then throw in B. I knew I had to do it. God worked it ALL OUT! An incredible friend volunteered to take E to her dance pictures. I went on to the race. Stacey called and said the game had been canceled due to the rain and he was coming with the boys. Joel hung out with the boys at the bounce house so we both got to run for Jenny. This first picture was taken before the race. Notice our smiles.

See my friend in the green? That is my friend Stephanie. Stephanie and I are part of an accountability group, and have been for about 6 years!!! She and Jenny were great buds. They experienced much life and greater loss together. They both suffered miscarriages, many. Stephanie runs almost every day. I called and asked her if she would RUN with me. She agreed. She really kicked my butt. She made me run faster than I really wanted to go. TOO FAST! We talked, we secretly cried. I say secretly, because neither one of us have actually talked about it, but I was crying and running the last mile, and my breathing pattern changed. FROM WHAT I COULD tell, without looking at her, her breathing pattern changed too, and it sounded a lot like mine! SO, we were both crying... I think. When I would cross David, or Stacey, or Brandon (their running partner) they would always come over and give me a high five and encourage me. They knew my running journey. Many of you!! YES YOU!!! as you passed me would turn around and encourage me! THANK YOU!!! I really wanted to stop at mile 2. I really did. Then I thought of my dream. SHE WAS CHEERING ME ON! I couldn't stop! We were almost to the end, when I looked up and saw Stacey, with the stroller with B, and Parker was running towards me. They finished the race with me and Stephanie. As I hit the track, I started sprinting! I couldn't help it! We were so close to the end! As soon as I crossed I just bent over and cried. I knew she was cheering me on! I didn't stop one time! David gave me a huge bear hug when I finished. I got an incredible hug from Beverly! It was wonderful. I finished in 34:28!!!!
All of the photos are courtesy of the photographers that lined the route. I asked one of the ladies to take these two, me and Steph, and me and Stacey.



I dressed this last one up a bit. Now, I am on a journey. I am going to continue to run for my friend! I told her I was going to, so I am!


I enjoy running for Jenny, not running, but running for Jenny. I am going to start a Facebook Fan Page so we all can encourage each other- CHEERING YOU ON! We can list local runs to participate in and rejoice with others what the Lord is teaching them during this journey! Thank you for CHEERING ME ON!

Beautiful Lord

When the storm is raging all around me,
you are the peace that calms my troubled sea...

You are the light that shines and shows me the way...

On the cross you showed your love for me...

awesome and mighty...

BEAUTIFUL LORD...

tender and holy....

Today was a tough day...REALLY...every day has been tough. JUST SICK! I am the only thing that can change. I can allow the Lord and HOLY SPIRIT to just live in me... LIVE IN ME LORD!
Help me when the kids are screaming....when I mess dinner up...when I excuse me (SUCK) at customer service in my business. I NEVER USE THAT WORD. But that is the word feels MOST appropriate. Forgive me Husband, for being testy. Forgive me kids. Forgive me friends. I am having a hard time dealing right now. I can't remember anything.

The words above that aren't my ranting and inappropriate use of language are from the song Beautiful Lord. I put it on my playlist after Jenny got sick and my cousin Susan made a playlist for Jenny on her blog. I had Stacey put it on my Ipod. That is what I have been listening to recently when I run. Today, I just skipped ahead of all the songs that I normally listen and to the ones that I never get to....hit play and started running. About 5 or 6 steps into it...the tears came. Maybe I should back up and say that my kids were....crazy until Stacey got home...even after Stacey got home. We sat down and began eating....he knew. I had already told him how my afternoon was (after our sweet playdate left, really, the kids were angels when he had company, she left and life fell apart). I had told him I wanted to go for a run. He looked at me and said these beautiful words:
Go get ready for you run, I will take the kids to the park. You come home, shower and go to bed!

Oh, how I have a beautiful husband.

Back to my run, 5 or 6 steps into it, the tears came. I just kept thinking about my friend, in that hospital bed, listening to me say I had gotten new running shoes so we could train together and run with our husbands. She agreed. We talked. She showed me with her fingers, us running. Absolutely. More tears. Then words would come on my ipod, I would raise my hands in praise, yes on Trophy Club Drive! People must think I am crazy. Then I would cry, then I would praise and smile....It was so emotional. I got close to my 1 mile, which I usually plan to stop RIGHT at 1 mile, then I heard my sweet cousin Gwen Ann (Gwenie) in my ear. I saw her yesterday at my great aunt's funeral, and she was telling me that the first mile is the hardest. So, I looked at my NIKE watch, saw the 1.00 and kept running. I kept singing...kept crying.... remembered what her fingers looked like...remembered what it was like to stand by her bed....what it felt like to witness each miracle...what her hair looked like in her Spice Girls pig tails...how she turned her head to me and our "moment". I ran....I finished strong! Then I walked home....listened to the music on my ipod. Listened to the words, which is different for me... Beautiful Lord came on...I held my hands up high, smiled, and sang OUT LOUD! Thank you Lord for being beautiful! For being faithful, even when I am tired, when I don't get it, when I just want to sleep.... Thank you for being faithful, for loving me, Thank you Lord for Stacey. Who is learning how to handle me, all over again, the new and different, injured me. Who is being patient. Thank you Lord....