Slow start, but doing more miles

Well, it looks like I have had a slow start to the year.  I was sick at the end of 2013 so I didn't run a lot before I went to MS Blues and ran the half there.  It was a struggle of a run too.  I got back at and did great the week after, but this week have slowed down.  I think the cold coming back in has gotten to me.  I ran 5 miles on Monday, but haven't ran since.  I will be running the Team Loco Half Marathon this week, plus adding five miles.  Not sure I am really ready for 18 miles, but I have a game plan and figure since I haven't ran much it shouldn't be too much of an increase.  We will see.  I will be running 3/4 of a mile and walking 1/4.  So my plan is that by walking 25% of every mile I should have enough rest time to keep my muscles from fatiguing to quickly.  Again, we will see. 

I feel like God has a plan for me in my running and with all that I will be doing this year for Him.  I praise Him tonight for His blessings and answered prayers as I have gotten good reports.  I set here tonight and realize that I have a lot of races coming up.  This hit me when I realized that I must take my medals down from my light fixture over the table so that they don't pull it down.  My husband stated "Yes, if you plan to bring home 14 more."  I thought about it and realize that a few of my races won't have medals, but then one of them will have two (I am running a half and relay at the same time) and then I have some shorter races and virtual races that will have medals.  Therefore, I will possibly bring home more than 14.  The next race is Saturday, plus 5 more miles.  My next virtual race isn't until March and is for my running buddy, Sophia.  I have two medals already that I need to get sent to her soon.  I am very excited about all the races coming up.  Some distance, some fun, some muddy.  I have a plan.

I have a plan.  It's not my plan though and I really don't know the plan fully yet.  Just that I need to be running.  I feel like 2015 is my year for my first marathon, but am now being led to this year at the end of the year.  There is a marathon an hour away that is on my grandmother's birthday.  She is precious to me and took me and my brother in as her own to raise us.  She left her life here to live with our Savior over ten years ago.  I think about her often and feel like I couldn't think of a better time to run my first marathon than on her birthday.  I will be running for two people that day...in memory of my grandmother and in honor of Sweet Sophia Rose.  She has some amazing things coming her way this year.  I can feel it.

"If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail." unknown
" For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

I thank God that He has a plan and is revealing it to me.  So thankful he is using me to glorify Him and help others.  I am scared of the unknown, but know that He is in control and so there is nothing to fear. 

Here is a picture from my latest half.  The medal was the best yet!  I was blessed to have my friend Heather at my side.  She is on the 14 races in 14.  It was her idea actually and I am glad to have taken the challenge.