Turning 35!

I look forward to my birthdays.  Not for reasons you might think.  It isn't what gift I can buy myself with the gift cards I'll get.  I look forward to my birthdays every year so I can reflect on what I've learned, my experiences, my relationships with others and my walk with God.  I like to take some good quality quiet time in the morning on my birthday and really think about the things I could have done differently and the goals I would like to set for myself, personally.

This year alone, I have met some really incredible and inspiring people.  You can read about a couple of them here.  Others include women in my community who inspired me to start a non profit.  You can read more about that here.  I stuck to my New Year's resolution of casting a wider net and forging lasting relationships with meaningful people.  I could not be more excited about the friends I've made in 2012. 

I found a church that is satisfying my spiritual needs in so many ways.  It has been a struggle for me for two reasons.  I have always felt totally disconnected from my home church, which I was a member of until my early twenties.  I couldn't give you any specific reason.  I just never felt a fulfilling relationship with anyone there, not even God.  It is a great church, but it just didn't satisfy me.  Secondly, since my Grandma Edna passed, it was just too hard to attend any church.  If there was one thing I could put my finger on that made her so special to me, its this: she spent my entire life worrying and fussing over my salvation.  It was special to me that she loved me so much.  Most of my memories of her are in the backyard at her home, or in the church.  Any time I would listen to a choir sing, go to Sunday school, or here any sermon, my heart would just hurt so badly, because I missed her so much.  Oh, I still tear up at church, especially at Easter, because it was her favorite.  But it is getting easier.  And the congregation at my new church would just come over and hug me if they saw me crying.  Which is AWESOME!  Most importantly, I feel closer to God than any other time in my life.  I actually want to glorify him.  I want to spread His amazing love to everyone.  I want to serve Him in any capacity.  I want to lead my life with Christ in it, and I want my son to have me as an example of faith, like I did with my Grandmother.

However, within this last year, there have been some mistakes.  I've snuck in a few bad habits I successfully gave up in the past.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, I smoked a few cigarettes.  My husband totally busted me, which was exactly what I needed.  If you truly know me, you KNOW I hate to disappoint people.  Especially those I love and care about.  I am working hard again to overcome that habit, and I am headed for success.

I want to stay committed to a healthy lifestyle and stay active.  I want to continue my walk in complete faith in Jesus Christ.  I want to continue to serve my community in any way I am able.  I have set some goals for my 36th year and they include (but are not limited to) registering for and running more races: 1/2 marathon, marathon and the Grand Canyon Rim2Rim2Rim run.  I've started my non profit and will diligently work to get a charitable status through the government.  I am joining more than one group at my church to also serve.  I am also committing myself to instill in my son a want to serve his community humbly, when he is old enough.  And to serve his God.

Hope you all are having a happy Spring!  And a belated Happy Easter to you all!

Happy Running!

Mallorie

The Cycle: Inspiration to Goals to Success...

Photo Courtesy of Grand Canyon National Park

I have experienced some pretty inspiring moments this week. 

First, I followed my Internet news as usual and came across the story of Micah True.  If you don't know who he is, I suggest you read the book Born To Run.  I'm reading it now.  I have never been so engrossed in a book before.  It is inspiring, amazing, breathtaking, and all right from living room.   I am learning a ton about running and the running community, especially the Ultras.  The Taramurara are now an obsession.   And I am learning many things from Micah True's legacy as well.

The husband and I went to Dallas for our annual conference.  On our third day in downtown, we were ushered into one of the hotel ballrooms to watch, on the local news' traffic camera, a twister ripping through the city.  It was scary to say the least.  But I was inspired at how powerful, and simultaneously beautiful nature can be.  No one was killed and few were hurt during that storm outbreak, so praise God.

Last, but certainly not least, I finally caught a flight out of Dallas and met a wonderful woman.  Her name was Harriet.  She was very friendly and quiet, and in her seventies.  Now get ready for this.  She was on her way to Springer Mountain.  Yes, that Springer Mountain.  The Southern Terminus to the Appalachian Trail.  And she was hiking the entire thing over the next 30 days.  Alone.

That takes some balls.  And she had them.  I suddenly wanted them, too.

So.  I came home, continued reading my book and came up with a plan.  I am a very goal oriented person.  I like to compete against myself.  I do not like to leave projects unfinished.  So with the help of three of my trainer friends (hopefully they say "yes"), I will run rim to rim of the Grand Canyon.  I want to do it in three years.  Its about a 42-48 mile run through the canyon.  I am crazy.  But I am totally looking forward to it. 

Thank you Micah True and Harriet, and most of all, God, for being the inspiration I needed to kick my running up a notch.  I hope I can do it.

Happy Running!

Mallorie

RIP Micah True.  You've left an incredible legacy...