Beautiful weekend in Central Park

It was a great running weekend in Central Park. Ally and I met down by Wollman’s rink on the south end and ran up the east side and across the transverse. I wanted to meet her to the zoo, because it’s really gorgeous architecturally, but we had a small mix up, so the rink was easier. Next time, the zoo…

I barely was able to keep up with her AND, she kept asking me questions and made me talk a lot of the run. It was still an easy run and took my exit at 100 street on the west side, but not before we stopped for a photo shoot -- which she gave me a hard time about. We ran the five miles at a 9:30 pace, which is fast for me, and slow for her.

Ally and I on the west side of Central Park,
yes my face is bright red as usual
but love my new shoes -- so who cares...

It looked out my window yesterday morning and was another sunny day, so headed out for a short 3 mile run with one of my two favorite bands Third Day and Pearl Jam. It’s hard running the short distances, but just went out for a mile and a half and turned around and went home. I know the miles will start increasing slowly and I am completely resisting the need to do more. I was talking with my runner friends over the weekend at various holiday parties and laughed “I really don’t feel the need to run more than my training plan – you don’t have to worry about that with me.”

I ate extremely well over the holidays and surprisingly feeling the benefits. I can no longer eat out in restaurants with my gluten and dairy allergies and started declining invites to restaurants to keep healthy. It’s been a month of strict gluten free eating and I no longer have pain in my stomach while I am running and know this will really become important when I start running double digit miles.

As of right now, I am planning on getting up and meeting Dean at the gym tomorrow morning, which means up at 6am or earlier. I am not sure if I can actually get out of bed when the alarm goes off tomorrow morning, but really want to make it a goal.

Most importantly, my Steelers won on Sunday and we are playing the Bronco's on Sunday in the playoffs. I love my Steeler's family, they make Sundays and football season my favorite time of the year.

My church, C3 Manhattan had a 6pm New Years Day service which was really amazing. And yes I left watching football at half time to go to church. I told God --to prove my love and devotion, I would walk out of the game to go to church and be faithful. The truth is, the 2o11 Jan 3rd service was a life changer for me and sustained me for the entire year. I also had expectation of another inspirational message on New Years and I am here to report...I was not disappointed.

The real truth is, I almost couldn't leave watching the Steelers, and one small moment I almost had tears in my eyes. But I also had a small moment of "GO," and listened to that voice. I also made plans with my friend Jen and knew if I didn't show up she would not be happy with me. Thanks Jen, your amazing.

Last year, Pastor Stephen had asked us to make a goal and make it something hard to obtain, something that would “take us to our knees asking God to help - that we would know we couldn't do.” I felt this year's message was similar, but the focus was on putting God first, serve God first -- and with "that" attitude see how the love life, the finances and career goals pan out. Stephen and Melissa prayed for a large number of people at the service. I saw Melissa coming my way and was hoping I would get a personal prayer with her.

At first it was a nice strong hopeful prayer, then it got personal and directed towards my life, Melissa brought me to tears with her message and gave me a focused goal for 2012. I literally have chills right now, in this minute, thinking about that prayer.

My wish is that you have people in your life, challenging you to make goals so hard, you aren't sure you will reach them, and so hard you CAN'T reach them on your own. I wish for you that you have people in your life supporting you and helping you connect to the god of your understanding -- and if your a saved christian like myself, people leading you to the word of God and showing you how to translate that to your daily living.

Happy New Year everyone, or, as we say at Univision, Feliz Año Nuevo

All my best,

Stephanie

Romans 8:38-39

38 For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers,
39 Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.