Happy New Year

Happy 2012! I have not exactly kept my blog up to date and I apologize! As for a brief update, I am still continuing to train. Winter in Minnesota has been so amazing. I think Minnesota should be the new winter running Mecca! Last week I ran on the track and the day before I ran on trails along the Mississippi River, which runs for endless miles! I didn’t anticipate that weather would be this great when I booked a flight to San Diego, where my sister Annie lives, to get some quality training, but I am leaving on a jet plane anyway! I figure a little sun won’t hurt, and as Dennis, my coach, says at least I can improve my tanJ

I am healthy and I continue to love running and training more than ever. At times I feel like I am stuck in the doldrums of base training; no races to look forward to in the next few weeks, but trying to stay focused on what is ahead. Fortunately there is a glimmer of hope with the New Year. The turn of 2012 signifies that the racing season is coming and I can hardly wait!

Something else that is worth celebrating is that I cannot call myself a nomad anymore. I was blessed with an amazing opportunity to house-sit in South Minneapolis near Lake Harriet with one of my best friends and training partner, Jamie Cheever. Living out of my van and with my parents was certainly an adventure, and I have no complaints, but it has been so wonderful to be near many of my peers and have a place for people to gather. Anyone is welcome to stop by and visit or go for a run! I am right by Lake Harriet, part of a chain of lakes that can keep a runner busy for a while. I have two additional roommates who I have greatly enjoyed getting to know; Megan is also a runner and Sean is a full time Best Buy employee (He is the only “Real Person” in our house.)

Living in the house has many advantages, but the best part is living with people that challenge me to be the best person I can be. In a book I am currently reading, it discusses the nature of a true friend. In summary it says that we define friends in many different ways throughout our lives. As children we consider a friend someone who will come and ask to play with you, or who will stand up for you. As teenagers, a friend is someone that likes the same things that you like and agrees with you. Eventually, however, you realize that a true friend is the person that “encourages you to be all you can be, challenges you to become the-best-version-of-yourself, and vice versa.” The author says, “If you want a litmus test for choosing friends, use this question: Will spending time with this person make me want to be a better person?” I am so blessed to have a roommate that trains with me daily. Some how, although we are very competitive, we both truly want the other to be the best she can be. Jamie encourages me to do my best in all aspects of my life: emotionally, spiritually, physically, nutritionally, etc. I challenge everyone to consider whom you surround yourself with and if you encourage others to be the best they can be. This can apply to your training partners, but also to people in all walks of your life.

A new year is always cause for personal reflection. My personal goal in life is to live in a way that brings glory to God. This year, and for much of my life, I have devoted a lot of energy to running. I wrestle with the question of what in the world is the purpose of this all, and how can running bring glory to God? Is it worth the cost of going to bed early and missing out, making little money, not teaching, or missing fun outings for a workout? Can I really justify it? My sister, Annie, sent me a letter a few weeks ago with a book that was incredibly encouraging. The book states that everyone is called to holiness- it is our essential purpose. What is holiness? It says, “to be holy is to become fully the person God created you to be…to become who you were created to be, to become the-best-version-of-yourself.” He argues that holiness is for everyone, and I totally agree. I was so encouraged after reading this, because I believe that we are all made so uniquely and simply by pursuing a real and authentic life while trying to do your best at it, is all we can do. It is pretty humbling, but God doesn’t need you or me, but gives us all unique gifts for the good of all and for his glory. It is so awesome to imagine that if we all really encourage others to be the best-version-of themselves, we will all play the role we are created for, and will collectively live fulfilled lives and bring glory to God. It is scary and uncomfortable to think that we may not always know the purpose of what we are doing, but I think it is truly the most satisfying life when we strive to live to the best of your ability. For me, this means I will continue to write my life story so that everything I do, I will do it with all my heart, mind, and soul.

With this New Year of 2012 I am considering what in my life I can change to strive to be the best-version-of-myself and how I can encourage those around me to be the best they can be. Happy New Year everyone!

BE YOU!!!!