Race week was insane. A good portion of that was because I moved down 10 days before race day and spent a good amount of time trying to figure out which end was up, but there was so much excitement surrounding the big weekend that I really would not have wanted it any other way. It was such a cool experience to see everything come to fruition, to see the end result of months of work. So many people gave up hours of their time to make this event great. (We had fantastic design/advertising as well – check out The Bright Agency here.) Having been to several marathons in the past, I naively thought I knew what all went into planning/organizing something like this. Ha. Hahaha. Boy, did I have a lot to learn (and still do). I also thought things would come to a screeching halt afterwards. Oh, I'm such a newb. But, let's not get sidetracked...

awesome volunteers setting up at the start

Aside from a "small" shirt order glitch, everything went off without a hitch, and we were able to step back and enjoy race weekend once it arrived. There was so much positive energy at packet pick-up and leading into Sunday morning. The weather was perfect, the volunteers and spectators were fantastic, and the race itself was a blast. I was especially excited to run the course, as I had only driven it one time and was still learning street names and my way around town. But it was honestly so much fun, maybe more so than past marathons for me. I had some doubts about running in a small event, but I loved it. And there were inevitably those moments that I chided screamed at myself for ever considering running another marathon (along about mile 22), but we all know how that turned out. I am already planning #7. 

elite athletes leading the pack

One of the coolest things about this race was knowing so many of the runners and watching them finish. Even watching complete strangers cross the finish line was inspiring to me and something that I haven't really done before in a race. It's usually finish and take off for me, so it was really neat to be there until the last runner came through. Being somewhat towards the end of the pack time-wise, it's easy for me to think the "good part" of the race is over by the time I arrive. But I was reminded that each runner has their own goals, their own race to run, whether they come in first or last, each is a unique victory to be celebrated. It was so fun to be able to witness those moments. 

By far the greatest thing over the course of the event was that so many new people were able to hear about Mercy Project and the stories of the children in Ghana. It was a great platform and opportunity with which to share our work as well as help out a local children's charity in the process. What started as a small idea (not mine!) back in the summertime completely snowballed into something far greater than we could've imagined. Once again, God used some very ordinary people to accomplish great things for the Kingdom.

A few facts about the race:

• In it’s inaugural year, the BCS Marathon was the largest marathon/half marathon in Texas outside of the four major metropolitan areas (D/FW, Houston, Austin, San Antonio).

• Marathon ranking website www.marathonguide.com currently shows the BCS Marathon with 5/5 stars on organization and course, and 4.5 stars on fans. This is based on nearly 200 reviews from runners and currently makes the BCS Marathon the highest ranked marathon in the state of Texas, over Houston, Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio.

We're pretty fired up about these things for several reason, but mostly because we think this is a great opportunity to grow awareness in the community and raise a good chunk of change for children locally and globally. They are the true winners out of it all.

banners along the final stretch

So, mark those calendars for December 9, 2012. We're adding a children's race on the Saturday before the big race and expect to host many more folks this year. Registration opens on May 15 via the race website, and we are already planning for another successful event. Can't wait!

*Photo credits go to Mr. Field. You can view these larger by clicking on them.

If you've been around a runner, or are a runner yourself, you've most likely heard this saying. If you haven't, eh, chalk it up to "one of those runner things". I found this type treatment when I was researching subway signs the other day and thought it was pretty cool. While there are no speed contests in my training lately, I do find myself up before the sun quite often. I hate, HATE getting out of bed in the mornings, but it tends to grow on a person after a while. Compared to Dallas, this place is so quiet; that early morning time is a really great way to start the day. Peaceful. Sunrise. All the newspapers are out. "Good morning" exchanges with the elderly folks coming out to retrieve said newspaper. Time to reflect on the day ahead. And/or write my "to-do" list!

So this morning I have welcomed the sun (and the wind, surprisingly), consumed my peanut butter toast, turned on some chill music, and am ready to tackle the day.

Music of the day: Gungor... really liking the song Beautiful Things. Some of their other stuff is whiny.

You make beautiful things,

You make beautiful things out of dust.

You make beautiful things,

You make beautiful things out of us.

All around,

Hope is springing up from this old ground.

Out of chaos, life is being found in You.

You make me new,

You are making me new,

You make me new,

You are making me new.

Here's to Friday.

Today I am thankful for peanut butter, foam rollers, Skype, t-shirt sheets, and John Denver.

***

Really trying to be mindful of the season of Lent this year and lean into that time. A great paraphrasing I've been mulling over today, via a friend's site:

"Trust me enough to spend ample time with Me, pushing back the demands of the day. You will find that you can accomplish more in less time, after you have given yourself to me ... As you align yourself with my perspective, you can sort out what is important with what is not. Don't fall into the trap of being constantly on the go. Many, many things people do in My Name have no value in My Kingdom. To avoid doing meaningless work, stay in constant communication with Me. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you."

(Luke 10:41-42, Psalm 32:8)  --Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

***

This little gem arrived in the mail today, Mammut's S-Lite. I get really excited when packages arrive – even more so when it's something this cool. May have to do a little night running to test it out. Here's to hoping there's a good ending to the one that shattered on the tile floor...

Next up, Mercy Project and BCS happenings.

Time for massive updating. Here's the family news as of late. Or more accurately, the last 3 months...

Gila joined the ranks at the 4N Ranch.

Wyatt turned 5! Birthday time was complete with a treasure map, dinosaur fossil dig, and an orange T-Rex birthday cake made by GT. Oh, and football. Lots and lots of football.

We changed things up for Christmas this year. Amber and I headed to a little cabin for some peace and quiet for the weekend. I had a picture... emphasis on the "had". Then we all gathered at the Ranch over New Year's weekend.

"Christmas morning"...

... plenty of coffee ...

... painting with M ...

... and Emme downing some homemade whipped cream.

And then more recently, DM & Julianna tied the knot in Canada!

Never short on Nickson adventure!

I was a pretty terrible sculpture student. Unfortunately, the class was a requirement for all art degrees, and while the professor was one of my favorites, my 3D abilities were quite lacking. My projects usually went like this: don't know what to do... don't have any ideas... can't think of anything... 48 hours til the due date... GREAT IDEA!... execution... class critique.... epic fail. All my "brilliancy" down the drain as I looked over the other student's work and realized that my piece better fit an elementary school art project. Bronze was my only saving grace – and even that was a stretch.

And so, I appreciate great sculpture. I think it takes a very unique mind to come up with some of the amazing and innovative pieces we see today. I came across this really creative sculptor via this really great illustrator's site earlier today. Pretty incredible. 

This clever piece, titled Scarp, uses 5,000 articles of clothing – on loan from Goodwill. It's a comment on American consumerism and the overflow of landfills. More info here.

And this one – Military Carving By the Book – is an army man replica made out of books that were written on the subject of war. War opinions aside, it's pretty ingenious. Oh, and it's hollow so that transportation would be easier. Found here.

A little Friday inspiration. Cheers!

... looked at every art book in Half Price

... walked out of Half Price having bought only one book

... got backed into in the Target parking lot
... managed to cause a "small" fire in the microwave (darn butter wrapper)
... perfected a sugar cookie recipe
... hung shelves in my room
... braved Hobby Lobby on a Saturday before V-day
... read and journaled over coffee
... explored a new running route in the neighborhood
... talked to some folks in Canada :)
... worked on a church logo
... took a power nap
... made white chicken chili
... worked on a sweet mobile – yes, a mobile – for the corner of my room (think artsy, not baby crib-ish)
... ate pretzels for lunch
... watched The Firm
... drank hot tea
... learned a new song

... and, decided to crank the 'ole blog up again.

Welcome back.