Negative wind chill. On-going fire. Movies. Apple pie. Stockings. Photo shoots. Mexican food. Puzzles. Fun gifts. Cold morning runs. Gingerbread. Family. Rest. Warm. Break.

Here's Christmas, photo dump style:

We announced a few weeks before the marathon that we were expanding to a 6-race series in the coming year. That's right. One annual 5k and one Full/Half just aren't enough when the running community and following has blown up like it has here in BCS. ;) We are excited and looking forward to some very unique races this spring as well as a "Distance Challenge" coming this fall building up to the BCS Marathon. Taking the world by storm, one runner at a time... (details here or click the image below to see larger)

It's a wrap. Year Two of the BCS Marathon has been put to rest, at least as much as it will be. When I moved here last year, I felt like there were distinct sections of the year, divided by fundraising events, holidays, and other annual highlights. But now, they all bleed together. So much so, that we started planning and dreaming for December 8, 2013 within days of wrapping up the 2012 race weekend. And so it goes!

Race weekend was a huge success. 3500+ runners registered, 600+ volunteers, 2500+ gallons of Gatorade, and $100,000+ raised = big win for Mercy Project on many levels. The awareness that is spread as we meet new supporters and the connections that have been built through this event are impossible to count. We are blessed. It doesn't come without sacrifice though – hours and hours of logistics, relationship building with sponsors and vendors, constant communication and "customer service" with runners, and more details than even I can handle. (Shocking, I know.) Our Race Committee did a fabulous job taking on various tasks of planning, and of course, it helps to have a fearless leader with an attitude of "the sky's the limit". Due to the growth and popularity from Year One, we added a Kid's Marathon, Health & Fitness Expo, and Pasta Dinner on Saturday before the race. They were a huge hit!

The Expo was my big project, along with another friend Angie whom I could not have managed without. I also worked on all the runner swag: medals, awards, shirts, etc. Crazy that we started planning and setting everything in motion back in April/May. Race week was intense. Shirts, signage, banners, packet stuffing, bib sorting, balloons, and on and on it went. The Hilton became my home for the few days leading up to race weekend.







Our Expo space was 11,000 square feet of sponsors and running-focused vendors as well as an area for packet and shirt pick-up. It was packed all day long as over 4000 runners, friend, and family members crowded the floor. Honestly, it could not have gone smoother for the first year (though of course I already have a million new ideas for next year).







Come Sunday, it was "play time" for me. I thankfully only took on the Half this year, which has the be the wisest decision I've made in quite some time. Logging that in my memory for next year. After 17 hours on my feet the day before, I was happy to truck through only 13.1 instead of the full 26.2. We had warm temps – "less than ideal" – but with iced towels, cooling zones, and lots of fluid along the way it was quite an enjoyable morning. I was so proud to see everything come together, to see all the efforts that my fellow race workers, volunteers, and running friends invested to make the day a success. Got to see so many familiar faces cheering along the Half route that made each turn something new to look forward to. And of course, the best part was rounding the last corner and seeing 24 sweet, smiling Ghanaian faces lining the way to the finish line. Every hour, worth it for them.

Holiday time is different now. Granted, that "we'll always do things the same as we did growing up" went out the window quite some time ago, but I feel like now, I don't even realize Thanksgiving and Christmas are here until they are. I blame it on the stores that skip Halloween and go straight to stringing tinsel in the middle of the summer. That has me all screwed up.

Nonetheless, I'm more and more loving the season of thankfulness, of being more mindful of others, of giving, of Advent and the celebration of the King in a stable. A season to serve and pour out. A season... of Turkey Trots, long runs, and race planning. :)

Here's how the Turkey festivities went down:

3rd Annual Brazos Running Company Turkey Trot 5k & Family Fun Run:
This was my first Turkey Trot here in CS – the only MP event I've missed in the past. It was such a fun day getting to see families and friends all out for a brisk pre-feast run. And it was also really fun not running and getting to organize and host so many people. And the post-race clean-up? Well, just leave that to the professionals!







C-town:
As soon as the Turkey Trot was over, I drove to Abilene and picked up DM & J to make the trek on to Canyon. Long, long day... we were glad to take that Rockwell Road exit and be "home". Barely over two weeks out from the marathon, and I was a bit stressed going into the weekend. Not the best time to be "off" when so much is going on and needing to be done. BUT, I was pleasantly surprised with how relaxing and needed the time was, to the extent that it was one of the best family gatherings I feel like we've had in a long, long time. There were movies, games, cooking, golf, horses, and visiting with friends and family. Soaked it in.

I had another post for tonight since I am trying to remedy the month off, but I'm just not feeling it. It's been a heavy week in our broken world. And that's just it – we live in a very broken world. A world that is full of the ability to hurt one another and wreak havoc in each others' lives. We've seen a lot of that recently.

But this world is also full of the ability to love one another and speak life into those around us. And I've been blessed to see so much of that in contrast to the broken.

Here are a few responses to Sandy Hook that are way more eloquently written than I could muster:

Lamentations – Jen Hatmaker

God Can't Be Kept Out – Rachel Held Evans

My Musings – Lexi


Choose love today.

Back. Blogging break of the century, or at least it feels like it. What it doesn't feel like is Christmastime. It's like 80 degrees today. Guess I won't waste time asking Santa for snow.

What a heck of a month. A good month. It's been crazy and non-stop and intense, but it's been so fun all at the same time. I'm still amazed that I'm doing what I am, with the people I am. Don't get me wrong, we are all exhausted and ready to regroup going into the new year, but it's been a good season in so many ways.

Here's a bit of life leading up to the marathon:

• Girl's Night at my place with the ladies in my small group – an evening of colored cake in a jar. We wrecked the kitchen and had a lot of fun in the process.



• A quick trip to Dallas (like... 10 hours round trip) for Kathleen's baby shower. Seriously one of the coolest showers I've ever been too, and I've been to my share. Safari animals, omelets and fruit, and fun gifts for Baby Lee. What an honor to spend time with my sweet friend – who looks amazing! – and is going to be a fantastic Mom. Kathleen and I met at CotH in 2004 and became good friends in 2006. Roomies from 2007 until she and Matt got married, and still best buds. What a joy to share life together! I can't wait to meet the new little one!







• An update from Ghana... the final fish cage went in the water at Adovepke last month. The 24 rescued kids remain at the shelter and have even been visited by some of their parents as they prepare to make the transition home. I can't imagine what that must've been like for them all!



• Some of our sweet friends and MP supporters put together an Amazon wish list of items we'd like to take to the rehabilitation shelter for the kids to use – art supplies, educational items, etc. I checked the mail after race weekend and had 15 packages waiting for me! Another 6-8 have arrived at my house since then. There are still several items on the list if you'd like to send a few things to Ghana for the kids. And how are the kids? This:

Well, I have some great posts to catch up on, but it's just not going to happen yet. Because... it's Race Week!!! Yes, that's capital "R" and capital "W". It's sorta a big deal around here. ;)

This is my garage:




This is my bedroom:



This is my car:



This is my desktop:


And that is why I'm MIA lately. We are so excited to host Year Two of the BCS Marathon and dashing around getting ready to host 3500+ runners and their families starting on Saturday at the Health & Fitness Expo. It's going to be phenomenal. And after that, we sleep. Until then, please pray for cooler weather next weekend and check back in after the 9th for a massive photo dump of the festivities. Cheers!