Vernonia Marathon: Running To Find Rest

By Tanya

Hello, it’s me. Remember me? I used to write about running.

I had a fast and furious start to my running experience. How can I not, when I have some of the most amazing and inspiring running friends on the face of the earth? However, just as my running experience started fast and furious it also came crashing down in flames.

Why you ask? Many reasons. Mostly just because I’m me and it’s all a part of my story.

If you remember from my past posts I am an “A” type personality who always has to be busy. I like to constantly be in motion making things happen.

It took my first marathon experience 5 years ago to finally teach me I really don’t have control of anything. I had to learn to let go and take each experience for what it was. I learned to trust. Trust in God and seasons of life. Trust that every experience we have good or bad shapes who we are. And trust that God made each and every one of us to be unique and to live for our unique purpose. I was made to run my own race.

What is Next

By Carissa

It’s been more than a month since my triathlon.  What have I been up to? Rest, a chest cold, one day of the flu and lots of on again/off again exercise.  After 19 weeks of training I was ready for a mental and physical break.  So I took a break.

During this month of light exercise a buzz started among my Sole Sisters.  Both Jodi and Tanya were considering Whidbey Island Marathon.  I wanted to be in.  I love doing races with my Sole Sisters.  I wanted to train for a spring marathon.  But as much as I wanted to be a yes, I intuitively said no.

Another thing I am not doing is going back to Boston for 2014.  After the bombings last year I was sure that’s exactly what I wanted to do but then I changed my mind.  Going to Boston is a big commitment of time and money.  It’s also a big emotional commitment.  When August/September rolled around and it was time to decide I realized that I didn’t want those commitments.

Learning to Listen to my Body

by Jodi

sneaky shot by my friend and talented photographer  J. Carmon Photography

I didn't think I was training "hard" for our triathlon.  Swim two or three times a week.  Bike once a week.  Run two or three times a week.

How did I not think that was hard?

Maybe it was the shorter running distances.  Or the fact that I was so bad at swimming and cycling that every session felt more like learning than exercising.  Whatever the reason, I had convinced myself that I was putting in the bare minimum for training.