Are you still wishing you could help support the Refuge for Women but wonder if what you have to offer will even make a difference? I've often felt that way but I want you to know that just one dollar is greatly appreciated and goes a long way at the Refuge for Women. My friends Jeff and Abby Laub have so generously offered to use their gift for photography as a fun and creative way to help raise support for Running for the Refuge. Here's an exciting and unbeatable offer to give. By giving you will receive the opportunity to get your pictures made by Lexington's most talented photography artists and much more! See the following invitation from Abby. Thanks jalaubphotography! You guys are AWESOME!
Come on out and celebrate our open studio party! In business already for three years in weddings and location photography, J.A. Laub Photography is celebrating the grand opening of its studio.
We hope you can join us for...
1. Lots of awesome food and fellowship.
2. A raffle for a free photo session (all proceeds will benefit the Refuge for Women.) $5 raffle tickets, winner gets a $200 photos session!
3. $10 mini sessions in the studio. Perfect for engagements, Christmas card photos, etc.... get creative!
4. Great coupons for future photography work with J.A. Laub.
We'll see you next weekend! Bring your friends and family to join the fun. :)
www.jalaubphotography.com
Call Abby for more info. 859.967.6680 or email jalaubphotography@gmail.com
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Abby Laub
312 Bernie Trail
Nicholasville, KY 40356
859.967.6680
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Open Heart Surgery
Recently a wonderful friend from college told me throughout our friendship she felt I had put up a wall, not allowing her to really know me. I'm so thankful for her honesty and know she is not one to lie about things she discerns in others. I've been so convicted of my "walls" since then especially because I sincerely thought I was being vulnerable and transparent in this particular friendship. This is an attempt at being known other than Ron Burgundy jokes and Seinfeld quotes.
There is just something about being pushed beyond my physical limitations that makes me more in tuned with my spirit being. As God is 3 in one we are 3 in one-physical, mental and spiritual beings. All 3 go hand in hand and affect one another. If you are a runner you know emotions are sure to surface throughout the training and race. It just so happens that God has been gently but persistently asking me to trust Him to do some healing. Healing sounds nice but first it hurts before it feels better. I wanted to share something God taught me on an emotional run. If you prefer the Ron Burgundy material and want to stop reading right now I don't blame you.....
My imagination ran wild on my run today and I pictured myself on an operating table split wide open down the chest. The funny part is I was not put under, I was completely coherent. In fact, I was slightly sitting up fumbling over a bunch of medical tools. I was trying to do open heart surgery on myself.
That's me Ms. FixItMyself, nice to meet you. What a moron! I would try something like that, figuratively speaking, and too often do. God showed me that this is how I am trying to handle a difficult situation in my life. I admit I have"issues" or whatever you want to call them; we all deal with them to some degree. Those who claim to have no issues are worse off than me. Before you think too far into this know that I am NOT into drama. Ask Der, I usually go the other extreme MsFixItMyself. The fact that I thought this "junk" was more of a paper cut that I could slap a band-aid on and everything would be fine is proof that I hate drama.
I've been attempting to fix it myself when I've been in need of "spiritual open heart surgery". Even the worlds best physicians would laugh at the idea of doing open heart surgery on themselves and place their lives in someone else's hands. A choice remains, with the diagnosis the Great Physician has presented. I can reject Omnipotent help or I can go under the spiritual knife. I trust Him. I'm going under.
Proverbs 20:5
"The purpose of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out."
There is just something about being pushed beyond my physical limitations that makes me more in tuned with my spirit being. As God is 3 in one we are 3 in one-physical, mental and spiritual beings. All 3 go hand in hand and affect one another. If you are a runner you know emotions are sure to surface throughout the training and race. It just so happens that God has been gently but persistently asking me to trust Him to do some healing. Healing sounds nice but first it hurts before it feels better. I wanted to share something God taught me on an emotional run. If you prefer the Ron Burgundy material and want to stop reading right now I don't blame you.....
My imagination ran wild on my run today and I pictured myself on an operating table split wide open down the chest. The funny part is I was not put under, I was completely coherent. In fact, I was slightly sitting up fumbling over a bunch of medical tools. I was trying to do open heart surgery on myself.
That's me Ms. FixItMyself, nice to meet you. What a moron! I would try something like that, figuratively speaking, and too often do. God showed me that this is how I am trying to handle a difficult situation in my life. I admit I have"issues" or whatever you want to call them; we all deal with them to some degree. Those who claim to have no issues are worse off than me. Before you think too far into this know that I am NOT into drama. Ask Der, I usually go the other extreme MsFixItMyself. The fact that I thought this "junk" was more of a paper cut that I could slap a band-aid on and everything would be fine is proof that I hate drama.
I've been attempting to fix it myself when I've been in need of "spiritual open heart surgery". Even the worlds best physicians would laugh at the idea of doing open heart surgery on themselves and place their lives in someone else's hands. A choice remains, with the diagnosis the Great Physician has presented. I can reject Omnipotent help or I can go under the spiritual knife. I trust Him. I'm going under.
Proverbs 20:5
"The purpose of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out."
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Loyal Two Timer
Soon after I decided to start a blog to track my journey with Running for the Refuge Derrick and I were talking about his blog and some pointers he learned along the way. If you have not seen my husbands blog you have to check it out, it's family-bike-words.blogspot.com. Der is the funniest, smartest, coolest, most honorable, sweetest, best looking guy in existence. For the record, I apologize to every woman in the world for taking him. If you know Der and I as one, you may have noticed that we are more than slightly delusional in our perspective/ opinion of one another, which makes our marriage work so well.
Back to Der's tips for getting "some good word of mouth going" about my blog. He said his blog got a lot more hits after one of his favorite bike brands Xtracycle @ mentioned him on twitter. Der suggested I tweet about how much I love my running shoes and @ mention Asics. I've tried over and over to come up with 140 characters to convey the confidence I have in knowing that I'm wearing the right shoe before the big race.... The only problem is.... I confess.....I have TWO favorite brands of running shoes! I just couldn't @ mention one brand and not the other. I can't pick one favorite pair. Der took a picture of my Asics and put it on my blog. They just happened to be the first pair I could find when Der asked me to grab them. I trade off between my Asics and my Mizuno's.
It all goes back to my freakish feet. They are shockingly narrow. My toes look like the average persons fingers. Need I mention an arch like the one in St. Louis? I need a good fit which astonishingly..... my Mizuno's provide. What would I do without Johns Run Walk Shop? I would be in bad shape. I also need extra cushioning for my knees which my Asics (cumulus 12) provide. I wear both. I love both. My knees feel great. My feet are in great shape in comparison to my last race. I'm a loyal two timer when it comes to my running shoes. Please! someone tell me you have freakish feet too!
Let's go for a run!
Back to Der's tips for getting "some good word of mouth going" about my blog. He said his blog got a lot more hits after one of his favorite bike brands Xtracycle @ mentioned him on twitter. Der suggested I tweet about how much I love my running shoes and @ mention Asics. I've tried over and over to come up with 140 characters to convey the confidence I have in knowing that I'm wearing the right shoe before the big race.... The only problem is.... I confess.....I have TWO favorite brands of running shoes! I just couldn't @ mention one brand and not the other. I can't pick one favorite pair. Der took a picture of my Asics and put it on my blog. They just happened to be the first pair I could find when Der asked me to grab them. I trade off between my Asics and my Mizuno's.
It all goes back to my freakish feet. They are shockingly narrow. My toes look like the average persons fingers. Need I mention an arch like the one in St. Louis? I need a good fit which astonishingly..... my Mizuno's provide. What would I do without Johns Run Walk Shop? I would be in bad shape. I also need extra cushioning for my knees which my Asics (cumulus 12) provide. I wear both. I love both. My knees feel great. My feet are in great shape in comparison to my last race. I'm a loyal two timer when it comes to my running shoes. Please! someone tell me you have freakish feet too!
Let's go for a run!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Socially Acceptable?
On my run yesterday I didn't think twice before aggressively shooting out a snot rocket. I'm really exposing how lady like I truly am on this blog. Did I mention I was in my neighborhood? I guess I've lost all awareness of normal manners outside of marathon training. I fully believe that if any of my neighbors saw me they would understand if I told them I was on mile 7 of a 12 mile run. Or maybe they wouldn't understand. I began to think about the many fun things that are only "socially acceptable" and even PRAISED, mind you...... in a marathon. So here's my top 10 funniest things that are "socially acceptable" only in a race.
1). Adults peeing their pants....
2). Men with bloody nipples.....
If you aren't a runner before you judge me let me explain....... men+ cotton T-shirts+ marathon= bloody nipples. DUDES, do not forget your band-aids!
3). Littering.....
There's just something about opening a brand new bottle of water poring it on your head and throwing right on the ground that makes me feel like a real professional.
4). Snot rockets.
5). Hocking loogies
6). Mutant B.O.
I've smelled some bad B.O. during races before, but I much prefer it to strong perfume. Ladies, if you are going to run 13.1 mi.+, you are going to stink. Save the perfume for later, it's like breathing in toxic fumes for your fellow runners. We would much prefer your B.O.! "what am I hard of smelling?"-Elaine
7). Sharing a water bottle or energy gel with a complete stranger.
8). Grown adults throwing a tantrum like a toddler.
9). Dressing up like Elvis- (Louisville)
10). Public display of puking
1). Adults peeing their pants....
2). Men with bloody nipples.....
If you aren't a runner before you judge me let me explain....... men+ cotton T-shirts+ marathon= bloody nipples. DUDES, do not forget your band-aids!
3). Littering.....
There's just something about opening a brand new bottle of water poring it on your head and throwing right on the ground that makes me feel like a real professional.
4). Snot rockets.
5). Hocking loogies
6). Mutant B.O.
I've smelled some bad B.O. during races before, but I much prefer it to strong perfume. Ladies, if you are going to run 13.1 mi.+, you are going to stink. Save the perfume for later, it's like breathing in toxic fumes for your fellow runners. We would much prefer your B.O.! "what am I hard of smelling?"-Elaine
7). Sharing a water bottle or energy gel with a complete stranger.
8). Grown adults throwing a tantrum like a toddler.
9). Dressing up like Elvis- (Louisville)
10). Public display of puking
Friday, September 24, 2010
Love/ Hate
Today is a rest day and I'm glad, I needed it! As my training is coming to an end it is bitter sweet. This marathon as well as my first have been kind of a love/ hate relationship. I remember in college when Derrick and I were just friends, I sarcastically told my Mom I hated him. She said,
"There's a fine line between love and hate."
She was right. She knew Derrick was the one and knew I loved him before I even realized it. I hated him because I truly loved him and we were not dating. The hate disappeared when I knew we would be together until death do us part. Our "worlds collided",as Costanza puts it, and I married my best friend.
My passion for running is nothing in comparison to my love for Derrick and our kids. I love running and I would even say I love every aspect of mini marathons. At this point for me personally full marathons are a love/ hate relationship. After my first mini I didn't exercise PERIOD.... for a month. I kept telling myself;
"Well I ran 13.1 miles a few days ago..... a few weeks ago..... Oh, a month ago maybe I better start moving."
I'm sure I'll start some kind of doughnut/ sloth regimen after the race is over but I'm thankful for the experience, high's and low's alike.
Let's go for a run!
"There's a fine line between love and hate."
She was right. She knew Derrick was the one and knew I loved him before I even realized it. I hated him because I truly loved him and we were not dating. The hate disappeared when I knew we would be together until death do us part. Our "worlds collided",as Costanza puts it, and I married my best friend.
My passion for running is nothing in comparison to my love for Derrick and our kids. I love running and I would even say I love every aspect of mini marathons. At this point for me personally full marathons are a love/ hate relationship. After my first mini I didn't exercise PERIOD.... for a month. I kept telling myself;
"Well I ran 13.1 miles a few days ago..... a few weeks ago..... Oh, a month ago maybe I better start moving."
I'm sure I'll start some kind of doughnut/ sloth regimen after the race is over but I'm thankful for the experience, high's and low's alike.
Let's go for a run!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Jon Bon
I've been reminiscing about my first marathon in hopes to try to somewhat mentally prepare myself. It's weird even though I've done it once; past experience is not going to carry me over the finish line 3 years later. I remember getting Jon Bon Jovi's "livin' on a prayer" stuck in my head when the full marathon runners split from the half marathon runners.
"Whooaaaaaa! We´re half way there
Whooooaaaa! Livin' on a prayer
Take my hand- we´ll make it - I swear
Whooaaaa! Livin' on a prayer"
Which reminded me I need to come up with a playlist for the race. I run without music 90% of the time. I didn't use an iPod for my first race because they said it wasn't allowed. I was so mad that I didn't break the rules when I noticed people with their headphones on jammin. I guess I'll take my iPhone and figure it out when I get there.
I've tried to train myself in boredom by not listening to music and doing most of my running right in my neighborhood. I guess I'll find out if it helped on race day. I don't see how it can hurt. The Towpath marathon was rated the most beautiful marathon as far as scenery, although the route is one way 13.1 miles and back the same exact 13.1 in reverse. I'm hoping that doesn't mess with me mentally.
Any ideas on good running music? I know Zach Bolen's "Be Team" will be on my marathon playlist!
Let's go for a run!
"Whooaaaaaa! We´re half way there
Whooooaaaa! Livin' on a prayer
Take my hand- we´ll make it - I swear
Whooaaaa! Livin' on a prayer"
Which reminded me I need to come up with a playlist for the race. I run without music 90% of the time. I didn't use an iPod for my first race because they said it wasn't allowed. I was so mad that I didn't break the rules when I noticed people with their headphones on jammin. I guess I'll take my iPhone and figure it out when I get there.
I've tried to train myself in boredom by not listening to music and doing most of my running right in my neighborhood. I guess I'll find out if it helped on race day. I don't see how it can hurt. The Towpath marathon was rated the most beautiful marathon as far as scenery, although the route is one way 13.1 miles and back the same exact 13.1 in reverse. I'm hoping that doesn't mess with me mentally.
Any ideas on good running music? I know Zach Bolen's "Be Team" will be on my marathon playlist!
Let's go for a run!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Refuge for Women
On my run this morning. I gave my heart to the precious women and children at the Refuge through prayer. Some of them I have met, some I hope to have the privilege of meeting in the future, some of them I will meet in heaven. If any of you ladies at the Refuge for Women are reading this I want you to know that I love you. Your Maker loves you more than any of us will ever know here on earth- 1 John 4:19. Your Savior loves you- John 15:12. He knew you before you were born- Psalm 139:13. He knows this very minute exactly how many hairs are on your heads-Matthew 10:30. He has a plan for you-Jeremiah 29:11. He has engraved your name on His hands-Isaiah 49:16. He is called Immanuel, which means God with us- Matthew 1:23. He will never leave or forsake you-Hebrews 13:5. He is compassionate and gracious slow to anger, abounding in love-Psalm 103:8. You are precious and honored in his sight-Isaiah 43:4. He will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs- Isaiah 58:11. He will be your home-John14:23. He prays for you when you don't even know what to pray.-Romans 8:26. He is stronger than anything threatening you.-1John 4:4. He gives you the ability "do ALL things" through his strength- Philippians 4:13. I want you to know I admire you for the courage it took to make this leap of faith. You are loved. There are people across the NATION praying for you. We believe in you!
Let's go for a run!
Let's go for a run!
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