Monday, June 30, 2008

It Has Begun!

Well, today marks week three of my training...I am training to run the Chicago Marathon! I am pumped! What makes it doubly excited is that I am running it for Team World Vision. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization that works with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. The focus of this year's Team World Vision fundraising is to provide clean water to the communities in Africa. I am so excited to be a part of this! My prayer is that I will raise so much more than my goal of $1,500.00. To see my fundraising webpage, go to www.firstgiving.com/mariagrogan or click on the feed to the right.

The morning of my first official day of training, I did my bible study before I did my scheduled run. The focus bible verse for that particular day was Isaiah 40:31: 'but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.' This verse was the exact verse my sweet mother in law gave me to pin onto my shorts when I ran the Derby City mini marathon two months ago. It is so like God to give you just the right verse exactly when you need it! So, this has officially become my 'marathon' verse. God has been such an encouragement to me during my training so far...I am going to attempt to write about all the lessons He has been teaching me as I train--that is, if I can find the time! So, be watching for more to come....

2 comments:

eric grogan said...

3 wks in and your doing great....you so determined and focused. Can't wait to see you cross the finish line.

God's Girl Pearl said...

Maria,

I will be praying for your training. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God will give you the strength to do this and you will glorify him through it.

This is a funny from Jack:

The other day I had to buy him a new pair of tennis shoes because he blew a hole in his. The next day he put the new pair of shoes on as soon as he got out of bed. Didn't take them off the whole day. After a full day of vacation bible school and basketball camp, he came to me and said, "Mama, I really feel like these new shoes helped me to jump higher and run faster. Could you tell when you where watching me?" I called him "Jump-n-Jack Flash". He was so serious. This finally motivated me to buy new running shoes. I haven't bought any since the half marathon in April of 2007. My shoes were shot. I have needed some but just didn't want to spend the money. I drove all the way to Team Nashville Running Store downtown Nashville with my kids to get my new shoes. The next day I was so excited about running that I couldn't wait until Doug got home so that I could run the neighborhood. I had really built myself up for it. I ran better than I have in months. I know that it was all in my head, but that is just it. Most of the time it is just mental. It is our attitudes about our day and being thankful.

Here are a few more verses for you about running:

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

1 Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
(my version: If anyone runs, he should do it as one running for the Lord with the strength that God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.)

I love you sister! Have a great week.