Tag: Christian

Blog, Inspirational

When Life Gives You Lemons…

Deanna Steinle

When life give you lemons… make whatever you want!

Lemonade, lemon sherbet, lemon custard, lemon meringue pie, lemon jello, lemon sorbet, lemon tarts, lemon cheesecake, the possibilities are endless and all just as delicious.

My point is this, we all go through trials. Yes, there are similarities. But, how we get through those trials is going to look different for each person. The end result will not always be lemonade.

Sure, I can tell you what my resolution would be. Help guide you and support you through the journey. Trust me, I will be right there cheering you on! But ultimately it is your story and your resilience that is different from everyone else.

Why? Because your “resilience” is beautiful and unique to you. Given as a gift from God, powered by The Holy Spirit and nurtured through the Grace of God.

I can’t stress to you how much I love the word “resilient/resilience”. It is such a powerful word. And yet, it literally can’t exist without the ugliness, the pain and tears of trials.

God knew we would experience pain. Pain that would bring us to our knees at times. I can’t sit here and give you boxes to check to get you through trials. I wish I could. If I had the ability to take it all away, I would in a blink of an eye. To see anyone suffer rocks me to my core. The harsh reality is, we will all experience some kind of trial in our lifetime.

I am going to tell you a BIG secret. It even hurts me to even put it into words. But here it goes. Even as much as I want to promise you that I will ALWAYS be by your side during the pain, I can’t. I have the potential to fail you in those moments. Not because I do not want to be there. I could be in another state, I could be with another person, I could be sick. etc. The list of reasons are endless.

But I can promise you one thing, one single thing. GOD WILL BE THERE! And I can assure you, it will be beautiful. He will meet you where you are. Together, your journey will be a story for the ages! To share with others of how God has made himself reverendetly known in your life.

So the next time you find yourself with a bowl full of lemons, don’t try to solve your problems to mirror another person. Let God take over and show you the beautiful creation He has created in you; the miracles around you He provided to give support during those times, and the moments God carried you. Even when you didn’t know you were being carried. Trust me, it looks nothing like everyone else’s lemonade.

#Live2Inspire1
Blessins and Love,
Deanna






Blog

When The Rug Gets Pulled.

Deanna Steinle

Isaiah 40: 30 – 31 ESV
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.

Tonight is one of those nights, I am not sure how to get my words together. Marshall and I took a much needed vacation to get away, retreat and process everything we have been going through since my diagnoses and latest appointments. We have had some amazing concurring moments and moments where I feel like my world is falling apart.

Being in my 30’s and suddenly having my legs give out while walking is something I NEVER IMAGINED I would be learning how to handle in my life. Or how to handle the stares from the flight attendant because she can’t believe my face is drooping and can barely understand me because I am slurring my words. I become so red with embarrassment, I want to crawl under my seat.

At this moment, I feel like the rug has been pulled out from under my feet in several aspects of my life.

I say this with certainty that the majority will understand when I say this “It is ok, to not be ok 100 % of the time”. The best, most powerful thing I can do for myself is to recognize and give respect to the changes happening to my body and allow the feelings to come when they come. Giving them time to process and then get back up again.

That DOES NOT mean I give in; it means that I take care of myself when my body is telling me something is wrong. When it tells me to stop and forces me to rest. Marshall has to step in sometimes to make me stop. Because, well you know, I am stubborn. However, he truly understands my drive and the mental struggle I have daily. But when I do not listen, I end up in a wheelchair on vacation and headed back to the room to sleep and let my body recover. I do not get an option when it gets to that point.

So what do I do now, that I feel like the rug has been pulled? Burn it! I did not need that rug anyway! Redecorate. Make changes. Downsize. Redecorate again. How am I doing that? One day at a time. I am working on a Ladies Retreat coming in 2020, I have a few speaking engagements this fall. For the new year I am not sure where it will go from there. These were things all put into motion BEFORE my last set of doctors’ visits. Then we had to have some very hard discussions in those appointments. Honestly, it was not information I wanted to hear. Hence why we went away for a while.

All I know is, God has me. I will fly, I will soar. I will always be looking for his guidance and do everything in my power to fulfill the plan he has for me, to the best of my ability.

I want to share what God has done in my life. I want to shout it from the rooftops. I sometimes feel like a broken record, but I honestly believe that if I can help just one person, it is all worth it. #Live2Inspire1

AMEN!

Next speaking event: Sept. 8th Grace Covenant Church Kingsport, TN










Blog

Change is Hard. Change is Growth

Deanna Steinle

This life is always changing. Change looks different for everyone. Mine is just a little more drastic than most. As it is with anyone with a chronic illness; especially something rare, such as mine.

Sometimes I believe the change in my activity level is the hardest part about MG. The change in my body, my physical appearance; wishing I could work out and get back to were I once was. Other days, I feel like I am missing out with friends and family because of the lack of energy and strength to do something fun with them. Then, I think about how I feel in regards to the dreams I once had. Of certain goals, I wanted to accomplish in life. Change is hard.

Then I wake up, specifically the last two days, and I cant keep my eye open to save my life. I sit in a room with blackout shades, wearing sunglasses, just so I can watch a movie to pass the time. My eyes ache with pain as they try to stay open. Think of this way, when you go to the gym and you are on your last rep. of lifting a weight. The burn, the shaking of trying to keep your arms up to achieve that last point, that’s what it feels like in my eyes. That is full muscle fatigue. That is what happens to MG’ers when they cant get the nerve signal to the muscle.

No, THIS, this is the hardest. It effects everything. It effects me being able to get ready. It effects enjoying these beautiful days we have had, that I feel I have completely missed out on.

But then I take a set back and remember a conversation I had with a lady three days ago. A conversation that reminded me that on days like today, I am STILL GROWING.

I was telling her about my workshop I am building “Resilience is Beautiful”. I was explaining that my new goal is to share my story and to help others in all aspects of life because resilience is NOT a word just associated with someone with medical complications. It is a word that builds meaning for each of us. From marriage, family, finances, work and more specifically our Faith Walk.

I know what I am going through is meant to be shared. That God and I have had NUMEROUS heart to heart conversations about what the future holds for me. Is it a clear picture? No. Does it scare me? Yes. WIll it help others? I believe it will with all my heart.

So I made the decision to step out and start working on this workshop. To put my heart and soul into building sessions that had real meaning, real value, real conversation. I pray about that points the conversations are meant to be built around. I pray about the people that will attend. I pray for the confidence in my research to build something Biblically sound. I have grown.

I have grown in my prayer life. I have grown in my understanding of what spiritual and mental health looks like. I have grown in my understanding that “yes” my life is changing but I am growing with it. God has a plan. He has been pulling at my heart, having very deep conversations with me when I am alone in a room watching a movie with blackout shades. He uses this time, even though they are VERY hard on me, because I am alone and not distracted.

I know today will get better. I know that I will be focusing what energy I have into my workshop and build something, I believe, will have value. That is my prayer.

I am human. I have feelings, struggles, pain, emotions and days that I feel I am at my lowest. But I remember that with these struggles brings moments of clarity and direction. Forcing me to reprioritize my life. And that is exactly what I am doing.

Change is Hard. Change is Growth.

Blog

Social Media and Empty Couch Syndrome

Deanna Steinle

It will be to no one’s surprise that I love social media. I majored in Marketing and consider it a large player in brand awareness and communication. I think it is a great tool and fun for all ages. I for one, LOVE your messages and comments. It brings so much joy into my life!

I am also a big advocate for knowing  when and where social media has its place.  As Christians what are we doing or not doing, to help those going through tough times in their lives?  Are we using social media as our only source of comfort creating “Empty Couch Syndrome”?

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What is Empty Couch Syndrome? It is a term I created, defining the living environment of someone who is chronically ill/grieving/struggling and social media has taken the place of individuals stopping by to visit them. This amplifies the isolation factor of the person struggling and gives a false sense of due diligence to social media followers.

I am sure you will agree, we ALL fall into the convenance of social media when someone post their need for prayer or a current struggle they are facing. You can “Like, Heart or Sad Face” our empathy with them and comment with “Praying!” in literally .5 seconds.  It is great encouragement!  But can we do more?

This is where I feel, we as Christians, drop the ball. More often than not, it stops there. Do we pick up the phone for them to hear our caring voice? Do we stop by to have a few much-needed laughs with them? Do we follow-up the next week to make sure they are ok? We have forgotten the signficant impact of human interaction during times of struggles.

Christ called us to be there for one another. To love and comfort as he does for us. Lets be the face of God and FILL THOSE COUCHES! Do not let them sit empty! Lets bring warmth into their homes and knock out the cold screen. Lets care for others as we would want to be cared for.

2 Cor 1:4-5 ESV
4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

Bring a movie. Bring a smile. Bring a hug that stretches a mile.
Bring a meal. Bring a mug. Bring a shoulder for someone to snug.
Bring a heart with understanding and love,
Because You Have Been Sent From The Great Lord Above.
– By Deanna Steinle

Blessings and love,
Deanna

Blog, Inspirational

The List Of Baby Names That MAY Never Happen…..

Deanna Steinle

baby-names

Before I start this, I wanted to set some ground rules. This is not a “please help me fix this” post. I welcome ALL support comments and love.  This post is very raw and very personal. We are in the process of taking all the information from my care team and making the most prayerful decision possible. Please know, we are looking at ALL options. I am also not a medical professional; the information below is my understanding from all the information I have received and researched. If you have additional information, please send it to me in a private email deanna.steinle@gmail.com or direct message. Please feel free to share !

This is for all the ladies out there that need to know you are not alone. I want to share for the people that are afraid of judgement and need someone who understands. I do!

If you are like me you have probably dreamt of having a family of your own since you were a little girl. You have secretly built a list of baby names for that special day and continually edit it when a name strikes you. Do not try to deny it, we ALL do it; haha!  You start dating, fall in love, get married and naturally that list starts getting longer. You begin really listening for names you love. Then start crossing off the names you decide you dislike or your siblings/in-laws use them for their children. Definitely crossing it off!

So you can see the list is ever evolving and ever changing. It is a wonderful time in your life and a fun game to play with your spouse.

When I was diagnosed last year, my care team told me that if we wanted to have children then we should go ahead and try; then I could start treatment next year. We had a little bit of time.  The decision shortly got reversed when I had several bad episodes and waiting was no longer an option. I was further along than what we had initially thought. I needed to start treatment sooner than we expected. My heart sank.

Last fall, Marshall and I sat with my doctors and made a very hard decision to start the treatment we were dreading.. We knew by doing so, the side affects and risks would ultimately make some life decisions for us. This was something we did not take lightly. There were tears and more tears…

The treatment is not a medication that you can become pregnant on. This treatment, if it works, is also something I could potentially have to be on the rest of my life. I am pretty sure you have put two and two together by now. So my question was, “can I come off the medication, try to have a family, then go back on it ? ” The look in their eyes said it all.

Even if I come off the medication, delivery alone could put me on a ventilator during and after delivery for a while. I would potentially need several rounds of IVIg (during pregnancy and after delivery)  and the baby could have transient MG for up to 6 months. Therefore the baby would have to be delivered in NICU and monitored very closely; receiving swallowing and breathing assistance. Before baby would even arrive, all ladies have a chance of developing signs of preeclampsia (early signs are fairly common and normally easily treated before it becomes dangerous).  The medication used for preeclampsia, I can’t take due the affects it has on my illness. This would force early delivery at the time of discovery; regardless where you are in the pregnancy.

Do not get me wrong, all or none of these things could happen. There have been some MG’ers that have great pregnancy stories. Then there are several that have stories with some or all the risks above.

So at what point or what would a doctor have to tell me, that would give me peace about coming off the treatment to try? Honestly, I do not know the answer to that.

Gestational carriers and surrogates have been brought up in conversation as well as adoption. But to be honest, the feelings are too raw to even begin to have those conversations. Also MG is a progressive disease, so I will have a better understanding of my progression once I come back from DUKE (hopefully). So this discussion is on hold for now.

Where do we go from here? I am not sure. All I know is I can barely look at the list of names without tear-filled eyes. I see baby outfits for Easter and I have to sit in the car and cry it out with my husband because I know that may never happen for us. Every time someone asks me about children I feel my stomach turn into knots and grab for my husband’s hand and let him take lead to answer, because I just can’t right now.

Today is an emotional day. Today I want to cry and scream from a rooftop. But I know I will have better days. I know I will have ups and downs. For all the ladies out there, regardless of the reason that finds yourself in the same boat, know I love you and I understand.

The feelings I have mentioned in this post only barely scratch the surface of what I am feeling. It is a very complex situation/emotion that has different effects and triggers from all directions of your life.

I would like to do a follow up post on this to answer any questions or add to any thoughts I have as I go through this journey. I know it will not be easy, I know it will be hard.

What I do know? I am loved. I am loved by a loving and gracious God. I am loved by an amazing and strong husband. I am loved by my family, friends and co-workers. And I am loved by THREE amazing fur babies that remind me every day that they chose me  to be their mommy. (If you have animals you know what I mean)

Blessings and love,
Deanna
#Live2Inspire1

Blog, Inspirational

Thank You – The Melting Pot

Deanna Steinle

Thank you to @themeltingpotrestaurants for making this celebration one we will not forget. And to EVERYONE who made this one night get away possible. There are SEVERAL people behind the scenes that made this weekend happen. After last weekend (when I was in the hospital) this was something we both desperately needed. We celebrated one year of being diagnosed and making it through the FIRST year of treatment and learning!!! (My actual diagnosis Anniversary date is April 19 however this was the ONLY weekend we could do this.) We lumped, birthday, valentine’s and anniversary all in one. We laughed, we cried and talked about how thankful we are for all the people in our lives who are there to support us each day. I definitely cried when she brought out my plate and rose. Having had such a low last weekend and not understanding why this was happening; this moment truly embraced the milestone of how far I have come. We were both in shock! It was stunning! I will continue to push everyday, loving everyone around me and thankful for the many blessing God has shown us. #live2inspire1 #RareDisease#myastheniagravis #strongertogether #strongerthanyesterday #pastorswife#pastor #christian #Themeltingpot 

Blog, Inspirational

My Body Is Strong

Deanna Steinle

5 lbs, 10 lbs, the scale keeps going up… As a woman, is this one of the worst feelings in the world. Especially, when all of your life you have been extremely active and kept physical fitness a priority in your life. I look in the mirror and some days I do not recognize myself. My heart breaks. Medically there is a reason, but sometimes even knowing that isn’t enough.

But then, after completing 4 months of this new treatment, I get my blood work back and the one major concern (a particular side effect) we have been keeping our eye on looks wonderful! In that moment, God sends me this amazing thought, “MY BODY IS STRONG!”

What do I mean? 

For years we have been trying to figure out this mystery. To do this, there was and still is, such much my body has to go through.  You can imagine the testing over the years and now the medication and treatments I am currently working through.

  • So much medication, my Pharmacist knows my name!
  • Nuclear Imaging
    • Computed Tomography (CT)
    • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
    • Positron Emission Tomography – Computed Tomography (PET/CT)
  • Ultrasounds
  • X-Rays
  • Bottle after bottle of contrast
  • Blood draws
  • Swallow studies
  • Several Surgeries
  • Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy (IVIg)

Even after all this, the sheer amount of radiation and medication that has been pushed through my organs and veins… my body is holding its own!! I am still working, coaching swimming, getting out and seeing family and friends, attending events even on days I just want to stay in bed; I still go!

Through it all, I could not be more blessed that my body is a fighter. That no matter what we throw at it, it continues to surprise me as the test results (side effects that we are monitoring) comes back so favorably.

My Body Is Strong!

#Live2Inspire1 #MGStrong #RareDisease #MyastheniaGravis

Blog, Inspirational

What I’ve Learned In 3 Months…

Deanna Steinle

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To say the last three months has been a roller coaster would be an understatement. We began my third treatment option in October; knowing there would a 3- 8 month waiting period to see full benefit.

So here it is, month three and I can honestly say my head is still spinning. Some days I feel like things are going to be “ok” and everything is under control. Then within an hour, I can feel as if the bottom of the world is falling out from under me. As my doctor keeps telling me, this is completely normal.

Due to the way gMG* works, it truly can fluctuate day by day, hour by hour; sometimes by the minute. Making my days, for right now, very unpredictable.  To me, this is the hardest part. Why? Because I have commitments. The way in-which I live my life affects a number of people around me. I have commitments at work, coaching, church, family … all the places my heart is, that is where my commitments are.

When I am not be able to be there, calling last minute having to cancel, I feel, lets so many people down. On top of trying to understand and deal with the changes that are being thrown at me, I have this immense feeling of guilt. It brings me down, emotionally. Which also affects my gMG. It literally makes the transmissions in my nervous system run faster and slows down the communication in my muscles. So either way, I feel like I loose.

Last week, I had a terrible episode that made me have to cancel work, coaching and not attend church. Which began with a trip to my doctor’s office. I was slurring my speech, I could barely lift my arm above my head and both eyes were almost completely shut.
After a long conversation with my doctor I was still in the “safe zone” and did not need to go to the hospital, but we were going to reintroduce another medicine that had not worked before.  If I continue to get worse, he would be up for a half round of  IVIG**. (Thankfully, I do not have to have it right now. Only if my severe episodes become more frequent.)

He believes due to me being on this new treatment, it would allow opportunity for the other medicine, which it did not have prior.  It is strictly to help with symptoms in times of extreme episodes when my ice vest or sleep, does not alleviate weakness. This medicine has nothing to do with suppressing the disease. The two will work together. So far, I have seen some benefit and hope it will continue to provide stability.

What have I learned?
1. I have learned to make my goals smaller and to accept those goals.
2. I have learned that I can’t control what is happening to me. That doesn’t mean I have        to like it. Allow myself to grieve the situation.
3. I am setting four goals for the month of December.
– I want to loose 10 lbs
– I am going to pick a 5k and train for it.
– I am going to blog/vlog more.
– To be easier on myself.
4. My doctors are amazing and have been beyond supportive of me. (I have always known this, I just have to praise them a little on here. I am very blessed.)
5. I have to come to understanding that episodes are going to happen. They aren’t going away. So how do I handle this going forward?
6. I am not giving up. I have said it before and I will say it again. I hope that someone, somewhere will know my story and be inspired. That it helps just one person.                     #Live2Inspire1 will always be my motto.

I know what it feels like to be at my lowest. I know that I will have ups and downs. I know that every day has its challenges and struggles. But I also know I made it through the day. I know that I am making plans and trying each day to concur this, despite medical odds. I want to keep working, I want to keep coaching, I want to get back into shape, I want to run and play with my nieces and nephews like I used too. I want to look my doctors in the eyes and say “I did it.”

*gMG – Generalized Mysathenia Gravis
**IVIg  – Intravenous Immunoglobulin

Blog, Inspirational

Be The “Upper Hand” For Christ: Know The Details

Deanna Steinle

I have heard it said, it has become much harder to keep young adults and youth in church. Too many things are competing for their time and the priority is not there. Plus the social changes going on right now are making the millennial back away. Then I am asked, how do we, a smaller church, have so many generations? My answer is: We teach them. They are equipped, not entertained. Let me explain…

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Image used from “God’s Not Dead Bible Study” http://www.GodsNotDead.com

We are a small church. We do not have a rock band or fancy lights. We do not have the most recent songs on the radio playing the second you walk in the door and we still use the phone tree to pass along prayer requests. Email is being used for those that prefer email, but we still greatly rely on the phone tree. Yes, all the things I listed above are great things. I love going to a great worship service just as much anyone. In fact, I love visiting churches when Marshall has his Sunday off and we get to worship together (that is a VERY rare event for pastors and their spouses) in a style I grew up with. But is that ALL that makes up the Church?

But let me tell you what we DO have. We have a strong foundation. Our foundation is Christ. We teach the complete 360 degree view of the Bible; not just what makes us feel good. We do everything in our power not to cut verses to make them sound justified to our own gain. And we certainly make mistakes! We are not perfect.

As long as our youth and young people know, we (the leaders), give them as much information as we can and as many resources as we can, then God takes over from there. We equip; we teach. We train them to search for answers. That is our goal. We want them to think for themselves.

If we are not learning, we are not growing and we will never understand how our spiritual maturity is suffering because we are not actually absorbing and understanding facts; just concepts.

Concepts are great; do not get me wrong. But the details, that is were evil likes to fight the youth. Challenging their thinking, making them second-guess anything and everything they have ever known growing up. Evil loves the silence. It is the silence that happens when a best friend gets in a fight with them over what they believe and why, then they struggle to respond. The silence is where evil wins. When they can’t defend their beliefs, they can’t understand the attacks.

How can we battle evil in this world without details? That is like showing up to a fight in dress shoes or high heels. You will make one move to protect yourself and fall flat on our face because your feet had the wrong foundation. It was slippery, you fell basically on your own and the opponent takes advantage of that and has the upper hand. Game point.

Teach your youth. Teach them to be resourceful. Teach them to ask questions, then ask it again to someone else, then ask it again to the barista at the coffee shop, then ask their pastor. Let them know “why” people’s answers vary. Interpretation of scripture is hard, I will be the first to say it. But until you fight to understand and learn the details, the conversation will almost always turn out like this…..

Person: “Why do you belive that?”

Youth answers: ” Because so and so said it… or I heard someone say it on Sunday”

They never answer with ” I believe………, because when you look at the book of ____ in the Bible……. and then I read a book from a theologian named…… and then a  commentary from …… which assisted me to understand…. ”

See the change?

Be the change. Know the details. Grow to be the “upper hand” of Christ in the fight.

 

Blog, Running

Lets Get Crazy- Practice and Race Day

Deanna Steinle

July 11, 2016
Today was a great day. I ran the Crazy 8’s Practice Run in preparation for the real Crazy 8’s 8k on Saturday. As I am training for my half marathon I am using smaller races to just have fun  and to push myself. Plus, it does a lot for your body and soul! Seeing my old running group really made this day special.

I have noticed while I was changing into my running shoes today, that I am getting more excited than I used to before a run. I now have the feeling I can keep up again; that I belong with the group. I am starting to regain my confidence on the road. It also has helped my confidence in my physical ability that we have now tested the waters with workouts and understand the limitations of my throat during activities. But the best part is, we have found great solutions for keeping my throat cool and inflammation down during runs or other outdoor activities. I also can, and have used, these tricks in my everyday life. All of these things are “Two Thumbs Way, Way Up! ” in my book!

IMG_7454

If you are a runner, you know that it can be very easy to start a race “too hot”. Meaning, you basically throw out your game plan, your intervals, and what pace you should be running and follow the crowd. This can be a very dangerous thing for someone who is training for a half. Smaller races, like this, gives me the opportunity to overcome my pre-race jitters which can lead to these race errors. I highly recommend it!

Today was proof of that. I did great, but due to the extremely high temperatures, we cut the run short at 4 miles. It really was the best decision. It was not due to anything I did wrong. I kept my intervals, hydrated and stayed within my pace range. It was Marshall calling it and me reluctantly agreeing with him.

Honestly, there was a time I felt like giving up as I made the first loop of the race, before I sent Marshall the text. But I realized that the things that were hurting me, actually had nothing to do with my throat (at this point). It was little things like blisters, heat, bad shoes , my water on my hips got hot. (Which does not help my throat cool down)  And lastly, if my whole purpose behind this blog is to be transparent, then I have to admit to you I was missing Marshall while I was running. He has been training with me this whole time, until this run; he is my rock.

It was weird not having him with me and being surrounded by strangers. People that had no idea what I am working towards or what this race meant to me. This was a milestone!  To get this feeling was a new factor I never thought would be an issue or that would even come up. Before my surgery I had competed in several races and Marshall was there waiting for me at the finish, cheering me on; no big deal, right?  Then I realized, the heat was making me create excuses and one of the biggest issues holding me back I could easily fix, so I sent him the text. We are not in Florida yet. This is a practice run for a training race and November is far off. I do not HAVE to run alone yet.

Marshall and I went forward as a team, exactly what I needed. Then as we crossed a few more intersections we looked at each other and went to a shaded area to escape the blazing sun while we discussed what the best game plan would be. I will admit, I might have shed a few tears while we were sitting there, but I knew “calling it”  was the right thing to do. This was not an actual race, conditions were even dangerous for the seasoned runner and I knew Saturday was my real goal. As a side note, prior to this run, my training has allowed me to achieve longer distances than this, so you can imagine my aggravation and feeling of defeat.

After I got cooled down, realized that it was not just me that was struggling, it was ALL of us, we compromised; ending at 4 miles. My heart sank as we made the choice to turn around,  but those conditions are out of my control. (As Marshall had to keep reminding me until I got it through my stubborn head, ha!) . The heat was just a nightmare. Regardless, it was a great run and I am beyond proud of myself.

July 16, 2016

Seeeee, I told you I could do it!  My race was amazing! I learned a few things on my run that I need to keep in mind for the next one. The biggest adjustments I will have to make is in the clothing department once my running hydration pack gets here. My ice pack would not stay where I needed it to, in the top I was wearing. Right now, my hydration system is on a belt and has become more difficult to use than I initially thought. So, I will be switching to a hydration backpack where I will keep (2) instant ice packs, ID, gummies, phone, my music and a few band aids (just incase).  But this is why you practice and train. You learn what works and what does not before the big day!

Marshall and I ran the last 100 yards together. He had been on the side lines cheering me on the whole time, but he met me at the end and we crossed the line hand in  hand.. What an amazing night!

I plan on doing a “Pack” update once I get all these items narrowed down and weighed. That post will be a lot of fun to write, I can already feel myself getting MORE excited since I just completed my 8k! Until next time, enjoy the pictures below!

Here are my race day pictures!!!

The Winner
Before And After
Me and My Sweetie!
Group Pic!
Patrick Fischer
Before
And After

Watch The Starting Line! It is SO cool!