Learning in Training #3

When I ran the 10K in 2012, I accomplished something I truly never thought I could do. I was not a runner. I was not athletic. I was not everything that a race of 6.2 miles seemed to require. I hung up my medal, smiled at my accomplishment and moved on to wedding planning. I did not figure running toward a goal, toward a finish line, would ever be something I did again.

And certainly not a goal of 13.1 miles. Thirteen miles were made to be driven in an air conditioned car, not pounded out on pavement one footstep at a time.

I never meant to run a half. And Ryan told me the other day one thing he said he would NEVER do was run a half marathon.

And so of course, we've both registered for the Haiti Half, because this is how our life works. {I know I haven't said much about Ryan doing this with me, mostly because the focus of these posts has been about what God has done in my heart. But yes, Ryan is running too, at his own pace this time, but taking on the challenge with me, and doing a magnificent job, I might add.}

So week 3 of my training is done now.

I ran a total of 14 miles that week, which means if I could only have a week to complete the race, I could do it. Oh wait. I don't get a week, do I?

Summer marched on, with the first day of running bringing hot {stifling, I wrote} temperatures, and my legs and lungs and head felt like lead. I pushed through, miserable with a time to match, but I did it. And then I went out the next day and did it again. And the day after that...the run that felt the best of any I'd done so far. Things were looking up. And then came the day I started out in a crowded frame of mind. We had much to do that day, and it was hard to keep focused. The weather shifted from pleasant to just HOT while we ran, and I struggled to finish well.

But on each day, I did it. I got through to the assigned finish line for that day.

And ironically, finish lines were the lesson for me that week. God kept my mind focused on the same verse as last week: Hebrews 12:1 - "let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

But this time, the emphasis was on the last phrase: the race marked out for us.

We've established that I am not a runner. I'm still not a runner. Making a crazy good time on the clock is not my gig and won't be. It's not how I'm crafted. My body doesn't glide with good form, and my face doesn't relax into a smile like that viral picture of the happy runner at whatever marathon a couple of years ago. I probably look like I'm about to give birth, and I know I feel like it. Ryan can run almost twice as fast as I can. His times always surpass mine by embarrassing levels.

And if I set all those things in the front of my mind and thought about them while I ran, I would be so discouraged. SO discouraged. I'd be trying to run the race of the real athletes that sprint by while I huff and puff and grasp my water bottle. I'd be trying to match Ryan's pace, which is not even Bekah-ly possible. My job, on each day of training and on the day of the race, is to run the race marked out FOR ME. The route might match that of all the other runners, but the pace and the journey will be mine. And my job is to run THAT race.

The first week I trained, Ryan and I ran one day at the lake, and there was a 5K happening in that town that morning. As we came home from a rather lackluster and frustrating run, I snapped a selfie with the finish line of the 5K behind me. I joked that I should take that picture because I might never make it to the finish line of the half. A funny joke, but the truth is, that wasn't my finish line. That picture is meaningless {even if funny} because that wasn't my race. It holds no value because it wasn't mine. My job is to run the race set out for me. 

 I have to run my race in honor of all those in Haiti who have to run their races...which also don't look like mine. Mine might not be the prettiest or the fastest, but it's mine, and I'm called to it.

{** For those of you who have registered, and I know there have been some, and others of you pondering it, I read on the event Facebook page yesterday that due to low registration numbers, they're postponing the half portion of this event until next year, but the 5K will go on as scheduled. Ryan and I still plan to run the 5K and would love for any of you to join us. If running a half is daunting but a 5K seems feasible, think about it!!**}

{Previous posts on this topic.}
The Haiti Half
Learning in Training #1
Learning in Training #2

The Haiti Half

Back in 2012, I ran my first 10K. Actually, it was my first race of any kind. I was roped into it, rather against my will, by my friend Jeri at work. Ryan helped me train for it, and running this race was actually how I introduced him to you here on the blog. {And it was GOING to be how I introduced him on the air - until he surprised me first with the proposal!}

We haven't run a race together since then. We've talked about it a few different times, but we haven't gone through with it. Races tend to be expensive to enter, and well...you've seen our schedule the last couple of years. No time to train.

But a week or two ago, I learned about one that caught my eye, and for some reason, my heart beat quickly for this one. It's a race with a worthy cause, so even though I don't think I've ever plugged a race on the blog before, I wanted to tell you about this one!

It's called the Haiti Half, and here are some reasons we're so excited about it:

One. It's held in Greentown - as in our hometown! Makes it pretty convenient for traveling to it the day of the race. I also think it's exciting that they're holding something like this IN a small town. After navigating the downtown madness and parking garages of Fort Wayne for the 10K, the idea of running on small town and country roads is very appealing.

Two. I cannot get my mind away from the cause it supports. The registration fee goes to help support medical work in Haiti.

The website states that there are only two doctors for every 10,000 patients in Haiti, 63% of women there deliver their babies without medical assistance, and too many kids are dying from preventable diseases and even those who live don't have access to basic healthcare.

The memory of my gallbladder surgery earlier this year makes me realize that even though it was a headache of its own, and even though I had some good blog-worthy stories of fighting through to get the care I needed, at least I could get the care I needed to be well. I want others to have the opportunity for that same privilege.

And even though I've never had a baby, attending births has given me a tender heart for the care offered to mothers in that time. I hate the idea of mothers having babies without help in such an important moment!

Because of those things, I was really excited to read that the entry fees for the race go to either a general doctor visit with lab tests and pharmaceuticals or a prenatal ultrasound visit and consultation.

Three. This has nothing to do with the worthy cause of the race, but I'm pretty excited that my friend Amber designed the T-shirts. She has skills!!

Four. I know everyone has something different that zings the heart...and it's okay if this one doesn't get to yours like it gets to ours. But if it does, and you want to join us in running or walking for a great cause...here are some things you need to know!

* The race is Saturday, October 10, 2015 in Greentown, Indiana.

* The half marathon, which is routed through the countryside and should be really pretty with fall leaves  in full swing, costs $50 if you register prior to October 7th...and $65 after that. The 5K {the route is yet TBD} costs $20 prior to October 7th and $25 after that. You can register online here.

* The half marathon begins at 7:30 a.m and the 5K begins at 7:55 a.m. - and they close the course at 11:00 a.m, which allows for a 16 minute mile in the half marathon. So even if you don't like to run, there's room for walking!

Five. We think it would be SO MUCH FUN to have a bunch of friends come together for race day! Whether you want to run or walk...do the 5K or the half...be a cheerleader on the sidelines...we just think it would be great fun to have our friends be part of this day with us! So if you want to be part of the Haiti Half and a great cause, we hope you'll consider being part of it. They've recommended some training tips for the half marathon here, and the 5K here if you want to check it out!

 {Post-run photo from the first day of training.}

{PS - here's the link to the event Facebook page, if you want to keep up with them there!}

Finishing Well

In 2012, I ran a 10K. Let my friend Jeri talk me into it, which was a questionable decision at best when it began, but it turned out to be a very good thing.

{I say that because Ryan became my trainer and then we sorta fell in love. Yeah, yeah, I'm that girl.}

When people find out you're running a race, they have all sorts of advice for you. And I was fine with that because I knew whatever is below absolutely NOTHING about running.

Those who had run races before told me things like, "Don't worry...running a race fills you with adrenaline. You'll get around all those runners and it will just push you to do a great job. And there are cheerleaders on the sidelines that will cheer you on...and when you get to the end, you'll feel a burst of energy and just power through."

Clearly these people had never actually met me. I presume the fear of being trampled by the masses in the gates behind me was what some people called "filled with adrenaline." I presumed the pleas to the Lord to not pass out in front of everyone lined up on the sidewalk clapping qualified as being empowered by the cheerleaders. And as for the burst of energy at the end? I'm not even sure knowing a cookie awaited me on the other side of the finish line could have been mistaken as a burst of energy.

The BIG thing they all failed to mention was the amount of HILLS in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It may look flat when you're driving a car, but inside of a race, I was certain that city had turned into the Smoky Mountains. By the time I got through the city, rounded the last corner and began to run around the baseball field toward the finish line...I didn't care about anything except surviving. My time...didn't matter. Impressing anyone with my form...I can't even finish that with a straight face.

And in some ways, finishing this last week of work feels a bit like that 10K would have felt for a real runner. I'm gasping for air {quite literally at times} as my heart and mind feels the stress of doing my very best to train PeggySue to take over my job.

I care. I care that she is able to learn all I can teach. I care that the transition goes as seamlessly as possible. I care that she's able to serve Lynne well and that Lynne's own job isn't slowed down any more than it has to be.

I wrote in my journal the other night that perhaps the reason some people don't finish well in whatever the task, is that they are just too exhausted. They get tired, and they quit. They lose sight of any sort of goals and only care about surviving the thing.

While I may have done that with the race, I don't want to do that with my job. I want to push through to the end with my eyes trained straight ahead {even if it's on a cookie!!}. I ache to finish well.

It's taking a toll on me. My body and mind scream for rest, and I know I just can't. Not just yet. If you're a praying person and can spare some time this week, I would humbly ask for your prayers as I finish this race that means so much to me. I want to do well. I want to make Lynne proud. I want to honor the Lord with my work.

Thanks, friends. You've listened to this transition for weeks, and I'm sure you're getting weary too. I appreciate you so much. Thanks for helping me through the last part.

The Producer Era: A Look Back

To be perfectly honest with you, when I took the job as Mid-Morning producer four years ago, I really didn't entirely know what a producer did. I had been friends with Jamie, who did the job before me, and I knew a few things from her stories, but when people asked me...So...what does a producer do?...I had no idea.

It just so happened that right around that time, Oprah's network ran a series of specials that I don't even recall by name now, but they peeked behind the scenes at what made her show tick. It showed all the facets of what happened off-camera, so I sat down one Saturday and watched an entire marathon of this show.

Now.

I'm not entirely sure why I thought a day of Oprah behind the scenes would help me know the ropes of producing a Christian radio talk show, but it was the closest thing I had at the time, so I went for it. The first episode I watched chronicled the  arrival of one of the biggest celebrities in Hollywood at that time. {I'm not trying to be all secretive and elusive by not giving you his name. I just don't remember who it was.} He was going to make this grand entrance, and the producer assigned to that show worked intently to get everything to work seamlessly.

By the way, when I say "grand entrance," I mean Oprah's show was on the road and they were taping outside and he was ziplining in or something crazy like that. And when the cameras rolled, something went wrong and he crashed into something and cut his eye open.

The last scene I remember was the show's producer having a meltdown, as she contemplated the weight of having a botched show AND botching one of Hollywood's golden boys.

{To be fair, the show was salvaged, although I do think they redid the beginning with a normal, walking entrance, and if memory serves me correctly, he wasn't as badly hurt as the amount of blood would first lead a person to believe.}

So that's what I went to WBCL believing a producer did: arrange ziplining grand entrances by guests who may need an EMT by the end of the show.

May I just tell you that while I did some wild and crazy things in these last four years, I have not yet had to deal with a bleeding guest.

But here have been some of my favorite moments of producer-dom. {Is that a word? Is now!!}

* One of my first events: a sticker stop in Lima, Ohio, where I washed car windows in the rain!

* My first concert: Laura Story and David Crowder...and I almost threw up on stage waiting to throw the fling rings. I was so nervous!

* My first major on-air blooper: when I really messed up the introduction to one of the first guests I ever interviewed.

* The end of my first week of Share: when I actually found myself tired of talking.

* The day I had to drive Bebo Norman from the station to a church: and I may have gotten lost and been unable to open the van door.

* The day I played Mickey Mouse and met Point of Grace in the church bathroom, holding Mickey's head in my hands.

* Getting lost with Lynne on a college campus in Granville, Ohio.

* When I let my friend and co-worker Jeri talk me into running a 10K...but all work aside, you should re-read this post just to relive the post in which I introduced Ryan to the blog world!

* Ummmmm...remember this one? SURPRISE!! Bekah gets engaged! How many girls get to claim that one in their work memories?

* The day I nailed a speaker with a fling ring and got caught by Big Daddy Weave.

* The night I stopped for coffee after working a concert in Ohio, and they gave me the senior discount.

* When Lynne says you need to visit the food trucks as part of your work day. Tough job.

* The attempted vacation day that ended with a disastrous and soggy concert attempt. Pretty much the whole key word of that day was attempt.

* All the photo shoots...Lynne just made those fun. Period.

* My first hour long interview...with the lovely Annie Downs.

* Co-hosting BLT with Ryan. We fell in love with doing radio together on this day. If God ever opened this door for us to work together like this...we'd be thrilled.

* Helping build a house: something I never anticipated being assigned while working in radio!

* Meeting some of the Women of Faith team...a delight!

While not a comprehensive list of everything I've gotten to do under this job title, it is certainly a testament to the joy and goodness this job has been. So grateful.

One week to go. Much to soak up!

Fort4Fitness 10K

There is a distinct possibility this will be a long post. But please, please, please stick with me? I promise to make it worth your while.

Saturday was my 10K...the event you've been hearing about for weeks...MONTHS...now. And you've been so patient. I was careful to document the entire day so I could show you everything!! Let's start with breakfast, shall we? This is yours truly at 5 something in the morning ON A SATURDAY carbing up for the big race. Omelets...toast...coffee...and a huge side order of nerves!!!

 I could NOT have ordered a more beautiful day for this race!!! It was a perfectly sunny, blue sky sort of day...a little chilly, but honestly I'd rather have a little chilly over blasted hot. This is Parkview Field, the minor league baseball field in Fort Wayne...and the site of the finish line!

 Remember way back in the day when I told you I was coerced into this adventure by my co-worker? Meet my co-worker. This is Jeri. Her office is next to mine at work and she is a sweetheart! She was so encouraging to me as we trained. Jeri is a better runner than I, and her goal was to run the 10K in under 60 minutes. And in this pre-race photo, she was SO nervous!

 And you know how I've been telling you that I have a running partner? Yep, I'd like you to meet him. This is my running partner, Ryan. :)

 The starting lineup was just outside Parkview Field, and this is the view from Corral G. Up ahead...the blue and white thing...was the starting line. Interesting factoid about my training - other than running with Ryan, I'd never run with another soul around. Boy was THIS a change of pace!!!

 This smile is my "please don't let me die, Jesus" smile.

 And we're off! There were something to the tune of 10,000 runners all the races on Saturday. (There was a mini-marathon and a 4 mile walk as well.) Not sure how many were in our race, but um, it felt like all 10,000 were right there!!

 Running partner...jacket carrier (once it got too hot for me to wear mine)...AND photographer extraordinaire. That was Ryan's job during this race. And he did it splendidly. Don't I look like a real runner girl?

 Why in the world I think it's a good idea to post a photo of this angle on the world wide web, I'm sure I'll never know.

 Small walking break. This was toward the end...I had to walk the hills. Oh yes. There were hills. Sweet mercy. I thought I'd die.

 Back to running! Woops - this one was really from the beginning. Know how I know? Still wearing the jacket. Well, I never claimed to be chronological.

 Once we got to the very end of the race, we ran into the field and around the outfield...running across home plate as the finish line. By this time I was nearly dying. Okay not really. But it definitely felt that way. I'd asked Ryan not to tell me my time as we went along because I knew I'd get frustrated and discouraged if it wasn't good. So I had no idea how I was doing.

 In the upper right hand corner, you can see two blue pillars...that was the finish line. Then we crossed into the big tent where they had all kinds of water and snacks. WILL RUN FOR COOKIES!!!! And I did.

 The jumbotron where you could watch people cross the finish line. That was pretty cool. It was on TV too but obviously I couldn't watch that AND run at the same time.

Jeri finished in 59 minutes. I WAS SO PROUD OF HER!!!!! I finished in 1:07:52 and I was so proud of that too!!!! And when we made it across the line - we both had flowers waiting on us from the ladies at work. I adored that.

 The WBCL ladies. Sheryl and Jill are in pink and came just to cheer for Jeri and me. That meant so much to me!! And in blue is Diane, who was working for the station at the race. Love all these girls. I have the best co-workers! (Diane even prayed for all of us before the race!)

 And here I am with Ryan, post-race. And hopefully you're still reading this too-long-for-any-good-reason blog, because I have some extra news for you that I think you'll find pretty exciting. I've been waiting to tell you this news...Ryan and I are dating! YES! You read that right! Your Bekah's Bits girl has a boyfriend and a whole great story to tell you in the days to come. I'm so excited!

 And if you haven't passed out by either 1) sheer exhaustion or 2) the aforementioned news, allow me to close with this picture, which is me with my 10K medal. This smile is one of a girl who did something she never EVER thought she could do in 10 billion years. And I was so excited that I not only survived (my main goal) (okay my ONLY goal) - but I did a really good job. And I got to share the whole experience with Ryan, which was a really great blessing I never even knew was coming my way when I signed up to do this thing.

Come back tomorrow? I have more fun stories. :)

It's the Weekly Recap!!

* Last Sunday, I had my last long run before the race. And it was a hot mess, let me tell you. I wasn't feeling well, I'd run the night before, so it hadn't even been 24 hours, and I had about 30 mental blocks going on. Even so, I ran 5.5 miles in just over an hour. Could have been just under if I'd not had to walk so much. Here is my pre-run declaration:

* Monday evening, Mom and Dad stopped by for a little bit while they were in town. Now that I work out of town, I don't see them too much anymore. So we had a good talk and then I settled in to watch a combo of The Voice and football. Fell asleep. Clearly both were riveting...

* Tuesday night I did NOT feel well, so I stayed in my chair the entire night and made some serious headway on my scrapbooks. I've been so busy lately that I'd fallen dreadfully behind in my scrapping. Never fear...I'm catching up!!

* Wednesday I came home sick from work - which never happens. Took about a 3 hour nap smack in the middle of the day and took it easy the rest of the night. No time to be sick before this race, I tell you! (Sickness also contributed to the lack of photos this week. Good grief. This is pitiful!)

* Thursday night, I was like a whole new woman!! I cleaned and did laundry and grocery shopping and a ton of other chores. AND I had time to sit and watch the season premiere of Grey's with Rachel Ashley....just like old times!! And I had some help with the laundry...

 * Friday (well, you already read about Friday...) I went with Jeri from my work (the one who talked me into the race to begin with) to pick up these bad boys!!!

* And yesterday, my dear DEAR people...was RACE DAY!!!!!!!!!! I will tell you much more about it tomorrow, but here is a picture I am so proud of...me after completing my 6.2 miles!! This is more than a running picture. This is an example of me tackling something I never, in a million years, thought I had it within me to do. It was jumping a huge personal heart-hurdle. Can't wait to tell you more!

Pinterest Inspiration: Made this for dinner on Friday - YUM, YUM, YUM!!!!! TRY IT!!!!!!!!! Cheesy chicken and rice slow cooker meal. Heaven on a plate. And it reheats like a dream. And yes, that is a vegetable on the left. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Source: southernplate.com via Rebekah on Pinterest

It's the Weekly Recap!

* Last Sunday I was pretty pooped...after being gone for two straight days! So I enjoyed a super long afternoon nap, followed by a 5 mile run. FIVE MILES, PEOPLE! I was so proud of myself for finishing five miles in 53.17. For me, that is huge. And to celebrate, I sat straight down and cried.

* Monday evening I drove by this glorious sight...be still my beating heart. One week away from opening, and even CLOSER to my house than it was before. Miracles abound.

* Tuesday was such a hard day...the day our dear, sweet Arlene passed away. Oh how I miss her! That night I just took it easy at home, and I did take a trip down to IWU to get my first apple pie chai. It's one of their fall-only drinks and I've been waiting rather impatiently for it to hit the menu. Worth the wait!! (Sorry about the look. Do remember I'd cried off all my makeup.)

* Wednesday evening, I made a batch of caramel surprise brownies for Lynne's birthday. I was a little late with them but I'd failed to find the caramels! Kinda forgot it was Halloween season and all the candy migrated to the main aisle. Good grief.

* Thursday night was the night I stayed up late to have a little spiritual battle. And by little, I mean exhausting in every possible way. But you know what? I take great comfort in knowing those kinds of moments mean something is going right in life. Satan doesn't fight you when there isn't something to fight.

* Friday evening I helped at the church for my friend Arlene's viewing. Man, that was a hard evening...BUT...one of her nieces used to be a student worker of mine when I worked at IWU, and she was able to make the trip out for the weekend. It was so good to be able to hug her for a while!

* Saturday was Arlene's funeral. Can't remember if I've been to a funeral in the last several years, but hers was quite a beautiful life celebration with lots of singing and tears - but good tears. I'm glad I went. Spent the rest of the day just recovering in my heart from a long and hard week. (That may or may not have included my first trip to our new Hobby Lobby AND my best run EVER. 2 miles in 19.37!!)

Pinterest Inspiration. I'm sad to say I was uninspired this week. Too much going on to even spend the appropriate amount of time on Pinterest! :(

Running and Such

One week, people.

One week from today, I can officially no longer say this:

One week from today is my 10K race. To be really honest with you...I still kind of feel like this:

The training has been going better than expected in some ways. For example:

* I haven't died yet.

* I haven't broken a limb (mine, my running partner's, or a tree's). Yet.

* My walking breaks are a little shorter and more infrequent than they were at the very beginning. (Like when I walked most of it.)

* I've learned to eat and hydrate before runs. But not to hydrate too much because six miles is a long time to have to use the bathroom.

* I've learned to take small hills. (By small, I mean imperceptible to the naked eye.)

* I've learned to work on my breathing.

* I've learned I will run faster when promised a blizzard or a coke. Imagine how fast I could run if I got BOTH!!!

* I've learned I'm AWFULLY hard on myself when I don't have a good time. (A good time, in my book, matches Usain Bolt. You can imagine how far I fall short of this.)

But Jill from my office sent me this the other day, and I hope to focus on this in the final week before the big day:

It's the Weekly Recap!

* Last Sunday evening I had dinner at Mi Pueblo, which is (in my opinion) the best Mexican Restaurant in Marion. I could make a whole meal off their chips and salsa. Or just the salsa. And Kristin, in your honor, I had arroz con pollo. (Or con polly, as I first typed. Poor Polly.) I would have taken a picture but I was far too busy EATING.

* Monday I had the day off work, so I labored by running 4 miles in 289347290470293740% humidity. (Roughly.) This was the before photo. There will be no after photo, as I looked like I had jumped in a swimming pool of sweat. SO attractive.

* Tuesday I had a rare evening at home...which makes for lovely rest but very boring (and picture-less) blog news. I spent the evening catching up on chores and cooking. And talking on the phone. (Gasp.)

* Wednesday evening I went to my friend Amy's book signing! She and I have known each other since we were (very small) kids! I'm so proud of her for writing this children's book about living with Huntington's Disease. Both her dad and her grandpa died from it, so she knows it well and I'm proud of her for tackling such a hard topic with such grace!

* Thursday was our first BLT show! Lynne and I had such fun on the air together and we hope everyone else had as much fun listening! (Heaven help us all when she dragged out the topic of shaving legs. My DAD was listening!!! Bet he loved THAT.)

* Friday evening I headed to...are you ready for this? THE LAKE!!!!! :) It was a wee bit rainy but I didn't care. Can I sit and look at the water? Oh yes please!!

*And Saturday night I saw Selah in concert...for the first time in my life! Love them so much. SUCH a good concert. Very, very worshipful!

Pinterest Inspiration. Used my "A Girl Can Dream" board to make a blog post this week!

Helloooooooo, Fall!

Yesterday, I said goodbye to summer, inspired by Emily A. Clark's blog post. Well doggone it if blogger Courtney didn't welcome fall over on her blog! I'm such a sucker for peer pressure, so I (of course) have to follow suit.

I'm actually really excited about this fall. I love so much about fall. Love the colors, love the smells (well, most of them), love the crashing of cool temps and warm clothes, love the decorations...you get the idea.

Want to see some of the things I'm really looking forward to this fall?

I get to see Selah in concert for the first time. One of my FAVORITE groups (it was their song, Unredeemed that I posted on the blog last week) and I've never gotten to see them!

Apple Pie Chai. This is my favorite drink from McConn, the coffee shop at IWU. It is about the only thing I sorely miss in any given work day! Fortunately I still live close enough to make a little trek down there in the evenings...oh my goodness. Happiness in a cup.

My 10K Race. While I am nervous about it, I'm so excited to say I've accomplished it. I think it will be a very monumental day in my life! (Not sure if that's pathetic or not, but it's true.)

Trip to the Corn Maze! I went to a corn maze/pick your own pumpkin patch last fall for the first time and LOVED IT. Can't wait to go again!

Tim Hawkins!! Have you heard him? HILARIOUS. I've never seen him live either, but I'll get to see him this fall and I'm so excited. Need a laugh? Check this out:


Trip to Brown County! I love this place in the fall...so beautiful! Can't wait to spend a day there!

S'mores and hot dogs by the fire pit. I love a fire pit. I REALLY love a fire pit. Can't wait to curl up beside it and get my hair all smoky smelling. (And eat hot dogs and s'mores.)

Mercy Me Concert!! Another of my favorite groups...and I'm excited to get to work their concert!

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? I am!!!!! I think I am going to get to my first ever Colts game this fall, baby!!!! (And clearly I'm going to need a new shirt.)

And somewhere in there...I might nap!

August: Done

How in the world is it already the end of the month? Seriously!?!!?!?!? This was the biggest whirlwind of a month I think I've ever had.

* Had a chance to speak to a group from IWU when they came to visit the station. It was such a fun day to have them observe the show and then give them a tour!!

* Began the official, hard-core, planned-out training for the 10K. I've been pushing myself to run on my own for a couple of months, but I printed out the official (granted, NOVICE) training program and began the days of stop-watched runs and cross training and stretching and...and...and...

* Thoroughly enjoyed the Olympics which, of course, technically began in July but the bulk of the viewing pleasure fell in this month!

* Went to the zoo...okay...TWICE! Two zoos, two purposes. Once for work and once just 'cause!

* Worked the Fandana Music, Arts, and Film Festival in Huntington. Ended up getting a beautiful day to be outside.

* Spent some quality time with the fam when my brother-in-law, Jeff, came home to visit for a few days! Always good to see him.

* Finally got rid of my gray roots...an adventure only about 2 months overdue. YUCK!! Think I'm entering a growing-out-the-bangs phase, too. I'll keep you posted on that.

* Worked my only Super Summer Sticker Stop, which was, of all places, in a WALMART parking lot! That was the day the lady showed up with an alligator. Only Bekah!

* Attended the Women of Faith Conference in Indianapolis, which resulted in my infamous run-in with hotel security, since clearly I looked questionable. Eyeroll.

* Got to meet up with friends for dinner now and then, which was so wonderful. I feel like I need a whole separate 24 hours in each day to keep up with everyone!

And y'all...the crops and trees are turning...I feel like we should be entering OCTOBER, not September. What in the world is up with this early fall????? I feel like I'm completely losing time here!

Tubby Tummy to 10K

So...the race is in a month.

One. Month.

Oh sweet mercy. I need a lot of work between now and then. Here are some observations I've made since beginning the OFFICIAL training program.

* I definitely run better with a partner. I run 3 times a week to train, and since the training began, I've only run alone one time. I was a wimp. I need someone to encourage and push me or I just give up.

* While I did have some success in running a mile (or three) without stopping, this body was not made to do that on a regular basis. I have more success if I take some walking breaks throughout the run. I'm a very fast walker and it keeps me encouraged (and able to breathe!) when I can start running again without feeling like I"m going to die.

* All those Lamaze classes I took with Chris and Trudy during their childbearing years...are paying off. That breathing comes in ever so handy.

* I need to eat about an hour before I run. Running too soon after eating has disastrous results which we won't go into at this point in time. Running before I eat does not work. I don't have enough energy.

* You cannot run and cry at the same time. (Unless breathing is optional.)

* I need new shoes. NEED. Not want.

* I really do feel better - but don't tell anyone I said that.

* I have a lot of work to do in ONE MONTH!!!!!

It's the Weekly Recap!

This has been a CRAZY busy week, y'all!! CRAZY!! Check it out:

* Last Sunday after church, I went to Mom and Dad's for lunch with the family and to celebrate their 58th wedding anniversary.

It was such a gorgeous day out that I proceeded to go for a leisurely walk on a trail and then did my official run for the day (3.5 miles, thankyouverymuch) later. Topped off the day with a Colts game! (On TV. I didn't run to Pittsburgh for that.)

* Monday was a monumental day in the hair life of Bekah. I got an overhaul:

Took 2 1/2 hours in the chair to get rid of the 2 inches of pure white roots and mess I had going on. Went to visit a friend of mine after that; had a great time talking, laughing, crying (shocker!) and drinking coffee!!!

* Tuesday afternoon/evening I worked the Super Summer Sticker Stop at work, which involved my inaugural experience driving the BIG van and doing a callback to the station to report in on the air about our adventures. I was so nervous about both, but I did it!

* Wednesday we had a going away party for Anna, our intern. The quietest you'll ever hear a bunch of radio folks is when you offer them pizza and ice cream cake. Not a sound except chewing. :) That night I went for another run...not loving my times this week but pretty proud of myself for pushing forward!

* Thursday night I had dinner with the lovely Jenny!! Hadn't seen her in a few weeks, so of course there was much to catch up on. We managed to dodge kids' night at Fazoli's (yay!) but showed up for training night. LOL - we have all the luck. ALL. THE. LUCK.

* Friday I had the day off work and made my way to Indianapolis to attend the Women of Faith Conference! My friend Nita invited me several months ago, so I went along with her, her sister, and her daughter. WE HAD SUCH FUN. (Of course, more on this later...including my run-in with hotel security. Oh yes.)

 * Yesterday was day two of Women of Faith - and I had another great day with my friends! Check out this sunrise from our hotel room. (Yes. I saw a sunrise on a Saturday. AGAIN. What is up with this????)

Pinterest Inspiration. I didn't take a picture of mine (gasp - WHAT!!!??) but I did a take on this cute play-on-words inspired gift for a friend of mine who needed a little pick-me-up:

Source: kimskandykreations.blogspot.com via Rebekah on Pinterest