Drawing to a close and looking forward to the new

The last couple of days I've been thinking about where God has brought me from and where He is taking me to, all in His timing. I am so thankful for the Word of God that encourages me, strengthens me, and guides me.

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

As we transition from 2011 to 2012, His mercies are brand new, His compassions NEVER EVER fail, and He is faithful.

2011 has been an amazing ride with a few bumps along the way as well. By no means is my life perfect, nor am I. This is a journey and this side of heaven there will be heartaches, but the only time we are promised no more tears, is once we reach heaven for those of us that put our trust in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

There is no way that I would be where I am today in my athletic abilities if it wasn't for God. So as 2011 closes out I am thankful, so thankful for those that have drawn up along side me as I transitioned from the bed to the roads.

As I look back on my stats I have ran 562.52 miles since I began keeping a record basically since May 1st even though my first days of "wogging" began the end of January. I ran in officially 13 races, and my longest slow distance run has been 11 miles. Those 11 miles were just God, myself and my iPod.

I have biked 539.65 miles since May 3, 2011 when I bought my new bike and since winter hit in November the last two months of miles have been on the recumbent gym bike.

I have no idea how many hours of hiking, pilates, zumba, weights and boot camp, let alone walking. Oh yes, and snowshoeing.

Athletic goals for 2012: Run my first half marathon, be able to break a 29:00 time for my 5k, and of course simply keep moving.

I would like to take this time to thank my running partners away from home:

Sherri lives on Maui, and we became friends after her husband visited with me about my participation in the Xterra Xtreme 5k Trail run. She and I then began running together and even did an LSD of 10 miles one morning. She and I are signed up to run the "Valley to the Sea" half marathon in March.

Ann (my step-daughter) and I ran 3 miles on Thanksgiving afternoon, it was great to do this together and to bump up my time as we ran these three miles in just over 27 minutes.

Rachel, Stacey, Karen and I have become friends after meeting at local Southwest Kansas races in 2011. The three of them run together all week long as they live in the same community, are all school teachers and attend the same church. The blessing is that they have blessed me by joining them yesterday (12/30/11) for an eight mile LSD and then lunch afterwards.

And then my Man, what an incredible blessing so full of encouragement and not once has he held me back saying I think maybe you shouldn't do that. I love you all!

What are you looking forward to in 2012? Any goals? Attempt to move your body more? Try new recipes? Read a book that you've wanted for some time now? Love hearing from you!