Long runs & the future

I've had a crazy couple of weeks.  My grandpa passed away and we did the long drive to Minnesota (20 hours driving).  It was hard to say goodbye to him and to know that I won't see him again in this life, but I know he is in a much better place and I will be reunited with him again someday.  Despite the somber weekend, it was also a great weekend.  We spent a lot of time with family, and it was great to have my immediate family all together.  It's been almost 3 years since we were all together.  And, it's been over 8 years since we last spent Easter together.

I love my family!!!  What a great looking bunch!

As I mentioned...the driving took a lot of time.  Basically we were driving 4 out of the 7 days we were gone.  Typically we split it up 14 hours one day, 6 hours another day---and the same way on the way back.  We ate a lot of Subway sandwiches and salads from Wendy's.  We tried to hustle at each gas-up point, but yet we chose healthier alternatives.  Nothing worse than being stuck in a car for hours and feeling like crap because you've got nasty grease sloshing around in your stomach.  No thank you!


On Saturday I completed the longest distance I have yet to run....17 miles.  Afterwards I felt conflicted, it was my worst pace (11:20 average), but yet, my personal record for distance.  I decided to forget about the pace and be happy that I completed it.  This week I'm going to go for 18.5 miles.  I know it's going to be a challenge...but by golly...I'm GOING to do this.  I can do hard things!  I'm currently reading an AMAZING book by Elain S Dalton called "A Return to Virtue".  She compares her marathon training to life and her reflections and analogies on are very similar to thought's I've had.  Life is hard, and running is hard.  But, it's so worth it.  I've just started the book, so I hope to share at least a few insights as I read along.

My husband graduates with his undergrad in Accounting in July and we still aren't sure where life will be taking us.  I get a lot of questions like "Where are you going?  Are you stressed that you don't know?"  And my answer honestly, right now...is No.  I am not stressed at all!  I feel like we've done everything the Lord has asked of us and we have done all that we could, and wherever we end up, and whatever we do....will be the right thing.  We've spent a lot of nights on our knees praying for guidance as we seek for help with our future, and I have no doubt the Lord will answer our prayers.  It may not be what we thought we would do....but it will be the right thing. 

I love learning about healthy snack ideas for road trips.   So, if you have any good ideas or tips...let me know!