Oops, I did it again!

So many thoughts are running through on my head on what to write about, the biggest one being that I feel bad for my four followers because it has been almost 2 months since I last wrote.  Sorry guys... life kinda got away from me.

Big news in Mary land is that I ran a half marathon!!!  Honestly, I NEVER thought I would say that, even after doing the 10k in May.  I mean really, 6 miles is nothing compared to 13.1 loooong miles.  But I paid my entry fee and by golly, I was going to get my money's worth out of this event.  Silly me, however, I should have known God have MUCH bigger plans for me than I what I had in mind.

My training was a little rocky for this event.  The longest run I did was the week before of 9.5 miles.  The run before that was supposed to be 12, but I hit a physical road block at mile 8 and could barely walk a mile more.  Needless to say, I was SUPER nervous to run the half.... to the point of nauseausness.

Then came in my amazing church running family.  I don't honestly know who all was praying for me that day, but let me tell you, God listened in big ways.  He carried me effortlessly through all 13.1 miles.  I was allowed to finish feeling amazing!  People cheered me on who had no idea who I was.  I cheered others on, gave high-fives to complete strangers, and felt encouraged every time I saw someone walk and I was running.  Over and over in my head, I kept telling myself that I would finish the race and I was not going to let anything stop me (and it tried to at mile 11 with some intense side stitches), but God gave me the incredible endurance to push through it, and I listened.

About a half mile to the finish line, my ipod was playing some really slow boring music.  I tried to change the song to bring me in strong, but nothing came to mind.  So I gave up just as I was making that final turn toward the finish line.  A girl beside me was struggling.  I said a prayer for her, saw the finish line and yelled out "there it is, let's go" and I took off.  Who would have thought I would have the strength to sprint in that last little bit?  But I did, and it was fantastic!  I even heard them call my name over the speakers!

I, Mary Ann Mattingly, actually ran 13.1 miles in two hours, 32 minutes and 7 seconds and lived to smile about it forever and always.

On my car now is a magnet that I love.  It says, "It's not about the winning, it's about the finishing" with 13.1 in the center.  That was my attitude the entire time, and that is what allowed me to have fun and enjoy myself.

Thank you, Grand Rapids Marathon 2011 for a day I will never forget.  I am looking forward to spending many years with you in my future.

Of course, I couldn't have a life changing day without getting myself a little gift.

That, I got today.

A nice, permanent tattoo of the word "Shine" on my foot (talk about a painful place for a tat).

Why "Shine"?

First, I LOVE the NEWSBOYS song, Shine... shine, make them wonder what you got!  As a Christian, I believe we need shine of love and compassion and grace and mercy in a world that is filled with hate and contempt and selfishness. 

As a wife, I feel it is my job to shine love upon my husband.

As a mom, I need to be a light my children want to listen to and pick up good habits from.

As a worker, I feel I should do everything like I am working for God and shine in a place where people simply don't care.

And finally, as a runner, to shine is to push yourself beyond limits you never dreamed of reaching. Maybe to a 26.2 next year? ;-)

My foot is also symbolic as it carries the weight of body, allowing me to move to places I never imagined so that I could SHINE for the God that brought created it all.

My challenge to you (and me) is to seek out ways, to ask for ways, where you can Shine for our Savior.