This Week

I don't have a ton of structure to these ideas, I just want to share some things that happened or that I noticed this week.


I am a much better runner than I was a year ago.
I still feel like I'm slow and weak but it's good to see where I've come from.  Earlier this week I reread all of my blog (it's not that long guys, I was awful at updating it last year) and I remembered I couldn't run 2 miles (flat, no incline!) on my first day last year.  Today I ran 2 miles at 12 minute pace with incline.  It was hard but I didn't let myself stop.  A year ago that would have been pretty much impossible.

I'm also much more flexible.
I've been so surprised by how quickly I'm improving just by stretching after every run!  I'm not trying out for Cirque Du Soleil anytime soon but my hamstrings aren't nearly as tight as they were 3 weeks ago, and (don't laugh) but I should be able to touch my toes soon!  I couldn't do that since high school.

I feel good when I work out.
Let me just be clear, I feel like a giant idiot in the gym because it seems like the top 10% of beautiful people in Pittsburgh work out there, but Greg reminds me pretty often that I pay the same fee they pay to be there and it's my gym as much as it is theirs.  Even though I'm not all that glamorous, I rarely ever leave the gym feeling worse than when I came in.  I'm really enjoying working out a lot more than I ever thought I would!

Working out can be a good time for worship.
Earlier this week one of my friends (who I met when she started volunteering at LIVING Ministry) posted about how working out can be worship on her Facebook page.  It was such a great reminder this week!  Working out makes us steward or bodies and time, reminds us to be humble, and is a great time to reflect on what Jesus went through for our redemption.  When the last mile or set seems impossible, it is good to remember that Christ went through much greater physical duress just for our salvation.  When we push ourselves (carefully obviously, don't hurt yourself!) it's a good time to reflect on the precious price of our salvation.

I should eat better.
I ate buffalo chicken dip this week for like 3 meals..well for what should have been a meal, BCD is not actually a meal.  Time to get back to thoughtful eating including veggies.  Running isn't just moving my legs quickly, it's a lot of before and after that too, including what I eat.



I'm really enjoying learning about how running is changing me mentally and physically.  It's a great reminder that when we work faithfully, God is faithful to change us!

If you would like to support me as I run the Pittsburgh Half Marathon for LIVING Ministry to share this message of hope in God's faithfulness, please visit our website (www.livingministry.org) and click on the Donate Now button on the left side of the page mentioning Jenna B Marathon in the comment section.  You can also send a check to our office (2536 Maple Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15214).

Thank you for reading along with my journey friends, time to eat (a healthy!) lunch!