the good fight.

Today was my first day back in the gym in a couple weeks. I had taken some time off with the holidays and also wanted to give my body a break as I've been pushing it pretty hard for the last few months. However, this morning (bright and early at 430am) I was pumped to get back in my workout routine! As I searched for some inspiring music on my iPhone, I tapped my iHeartRadio app and tuned into the Christian Hits station (aka my favorite station!). About halfway through my workout, a song came on by the band Unspoken called "Good Fight". As I listened to the lyrics I felt empowered to face the day ahead. The message was about how no matter what you face in life, you have to keep fighting the good fight and letting your light shine. This song really spoke to my heart because for the last four years of my ankle injury, I've felt like I truly have been fighting the good fight - even through the hard times and the long days of pain and I've tried to keep my light shining. Even during the times when I've felt like I was all alone, God was there to say, "You're going to make it" and that's exactly what this song is about. Sometimes, I'll admit, I do get a little overwhelmed when I think about how I will manage with my ankle injury for the rest of my life, but when thoughts like this come, I remind myself that He has seen me through the difficult times before and He will see me through this too. I am often asked, "How are you able to accept that this is a lifelong injury? How do you remain so positive despite your circumstances?" My answer to this is that honestly, my faith rests in God alone. He has lead me on this journey and continues to strengthen me and I know that as long as I keep my light shining and fighting the good fight, he will see me through. I remain positive because my hope rests in God's faithfulness. I know He has me in the palm of His hand and I have managed to keep my light inside alive because I know I'm going to make it. Maybe it's a different path than I saw for my life, but not my will but His will be done. I trust Him to lead me and I remain hopeful and that is how I have kept my smile :)

My message today is that even when all seems up against you and your back is against the wall, know in your heart God is with you and He is going to see you through. Keep the good fight and always let your light shine. God gave us a cheerful heart for a reason; don't let life's circumstances beat you down. Keep your light. Keep your smile. And most importantly, keep your faith. 

PS - don't forget to check out the song below - just click on the title. You will love it!

"Good Fight" 
Until you stop breathing
Until you stop bleeding
Until your heart stops kick-drum beating
When it's hard times
When it's long days
And the enemy is right up in your face
When your back's against the ropes and you're feeling all alone

Keep fighting the good fight (Never give up, never give up)
Keep letting your light shine (Holding it high as long as you live)
'Cause I'm never gonna leave you
Always gonna see you through to the other side
Keep fighting the good fight, fighting the good, fighting the good fight, good fight

Even in the road blocks (yeah)
Even through the rough spots
When you're feeling you've given all that you've got
I'm with you in the next step
Giving you in the next breath
I'll be the voice saying "You're gonna make it"
When you're out there on your own
You are never alone

You light up the sky to show me you are with me.

As I waited to take off on the runway for my flight home for Christmas yesterday, I was amazed by the most beautiful combination of my favorite pastel colors in the sky. It was truly incredible and I thought to myself it can't get much better than this. Not more than 10 minutes later, I glanced out the window again and was overwhelmed by an even more beautiful skyline. Probably one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen and I heard a voice within me say, "My child, just like the sunsets, even when you think you have seen the most perfect sky or reached your best of days, I have greater things than you can imagine yet to come."

Friends, we never know what tomorrow will bring, but we can rest assured that there will always be greater things yet to come. Keep the faith. God is with you and just as he paints the sky more beautiful with each day, so shall he do with your life. It won't always be rainbows and sunshine but the dark days make the beautiful ones that much brighter.



The Hanger Clinic

As I sit here on the plane, returning home from a week at the Hanger Clinic in Gig Harbor, Washington, I am reminded of how fortunate I truly am. It was an incredible week - not only did I receive my backup IDEO device, but I met a few amazing IDEO athletes- some military, others civilians, but all with a story of strength and the will not to let their injury be the end of their story.

I've said this before, but I'll say it again, you don't meet many people like Ryan Blanck in life. Someone who truly cares about helping people and who goes above and beyond what is required of him. I've never met a more selfless person. Being at the Hanger Clinic felt like family - a place where you are not seen as different; a place where people don't tell you to slow down because you are injured, but a place where you are inspired to be the best you can be.

The Hanger Clinic is a place where you are not seen for how your injury limits you, but for how it makes you stronger.

sometimes you just have to give it all you got.

About 17 weeks ago I started training for my 100 mile Florida Keys Adventure... now only 3 weeks away. To say I am excited is an understatement :) I've learned a lot about myself in these last few months and wanted to share some advice for those embarking on a 5 month training plan.

1. Start off slow. You have a ways to go, young grasshopper. No need to kill yourself at the beginning. Remember, you have to build your base first. 

2.  Cross train, weight lift, and have at least two pairs of shoes to switch out for activities. (This is a little different for me since I wear tennis shoes 24/7, but I definitely recommend having two sets).

3. Print out your training schedule and highlight off your daily goals. This will be important as you look back over the months to see how far you have come.

4. Prepare for setbacks. They will come... Whether this is illness, shin splints, hip pain, work issues etc; be prepared mentally and physically to deal with these things. Part of endurance training is knowing when to slow down and let your body heal.

5. Never go kayaking on a river alone. You might flip over, lose your belongings, and still have 4 hours to go... Take it from me, swimming away from water mocassins and climbing brush with your kayak is not enjoyable by yourself. Also, always wear your life jacket... you never know when you might actually need it.

6. Learn to stretch... and I'm not talking about bending over to try to touch your toes. The body is more connected than we non-medical people may know (though sometimes I feel like a medical professional with all my past injury experience!). When I started developing hip pain and knee swelling I tried all the stretches I could think of... when my attempts failed, I found a sports massage therapist... and it has made all the difference.

7. Moleskin is your best friend. And a foam roller and lacrosse ball.

8. Cycle with a group. It really helps to train with a peloton to keep pace. (+ definitely get yourself real bike shorts!) You don't necessarily need clip in pedals / shoes, but I sure love mine. Also, having a cadence monitor is super helpful.

9. Sometimes it will be hard to get out there and train... but once you do, you'll be happy you did.

10. Keep your eyes on the goal (the race!) and reward yourself along the way. New socks, running shorts, t-shirt, dark chocolate... :)

11. What you put into your body, you'll get out. Fuel your body for success. H2o is your friend.

12. People will not understand your desire to train this much... and that's okay. It's not their race, it's yours.

13. Most importantly, never give up! There will be hard days for sure, but you've made it too far to throw in the towel now.

#LEARNING.

1.) Don't put honey in the refrigerator before you want to eat it. 

2.) Don't paint your nails over your favorite blanket... 

3.) Take it from me. Don't purchase in flight wifi. It doesn't work and it's not worth $16 for 90 min of wifi!

4.) Walk out of an elevator if it has a hard time getting off the first floor. You will not enjoy getting stuck in the elevator... just take the stairs.

5.) You can't check your tire pressure with your hand like you can on a bike tire... #whereisdadwhenyouneedhim

6.) Don't watch Marley & Me by yourself. It's so sad.

7.) Bring a dry pair of shorts to change into after kayaking. Biking home in wet bike shorts is NOT fun.

8.) When parking, stop your car sooner than you think so you don't run into the cement wall in the parking garage. It's closer than you think.

9.) Don't share drinks with other people - they might have mono and not know it yet. Ah!

10.) Everyone needs a black leather jacket.

11.) Don't clean your sunglasses on your blouse. They might be really dirty and leave a stain on your shirt.

12. Why are mom's always right?? What is up with that? 

Touched by an Angel.

A couple of Saturdays ago, I was out riding my bike for a 30 mile training session with a group from Richardson Bike Mart. About halfway into the ride, my leg started cramping and I fell behind the peloton. I could see everyone ahead of me and I knew I needed to stay with the group so that (a) I wouldn’t get lost and (b) I wouldn’t get stuck riding the rest of the route by myself (aka very LOST). Out of nowhere, as I pushed forward toward the upcoming hill, a thin cyclist in black uniform appeared on my left and placed his hand on my back. Never once stopping to look at me or mumor a word, he effortlessly pushed me up the hill all the way back to the peloton. As soon as his hand touched my back, I heard a voice deep in my heart say, “Stop trying so hard. I have you where I need you and I will carry you. I got you. Be still and know that I am with you.” It was a peace like no other and I knew in that very moment, without a doubt, he was an angel. As I cycled back to the group, he let go, and road ahead. I looked down to grab my water bottle and back up again and he was gone.

 

I believe God sent me that mesaage not to tell me to stop trying so hard on the ride (although we were riding ~19mph so you have to try hard!), but to stop trying so hard to figure out everything in life. What an amazing feeling to hear the voice of God and feel his overwhelming peace. Thank you cycling angel - I will never forget you :)

 

-- Be still and know that I am God. --

 

 

Living in Trust.

Trusting God in all things requires that we give up control to make things happen for ourselves. I don't know about you, but I tend to strive for change and constantly question myself on my path in life. "Am I making a difference? Is this the right career path? How can I help more people on a daily basis? When am I going to meet someone? Should I extend my lease? Is this where I want to live? Maybe I should get a dog?..". The list goes on and on :)

Lately, I've been reflecting on life and just trying to figure it out but in doing so I've realized that God's plan for us is not to figure out our "path" so to speak, but to trust Him to lead us to it. We don't have to strive to find the answers, we need to live by trusting God. Have you ever noticed when you want something really bad and you try so hard to make it happen, only to find it wasn't what you thought it would be? Or you strive to go down a path you believe is best for you, but you constantly feel like you're pushing and pushing but nothing is happening? You can try to make things happen for yourself or you can believe God to make it happen for you.  Let His will be done, not yours. It's a peaceful experience when you finally let go of what you think if best for you and trust God to take care of you. It's not easy to give up control, but you'll feel better when you do. I know I did :)

Do you want to live wondering when/why/how things are going to happen or do you want to walk in peace knowing God will carry you through?
 
The choice is yours.

First World Problems.

In the summer time I LOVE to eat peaches. In fact, I love eating peaches year round. It's my favorite fruit. :) So last week I decided to buy a couple peaches from Whole Foods. I was so excited for them to ripen. One day during my lunch break, I went into the break room to grab my peach. As I went to take a bite, I immediately realized I had bit into a peach that was a little mushy and lacked flavor.  Seeing my facial expression, a coworker asked what the problem was. I told how much I loved peaches but was dismayed to have picked a bad one. "Ah, first world problems" he said. And it was with that comment that I realized how many people in third world countries would LOVE to have any peach. So I decided to eat that mushy peach and be thankful for the privilege to even be able to purchase it. As the week went on, I decided to make a conscious effort to see my circumstances from a third world view. Through this, I realized there is a lot to be thankful for. Sometimes you just need to step back to see how blessed you really are.