insta life {lately} 001

                         

^^ my view while running one morning. ...but small is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and only a few find it. (matthew 7:13,14) | 3.04 miles | 32:58 | 10:51 min/mile | 361 calories ^^

                          

 ^^ can we just take a moment and appreciate how good lookin' my hubby is right now?? ^^

                            

^^ farm puppy ^^

                             

^^ goodnight world ^^

                              

^^ this is how we do the 4th of july ^^

                             

^^ now available in the shop ----> here. ^^

@mrs_marlimcbride

rrr labor day 8k.

on september 1st, mom's birthday, she and i ran downtown in the river region runners labor day 8k.

isn't that how you celebrate birthdays? by running 5+ miles? hehe!

needless to say, we both finished breathlessly.

one of my co-workers, erica, also ran in the race with us.

whew.

it was a hilly hilly hilly (and hot) run but soooo rewarding crossing that finish line.

praise the Lord for good health and the ability to R U N.

erica and i

Stats for RRR Labor Day 8k:

Chip Time: 52:27

Gun Time: 6:52:33

Pace: 10:32

Age Division: 20-24

Place: 5th out of the 7 in my age group

Overall Place: 137 out of 197 runners

the peach run.

the morning dawned bright and early.

june 14th.

mom and i slipped into our running clothes, threw our hair up, and grabbed something to eat walking out the door. 

trail mix was my pick.

we rode out of the driveway with the sun just peeking over the horizon.

the weather was foggy and comfortable--not too hot.

traveling down the country road, i snapped a picture.

we arrived 30 minutes early and began to warm up and stretch.

mom and i jogged slowly down the road and back, scoping out the last few yards of the run.

the horn sounded and we were off.

the 11th annual peach run had begun.

running downtown and up and over the biiiig hills, i completed the course and crossed the finish line.

1:00:26.

a 10k PR compared to last year.

oh, and i just missed placing first in my age group by less than a minute.

Stats for Clanton Peach Run 10k:

Gun Start: 07:01:20

Finish: 08:01:47

Gun Elapsed: 01:00:26

Age Division: 21-35

Place: 2nd out of the 6 in my age group

Overall Place: 18 out of 26 runners

to run for a mom.

this morning dawned bright and early.

my body did not want to get out of the warm covers that it was buried in. 

but, we had something we had to do.

it had rained the day before and during the night.

rain was expected for today too.

daddy, mom, and i--with dry clothes and bib numbers in tow--loaded up at 6:20 am.

we were running for a mom--dallas and quinn's birth moms.

www.runforamom.org

by the time we arrived at our destination, the rain had stopped.

we were thankful for God's blessings He was already bestowing upon us.

arriving 30 minutes early, we unloaded and pinned our bibs and back "run for a mom" bibs on.

mom and i took a jog around the parking lot to get warmed up for the 5k.

right before the race began, we shot a picture and participated in the stretches led by one of the sponsors.

the race began and we waved to the sister who had just arrived and was sitting in the truck, in the parking lot, cheering us on.

it was steamy because of the earlier rain.

racers was sweating and putting their all into the race.

it was good.

small hills and twists and turns in the neighborhood.

clocking 3 miles, i turned the bend and saw the finish line in the distance.

sprinting the last hundred yards i crossed the finish line.

29:56.

the running group we formed--miles for mamas.

God then started the rain and the sprinkles felt SO GOOD.

we had our picture taken with Big Al and was able to visit with friends that we don't see often.

everybody then headed inside for food, door prizes, and awards.

oh yeah, mom won a door prize.

no, it's not a pole.

that my friends, is a rug.

what a door prize, huh?

aaaaand she won first in her age division....again.

daddy holding mom's rug while talking with friends.

after the race and after changing our clothes, daddy headed home and us girls went to the movies.

moms night out is the greatest.

you neeeed to go see it.

the end.

Stats for Agape Run for a Mom 5k:

Chip Start: 7:32:02

Gun Start: 7:32:00

Finish: 8:01:58

Chip Elapsed: 29:56:360

Gun Elapsed: 29:58:915

Age Division: 20-24

Place: 4th out of the 12 in my age group

Overall Place: 85 out of 400 runners

to run a race.

hi. it's me.

 you know, the one m.i.a. for the past month?

yeah, so i'm back and hopefully back for the long haul.

life has been busy.

life has been blessed.

and since life has been so crazy good, this little space of mine has been put on the very back burner.

so, here's to loving this little space of mine again.

today's update has to do with something that is kind of important in this household.

running.

since updating my blog, i have run in two more races:

Shamrock Shuffle 10k

mom and i jumped our of bed early on this saturday morning (3/15) and slipped in our running gear. leaving the daddy in bed sound asleep, we began the 45 minute trip to the location and prepped for the 7:30 am race. it was a very pleasant, cool morning. mom and i both placed second in our age divisions.

and i was able to beat my time from last year by 14 minutes.

Stats for Shamrock Shuffle 10k:

Time: 1:02:51

Age Division: 20-24

Place: 2nd out of the 4 in my age division

Overall Place: 60 out of 130 runners

Mustang Stampede Glow Run 5k

this run took place on april 11 at 7:00 pm. mom and i donned our neon running shirts and headed to the elementary school where the race was to be held. earlier that week, we had received an email saying that the run would not be a timed event. our competitive spirits were slightly dashed, but mom and i were thankful for the laid-back atmosphere. the race began, and mom and i both clocked one of our fastest times.
my time: 29:07

don't forget to keep running the most important race.

the race with the most important prize--heaven.


a lot of times, the "races" in life are super difficult.

our legs get tired and we become weary.

but, just like in a 5k, when you know that the clock is ticking, we have to keep pushing on and focus on the finish line ahead.

so go at it.

push on.

critter crawl.

last weekend i donned my running shoes and mom and i set off for the trail run.

she was my choffer and cheerleader for this trip.

the 10k began and the trails were well marked.

as i began the last three miles, i began to dig into my reservoir of energy.

later, my running app lady told me i had just clocked 6 miles.

"whew, i'm almost done."

a few feet ahead she started talking to me again and said that i had just clocked 11 miles.

yeah, even she was going bonkers.

approaching the next person directing the runners, i ask,

"are we almost there?"

"almost," he replies.

the runner-guy that was just ahead of me turned around, while still running, and also made the observation that this 6.2-mile-run seemed just a tad longer than it was supposed to be.

(it was around 6.4 miles--just really hard to get exactly 6.2 when you're marking for a trail run. :)

coming into the clearing and seeing the cars of the runners that were parked in the field at lanark up ahead was a very welcomed sight.

the finish line was crossed.

i did it.

being able to run with God's beauty and majesty all around was a blessing.

having the health and strength to carry through was a blessing.

the coolness and warm sun made for such amazing running weather....that was a huge blessing

the crossing the creek, woods, gravel, mud and wood mulch all made for an adventurous run that everybody needs to run at least once in their life.

oh, and winning third in your age group isn't so bad either.

Stats for Critter Crawl 10k:
Chip Time: 1:13:21
Gun Time: 1:13:24
Age Division: 19-24
Place: 3rd out of the 4 in my age division
Overall Place: 43 out of 61 runners
Pace: 11:48

frozen feet.

we were going to see the sister in her neck of the woods the next morning.

the night before, mom, daddy, and i sat around the kitchen table discussing the next day's events.

mom suddenly suggests:

"you know, there's a 5k in greenville in the morning."

"are you going to run?" i ask.

"i would like to try to."

(mom has been out of the running group for a couple of months due to a leg injury. she has since started going to physical therapy and the chiropractor and has seen amazing results. so good, that she had been able to run a little the last couple of weeks.)

so, it was decided.

off to the sister's.... and to run a last-minute 5k.

that's just how we roll.

all last minute and stuff.

at 6:45 the next morning, with a fresh change of clothes in tow for after the race, we load up and begin the 1-hour long road trip.

i pop in my headphones to listen to the frozen soundtrack while the runners emotions begin to build. 

(you know, nervousness, excitement, etc.)

we arrive at the location an hour and fifteen minutes early and it is freeeeezing. 

(at least for us southern folks. ha!)

after filling out the registration form and receiving our large t-shirts (that's what happens when you sign up the day of....no more small t's), i quickly get back into the warm car.

until mom finds out that the city hall is unlocked for the runners to use the bathroom.

then, i go inside there and hang out in the heat....with mom and daddy.

about 30 minutes before the race begins the sister pulls up in her bronco.

yayyyyy!

(i have missed that girl so much.)

we all go outside and stand in the rays of the sunshine.

by this time, the weather is verrrrrry slowwwwwly getting warmer.

we get to moving and doing all that stretching your supposed to do before running 3.1 miles.

after the race being delayed for a few minutes due to the police escorts not arriving on time, we went ahead and ran after the buzzer was sounded. 

(daddy came to the rescue and directed traffic at the first intersection we crossed. THEN, there was a police just sitting there in his warm car, at the next intersection, watching daddy directing traffic. whatever.)

at the very beginning, there was a huge hill.

hilly, hilly, hilly.

it was a great, challenging course.

around mile 3, we had to run right passed where the race began and make a HUGE loop back to the finish line.

as i ran past, daddy, sister, and a few girl scouts (they were there to sell cookies to the runners) cheered me on.

i mean, how many runners can say that they've been cheered on by girl scouts?? hehe!

i could see the finish in the distance....and my amazing sister standing there waiting for me.

flailing my arms in the air just being silly, i smile and quickened my pace just a bit.

then, i see my daddy come over to stand with sister.

i start sprinting.

crossing the finish line in 31:11.

awards and door prizes were next.

mom smoked it and came in first in her age division with a time of 27-something.

i also won first in my age group.

and what do you know, i won a door prize.

you know what it was?

an hour long massage.

never in my life have i ever had a message like that.

yeah, if you need me, i'll be over there getting pampered. :)

what a great day it was.

Stats for Frozen Foot Race 5k:

Total time: 31:11

Age Division: 20-29
Place: 1st in my age group (not sure out of how many)

Overall Place: 10th out of 31 runners

Pace: 9:20

the extra mile.

i awoke this morning to the sound of rain and hard wind with a mix of lightning and thunder.

at 6:30 a.m., i hear mom's voice as she quietly comes through my bedroom door:

"so, what do you think?"

"i don't know....what do you think?"

i had payed the entry fee a few days before and was supposed to run in the hope inspired ministries 5k + 1 mile.

we both sneak downstairs without waking daddy and i check the weather radar.

it's iffy.

it seemed to have been calming down a bit outside so we decide to head to the starting line at the armory.

we all get dressed and grab our rain jackets.

i grab a breakfast of peanut butter and pretzels to go.

we arrive and it's misting.

we see a few lightning strikes and hear the rumble of thunder.

the race is supposed to begin at 8:30.

it is put off until 9:30.

they finally decide on 9:45 for the time to begin the race.

by this time, the rain had stopped and was cloudy with a slight coolness in the air.

perfect for running.

the horn buzzed and the runners were off.

a huge downhill was at the beginning...so nice!

but then the monsters came.

uphill challenges awaited the runners.

i would make it halfway up a gigantic hill and would fast-walk the rest of the mountain.

out of all the hills we conquered, twice i had to walk up the monstrous hills.

boy, were they some doozy's.

and then downhill we would go...

(ahhhh. so nice.)

mile 1, 2, 3, 4....

up again....down again....

at one point in the race, i had to wait for a firetruck (with sirens blaring) to pass before crossing the road.

(never had that happen before. haha!)

at the end of mile 4, i could see mom walking towards me on the downtown sidewalk.

encouraging me to keep at it, she ran along side me the last few yards. daddy soon appeared and cheered me to the finish.

my time flashed as i sprinted across the finish line:

45:20.

yet again i was so thankful for the ability to be able to have the health to run...

and tackle the uphill hills.

God is good.

as we waited for the awards to be handed to the winners, we enjoyed time chatting with our runner friends.

and then the sun came out.

(God, you're so amazing.)

the award ceremony began and names were called.

age division 20-29.

third place....

second place...

first place...marli reese.

i was overwhelmed with thankfulness.

being able to "go the extra mile" in today's race made me think about how we ought to be going to the extra mile in our everyday lives.

99% or 25% just isn't good enough.

we should give our all--plus some.

yeah sure, 100% is nice, but how about going further? 

i pray that we'll all be able to go beyond 100%.

run that extra mile.

you can do it.

Stats for Hope Inspired Ministries 5k plus one mile:

Total Time: 45:20

Age Division: 20-29

Place: 1st out of the 3 in my age division

Overall Place: 28 out of 68 runners

Pace: 10:48

the jingle bell run.

the entry fee had been paid by yours truly for the first time.

(after all, doesn't everybody's mom normally pay their entry fee? hehe!)

i was the only one.

sister was married and it was too far for her to drive.

mom had pulled a muscle while running a few weeks prior and was on the mend.

daddy had a men's meeting at church to attend.

i would be the lone ranger in this jingle bell run for arthritis.

the confirmation email had been received and i was ready.

the morning for the 5k arrived. it was very chilly.

i had laid out my new santa shirt (purchased just for this occasion), black running capris, and santa socks the night before.

waking up at 6:40 on this saturday morning, and after feeding the horses, i donned my gear.

mom and i arrived early and was directed to a parking space at huntington.

there were many runners already hustling and bustling about the campus.

mom and i found a warm building to wait inside until time for the runners to line up at the starting line.

finding my station on pandora, and sticking my headphones in my ear, i was ready.

mom gave me one last wave and smile wishing so badly that she was behind the starting line with me.

after the time clock reached 8:31 a.m., the announcer gave the command and the runners were off.

in the middle of the first mile, there was a snow blower.

blowing snow across the neighborhood street, we ran through it.

there were many runners--at least 300.

everyone set their pace and settled in for the 3.1 miles.

in between songs on my ear buds, i could hear the jingle of jingle bells.

everyone was provided with safety pins complete with jingle bells attached to them to pin their bibs on.

we were "jingling all the way".

i rounded the bend, and heard the cheering. i was nearing the end.

i sprinted the last few yards.

taking my phone out of my pocket, i was ready to press the "stop" button on my app after i would cross the finish line.

over the song that was playing on my ear buds, i heard my mom cheering me across the finish line.

yup, she's the best.

my time flashed: 29:29.

5k number ten. check.

after the race, mom and i went into the warm building again to warm ourselves. then, we ventured back outside and found the fresh orange slices from earthfare and the VIP coffee. 

(not that we were VIP. they were just nice people and shared their coffee with two freezing women--me and mom. ;p)

awards were next and then we fast walked/trotted back to the sub.

let's just say, we worked that heater and heated seats. 

Stats for Jingle Bell Run 5k:

Chip Time: 29:25.0

Gun Time: 29:29.0

Age Division: 20-24

Place: 5th out of the 12 in my age division

Overall Place: 146 out of 375 runners

Pace: 9:28

spinners park pumpkin run.

we are happy.

today began running season for us.

we are ready.

for all the cold, early mornings.

sporting bright warm(er) running outfits.

numb limbs from freezing in the first mile of running.

seeing the running friends again that we have made while participating in this hobby we enjoy.

today mom and i ran our very first 8k.

5k's and 10k's are fun. but 8k's? double the fun.

we missed the sister and it just wasn't the same without her but, this time with mom will be forever treasured.

daddy came as a cheerleader this time.

he cheered us on as we crossed the finish line. mom smoking with a time of 39:53.

i crossed the line with a PR of 48:23.

yup.

it's going to be fun year.

let's do this.

Stats for Pumpkin Run 8k:

Age Division: 20-25

Place: 1st (i was the only one in my age category)

Total: 48:23

Pace: 9:12

it's a peach.

It was another early morning.

5:15 a.m. to be exact.

It was another morning to count our blessings and to don our tank-tops and running pants.

We ate our breakfast of crunchy peanut butter and banana, threw on our Mary Kay, and put the hair in a ponytail.

We were ready for this day.

Daddy was supposed to go with us on this trip too to participate in the 5k, but found out that he had a job to do that morning.

So, we girls loaded up and headed out to the peach county.

As we were pulling out of our rustic gate, I glanced out of my side mirror and sat stunned.

God is so amazing.

On this early morning, He had blessed us with one of the most magnificant sunrises.

We arrived at our destination 30 minutes early to make our before-the-race preparations.

God had given us a perfect morning.

Pinning on our bibs and walking/jogging around the parking lot, we were warmed up and ready for the Peach Run 5k/10k.

Before the race, we took our traditional "before" picture of the three of us girls.

The team.

(minus daddy)

The team that has run and encouraged one another for the past 7 months in our running endeavors.

The team that has stuck together for the past nine 5ks.

The team that was about to stick together once again and cheer each other on for their second 10k.

Finding our spots at the starting line, we were ready.

The running course was perfect.

Running through city and country, the scenery was magnificent.

The shade and breeze were perfect.

Settling in for the 6.2 miles, I was pushing on towards the goal at hand.

When it came to the part of the course to continue straight on the 5k course or take the right for the 10k road, it was tempting to make the choice to go straight.

(haha!)

But, choosing to take the right, I settled in for the remaining 3.2 miles.

Making it up and down the rather large hills on the last part of the course, I could see the end in sight.

I was counting all my blessings while running....

good health.

police to direct traffic.

a hill tackled.

a burst of energy.

a 10k accomplished.

Turning the curve in the neighborhood, I saw it.

The starting (and also the ending ;P) line.

I saved the remainder of my energy until I had about 50 yards left.

I started my ending-the-race sprint.

With my mom right there to cheer me on.

Crossing the finish line, I had broken my PR for 10k.

My last 10k: 1:16:38

This 10k: 1:05:40

Crossing the finish line, mom and sis came up and congratulated me and we then proceeded to discuss our times, and the course, and expressing our joy to have another one "in the books."

Oh, how I love our runs together.

And then the awards ceremony began.

And, of course, without fail, we found mom on the winners stand.

The sis won second in her age group.

(they only gave out first place awards for each age category)

And we won't even start on the guy who won first in overall men's.

A 31:36 10k? Yeah, that's just not even fair.

Avg pace: 5:05.

Unbelievable.

Oh, and you know what mom's prize ended up being?

A basket of peaches.

Yup, we'll take a basket of peaches over a trophy any day. ;)

Stats for the Peach Run 10k:

Chip Time: 1:05:40

Gun Time: 1:05:44

Age Division: 21-30

Place: 5th out of the 5 in my age group.

Overall Place: 56 out of 61

Pace: 10:33

ketchup run.

The alarm was set.

The radio went off to wake me from a horrible nights rest. 

The cause: anxiousness of a race the next day.

5:09 a.m.

I get up and put on my gear. My running gear.

The pink tank top and brown capris are what I choose today.

We leave the house at 5:45 to get to our destination at 6:30.

We notice that not many runners are there.

We are 30 minutes early to the Ketchup Run that starts at 7:00 a.m.

Blessings abound.

The time keepers are just now setting up their equipment.

We think, "Wow, they need to get a move on. The race starts in 30 minutes!"

We are handed our packets and we pin on our number bibs.

As it gets closer to 7, there are still not half as many people that are expected.

The lady said that there were 120 runners registered.

Nope. There were maybe 25 present at that moment.

Mom finds a 5k flyer taped to the door of the Earth Fare building (they were hosting the race) and she reads it:

The race starts at 8:00 a.m.

Really?

We arrived and hour and a half early.

Oh well. 

Getting up at 5:00 had to be good for us....in some way...we just didn't know how.

Trying to count our blessings, we settled in and waited for the race.

Blessings were there whether we realized it at that point or not.

After snapping a picture of our running team, we still had time to spare.

We loaded up in the sub and headed out to drive the course and see where we would be running.

It was a fairly easy course. Some hills. Not many.

Blessings abounded.

We get back to the starting line and start our stretches.

It's time.

We get on our marks and go.

Having warmer hot weather the days before, God saw fit that it be a cooler day with nice breezes just when we needed them.

1 mile....8:40.

My fastest mile ever.

Blessings abounded.

The race is finished and everyone's a winner.

All the contestants receive a ribbon and the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in male and female overall receive a ketchup bottle as their take-home prize.

(I thought it was cute myself.)

Daddy and mom beat their records and ran their fastest 5ks.

Sister just blew us all out of the water and finished in 25.

And I completed the course in 31:27.

Blessings abounded.

Yup, it was a good day.

Instagram pics:

@purposelyathome