A Little Help From My Friends

As many of you know we are heading off on vacation this week.

Yes, vacation! Every time I think about it I get that song by the Go-Gos stuck in my head.

"Vacation All I ever wanted Vacation Had to get away....." Of course when I hear it I can't help but let my mind drift to the sounds of Angelica, from Rugrats, singing it as the family was heading off to the "Graham Canyon." Therefore solidifying that I really do need to get out of the house more!

Never the less, whether to the tune of a cartoon character or not, we're off in just a few days!

Yeah!!!!

We are heading directly to Estes Park, Colorado and planning on about four fun filled days in the Rocky Mountains. Then we are climbing down a bit to see the Ross' in Colorado Springs. With a day trip planned for the Royal Gorge in the middle of the week. Or if you talk to Judah, "the big hole with a river going through it."

Lots and lot of fun, I'm sure.

I've never been to Estes and wasn't planning on it anytime soon, until about a month ago my Runner's World magazine listed the Estes Marathon and Half Marathon as a "Must run" this summer. Knowing that my body wasn't ready for another full marathon just yet, I thought a nice halfer up in the mountains would be a good challenge and it sounded fun.

So there you have it..... an entire vacation created around a run. I'm guilty. I've gone to the obsessed level.

I've been training hard with three half marathon training runs the past four weeks and several fast races.

Speaking of fast. My husband challenged me to a 5K. He proclaimed for all to hear that he was going to beat me at the Victory in the Valley 5K on June 2nd. His big talk got me and my Dad roaring to take him on. We all blasted at the start and I thought maybe Kenton was going to live up to his challenge. But unfortunately he spent too much time talking and not enough time training. Me and my old man caught him and left him behind.

62 LACY HANSEN 25 WICHITA KS E 24:17

71 Randy Carlile 50 M Wichita KS W 24:41

77 KENTON HANSEN 25 M WICHITA KS 24:54

I had two goals.

1. Beat Kenton (or try my best to be a good loser)

2. Set a new personal record and come in under 25 minutes.

It was a good day, I did both! All that extra push got me a third place medal too. I was really humbled, even if my "ha!" to Kenton didn't show it.

So, all that to say..... training has been going well and I expect to have a nice run this Sunday. I know that high altitude is going to be a challenge and I'll need some extra endurance to push through.

That's what I need from ALL of you. A little help.

You see, one of my greatest gifts in life has been the gift of Mrs. Wendy Grist as a running partner. She's an incredible friend, encourager, runner, and believer. Recently her health has prevented her from running. She knows and I know that God is going to heal her and we are both patiently awaiting the day we can spend hours out on the trails, running through Wichita. She even mention out next challenge should be an Ultra-Marathon. That's when crazy people run over 50 miles at a time. She's all heart and God has blessed her spirit.

I miss her terribly though. All my training has been in solitude. Just me and my iPod and few good songs to help me keep going. It's okay, but it's not the same. For now, it'll have to do. God had told Wendy to wait and as her health hasn't currently improved, she has no other choice.

Just thinking of her gives me more inspiration to get off my seat and push a little harder every time.

My mantra as of right now is, "I Run because.....Wendy can't."

She's continually encouraged me to cherish running and never give up. I just love her so much.

Pray for her, if you aren't already.

All that to say, can you all help inspire me for the long lonely run I have coming up? I need good songs to put in my ears. They don't have to be sacred or "christian", sometimes they just need a good beat.

Currently one of my favorites is, "All These Things That I've Done," by The Killers. You should check it out.

Friends and family, please over load me with your suggestions. I've got credit at iTunes and I'm ready to reload my Nano. Can you help me?

Thanks!