Marathon Training Week 3

So training week three was a little different. Blake is training for an Olympic Distance Triathlon (Gator Bait) on August 28th so instead of having a long run Saturday, he did a brick workout. Blake biked 20 miles and then ran 6 miles. Since I will be loyally cheering him on like a good wife, I changed my running schedule since a long run next weekend will be very difficult. Instead of doing 6 miles this week and 11 next, I did nine this weekend (since 9 to eleven is a big jump) and will do 6 miles next weekend. We woke up at 6:15am and were running by 7:15. I think God has created the most beautiful world and I love watching the sun rise and set. This is a picture of the sunrise while we are headed to start our run, nothing like watching the world wake up every weekend. Anyway, Blake had a great brick. He passed me on the run when I needed some encouragement. Even though we ran early, the humidity in the south is draining. I barely finished because I was having some heat exhaustion issues, but Blake is on track for his coming Trithlon. Even though we didn't have the easiest weekend, we continue to give God the glory for our talents. We look forward to our half coming up in a couple of weeks and the full about 100 days away!

Please support our efforts in becoming St. Jude heroes and donate if you are able. The link is on the right side of the page and any bit helps!

Thankful for our aches and pains,

Team Barnes

Marathon Training Week 2

Today marks the end of our Week 2 marathon training.  With our mid week runs thrown off a bit with the schedules of everyday life, we were a little concerned heading into this morning's 9 miler.  However, we were pleasantly surprised.  After dragging ourselves out of bed at a time that I consider way too early for a Saturday (6:30), we began our run and quickly realized it was worth the early start to beat the August heat.  While Kristen enjoyed watching the world come to life this morning, I was thankful to clear my head from work in preparation for the weekend .  This run reminded us how much we love the hurt of a long run.... I know it sounds crazy, but it really is addicting.  And I can't help but think about the people I work with everyday that would gladly go through the pain of a long run, just for the opportunity to walk again.  Of course, pushing through the pain for a greater cause like St. Jude certainly is worth it, and these aching feet will serve as a reminder of those we're running for.

So we will keep living life to the fullest as God intended and giving Him the glory along the way!

Thankful for our bleeding toes,

Blake and Kristen Barnes