This weekend I ran the Run to Stay Warm Half Marathon put on by Eugene's Water and Heating company EWEB. It started out and finished at their building and ALL of the proceeds go to help people out who may not be able to afford their heating bills this winter. They are thinking about $20,000 were raised this year! It is a great race, excellent cause, there were plenty of aid stations, the volunteers cheered as they directed and/or watered the runners, and I have absolutely no complaints at all about it. There were just under 500 runners for the half marathon (I'd guess about 1000 total with the 5k and 10k included), so navigation and parking was a piece of cake.

The weather cooperated and God put on a display of falltime glory in the form of sunshine and colourful trees, it was beautiful. The forecast even the night before was %80 chance of rain, and there were rumors even of snow, but not a drop of any sort fell on the runners. It was sunny, not windy- just perfect. Which was not only good for me but for my faithful cheering section composed of my mother in law, The Husband, and our two boys. They pulled me in to the finish, figuratively speaking of course!

As for my goals I smashed them. I hoped to beat my last half marathon time and finish strong, I wanted to run just around 8:30 minute mile pace, but I ended up coming in at a 8:08 mile pace for the entire race. And race I did. Last time it was fun, it was a pleasure to run, read the signs, talk to my friend the whole way.  This time I felt the pleasure not during so much, but at the end when I crossed that finish line and beat even my highest expectations, there is nothing I can quite compare it to. I ran 2 minutes per mile faster than last time and I knew that I had given my all. It is an amazing feeling- not holding back, just going for it.  I am now a half marathon racer and not just a finisher. My time last time was 2:12 and this time it was 1:45, that is 27 minutes faster for the 13.1 miles. I felt like a rockstar, but not for merit or talent only hard work. It is the hours of getting up at 5 am to run intervals on the track, it is running even when not training for something, it is dying to self when I know I need to push harder but just don't feel like it. Not an inch of speed was gained by anything but intensity and effort on my part and God feeding me each breath and pumping each heart beat. It may sound weird to say it, but I feel proud of myself and so thankful to God for allowing me to do this right now.

All that said most of the race I ran willing myself and begging my legs to move. My breathing was strong but my legs felt worn out, especially from mile 8 on it was sheer stubbornness that made me keep up at the pace that I wanted to run. I just don't want any readers to think it was easy, it was beautiful, rewarding, but I gave it all.

Pace: 8:08
Time: 1:45
Weather: Sunny and cool

Other Running posts:

Lessons Learned from Running
Marathoning for Mortals: Why do I Try to get Comfortable?
Eugene Half Marathon Finisher
Running Books and Movies: For Inspiration

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I just ran the half marathon in Eugene Oregon. Most of you are probably sick of hearing about it, and about running period. But from it I have learned some things about myself- some good things and some things that I would like to work on changing. First let me give you the before and after of my thoughts just so you can see the thought process.

Before the Half Marathon I was pumped up, excited to just run it- happy to be involved in something big and fun and that I had worked for. This is what I remember thinking before the race: The slower I go the first time, the more chance I have to PR next time, the better I will feel in consecutive races as I pass or don't pass my personal goal. I set my sights in front of me, run to run, because I can honestly say that I enjoy running now- there is no disappointment in that, none.

Immediately after I was done with the Half just 3 days after, feelings of inadequacy crept in, a feeling that I could have (and should have) tried harder, worked harder, run faster. That I let myself down, others down-people who were expecting things from me. When I work for something hard, train really hard, and then fail- why does that hurt so bad? The funny thing is I didn't even have a goal and still I finish and feel like I let someone down. What on earth drives me to compare to others and not be satisfied with the outcome of my work? The inner battle that goes on from unmet expectations can consume your joy in having reached a perfectly HUGE goal in just finishing it. Why this need to go faster, be better?

After thinking those things I was then convicted.  That was not what that half  was about for me, not before, not during it or after it. I ran to run, not for any other reason. I was reminded (by my friend Becky and Sherri, Jarod and then some other  runners feeling the weight of unmet goals) I realized there really is a lesson in this- for me at least. It is the lesson and reminder of where my priorities should be. And even so much more important than that: where is my value and my worth? Where do I place value?

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1Timothy 4:8

These are all questions that have been filling up my mind. Running really does show me life, but maybe not the way I expected. Running reminds me of faults in my life that I am working on,  the need to compare myself, and the need to succeed. Running blurts out my life issues like poprocks under a microscope. Because my gaze should not be fixed here, but somewhere else.

photo credit

I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God's heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

My eyes should not be fixed here, they shouldn't be fixed on others or myself- but on Christ. I can still run, still run hard- but just remember that it isn't for me at all, and it never should be about me either.

Share your thoughts with me, what have you been challenged in lately? Is God working on some tender parts in your life?

PS. This is what God has been doing in me and in no way implies that people who try to meet running goals are in the wrong, just that God is using my running to speak to me and mold me- ridding me of the imperfections that bubble to the surface. I know we are all molded and changed by the things that we love and bring us joy, and also the things that make us work and persevere.

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I finished the Eugene Half Marathon, I did it. There will be other things to conquer in life, but I now have this victory under my belt. There is something so sweet about reaching for a goal and then getting there. So satisfying and yet at the same time invigorating.

To follow are the deets from start to medal, here is how it went down starting with a wake up call at 5:45- stinkin' early in my book, but a great time to run. Becky is pictured here and is my running buddy for the Eugene Marathon. She signed up to run the full and I the half, a great run all around!

The Eugene Half Marathon was amazing, it was so fun to be a part of all the excitement and get to run with so many other runners. Next time I would opt to do a little smaller one just so that it would be easier for the spectators to make it from spot to spot. Brad, brought the boys to see me at several different places during the race, and Susan Canfield was there supporting too. Jonah (my running buddy's husband), Sherri and some others were there as well- it was a treat to have such a great cheer section!

It all felt great! We just ran it at a chill pace and were only worried about having a good time and completing it- both Becky ( in the full marathon) and I (running the half) conquered our goal. The Eugene marathon course for both the Half and the Marathon run together for the first 11 miles. It was all so fun- I am not ready to take the plunge and sign up for another just yet, I want the feeling to sink in, but I have no doubt I will. I don't yet have the desire to run a full marathon, but I also know that if one of my friends asked me to run it with, I  would.

I can't say enough about how amazing it felt, how relaxed the running was, the pace felt so smooth- just perfect.

Since most of you didn't get to go see the finish, here is a little clip in which I am finishing. You can catch me for about half a second :) I cross the finish line after this clip has been rolling for about 1:20 so watch extra carefully a little before that. YEEEEEEah!

Me making my silly faces- not that silly really.

Here are the official details/stats- whatever you want to call them:

Bethany Canfield

Team Living Water Update: What makes it all even better is that you guys smashed my goal for raising money for Living Water International!! I set a goal (which I considered high) of $500 and you all crushed that by donating $521 ! That goal met was not mine to claim at all- but yours, thank you all so much for doing that- it really made tears come to my eyes as you kept giving and giving. Thank you.

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But now I am only 20 days away, I have one last longer run of 9 or 10 miles and then it is all downhill from there up until the Eugene half Marathon on the 2nd of May.

Anyway I would like to ask for your help.  I've done the training and I am going to ask for you to sponsor me- it is for an amazing cause and I would love your support in this. I am running for Team Living Water! There are so many reasons that I will be proud to run wearing my Team Living Water shirt that day, but mainly it is because I 'know' the people that head up Living Water International and they are using every single cent towards a physical and spiritual thirst quenching which will change the world one village and community at a time. I couldn't be more proud.

Watch this video and see what Living Water International is all about:

The Story of the Thirsty from Living Water International on Vimeo.

To sponsor me head to my Running for Team Living Water Fundraiser Page , or you can also get there by clicking the First Giving widget to the right of this blog under the heading Running for Clean Water. That widget is also where you can track my progress as to how much I have raised so far.

I want to thank you all, thank you for watching the video and thank you for your support. This means the world to me. Someday I will go on a well digging trip, the boys have already been begging to go too. When they get a little older and can actually be of help we will go, for now I get to run for them and someday I will meet them.

Remember, Every Dollar Counts:  $1 = clean water for 1 person for 1 year.

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Running Books I've Read: Mini Reviews

Runner's World Complete Book of Women's Running: The Best Advice to Get Started, Stay Motivated, Lose Weight, Run Injury-Free, Be Safe, and Train for Any Distance

This is the first book I read about running as I started training again, while it is somewhat helpful it is not for the intermediate to advanced runner at all. This book would be perfect for the woman who is just starting out and is wanting to know what she is getting herself into. While there is valuable info, and I did learn a couple of things, much of it was pretty obvious since I ran my little legs off in high school for 4 years. Still it has its merit and I did learn that I should always look every oncoming person in the eye with confidence so as to be able to identify him in a line up. I'd say that is valuable info for sure!! It also contains helpful information on how to start out, how to stretch, how to loose weight and so on. A good book for anyone thinking of running, the beginner who needs some tips.

The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer This is an excellent book, filled with information on how to keep in the run, stay motivated, which shoes to buy, how to train, when to run, how to stretch, how to eat, when to drink....on and on. This book is the best one I have read so far on training for the marathon (thanks Becky!!!!!). It pretty much takes you from day one of being completely out of shape and gets you into decent enough shape to complete a marathon in 16 weeks. How is that not the coolest ever!?!

Even after having run a lot in my previous life (High school!) I find this read to have so much information that I either forgot or just never knew. It is helpfully detailed, easy to understand and as long as you  are willing to follow it-you should have no problem completing the goal of a marathon that you are set out to run.Even though this book was written for training for a marathon, there is so much other valuable information,that any runner could glean from it.  That being said, it is very specific to long (very long)distance training. Intended for the beginner (or not so beginner) planning on running for the long haul. I love this book!!!

Run Your First Marathon: Everything You Need to Know to Make It to the Finish Live
I checked this one out from the library as well and it did have a lot of useful information,however it seemed a little general in its approach. I liked the format of the Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer (above) better. This is a quality book though packed with photos, tips and hints to training and running your first marathon, but if you have been a runner for a while much of the information will be obvious to you already. It is always good to brush up on the basics though.

I felt it to be lacking in depth, but as a first time runner you may appreciate the facts and details that are covered in Run Your First Marathon. If a broad picture of the training and racing is what you are looking for this is your book!

To Get You Up of the Couch: Running Movies

Spirit of the Marathon This movie is very entertaining, it follows a group of elite marathoners and a group of your average joe  people turning into marathon runners. For some it is their first time, others have run several and find themselves addicted to the race. Real life gets in the way at times of meeting goals or satisfying personal dreams- and it is neat to watch each individual learn to overcome or work through the hurdles of reality. They run on their time off, late at night, after taking care of their family.

Men and women of all ages are running for one common goal, and that is to complete their race. The elite runners have all the gear, and spend their lives running.  They dream of getting first at a prestigious American marathon and the viewer gets to follow the training and the finish of each runner.

This is a great flick if you are trying to motivate yourself to get out and exercise, there is so much value in it. I thought it was an interesting approach-kinda a la reality tv or something for runners. I watched it at Netflix in the play now.

Chariots of Fire

This is the best running movie of all time, yep of all time. I watched this I don't even know when and fell in love with it instantly. I think I need to go grab it and watch it right now actually, it is about courage, about two men running for very different reasons. Chariots of Fire isn't just about the races and the running, that is a part of it but it is also full of the lives that surround these two runners and the people who influence them and those whom they have influence on. The only downside (for me at least) is that Chariots of Fire is not about distance runners-I'll let that slide. :)

Each time I watch it I want to get right up out of my chair and run, maybe even go for a good barefoot running experience on the beach!! Better pick this one up the next time you are at the video store it is much more than a running flick- it is a classic! Enjoy!!

To Get You Started: Free on-line Training Programs

5K Training

Couch to 5k this one looks great! For all those out there who are really at the beginning of the running thing, this is a good way to get up and at it. Your local sports equipment stores will be excellent resources for finding out when you can run a 5k in your town. Up and at 'em!!
5K Race Training: Run Your First 5K
6 Weeks to a 5K: Beginner Training Plan BY Fitness Magazine
Running Times Magazine: 12 Week Training Program for Beginners
The Ultimate 5K Plan by Runner's World With information for all types of runners, from beginners to advanced and what to do  with training and tons more good information.

10K Training

Your Ultimate 10K Training Plan by Runner's World
Hal Higdon 10 K Training head on over and click on beginner, intermediate, advanced or walk to find the perfect match for you!
Jeff Galloway's 10K (or 5k) Training Injury Free
Running Planet's 10K Training Program and Advice for Recreational Runners

Half Marathon Training

Half Marathon with Hal Higdon you can select beginner, intermediate, advanced or walk to adapt this workout to you.
The Runner's World Half Marathon Training Plan complete with speed workouts and race day tips (and much more).
Rookie Half Marathon Training
Jeff Galloway's Half Marathon Training
Basic Half Marathon for Beginners
Running Planet's Half Marathon Training Program

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