Run Scheduled - Saturday, July 31st @ 7:00 a.m.

Hello Runners!  We'll be doing a 5ish mile run this Saturday, July 31st.  We'll meet at 7:00 a.m. in the Horizons Church parking lot.  Hope you can join us and please email me should you have any questions.  I do want to give everyone some advance notice that the scheduling of runs may change a little bit over the next few months as marathon training is in full gear now.

Horizons sends out a devotional to their leaders and based on the topic, I asked Rich's permission to share the one he sent out last week.  It's obviously geared to those in leadership, but I think there is a lot that has application in whatever roles we find ourselves in.  Here it is...I pray it encourages you.  Blessings, Karen

I’m doing a lot of running right now – 5 days a week. I’m preparing for the Marine Corps Marathon – my first one. Do you know the thought that keeps haunting me during my runs – like the one this morning?  If I am struggling through this run of 6 miles which is only about ¼ of a marathon - then how in the world am I going to run 26 miles?  I believe the key is endurance. Day after day, week after week, I am slowly teaching my body to endure more than before and the idea is that it culminates in a cycle of building blocks that ultimately empowers you to do more than you could before. I couldn’t run a marathon tomorrow, but I believe I will on October 31.

In 1 Corinthians 15:58, the apostle Paul encourages all of us, but I think it is especially true for those of us who lead…be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. As a leader, you are engaged in guiding and caring for others that are on the journey of learning how their commitment in ministry will someday empower them to do more for God’s kingdom, maybe even more than they ever thought or dreamed. There are a lot of distractions and excuses I could offer each morning when it’s time to lace up the shoes and go our for another run – but I have committed to a path of endurance for 18 weeks that will lead me to my destination. So keep at it, keep abounding in the work of the Lord because what you are doing is making a difference for eternity.

Rich Pennington

Run Scheduled - July 17th @ 7:00 a.m.

We will meet this Saturday, July 17th at 7:00 a.m. in the Horizons Church parking lot for a 5 mile run.  I'm not sure what the weather will be, but I'm pretty sure it will be more enjoyable than last Saturday morning's weather.  I've never run through that much rain - and don't plan on doing it again anytime soon.  My mp3 player didn't make it - thankful that my Garmin did.  I haven't checked to see if my shoes have dried yet.

Let me know if you have any questions about the run and I look forward to seeing y'all on Saturday.

Blessings,
Karen

Run Scheduled - July 3rd @ 7:00 a.m.

Hey everyone. Hope you're having a blessed week. I missed running with y'all last Saturday, but the 24 Hours of Worship & Prayer event was awesome! We will meet this Saturday, July 3rd at 7:00 a.m. For those new to the group, we meet in the Horizons Church parking lot and our run is a little over 5 miles. The weather is supposed to be BEAUTIFUL - UNSEASONABLY FANTASTIC! Hope to see you there. Email me if you have any questions about the run and have a great rest of the week!


Blessings,
Karen

No Run Saturday - 24 Hours of Prayer & Worship Instead

Hey everyone. Hope you are having a great summer of running. I'm still trying to get used to the hot and humid weather, but I know that training in these conditions will pay off when I'm running the Marine Corps Marathon on a beautiful 55 degree, low humidity day. :) At least that's what I'm praying for.

First, congrats to Dave R. for a PR in the Battlefield Half-Marathon (Winchester, VA) on Saturday and for finishing first in his age group. Awesome! And kudos to Bob H. who once again completed the 40 mile Highlands Sky Trail Run, marking his 10th ultra run . Check out www.wvmtr.org/news to see a very interesting video about the course and its maintenance. I'm humbled by even imagining this kind of run. As Bob mentioned in an email, it helps "focus him on the Sustainer...a chance to overcome like Christ has empowered us to do." That's a great reminder.

Typically we would be running this Saturday, but I'm going to push the run back a week to July 3rd due to the 24 Hours of Worship and Prayer event at Horizons. We'll have family in town and I will be part of the worship throughout, so I will put my running on hold. But please do make plans to come out sometime for the worship and prayer. I can't wait to be led in worship by some amazing bands and worship leaders. I'm especially partial to a couple of the late Friday evening sets which will include my brother-in-law and my former piano teacher (not together, but you get the point). If you have any questions about the event, feel free to email me or check out Horizons website (http://www.horizonschurch.com/).

Blessings,
Karen

Run Scheduled - Saturday, June 12th at 7:00 a.m.

We will meet up for a run this Saturday, June 12th at 7:00 a.m. in the Horizons Church parking lot. We'll be doing the normal @ 5 mile run. Hope to see you there!

Please email me (karenegyud@gmail.com) if you have any questions about our runs.

Blessings,
Karen

Trail Run - June 5th at 7:00 a.m.

Dave Robertson is going to be doing a trail run tomorrow at Prince William Forest Park and all are welcome to join him. He's going to be doing 12 miles, but if you are interested in doing the trail(s) but want a shorter run, he can break the run into shorter loops (4, 6 or 8). Meet up will be at the PWF Visitor Center Parking Lot at 7 a.m. sharp. Please email us back and let us know if you plan on running so we know who to be on the lookout for.

Tomorrow is supposed to be another HOT day so a run in the forest will be much cooler and shaded...

Thanks Dave for heading up this run.

Blessings,
Karen

Fun Article about an Ultramarathoner

Here's a great article from the Washington Post about Michael Wardian, an ultramarathoner.