Dreams do come true

As a teen, the Rock n' Roll Marathon passed by my old church building and we would volunteer to pass out drinks, power gel, etc. We were there to set up, break down and clean up! Loved it!!! I wanted to be one of those runners someday. They were inspiring!
I started to run again and started to save my money so I could run this year (2013).
However, sure enough, financial struggles arose and little by little my savings for the race dwindled.

Around January I realized my dream to run the Rock N' Roll 1/2 Marathon might not come true! There was no way I was going to have the money to pay for the race, to buy shoes AND pay my bills, it was one or the other.

My husband and I moved in with my sister in law to save money. She took us in and helped us out. We saved enough to put down a deposit, we then moved in with my mom and stepdad to try and save a bit more, we saved enough for the first month's rent for an apartment.
Thankfully we found one and were able to move in Feb. 1st! Loved the location, size, everything!

But still had no money to run the race! At least I was close to Lake Murray, one of my favorite places to run at. I was not motivated as much anymore, I had no hope.

As my hopes of ever running the 1/2 marathon faded, I received an email from Magic 92.5, they were doing a contest they call "Bucket List", where you write down what is in your bucket list and they try to help you fulfill your goal. "I never do these"... I thought... but hey, why not, what have I got to lose, right!?
RIGHT! So I spent a bit of time trying to convey as best I could my deep desire to run this 1/2 marathon, how I've always wanted to be a part of it, and how I love to run, but my finances, well, they just were not there! I pressed SUBMIT and then prayed.

I know the Bible says "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4, So I knew God knew my heart's desire was to run this 1/2 marathon.



Sure enough, a few weeks later Samantha contacted me from the radio station and asked me a few questions just in case I did win. I answered and again hoped and prayed for favor.

At that time we had just moved in with my mom. I had started to run again a few months before, but all the moving kinda forced me to a pause with running. Thankfully my mom lived by the bay in Chula vista and I was able to wake up early before work and go running.
One of those morning as I was running at the bay I got a call ( I always run with my phone! Just in case... you never know!) from a restricted number, around 710am, I answered, they didn't. I thought, ok, weird and hung up. Soon after a few mins more into my run I got another call, this time, someone answered!

Jagger & Kristi were on the other end..... They were making my dream come true! Bob Babbit part of the Rock n' Roll marathon series was also on the line. Bob gave me an admission to either the rock n' roll marathon or the 1/2 marathon!!! (THANK YOU BOB!!!!)
They read my entry on the air, and asked me further questions and we talked. They also gave me new running shoes, courtesy of Brooks Running Shoes, a one night stay at the Hotel Del Coronado, Breakfast at Hotel Del and $100.00 to spend at the hotel!!!!

Needless to say I was excited and in tears, overhwhelmed by their generosity and kindness.
I remember saying on air "I just wanted to run" - in reply to what I thought of everything they had given me. I really did just want to run, but they gave me more than what I had imagined.
I knew then God knew every single desire of my heart and my needs. I really really really needed shoes! (which came in today and look awesome by the way!) And I know the hotel and $100 were just a bonus to show me His love through their generosity.

A few weeks after that call my husband and I moved into our new place, close to the Lake. Where I decided I would work out every morning/afternoon, now that I was running the half marathon, I needed to train, focus and be dedicated! I would run and work out, but to be honest, I knew I needed help! I downloaded a plan on how to prepare for a 1/2 marathon and started to follow it. But I had no accountability and I knew I couldn't do it alone. I needed help. But I didnt know who to ask, and I kenw my schedule was so full and busy, it was not very flexible. My workouts HAD to happen when i could get them in, between work and school work, before work, on my way to the coffee shop, etc.

I got an email from Samantha from the radio station, saying a coach had called the day they had aired my bucketlist experience and he had offered to coach me for free!!!! A few days later I met him, Coach Barbosa, originally from Brazil and a world class runner.
He told me that it was just by chance that he was listening at the moment they aired my call. And that he had felt compelled to call and help me for free. He called the station but was not hopefully in that he would get through to them. Well, he did! I am thankful for Coach Barbosa, who spends time setting up workouts for me and meets with me weekly. I have ran more than I would have on my own, have gotten in better shape, and have been losing about 2lbs a week since I started training with him. I am blessed to have such a quality person take their time to help me.

Over all I am greatful and humbled at this experience. Blessed beyond what I can express in words and excited to fulfill my goal and cross it off my bucket list!
Now off to run, gotta meet with coach tomorrow!