Sufferfest

 Hello blogworld... getting a late start on this here sunday update, but thats ok - its been a fun easter sunday spent with friends. This week started off trail running out at kolob canyons with dad!

Out of all the things in the world that make me happy - running in zion with my dad is high up on the list. I cant even explain how grateful I am to be able to do this hobby of mine once again. Its crazy to think that a few months ago I thought that I would never run again - Grateful is an understatement.  It was a chill 5ish miles of jumping over the river and enjoying the beauty. Monday evening I headed back up north where I was welcomed with a freaking blizzard. Just north of Fillmore I ran into the storm and I legit thought I was going to crash my car. I couldn't see a thing and was just frustrated because I had to go so slow the rest of the way to provo so it took forever. Luckily the snow wasnt sticking to the road - just really windy and impossible to see. This week at school I had three tests... busy, busy week. Lets just say -I am not stressed about finals week! Its really the best feeling in the world to not be nervous about finals. Ive kept my grades up actually way better than I thought they would be so its all good in the hood. Im happy and pumped to graduate!!

celebrated a week of school well done with a weekend of baseball games - Dixie State vs. UVU. 

I took a few days off running (school was the priority midweek) but came back on friday and saturday with a good 6 mile run (Im counting this as my "long run") and a speed workout. Ive been watching some youtube videos about ultra-marathons and running - I was watching a specific video about Courtney Dauwalter - one of the fastest women ultra marathoners right now. She used the term "sufferfest" to describe running long distance. In running you have to suffer. I made a goal on my friday morning run to go an hour without stopping. I got a little ways in and was starting to struggle a little, so I look at my watch and I had gone a whopping 11 minutes. ELEVEN MINUTES. I kept running obviously, but it made me think about suffering - Ive been thinking about this word all week. We ALL suffer. Most of us are suffering right now! From feelings of guilt and worthlessness, overcoming heartbreak or addiction, losing or missing a loved one or straight up trying to run. Suffering is something we all go through. One of my thoughts on this subject: as a runner I love the pain and suffering. I love to push myself and see what my body can do. The only way to become stronger is to push through that pain. Another thought: So much to still be grateful for while suffering. I was talking to someone earlier this week who has been going through a tough time and I was so impressed to hear all the tender mercies he has recognized through this time in his life. When I see that Im only 11 minutes into a long hard run I think about how grateful I am to even have this opportunity to run again. I think of my goals and how I want to get stronger and faster - it makes the suffering a little easier. 

And Easter Sunday! Third thought about suffering: Thank goodness we aren't in it alone. Today in church we talked about the story of Jesus raising lazarus from the dead. Before he did that though... Jesus wept. He cried with Mary and Martha. They were suffering and he was right there with them. Suffering with them. And he does the same with us. I am so glad to know I am not alone in any of my trials. We cant have our trials taken away from us - or else there would be no growth. We wouldn't be able to become stronger and faster - but Jesus Christ lightens the load. He suffers with us and eases our pain and burdens. I am so so grateful for this Easter Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior and to know that because of Him everything will be ok. Because of Him our decisions here on earth are learning experiences instead of fatal mistakes. Because of Him we can endure our earthly suffering with joy knowing we are not alone. Life is a big sufferfest, but we have Christ and we have each other. We got this. 

After church, a friend invited us over for dinner and then we hit up dinner round 2 at Jesse's parents house. We played games at the park and had a super fun evening. Sundays are my favorite days of the week and I seriously look forward to blogging all week long. Hoppy Easter!!