FIVE Years at COWTOWN!

 

I am so incredibly proud of my husband. Five years ago, he and his best friend began a running journey. This path lead them through many different race locations, events, medals and memories. This year marks his fifth year at Cowtown in Fort Worth. With a final medal in hand as well as a new and exciting PR of 4 hours and 30 minutes, Ray has completed his STAR as each medal makes a point. Before the race, Ray printed pieces of scripture for each mile as a reminder that... We can do all things through Him! Philippians 4:13.

So enjoy a picture post of our Cowtown experience over the past five years!

Mile 1: Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of age. Matthew 28:20
Mile 2: The Lord will work out his plan for my life. Psalm 138:8

Mile: 3: I tell you the turh, if you had faith even as small as the mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it would move. Nothing would be impossible. Matthew 17:20

Mile 4: To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. Luk3 19:26

Mile 5: I can do everthing through Christ, who gives me stregth. Philippians 4:13

 

Mile 6: Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we can not see. Hebrews 11:1

Mile 7: I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Mile 8: Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 1 Timothy 4:12  

 

Mile 9: We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

Mile 10: Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1

Mile 11: Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:5

 

 Mile 12: With God's help we will do mighty things. Psalm 60:12
Mile 13: We can rejoice, too, when we run into prolems and trials, for we know that they help us develope endurance. Romans 5:3
Mile 14: We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:9

Mile 15: The Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
Mile 16: Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10



Mile 17: It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5
Mile 18: Be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded. Chronicles 15:7

His power is made perfect in our weakness.

 

Mile 19: Whatever you do, do well. Ecclesiastes 9:10
Mile 20: He will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. Psalm 91:11

 

Mile 21: Anything is possible if a person believes. Mark 9:23
Mile 22: The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. Luke 6:38

Mile 23: I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize... Philippians 3:13
Mile 24: Our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for the us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 2 Corinthians 4:17

Mile 25: I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.
Mile 26: Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3

Mile 26.2 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Ray found these 26 scripture pieces here. Thank you MilePosts for the inspiration. 

2 Corinthians 12:9 at Cowtown!

This morning, the husband and I woke up at 4:00AM to travel to Fort Worth, Texas to attend our 4th year of Cowtown Half Marathon.

HIS power is made PERFECT in our weaknesses.
Corinthians 12:9...
the perfect words of encouragement!

This year, with Michael and Kristin vacationing in Belize, Ray was looking at running the first Cowtown race of four years by himself. However, a good friend and previous co-worker of Michael's ran in his place.

A great finish by both Johnathon and Ray (a new PR at 1:54 for the husband). Of course a picture in honor of Michael had to be taken. While we absolutely missed our Fant friends, I am so thankful for both Johnathon and Gretchen... Gretchen being my race day partner. We had a blast and I look forward to many more races in our futures!

I am very proud of you Ray! Here is to great parking, 39 degree race start temperature, a picture perfect spot at mile 9, delicious IHop lunch, and perfect words of encouragement!

Get'n Down in Cowtown!

Sunday morning after a quick stop for Starbucks drinks, Kristin, the little man, and I were all packed in the car and ready to leave for Fort Worth, TX to see our husbands complete their third Cowtown Half Marathon.

To be honest we had gotten a little turned around and with constant road blocks in our way it seemed as though we might not see the boys cross the finish line. But upon our arrival we realized there was time to spare and watched both Ray and Michael cross with a time of two hours and five minutes. We were so very proud! For Ray, this officially makes 4 half marathons and 2 full marathon races completed!

Enjoy some pictures from the race day!





After the race, we said our good-byes to the Fants and quickly began to search for lunch options. We had first discussed IHOP as that was our previous year's lunch road trip, but began to throw out other options until Rosas was brought up. Ray quickly searched google maps for food and after the first location had been a bit of a bust I was ready to throw in the towel, but not my husband. He found us a Rosas!



Many of you may not understand my ridiculous love for Rosas tacos or for their homemade tortillas but oh my goodness it is so incredibly tasty. In college Ray and I would enjoy their Taco Tuesday special quite a bit... it really just brought me back and was such a fun way to celebrate!!!

What an exciting race day... a race above 30/40 degrees (it was actually in the 60s) and a tradition that keeps going strong. Here's to completing the 5 year star! Happy Race Day Runners & their favorite supports:)

Broken Car, Cowtown, Sickness, & Echinacea

You have entered upon a blogpost that incorporates a lot of random happenings and upcoming events here with the Zellners.

1. My Pontiac...
As many of you know my Pontiac has been a source of a great deal of frustration. But currently she is pretty much free minus little moments such as these... so literally I want to drive her until she has nothing left to give. Well the point I'm getting at is that my car has been out of commission since last Tuesday. Now it is not the dealership's fault by any means that it has taken this long; however, my Pontiac was towed this past Friday. She sat in their shop until today which is Monday. We were advised (FINALLY) that they needed to fix the ignition switch cylinder and hazard switch... Well they called us today to tell us we could pick it up so by golly we thought it was fixed and low and behold the moment I go to turn on the car... more clicking. This would not have been the end of the world but who really wants to drive from McKinney down to downtown Dallas. I'm so not a fan. So sadly she is still in the shop and the Zellners are a one car household until the problem has been solved. All I have to say is angry fist to broken cars:)

2. Cowtown 2011...
Cowtown 2011 will be held on Sunday, February 27th in Fort Worth, TX. Both Ray and Michael will be running their third consecutive half marathon in Fort Worth. Both Kristin and I will be there more in the supportive role than as runners but we couldn't be more excited for our two boys!

3. Sickness & Echinacea...
So as I am sure you've read both Ray and I were under the weather these past few weeks due to the strep, flu, and other gross illnesses going around. Feeling bad for this long has pretty much left us to do whatever it takes... (well as I write this I am now feeling great... but as a preventative...we are seeking other options) Ray had spoken to one of his co-workers who swore by Echinacea... "nature's cure" as Ray called it or an immunity booster for those like us who are suffering during this not so friendly cold season. So today both Ray and I have decided to try it and test it for ourselves! We'll have to let you know how it goes!

I was also given a tip by a good friend from church to take Prenatal vitamins as they too are a great immunity booster and have such wonderful benefits including great looking hair and nails. So lots of options could work I guess.

So these are just a few random happenings in our lives at this point. More updates to come this week! I'm sure I too will be discussing this crazy weather we are expecting as Wednesday's high is said to be 17 degrees and this is supposed to be some of the coldest temps in years!