The agony of de feet!

For this week's update I am sending out the thank you note I wrote to the volunteers at the race...

If you are not too busy and/or have ever wondered about what it is like along the race you might find it a good read... (a bit long, but then you've seen my posts before, so no surprise there   :) 
Not asking for donations this week - just giving God Glory and Praising Him for the answered prayers! 

Thank you!  Cow town marathon staff and volunteers,

A special memory I’ll never forget was the kind and
caring military officers you used to start the race…

They were AWESOME!  They talked to us, laughed with us
and most of all made us feel safe J

I was in the last corral. I should note that we are not racers
in the last corral ya know… we are there to obey the rules and to finish… we
are not in it to win it but most of us  if not all of us have a story of
something we are trying to Endure… (Endurance Race J) for me it is a heart condition… running gives me hope and strength J  I often finish last and it is ironic that finishing last STILL somehow gives me strength and hope!   My mom passed to Heaven unexpected to us 9 months ago and the
running has helped me process the earthly loss and run off the sadness J

( For those of you who don't know what a corral is ---it's like in the old westerns where they put the cattle in pens.  Yep, just like that, real corrals, and like cattle, they divide the racers in them to
keep people safe, have an orderly start and keep people from getting trampled...) this race had 20,000 runners.

Other special things you did at the race that were special
to our family were you – let my little 8 year girl, Faith  pass out
water – Faith LOVED IT!!! She loved the shirt you gave her and the way you
made her feel important… Honestly in all the races I have run the kids are
soooooooooooooo endearing! J
To see a child volunteer is inspiring!  When a girl scout or boy scout
or ANY child passes you water with a smile – I mean, it just makes your
day J  Our
little girl also enjoyed helping the tired runners run in… Faith
would run to them and run WITH them to the water station over and over… my
husband volunteered too and he said when Faith ran to help the tired runners it
brought tears to his eyes and tears to many of the eyes of the people she
helped… YOU PROVIDED a way for her to SHOW LOVE!  Thank you! She
also LOVED seeing the motorcycle police officers!  What a
wonderful place for her to see Officers in their service/protection role!
To see them as the GOOD GUYS they are! J

I tried to run the Ultra( that’s a full marathon… and keep
going another 5 miles, or 31 miles overall)... I have finished many half
marathons(13.1 miles) and 3 full ones(26.2 miles) but for some reason I could
not sleep the night before the race and only got 3 hours sleep :( but I still
tried to run!  The police officers were AWESOME!  They
followed behind me and another runner who was determined to finish.  At
mile 21 the pain was too much for me and I'm sad to say I gave up.  I assured
the officers following me that my husband would come get me and they continued
to follow Steve the friend I made that was still IN the race.  I sat on a
park bench and began to cry in disappointment and out pops this kind officer
with sweet words of encouragement.  He waited with me for like 15 min
until my husband and daughter found me... on top of that another lady officer
joined him after about 5 min and also shared kind words with me... I
thought the officers would feel like (well at least one more is off the roads
so we can go home now) but I learned something... THEY LOVE US!  THEY
REALLY CARE!!! THEY REALLY WANT TO HELP US IN ANY WAY THEY CAN! 

Yesterday the tender care of the volunteers/military
officers and police officer was HEAVEN SENT!!! Ephesians 3:20-21

Two more angels that touched me were

*The medical students who bandaged my blisters
and were there to keep us safe.  I have an internal loop device(sort of an
implanted heart monitor) in my chest and your medical student noticed it and
gave me kind words of wisdom J

*The lady who decorated the port-o-potty by her house
with the rug in front, PLENTY of toilet paper J,
flowers, butterflies, course map of YOU are HERE, the basket of hand wipes, bio
o freeze samples  (THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU) they helped
soooooooooooooo much!!! band aids, Vaseline for our feet , I mean EVERYTHING
was in there…  It’s all in the details and she knew about the details…
AMAZING!  I praise God for you!!!

On a side note…I did not even know to ask for someone to
help me with my blisters until the last marathon – it was a Rock and Roll
marathon and they have people in the middle of the street with Vaseline on
popsicle sticks passing them out! BRILIANT!  I mean I don’t think
about the blisters until it is too late (see photo below)  – they passed
them out at mile 7 and 17 and at 7 It made me think YEP I need it and I fixed
em then at 17 I was thinking yep that would be good to put on again and that
was

the FIRST race I did not get a blister on or lose a toe nail J

They also pass out SALT… packets… and you know that
REALLY helped the cramps… mile 18 I think they were there passing out salt…

Mile 20…. The medics were calling people out…. Hey come
over here and let us wrap that knee so you can keep going… J Their medics were IN the road at
hum the 4^th hour J
you had to run past and around them – it made you do a gut check --- do I
neeeed these guys… J   They
were sooooooooooooo nice…. They had lawn chairs for folks to sit in and wrapped
knees, took blood pressures and it made the DIFFERNCE for at least TWO people I
saw… in the brief seconds it took me to pass them I could tell they were a
tent of angels hard at work J
You know after mile 20, for me at least, I am not thinking real straight… I am
thinking FINISH, FINISH, FINISH not … what do I NEED to do to take care of my
body… THEY did the thinking for folks… they didn’t call me out so I thought
hum, yes I’m tired, I'm hurting a bit  but I’m not limping and I’m ok and
thank you thank you thank you Jesus they are helping those that neeeeed it… It
helped me AND the ones that they were putting ice on knees and so
on…    

Anyway that is just my interesting observations… interesting
to me I hope they were to you…

Oh also your water stations were AWESOME, AWESOME,
AWESOME!!!! You guys stayed until the last of us came through… It was
sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo nice….I mean you even had a dozen or so
cups of water and power aide on the table when we, the last two came through
so, so kind of you!  … that was sooooooooooooooooooooo kind… I mean we
were the last two running and you did not give up on us…. AMAZING LOVE, AMAZING
LOVE!!!!   In one marathon I was in, the water stations left and left
us two water bottles on the side of the street and they  went home. I felt
like I was being swept up with the trash that was being swept up on the
streets... it was sad. You made us feel loved!!!  

Oh did you know some races are letting us old, slow,
folks that are not in it to win it but in it to endure it and find hope and
strength along the way start early… like at 6:00a.m. and 5:00a.m. – I heard
it goes something like this...

Our chip timers start the time. We stay out the way of the
fast guys and honestly it would be  sooooooooooooooooo amazing to hear the
fast runners breath as they pass us!  Their Breath of health would spills
out on us and helps us finish!  There are always a few officers that are
early and WE don’t mind waiting for the traffic lights… 2 min is not a big
thing to us J  we are 15 min milers
so we would only get 4 to 8 miles ahead depending on if you let us start at
6:00 or 5:00a.m. but it helps us finish and get off the road when the
volunteers are tired and ready to go home  J
The first water stations are setting up as we go by and we are fine we bring
our own water J It’s a blessing….
the pack… or, I call it the (FLOCK of geese) J would  hit us about mile 6 or so and honestly LIKE
geese in flight they carry us and we speed up J yay God!!!

Oh I just have to tell you about “Kool N Fit”!   In the marathon in Kauai they had these two
stations that had dozens of volunteers with BIG BUG Sprayers FULL of Kool n Fit!  The company that made the product  donated the supplies anyway it was awesome!!!! We had to run up a mountain 5,000 feet elevation J at the base
of the hill and the top of the hill coming down they offered to spray our legs,
back whatever we wanted…It is like spray on bio o freeze!!! It is AWESOME!
Anyway you guys neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed them to come volunteer your race for the
base of a couple of your hills J  I mean I can’t wait to go back to
Kauai and it was a harder course than yours but felt easier J… I think the
Kool n Fit helped a lot!!! :O on a side note you could let em spray our feet
before we go over the cobble stone at the ft worth stock yards toooo J  the
stock yards was a GREAT view and will make awesome photos but ouch!!! It was
worth it J
don’t get me wrong – don’t change the course that was FUN to run through J and the hill
up to the capital was FUN too don’t change the course just help us with the
pain J
and most of all hills or valleys... in life or on a marathon - God is with
us!!! Amen :)

Ephesians
3:20-21 

 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

God bless each of you and may you be refreshed for
allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
you did!!!

Love in Christ, Susan Mathis  

Thank you John and Susan.... You are a great team member and
I praise God for your friendship, love and prayers.  May God bless you in
your hills, and valleys.... Win or Loose... First or Last... God is with us!!!!

Feb 23rd Weekly Prayer and Praise Report

Weekly Prayer and Praise Report

Wow, you are great inspiration! Within minutes of sending out e-mails to you last week, Faith and I were out the door and ran 5 miles that day! As you can see from the picture, she rollerblades beside me.  One mile we did with both dogs. Now that is agility training! 

We Praise God on High for your prayers! They are the greatest gift in the world. Thank you for praying for my honored hero, Ethan(Age 5), and the other children, families and friends touched by this horrible disease. We are all working together as a team to help, and we Praise God so many of you gave us high fives last week; YAY God! 

So, the weekly update continues…

This week brought confidence that God in me CAN finish this race! After the half marathon Saturday, I was tired - very tired but hopeful! For those who prayed for me, Hugs to you and thank you for your prayers and your giving!
Only 6 more swim, bike, and run classes before my Ironman 70.3 mile race - Can that be true WOW!? Is the race really that close! WOW!

I signed up for an Ultra Marathon, 31 miles is this coming Sunday! 5 days away! Yes, I'm scared. Scared that I do not have the endurance; Scared that it will hurt! And that I will not finish in the official time limit! But I am also hopeful! All things are possible with God! I hope He has his track shoes on this weekend, cause I think I need Him to carry me!
As to my FUNraising… Only 25 days left to raise the other 56% of the goal! Yes I'm trusting God!

58 days and counting. On April 10, I will, God Willing, run an Ironman 70.3 race. In case you were wondering, that’s a 1.2 mile swim in the ocean, followed by a 56 mile bike race, followed by a 13.1 mile run. Why, you may ask yourself? I do it for God’s Glory. God is glorified, because this is beyond my ability. I can ONLY do it through Him. I also do this to raise money for the fight against cancer. Team in Training is part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. They raise money to fight blood cancer, and all donations are tax deductable. It gets to me when I hear the stories of the kids that are fighting for their lives, and they know these huge names of their disease. Kids shouldn’t know those words. They should be playing and having fun, instead, some are learning about Lymphoma, Blastoma, Carcinoma, and many others. So, join me in working to eliminate this awful disease. Your donation helps fund research, medicine, and care for those who have cancer. No amount is too small (or too large).

You can donate on line at this link, or if you prefer, you can send your check to:
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
c/o Susan Mathis
5402 N. Briar Ridge Circle
McKinney, TX 75070

"Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God, I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10
I am praying that you feel God with you, strengthen you, and helping you today!

Finally, I covet your prayers. Will you pray for creative ways to raise the rest of the money. I am starting a new decorating and design business. (DesignDoctor247) For those who are interested, I will encourage and offer suggestions as they decorate a room in their home. If you need help making decisions about design, I work for donations!

Will you pray for us to have a happy family day at the ultra marathon next Saturday, for as little pain a possible and for us to encourage others and be encouraged in the Lord.

Hi! Everyone

We are on the countdown now.

8 more swim, bike, and run classes

14 days until the next half Marathon

22 days until the next Ultra Marathon, 31 miles! Yes I'm scared!

and only 47 days left to raise the other 75% of the goal! Yes I'm trusting God!

64 days until God in me will swim 1.2 miles, bike 56 miles, and run 13.1 miles back to back to raise money for the fight against cancer! Yes I know ONLY God in me can accomplish this.

Praying for a corporate sponsor if God ever calls me to do this again :)

"Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God, I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10

Praying you feel God with you, strengthen you, and helping you today!

1-29-2011 Texas Half Marathon

Texas Half Marathon - White Rock Lake Dallas, TX 1-29-2011
"The Zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this" (Isaiah 37:32) We get tired. Who gives strength? The Lord Almighty
Favorite part of race - The nap I am going to take in a few minutes! The icy hot patches! Oh and the meal at OutBack Steak house with family after the race Yummy Yummy Thank you God! Also Thankful John and Faith ran the 10K and everyone in the race was safe! God bless the many volunteers!
Had a sore throat and only 4 hours sleep - almost didn't go to race. Thankful for a supportive family who encouraged me and got me there. Thankful to friends and family who prayed me through it.
Temp - started in the 50ies ended in the 70ies beautiful clear sunny day
Port-O-Potties steps from where we parked - no lines :) on the race plenty of port-o-potties- One at the first mile! No line and I was thankful because I had to go again!!! :)
Traffic - I'm thankful for the traffic! We arrived at 6:00 a.m. which turned out to be a perfect time. The parking lots filled within minutes. Once started, I'm thankful for the fuel. I took two "Gu's" (for those of you who don't run marathons, they are these little slimy packets of energy. Some of them even taste... ok). Anyway, I took two... which lasted till I got to mile 4 or so... arrgggghhhh!!! What was I thinking. I'm already out, and still need one for every 30 min. or so after! The race gave half cups of m&m's at mile 8. Nice. After finally dragging my bootie across the finish line, they had bagels and bananas there. That was good... But I want MEAT! (Hence... Outback :)
Spectators/ sings/ bells and noise makers = few/no signs :(/no noise makers - I need!!! them :)
Hazards - TONS of bikers... yelling on your left on your right - by mile 11 I did not know my left from my right, 5 hills or so, a wooden bridge, a mile or so of rough road surface. Finish line UP HILL with no crowd to cheer you on.
Blessings - Lots of volunteers to work the water stations, wonderful ROTC students passed out medals, my husband and daughter came with me and ran the 10K
Water Stations - had plenty of water and Gatorade - spaced well until mile 6 then got sparse. Had to stop at water fountain twice but Praise God for the water fountains :)
Shirt - Blue with a large Texas on it - sweat wicking material **** four star see picture attached
Medal - Red Texas on a silver square with the date ****four star see picture attached
Crowd - I estimate 500 for the half marathon - nice calm non competitive start in my opinion
Friendly, encouraging group of runners and volunteers - over 1,000 signed up in both events

Favorite memories - talk to a guy the first 6 miles who is training to run the marathon in Greece. Sounds so fun!!! 12 min mile pace for the first 6 miles! That's good for me. Mile 7 almost gave up- thighs began to cramp/heart rate 217!/and ran out of water - Team in training mentor shared his water with me :) Called my husband and said I am about to give up - this is my first time in 7 half marathons and 3 full marathons to call and say I was giving up... I joked and said come get me and He said, "No! Later you will be mad if I do!" He was right of course and glad he didn't but just talking to him and knowing he was praying helped so much!!! Then met two teachers from Oklahoma and ran the next 5 with them. They were fun and funny and time passed quickly - Thank you Jesus... Last two miles saw a lady with GOD on her back and ALL things are possible with on the front of her shirt, she was struggling so I stopped and told her I had Victory in Jesus on my back and Ephesians 3:20-21 on my front and we could finish the race together :) she was encouraged and started to run again. She thanked me over and over - I told her it was God helping her not me :) Played my Christian Music on the Iphone out loud from mile 8 to 13.1 Tons of people said thanks for the inspiring music. My buddy from the first 6 miles found me at the end of the race! In my mind this was the childhood buddy I told you about in the last blog who had a very hard week and we were running together!!! I had no idea I had helped him but he told me several times thanks for helping him with those first 6 miles :) I told him it was God not me... As I ran I saw a lady who looked familiar and sure enough she found me at the end of the race and said she remembered running Kauai with me... what a small world we live in :) Her name is Cheryl and she said she has done the Cow Town Ultra 3!!! times and would look for me and help me finish that race next month... Thank you - Thank you - Jesus when you call us tooooo something you REALLY do bring us through it. To God be the GLORY Great things HE did!!!!
Would I race it again? Yep in a couple hours after this nap, God willing :)

IDEA for a new marathon concept... Race to the Restaurant!!!
So here is the concept:
Instead of T-shirts you get a FREE meal at one of 7 or so Restaurants along a running path... you know the string that always show up together on the freeways... OUTBACK, Chilies, Olive Garden, Fuddruckers, Chinese, and on and on... So you run 13 :) Hit the restaurant and have a nice meal and rest for an hour :) Then get back out there and run the second half!!! Good idea right??? After that meal and rest I know I could have run 13 more... ok so maybe I am delirious... I really would have needed a nap tooooo and what would the cut off time have to be extended toooo hum.... 8:00 to noon for the first half... 1:00 to 5:00 for the second half... anyone want to plan a race like this with me... I bet we would do wellll!!!! The restaurants would donate the food for free advertisement :) Hey now we can give the T-shirts toooo God bless and good night...
If this crazy little race review inspired you to sign up for Team in Training to raise money for cancer will you tell them Susan sent ya??? It helps with my fund raising goal that I have to make.
If this crazy little race review inspired you to sign up for a race will you consider donating $10.00 To the attached link... if ya just had fun reading it how about $5.00 --- Most of all have a blessed day :) God is good!

The Towel now wraps around me!
Jan 26, 2011 by Susan Middleton-Mathis
Today I am Praising God that the towel now wraps around me! Took TWO years to feel brave enough to take off my clothes in the gym shower and wrap the towel around me to get to the dressing room. I would shower in my swim suite and dry off with the suite still on and then wrap the towel around me - swim suite and all. It's a little thing but it means a lot. If YOU are in this place today... know that you are not alone - I was there and most of God is there... Is it doable yes... You can DO IT! Believe and Achieve!
Praising God for prayers that got me off the couch, into exercising and eating better just two short years ago when I found out I had a heart condition. Yep this is me at 240lbs. God is amazing! He in me has lost 90 lbs - God help me keep praying "Give me the desire to eat what you want me to Lord and to exercise in the way you want me to Lord" To God be the Glory - Great things HE did!!! He loves to help us all :) YAY GOD! He did it in me and He can do it in you!

Praising God I did NOT have to have breast reduction surgery
they DID reduce
God did it the natural way with diet and exercise
This is how it all started - A few years ago I was so frustrated.
My whole body hurt, my back, my feet, you name it - it hurt.
I was depressed and upset with myself!
I would try to exercise and eat right only to fall apart in hours or even minutes of waking up! I had gotten so large to walk, let alone run HURT! so I almost gave up... I laid on the closest floor and began to cry out to God!


I thought, ok, I am going to go ask for a breast reduction cause I just can't walk, let alone run with this weight on me and I am in pain all the time. (In high school I had lost weight by running so I knew it was possible the only other thing I remember that worked was aerobics class and I was just toooo big to enjoy jumping around in aerobics class or running and it was ALL I knew)


so off I went to my doctor! She said she would give me a referral for a breast reduction and thought that it was a good idea. I asked if I lost the weight would the breasts reduce themselves. She said she didn't believe so because the breast weight came on after childbirth. So, I agreed the breast reduction was the only thing to do.


She said she had to do an EKG, just as a precaution, before making the referral. To the SOCK of both of us it came back abnormal!!


The next thing I knew I was in a cardiologist office having an exam. He said I was in NO SHAPE to have a surgery of any kind and that I had a weak heart - cardiomyopathy.
In more despair than ever before I cried out to God again- what now God!?!
He had my full attention now!
I asked a friend how she lost her weight? "She said, "I pray every day, God give me the desire to eat what you want me to and the desire to exercise in the way you want me to!" I started doing that.

Back then I did not think we had money for a gym and if I am totally honest didn't feel WORTHY of a gym membership but knew I HAD to do something!!! So for the next month I took the FREE 7 day pass at four different gyms.


God let me find water aerobics and I felt LIGHT for the first time in years and years in the water. I ENJOYED the exercise. I was tired don't get me wrong. so tired I couldn't wait to get home for a nap but I looked forward to the classes. Each day I was HAPPY after I did water aerobics and slowly, slowly, noticed my body getting stronger and the weight came off - VERY SLOWLY but it came off!


and now I believed I HAD NO CHOICE but to eat right so started the heart healthy diet. My husband saw me sticking to the workouts and diet! One day he said we would make joining the gym work. So I joined Lifetime Fitness and for almost two years now I have been working out 4 to 7 days a week. All Praise to God on High!!!


Didn't have the breast reduction surgery but they DID reduce... God did it the natural way, with diet and exercise... Many days I wanted to give up - didn't see progress but it took years to put the weight on and would take years to get it off. To God be the glory for answering my prayers - not the way I expected Him too but HE DID answer. He will answer yours toooo :) "Comfort, yes comfort my people, says your God." Isaiah 40:1 Help us God find comfort in your word and not food or other things!

Honored Hero's Team in Training 70.3 Triathlon

Ethan Tate

On January 14, 2010, Ethan, 5 years old at the time, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. It was a complete shock for all who know him and his family! Prayers and support began pouring in immediately from friends, family, his teachers, his school, his church, and even from perfect strangers! These prayers have helped us to be reminded of how blessed we truly are that Ethan's prognosis is good, that he is in remission, and that God is here with us through each and every step of the way. Ethan has learned more in these past few months about doctors, hospitals, chemo, side effects, transfusions, and procedures than many adults will ever learn in a lifetime. But most importantly, he has learned that faith in God can get him through anything! He is the strongest, most courageous little man I have ever known! Although his life is anything but normal for a 6 year old, we are grateful for every phase of his treatment that he completes, for every hair on his head that is beginning to grow back, for every hour at school he feels like attending, for every donor who has made his blood & platelets transfusions possible, and for every mile that is conquered by Team in Training members who have made the research possible to find a cure for Ethan's condition.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

George Meza

Name - George Meza
Age - 55
Diagnosis - Follicular B Cell Lymphoma

I have been participating in TNT events since 2005. I have completed numerous Cycling Century rides, a half marathon, and I am currently training to participate in a TNT Half Ironman. I have held the positions of Participant, Mentor, Captain, and I am currently a TNT Cycling Coach. I was diagnosed in August of 2009 with Stage 4 Follicular B Cell Lymphoma (a treatable but not curable form of blood cancer). During 2009 I underwent intensive chemotherapy and during January 2010 I was re-staged as in Remission. Currently, I am undergoing maintenance chemotherapy, which will prolong the time before the illness returns.

The Roller Coaster Ride 8-2-2010

August 1, 2010 The Roller Coaster Ride

"You know me. I do NOT like Roller Coasters! I AVOID them. I wait for YOU at the end of ride. The few times you have gotten me on the silly things I got sick to my stomach and well, it was NOT FUN! Well some of the dips were fun but I NEVER learned to RELAX and TRUST GOD and ENJOY THE RIDE. Today I Thank TEAM IN TRAINING cause I AM On A ROLLER COASTER RIDE -TRAINING with them and I AM LEARNING to RELAX and TRUST GOD and ENJOY THE CRAZY UPs and DOWN's of the RIDE OF LIFE!" Susan talking to her family

I'm on a roller coaster ride of EMOTIONS as I train to COMPLETE (Not compete but to COMPLETE :) God willing) this Triathlon I signed up for to raise money for children, mom's and dad's and their families who are in the battle of their lives against cancer.

So if you DARE hop on the ride with me. Buckle up ... Breath - Pray - repeat.... Breath - Pray - repeat....

CLICK CLICK CLICK here we go up the first tall tall hill....

Click Last Dec. A sweet TEAM in Training person came along side of me and helped me make a dream come true. Prayer "Thank you God - I do not know anything about this group of people all dressed in PURPLE at the races but if you want me to know more, teach me." Butterflies in my stomach

Click Click Click - Jan Feb March April Keep seeing these people dressed in PURPLE at the races and CAN'T GET THEM OUT OF MY HEAD. Prayer - "God are you calling me to be a part of this team?"

Click May Looked up TEAM IN TRAINING on the web. Found an information meeting. butterflies return to my stomach

Click May 11th Went to information meeting with my family. Cried through the entire meeting.

Prayer "I'm scared God. I feel your call. I want to trust you. I know I CAN'T do this thing BUT YOU CAN. God I am awful at fund raising - I am awful at asking ANYONE for help, I am awful at trusting you. but I am willing to try.... I do not even have a bike, God." Feel like I can't breathe!

Click May 16 went to niece Whintey's graduation from A&M. I did not know this would be the last time I would see my mom alive or feel her arms hug me or hear her words encourage me. Tears of Joy for Whitney. Tears of sadness as I think I will never talk to mom again on this earth! Still God is my HOPE!

Click May 18 -20 Our families best friend took us on a trip to Disney Land. I still can't believe that trip was real but I know it was. Thank you God what a dream come true and a GIFT FROM YOU GOD! Rode the Winney the Pooh ride 18 times with our 8 year old and LOVED God more each time.

Click May23 my husband surprised me and bought the bike and everything I would need to ride in the race. JOY JOY JOY in the LORD Tears of JOY!

Click Went to eye doctor and got prescription glasses and sunglasses - thank you for the glasses God and thank you that the doctor has run the Triathlon in Kona - God encouraged me today and gave me HOPE through her. Tears of HOPE and JOY.

DOWN DOWN DOWN the lowest I have ever been... My mom went to see Jesus June 4th! TOTALLY unexpected to us but of course TOTALLY expected by God. Her favorite song was "Count your blessings and she told me alllllll the time to count my blessings" so while I am spinning alll around on the roller coaster not really going up or down - just spinning and spinning - I will count my blessings in memory of mom. Tears of every emotion!!!!!!! I am in shock!

I just want to hold my bible to my chest. My heart is broken and hurting. My bible is not with me. My sweet husband and daughter are having it recovered for mother's day. I run to the bible I have used in its place. Run to ME and I will RESCUE you, says the LORD - I RUN AS FAST AS I CAN AND JUMP INTO HIS ARMS! HE HOLDS ME and COMFORTS me with His word! Thank you God.

Seven Blessings....

one: My mom gave me unconditional love. Some search a lifetime for this unconditional love - I had it my whole life. Thank you God and all Praise and Honor and Glory to you on High.

two: My mom was my Hero. She loved Jesus as her Lord and Savior and Loved her neighbor as herself. What a role model and witness. She showed me HOW to serve as she served as the craft lady a vacation Bible School, teen kids, and call for help. Thank you God for letting me see You in my mom!

three: I saw my mom VERY HAPPY many times. Her eyes sparkled when she played tennis. As a child I saw my mom's eyes sparkle :) Thank you God I saw my mom use her gift from You! May we all use our gifts from You to bless others.

four: Mom loved all her grandchildren and got to see each of them and spend time with each of them. Thank you God and if it is your will may I get to be as kind of a grandmother as she was.

five: Mom told me many many times that she prayed she would never have to stay in a hospital or nursing home - this prayer was answered. Thank you God for answered prayers. Glory to You!

six: Mom told me many many times she prayed to pass to Heaven in her sleep- this prayer was answered. All Praise to You God on High - Please be with dad each day of the rest of his life of service to you! Show us all what You want us to learn and how You want us to change - Forgive us and bless us.

seven: GOD IS LOVE - the LOVE mom shared with me was His LOVE and HE PROMISES He will NEVER LEAVE us or forsake us and God keeps His promises. Her LOVE - HIS LOVE will ALWAYS be with me. Praise God for TRUTH!

I feel the prayers of friends, family and even strangers --- I still WANT OFF THIS RIDE but I am buckled in and I am in training and MOST OF ALL I WANT TO TRUST GOD AND FINISH THE RACE HE HAS SET BEFORE ME AND LEARN TO RELAX AND LET GO AND LET GOD! :) God I still miss her soooo much please help me.

I see hill number two in the distance - it is approaching toooo quickly. Breath pray repeat Breath pray repeat Breath pray repeat Breath Pray repeat Breath Pray repeat Breath Pray repeat.

Click June Keep falling off the bike. It hurts. Did not even know they had bikes with shoes that lock into the pedals or bikes with THIS MANY GEARS. Honestly scared of this bike. God help me...

Click Every Monday Team in Training has a swim class for us. I thought I could swim - I had no idea how hard it would be to swim with people allllllllllllll around you and the waves they make that splash into your face. and now they are telling me to swim with my arms and not use my legs because you save your legs for the rest of the race. you are kidding right? They tell us to get in the lane we THINK we fit in. From left to right there are 7 lanes. The far right is people who do not know how to swim - Yes they teach you how to swim :) I have always LOVED swimming and thought I was good at it. I get in the next to the last lane on the far left side. and well am humbled :) I am moved kindly to the lane next to the non swimmers.

Click June Ran the entire wounded warrior race beside an amazing lady in her 60ies. I told her I always dreamed of running with my mom. Today she was like a mom to me and it was an honor to run beside her. God gave me HOPE and filled me with JOY in the middle of my pain. He is amazing and surprising!

Click June 22 Kicked out of Spin class for talking. Thankful God has provided a bike spinner at home. It hurt but I am learning to not worry about stuff like this and look for God's blessing even in the pain.

Click June 14-16 my neighbor and good good friend who was like a mom away from home to me is moving... She was in the room with me when I gave birth to our daughter Faith. She has prayed with me and for me. I help her clean and pack - I smile during the day and cry at night. I don't understand God - But I am learning to TRUST YOU MORE.

Click our two nephews and their dad came to visit us. They are sweet awesome young men and we love them so much. One wants to be a priest in the Army in a few years- His mom has served three tours in the war and when I am tired I think of her and the many others that are making sacrifices for our country to be FREE. I think of the long runs THEY make with heavy back packs on. I can't even imagine what they go through. Stop and pray for their safety and God to bless them and their families. For God to keep our nation FREE and one nation UNDER GOD.

I also think of the children and parents we are raising money for. I think of them going to doctor appointments, loosing hair, praying for hope and life and love. Stop and pray for each child, parent, grandparent. Praise God for all He has done and will do. To God be the GLORY.

Click We babysit two adorable dogs in the house next door for a week. Each day I walk into the home I fall to my knees and ask God to help their dad ask Jesus in his heart.

Click God lets us join Him and attend our 5th Family Life Marriage Conference. We are honored to sponsor our niece and her fiancé. God is so sweet to let us see our prayers answered. I have prayed for five years that God would let us have the honor of taking each of our nieces, nephews and any children He lets us raise to this amazing conference.

God has used this marriage conference to restore us, grow us, refine us, unite us and fill us with unspeakable LOVE JOY AND PEACE. I pray everyone reading this gets a chance to attend. If God is tugging at your heart check out our Blog at www.designdoctor247.com for more information. AMAZING LOVE AMAZING LOVE There are not words good enough to Praise You Lord.

down down down again. The sweet sweet Boston Terrier named Scooter we have had for 9 years is about to die! Oh my gosh I cry out to God, "God you tell us you will never give us more than we can bear. I know this is not much compared to what many go through but God PLEASE HELP I feel like I can't catch my breath." Scooter is put on IV and after three days he pulls through....Thank you God for your mercy and grace.

Breath pray repeat.

I think about quitting again but I soooooooooooooo want to LEARN what God is teaching me and I am learning to TRUST HIM MORE and I am feeling HIS PEACE IN THE STORMS. so I pray - when will this ride be over and help me hold on and TRY TO ENJOY IT and SEE MORE OF YOU GOD.

Click going up again June 9th we travel to New Mexico and see Mom's only living brother and his wife celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. It is gooooood to see family and feel their arms hug us, to encourage them and be encouraged. I see GOD in the majestic of the mountain - the flowers on the cactus - the smiles of people I have known my whole life and some I just got to meet. I hear His words of comfort. To God be the GLORY GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE.

Click June Having a hard time being motivated to get the personal swims in so I join a swim team at the gym. I'm in the first lane again :) It's ok I am just thankful to be on a team. God encouraged me in an unexpected way today. The coach just happens to be IRONMAN Dave. He is one of the original men who started the IRONMAN RACES. God, you surprise us and encourage us in UNEXPECTED ways. Coach has a broken leg but he is still training in the water. What inspiration!!! God help him finish his race for you! God you are soooooooooooooo amazing and I REALLY enjoyed seeing your hand at work!

Click I go to my cardiologist appointment. 2 years ago I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. I tell people it just means I have a weak heart but it's getting stronger every day! Two years ago the doctor said my heart functions at 35-40% and most people's functions at 50-60% ok I think that is not too bad. The church prays for me and I have a stress test and angiogram and they came back fine. So God TOTALLY changes how I eat and exercise and God helps me lose 80 pounds in 2 years. I have low blood pressure and low cholesterol so I do not fit what most people think of as a heart condition - I don't think I fit it either. but I keep having these sharp stabbing pains in my chest and now sometimes my neck is so tight It feels like a rubber band that can't be stretched anymore so I go back in for a follow-up. I get a GREAT checkup she says my blood pressure and pulse rate is as good as a well trained athlete and there is nothing they can give to lower it - so I am off the med. She fills me with good NEWS and HOPE. but schedules another echocardiogram on Monday the 26th just as a follow up test. I expect great news. I leave ON TOP OF THE WORLD HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!! Yea God Yea God Yea God

Click July 15th Every Thursday night Team and Training has a bike training session with us. I have been going to many of them but fighting the fear and not wearing my clip on shoes. God has met me each step of the way with a coach or mentor to encourage me. Thank you God for each coach and mentor who helped me! Tonight my mentor Kathleen rides with me and talks to me about mom and well is just there for me --- the fear is lifting :) Thank you God.

Click July 17th Every Sat Team in Training has another training session with us... Today we do a double Brick which means ride 9 miles run two and then repeat it. God brought another mentor right beside me on the first ride and the fear is almost gone... The second ride he brought a coach and a mentor beside me and all GLORY TO GOD the FEAR IS GONE! HE IS AMAZING! I am so thankful God brought these purple people into my life and just think several months ago I thought I was joining to help them ha ha I had no idea they would be the ones who helped me - God is like that you know. He is UNPREDICTIBLE! He is GOD! ALLLLLLLLLLLLL things are possible with GOD!

Click July 17th Had a ball raising money and washing cars. WOW! An amazing fun HOT day for our whole family! A memory that will last our lifetime. It was one of those days when you KNOW you are at the right place doing the right thing! Yea GOD!

Click Volunteered at the Disco Triathlon and saw a co-worker of my husband's run faster than anything I have ever seen. It gave me hope to see someone I actual knew finish the triathlon. Yea God!

Click July 19th Scooter is sick again. Back to doctor. More antibiotics. He recovers again. Thank you God.

Click Praying for our Team in Training coach and my mentor's boyfriend as they compete in the Ironman in Switzerland. Praying for my mentor to learn what God is teaching her and preparing her for her Ironman. Allllllllllllll things are possible with God!

Click John is offered a new job at work and then a new job with his best friends company! We are in shock, excited shock and well do not know what to do - We pray and ask others to pray for us.

Click WOW! June 21st another dream may come true. Our good friend from church called and asked if we wanted to babysit a baby grand piano. Are you kidding? Yes!!! I have had a photo of one on our wall for 8 years as I have prayed and dreamed of being a Stewart of one and playing it beside my daughter. Even if all we play is Old McDonald it will be a LIFETIME dream come true! Yea GOD!!! Tears of JOY!

Click June 23 - Ran 16 miles. I told myself I would never run more than 13 without a medal - the day before I ran my medal from a half marathon GOD IN ME ran back in March came in the mail! It gave me hope and GOD IN ME RAN AGAIN.

Click Went home to see dad - this is our first time home in 7 weeks - first time to drive into their drive way and be hugged by dad and wait for mom to come out the door but know she is not there. It was hard but God was with us. God even helped us clean her room and closet. It was hard, God carried us through it! Through the whole thing with mom going to see Jesus (Most of the time)I feel like I am in the eye of a storm - stuff is spinning out of control all around me but all I can do is SEE it and not touch it. I am in a strange way calm and at peace. When I pray - I see His answers. Like I prayed let me SEE dad is doing good and God showed me a clean house with laundry done. God showed me a yard that was mowed and a bible that was being read!

God is amazing! When I CRY out to Him He comes - I often try to fix stuff/ DO stuff instead of pray ON ALL OCCIASIONS and I MISS HIS BLESSING. God forgive me. It was a goooooooood visit. We went to Sunday School and Faith sat in mom's Sunday school chair. We went to church with dad and Faith sat beside her grandpa the way I remember sitting beside his mom! The Sunday School said they would pray for us. Thank you God. Tears of thankfulness...

Click Received a letter inviting me to be in the bsf -Bible Study Fellowship International prayer group. If you have never heard of www.bsfinternational.org I pray you go check it out on the web. God has used this bible study to grow our family in the Lord. He filled me with hope today - I have been praying for 4 years for McKinney to have a woman's night bible study fellowship class and now I am honored to join a group of ladies who will all pray for God's will together. I pray you find a bsf class in your area and see His blessing all around you.

DOWN DOWN DOWN DOWN Doctor's appointment - Expecting more good news. Went in for the echocardiogram and thought it was going to be great!!!. I give God GLORY and Praise for every prayer prayed and for Faith being soooooooooooo good for 5 hours in the waiting room at both appointments! I Praise Praise Praise God John could take off and be with me and listen to what the doctor told us because it was way more than I could take in. I hear bla bla bla - I mean it was like Charlie Browns teacher was talking. She said my heart was not getting better and that I need to get back on the med but at a lower does and then my brain shut down -John will have to write the rest.

All I know is I went in three days later and was put to sleep and woke up with this thing in my chest that monitors my heart rate. I am ok with it - really - but I TOTALLY did NOT expect it. I am back to fear again. Fear of losing our insurance if John leaves the company he has worked for -for 16 years! Fear of losing the life insurance I have though his company and not being able to qualify for more. Fear to run - jump - swim - ride - live.

BUT I KNOW THAT GOD DOES NOT NOT NOT FILL ME WITH FEAR!!! HE FILLS US WITH HOPE and LOVE and JOY so I will let John finish this letter and will WAIT ON THE LORD. I can't seem to stop the tears some days. BUT I KNOW THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH so I am praying for HIS JOY in the Pain!

I know you will pray for me. I know each of you LOVE ME and could care less if I finish this triathlon or not. I know if God calls you to give it will not be because I am doing this race it will be because you answered His call. I WANT TO FINISH WHAT I STARTED and raise this money - Do not let the evil one win this battle and please give if God is calling you to.

With allllllllllllll my heart I also want to do the triathlon and the desire to FINISH and even complete an IRON MAN in KONA has NOT left me - On September the 5th and November 14 I am committed to run two marathons - God in me has trained for these. God in me has run one marathon and five half marathons in 7 months!!! GOD IN US IS STRONGER than we can even IMAGINE!!!

so my heart doesn't pump like most people's so I might have something called sudden death syndrome - the way I see it we all have sudden death syndrome - no one knows the hour or day they will die or He will return. I choose to believe God is saving that 20% of my heart function for the days I will REALLY NEED it. :) Like a heart saving account :) I choose to see it as a positive not a negative and I CHOOSE TO TRUST GOD not man.

I will be going to a church retreat next Thursday Friday Sat and Sun pray for me to have peace from God and COURAGE and WISDOM. I WANT to FINISH this ride and I DO NOT WANT TO LIVE IN FEAR. I also want to DO HIS WILL. If His will is for me is to not run - swim - bike I am TOTALLY ok with that tooo. I am NOT IN IT TO WIN IT. I am IN it to BRING HIM GLORY and FINISH the race.

1. Acts 20:24
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
Acts 20:23-25 (in Context) Acts 20 (Whole Chapter)

2. 2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:6-8 (in Context) 2 Timothy 4 (Whole Chapter)

prayer request
God's blessing and protection for the TEAM in Training's team and each family we run for.
Wisdom - obedience and courage for John to work for the boss God is calling him to.
Wisdom - obedience and energy to home school Faith next year.
Wisdom, obedience, courage, Protection, energy and passion to serve God in the way He calls all of us.
Next doctor's appointment is Aug 26 at 8:30

So... Susan asked me to add a paragraph to this letter to summarize. Not sure I can. If you read this far, you've realized by now just how intensely personal, and difficult the last couple of months have been. How do you quantify an outpouring of emotion that this letter has been. I hope it was cathartic for Susan, as it certainly brings up the tears.

The purpose for sending this out it to bring your attention to a cause we are supporting. We've all been touched by cancer in some way. I've had family and friends that lost their health, time, money, and some, their lives battling cancer. My cousin lost her life, and left behind 2 beautiful children. A good friend at work, lost his battle with this disease. It can happen so fast. So, what do you do about it?

Susan and I are supporting a cause known as Team in Training. This group uses running to support fundraising to find a cure. All proceeds are tax deductable, if that's important to you, and go to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Your donation may make a difference in the life of someone who needs it, or could sponsor research that eliminates the disease altogether. Susan is running a triathlon in support of this group.

If you don't know, a triathlon (Olympic distance) consists of a .94 Mile open water swim, followed by a 24 mile bike ride, followed by a 6.2 mile run. If you can support this cause, if cancer has touched your life, please consider going to Susan's blog(www.designdoctor247.com), and clicking the link to donate. No amount is too small, and if you are unable to donate, or don't feel led to do so, please consider saying a prayer for Susan.

Bike CRASHed THREE times

God was so sweet to give me a new bike today :)

You know, as I kid I still remember that first bike crash. The BLOOD - the screams -the crying. I didn’t even cry today Praise God. Got mad – Got frustrated – Got determined but didn’t cry Praise God. My 8 year old daughter was crying for me though – she gave me the BIGGEST HUG ever and she said, “Mom I never saw ANYONE fall that hard, that many times and get back up, I am PROUD of you mom!” Priceless.

Thanks TEAM in Training for giving our family several more sweet miracles today!
You can share this with anyone that it might encourage.

Praise God!!!! What a DREAM COME TRUE… My husband TOTALLY surprised me with a very generous purchase! I think he is so proud of me and bit in awe too as I signed up to complete this Olympic Triathlon in a few months God willing :)

Chuck Warner at Plano Bike Mart let me test ride three bikes and watched as I rode each of them. Chuck helped us find EVERYTHING we needed bike, shoes, helmet, computer (my husband is a programmer and he WANTED this part), bike carrier, water bottle holders and even gloves – AND he had me fitted to the bike AND helped my husband put the car carrier on and load the bike to go home in less than 3 hours. Ephesians 3:20-21 happened AGAIN for me today!

The bike rides smooth the cement is however, HARD! I have only had THREE crashes so far… Two to the right and yep one to the left. Chuck should have made me test ride the shoes ha ha but I bet they hate to see people falling all over their parking lot. Getting out of those lock on shoes is, well, PAINFUL when you fall! I have my first Triathlon bloody arm and knee. I was happy that I didn’t tear up my running pants – that is probably a girl thing right? I had a talk with the bike (it does not have a name yet) and told it if it wanted to be all dented up and scratched up it was FINE with me but I was going to KEEP RIDING it so it ought to settle down and BE NICE TO ME. I guess the falls had to happen sometime, I’m glad the first ones are over – they were not as bad as I had expected and I hope and pray there won’t be many more crashes in the future or no one will want to ride beside me. I did manage to avoid my daughter on her bike and the cars that were headed toward me. Now, I TOTALLY see WHY we are going to meet at White Rock Lake to train and I’m LOOKING forward to the drive now. Susan Middleton-Mathis Ephesians 3:20-21 Help me fight Cancer by donating to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

It is hard for me to ask for anything. I don't have trouble working for things but asking for help is, well, out of my comfort zone. and the fear of someone saying no is enough to send me into tears of shame of not being good enough. My first time to really ask for help in my life happened in the summer of 2008. I was diagnosed with a heart disease and through the shock and numbness I called and or my family called on you to pray for me. and I did a lot of begging. I begged God for the strength to push through and move on with life and not to give up! I begged him to let me see my little girl grow up and to get to hold my grandbabies and to live another day to encourage and be encouraged by His children. I begged God to help me lose the extra 100 pounds on my body that was physically, mentally, emotional, socially, and spiritually weighing me down. I begged Him to help me desire the food/water He wanted me to eat and drink. HE is Faithful and TRUE and He has changed the desires of my heart. I now desire to eat healthy and exercise and give HIM ALL PRAISE and GLORY. I thank Him for each day He gives me. Each day is still a battle but He is victorious! It took time and patience and yes work but 75 of the 100 pounds is off my body and I have energy and JOY and new STRENGTH! He answered your prayers and this verse has become my STRONG HOLD. Ephesians 3:20-21

He did IMMESURABLY more than I could even Imagine or DREAM OF....
So you might be wondering why am I Training with a group that raises money and awareness for Cancer and Leukemia and not Heart Disease. Because they, like you, came along side me and helped me when I needed it most. They helped me when I did not even know I needed help. They helped me BEFORE I even ask and - they offered it freely...

Five months ago I was determined to make a LIFE DREAM come true. I was in one of those dark days of what if I do not live another year... and I signed up to run The White Rock Marathon. I had been exercising 6 days a week for at least an hour a day doing water aerobics, feeling stronger and healthier everyday. Unfortunately, however I was not running.

The moments of the marathon day will forever be in my memory like those of the day a child is born or you get married. I was scared; yep! and cold, yep! and nervous, oh yes and supported... Praise God, my husband and daughter went with me and God gave me peace in the storm of the DREAM and He provided HELP too...
As I stepped over the starting line... There were over 15,000 runners that day and I held back until they all took off - I had no dream of winning just finishing. As God gave me strength to step over the starting line He sent what I like to call a "Purple Angle" to me. A lady in a Team in Training Purple jersey fell into step beside me. She asked me if this was my first marathon and I said, "Yes!" She talked with me for over 5 miles no stop. She said she was a past Team in Training Coach and if I wanted her to she would help me. Tears began to flow from my eyes as they do now while typing this and she said, "Honey are you o.k.?" I answered, "Yes these are happy tears of thankfulness to God for answering my prayer that He would bring people along side of me when I needed them today."

She smiled and said, "God is good all the time!" :) She taught me a book full of information in 5 miles that day, too much to write here but I will give you a feel for what she taught. As I continued to speed up and run faster, she continued to say, "Susan, ride the waves of energy from the crowd, don't waste your own energy, hold yourself back you will need your energy for the last few miles!" WOW! Looking back those were words of PURE GOLD! When I would drift over to the side of the street she would gently remind me , " Susan come run in the middle of the street with me - it is smooth here and your ankles will thank you latter." Another Gold nugget. When I tried to run through the water stations she calmly said, "Research proves you only save between 5 and 10 min running through water stations - walk, rest and drink. Don't water the freeway, it doesn't need it but your body needs every drop." and "Susan, drink at least one cup of water and at least half a cup of Gatorade at each station." I had planned to skip - not sip but SKIP - the Gatorade because I remembered in high school I thought it made me sick to my stomach. I reluctantly obeyed and I will be forever be thankful I did as I am sure it helped my legs from cramping. "When she noticed I was caring a water bottle she said NEVER let it get less than half full- fill it up at the next water station EVERY TIME." This bit of amazing insight proved lifesaving because I finished the marathon in LESS than record time and the last 4 water stations had been cleaned up and left when I went through them. One of the stations left bottle waters and let me tell you they were like candy to a baby when seen. She asked if I brought gu( energy bars ) or any other food and I said a sheepish, "No - I was not sure about that stuff because I had only run one mile before signing up and so I obviously had not trained using it and I did not want to get sick on it." She talked and talked and as she ran she continue to yell "GO TEAM!" as we ran past people or they ran past us! At mile five she said, "I'm stopping here to wait on some friends and she put three packs of gu in my hand and she said, "Susan, promise me you will take one of these at mile 10, 15 and 20." I said, "Sure, o.k., are you sure?" She gave me alllllll her food. I thanked her and gave her a hug. I never saw her again.

Only I do STILL see her in my MIND - every time I see a Purple shirt and I praise God for bringing her along side of me when I needed it most. I have a feeling she dropped out of the race after giving me her food and I have no doubt she prayed for me over and over that day, along with many of you, because it was ONLY by the grace of God that I finished that race. Along the way God sent another purple angle to run beside me. I actually have a photo with this purple angle! She was a teenager running for the TEAM! She encouraged me and I encouraged her and we ran together for many miles.

At mile 15 I almost gave up but I learned a lesson that day... God in us is STRONGER than we know! I prayed for Him to give me someone to help or someone to help me and he sent both! I noticed a lady on the path ahead of me limping. I asked if she wanted some company and she said, "Yes and smiled!" Her name I will never forget - it was Melissa. Melissa had pulled her hamstring and could not walk without a limp. She was going to have her forthiest birthday in three days and as a teenager, like me, she had promised herself she would run a marathon before she turned 40! She was so determined that as I jogged-shuffled beside her, she was walking so fast with her pulled hamstring I could hardly keep up. Well I'm 7 years older than her I rationalized :)

By mile 17 we would pass water stations as they were cleaning them up and I felt like the trash they were sweeping up - forgotten and left behind. I got a bit depressed and I asked Melissa, "So when are we going to quit?" and she said, "Never! I have the map in my pocket and if EVERYONE goes home I AM going to FINISH as long as my legs will MOVE!" That was allllll I needed to hear and it gave me the IF THEN statement... You know IF my legs do not move THEN I will quit.
I continued to compare the pain to childbirth. I was having contractions but no baby. In my mind, if the pain got as bad as it did before the epidural, I was going to quit. It never did. God is amazing. He made our bodies in such an AMAZING way . My feet and legs went sort of numb but they never stopped moving. At mile 22 I felt the blood ooze out of my blood blisters on my feet but NO PAIN - they were numb. I did feel sharp stabbing pains in my quads when I stepped on or off the curb. After the marathon the pain in my quads was so bad I could hardly even sit on the toilet and had to hold the wall to pull myself off of it but it never hurt as bad a childbirth and I had no mid-night breast feedings to worry about! :)

My husband and daughter walked to meet me at mile 25 and walked me in. Melissa was in better shape than I so when my husband and daughter caught up to me she pushed on to finish faster! I had no hope of being an official finisher that day but you know God is in control and when you don't give up He helps those that help themselves and He was there at that finish line. There were no crowds only the people who clean up and haul the barricades away and three more angels. A man who manually put my time into a machine and two ladies who clapped for me and put the tinfoil blanket around me. There were no more medals but the medal of courage I received that day can never be lost, stolen or burnt; it is in my heart. God also sent two angles in a police car that followed me to the finish line and helped us cross every major intersection. I am NOT proud of running without road training. I am proud of how God in me made a DREAM come true and He helped me finishing what I started that day and.... He sent people along side of me to help me when I needed it most! I want to give back and help others now.


"One step at a time, one mile at a time, one doctors appointment at a time!" This is what I repeat to myself as I run now - this is the team in training motto....
Today I TRAIN with Team in Training: Today I run, Today I swim, Today I ride a bike, and I push past my fear to help raise money for others who are going to the doctor today and pushing past their fear.

God willing I will complete the Toyota / Lifetime Fitness U.S. OPEN TRIATHLON in a few months. This time, I will be trained, and ready for the challenge.

And when I think I can't and I want to give up I still repeat - "I CAN do allllllllllllllll things through Christ who strengthens me!"

YOU can tooooo...

I don't know what fear you are personally pushing past today but I know you have one and I will be praying for you and I thank you for praying for all those who are fighting cancer and Leukemia

and If God leads you... go to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training (TNT)web site and donate $20.00
( My goal is to have $1,000 raised by Memorial day. All things are possible with God.)

"Hills and Heels Half Marathon" Las Colinas Texas 5-2-10

5-2-2010 10:27PM
Dear Organizers and Volunteers of the "Hills and Heels Half Marathon" Las Colinas Texas, Like all of you I am sure :) I am tired BUT I could not let this day slip into tomorrow without writing this THANK YOU NOTE! Dozens of tiny details EACH YOU MADE HAPPEN were the HIGH LIGHT OF THIS PERFECT DAY FOR MY FAMILY AND I!!!!
* The EASY drive to the race and EASY parking and EASY shoe tag pick up and EASY wait in the short line to use the CLEAN PORT O POTTY WITH TOLITE PAPER AND ANTISEPTIC :) perfection!!!!
* Getting to the race early and taking photo's with my family around the stallion statutes and watching my little girl play contently around the SAFE fountains for 45 min - A TOTAL JOY AND HAPPY MEMORY.
* The ABSOLUTLY BEAUTIFUL, SMOOTH RUNNING TRAIL!!!! - The shaded tree covered trail with the smells of jasmine and honeysuckle --- Oh my does it get any better than that - AMAZING!!!!
* I loved the out and back Trail!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was awesome for sooooo many reasons...
- I could Visualize the trail back and have an idea of how far I had left to FINISH :)
- I knew where the water stations were on the way back and oh my what SWEET SWEET Volunteers you had... ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL the stations were wonderful!!! Perfection!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- a BIG BIG HUG to the people who were sooooooooooooo thoughtful to pass out the gu gummy bears packets on the race trail!!!! They were soooo yummy and soooo needed and just GREAT!!!!!!!
- and a BIG BIG HUG to people who passed out the wet TOWELS - WHAT A SWEET AMAZING TREAT - THAT WAS ONE AMAZING SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW THANK YOU THANK YOU IT WAS SO REFRESHING!
- The spacing of the water stations and well ever little detail was PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- The info about where our family could cheer us on was sooooo sweet and nice - it was delightful and the out and back trail let them cheer us on TWICE without moving and they looked HAPPY and (they were safe because the trail was not right on the street) and they were having FUN!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!
- The trail was soooooooooooooooo lovely I think I could have made it even without the people and the cool sings people set out and the other sweet distractions - dogs, babies, bells ringing allllll of the distractions help .... BUT THE best distraction of this race was the sights and smell of GOD'S BEATUTY alllllll around us... OH my the smell of the fresh air in the middle of the city was TOTALLY worth the entry fee alone....
- Seeing the winners :) because they run past you on the way in was AWESOME!!!!! It was soooooooo fun to cheer them on!!!! It was soooo cool to be close enough to almost touch them... To see the spark of compition in their eyes... so seeeeee what 0 percent body fat looks like to see them SMILE as they run THAT fast was a TOTALLY COOOOOOOOLLLL UNFORGETABLE experiacne - Thank you!
- LOVED LOVED LOVED the pace keepers dressed in skirts.... REAL MEN DO WEAR skirts :) They looked like they were having FUN! They looked like they felt valued and needed and appreciated and without all the other men in the race they well SMILED and looked calm and were a JOY JOY JOY to see! Loved the outfits and loved loved loved the balloons - Every time I saw a set of balloons in the air I felt light and happy and well like I was at a circus or six flags or a birthday party not in a half marathon...
* I would have signed up earlier in the year but the hills scared the pants off me and I was nervous about it being too hot.... Was God goooooooooooooooooooooooood to us or what - the day was PERFECT! cool breezes... cloudy but no rain.... God is soooooooooooooooooooo sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!
* I DID love the sings - You guys had some great ones... From the tortoise or the hare tooo You Finished YOU ARE A WINNER! to Pick your next race out and sign up for it today :) All of them were appreciated.
* I have a heart condition so seeing the paramedic on the bike was a sweet comfort each time I saw him and I know he passed me at least 4 times - WOW WHAT AN AWESOME GUY!!!
* The kind and caring Police officers -they SMILED - they looked like they felt valued and appreciated and I can HONESTLY say I VALUE AND APPRECIATE each one of them. The Officer on the motorcycle was so kind and sensitive and careful as he drove around us!
* The atmosphere was exciting but also CALM AND PEACEFUL and HEALING! Hard to describe but something I will never forget.... I was moved to tears of JOY as the race STARTED and SQUEELS of JOY as it ended...
* The hot baked potatoes were YUMMY YUMMY and a FUN SURPRISE!!! The ladies passing them out - just thinking about those ladies dancing and laughing to the music all around us makes me SMILE :)
* The young men that passed out the medals... Tears again... What an honor to have them put that medal around my neck... AMAZING VOLUNTEERS...
* Thank you sooooooooooooooooooo much for not running out of medals... The White Rock and Armadilllo Dash both ran out and that is just well - honestly the saddest thing... They say they don't know what to do when they have extras.... I say give them to the water station volunteers - to the kids who we are trying to motivate to run the longer races by letting them run the shorter ones... KIDS LOVE THE MEDALS... My daughter sleeps in mine for days and says she dreams of winning hers soon :) THEY EARN them as much as we do!!!!!!!!!!!! :) I noticed yours did not have the date... hey that is TOTALLY OK with me I can go get it engraved. but not having one at all is just sad... Sorry for venting when you did it PERFECTLY - I just knew you were the kind of people who listen and thanks for listening and thanks thanks thanks for having the AWESOME MEDALS...
*The bib tags with our names on them COOOOOOLLLLLL idea. I am signing up early just for that...
*I am showing up early for the bagels next year tooooo and the orange slices BEFORE the race another SWEET SWEET and may I add delicious treat!!!! Thank you thank you thank you....
* I LOVE the name of the race and the high heel graphic sooooooo much!!!!! I do think you should put a LARGE sign on the web page telling first timers the hill are more like bumps in the road... DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT LET THEM STOP YOU FROM SIGNING UP... I almost didn't sign up for FEAR of the hills and guess what this was my first half marathon that DID NOT HURT ME!!!!!! Yea God! Yep you can quote me ....
* Walking the river walk area around the race... yep I was so REFRESHED we walked for another hour as a family AFTER the race! I felt better after the race than I did before the race- what an answer to prayer! It is sooooo obvious you guys are praying - believing - people! :) My dream goal is to run the Kauai marathon in Sept of this year and for the first time today after running your half - I felt HOPE and JOY and knew in my heart IT IS POSSIBLE! ALLLLLLL things are possible with God.... Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* and how do I end without saying thank you for the COOLEST most BEAUTIFUL T-shirts and medals EVER EVER EVER!!! I would have liked to buy a half dozen more of the shirts (One for everyday of the week I go to work out!!!:) but you were out of smalls - :) It's ok I have something to save for and look forward to next year... We did buy and extra medium and let my little girl use it for a night shirt - she too loved the colors and design to of course... TOTALLY WORTH $15.00
The only suggest I have is possibly having a Packet pick up at CONNIE KELLY'S CK SPORTS in McKinney :)
But honestly as a first time runner It was NICE to pick up near the trail and go see the trail so I was calmed and got some sleep - remember the hills REALLY scared me :) and your packet pick up was smoooooooth and sweet sweet sweet volunteers were EVERY PLACE :)
Oh and my little girl said she wished the GOLDALA'S were open on the river walk area cause she would have spent her allowance to give me a ride on it - she was sooooo proud of me.... :)
Oh she also said Balloons for the kids would have been cool... you know kids always milking it :)
I am sorry for any missed spelled words - I just wanted you to have a HAPPY THANK YOU TO READ When you woke up tomorrow.
God bless each of you in His special way!
Finished the race- testifying to God's grace... Acts.. 20:24
Victory in Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:57
Ephesians 3:20-22 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Susan Camille Middleton-Mathis... age 47
Husband John age 47 and
Daughter Faith age 8

Oh here are two gifts....
This one is from my daughter Faith.... You guys could sell Poster Board for $2.50 a poster board and have markers in big pots and us kids could make posters to cheer our mom's on... This would encourage us to get up early and get out of the house so mom would get to the race early and we could have fun making a poster during the hour before the race starts... and sell balloons for $2.50 tooo :)
This gift is from my husband - a T-shirt slogan idea to sell to allll the cheerleading dads.
.

Our little 8 year old had to add her t-shirt design toooo

Thank you to Lifetime Fitness in Allen, Texas, for the caring employees, and support they gave during my weight loss journey. Praise be to God!

I Play IN water fountains NOW! part 1

Written in August of 2008
I Play IN the water fountains NOW!
Yep, I don’t just watch the children play in fountains!
Now, I jump in and run and laugh and squeal and play tag and dance…. It is Pure JOY!

Psalms 31:11” Then he turned my sorrow into joy!”
The other day (34 days to be exact!) I went to our family doctor for a routine check up.
She gave me an EKG after I casually mentioned I was having little stabbing chest pains.
The EKG came back abnormal.
I was sent to a cardiologist.
The echo cardiogram showed I have a heart disease.
The disease is called Cardiomyopathy it is a serious disease in which the heart muscle becomes inflamed and doesn't work as well as it should.

What a WAKE UP CALL!
It was like the alarm went off
and
for the first time in 10 years
I didn’t push snooze!
Now I pray each night to be able to jump out of bed
– thankful to face the day and all God has in store for me.


So you may be asking yourself how did I start playing IN water fountains.

Well, for the last few years our family has spent a few days at a local Hotel
just 20 miles down the road. It is a time to build memories
O.k. it is a time to rest, not make up the beds, cook, clean,
or have to get in the car to go anyplace :)
God is good and helps us build memories too!
You know as wife and mom I can’t leave the office at night after a long day
So to get my mind off the daily stuff
I have to get AWAY from the daily stuff. :)
Why do I choose to travel ONLY 20 miles away?
Well, I only hear maybe two “Are we there yet's!” :)
This trip is not for sightseeing or touring.
It is for REST and TIME with my family.
In fact the best vacations for me are the ones when
we NEVER even LEAVE the hotel.
The meals are awesome at this hotel

and I do not have to get in and out and in and out of the car as we travel to restaurants! :)
So as you can see it would be a waist of money
and
MY ENERGY

to fly someplace to just stay IN the hotel? :)

We order room service breakfast and/or we bring breakfast snacks
so we don't even have to get up and dressed until 10:00 a.m.!
Our little girl enjoys swimming in the indoor heated pool
and
my husband and I enjoy sitting in the hot tub and watching her swim.
We play hide and seek in the Lobby.
We each bring our favorite board game
and play games until our eyes will not stay open any longer.
The hotel staff is amazing and they even remember us from year to year
and more importantly our six year old remembers them…


Get ready Get set:

Our little one packs for a week.
As she packs and re-packs she asks me questions like,
“Will that nice man who helps me count my piggy bank money to buy my new baby (stuffed animal) be there?
Mom, will that man who always makes me laugh when he calls me cu tie pie be there? You know the one who teases me and tries to take my stuffed animal away?” He always says he is going to keep them but then he ALWAYS gives them back!
Mom will that man who helps us with the luggage and lets me ride the luggage carrier be there?” Mom can I ride the elevator up and down and up and down and look at the lobby down below me in the see though elevator. It makes my tummy jump up and down! I think to myself – Oh yes and it is a lot less expensive and exhausting than an amusement park – not to mention cooler!” I remind myself to take advantage of all the FREE FUN ideas she comes up with! “Oh mom, do I, do I, do I get to play in the BIG water fountain outside the hotel?” “Mom will you PLEASE get wet with me this year mom, it is soooooooooooo fun! Half listening I reply, “Yep, I bet so, sure that sounds like fun.. ”

I Play IN water fountains NOW! part 2

DID I just say, “Sure, I will play in the water fountain!?!”
Oh my, goodness how do I get myself into these messes of saying yes half listening to her
Like saying yes to jumping on the trampoline in the heat of the day
or getting McD for the third time in one week for her.
This is why my mom said, “we will see- instead of yes
but HEY I always knew she really meant no!”
Sorry about the digression
my thoughts just flow like a kite in the wind sometimes.
Anyway back to the problem at hand.
I think how do I get out of this?
I really do NOT want to play in the water fountain.
Or do I? It is FREE FUN after all.
But WHAT will everyone think?
Everyone being all the strangers that will watch me
Do you have ANY idea how many fun things I miss by worrying about what people
I DO NOT EVEN KNOW will think.
But the Fact is I WILL get WET for goodness sakes!
I might even catch a cold. :) and is that water safe? Where does it come from and is it cleaned? Where are all these negative, practical thoughts coming from?
It is like they are messages from people in my life when I was 6 years old
For goodness sakes WHY do these HAVE to's – CAN'T do's – DON'T have TIME to do
thoughts always flood my mind.
Ok but really now I will drip all over the lobby and elevator…

The promise is made:

Oh my, I tell myself, “Just get a grip and start LIVING LIFE again!”
So Inside my heart and soul, I PROMISE myself and my little girl,
I am going to play in the fountain this time!!!

Get worried:

Stop being behind the camera of life:
And while I am making all these big changes I am going to promise myself I am going to be IN the pictures we take during this vacation. Yes I know I still need to loose 50+++ pounds. I am going to keep blocking those nagging of thoughts out of my mind THIS TIME...
The picture taking plan goes well… I get my husband to set the camera on timer and he jumps in the shots… I am in dozens of photos FOR THE FIRST TIME with my family!!!
I used to think our little girl would grow up and say, “Wow, I sure did a bunch of cool stuff with dad. Mom, where were you?” I just wanted to cry each time I thought of her saying that to me when she was older looking through the photos. I would have to answer Dear I was BEHIND the camera whom do you think TOOK all those fun photos!” Then I STOP and tell myself – that is an EXCUSE and I can ask people to take our picture and I can give myself permission to be IN them.
Talking my husband into joining the plan:
So WE, yes WE, I have to talk my husband into this fountain playing thing with us, for support you know :)
The Plan of least embarrassment:
Here is the plan for how to do this and be the least embarrassed as possible… We will dress up, go out to eat a late dinner in the hotel and when almost NO ONE is around we will slip into fountain. :) I plan this so no one will stair, point their finger at me and laugh, gawk or even roll their eyes at me.
The fallen Plan:
The unbelievable happens, the child who wants to stay up until mid-night every other night falls asleep at 6:00 p.m. So we order room service and the plan dies…and hey anyway we all know the RULE: DO NOT WAKE UP a sleeping child…
The heat is on:
OK, it is day three and I still have not played in the fountain… we are going home in a few hours. Our little girl wakes up and remembers we missed the dress up party last night… HUM – momentum… so we all dress up… It is light outside now – VERY LIGHT and people are OUT and about… I am getting nervous. I almost chicken out when I realize I only have my rainbow colored underwear and my dress... you guessed it... is white! No one will notice I keep muttorting under my breath… My husband, notices the rainbow through my dress and says, “Those rainbow underwear are REALLY going to show through when you are wet!” I think, ”block out the negative comments, you CAN DO THIS”…I think, hum, Let's put a positive spin on all this and Praise God for the rainbows- For the rainbows after the STORMS of life... The Rainbow of Healing, Hope,Peace,Trust,Grace, Faith,Love and Forgiveness. “It is like God is reminding me, after the storm comes the rainbow of HOPE and NEWNESS of LIFE.