I’ve been living a dream for the past month or so and I don’t want to wake up. Things – good things – great things just keep happening to me.
It began with a shiny new marathon PR and win.
A fruit basket 3:11 - almost as good as my PR! Thank you Tess!!
I’ve been trying to wrap my mind around it and understand how these things are the way they are but I can’t come up with any other reason than I am blessed.
my three greatest blessings are my children
For those of you who BELIEVE you know exactly what I am talking about – HE chooses to bless us on his own time in his own way. I’ve had my share of struggle in life {all of us have}. Some have it harder than others – but that doesn’t mean my small struggles are not important to him
My grandmother, who is a believer or was a believer – I’m not really sure – said to me on Easter - that she used to believe that God heard every little prayer that we said but now she is not so sure. How can HE hear everything? In simple words what I explained to her was that we can’t understand it because we can’t do it. I can’t do everything. On a daily basis I fail at more things that I get done or achieve – so my mind doesn’t really understand how there can be a being that can DO IT ALL.
But HE can.
He hears my prayers.
I am blessed this week as I am every week. Why? Because he died for me. For you. For everyone. Even for those reading these words thinking that they may now unsubscribe from my blog.
Every morning for the past two weeks I have woken up and thought – this has been the best month of my life – I don’t think it can get any better. And then it does.
Need proof?
I was chosen to be a part of the Saucony Find Your Strong campaign. At the last minute they decided to use my face ALL over the campaign. I didn’t know this was going to happen. So when I woke up and opened my email and saw an email from Saucony with my face on it I was just as surprised as everyone else.
I didn’t know they were going to put me on daily mile [thank you friends who have tweeted me pictures]
I didn’t know I would be the background on twitter – on facebook and now the 2nd picture on their homepage www.saucony.com
On the bottom left corner are two guys – one is a professional football player, one ran in the Olympic Trials Marathon. It blows my mind that an average mom of three kids got picked to represent a company in this way…..it’s proof that DREAMING BIG works.
Dream: Your friends and family open their email to find your face as part of an ad campaign.
How could things get any better?
I WON A FENDI BAG.
True story and it’s hilarious to me.
Last week I got an email from Rue La La saying that there had been a referral contest going on. You had the chance of winning one of three high end designer bags and I had won a Fendi purse.
I thought it was a scam till I remembered that Saucony Kinvara’s had been on sale on Rue La La for an awesome price recently and I tweeted the link out – over 30 people signed up in one day giving me 30+ entries to the giveaway.
I won. Don’t know what Rue La La is? Want an invite to join? CLICK HERE
As if the shiny new Fendi purse valued at $1,300 wasn’t enough when I wrote back the woman who had emailed me – I learned in her response email that she is a running blogger too! She trains for and runs marathons. She checked out my blog – saw I was coming to Boston for the marathon and asked me if I wanted to go on a tour of the offices and check out their shoe closet!!!! UMM HELLO? Do not wake me up from this dream.
Dream: You win a designer purse that you could never afford.
Tomorrow is my 30th birthday and I’m excited for it for many reasons – but one of which is because I think that my video for the Find Your Strong Project releases tomorrow! I hope that when you watch this video – you see who I really am. A girl who just decided to turn her life around. A girl who wasn’t an athlete but now is. A girl who couldn’t run but now can out run most people she knows. A girl who didn’t have any dreams and now a girl who won’t stop at one dream – who dreams bigger and bigger every day – knowing that ALL of them can come true.
Dream: An advertising campaign that has you in it releases on your 30th birthday.
I had originally planned to leave for Boston Saturday morning but then found out about the Find Your Strong party Friday night and so OF COURSE I wanted to switch but already had a lump in my throat about how much it was going to cost.
Flights went down. $100 change fee on top of my new fair and I got a $3 credit. How does this happen??
Dream: You change your flight and they give you money back.
So I’m flying in Friday – going on a tour of the Rue La La offices, heading to the expo to get my stuff, buy a sweatshirt and say hi to MY SAUCONY FAMILY {yes I consider them family now}.
At night I’m going to the Find Your Strong party and hope to meet a bunch of you {I know the Sparkly Soul Girls are going to be there too – if you needed any more convincing}
Saturday will be spent hanging out with my best friend from HS who also happens to live in Boston and then Saturday night I’m heading to the Runner’s World Party. {another DREAM come true – don’t pinch me – I like dreaming}
Dream: You are attending the Runner’s World Party not as someone’s guest, not as a part of Saucony – but just as you because of you.
Sunday I am sitting ON MY BUTT – drinking nuun all day and walking around in my Saucony compression sleeves. I foresee one maybe two trips to Starbucks but other than that I plan on not leaving the couch.
Monday is race day.
I’m not sure what my legs have in them at this point – but I actually don’t care. I feel so blessed that I don’t even care if I run a sub 3:10. My ultimate goal is to PR Boston – which means in reality anything under 3:30 will make me happy!
Dream: Running Boston for the 3rd time the year that they decided to make the standards even harder to get in.
Honestly I woke up again today and didn’t think that things could get any better – but I know they will. I know I will have more hardships in life and that things aren’t always perfect – even know – but I know in the deepest part of my heart that I am blessed - so I know everything is going to be OK. I also know that I get my strong from a well that doesn’t run dry. So really I don’t think there is much in life I can’t overcome……
I am blessed. Thankful. Humbled.
Runner, dreamer, marathoner x24, mommy of 3, Women's Running Magazine cover model, published writer, Saucony contributing blogger, running coach, and lover of all things running. I Run This Body. 
so happy for you! keep living the dream! and post a pic of that bag!!
Nicole recently posted..12 Week Pregnancy Update & Easter Pics!
Can we seriously be friends?! I love that you recognize all the great things that have happened in your life as blessings! You are so humble and so real and know what is important. Your blog is the only one that I come back to daily and can’t wait for the next post. You provide so much inspiration and confidence to all of your readers, you have a gift, a way with words and I really think someone needs to give you a book deal!
Good luck in Boston and safe travels and soak up every second! Can’t wait to read alllll about it! PS. Please tell me you will be running Columbus again in the fall!
Mollyberries recently posted..Race Recap: Scioto Miles 5K: 19:48
I’m a firm believer that good things happen to good people. You work your butt off, you’re encouraging to others, and you have an incredible amount of faith. Have a great time in Boston and kick butt!
Heidi recently posted..Cherry Blossom 10 Miler: 2012 Edition
This is amazing, you are amazing and deserve all of it! Have fun and enjoy!!
Christine recently posted..Bronchitis sucks
You’re amazing woman!!
Enjoy it!
Enjoy it all.
You rock.
Happy birthday eve!!
Emz recently posted.."Everybody Talks" – Neon Trees
I am so happy for you chica! You have deserved this recognition and it’s pretty cool to see your gorgeous picture everywhere. I can’t wait to hear about Boston
Tasha @ Healthy Diva recently posted..3:03:37
I adore you. That is all.
Callie @ The Wannabe Athlete recently posted..A Glorious Weekend
Wow! you are truly blessed and you deserve it. Enjoy each moment.
I am in Boston and going to the Saucony event on Friday night! I would love to meet and talk to you! Let me know.
Mattie @ Comfy and Confident recently posted..Pictures Tell the Story
You are an absolutely amazing woman of God. Your post made me smile today as I read it. We are the ones that are also blessed by your continuous encouragement to go beyond our dreams. To have faith. To count our blessings no matter what! So thank you from the bottom of my heart! I wish you best this weekend and will be chearing for you from Oklahoma on Monday!!
Christy recently posted..Sweet and Sour Day
I love this picture of you and Eric!!!! Beautiful! Should I sign up for that Rue La La? Is it worth it? You have made your dreams a reality which is something not many people can say. You make me want to dream bigger! XOXOXOX
@ Michelle:
I love love love it.
Totally worth it! I bought a Kooba bag I had been crushing on for years on there recently. Regularly $495 and it was $140
Mile Posts By Dorothy Beal recently posted..Sparkly Soul Non-Slip Headband Giveaway #findyourstrongandsparkleon
No joke, I was bouncing-up-and-down-in-my-chair excited for you when I saw that pop up on my dailymile! And I was one of those people who joined Rue La La that day.
You deserve every joy and blessing you’re receiving. You’re a wonderful runner, mom, wife, and inspiration to so many of us.
Have an amazing week(end) and ROCK Boston!
*hugs*
Jess K recently posted..The Problem with Losing Weight and Getting Fit …
So cool! What an exciting season you are in! You are definitely a motivation to me, in running and blogging! Every perfect gift comes down from our Father in Heaven and even if he wasn’t allowing all of these wonderful things to happen, we have to believe that He was and is and always will be Good!
Tracy Carson recently posted..How does this make me look?
dorothy you are truly an inspiration to all of those of us who are just regular runners! you are no longer that!! i think your story is amazing and i love following along, but i think the fact that you give all the credit to God makes you stand out that much more! you’re so humble and you’re doing a great thing spreading God’s message of love! so happy for you and happy early bday!!!
I have loved seeing your face all over the Saucony Find Your Strong campaign. It’s almost like I ‘know’ you as an avid reader of your blog. You are such an inspiration to me and so many people out there. You deserve all the blessings that have come to you
Karla @ myhighonlife. recently posted..I promise I’m alive!
LOVE this post, you are amazing! I truly believe God hears all our prayers. We may not get the answer we want, but He hears! You deserve all the blessings you have coming to you. Way to rock it girl! God is good!
you are amazing.
Wow-that is so awesome! I love designer bags. I’ll have to check out that website. Congrats with all this good luck lately. We’ll be in Boston too, so if I see you I’ll be sure to cheer for you!
You are living the dream! Enjoy it!
Whitney @LiveRunLoveYoga recently posted..What I Am Not…
You are so awesome. You deserve all of it!
A couple of my favorite Scriptures at this time of year are Ephesians 1:19 and 20:
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.
Dreams and prayers become reality for those who believe. And because God is so good, the reality is even better than the dream.
I am certainly happy for you as you see His great goodness in your life
Praying HE blesses you even more with an awesome race in Boston on monday!
Sarah recently posted..I never wanted to be a "Stay-At-Home-Mom"
this might be my favorite post yet! so excited for you!!! i actually just was debating with a friend over the weekend about how God DOES listen to our small struggles and prayers. I think you gave your grandma an awesome response! praying for you in Boston!
Congratulations! SO many great things..I congratulate you on all of the hard work you put into making your dreams come true. You did not just sit back and wait for them, these things are happening because YOU devoted yourself and didn’t stop when people criticized. SO happy for you!
Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted..Running while on Vacation
Good things come to good people!
Thanks for a marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading it, you are a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will often come back sometime soon. I want to encourage you continue your great job, have a nice afternoon!
Chelsea recently posted..how to hypnotize someone
Congratulations! I just started reading your blog and love it already! I’m encouraged and motivated by your action and faith. Keep it up and I truly wish you the best in Boston!
Debbie recently posted..32 Weeks
All of these things are so amazing, D. You are so deserving of everything that has come your way recently. Happy Birthday!
Elizabeth Clor recently posted..Friday Four
Sounds like an amazing start to an even more amazing weekend!
Jess recently posted..The Strategy for Race Day
What a fabulous post, girl! While I’ve had one heck of a hard ride over the past month and a half, I will say it brings me joy knowing that people like you (the ones that truly appreciate the good stuff) are happy! You worked your butt off for the Find Your Strong campaign. It took guts, hard work, and dedication to get to where you are, so you deserve to be reaping the benefits! (Your story is one of my favorites by far.)
Happy Birthday, and I hope it keeps on for you!
Melissa @ Live, Love, & Run recently posted..On embracing our looks.
Catching up on your blog. I LOVE this post. Obviously you have worked very hard, and deserve every bit of the dreams coming your way (right down to that Fendi bag…OMG by the way!!). He understands that too!!
Happy late birthday, and thank you for continuing to share your life with your readers!!
Ali
Ali recently posted..Rockin’ the Parkway – Race Recap