I’m just an ordinary 43-year-old wife and mother of 3 who did something extraordinary. I ran the Chevron Houston Marathon. But I got so much more out of it than running 26.2 miles.
Rewind to 2012. I joined a running club in my town of Cypress, Texas because I needed a hobby. I needed something to do other than being a wife, mom and elementary school art teacher. I needed something for me. I joined the local running club’s Facebook page first, and lurked. To my surprise, there were short, fat, tall, skinny, fast, slow and everyone in between that belonged to this club. I thought that I just might find a place to fit in here! They had a “No More Excuses to 5k” training plan, and I was interested. I’m not a runner. Runners are fast, and I am not fast.
 
When I joined this club and started running with the “No More Excusers”, I was quickly welcomed into the running club and was told, “You are a runner. You run, therefore, you are a runner.” I still had a hard time accepting that title. I met my first running club friend Jenna. She and I were about the same pace and we became “running buddies.” We set up times to meet and train for our 5K run. We ended up “graduating” early and started running races together and had the best time! There was always an adventure at a race with her from tripping over cones to accidentally splashing the water volunteers at the aid stations. Eventually, I had run my first 10K! I almost ran the whole thing, and I was proud. That was 6.2 miles and my furthest distance. I felt like a real “runner”.
 
Fast forward to May 2013. Jenna had found a new job in Dallas. I hadn’t really run with anyone else. I didn’t know that many people in the club, and I had this fear that the club was a cliquey club. You know, the fast long distance people are only friends with the fast long distance people and the slow people…you get the gist. She arranged her going away party and invited many of the club members to see her off. Lots of runners were there, even the really fast people. A few beers, a plank challenge, and meeting lots of great people who somehow talked me into registering for the 2014 Chevron Houston Marathon. Um, that’s 26.2 miles!!! I had only ran 6.2 miles to date. Holy cow.
 
I found out in June that I was…in. Yikes. I had some training to do! But with whom and where and how far and…oh my. What did I get myself into? I am going to die. Marathon was on the brain all the time. I started a facebook page “Diary of a Marathon Virgin” because my non-running facebook friends would get tired of me babbling on about running. I bought “Marathon” deodorant because it had the word “Marathon” on it. When they showed a “Marathon” running of Jersey Shore, did they show 26.2 episodes? I was consumed. Marathon everything. If you and I had a conversation, it would generally start out with, “Did you know I’m training for a Marathon?”
 
During my training I met some of the greatest people I know. They were my training buddies and best of friends. It’s amazing how close you can be with someone when you go for a long run of up to 18 miles at a time. Your family history all in 7 miles, especially if it’s a dysfunctional one. It was a tough time. It wasn’t easy. If it was easy, everyone would do it. My mom said I shouldn’t run, “We have bad knees.” We do, and I quickly found out that I had a bad knee, too. But I wasn’t going to let that stop me. I’m kind of stubborn like that. Really stubborn, that part is genetic too.
 
The entire training from July until January I was riddled with knee problems. From cortisone shots and knee braces to gel shots to cushion the bone on bone. I had no cartilage left. Doc said, not due to running, but from genetics. I ran 20 races in 2013. I ran most of them as part of the training “long runs” just for a change of scenery. I’m not fast. I knew I’d never podium or even get a top 10 in my age group. I did however run all of those races in lipstick and pearls. That sort of became the thing that I became known for. I just wanted to have my lips on in race pictures!
 
Well, I ran that Chevron Houston Marathon on January 19, 2014. It was slow, it was with the greatest of people, the best of fans,  my family and my Cypress Running Club. I took a selfie at every mile marker because I knew I would NEVER do this again and I wanted to remember each painstaking mile. The first two miles were fabulous! The rest of the 24.2 was pure HELL as my knee was in excruciating pain. Two huge blisters on the balls of my feet. Note to self, leave on the hard earned calluses when getting a pedi. There were times when my running buddies had their hands behind my waist literally pulling me forward. I applied lipstick twice on the route, the last at mile 25. I wanted to look good for the finish line…if there was anyone left. I crossed that finish line RUNNING! I did it…Wow. That hurt, but it hurt so good! I wanted to die.
 
That was my last race. 
 
It’s that time of year again and the Chevron Houston Marathon is next month. I love running and all that I’ve learned from it. The friendships I’ve made are forever and priceless. I’m one of the biggest “cheerleaders” for my running club. What I have learned is that all you can take with you is that of which you’ve given away. This running club had given me such much during a time when I needed it most. Now it’s my time to give back and cheer on my fellow runners.
 
Fast forward to today. I took up cycling. I had to find something to keep me active and out of trouble. Hundreds of miles cycled and a partial knee replacement over Thanksgiving.

This is my journey. Where I’m going, not sure. Running? Maybe, but after several months of physical therapy. Cycling, yes. I do know that 2015 will involve lipstick, pearls, humor and a few miles. Come join me. 

LWC-Spotlight-SideAd (2)

 

[adrotate banner=”82″]

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Order Now

Check out our new Keepsake Companion Journal that pairs with our So God Made a Mother book!

Order Now
So God Made a Mother's Story Keepsake Journal

Jennifer Johnson

Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, now transplanted in Cypress, Texas. I'm a Wife, Mom of 3 teenagers, Elementary Art Teacher, former runner, turned cyclist. With every activity I do, I always wear lipstick and pearls. I may not be fast, but I'm going to look good at whatever I'm doing!

To The Mother Who Is Overwhelmed

In: Inspiration, Motherhood
Tired woman with coffee sitting at table

I have this one head. It is a normal sized head. It didn’t get bigger because I had children. Just like I didn’t grow an extra arm with the birth of each child. I mean, while that would be nice, it’s just not the case. We keep our one self. And the children we add on each add on to our weight in this life. And the head didn’t grow more heads because we become a wife to someone. Or a boss to someone. We carry the weight of motherhood. The decisions we must make each day—fight the shorts battle...

Keep Reading

To the Mother of My Son’s Future Wife

In: Grown Children, Inspiration, Kids, Marriage, Motherhood, Relationships
marriage, wife, husband, grown children, www.herviewfromhome.com

To the mother of my son’s future wife, I’m in the midst of dirty diapers and temper tantrums, but I do have days where I think about the future and what it will look like for my son. I wonder who he will be, what he will do and probably most of all, who he will love. I wonder about the type of woman he will bring home to meet us one day. I have my own thoughts on the type of person I wish my son would fall in love with, but we all know that the heart wants...

Keep Reading

Trading Fleeting Moments of Fame for Unshakeable Faith

In: Faith, Inspiration, Relationships
Trading Fleeting Moments of Fame for Unshakeable Faith www.herviewfromhome.com

The string quartet began playing Pachelbel, as my dad and I took our first steps down the aisle. I began to lose my composure as we proceeded to the altar. Hundreds of guests had their eyes on me as tears streamed down my face. Struggling to look my future in the eyes, I looked to the ground for reprieve. God, everything around me looks perfect, so why doesn’t this feel right? I’m not sure how I got here. The flame once dancing inside of me, has extinguished. Lord, I need you. Dad squeezed my hand gently, “Are you OK sweetie?”...

Keep Reading

Children Don’t Get Easier, We Just Get Stronger

In: Inspiration, Mental Health, Motherhood
Children Don't Get Easier, We Just Get Stronger www.herviewfromhome.com

“This too shall pass.” As mothers, we cling to these words as we desperately hope to make it past whichever parenting stage currently holds us in its clutches. In the thick of newborn motherhood, through night wakings, constant nursing and finding our place in an unfamiliar world, we long for a future filled with more sleep and less crying. We can’t imagine any child or time being more difficult than right now. Then, a toddler bursts forth, a tornado of energy destroying everything in his wake. We hold our breath as he tests every possible limit and every inch of...

Keep Reading

This North Dakota Homecoming Queen is Capturing Hearts Everywhere

In: Inspiration, Kids, School, Teen
This North Dakota Homecoming Queen is Capturing Hearts Everywhere www.herviewfromhome.com

When Paula and Kevin Burckard’s third child was born, she arrived with a little something extra the North Dakota couple never saw coming.  Newborn Grace had Down syndrome, and the diagnosis initially left the young parents devastated. “When Grace was born, I thought all my dreams for my daughter had basically been dashed,” Paula said.  But it didn’t take long for those fears to subside.  As Grace grew, not only did she meet and surpass milestones, her infectious joy, inspirational grit, and deep love of all things Michael Jackson transformed the family—and countless hearts. The Burckhards went on to adopt...

Keep Reading

Dear Kids, When I Forget What It’s Like To Be Little

In: Child, Inspiration, Kids, Motherhood
Hey Mom, Don't Forget—You Were a Kid Once, Too www.herviewfromhome.com

The kids were squealing in the backseat. For the five minutes prior they were begging me to spill the beans on where we were going as I had only told them to get their shoes, get in the car and buckle up. It’s one of the ways I’ve learned to make a simple trip out of the house one that is a mysterious adventure to them. As we took left and right turns away from our house, they were trying to guess where we were going . . . and when we finally pulled up to a brand new playground...

Keep Reading

My Children Deserve To See the Whole Me, Not Just the Mom Me

In: Inspiration, Journal, Motherhood
My Children Deserve To See the Whole Me, Not Just the Mom Me www.herviewfromhome.com

Before I was a mother, I was a human being. A human being with life experiences, passions, fears, talents, hobbies, goals, friends and aspirations that I cherished and tried to honor. Even though I went through a variety of seasons of life . . . from school-age days, to working adult, to wife . . . those things always stayed with me. I stayed open to evolving, but never let go of who I inherently was. Then came motherhood. And suddenly I found myself abandoning my commitment to remain true to me, and leaving any semblance of myself in the...

Keep Reading

My Mother-in-Law’s Legacy: Simplicity

In: Inspiration, Journal
My Mother-in-Law's Legacy: Simplicity www.herviewfromhome.com

The memories of my mother-in-law spilled to the forefront of my mind, just as the contents of his jacket pocket fell onto our dresser. It was Proverbs 31, written on hotel stationery, in my neatest block print. Holding the small papers in my hand brought me right back to her graveside, on a hot summer morning, seven years ago. “Her children arise and call her blessed.” (verse 28) As my second daughter gave a mighty kick from the womb, visible to every mourner present that day, I couldn’t help but to allow my mind to wander. Were my values apparent...

Keep Reading

A Car Accident Left My Teenager Paralyzed—and Incredibly Fierce

In: Inspiration, Journal
A Car Accident Left My Teenager Paralyzed—and Incredibly Fierce www.herviewfromhome.com

I drove back from my son’s college concert near midnight. Exhausted, I glanced at my 14-year-old daughter, Beth, asleep in the passenger seat. We were only 10 minutes from home. I thought I could make it until I heard a road sign flatten on concrete. As the car flipped three times across a bare Ohio field, we left behind an ordinary life. I escaped with cuts, bruises, and blood-matted hair. Beth was another story. The car was cut open and a helicopter rushed her to Toledo. A doctor told my husband John that she was paralyzed. When John broke the news...

Keep Reading

Dear Mama, You’re Allowed To Not Be There

In: Inspiration, Motherhood
Dear Mama, You're Allowed To Not Be There www.herviewfromhome.com

Friday afternoon was not much crazier than most afternoons. My husband was mowing the lawn, my daughter was hangry and my youngest son was due to be in a talent show in twenty minutes. I stood in the kitchen—where it seemed like I’d been for an hour—trying to motivate my family to eat dinner and get ready to go. “Get dressed, Jude. Make sure you eat something.” “Dean, do you want a slice of pizza before we leave?” I screamed over the lawn mower. “Maeve, are you going to the optional soccer practice or the talent show? You need to...

Keep Reading