The Marathon that is Life.

I had a HUGE "uh-oh" moment this weekend.  On Saturday, I ran the Soaring Wings Half Marathon in Conway.  I did this in preparation for my upcoming double marathon I am running ( read about that here) I have been training religiously, like running almost everyday, and I follow a strict regime on what to run and when to run it.  I have been using this app called... Nike Running.  I have loved it, in fact I have told most everybody that it is the best app to run with.  Well, it was until during my race this weekend on Mile 10.. my app told me "congrats you just finished your first half marathon" First, false - this is my second.  And Second, No!!!  I am only on mile 10!!!

As I began to contemplate what was exactly going on, I began to realize that my app was not calibrated correctly and my training had been misleading!  I thought I had run 12 miles last week in RECORD time... but I hadn't.  Actually - I was slower than I thought.  I finished the race in 2:28 which is almost 20 minutes faster than my first half marathon.  I am training for that Double Race on New Years and so I have about 8 weeks to get faster and better and stronger.  It was just disappointing - so frustrating, in fact, that I almost ripped my iPhone off my arm and threw it into the ravine.  I didn't - But I was close.

The best part of the race is the new resolution I made with myself.  When I run a race, I will get a new outfit :) So this was my Under Armour exclusive outfit! Complete with matching pants and top and a very comfortable neon yellow/green sweatshirt!  It was so comfortable to run in!  The weather this weekend was perfect running weather, especially for the outfit I picked out - but I can't imagine what the weather will be like on New Years!  Hopefully, it will be mild.  Here's for hoping!

Wanted to let you know what else I did with my weekend:  

I babysat these adorable little cousins of mine!  Yes, they are apart of the Gosser Mafia!  

See I am telling you - you do not want to mess with us :)

drumrolll pleaseeeeeeee

I also got my extensions back!  What do y'all think of the "new look"?  I got them from Robin at Harrington and Co. in Conway!  She is amazing!  And they look so real!  I am getting use to the length, but Love LOVE LOVE the new look! Hope you do too!

And then finally - as I look back on the past 6 months.... I love playing the Piano!  Miss Arkansas wasn't the highlight of my summer, it is this picture.  I think it captures everything that I wanted to accomplish this year - I wanted to

HAVE FUN WHILE PERFORMING THE PIANO IN FRONT OF AN AUDIENCE.  

And I did just that!

Inspiration

I have been thinking today on inspiration that gets me through the day.  Inspiration that helps me succeed or motivate me to be better.  This kind of inspiration, I thought, would come from a great book, an influential man, and in my mind a sports icon.  However, as I pondered what to write today and how to best inspire you... I thought about a conversation - this conversation has helped me look at life a little differently... so here is the story.



Nerves, that's the good part - ride that adrenaline.



I don't exactly know where it happened or even when, I just remember the text message I got that changed my perspective on competition.  For years I have been petrified getting up on stage and playing the piano.  It has never been something I enjoyed doing.  Now, sit me down in front of 88 ivory keys in the comfort of my own home and I will tickle those ivories until my fingers sweat.  The thought of getting in front of the crowd on the Miss Arkansas stage just about made me sick in the stomach.  One day last spring I was texting my friend from Baylor, Ashley, and was telling her how how nervous I was about playing in front of people.  She confidently text me.  



Nerves, that's the good part - ride that adrenaline.  




Ashley :




An All-American Selection in 2006 & 2007, Ashley was a first team All-Big 12 Conference honoree and named player of the week for three consecutive weeks. She holds the Baylor Career Record Holder for home runs per game, RBI's per game, slugging percentage, on base percentage, hits, doubles, games played and started. Career-record holder for slugging percentage and on-base percentage. Upon graduating from Baylor, 

Ashley was one of 36 players invited to attend the 2007 Olympic Camp. 

She was then drafted to the National Pro Fastpitch League and the Professional Fastpitch Extreme (PFX) tour. Ashley is still active in the game, playing first base and left field for the PFX Tour, which includes 30 top caliber professional players.




Nerves, that's the good part - ride that adrenaline.


Ashley is a hard worker and I was so honored to work with her the year I was at Baylor and look forward to going back because she was a great friend. Ashley obviously knows what she is talking about when she said those words to me. Being a professional athlete causes you to look at things differently and she was able to impart a little of that knowledge with me and I am so blessed. .  But think about those words.  Ride that adrenaline.  Ride it.  How many times are you nervous or scared of the unknown - it could be a presentation or a conference, even something as simple as a phone call - but the adrenaline we have is looked at as a negative emotion or feeling.  




What Ashley empowered me to do was view the adrenaline, that butterflies in your stomach feeling, as a positive motivator and use that to do your best.  I did.  And after changing my mindset completely I was able to push through the shaking hands and the butterfly feeling and do the best that I ever had.  It is a quote, a feeling, and a way of life that I will always remember and I will always strive to live out.



Nerves, that's the good part - ride that adrenaline.

My Inner Thoughts Lately

I took this from the VOICE translation and it has really been on my heart lately; so I wanted to share this with you:

ROMANS 9:20-22

20Here’s my answer: Who are you, a mere human, to argue with God? If God takes the time to shape us from the dust, is it right to point a finger at Him and ask, “Why have You made me this way?”21Doesn’t the potter have the right to shape the clay in any way he chooses? Can’t he make one lump into an elegant vase, and another into a common jug? Absolutely.22Even though God desires to demonstrate His anger and to reveal His power, He has shown tremendous restraint toward those vessels of wrath that are doomed to be cracked and shattered. 

I have been struggling with comparisons lately.  Just comparing myself to my sisters, other Miss Arkansas Contestants, even olympians like Natalie Coughlin.  I came across this verse the other day in my NIV bible and decided to take a look at it in my new the Voice bible.  I love this translation because it sounds like my dad talking to me.  Not Tab Turner, my dad, but My Heavenly Dad and with this translation I can almost hear Him audibly speaking this to me.

       

I know that we have all heard the Potter's Hand song and we have seen this before - but really let it sink it - think about it again... just one more time.  Let your mind soak it up.  You can look like work in progress (where I am most of the time), you can be a pot that might not sell for millions of dollars and look messed up - but was made and crafted with love and purpose (middle), or you can be working on the ornate designs that take years to craft... God is still working on me - and one day I hope to get to the point where I can have ornate designs - but I fear right now I have begun a work in progress and am being crafted with love and purpose - because my days, my steps, are created for the glory of God.  

What a clear picture of who God is and what he can do for us and has done.

It just really puts everything in perspective for me.  I can only imagine how selfish my mind is and how God is so disappointed in me.  These verses allow me to gain a perspective and come back to the reality that my life is worth something only to glorify my creator.  If I don't do that - then I have not succeeded and I have not done what Christ put me here to do.

As I prepare for life - I must keep that in mind.  It is NOT ALL ABOUT ME - and sometimes I might not understand certain outcomes, but I do know that God created me and knows what HE IS DOING.  And that is where I find solace.  In His Arms.

and IN HIS ARMS.... and find

CHARMED BLISS

My chill week has begun!

Okay, so after a week at Miss Arkansas one needs a bit of a break. So my family came to Destin! It has been a blast so far. I brought one of my best friends with me, well she kind of invited herself, but I'm so glad she did!!! It's been so fun thus far!!

Here is our story in pictures!!!

First we went to Target so Molly Anne could pick up some care package needs for her "friend" Patrick that is in the navy right now! As we were waiting : McKenzie, my cousin sees this card and the first thing she says is "man wouldn't you hate to be the model for this card!" hahaha are you serious!! I mean how Many times have u seen these cards and how many times do you think that!! Never!! She has been that funny the whole trip!!




This morning I was craving blueberry stuff so I made blueberry muffins, except we didnt have a muffin pan so we used a bundt Pan and made a Cake type thing! I adde extra blueberrys!









It looked wonderful!!!




Until I couldn't get it out havent really mastered that yet!




After breakfast, my dad took me and beth to the gym. This is how my dad keeps up with everything! I HEFTY zip lock! Talk about tacky! But I guess whatever floats your boat!




This is our gym in Destin.. On the inside it looks like a Hollywood gym! I'll post pictures tomorrow!




After workout we stopped at the seafood market! Favorite place in destin! Dad picks up crab salad, tuna salad, and 4 pounds of fresh shrimp!! YUM!




The raw fish! Please remember we just worked out!!




All of the variety of fish that they offer! You should go if you r ever in Destin!!




Headed to HarborDocks for dinner! Bethany, me, sister Molly Anne




Blackened Red Snapper! Yes please! It was soo good!




Caroline, McKenzie, and Laura Leigh at harbor docks




Then we went and saw Monte Carlo in a ghetto theater! But it was very Disney channel, but it was cute!! I love this yellow dress!! Agh it's yummy

Hope you enjoyed our day!!

See you tomorrow!
Abby

Better Late Than Never! Saturday Night Competition

Okay - so I am way way way behind on this blog.  Sunday and Monday were just very eventful and one day I will share those days with you, but today is all about Saturday.  The day - the mall - the crowning.  Who made top 10?  Do you have any feedback?  what do you do backstage while they compete?  Are you sad?  Are you coming back?  All of those questions will be answered as you read this blog tonight, tomorrow, or whenever you might be reading it.

Saturday morning we had to wake up extra early for rehearsal - but no worries Katie Stam, Miss America 2008 joined us so we were all very excited!  Group A decided that we were going to perform a little skit at roll call - so we did and it was hilarious!! Everybody loved it!  Our chaperones handed out chaperone boogie on Friday afternoon - we knew none I mean not ONE of the songs - so we decided to make a contestant boogie and hand it out on Saturday to our chaperones!  They loved that part too.  Watch our video to see the Group A skit - it's at the very beginning.

We went to rehearsal and thankfully, by the grace of God, we were let out early.  That gave us a whole 2 hours to get ready for the Mall day and rest.  I didn't rest, I packed.

So we headed to the mall and it was so much fun - we really weren't rushed like we were last year - so that was good. Autograph signing was fun!  I just have a blast with my friends - especially my Miss Arkansas friends.

After the signing we went back to the Austen and rested until it was time to do hair and makeup for that night.  My hair lady, Robin, brought her adorable little girl named Rafi - she is a chunk chunk, but she is a beautiful brown eyed chunk chunk! SHe is also on the video.

So the real story you are waiting for:  THE NIGHT OF!

Standing out on stage waiting for the Top 10 to be called we are so pumped and adrenaline is racing through your veins!!  So they called Top 10.  I was so excited because 3 of my OBU girls (Ouachita Baptist University) made it to the Top 10!  Bethany Whitfield, Lauren English, and Kristen Glover (the new Miss Arkansas 2011).

So they call Top 10 and all of the remaining girls head backstage to see the table full of food consisting of doritios, chips and cheese dip and salsa, Cookies, CUPCAKES, candy bars (the mini kind), coke, sprite, water, bugles!!  - oh my word - a note on these bugles - they are caramel bugles!!! they were soo good!

So the remaining girls get to sit in the viewing room and watch and eat - it is just amazing.

Then we finally hear the winner called:  Kristen Glover Miss Ouachita Baptist University - we all knew it was coming.  It was so sweet.  And Kristen will make an excellent Miss Arkansas.  Her clothes were great all week - I am going to try and get some more pictures of her wardrobe because it was amazing from Creative Touch Photography out of Jonesboro.  Ashley George is the photographer there - and she is absolutely amazing and a great girl!  I have loved having her around this past week taking pictures - she is super sweet.

The Top 10 girls were a great group of girls.  Very strong, talented, consistent competitors - very worthy of being in the Top 10.  I was not shocked at all.  I did however, have my favorites, and a couple of them did not make the top 10 - but only 10 can make it.

Even though I did not make top 10 - I am definitely trying to come back next year!  I love Miss Arkansas and I love these girls.  Most importantly, I love my state!  I am headed to Texas for grad school - and I can't even imagine doing any other state pageant than Miss Arkansas.  I love it!

After the pageant - we had a party in the Embassy Suites.  All of my friends and family were there and we had pizza, chik fil a, cokes, and of course cupcakes!  I loved it!  It was so much fun seeing everybody and getting to just chill!  It was soo good to see all of my friends and talk to them about the pageant and thank them in person for their support and encouragement.

So my verse from the beginning of the week:  2 Chronicles 15:7 Be strong and courageous in the Lord, and he will reward you.

Even though I didn't win the crown, I still know I made a difference in at least one girl's life this week.  I wanted to be joyful, exuberant, and lively.  I wanted to make sure that they other 35 girls that didn't make top 10 knew that they had a great week and want to fight hard to come back next year.  It's not all about winning, yes that would be fantastic if we could all be the winner - but it's about memories and making them.

I am glad that I was able to share this journey online with so many of you!  It has been a fun and exciting week.  I hope my videos show that we had a blast and that we are all best friends.  I hope that you can see the good side of the pageant system. We are NOT toddlers and tiaras - we are intelligent and beautiful women who aspire to change people's lives and volunteer for organizations that mean something to us!

That is what Miss Arkansas is about.

Enjoy the pictures!!!!

Me with my camera - all week - I thought that this was appropriate for the blog!

Katie Stam, Miss America 2008, our Emcee for the evening!

Me with Alyse - I ended up winning Miss Congeniality... I was shocked!

Miss Arkansas 2011, Kristen Glover

 

My sister and I, Molly Anne!! She is amazing!

Kathryn, me, and Allie at the Autograph party - we had a blast!  Red Velvet and Cream Cheese sandwich (our hair)

I love these 2 girls - Rianne and Ashley - love my SAU girls!!!

my best friends for life - the EEE's check out the pledge Classes that love me!! :)

My sister Molly Anne with some of her pledge sisters - supporting me!! I love it!

My fake Cousin - but I love her!! Love you Lauren!!!

Cousins all around! I love the Mafia!

The 700 club.  Gotta love it!

Jessica decided she wanted to crown me - she was so precious i wish we would have gotten this on video!

The mafia - or some of it!!!

At practice Saturday morning - I told you it was a rough practice!

TOP 10!!! wooo - 

Lindsey Ahrens, Bethany Whitfield, Lauren English, Somer Allen, Sloane Roberts, Candace Carr, Kristen Glover, Simone Mullinax, Tracey Neal, and Amy Crain

On the bus headed to the mall for the autograph party!

Princesses and their queens!!!!

My friends with me at the mall day!

Katie Stam - Beautiful!

Favorite contestant - or one of them!!! we look like twins kind of!

Backstage - last night!! with one of our dancers!

again with brick! love her!

Had to throw this one in - I love Meagan!!!!  

Hope you have enjoyed my blog!  Check out the YOutube video!!! at

http://youtu.be/1hgkg8BqpHw

Abby