Finding Value in Yourself

We all have a story. A story that defines who we are, who we will become, and who will we affect along the way. This is part of my story....

245 pounds was the number on the scale when I went to a doctor's appointment in the summer of 2000. I was seventeen years old and had just come back from a family vacation. As humiliation and fear come over me when I came out of the doctor's office to tell the news to my mom, I thought to myself, "How could I be this big? Where did I go wrong?" I sat next to her in a chair and cried. As I continued to cry, I began to compare myself to the people closest to me. My best friend in high school was a fit, athletic cheerleader with a killer body and over-confident personality. My twin brother was a statue of athletic strength and a somewhat popular boy at school. Who was I? I considered myself a nobody.

For as long as I can remember, I have always struggled to maintain a healthy image of myself. Over the past thirteen years, I have been on numerous diet plans, weight loss pills, exercise programs, and have seen a handful of doctors all in an effort to find happiness. I thought that if I could be "skinny" enough or "athletic" enough, maybe, just maybe, I could be comfortable in my own skin.

Well, everything I tried led to a complete and utter disaster. After every failed attempt to find happiness, I would get depressed and start experimenting with unhealthy habits. I became a smoker, an over eater, a binge drinker, a workaholic, a girlfriend of a loser, and ultimately a woman who had lost faith in everything.

In April 2008, my life was spiraling out of control. After a series of bad events that happened over the course of four months, I found myself in a Lowe's parking lot crying hysterically on my way to work one morning. As I sat there, flashbacks from that day at the doctor's office in high school came back to me and I began to feel despair all over again. Eight years later and I was still asking the same question and giving the same answer: Who am I? I am nobody.

Being young, I don't have a lot of life experience; however, I can share this with you: the journey to self discovery begins with connecting and believing in something bigger than you. It's finding a constant factor that you can rely on for strength when everything around you changes. For me, the feeling of being valued began by reconnecting with God and nurturing my spiritual life.

Over the past two years, I have completely changed emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mentally. Through prayer, fellowship, and the development of close relationships with family and friends, I have come to find out that I AM SOMEBODY. I AM VALUABLE.

With full confidence, I can finally say that I have a healthy image of myself. Do I look like Cindy Crawford? No. However, I have run four 5K's, a 15K, a 20K, and seven half marathons in the last year and I am currently training for the Chicago Marathon on 10/10/2010. I also have a great family and good group of friends that help encourage me along the way.

Metals from some of the half marathons I ran.

















Some of my clostest friends and I getting ready to run a 5K.




Don't let your happiness be defined as a number on a scale. Let your self image be rooted in a faith that allows you to achieve greatness.

Where Kris Was A Year Ago......

This morning I went on a training run with fellow tweep and friend, Corina (@txskatemom). After talking about her awesome running career and training plan for her NINTH marathon coming up in November, she asked me how long I have been a runner. When I responded with "Almost a Year", Corina looked at me with amazement.

This conversation caused me to reflect over the last year and the direction I am going in now, not just in running but life in general. A year ago, I really didn't have any big goals in life. That all changed when I saw my twin brother finish his first Sprint Triathlon. The sense of accomplishment he had on his face accompanied with the crowd had me questioning my physical abilities. When my brother crossed the finish line, I looked at my dad and told him that we had to get in shape.

Over the next four months, my dad and I trained for my first half marathon in Dec 2009. What an amazing experience to share with a parent!! I have not spent that much time with my Dad since he taught me how to drive over a decade ago. We got to reconnect on a different level. Running brought a whole new relationship between me and my dad.

After my first half marathon, I could not stop. Mostly because I didn't want to start from scratch if I decided to race again, but also because I was introduced to a whole new group of people I never interacted with before: RUNNERS. Generally, Runners are self motivated, positive people who offer others encouragement. It is addicting to listen to runners talk about their experiences and offer advice to you.

From January to May, I ran in six more half marathons and a 5K. Some say I went a little overboard (my roommate) and maybe I did, however, I discovered a lot about myself. I found that I can achieve outstanding things and that I am worthy of becoming great. The best part about this year is I have motivated others to believe in themselves. My hope is that I can continue doing that.

Looking forward, I'm currently apart of a team (http://www.prsfit.com/) and training for my first full marathon. I placed 10th overall female in a 5K I ran last weekend and almost died from amazement. I have never placed in ANY athletic event.

I cant wait to see what the next year brings.

Red Dirt Run of Honor-An Adventure in Enid, OK

For the last six months, fellow tweep and runner Glenn McDaniel (@mcdanielg) has been rallying Twitterverse to join him in the first annual Red Dirt Run of Honor-5K and Half Marathon in Enid, OK. Never being a fan of Oklahoma (sorry, my heart belongs to Texas) and not sure of how my body would feel after running the Heels and Hills Half on May 2nd, I committed to go support my friend Glenn as he was getting ready to embark on a new role for him: Race Director.

The race was set for Saturday, May 29th in Enid, OK. Knowing that I would have to leave Dallas a day before the event, fellow tweeps and runners Suann (@ladysuann) and Marci (@diva_marci) made hotel arrangement for us. Before this day, I was not committed to run this event, however, as I was packing my bag, I decided to grab all my running gear just in case I decided to run.

Enid is approximately a four hour drive from Dallas. As I continued to drive North on I-35 and listening to classic country on my radio, my gut was telling me that I should run. I called Marci as I pulled into Enid and told her that I had my running gear. Marci laughed and asked me if I told our running coach, Jeff Kline (@coachprs). Responding with a laugh, Marci knew that I had not talked about it with Coach Jeff and that there was no turning back from my decision. I was going to RUN IT OUT.

Glenn had arranged a nice pasta dinner for us and a few local runners at an Italian restaurant, Panevino's Friday night. Its always a joy when you meet a person from Twitter for the first time. Glenn and I have been interacting through Twitter for the past nine months by offering each other encouragement, cheering each other on before races, and building a virtual support system with other runners. After eating dinner, Suann, Marci, and I headed back to the hotel for some rest.


As the clock striked 5:30AM on Saturday morning, Marci was up and prepping herself for her third half marathon. We met Suann for breakfast and then the three of us headed to Woodring Airport. As we headed to the starting line, all three of us could feel the heat from the Oklahoma sky. To say the least, we knew that this was going to be a HOT ONE.


















Glenn started the race by recognizing current and past members of our armed forces. When the whistle blew at 8:00AM, close to 70 participants in the half marathon took off and headed down one of the most interesting courses I have ever experienced. The majority of the course was either red dirt or gravel. Unlike Dallas/Ft. Worth running events, the race took you through the country which is a nice scenic change. I am a fan of trail running and I felt comfortable the entire run.

One of the best benefits to this race was the volunteers and water stations. Glenn had strategically planned 10 aid stations armed with the most supportive, encouraging faces in Enid. Each time I stopped, there were cheers and praises given to all of us as we proceeded forward in the heat.

Around mile 5, I befriend a local runner named Kate. Being her second half marathon, Kate and I kept each other company for two miles before she decided to walk. After I hit the mile 10 mark, Glenn pulled up next to me in his car to ensure that I was OK. At this point, I was feeling great and kept on moving. When I hit mile 12, I turned off the heart rate alerts on my garmin and finished the race at a 9:45 pace.

Overall, I had a great experience. Glenn did a great job and worked very hard to conduct a well, organized race. Although it was hotter than a cat on a tin roof, I find that small, intimate races like this one brings more of a sense of community. This race was designed not only to remember the troops that have paid the ultimate price for our freedom, it was also benefited the extension of the Woodring Wall of Honor Project. All half marathon participants received dog tags as the finish medal. I felt very proud to be apart of such an experience and honored that my friend Glenn invited us to join him.




I would recommend this race to any runner. It was great to get out of city and enjoy a nice run through the country.

Holy Snackpacks...Im running the full enchilada

Oprah was right when she said, "Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it."

Tomorrow starts a twenty week training program for the biggest running challenge for me to date: my first full marathon. On October 10, I will be one of thousands of runners that will flood the streets of Chicago for the Chicago Marathon. Having registered for this race over three months ago, the intensity and reality of it all did not hit me until this week after a live podcast with my running coach (@coachprs on Twitter) and a few teammates. After we logged off, I sat back on my couch and thought to myself, "Holy Snackpacks, I'm really going to run 26.2 miles. Not only am I going to run it, I'm going to kill it."

I never considered myself an athlete. Growing up with a super star, athletic twin, no one (including myself) perceived me to have any athletic capabilities. With this mindset, I staggered through the last 10 years never having a consistent healthy lifestyle until a year ago.

In April 2009, I ran my first 5k and became addicted to running. I'm not sure if it was the sense of accomplishment or the race environment that grabbed my motivation, however, from that day on I wanted to become a runner. Since then, I have ran six half marathons, a 20K, a 15K, and two 5Ks.

After all the hard work, I can tell you this: Running is the best metaphor for life for ME. I am not the same person I was a year ago. The confidence I have in myself to achieve anything in life has significantly increased. My relationships with my family and friends has improved because I started to believe in myself. More importantly, I have inspired others to change for the better.

Reflecting over the past year and feeling like a completely new and improved Kris, I can only imagine what training for Chicago will be like over the next twenty weeks. I'm excited and full of anticipation.

The End Results

What are you trying to achieve? Honestly, at the end of the day, what are you ultimately striving to accomplish during your time on earth?

Have you ever stepped back and looked at the bigger picture? Have you ever stopped and asked yourself, “If all my hard work is being invested right now, what is the ultimate end result of my labor?”

Recently, I have been challenged with this question. No matter how much we work, how far we push ourselves, what is the final destination for everything we do in life?

Through prayer and fellowship, the answers to these questions have been given to me by several different people in very similar ways. After being challenged by family and friends, I have compiled a list of what I would like the fruits of my labor to bear:

1. Exhibits of Grace
My dog, Punky, is an obedient school drop out and can be difficult to control at times. She has been known to puke and urinate in my roommate’s bed, consume large amounts of chocolate and pairs of my roommate’s shoes, and she recently defiled my roommate’s TCU (her Alma Mater) flag. Needless to say, it is not an easy task to coexist with my dog. However, through all our issues, my roommate has not banished Punky from our apartment and furthermore, my dog is still alive. My roommate, Emily, calls on Grace to arrive every time my dog steps outside the boundaries.

Like Punky, we make mistakes and need Grace to come save us. Ultimately, I want my work to reflect a series of graceful moments that offer hope. We are given Grace everyday. My prayer is that I can capture the hope I receive and provide a catalyst for others to move in a positive direction.

2. Nurturing Relationships
We are designed to have deep, meaningful relationships with others that help foster our development as humans. For centuries, mankind has formed communities that offer people security, friendship, and love. When all else fails in life, we can count on certain relationships to help build us and supply us with strength to continue.

I am blessed to have a great community of friends and family. My hope is that all my hard work can benefit them in some shape or form.

3. Motivation for Others
“All true motivation is self-motivation in action.” Ultimately, I want my work to help unlock the potential in others. There are millions of us that don’t recognize how great we really are. Everyone has the keys to success. Sometimes, you just need the right motivator to point you in the right direction.

Gratitude Attitude

After attending an awesome service at church tonight, I was reminded on how we can experience Joy. Joy comes from the feelings of gratitude and thankfulness. When we rejoice in the things we have and take inventory of the blessings we receive, it can be hard to let negativity and fear rule our minds or hearts.

William A Ward is famous for asking this question: “God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?" Well, Have You?

Be Thankful for what you have. Be Thankful for what will come to you. Be Thankful for all you experience and have yet to live. Be Thankful for the people in your life and the relationships that keep you safe. Be Thankful for your health. Be Thankful for your career. Most of all, Be Thankful that you can experience Grace.


"The sky is grey and the light is far
The sea is a rage within my heart
I turn my sight to the crashing waves
I cry in the night just to be saved
I need eyes to be my guide
I need a voice that’s louder than mine
I need hope
I need You Cause I can’t do this alone
Grace I call Your name
Oh won’t Your smile fall over me
I’m cracked and dry on hands and knees
Oh sweet grace rain down on me
I need You grace
I pray for dawn a new day to live
I pray for mercy only Jesus gives
Though darkness falls and a million cry
I believe over all there’s a greater light shining for us"
Phil Wickham

Thanks Tanner :-)

What Makes Me Great?

As a recruiter, I am consistently trying to match job seekers to their ideal career path. Part of this process includes coaching potential employees on the methods of "up-selling" themselves to potential employers. One question that is constantly repeated in interviews is: "Why should an organization hire you?"

Never giving much thought about the question, I recently started to search for what my answer would be in broader terms. Let me put it to you this way: Have your ever stopped and asked yourself, "What Makes Me Great?"

TOUGH QUESTION.

Everyone has a different response. When searching for the answer, it is important to remember two key elements: 1) Your motivators 2) Your core values.

MOTIVATORS

What gets you out of bed in the morning? If your answer to this question is: the alarm clock, the kids, work, or my parents yelling at me, sorry...these responses are NOT truly why you choose to live life everyday.

We are all motivated by different things. If you are unclear on what truly moves you to achieve more in life, think about these questions:

1) What/Who is important in my life?

2) Why is what/who important to me?

3) How do I feel when what/who is safe and secure?


CORE VALUES

What makes YOU different? Everyone has a different value system that is prioritized based on environmental, relational, spiritual, emotional, and behavioral factors. The bigger question is: Have you ever listed your values and assigned them a ranking based on importance in your life? If not, I dare you to try. Trust me, its a lot harder than you think.

I encourage you to think and pray about the answer to this question,"What Makes You Great?" More than anything, you will probably find things about yourself you did not know.