sixty five days

It's been a while since I wrote about running.  Not because I haven't been running - thank the Lord! - but because I don't want to bore you with the mundane ins and outs of my training.  Today I hit a road block. Partially physical, partially mental and a whole lot of spiritual.  

Last weekend I ran seven miles for the first time in well over a year.  Seven miles is the longest I've ever run.  Not a single step further.  Saturday I ran it seven miles in weather that was almost ninety degrees - and felt way hotter - not the best idea I know! I took it super slow and took lots of running breaks.  I looked back at my last years times and I ran 20-25 minutes slower.  It was kind of discouraging.  This year I've put in the time - I'm more dedicated and consistent then I've been with running. And yet I'm slower.

Then I take a minute to step back and think about my goal in running this race - it's not about this race at all!  As I was reading through my devotions - Made to Crave - I was reminded that none of the sacrifices or sore muscles is worth it when it's just for selfish reasons.  Each step I take is a thank you to my Father for creating me for a purpose, a rejoice that I'm healthy enough to run seven freaking miles, a declaration that I'm ever so slowly stepping away from worldly desires to choose Him, a time to connect and hear my Great Counselor .  None of these minutes, hours, weeks and months of work would be worth it for any other goal but to deny myself of my desires.  To say yes to Him.

"No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way."  -Hebrews 12:11

Now I'm sitting here so incredibly grateful that the Lord used my quiet time to remind me that I'm not running this race for a number on the scale, to fit in a certain size pants or to finish in a certain time.  Tomorrow as I set out to run a nice little jog around the block I want to make every step a song or praise.

Thank you for not giving up on me!

Thank you for showing me grace and direction.

Thank you for placing encouraging people in my life to remind me of truth.

Thank you sweet friend for reminding me that I am not where I was a year ago as a runner. 

Thanks for reminding me to step back and gain some perspective on where I've come from.  

Thanks for the laugh starting your encouragement with "remember that time you ran a 10k last year and threw up on the finish line...then crushed that time a few weeks ago."  

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."  -Hebrews 12:1

Thanks for reminding me that today I'm a little further along in this race that I was last year.


PS I'm SIXTY FIVE days from running a half marathon!!