running in the rain

I woke up this morning to rain dripping outside my window. This immediately put me in a bad mood - I had wanted today to be my long distance day, but I did NOT want to slush 15+ miles through water drenched roads. I fell out of bed pretty disgusted and walked around aimlessly. 

As I was stretching, it stopped raining, so I figured my chance was coming. My window of opportunity to at least get in a few miles without getting spouted upon by the wrath of Poseidon that had been pouring down the last three days. 

I started out and everything was great...I passed another runner and I was feeling strong. The end of mile one was fast approaching and suddenly out of the sky a torrential downpour was unleashed. What could I do? I was a mile away from home and I had already fell into my groove. So I kept running. By the end of mile two, I was completely drenched. By mile three I was ready to throw in the towel, but the towel was wet.

All I could think of was my promise to myself to never run less that five miles. I hate that commitment I made to myself sometimes. So I pushed out mile 4, 5, and almost 6. 

When I got done I was so grateful that I can do this: that I can run and not be weary. That I CAN make it through the storms. Whether during the run or in life - this journey that God has brought me into has strengthened me physically, mentally, and spiritually. Thanks Lord, for the encouragement and the reminder that I can do all things through You: that I can overcome by Your Spirit. 

running fool

alot of my friends, even my parents and the rest of my family fail to understand my addiction to running. sometimes i don't even understand it myself. it is something that has taken over me and my lifestyle. im sitting here right now, typing this up and my legs are sore from the exertion of 44 miles this week - 24 from running, 20 from biking this morning. how do i know that i will wake up in the morning with a desire to run? because i just do.

This is my dream... this WILL happen this November... 26.2 miles will not beat me.


http://route66marathon.com/

New running shoes! They are so comfortable... only 8.9 oz and running in them feels like you're flying. Definitely some of the best money I ever spent.

Runner's High

My eyes closed, my lungs heaved, my legs shivered from two hours of constant exertion. I walked in circles with my hands over my head, trying to get some of that precious blood down into my core and lower body where I needed it. An extreme feeling of elation flooded over me.  I had done it- I had run my half-marathon. All 13 miles of it.

When I started the semester, I had a goal. Actually it was more than a goal, I believe that it was the Spirit of God telling me to run. In the past, running had always been a solo time for me of getting a chance to pray and worship my Creator. I used to run under the stars, looking up at the constellations and praise the God that made such a beautiful universe. Even during the day, things like the bright blue sky, or just nature itself became a living testament to the existence of our Lord. 

When I started running this semester, all I could do was a half mile. My top speed was a 10 minute mile. Now four months later, I have accomplished a 13 mile run. I have dropped my 2 miles down to 14 min. When my legs are burning and my heart is pumping out on the track or on the street, I know that the Lord is filling His promise to restore me. That is the source of my will power and my strength.

I wanted to take a chance and share that with you, because it has inspired me over these four grueling months of training. Go live a life of power in Christ!