I will run the race.... Hebrews 12:1-3

So today was interesting....Aside from the usually "Sunday" stuff, church, lunch, etc. I got home and decided to run. I have been praying about it for several weeks after a conversation with Renee', asking the Lord if this was really something He wanted for me and that I wanted bad enough for myself. I started this past Wednesday thanks to two dear friends of mine, and I honestly thought after 2 years it would be miserable and I would quit.

Well, Wednesday I ran and about died, but I did make it to the 1.3 mark. Thursday I did as well, and Friday I made it 1.4 but I was feeling very dizzy and tired. Someone told me that I really need to be careful not to hurt myself, so Saturday I took a break and didn't run. I was thinking this was it, I may not do it anymore.

This afternoon I convinced myself to get up a go again with some borrowed shoes, much better than my old ones, more water in my body, and some motivation from out of no where. My goal was just 1.5, and I planned to walk some if I needed to.

Once I started, I noticed I was not getting tired at the half mile like usual. I kept going. And going. And GOING. Okay, anyone reading this that runs like 10, 15, 20 miles.... I know this may not sound like much...but for me, it is a big deal. I told myself I would never run unless something was chasing me! And look, nothing is chasing me! Woohoo! I got to 1.8 miles and decided since I still had all this energy, and I didn't want to overdo it like Friday, I would sprint. I sprinted the last little bit and stopped at 2.1 miles! You do not even know the amount of excitement that was flowing in me at that moment. I could have passed out-but the good kind, like the same excitement I had when I got my car, or when Renee' told me I was active in KT, or when I found out I was going on a roller coaster trip... that kind. It was just exhilarating!!

While running, I was able to see God's beauty, talk to Him, ask Him questions, worship Him, more than I ever have been in a while.... And something he reminded me of.... Out of all the beauty and glory I was experiencing, He created me to be even more than that!

Have you ever stopped to think of that? How we are even more precious to Him than the trees, the stars, the sun, the wind in our hair....ANYTHING. We are PERFECTION. His masterpiece! How COOL is that???

I say that I accomplished something cool for me today, not to say I am awesome at all. I am nothing. But to say THANK THE LORD He is using running to teach me and grow me in Him, and that I am growing such a wonderful passion. I understand not everyone enjoys running, but I truly feel it will be a blessing for me! Even when it gets hard-as I have been told it will-He has placed runners in my life and just friends in my life that are so encouraging.

Today was beautiful. Simple as that. And I am so excited!! I want to be running a half marathon sometime in the next year....That may be long and not as easy as 2, but hey....Let's do it!

Saw on a meme today... "I run. I am slower than a herd of turtles stampeding through peanut butter...but I run." Better slow than not at all. I thought this was accurate and funny. :)

"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. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up."
Hebrews 12:1-3