Who Knew I Like to Run??

It all started about 2 months ago. Some friends of mine were talking about running the half-marathon. My first thought...they are nuts...that does not sound like 'fun' at all. I only run from bees that I am terrified of and I would run if someone was chasing me with a knife, but other than that...don't do it. Thirteen miles sounds like torture....and why would you pay money to run in a race that you know for sure you can't win?

Later that day, I thought about what I had said/thought....and was completly embarrassed by it. Yes, I am competitive. This is a trait that has driven me and pushed me and I wouldn't want to take that out of me...however, what I wanted to change about myself was that I can work towards a personal goal that is not about striving to be the best, but striving to be the best that I can be. Okay, that sounds like an army infomercial......

I decided that I was going to start training. I have been running for a month now. The first time I jumped on the treadmill just to see if I could even run...I ran 3 miles...and then we had the Saturday run of 4 miles around downtown. At about 3 miles, I wanted to quit. Every bone and muscle wanted to stop, but my friend, Melaney that was running beside me wouldn't let me quit. And I didn't and it felt so good! You would have thought that I had already run the marathon. A girl that was running with us told me good job and I just started to tear up. I was just so proud to be a part of something that was going to push me and make me work towards a goal and I was going to do it. My friends have inspired me and encouraged me. And when I am out there running in the freezing cold (18 degrees to be exact) and my eyelashes freeze, and when the rain beating down on my face cools me down, when there is snow all around me...it is awesome. It is awesome because God has given me this body that can be pushed like this and He has blessed me immensely. I have seen beautiful sunrises, a family of deer cross the road right in front of me, 1o geese three feet away from me not move an inch when I ran by, a gorgeous lake surrounded by glistening white snow. I can't run without giving Him praise and worshiping Him.

We are running 6 miles this weekend!!! I encourage you to try something you don't think you can do.