Run with Perseverence...

October 4:

 

"...run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who completes in the games goes into strict training...  I beat my body to make it my slave..."  1 Corinthians 9:27  This is the scripture that kept running through my head on my most difficult miles, the ones where I wanted to quit.  And this one, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness for those who have been trained by it."  Hebrews 12:11  And of course, "Throw off everything that hinders... and run with perseverance the race marked out for us..."  Hebrews 12:1  Now these scriptures are used as a metaphor for "running" out our faith; but it really made me wonder why "running"?  The bible doesn't make specific references to certain exercises but it is clear that running is something that was familiar to these people. 

 

My journey began with a simple goal to run a 5K--nothing extreme by any means, but a lofty goal in my mind.  I have NEVER thought of myself as a runner.  I am not good at running.  I do not enjoy running.  I love exercise and I wanted something that would challenge me.  I picked a race and SIGNED UP (I chose WIU's alumni 5K and asked my best girlfriends to run with me).  I chose to do the "Couch to 5K" training program and I talked regularly with Liz & Sarah to hold me accountable and to get advice.  They are both runners--Liz was training for her 3rd half marathon and Sarah recently completed the Chicago marathon.  This was definitely intimidating! 

 

The training started out easy--they first several weeks were easy.  Even when I first had to run a mile that was easy.  Sometime around week 5 was when it got hard.  In my mind, I expected maybe a few "really hard" runs and that as my body adjusted it would get easier.  Well, the workouts are designed to get harder and push you.  Every work out was a challenge but I loved knowing that my body was get stronger and gaining endurance.  I had to shift my mindset to expect it to be "hard".  I completed each work out (3 or sometimes 4) every week.  I ran my "practice" 5K 2 days before race day--my time was slower than my goal of 31 min. 

 

I was very nervous the night before and morning of, but I kept telling myself to "trust my training".  I knew that I put in the work and that my body was ready, even if I felt differently.  Liz and Sarah were awesome--they were encouraging and reassuring.  Sarah was by my side every step of the race--she went at my pace.  At the end, both Liz & Sarah let me finish before them and praised me lavishly.  I finished--3.1 miles in 30 min 40 sec.  I was proud! 

 

When I finished this first race I was not sure if I would keep running.  I can't say that I "liked" running.  Liz gave me some good advice to get in three runs in the week following my race.  She also gave me lots of advice on running in cold weather (which I was apprehensive about).  I did run three times the following week and when Saturday came I decided to try a 4 mile run.  I did it and I felt great.  I noticed a change in myself that week--AFTER my race.  I no longer had to log the miles for my training, I was free to stop running but my body didn't want to stop.  My mind & my soul craved the running time.  I finally understood what people were talking about when they would say that they loved running.  It's still hard, but I feel proud of my accomplishment.  I have switched from only listening to music to running in silence at times and having some prayer time, listening to pod casts, and my absolute favorite--audio books!  I get so much more "reading" time while I complete my runs.  As the temperature has dropped it's very hard to run at 5:30 in the morning which was my established running time.  I have worked around this by running on the track at the Y, taking long runs on Saturdays while Marc is home, and even running when he comes home for lunch--the cold seems more bearable if there is a little sun shining!  It was in the weeks following my race that I started to think of myself as a runner.  I now see someone running and feel a small tinge of jealousy--something I NEVER thought I would feel! 

 

I will do more races--that I know for sure.  I will encourage others to run their first race--and hopefully I will get to run beside someone very soon as she completes her first race.  I will encourage my husband and kids to run because it is really that good.  If you are reading this and thinking that you would like to try running, here's my advice:  DO IT!  Take it slowly, find someone to hold you accountable, and find people in your life who will encourage you.  Marc was a CONSTANT source of encouragement.  He would ask me each morning as I got home how my run was and actually listen to the boring details.  He would help with the kids in the morning so I had time to shower.  He never minds taking over on Saturdays when I head out for an hour to run.  He encouraged me to buy warm running gear so I could keep running in the cold.  He was the face at the finish line, smiling and cheering me on, that I looked for.     

 



Before

 

After

PS--we had a fabulously fun homecoming weekend as always... much laughter and good food!  I'm glad the race was first thing in the morning so I could enjoy the rest of my day!