Running has never been easy for me, but always a challenge! Especially when it comes to hills (I haven’t quite mastered those yet). It is in those moments, when running, that I am truly motivated by His Grace, and totally dependent upon His (God’s) Love for me! That, and an inspiring playlist (oh course)…
My 1st 5k, my husband and I came in last. We took our sweet time (with trucks patiently riding behind us picking up cones). That was my husband’s first and last race. For me, I just knew that if I ran one of those again – I wasn’t going to come in last (I didn’t like the way it felt – I was not prepared). I promised myself that, next time, I would train! I would be focused and ready! That was what I was standing on and that was what I was believing for. This 10 miler (DisneyRun/pictured here), almost proved too much for me! Was I ready? Had my training prepared me adequately?
Back Story: A few years ago while training for my 2nd half-marathon, I ended up in the hospital & was unable to run my race (I volunteered instead). After the incident, I began dealing with one health issue after the other (in and out of the hospital). As soon as I would began training, another setback. I was told that my running days were probably over. But God, I put my trust in Him! My Healer! And, I began to get stronger and stronger. In April (2022), I finished that, my first race, since the incident. I made it safely through training and finished a 10 mile race with my daughter and oldest son.
Important to note: There is nothing wrong with finishing last. Celebrate the win (you finished – and, I celebrate with you). Recently, I saw a video with an elderly man (I believe 100 years old) finishing a marathon, last. Hey! that’s quite an accomplishment (last or not)…. Respect!
C.S. Lewis once said, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
I have met some pretty incredible individuals along the way during these runs. In fact, I look forward to it!
The DisneyRun (10 miler): I knew I was coming back slower, and decided I would run towards the end in the very last leg/heat of the race. That, for me, was a big mistake because it meant that I would have to maintain the minimum pace or be swept up (meaning, I would not have been afforded the opportunity to finish the race). Forget about being last, I would not have even finished. Now that was pressure! There were people on bikes, and a bus riding behind us, picking up runners that lagged behind.
I looked back and the runners behind me were gone (swept up). If I was going to finish, I needed to stay focused. His grace carried me through, and His love was a bright light that guided me along the way! I finished! I crossed the finished line! I maintained the pace (and I was not last – inside joke between my husband and I). Over 11,000 runners finished that race (not sure of the exact number), but my son found out that my finishing time placed me faster than about 3,000 runners on that day. Wow! I was surprised. If I would have ran in an earlier leg/heat, I could have taken my time (and finished at my own pace). We agreed that the pressure that came from the bus, and the bike riders pushed me to finish quicker than I would have otherwise. That, and prayer (oh course). We plan to do it again next year (with our eyes set on the half marathon/13.1 miles). I will not be running in the very last leg (ha – too much pressure for a slow runner like me).
My journey back to health has been quite an adventure. I have lost nearly 70 pounds (with a few more to go), and I breathe much better now! My health has begun to improve. And, that was just what my doctor ordered!
A Word Of Encouragement: I don’t know what it is that you are believing for/dreaming about but I want to encourage you not to give up even though the road may not always be easy.
I decided to be transparent and to share my journey on this platform in order that it may encourage you to keep going, to keep believing, and to never stop dreaming a new dream!
I am a dreamer. I am a goal setter. And, I believe that you are never too old to set another goal, or to dream a new dream. So dream, and run “your race” with perseverance.
Scripture Reference: “Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 (The Living Bible)
My prayer is that this blog helps, motivates and inspires you all not to give up! Your best days are ahead! #BelieveIt #ReceiveIt and #WalkItOut
I love you, but God loves you more!
