Conquering the Hills - Benchmark Race #2

Saturday was race day - the Governor's Cup 8K. I ran this race last year, so I knew I was in for a challenge. The 5 mile route is hilly, with some nice downhill sections but also some uphill treks. Last year, I didn't know what to expect. I hadn't previewed the course, so I didn't know about mile 4. Mile 4 is the runner's arch nemesis, a steep prolonged incline at the end of the course. Already tired from the previous miles, mile 4 is a test of wills to see how badly you want to make it to the finish line. Last year, I didn't want it bad enough. I was exhausted and gave in, walking my way through the final mile and feeling utterly defeated. This year, I wanted redemption badly, and I wanted to conquer the defeat of last year and wanted to finish strong.

As I prepared for Saturday, that hill was in the forefront of my mind, the daunting challenge awaiting me at the end of the race. I knew it was coming; I was ready for it this time... or so I thought. I started strong, but made sure to conserve energy. I coasted through mile 3 and summoned my resolve for hill 4. As I started up the incline, though, my calves started burning, my legs started aching. Others around me were walking. Fatigue was setting in. Doubt was setting in. And before I knew it, I was thinking about giving up, again.

But I didn't. This time, my resolve was firm. I wanted it badly. I focused on the finish line, even though I couldn't see it. I thought about how often I give up and give in to doubt or choose to settle for less than God's best. I want more out of life that that, even when it requires sacrifice, even when it hurts, even when I can't see the end in sight. I want to trust that God has good things in store, that He is glorified in my efforts when I give my all and trust Him to sustain me, to strengthen me, to see me through to the other side.

I finished strong yesterday, and I learned something about myself in the process. I also experienced again God as Sustainer and Provider, the one who gives strength to the weary who press on toward the prize.

Please pray for me as I continue on this journey to the half. from here on out, I will be pushing my limits and my distance. I have never run further than 5 miles. I am venturing into unfamiliar territory and daunting distances. But I so want to glorify God in my running and in my training. Pray that I will be disciplined and available and for warmth during cold runs. :)

Have a great week!

ELP

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

“Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?”

Sometimes I stare into the mirror and seek validation. I want to see me at my best, all my effort and all my strengths. I try to block out all the blemishes (and freckles), all the mismatched clothes, all the parts of me that I don’t like. The mirror doesn’t lie, good or bad; it doesn’t take sides or flatter. It just reflects what is really there.

I wish what I saw looking back at me was less of me and more of Christ. I wish that was the reality in my life, more of His joy, more of His peace, more of His love. I wish when people looked at me that they would see more of Him. I wish I didn’t get so caught up in my life, my wants, and my frustrations. I want a heart that mirrors His, a life that reflects Him and His glory.

This training has been part of God’s chiseling process in my life. The desire to run this race began with the passion to do something more, first as Carolyn’s passion then as mine. We both have the desire to raise money for Samaritan’s Purse, and even more so to offer our running as an offering to God, a way that we can glorify Him with the desires of our heart.

There have been many times in my life when the desires of my heart have not honored God – times when I have been completely selfish and sinful and closed off to the people around me. There have been times I have intentionally closed my eyes to the needs of others and sat on the sidelines versus getting involved in what God was doing or might want to do in or around me.

When I went to Nicaragua this summer, I was so completely uncomfortable not letting it be about me, and so completely inadequate to respond to the overwhelming need around me. God did some amazing things there but I still felt on the sidelines, not sure how to respond or what to do. I think about that even now, the needs that exist everywhere, and so often I close my eyes and my heart. I want to open my eyes and my heart – I want to see and to care. I want to be different.

And so I run. And I run with purpose, to glorify God and to help those in need. I choose to support Samaritan’s Purse because they not only see those needs but they work all over the world to meet those needs in Jesus’ name, with disaster relief, fighting sex slavery, providing drinking water, reaching out to the poor and the needy, sharing God’s love and His truth.

The running is slow going, particularly in the cold. I ran five miles yesterday to get ready for the Governors’ Cup 8K next Saturday. Then I proceeded to get sick for the rest of the day. Ugh. Please pray for me and for Carolyn and for the others running with us. Pray that God would be honored in our running and our training. Pray that as He prepares us physically for this race in February that He would prepare us spiritually for all that He has in store for us. And pray that as we raise awareness and support of Samaritan’s Purse that we would all open our eyes and our hearts to those in need around us, that we would be mirrors reflecting the love and the truth of Christ.