Runnin', Sweatin', Prayin'

Saturday morning I met Jen, Jen, and Sandi for my longest run yet - 9 miles! I was in no way in the mood to get up at 7AM and go run outside, but I did! I forgot to turn on my GPS for the first little bit, but after about 1/4 of a mile I got it going. We ran from one end of the greenway to the other end and back, but that isn't quite 9 miles. We had to turn back around and run just a bit more, and turning around was NOT my idea of fun...Does anyone else hate that hill any more than me? I don't think so!

I had my music going loud and strong - I need more songs though...I had to start my iPod over once to cover the whole distance. It was a beautiful morning for running and there were several other people out - I even ran into a friend from high school who I found out is running the half too! Maybe we can train together sometime!

I took this picture on the way back - I thought it was so pretty the way the sun's rays were shining down. You can see I was a bit behind everyone at this point...I caught up though ;)

About halfway through the run, I started thinking about my spiritual race and how much symbolism there was in my running that morning. I started out behind all of my friends - I was working on my running app and music - distracted and got left behind a bit - that has happened to me a time or two spiritually as well...

Then, I caught up to the girls and even passed Jen for a bit. I couldn't help but worry about her though, so I kept looking back to check on her - when one of my brothers or sisters is struggling spiritually, I find myself worrying about them and sometimes spending extra time praying for them or checking in with them.

A little while later, Jen caught up with me and passed me. She could tell I was struggling a bit, so she encouraged me to run with her for a while. It helped me so much for her to stick with me for a while - spiritual encouragement works like this too!

I didn't run the entire time - There were times I had to slow down a bit and walk - this reminded me of the times in my life when I've been slowed down by trials and I just wasn't at my best.

There were times I really wanted to just sit down in the grass and stop - having the girls with me helped me to continue on just like having spiritual brothers and sisters does.

It was like I had my own little bible study while running down the greenway! This is where the "Prayin'" comes in because I want to finish my spiritual race just like I want to finish this half marathon - even more really!

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.