It was a difficult 17 Miles with few hills, parking lots, back and busy roads. My body wanted to quit at Mile 9 while I was wishing for 20 Miles. Everything hurts. My hips down to my toes felt heavy. Talking to myself and listening to music helped me to keep going. Only 3 more miles to make my wish come true but I am at peace and satisfied with what I accomplished today. I enjoyed my snacks and pauses. There’s really nothing to whine about, it was a beautiful day! Thank you, Lord!
What do you think about when you run? I think a lot of my childhood. Most of it is sad. Thankfully, I did not end up to be an angry person. I have forgiven. I have chosen peace. My life is blessed, I am content.
Maybe I cannot totally forget because it affected my self esteem growing up, but as I got older I realized its positive impact. It strengthened me. It lightened my perspective in life. It guided me in decision making.
My faith has a lot to do with who I am, what I become and what I hope to be while living.
It could have been hard to love, to do what is right and to conquer all the good things that God laid out for me if I didn’t know how much I am loved. He loves me first.
These reckoning resulted after a good run and I posted these thoughts in my running community which probably is not the place to share, and with no intention to preach.
When running allows me to have peace, meditate, to be grateful, to realize how many times I rose above hardships, renewed with a positive spirit which benefits not only myself but also the people around me, I think it is worth the share.
Without judgment, I love to hear people’s stories, their outlook in life, the battles they’ve won or lost, how they overcome and what brings them joy.
Running is meditation. A time to connect with myself. To discover. To praise. A privilege in its simplest form to enjoy my life, my alone time.
If you manage to read this whole post let me tell you that your life matters and you are loved.
God bless you! I hope you have a great weekend. Enjoy your life.
Carpe Diem!
Chelle
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
It is my dream to do a 50K this year. I found one for October but with our child’s school concert, signing up won’t be happening. She only has three concerts left and next year she will be in college.
So, last week I was able to run my first 50K . It was enough to make me happy. The plan was to get 20 Miles. I started on the road, but as soon as the fog cleared out I headed into the woods. I skipped the trail that leads to the deepest part of the forest. It creeps me out being there without the sight of the road down below or the glistening sign of the lake. I won’t mind if I have company but working nightshift and not having a regular schedule is hard for me to make arrangements for.
It was challenging. I thought of my running friends who worked/ing so hard for their goals and achievements. I thought of Christ’s forty days and forty nights in the desert. I am not Him but for one day, with hydration and nutrition, the faith and courage, I knew I could make it. I thought of my Dad, that day was his 16th death anniversary. I couldn’t dedicate that 50k challenge for him because deep inside of me, the struggle and testing was purposely intended for myself. I thought of my husband on how he could easily picked me up if I ran on the road. It was hard. I started listening to music which lessened the misery and helped me to keep going. I also thought of how hikers get lost and not found. Could it be from disorientation or hallucination resulting from dehydration and hunger? I talked to myself too as a self check, “The leaves are green and some are yellow”, “It’s a stick, not a snake!” “Those are roots, not snakes.”
I got done at 32 Miles in less than 8 hours. As soon as I reached my car, I sat down (my legs and body were shaking) and took a few selfies, grabbed a drink and a handful of candy, called home to let them know I was done and ordered pizza so I could pick it up on my way home, and drove off…. then I realized I forgot to stop my watch. I don’t like it when I do that especially for my first ever longest distance. I wanted to keep the exact record. Thankfully, I captured my watch (during selfies) that shows its time and distance I finished.
Until now, I am finding it crazy how I resorted to running for mental/overall health but then tired myself out physically and mentally. I know fellow runners understand what I mean. I think we are just a bunch of weirdos.
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, Romans 5:3-4
I finally made it to join a running club. It is one of the exciting events I have done in my life. I am used to (and still love) to run on my own. This is one of our group runs at night.
Jotting Down Grace 