I Press On!!
October 30, 2010...I will never forget that day as long as I live. I have been training, running, getting in shape for what was to be my first half-marathon. In other words, I was paying someone for the opportunity to run 13.1 miles. Several people have told me during this time that I was crazy for doing it. (there were times...many times...I would say that I agreed with them!)
Saturday turned out to be a perfect day. The temperature for the race in Greenville, SC at the start was 45 degrees. Perfect for a fresh morning run! As we lined up (all 1304 of us), there was a feeling of excitement in the air...and butterflies in my stomach. I had never run this far. In all of my training, 10 miles was my longest run. As I stood at the start of the race I began to have all kinds of thoughts: "did I train enough? can I really do this? WHAT was I thinking? Is that popcorn I smell?"
As we started the race, people cheered, rang cowbells, and clapped as we ran. After we ran about 3/4 of the first mile we were introduced to what this race was about...HILLS! As I continued to run, I began to pray two things: "Lord, help me to run my own pace, and Lord, please help me to never walk a step while I run this distance." I continued to run...and run...and I think I saw Forrest Gump pass me...and run. Hill after hill, mile after mile.
As I turned at the last street intersection, I heard a wonderful sound: "Hey Daddy!!! Woo-hoo!!! Keep going, you are almost there!!!" I looked and there was Traci, Kalie and Jaret yelling and cheering me on! What a great feeling! I can't explain the feeling of accomplishment when I crossed the finish line! Then I had a thought...what next? And I remembered my prayer...
- "Lord, help me to run my own pace" -- One thing I tried to focus on during my race was to run at my own pace, and let the gazelles of the world fly on by me. That got me thinking - How am I running my Christian race? Am I trying to compare myself to others, worried about where I am serving, or something else along those lines? I am reminded that my standard for comparison is Jesus, and I always fall short. (Romans 3:23) So instead of comparing my pace to someone else, Lord help me to remember I am running for you...
- "Lord, please help me to never walk a step while I run this race" -- The Apostle Paul had a phrase he used to the Phillipian church as he was nearing the end of his earthly journey. He was tired, exhausted, and had been running his race for a long time. Still, in spite of all the struggles, trials, and hardships, Paul said to them, "... I press on." (Phil. 3:12) Then, two verses later, he says, "I press toward the goal..." Lord, in this Christian race, just like this past Saturday's half-marathon, help me to keep running, to press on, when I am tired, weary, and ready to quit.
May you and I both keep running the race, at our own pace, in our own place!! Keep it up...you can do this!! And who knows?...there may even be a full marathon in my future!!! (...just don't tell my wife...or my knees.) :-)
See ya...I gotta run!!
