Tag Archives: faith

Mile 13.1

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What does Mile 13.1 looks like for you?

For years, I didn’t understand the number bumper stickers people slapped on the back of their cars. 13.1 or 26.2 (or even higher). The day I walked in the running store to meet up with my first run group, I understood. I understood 3 things.

1. Running is VERY hard work.

2. People take (a lot) of pride in their distance.

3. People run for completely different reasons, like health, strength, endurance, peace of mind, organize their thoughts… they run for charity, raising money for a great cause, run to clear our heads.

I started running to cope with a very difficult time in my life. There was nothing that could keep my from crying, so the only way I would stop for 30 min is if I was running. So I started running every day. This was the only time of day that I was forced to think happy thoughts… if I didn’t, I was forced to walk.

And one day, everything that made me cry for months, just didn’t matter anymore.  That’s when I understood the power of running. Not only was I in better shape than ever before (even though I’ve always loved the gym!), I knew my own strength. I made decisions I’d been afraid to make before and stood up to people I’d be afraid of, because of the confidence I’d gotten during my runs.

That’s what Mile 13.1 means to me. It’s been a journey of almost 2 years, and I’m a completely different person. This is why I love to run.

Like Minded Friends

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 ”Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. When you are seeking to bring big plans to fruition, it is important with whom you regularly associate. Hang out with friends who are like-minded and who are also designing purpose-filled lives. Similarly, be that kind of a friend for your friends.”

- Mark Twain, was an American humorist, satirist, lecturer and writer; most noted for his novels Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

The world is full of people that tear you down, but one thing that I’ve learned in the past year is to invest in the relationships that build me up. Sometimes I feel guilty because this means that I’m not taking the time for people that I feel like I should be investing into, but then I remember the way they’ve torn me down and tried to “ belittle [my] ambitions”.

And this makes me sad. I want to share the joys of my present life with those who’ve shared my life with my in the past,  but that’s just not possible. I want to share my successes and growth, but that’s simply not in the cards right now.

And I’m sure I’m not the only one. It’s time to cleanse our lives from negative people. These are the only things I’m allowing in my life:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things” (Phil 4:8 New International Version).

So today I choose to focus on the truth of who I am. Someone who is strong and determined. Someone who is choosing positive people in my life, and surrounding myself with purity, things that are lovely, and excellence.

I do this because I want to be strong, healthy and happy.

Discipline for training

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I’m afraid this post isn’t as inspiring as some of my others… I’ve been incrediably lazy all week, and haven’t run since Tuesday. I did the bike for 30 min and then weights on Friday, and by Monday, I was incrediably guilty. So I ran 4.67 miles in 50 minutes. It’s really not a great run, but I’m just proud to be running that distance. It’s going to take some serious work to reach my goal of 45 minutes for my Neptunes Fest on October 1st! I’m hoping to be running with some friends, so that will make me run faster… I hope!

If I’m going to reach my goal of running the half-marathon in March, it’s going to take a lot of work. It doesn’t matter if it’s raining or I don’t feel well. I still need to get out there and get my exercise in. I’m still going to take care of my body, but I’m going to start being relentless about working out EVERY DAY. Maybe I’ll get two REST days a week, but none of this FOUR rest days that I took last week. Running isn’t fun for me, and it’s definately not easy, but I feel wonderful when I’m done, and I know that I’m going to reach my goal.

I’m strong, and I know that through Christ I can do anything. He tells us to ”run with patience (endurance, persistence) the race set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith … For consider Him that endured … lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” (Heb 12:1-3)

 – the need for endurance is obvious; the focus of our vision; keeping the rules; self-discipline; and the desire and determination to win. If we lack in any of these areas, we will become vulnerable to defeat and failure.

In every area of my life, I want to be disciplined, in my eating, quiet time with God, and maintaining my school… so this training is a glimpse in my overall disciple.
As I’m able to be disciplined in every other area of my life, I  will be able to be disciplined enough to prepare for the Shamrock Half-Marathon in March.