The only race I have ever trained for and ran is the Bolder Boulder. It's a 10K and it's every Memorial Day. I first ran it the year Tracy and I got married. There were 5 of us on our little training team and even though we didn't all finish together, I did have my partner Ephraim who encouraged me and kept me running for the entire race. The next time I ran it was this last year. I had a great team of friends who all had kids in 2005. We trained together and began the race together but we got separated along the way and I finished the race alone. It was tough going alone.
So when I had to make the decision this year whether to train and run I went looking for a training buddy. I've been going it alone this year but at the last hour Tracy decided to join me. He then injured his foot and I was alone again. It's tough to motivate myself to get out. I make excuses - the tire on Mattie's stroller is flat (true), I need to update my workout music on my I-Pod (true), I am too busy (true), and I NEED TO RUN WITH OTHERS! You know though, I am still running and making progress. It's not how I like to run but I'm out there.
I find this is very true in my spiritual life, too. When I am not with others who are like-minded, willing to run and challenge me, I get sluggish and make excuses not to study God's Word or challenge myself to know the Truth. We need to surround ourselves with people who are running, some who are older and have run the race longer and some who have just begun and need motivation to continue on. Let's run together, it's so much better than going alone.
Side note - last night we had peas for dinner which are NOT Ellie's favorite. After she finished her 10 peas, she told Tracy, "I asked God to help me eat my peas and He did!"
3 comments:
Christy,
Got your email yesterday about your blog...so I checked it out today and loved reading this post! Running with the girls last year was one of the highlights of my life; I learned so much about myself, both physically and spiritually, like you said. I never really connected with (the apostle, not my husband) Paul's many illustrations of "running a race" until last year. And yes, that running is so much better WITH OTHER PEOPLE! This past year, I've had to do a lot of running on my own--ironically, again, both physcially and spiritually. And, while I am excited b/c I have, for the most part, stuck with it, I am also so eager to have running partners again. Anyway, I've got a new friend (Renee) from our new church who's committed to training for a sprint tri with me this spring/summer. She had a baby 3 mos ago, so she's just now getting into the swing of things. And Katie O. is working her way up to it, too. So hopefully it will begin again (for you, too)!
One last thing--I'm running the Bolder Boulder again this year, with Renee and a friend from MN. Feel free to run with us, if you like! Although we all know that you are speedy and you end up taking off ahead! :)
I hope you are fabulous...sorry we have lost touch. I am finally coming out of my own personal winter and things are filled with hope again...
Whether we're close, or far away, I'm running with you sister. Thanks for joining my blogging world, it's a much easier forum for me to stay in touch. I love you.
Kacey
Amen Christy,
I am getting back into running now after having Nathan. I, like you are always looking for someone to run with. My sister Meg was close for the last three years and we "spurred" each other on to run. Now that she is gone I feel an incredible void. David has been supportive of me, but I am alone. I am praying for someone to kick my butt!! I appreciate your insight!
Ingrid
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