Running the Race Before Us

Flashback to December 10, 2019:

I got the email with this photo in it from the St. Jude Run a few days prior~ they wanted to know if I want to buy it 😂

No thanks !! 😬 I look a little distressed and extremely worried .
(I did buy one the first year I did the 5K though – it was a little a much better pic ! )

Anyway, when I moved up to the 10k from the 5k I didn’t pay attention to the training videos they send us.

I thought I knew what I needed to do-
I just knew I had to get up to 6.2 miles so I tried to increase my mileage from my regular 3 miles and do a little more every time I ran. My knees were not happy !

This year I tried to work smarter and be more “coachable” by watching the videos and doing a long run ONCE a week instead of 3 times per week! Lesson learned .

I also ran some hills with my sole sista, Carol.

I’m even listened to my sweet hubby (a little 😜) when he told me to hold my shoulders back when I ran.

I did much better in 2019 than in 2018, cutting a little over 7 minutes off my time and the huge hill on the South Bluff of Riverside Drive that almost got me was not that bad at all this year!

When I run I have lots of time to think (and talk/ listen to God).

Here’s something I’ve thought about:

I want to be “coachable” in all areas of my life, willing to listen to people who have been successful in endeavors that I’m attempting.

Once someone has achieved a goal they can give better advice and help others get there than those who have not so I listen and try to glean ideas.

A lot of times I’ve been slightly closed to ideas that I didn’t think were relevant for me, like JT telling me to hold my shoulders back bc he doesn’t run 🙄 but he does see me run.

I love Hebrews 12:1 and it’s perfect for the St. Jude races (and life).

“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… “

There are thousands of people on the streets watching, some are cheering us on, some Not. It’s the same in life …It’s nice to have people cheer you on but it’s not necessary to finish strong.

Some runners take off jackets and other outerwear and throwing it off to the side of the street as they start running bc they want to have only the essential clothing on. Serious runners might train with extra weight but they don’t want to run the race with it.

The run emcee that started us reminded us to check our shoelaces before started so we wouldn’t trip!! And she reminded us to watch the road and uneven pavement.
I stumbled a little because I didn’t see a little raised piece of asphalt but thankfully God kept me from falling. 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

After we ran through the hospital campus (which is epic!!) the 5 & 10 k course split.

That may have been why I had that look on my face 😳! I was watching along the course to make sure I didn’t miss the 10k turn!

I HAVE to develop perseverance to run the race marked out before me by God. He has used trials in my life and business to teach me how to persevere through tough times as well as disappointments and keep moving forward.

The biggest things I can control on my journey is my attitude, my activity and the pace of that activity.

Speaking of pace, when I started running I was walking a little, running a little and pushed myself to run a little more than I walked because, I realized that walking is slower and I don’t like going slow. It’s just going to delay me in getting to my destination.

Even if I jog it’s faster than walking so I don’t walk now until I cross that finish line.

For me running isn’t about winning. I’m not fast. For me it’s about running your race, doing your best, trying to beat your own time in your race.

This may be my personal best. I’m usually running a 11-13 minute mile these days…only time will tell.