Run Hard and Run Strong

I've been reading a book by Lisa Bevere, Lioness Arising. The message in the book has encouraged me as well as challenged me to the core.  It's the reason I chose a photograph of a lioness running to illustrate this blog.

Lionesses are master hunters; however, they are not fast runners.  Their prey can easily outrun them.  As lionesses hunt, they are strategic, purposeful and intentional.  They patiently stalk their prey in a crouched position ready to pounce at the right time.  Lionesses also work as a team to coordinate the kill. What I found interesting is that although they are confidently strong and powerful, lionesses are not very fast.  As I was pondering this I heard the LORD say, "Run hard and run strong.  Run with purpose and intention."

Notice, He did not tell me to run fast.  I just need to run with full effort and to stay focused.

I can honestly say that in my training runs over the past few weeks I finish feeling like I could have done more.  I admit that I'm holding back.  I can do better.  Last night we (Dear Hubby and the two kids in a double jogging stroller) hit the trail as a family.  I meditated on this truth and challenge from the LORD to run hard and to run strong, and I felt very satisfied at the end of the 3.5 miles.  I probably could have done a bit better, but I'll give myself a 90% which is more effort than I was putting out in the days before.

My second 5K is this Saturday.

My First 5K--Race Recap

Well, I did it!  I finished my first 5K with an official time of 43 min. 7 sec.  3 min and 7 sec behind the goal I set for myself.  I'm disappointed because I know I could have done better, and I know exactly what went wrong.

The race got underway, and I was doing great past the 1-mile marker.  I kept running, and then I started looking for the half-way point.  The trail got super curvy, and I imagined that the half-way mark would be around the next curve.  It wasn't.  More curves.  Okay, so it'll be around this curve.  Nope.  This one?  Nope.  Each time there were just more curves, and I found myself getting discouraged, and I lost focus.  I stopped running and started walking.  Finally, I saw the half-way point and started to run again, and then I walked/ran the rest of the way to the finish.  I ran the last leg across the finish line.

I crossed the finish line one second ahead of the guy with the blue shirt.  Hey!  Who was that guy who ran the race in blue jeans?  Yep!  My Dear Hubby.  As we were waiting for the race to start he looked around and exclaimed, "I could run this with you!  Where do I sign up?"  So, he signed up, pinned the number to his shirt and ran the race with me in blue jeans and shoes he bought at Target about 15-20 years ago.  He gallantly and chivalrously allowed me to cross the finish line ahead of him.  He's a good guy!



Here's the icing on the cake...as we were driving home he said, "I think I'll start training and do the marathon with you."  YEAH!!



So, the next morning we bought him some real running shoes, anti-friction socks and running shorts, and now we're on this adventure together.



What are you capable of?

We are all in a process of discovering what we're capable of.

Many years ago I prayed and committed to the LORD that He could use me in any way He wanted.  I made a similar vow to Him that "I will go where You send me.  I will do what You ask me."  I prayed this prayer just prior to my first mission trip to Minsk, Belarus.  During one of the services, the leader gave an altar call and many responded.  She was leading worship and wanted to go down and pray for those who responded, so she said, "Rebecca, come up here and sing."  I immediately got out of my seat, took the microphone, faced the congregation and panicked, "I can't sing!"  I heard the LORD say to me, "You said I could use you any way I wanted."  So, I started to sing.  The poor keyboard player had a rough time trying to figure out which key to play as I switched keys constantly.  My performance was awful; however, people were blessed and God was glorified, and that's all that mattered.

Then the LORD called me to move to Minneapolis to help start a church.  I prayed this specific prayer, "LORD, you can use me in any way You want.  Just please don't make me work with the kids."  Yep!  I spent the next eight years leading the children's ministry.

Now, in this season, the LORD called me to run a marathon so He can reveal to me what I'm made of.  I don't even want to think about what He has in store for me once this odyssey is finished!

Why does God repeatedly ask me to do things that require me to work out of my weakness?  When will I get to do something that I feel comfortable and confident doing?  I recently found this quote, and it so beautifully answers these questions:

When I'm willing to work out of my weakness, there are more chances for God to show up and for the unexpected to happen.--Jason Gray

So, here I am, five weeks after I ran my first mile, about to run my first 5K, and I'm ready for it.  Having a race on my calendar really brought focus to my running days.  Each time I ran I went farther and faster than I planned.  I'm looking forward to experiencing what it's like to be in a race.



The thought of running a marathon is daunting.  I can't think about it yet.  No, I'm not being a Scarlett O'Hara ("I don't want to think about that now.  I'll think about it tomorrow.")  I just don't want to overwhelm myself, so I'm focusing on smaller goals leading up to the fulfillment of the big one. 

Many people have big dreams but never realize them because they never take the first step in fulfilling them.  I've often heard it said that no one wants to hear about what you didn't do.  I think people equally don't want to hear excuses about why you didn't even try.  So, that's the reason for this blog.  It's keeping me focused on my journey as well as accountable to anyone who happens to be reading this.

I'm not ready to run a full marathon, but I'm ready for the 5K, and the other races I have on my radar through the year leading up to the BIG RACE.

July 8, 2011--5K in Rochester, MN

July 30, 2011--5K in Wabasha, MN

October 22, 2011--10K in Mankato, MN

May 2012--Half Marathon in Rochester, MN

October 2012--Full Marathon in Mankato, MN

NEXT POST--5K Race Recap!!