15K Race Recap

In preparation for running my first half-marathon, I ran a 15K race as a dress rehearsal to see how the past three months of training is paying off, and to see if I'll really be ready to tackle 13.1-miles in a couple of weeks.  The evening before the race I bowed my heart before the LORD in prayer and asked Him what He wanted to teach me this time out.

As I quieted myself before Him, I heard Him say, "What is the date tomorrow?"

"May 5," I answered.

Then He asked, "How far is the race?"

"15K."

Then it clicked...May 5 = 5-5; and I'm running three 5K's = 5-5-5.  There is great significance to the number 5.

The number 5 is the Biblical number for GRACE, and with the date and the three 5K's, it comes to five-fives.  Then I heard Him say, "I am leading you into a season of grace, and you will experience grace multiplied."

WOW!!

I actually got a decent night's sleep.  The weather was perfect for running, and the route was beautiful.  I was feeling good at the start line.  I headed to the back of the pack not wanting to get run over by more aggressive racers.  My goal was to just cover the distance; it didn't really matter how long it took or if I came in last.

BANG!  We started.  My strategy was to continue my 3/4-mile run and 1/4-mile walk intervals throughout the race.  I'm using the RunKeeper app on my iPhone to keep pace, and I also have a prompt set to tell me where I am every 30 minutes.  The first 30 minute prompt told me that I was 3/4-mile ahead of my regular pace.  I felt great!  I kept going.  The next 30 minute prompt I was even a bit farther ahead of my pace, and at the third prompt I was almost a full mile ahead.  I was indeed experiencing grace in this race!  I did start feeling fatigued during the last two miles and walked further than I should have.  I'm still learning how to conquer the self-doubt and negative thoughts that creep in when my body is tired...something all runners struggle with.

I rounded the last corner and saw the finish line, and I was shocked when I saw the time...I finished 22 minutes faster than I thought I would (even though I was the last one across the finish line).  I was a bit tired, but I felt great, and the finish line cookies were awesome.  It really doesn't matter that I came in last.  A "dead last finish" is better than "did not finish" which trumps "did not start."

13.1-miles--BRING IT ON!