Love Endures



One of the many obstacles runners face during training is illness.  What do you do when you get sick?  I found out.  A couple of weeks ago I was hit with dizziness and overall fatigue.  I'm going to call it a flu, although I didn't have any respiratory symptoms and no fevers and no body aches.  Just really dizzy, and a dull ache developed in my right lower abdomen.  The ache progressively worsened over a week, so I called the nurse line at my doctor's office.  I was instructed to go to the emergency room.  Long story short, it was nothing serious (thank God!).  The pain was from a cyst on my ovary which went away on its own.  However, the dizziness persisted, and it was the night before my scheduled 7 mile long run.  I debated with myself about whether or not I should go or not.  I asked my husband what he thought, and he refused to tell me what to do.  Well, after some wrestling with God in prayer, I decided to go for it.  I was tired of always having reasons for postponing training.  Everything I read online about running while sick stated that it was safe as long as the symptoms were above the neck and no fever...which I qualified for.  So, with a pounding headache and scratchy throat I set off on my 7 mile run the next morning.  

The good news was that the temperatures were a balmy70+ degrees (in March!); however there were 30-45mph winds to contend with.  I trudged through the first two miles pretty well, but when I reached mile 3 I really got discouraged.  I wasn't feeling well, and I doubted my ability to make it through 4 more miles.  My husband, who ran with me that day, said, "The aid station is coming up."  I thought, "Yeah, if it's still there."  The last time I ran the aid station was packed up and gone by the time I got there.  Thankfully, we made it just in time.  The volunteer had just shut the door to his truck and was about to leave.  I drank some Gatorade and felt better.  I couldn't help but thinking about Jonathan being revived after having a taste of honey...sometimes sugar is good!

My husband and I set out for the rest of our run.  He had the map, so I leaned on him for directions through the labyrinth of trails in the middle of our course.  We went around a bend and came to a dead end.  We turned around and came to another obstacle.  After a bit my husband started to laugh as he realized he was holding the map upside down.  It's funny now...it wasn't then.  In any case we found our way back on course, and through the wind we made it to the end, and our 7 mile run ended up being 8.5!!

It was definitely challenging.  The scripture that came to mind as we were running through the fierce winds was

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

(1 Co 13:7)

My husband, who absolutely enjoyed the run, said to me, "I'm so glad you hear from God."  I answered that the only reason I'm running at all is because He asked me to.  I also know that it doesn't matter how long it takes to make it to the finish.  This is all about the journey, and I am convinced that if I could make it through this challenge I do have what it takes to complete the half marathon.

This Is The Year

This is the year!  This is the year that I will complete a marathon.

Looking back over my running log I realized that I haven't run regularly since September.  I ran a beautiful 10K race, and then got sick.  Got better.  Got sicker.  Got better.  My kids got sick, sleeping patterns were disrupted to the point that I was averaging 4-5 hours of sleep per night, and it didn't let up for weeks.  I was in a continual state of exhaustion.  My intention was to run the Lace Up Against Breast Cancer half-marathon on February 12.  I registered for it in November and had a good training plan figured out.  It wasn't until mid-January that my life returned to some sense of normalcy.

Weeks of no running.  Would I be ready to tackle a half-marathon?  I seriously doubted it.  I talked to my trainer who challenged me to try to get in a nine-miler and see how I felt.  Honestly, I had three weeks to train for the race, and it was a stretch to run 3.5 miles.  I made the decision to downgrade to the 5K race instead.  I wasn't selling myself short; I was being realistic.  I know that one big mistake people make when learning to run is doing too much too soon, and they usually end up injured.  As a mother of two small children, I owe it to them and to my husband to be wise in how I approach this goal.  So, I ran the 5K.

It was a chilly beautiful day.  Temperatures were around 20 degrees with a light wind and best of all--NO ICE on the trail!  That was my biggest concern.  I could handle the cold, but I didn't want to risk injury in icy conditions.  I joined with over 400 participants (combined with the half-marathoners and the 2-mile walkers), each one of us there for different reasons.  My reason was to keep up with my running goals, but the evening before the race I was praying and asking the LORD what He had on His heart for this race.  It seems that He usually has something to teach me as I'm going through this process.  He brought to my attention something so obvious.  I can't believe it didn't occur to me before, and I'm ashamed to say that the purpose of this particular race was completely lost to me as I was focused on myself.  The purpose of this race was to raise awareness of the fight against breast cancer, and there would be people there who were touched in some way by this horrific disease.  This Bible verse spoke what I believe was God's heart:

"So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in Him.  May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."  Romans 15:13 

At the registration table there was a special place for "survivors" to register.  I noticed that some wrote notes on the back of their race number bibs and pinned them to their shirts stating, "Running in honor of _____________."  For some the race was a celebration of triumphing over cancer; others were running as an act of mourning the loss of someone dear.  My reasons for being there seemed small and petty.  Nonetheless, as my husband and I ran we took the opportunity to pray for restoration of hope and healing for these dear people.

The race went well, and I'm ready for the next phase of this journey.  I registered for the Med City half marathon at the end of May and I joined a marathon training group.  The group meets for an education session on Tuesday nights and then for a group long run on Saturday mornings.  The first Saturday run was this past weekend.  Most in the running group are experienced marathoners.  I was the least experienced runner there.  No matter.  I know the paradigm transformation I'm undergoing.  When I got into my car to drive to the meeting place, the car filled with the presence of the LORD, and I heard Him clearly say to me, "This is really going to happen.  You're going to run a marathon."  I wept the whole way there.

The group took off running and the leader of the group, a woman in her sixties who has run multiple marathons, came alongside me and said, "That's it.  Slow and steady.  Walk if you have to, and run when you can.  Remember, this is supposed to be fun."  Ha! 

 

 

It's An Uphill Climb

Whenever I hear someone make a prophetic declaration I listen reservedly.  When I hear the same or a similar word from a different and unrelated souce it gets my full attention, and then when I hear a third person making the same declaration I want to shout it from the mountaintop!  Below is a compilation of three posts my friends made on Facebook on December 1, 2011:

Wanda Bakalove wrote:  "There is a wave that's rising and it's not just happening in one or two nations but it's a wave of global proportions, for although the enemy is seeking to steal, kill and destroy in this hour God is rising and the light is going to get brighter and brighter.  And those who trust in Him will have a continual feast of His presence.  So many are afraid of evil tidings in this time, but:

Psalm 31:19 How great is Your goodness which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men.

So be encouraged in the things that you knew that you knew that you knew were His voice yet because of the length of time and the seeming obstacles not only in your way but in you, God has laid those things up for you, and He is getting ready to unlock them and open the storehouse of His treasure to you.  For up until now you were not able to bear them.  The weight of them would have pulled you down.  But now I am getting ready not only to unleash my blessing on you, says the LORD, but I am getting ready to unleash you and bring you into the callings, the anointings that I have prepared for you beforehand even before you knew Me.  Be blessed!"

Mary Alice Isleib posted a word from Barbara Yoder:  "We have entered a unique time when God is looking for a passionate, desperate and abandoned lovers of Himself.  This is a season that we can't take leaven (sin, compromise, lukewarmness) into.  The more the presence of God comes to those who are abandoned, the more glory that will be poured out.  The past season of struggle has sorted out those who are abandoned lovers of God vs those who just want to be blessed.   We are about to be overwhelmed in the most positive sense."

PrayFit Blog:  "...isn't it interesting that you really don't know what motivates someone?  Some things you just can't see.  You can only see the result.  Oh sure, while the dashboard on my treadmill might give me the distance it doesn't know what it took to get me that far.  Pastor Chuck Swindoll wrote, 'Although this journey along the avenue of affliction is unpleasant and unappealing, it is inevitable.  Working through the hurt is essential if we hope to become effective for God.'

To be effective for God.  Isn't that the goal both physically and spiritually?  And since we know that nothing hits us without Him allowing it, it's a compliment that He believes we can work through the hurt.  Or better yet, we're never in pain alone...Listen closely, take courage and keep going.  Because thankfully, the road we're on as believers?  It's an incline."



A few weeks ago duirng prayer I could see the LORD sitting on His Throne.  He was speaking.  I could see His mouth moving as if He was shouting; however, I couldn't hear what He was saying.  I now believe that He was, no IS, shouting words of encouragement for us to keep moving, give it all we got, don't give up, trust Him even when it's hard.  It is an uphill climb, but you have what it takes to make it to the top. Don't be discouraged by hardships for these hardships will make you stronger.

Not only is the LORD cheering you on, He's running alongside you, pacing you.  You're not alone.

New Perspective

A couple of weeks ago I had a paradigm shift about running, and with this shift I no longer view running as something I need to achieve.  Running is not about my performance or ability.  Running is a means to connect with God's heart for whichever city I'm running through and pray for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done in that city.  This is what I heard God say to me, "Running is a prophetic act of intercession."  People do prayer walks all the time.  Running requires more.  Running enables me to cover more ground in less time and literally requires me to pour myself out and lay my soul bare before the LORD.

As I was meditating on this revelation the LORD reminded me of this Scripture:

"I promise you what I promised Moses:

‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you'..."

(Joshua 1:3 NLT).

I recently watched the movie Chariots of Fire again.  It came out 30 years ago, and it's still as powerful as ever.  Eric Liddel was a man of integrity, principle and character.  Another recommendation is the book "The Flying Scotsman," by Sally Magnusson, a biography about Eric Liddel focusing on the years following the events chronicled in the move--his years as a missionary in China. 

It is said that Eric Liddel ran as fast as he could at the beginning of a race, and then he threw his head back in surrender to God for the finish.  The quote he is most famous for saying is something like, "When I run I feel God's pleasure."  However, it was the screenwriter for Chariots of Fire who wrote that line for the movie.  Nevertheless, it's something to focus on.

Studies have shown people can endure just about anything when they get the focus off of themselves and any discomfort they feel to focus on another.  When they do what they do for someone else's benefit they can extend themselves further. 

I am running for a cause greater than myself.  I'm running after God's heart.

Recovering

I'm supposed to be on my way to Mankato, MN in preparation for a 10K race early tomorrow morning.  However, Dear Hubby and I decided to pull out of the race.  Two reasons:

1. I'm not ready due to my recent illness.
2. It's a long distance away requiring an overnight stay.

We decided that for a 10K, it wasn't worth it.  I am a bit disappointed, but I really think we made the right decision.  It would be a completely different matter if the race were closer to home, or if it were more significant...like a half or full-marathon.

That's the bad news.  The good news is that I am recovered and feeling strong.  I've had a few personal training sessions focusing on strength training, and now I'm ready to get back to my running schedule. 

The temperatures are cooling off, so no more feeling like I'm running trapped in the middle of a freshly baked muffin.  No more battling mosquitoes.  Right now it's the cool crisp air of fall leading up to the snow and ice of the Minnesota winter, and I'm planning on continuing to run outdoors.

Last winter I marveled at the folks I saw out running in the frigid cold.  I couldn't fathom what could entice them to continue running in those conditions.  Well, my next goal is to run a half-marathon in February, and it will be an outdoor race, so I'd better get in gear and get used to running outside if I'm going to be ready for that. 

I will focus on building back my running base for the next four weeks and then begin half-marathon training in earnest Thanksgiving week. 

Setbacks

No!  I haven't given up on my goal of running a marathon in 2012.  I've just had some setbacks in my training.

September 10 was a gorgeous day, and my hubby and I ran our first 10K race.  It went really well.  My pace was good, and after crossing the finish line, I discovered that the race organizers made a mistake in where they placed the starting/finish line, and the race was a quarter-mile longer than a 10K.  So, rather than 6.2, it was 6.45.  I felt great, and I was eager to begin training for my next 10K, which would be in 5 weeks.

BAM!  I got sick.  Headaches and sore throat and cough.  I tried to run anyway and discovered that running when you have a cough isn't a good idea.  So, I rested and recovered.  Started to feel good and was excited to get back into my training regime...BAM!  Sinus infection.  My husband and I ran anyway.  I thought my head would explode, but made it 3.5 miles at a snails' pace.  The next day was a rest day, but I woke up feeling better and started imagining my next run, then KABLOWIE! I got hit with a vicious GI infection and ended up in the ER.  3 liters of IV fluid and some really strong drugs got me through.



Here I am today...two weeks before my next 10K.  Only two runs under my belt since my last race a month ago.  I am feeling better but still foggy.  Gonna try to run tomorrow--easy run to start building strength and stamina. 

There's just really something to having a race on your calendar to keep you motivated. 

Built to Endure

I recently finished reading Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and The Greatest Race the World has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall.  I was completely fascinated by reading this book, and if you have even a remote interest in running I highly recommend this.  If you just like to read good non-fiction to be informed and inspired, I recommend this book to you as well.

In one of the later chapters (chapter 28 to be exact!), the author writes about some pretty compelling research proving that the human body was built for endurance.  We may not be the fastest creatures on earth, but we can run further than just about any other running animal out there.  Most animals can run fast, but they tire out after short distances.  Why?  Ineffecient breathing.  Mammals who run are limited by a cycle of take-a-step, take-a-breath, with the exception of--YOU.  The human body was made to take in large amounts of air, and we can control our breathing even when exerting ourselves.  The better a person breathes, the better endurance he has.

As I was reading about this scientific evidence, I couldn't help but think about the Scripture:

"Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground.  He breathed the breath of life into the man's nostrils, and the man became a living person." Genesis 2:7 NLT

Pretty cool huh?  God created us with the ability to endure.  A definition of endurance I heard awhile back was "the ability to be courageous under fire."  So, even in difficulty, God made us to be courageous and to press forward to victory.  Is it any wonder that the Apostle Paul often used the imagery of a farmer, a soldier and an athlete?

A couple of weeks ago I was in California with a group of ladies from my church attending a conference.  It was an awesome time of forming new friendships, etc.  We rented a house nearby a junior high school track, so, I was able to keep up with my running schedule.  The final morning we were there, I got up early and headed out to the track.  We had a busy schedule and I didn't get the sleep I needed.  I was tired, but decided to run anyway.  As I approached the track entrance I had an amazing experience with the LORD that I have not shared with anyone yet.  I couldn't see them, but I knew they were there.  I sensed a host of angels waiting for me at the track and clapping and cheering me on as I began my run.  It was just what I need to endure the fatigue I was feeling, and even though I didn't feel like it when I started out, I pressed through, breathed in the life of God, and had a good run.