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.

Getting Stronger

Tuesday night the four of us (me, Dear Hubby and the two kids in a double jogging stroller) hit a local trail for an evening run.  I think it was the first time since I started running that the weather was actually pleasant--not the stifling steam room of the past month where you feel like you're running while trapped in the middle of a freshly baked muffin.

I wish I could claim credit for the muffin metaphor.  I actually plagiarized it from Christopher McDougall's book Born to Run, and it made me laugh because I could clearly imagine what it felt like to be trapped in the middle of a freshly baked muffin with all of the heat and humidity we've had.  I started reading this book this week, and I can't wait for breaks in my day to continue reading.  When I started my running odeyssey on June 1, the thought of running 26.2 miles was HUGE.  I didn't know about the world of ultra-marathons, 100-mile races, or the Tarahumara Indians. 

On the left we have USA Ultra-Runner Scott Jurek and on the right we have Arnolfo Quimare, a Tarahuma Indian native of Mexico's remote copper canyons.



I was pretty proud of myself for my run on Tuesday night.  I started at an easy jog, and continued jogging steadily for 2.25 miles without stopping and then walked/ran to complete 3.75 miles.  This was the first time I surpassed the two mile mark, and I didn't die!  Heck, I wasn't even breathing hard.  My husband kept commenting, "Dear Wife hit a stride!"  The thing is, he wasn't really amazed at my feat.  He has absolutely no doubt that I'm strong enough, and doesn't really understand why I doubt myself.

That's something to ponder.  Why do I doubt myself when I know full well that I'm capable of doing more than I am?  Why am I shocked that I can now run more than two miles at a time when there are people alive who run for days at a time without a break, indeed running is their main mode of transportation over the rugged terrain of the Copper Canyon? 

It was interesting to read about Lance Armstrong's first marathon.  At the end of his race, he texted his then wife, "Oh my God.  Hurts.  Terrible."  This from the greatest known endurance athlete--at least the one greatest known to me.  Just this morning, I read that Apollo Anton Ohno (the Olympic speed skating gold medalist) is retraining himself for his first marathon. 

What is it about running that is so appealing?  So addictive?  I'm still trying to figure that out. 

In any case, as I continue on I do indeed know that I'm getting stronger, and as I'm getting stronger the more I enjoy running.

Wabasha 5K--Race Re-cap

"But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.  They will soar high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31

This Scripture took on new meaning for me. 

Dear Hubby and I planned on running in the Wabasha, Minnesota 5K race on Saturday, July 30, 2011.  It is also fitting as Wabasha is the location of the National Eagle Center.  We scheduled our baby sitter to arrive at 6:00 a.m. as it was an hour drive (and we had to stop at Caribou Coffee on the way!).  I was really tired on Friday night and looking forward to getting some sleep as it was Dear Hubby's turn to be on-call with baby Naomi during the night.  She woke up at 2:00 a.m., and Aaron got up at the same time looking for Daddy.  So, Daddy got Aaron back to bed, and I was up until close to 3:00 a.m. getting Naomi back to sleep.  I finally got back to sleep around 4:00 a.m., and 5:00 a.m. comes really fast. Needless to say, I was not in the best of moods as I was concerned about trying to run a 5K with so little sleep. 

We arrived in Wabasha, and we couldn't have asked for a better day.  For those reading this who live outside Minnesota, Wabasha is a beautiful little town along the Mississippi river notably famous as the location of the filming of the "Grumpy Old Men" movies.  The race was run along the river on a flat, straight trail.  Here's a picture:

I've discovered that the atmosphere in races is really fun.  There are the "serious" runners who are all business, but most are people who are there just for the fun of it.  People were at all different fitness levels.  There was one woman we chatted with who was in the same boat as me...just started running a couple of months ago, and this was also her second race.  She was working at getting in shape for her friend's beach wedding in Fiji at the end of the year.  Another woman was wearing a World Vision racing shirt and using this race as a warm-up for the Twin Cities half-marathon.  She is running to raise money for fresh water supplies for needy children world wide.  There was another woman running who was significantly obese and trudging along the best she could, and there were some kids running.  One boy was running at my pace, and I was pretty impressed with his focus and determination as he couldn't have been more than six.

All of these things served as inspiration to me, and my spirit was revived.  We were lined up at the starting line and the gun wouldn't go off, so the starter just shouted "GO!"  I was pleasantly surprised at my strength and stamina.  Even Dear Hubby commented during the race, "You're running stronger."  I did need to stop for a couple of walk breaks as I had pain in my shins (didn't want to risk shin splints), so I walked until the tension released and then ran some more.  We rounded the final corner and I saw the clock.  I was just under my goal time!  I kicked it up and crossed the finish line at 40 minutes, which is 3 minutes less than my last race. 

Could I have done better?  Maybe, but I feel good about what I did as it was a personal record for me.  So, as there is no rest for the weary, today begins training for my first 10K race on September 10.