Running in Spring Grass

Today I was back in the wonderful outdoors running my 2nd 3 miler for the week. It was a great sunny mildly warm/windy day. For whatever reason, it was a tough run. Every step seemed to take so much effort. But I finished.

I knew I needed to run on the grass to soften the impact which may be contributing to my problem. So I did. I ran in the new fresh sprouting green grass with my new shoes. Oh well, I think getting them to look not so new was inevitable.

The problem with running in Spring grass isn't that it is green, but that it is coming up thick and high. The neighborhood landscaping folks have been busy mulching, not mowing. But it is due. Time to mow. I had to keep a good keen watch at every step. I was afraid of stepping in a hole covered by grass or rolling on a hidden rock/pine cone or whatever else I couldn't see.

Fortunately, I didn't take a tumble. But it was not a "good feeling" run today. It was hard. With the grass as tall as it was I had to work harder at lifting up my feet and legs with every stride. That takes more out of you. But I did finish without stopping or giving in to sneaking in a little walk here and there.

Staying vigilant to observe the grassy terrain took away that relaxed feel you get when you run. It also made it hard to focus on prayer or reflection of any substance. I kept thinking, "I just don't want to fall. Watch the grass, keep watching the grass!" And that's what I did the whole entire run.

I know it won't always be like this. I'll get used to running in the grass. I'll soon know where all the dangerous holes are, the grass will get mowed and Spring will turn into Summer -- where the heat moves in and the grass won't grow outrageously tall and thick.

1Peter 5:8-9 says, "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world." When the spiritual grass is thick and tall, you can be sure that Satan is crouching in it looking for an unsuspecting soul to pounce on. But I will, by faith, resist him and keep on running the race of faith without falling.