Running, Rain, and Good Samaritans

I did not run in yesterday's 10k event that I thought about doing. :( I think part of me kept feeling like I'm fighting off a virus and part of me didn't want to run in the cool and wet weather that was in the forecast. So I stayed dry, until today!

As I write, it is now sunny and dry outside, as it was when I had set out to go 4 miles a couple of hours ago. But half way into my run, the wind picked up, the clouds rolled in, the thunder was heard, and a few sprinkles fell onto the earth. As I ran I thought, "this isn't too bad, I can run in this." Then it just started to pour! Hard, fast, cold and huge drops bolting down like pellets. Within seconds I was completely drenched and I wasn't having any more fun. I knew if it continued like this, I'd have to cut my run short and head on home. It wasn't slowing down. I decided to head home, but had about a mile to go. Just then a car slowed down and I heard, "Do you want us to take you home?" Of course, I knew these kind Christian folks and so without delay I jumped in their car and they brought me home.

God had brought some Good Samaritans my way! I was grateful! He has brought them to my aid before. Like the time my ankle rolled and I fell. I sat on the ground, took off my left shoe and watched my ankle swell up. I sat there thinking, "How am I going to get home? As I began taking a couple of limping steps, God sent a Good Samaritan my way. My cousin's husband saw my pathetic limp, my bloody knees and slowing down in his car, yelled out the window, "Get in, I'll take you home." And to home I was safely taken. Then there was the time I was completing a triathlon. Just into the bike course, my water bottle fell out of it's holder as I went over some rail road tracks. Thinking that I did not have time to stop because the clock was ticking, off I road with about 17 miles to go in the heat. At about mile 10, I started to get pretty thirsty. Not only did I have about 8 more miles to ride, but I had to run a 5K after that! Water stations were not offered during the bike leg of the race. I wasn't sure if I could wait until the run leg of the race either. Hmm ... it was an interesting situation. As I peddled up a large hill, another biker road up next to me, saw my certain struggle and asked me, "How's it going?" I told him I had dropped my water bottle in the beginning of the bike course and without apprehension, he reached down and grabbed one of the two water bottles he was carrying on his bike and said, "Here have one of mine, you're going to need this." I reached out, grabbed the water from his hand, and off he sped. I never saw him again. I held the water bottle in my hand and prayed, "Thank you, Lord, for this water. Please don't let it have any bad germs in it!" And I gulped down the water, given to me by a complete stranger, who had become, my Good Samaritan! My husband and children greeted me at the finish line and when I told them what had happened we set off to look for my Good Samaritan. We never found him and to this day, my kids think he was an angel. Hmm ...could be! Without a doubt, my Jesus watches out for me when I run! I am certain of it.

Anyway, when I got home, I decided to finish my run with another 2 miles inside on the treadmill. My shoes were wet and heavy and I thought it might be slippery, but I finished without falling! It was an interesting running day. But I got in my 4 and had the pleasure of "running" into another Good Samaritan who had come to my rescue.

"But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion ...went to him ...and took care of him." Luke 10:33-34

Running Through the Alphabet

I allowed two days to pass before I ran again. I've been feeling like I'm trying to fight off a cold. But today was so beautiful and I couldn't resist going out to run. I thought I'd keep it at just 3 miles, but I actually felt really good so onto 4 I went. Because I've felt like a cold virus was hanging around, I have not signed up for the 10k run I had been thinking about doing. I still can sign up if I want. Nothing like waiting til the last minute though. The weather reports are not encouraging me at all. The forecast calls for rain, so I just don't know. I guess my future blog entries will soon reveal what I decide or decided.

Today: What a great run! I took to the pavement with one resolve - I was going to meditate on my wonderful God! Last night at a prayer meeting my pastor/husband exhorted us to begin our prayers on a less selfish note by placing our focus strictly on who God is, then praise Him for it. So, on my run, from A to Z, I thought on my glorious Lord. For every letter in the alphabet, I found words to describe the King of my life. It was so much fun, I found myself amazed that I had already gotten to certain mile markers on my run. Before I knew it, I was done with 4 miles. I actually got through the whole alphabet before I was done running, so I prayed for the folks I prayed for last night to come to Christ. I thought about blogging my A to Z list, but I'm crunched for time. So maybe in another entry.

Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet. Here's what the Lord God says in Revelation 1:8 - "I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." Amen!

Running and Lists

Today I was able to get in a good paced 4 miler. I felt really good. Perhaps the rest and lack of getting past 7 miles for last weeks total helped out. On my run I found myself thinking about the list of folks I need to call, and the list of things I need to do in getting back to my normal schedule after being out of town for 5 days. I think the list that swirled about my thoughts exhausted me more than my run.

I also thought about running the 10K that's being held at the local community college this weekend. I really need to decide what I'm going to do about that. I should decide by Wednesday. It will determine my running plans for this week.

Well, this is a short and sweet blog entry. But I got some catching up to do.

Running Away From Home

On Thursday, April 20th, I ran a 3 miler on a treadmill in a place far away from my home. I ran on a hotel treadmill while I was away with my daughter for a Bible Quiz Tournament. My hope was to run twice, but alas, I only ran once. So, my weekly total only came to 7 miles. Not what I had hoped.

I am hoping to run tomorrow, here, in my familiar surroundings and on my favorite running course, around my neighborhood. Indeed, there is no place like home. I am glad to be home.

While "running" away from my home, the Lord was bringing the truth of "brokenness" to my mind. I had just read some things about "brokenness" in a book about this topic that morning. I was reminded that it is "the shattering of my self-will -- the absolute surrender of my will to the will of God." As I ran, in unknown surroundings, on a foreign treadmill, I both desired and did not desire to be in that place of "brokenness." For this "brokenness" is far from the selfish home I am accustomed to. Yet it is a place far from self where the Home of God is truly found. I want to be Home with God. But that doesn't always mean I want to run on the path that leads me to His Home.

Runners will always have their favorite places of "running" preferences. And in my limited travels to various States around the country, I have always preferred to run around my own little neighborhood. If I ever reach the point where "brokenness" is continually preferred over the comfort of my own selfish will, I will know that I have found the place God meant for me to be all along, even from the beginning of time. How far I am from that Home. And I have a lot of running in "brokenness" to do before I get there.

Running and Boston Inspiration

Well, this morning I watched the 110th Boston Marathon as I sipped my coffee and recovered from a very busy holiday weekend! I was in awe as I watched these incredible runners do their thing. It is amazing what the human body can do with the right kind of training. Hats off to them and especially to the man and woman from Kenya who won this year's race! A new Boston record for the man and a new comer to the Boston race for the woman.

Of course after watching the marathon, I was more than ready to go run my meager little 4 miles. And off I went in perfect 50 something degree weather, much better than the hot stuff I ran in a couple days ago. I run so much better in cooler weather. My run felt really good. My pace was faster than usual. My left ankle felt better than the other day, but I decided to stick to the pavement. I tried to run in the grass a couple of times, but it didn't feel good to my ankle.

So the whole while I ran, I kept thinking about the marathoners I had just watched on the tv. It helped me to keep up a faster pace. It helped me to push myself up the hills. It helped me to focus on my stride, my breathing, my arm movements. I was into this run. It was a great workout for me. Thanks to those Boston marathoners - a great cloud of witnesses before me.

God has given me another cloud of witnesses to be inspired by in Hebrews 11. They are great men and women of faith, of whom it says the world is not worthy of. I want to run as they did. I want my faith in God to be as real as theirs was. So real that my God is so pleased and moved to accomplish His works in and through me.

The marathoners that ran in the Boston race this day ran for a perishable wreath. Not to diminish their glory or honor. It is just the way it is. The marathoners that are recorded in Hebrews 11, ran for an imperishable wreath. It remains for eternity. I want to be able to taste both, in my own little way and always keep a proper perspective before me.

Running -- It Was a Hot Day

Yesterday I ran 4 miles making my weekly total come to 11 miles. I haven't gone over 10 miles for a weekly total in a long time. I was thrilled. But it was hot out there! And it made me dread the coming summer months of running in heat. It seems that the older I have gotten, the harder it has been to run in the heat. Years ago, the heat never seemed to bother me or affect me much. Now it's just a different story.

I'm not sure I've been drinking enough water. A terrible headache showed about early evening and even as I awoke today. I know drinking a lot of water after the fact doesn't work as well as when you drink a lot of water prior to running and sweating. But maybe it helps a little. I probably won't do much today in the way of exercise. I thought about riding my bike a bit, but I'm not sure.

Anyway, as I ran yesterday, I skipped running in the grass. My left ankle seemed stiff and making a little noise in the way of achiness. I'm not sure what this is about, but I will take care. The grass is just too uneven to risk running in it if your ankles are feeling strong.

The week has now come to an end and what a busy week it has been! Tomorrow is Easter and I'm going to celebrate the risen Savior, and feast on ham, jelly beans and chocolate marshmellow eggs with my precious family.

Running and Blooming Lilacs

Well, I've seen the yellow daffodils, I've seen the red tulips, I've seen the blossoming white and pink trees, and finally yesterday as I went on my 3 mile run, I saw the blooming purple lilacs! I actually smelled their lavender scent in the air before I saw them. Spring is now if full swing, the lilacs have arrived! I just love them and love to breathe in their glorious aroma. They have come out just in time to greet the day we celebrate the risen Savior! This Sunday is Easter!

Lilac aroma sure beats those ealier Spring days where the smell of mulch was so strong, it would almost make me gag. It also beats that fresh scent of newly cut grass! And while I love to see the first sight of the happy daffodil and the elegant tulip, they just don't offer much enjoyment for the nose.

While running amid my favorite Spring blossom, I could only think of the victory of the King, breaking free from the garments and stench of death, rising to new life in robes of royal purple! Lilacs make me think of the Ressurection. Perhaps that's why they are my favorite!

Watching Runners from the Sidelines

Yesterday morning I went to an annual marathon/half marathon race. But this time, it wasn't to run in it, but to watch from the sidelines and cheer on those I knew and even those I didn't know. Even from the sidelines, it was so much fun! Watching all the runners do their thing, go after their goal, is so inspiring. Especially when you know that for some it was a first time. A first time to do a half marathon, a first time for a whole marathon. It is a great accomplishment and you feel so proud of all those crossing the finish line.

I was actually surprised that I wasn't more bummed out about not being in the race myself. But it just wasn't my time or my turn. And I suppose deep down inside I knew that and was at peace with that. Last year, I knew it was my time and my turn. And the Lord led me and was with me every step of the way. As was He yesterday. He was with me standing on the sidelines, hearing me cheer away and watching all the runners go by. I was happy to see the victory of my fellow runners! It made my day, almost as much as if I ran across that finish line myself.

When I got home, motivated and inspired, I checked out the Fleet Feet events calendar to spy out the next race to register for. I found several and printed out the info I needed. I didn't sign up yet, but hopefully will by the end of this week. I'm looking to run a 10K the end of April.

Today, I ran 4 miles outside in beautiful sunny weather. I felt good and have had no problems throughout the rest of the day. I am thankful especially since I'm going to need to up my mileage a little to get ready for the 10K I'd like to do. I'm curious to see how my body responds to running 5 and 6 miles. I guess we'll see. I was also thankful to see the neighborhood mowers out doing their thing. Although it meant I did have to do some mower dodging! And then there was the flying grass as you passed them by, and especially when you passed by those who were using those blowing machines to blow the grass off the streets and sidewalks. But I survived and they won't be in my way when I run on Wednesday.

God says that there is an appointed time for everything; a time for every event under heaven. One year ago, that meant a time for me to run in the half marathon race. Yesterday, it meant a time for me to watch runners from the sidelines. Both, I believe were appointed by my heavenly Father. And both brought unexpected joy and contentment.

Running Hungry

Every now and then when I run I will hear hungry growls and feel hunger pains as I make my way through my running course. It doesn't happen all the time, but when it does, I begin thinking what it is I'd like to eat to satisfy my hunger.

As I ran on my treadmill today, my stomach was on a roll. It just wouldn't keep quiet. I was happy to finish my 3 miles and get some food into it. I don't recall experiencing this hungry feeling during running until I began training last year for my first half marathon. I decided to try the chocolate flavored gel packs and it really helped. But I didn't consume them until I had run about 6 or 7 miles. I don't think I'll use the gel packs for just 3 or 4 miles. I'll just wait to eat when I'm done running those shorter distances.

Anyway, as I ran today feeling that hungriness, it made me think about Christ's Words when He said, "Blessed are those that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled." There is no greater satisfaction in life than living a life pleasing to God, one that is holy and righteous in His sight. Of course, for the Christian, our holiness is derived from Him and Him alone. But that doesn't mean we can then live as we please. We are to hunger after righteousness and thirst for it. Hunger for a holy life. Hunger for a life set upon making right choices that reflect biblical principles.

When I think about the things in my life I am hungry for I think about my desire to know God, my desire to serve Him, My desire to please Him in all I do and say. I also think about being hungry for godly and growing relationships -- with my husband, my children, my friends and family. I think about my hunger for a church that is filled with love, grace, mercy and unity. I think of a hunger to see those I know come to Christ who don't know Him as their Savior and Lord. I think of a hunger to see a repentance in the Church universal and a revival of righteousness in the land. I am hungry for the Word to be living and active, sharper than a two edged sword in my soul, slicing the sin right out of me. I am hungry for the Holy Spirit to fall on His people, manifesting His presence with the gifts He gives. I am hungry to worship and sing praises, sometimes shouting at the top of my lungs the glory due His Name. I am hungry for restoration of broken relationships. I am hungry for knowledge and wisdom, but only where love is larger than both. I am hungry for clearer vision to see my world always through the lens of Scripture. And I am hungry for the return of Jesus.

Yes, I am running hungry. It hits me as I run. It hits me as I live. Hunger pains in the physical. Hunger pains in the spiritual. I can fill the former, but Christ will fill the latter.

Running in a Hurry

Today, after a change in my schedule, I had to make a quick decision. I could run 3 miles and try to squeeze it in in a hurry, or I could wait until tomorrow. I didn't want to wait. So off I went, knowing my crunch for time. This makes for absolutely no leisure running when you're running in a hurry. But it does quicken your pace especially when you don't feel like it. It ended up being a pretty good run. And praise the Lord, the mowers had come! I ran in the grass and it felt like green velvet beneath my feet.

Harried and in a rush, all I could think about was not being late for my afternoon meeting. I tried to engage in prayer, but even the prayer felt rushed which just didn't seem right. I felt like I was quickly dumping everything on God without much thought.

In the end, though glad I got a decent run in, it didn't fair well for time well spent with the Lord. How are lives are filled with too much hurry and too much rush. I need to keep in mind when scheduling my run times that I make enough time for them. Otherwise, my "running reflections" aren't what I desire them to be.

Running for Leisure

Sunday afternoon, before the thunderstorms came, I was able to go out for a "leisurely" run and I enjoyed every moment of it! Webster defines "leisure" as "freedom provided by the cessation of activities." Having had such a busy week and unable to run like I desire, I was thrilled to have a day where activities ceased!

It had been four days since I had run, so my legs were ready to go! It was a good run and I thought about going 4 miles, but stuck to 3. This week I think I'll try to get in at least one 4 miler. It was nice to have certain activities and pressures behind me as I ran. It was also nice not to have the pressure of trying to maintain a certain pace or trying to pump out your best time as in a race. I just ran the way I wanted to. If I wanted to slow down to look at the tulips or watch a young mom on a walk with her infant and toddler struggle through the challenge, then I did. If I decided to pick up the pace on a hill and work it out using arm strength, then I did. I just ran at my leisure. Running and watching. Watching kids on their bikes. Watching the trees sway in the breeze, abloom with pink, white or purple. Watching the darker clouds in the distance rolling closer. Noticing how long the grass is too! I don't know where our neighborhood mowers are, but I sure wish they'd show up! I didn't run in the grass because it was way too long.

It was a good run. I shot some hoops with my daughter when I returned until the storm rolled in and we ran for cover!

Ceasing activities to spend time with Jesus is critical to mature in Him. When I am busy, even busy about the Lord's work, I can still get homesick just to be with Him in quietness, in prayer, and in sitting at His feet as I read the Good Book! I am looking forward to this coming week. It won't be as busy as last week so I'll get more leisure time with Jesus.

"I will walk at liberty, for I seek Thy precepts,
I shall delight in Thy commandments, which I love,
I shall lift up my hands to Thy commandmends, which I love; & I will meditate on Thy statutes.
O how I love Thy law!
It is my meditation all the day.
I love Thy Word above gold, yes, above fine gold."
Psalm 119: 45, 47, 48, 97, 127