Today is my last day as this person... for tomorrow's race will change me. Maybe not on the outside, but tomorrow's race will change my heart & mind. It will strengthen my faith and my belief in how amazingly God has created us. It will push me to new limits I'm afraid to even face but will face because I like a challenege. Tomorrow will be half marathon #4 in 6 months. We'll begin at 12pm when it's 100 degrees outside. I've trained smart and I'm aware of the signs of heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration. I will finish... hopefully. But I admit it will NOT be easy. It'll take a mental strength more than a physical strength.
I once heard a story from a man who had been overweight and had started running. He felt amazing & was doing a great job getting fit. He fell in love with running, like I have, just totally unexpectedly! But on his runs he said he'd come back feeling as if he'd been through a war zone. Battling with the Devil the whole time. The enemy likes to torture us with thoughts of self doubt and self hate, tell us we can't or shouldn't or aren't worth it. For me, those thoughts start long before the run is even taking place, with doubt and fear building up inside until I don't even want to go out and run for fear of failing. But what's failing?? There is no failing in trying! No matter if it's out for a mile or out for 13 miles, I'm giving it all I have. My life has drastically changed over the past year and a half. How ironic for this race to be named "Running with the Devil".... I feel like I do that all the time. But I also run with the Lord and HE is much stronger and more powerful than the enemy. So this too shall pass and this too shall be conquered. For if I try, then I have not failed.
So today as the fear builds inside that maybe I can't finish the race, I will look back on the past year and a half, and especially the past 6 months, and remember that the LORD IS GOOD.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. - Deuteronomy 31:6
Please pray for my mental strength & physical safety and strength.
4 comments:
My thoughts will be with you! You're so courageous! Because of your inspirational blog.... I signed up to do the Iron Girl this September in South Lake Tahoe! I'm training and to tell you the truth the running is the hardest part of it to get going. I have a long ways to go in a short time but my goal is just to finish it. Thank you for writing about your experiences. :)
Wow Gail!!! That is so amazing! I'm so glad that I could inspire you to take on this new challenge!
If you remember, running was my weakest discipline when I began triathlon training. Because of that, it became my strongest. I put so much effort toward making sure I could even do it, that I fell in love with it. Instead of it becoming a thorn in my side, it felt like running was my best friend along for the ride.
Baby steps. Whatt training plan are you using? For running, i highly suggest Hal Higdon's site.
Have a wonderful time training and feel free to ask me anything!
that's so awesome!! I'll be praying for you Valarie!
I finished!!! I'll have my official time in a few days. I chose not to bring my Garmin Watch along. I'll write up the race report later =)
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