and now we run...

On Ash Wednesday this year, I set out on a journey.  It was a journey that I fully did not think I could complete.  It was a challenge that I chose to accept because it meant enough to me to try.  I set out to run a mile (which turned into also biking a mile) for each and every person on my prayer list.  Many people are constantly in my prayers, others wanted to be included as a way of supporting my journey.

I prayed for several weeks on what all my goal would include.  Lent is a very private and personal thing for me, so to put my Lenten Journey out there was difficult.  Also, I did not want to fail.  What if I could not complete the miles?  What if WAY too many people wanted prayers and I could not do it?  I had so many doubts.  But, I did it.  I asked for people's names on Facebook (as most of them are very near and dear to me).

This was not a journey to lose weight.  I will be honest and upfront right now and say that, yes I need to lose weight.  I am not blind to that.  I am more interested in my health, my well being and the realization that at age 36, I never want to have to back down from any challenge and want to be fit enough to do so.

By Ash Wednesday, my goals were set -- 85 miles.  Wow, that seemed like an unattainable goal.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Journey Begins.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  1 Corinthians 9:24

Some translations use the word victorious in place of prize.  I prefer victory because that makes each prize very different.  The first couple weeks were great.  I fulfilled my weekly goals and was totally focused.  I added a goal as I went of acknowledging to the people that I was praying for them.  It was not necessary but just made the whole experience more personal.  I wanted to make this Lenten Journey not about me, not about my health, but about my overall relationship with God through my prayer life and my respect for my body in health.  

I had challenges.  We all do.  There were 2 weeks that  I did not reach my goal.  I knew that would make my overall goal more difficult which caused me great guilt.  I also realized at times eliptical training was not an option and that intense biking could still help me reach my goal.  This again brought in guilt because I was not giving equal prayer time to all.  (I really self sabotage myself way more than I should.)

As the weeks progressed, I found my prayers becoming more intense thoughout the day and my focus on other people becoming more important than I ever thought possible.  I wanted to check in and see how people were, I wanted to know what they wanted prayers for.  

By the Saturday before Easter, I had 15 miles remaining.  These 15 miles were on top of lots of Easter preparations, lots of things that had to get done, but nothing was more important to me than being victorious.  

I did it.  As the bike reached 15.0, I really felt an overwhelming sense of emotion that I had made it.  I tasted victory.  It was not as I had originally intended but I pushed on toward my prize and ultimately my deeper focus on others, myself and MOST importantly my relationship with God.  

And now my journey continues.  My story is not over.  My fitness goals are even greater.  I definitely am going to continue the prayers for others.  (You never know when you might get a note or letter).  God is not done with me yet.  I plan on keeping my eye on the ultimate victory of a fabulous relationship with God.  

AMEN