Throughout my training journey I learned to set aside my run times. I had to remember that runs were my appointments with the Lord. It was a purposeful sacrifice. I had to allow my focus to leave things at home and be focused on the training.
It was difficult to get ready. Diaper bag, stroller, water, headphones, leash, doggy bags… shoes. It was so much to pack up I wanted to stay home. Everything pointed to staying home. I don’t even like running.
I had to have a why, a focus. My why and focus was the invitation from the Lord. He knew what He was doing, so I would trust Him along the way.
We trained for 3 miles, then 4 and then 5.
As the long runs got longer the short runs got easier.
My perspective changed.
At the beginning I tired easily, chugged my water and wanted to quit before I hit the first mile. Now the first mile was my warmup.
When I finally was able to walk my first 5k, or three miles, it took me an hour. At the end of my training I could do five miles in an hour.
What I first thought was too hard or too far, became an easy training day.
Life isn’t easy. We face trials, obstacles and ourselves every day.
We try to focus on the Lord, do as many right things as we can muster and still find conflict. Like a training program, there is no easy way through. Each week contains hard things. Each run pushes the body a little more, stretches the muscles a little further, tests the mind and our resolve to keep going a little longer.
It’s perfectly normal to wish for easy days, or tap out and turn on the latest show to binge-watch. But those things only provide a momentary pause from the hurdles that wait for us.
When we choose to commit, push and achieve— we get the satisfaction of knowing we did the hard work.
The hard things in life can only be overcome by GOING THROUGH them.
You’re not alone.
It IS hard. Sometimes we want to just be at the end or even quit. To stop running. To be done.
But at the end of the day I want what God wants. I want to train for what he has for me next and look back at the hurdles I trampled and kicked over, as well as the ones that I learned to leap over with ease. I want to feel what it feels like to run three miles in the time it used to take me to go one.
Circumstances or people might get difficult but we keep running when we can even if it’s hard. Pack up your bag, grab your water and shoes and hit the trail. Fight for it— push through it. Don’t let your mental focus be the thing that holds you back!
Changing scenery might disorient us but hike when you must.
When life takes your feet out from underneath you and you hit the ground, dust yourself off and move like you mean it.
The victory lies ahead whether you reach it slow or fast. It isn’t about the falling or the failures or the trail that goes straight up when you thought it was a stroll. It’s about your heart and your journey.
Run when you can
Hike when you must
Move like you mean it.