Running Off the Deep End
I just registered to run the 2010 Eugene Half Marathon. Uh-Huh! Oh Yeah! The weird thing is that it doesn’t seem that crazy to me. And it probably should. When you consider putting yourself through what you have always dreaded, always feared, and aren’t shivering…then beware, right!?! I guess so.
You see my friends, I was a runner in high school and I kicked and fought my coaches the whole way through, really I don’t know why they put up with me. We did well, we won state in Cross Country, and in track my relay team broke records- still I was such a lazy runner. Our claim to fame was running up to get ice cream instead of going for the miles we were supposed to. Goodness, when you are young that statement of “Youth is wasted on the young” just doesn’t make sense, now I wonder what we could have done if we cared enough to train. So yes I have feared actual real training, dreaded the thought of it all, but now I have peace.
My running time has lately been time I get to spend alone with God, it is a sweet thing and I catch myself tearing up or smiling at Him while I run. Yesterday He spoke to me several times and he just loved on me. I tried to explain to Brad what He told me while I was running, but it was more a hug from God than anything I have ever experienced before. God is so sweet to love us with that gentle loving. I came away from the hug with a sense of purpose and drive. Maybe that is why this whole thing doesn’t scare me, I know it is just running, just exercise, but I know that He has my back in this. Sort of like those trust tests where you have to let yourself fall into the other persons arms, just like that.
Don’t get too weirded out when I tell you later on, that I could be working up to a full Marathon, that is just a warning as I want to see how the half marathon goes first. I will TRY to run with my friend Becky (who is my latest inspiration). She is running a full marathon, but the half and the full run the first 11 miles together.
I guess what I would like to say is that ‘God willing, I will run the Eugene Half Marathon in May’!! Right!? Yep. Wish me luck!
PS. I do need a local running buddy, anyone interested in running 6 miles tomorrow??
Themocracy
I already wished you luck on Twitter, but good luck again! You’re going to rock the half!
I love how my walking time is so contemplative. It’s like my body goes on auto-pilot and my mind kicks into gear. I’ve definitely felt my faith strengthening over the time I’ve been training, and I’m sure that all the quiet time I’ve had with God, and the beautiful things that I’ve seen, have played a big role in that. I’m training to walk a 5K in April, then run one in September. I was pretty much disabled by chronic fatigue syndrome three years ago, so just walking a 5K seemed absolutely insane to me when my cousin’s wife (a triathlete) suggested it in late December. But I’ve gotten a lot of my energy back in the past year, and she had faith in me…and after the first week I started to have faith in my own abilities. The whole thing has been an incredible blessing.
Thank you!!! I wish YOU luck too
It is so true, running or exercising is like wearing rose coloured glasses-mood enhancing and life changing for sure. Thanks so much for sharing a little of your story, I love hearing the progress you have made!!
Go b!
I’m super proud of you. Love your inspiration.
I agreed to run a 5K in the spring.., not quite the same.
Amanda is running a full marathon in chicago, and my old roomate just ran a half! Runners all around- should be enough to kick me into gear for my 5k, I guess!
Way to go Ellyn!! Keep going strong- you never know what you could end up running!
I ran the Eugene Half last year, my first race any longer than a 5K, and the training and running were a great experience for me. I was not a runner at ALL in high school but I have come to really enjoy it. I am hoping to do a full marathon this fall as well!
So glad you enjoyed it! I can’t wait and I am excited it ends on the track.
u go girl!!!!!
Yay! I read that you used to be a runner. I would love to run with you some time. I have found enjoyment in running like none other. Eugene is such fun race! I ran the 1/2 last year with a running partner who was running the full.
That’s awesome, friend- good luck!!
Awesome! What a great goal! We’ll be rooting you on! Now, stop reading this and go RUN! hehehe
Thanks sista!!! I better run hard then.