Where will you run

This afternoon, I was faced with a choice.  Take a nap, or go for a run.

I really wanted the nap.  Because it would have been easy.  And warm.  And cozy.

But I knew the run would be better.  And so I ran.

I did a few random stretches in my kitchen.  Debated eating a Reese’s Peanut Cup… for the protein.  Decided not to.  Drank some water.  But not enough to get a cramp.  Then started my Map My Run app.  And away I went.

The first mile was good.  I settled into a nice jog.  I said a silent prayer as I ran by the Tuttles home that no would would see me.  I don’t know why, but I get so self conscious when I run by people’s homes that we know.  For whatever reason, I just picture them seeing me running and thinking, “Why isn’t she running faster?”  Which is totally ridiculous, because they are some of the nicest people we know.

I finished the first mile and decided to run a few laps around the Eastport docks.  Partly because it’s just so beautiful and partly to mix things up.  It turned out to be a terrible idea, because my running app decided to cut out and not record the half mile that I ran.  Which was a bummer, but oh well.

As I was running the second mile, planning to run my usual 5K I had an idea.  This morning in church, Jeremy preached about Nehemiah, and his dreams to build a wall.  He talked about how God + Nothing = Everything.  And how we should dream big and do great things.  And for some reason, it was inspiring me as I ran, to run more.  So at the end of the second mile and into the third, I decided that I would run 4 miles, instead of 3.1.  Because I’ve never done it before and because I wanted to challenge myself.

I ran mile three and four up through Eastport.  I thought about how much I loved our little town.  I passed a man getting on his motorcycle and gave him a smile and a wave.  Because I want to be the kind of runner that smiles and waves at strangers.  And it was so nice, because he smiled and waved back.  And it made that mile just that much better.  When I got to the end of mile four, I realized that if I ran just two more miles, I could complete my first 10K.  And I was inspired and decided to go for it.

To be honest, I spent most of mile five in pain.  I tried not to focus on the growing pain in my right knee or the fact that half of my left foot was numb.  It wasn’t my best.  I wanted to stop, but that wanting made me push through even more.

And then, I finally got to mile six.  It was slow.  But steady.  And I turned up my Jesus music and ran with my heart.

And I’m so proud to say that after all that, I successfully finished my first 10K.  I ran it in 1 hour and 4 minutes.  And I was pretty okay with that time.  More so, I was glad that I chose to do something hard and that I finished.

I want to keep challenging myself to do big and hard things.  When I was running, I was listening to Tenth Avenue North’s song, “By Your Side.”  And in the middle, it asks, “Where will you run?”  It was  fitting and a great question, because I want to keep running to the great things that God has.  I want to keep running, to where God leads.  Thanks for stopping by my blog to read this post, on this beautiful Sunday evening.

And with all of that, I want to challenge you.  Where will you run?  Where is God leading?  Find it out and go.  You’ll be glad that you did.