One week ago
today, I started my running journey. To celebrate, I wore this new top today
with word COURAGE repeated three times in three different colors to “Fuel the
Wag” for me today. In seven short days
I have experienced the different colors of running. There is the thrill of
doing something that I have never done before. With that comes the unbridled
energy that wants to do it all right now, skipping the necessary steps such as
stretching and hydrating properly and pushing myself until it feels like my
legs want to throw up for hours afterwards. I have experienced the fresh wind
and sunshine, the vibrant colors all around me, and contemplating creation as I
see all the different birds flying all around. Truth be told, however, when I
see the hawks circling, I do check my pulse.
I had a bad
day yesterday. My knee was catching and
causing me pain at the slightest twist. I decided to let my legs loosen up
throughout the day thinking an evening run might be better. Evening came and my son came out and showed
me how to do his baseball stretches, which felt really good! Then he went the first mile with me. We ran
two very short portions of the walk. My legs were screaming at me. Then the
kittens started following us like puppies. I was worried with them on the road
and even more worried that they were going to trip me as they wandered between
my legs without notice.
I told my
son to go ahead and go inside and I was going to do a couple more laps. I plugged
my earbuds in and turned on Pandora, as I have been listening for encouraging
words and phrases. Nothing. I walked
into the house after an extra two laps and my husband asked how it went. “Pathetic,”
I responded. And then I realized one of
my mistakes tonight was that I didn’t feel like a runner. My friend has
encouraged me to make it fun: chew gum, wear fun things, listen to fun music. I
had no fun clothes on and I forgot my gum.
I reasoned
with my husband how different this journey is for me. My intention for any kind
of exercise in the past has been to lose weight. I watch my calories and weight
numbers obsessively and end up getting discouraged and quitting. This time I
decided that I was doing this for the health of it and to make my heart
stronger. I heard cholesterol levels can go down, etc., etc. I have not
weighed. I have not measured. The only numbers I have been keeping track of are
my miles. Although that has been very satisfying, I started to wonder WHY I was
doing this. I felt like my running was the definition of faith that we had
studied about in Bible Study yesterday. My running was the substance of things
hoped for (my outward appearance), the evidence of things not seen (my inside
health). I may not be able to SEE the benefits of this, but I am hoping that I will feel and experience the benefits on a different level.
My husband
and son have been wonderful through this. I didn’t know if they would mock me
for even thinking about running or when they actually saw me run. But I was
determined. Tonight, they gave me so much encouragement. My husband talked me through maybe needing to
slow down just a bit and build up to where I want to be. He reminded me of my
tendency to want things right away and that if I am not careful, I will not be
able to do it at all. My son has offered to stretch with me and run with me
even though I will not be a challenge for him at all. But he is willing to be
that support for me.
I reflected
on the last couple of days and seeing how I have been able to encourage others
through the steps I am taking. I want others to feel good about themselves and
use walking and running as a connection in their own relationships with others.
Any step I take I count as a blessing. I thoroughly enjoyed a three mile WALK
today and that is okay. Slow and steady wins the race. My encouraging Pandora
treasure today was “This is why it is to You I run.” I know that it is my God
who is supplying me with the strength and courage to always keep on keepin’ on.
I have
discovered my new best friend through this last week: Epson Salt Baths! INSTANT
relief!
#newrunner #courage
