As I prepared to run my 20 miler this morning, I had a lot going through my mind. There was a lot going through my brain before and during the run. When you have 20 miles to run alone…things creep in telling you, you can’t do it. If you aren’t careful, you start to believe it. So, I tried to figure out how I could run with friends. My body said no. Tired legs, tired spirit needed extra sleep. Extra sleep won out. But, resting an extra day also put the run off one more day. One more day gave me more time to contemplate 20 miles even longer. This time it was a good thing. God showed me YES, I CAN even alone…b/c I wasn’t alone, I was with HIM! I started feeling good about the run. I anticipated it and turned my thinking into positive. It was going to be a great run. And it was!
Thankfully, I did have friends meet me to start the run. We started with a prayer and off we went. They were there for moral/prayer support. I needed it. As I took off, I knew I would be on my own. It was a cool morning after the stormy night. Great day to run.
My plan…run 7 or so miles from the dam along the Riverwalk to Coolidge Park. Run a 5k race. Then run 10 miles back to the car. It helped tremendously to have a place to be in the middle of the run. It also was helpful to know I had to be there at a certain time…I needed to keep a pace to make it. I did.
Once I got there…I waited maybe 5 minutes and ran into some more friends. We chatted and then the race started. Now, remember I had 10 more miles to run back to the car…so this was not a race for me but a run. Cool thing was…I ended up coming in 2nd place in my age group not even trying. 🙂 Love it! Crazy!
During the run and specifically the 5k, the song below played several times. (when you are out there for 3 hours you hear songs several times…or maybe God just knew I needed to hear it.) Tears filled my eyes a couple of times as I listened to the lyrics. This song describes my journey to Boston…and my life verse:
Hebrews 11.1 – Now, faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
What Faith Can Do
Everybody Falls Sometimes
Gotta Find The Strength To Rise
From The Ashes And Make A New Beginning
Anyone Can Feel The Ache
You Think It’s More Than You Can Take
But You’re Stronger, Stronger Than You Know
Don’t You Give Up Now
The Sun Will Soon Be Shining
You Gotta Face The Clouds
To Find The Silver Lining
I’ve Seen Dreams That Move The Mountains
Hope That Doesn’t Ever End
Even When The Sky Is Falling
I’ve Seen Miracles Just Happen
Silent Prayers Get Answered
Broken Hearts Become Brand New
That’s What Faith Can Do
It Doesn’t Matter What You’ve Heard
Impossible Is Not A Word
It’s Just A Reason For Someone Not To Try
Everybody’s Scared To Death
When They Decide To Take That Step
Out On The Water
It’ll Be Alright
Life Is So Much More
Than What Your Eyes Are Seeing
You Will Find Your Way
If You Keep Believing
I’ve Seen Dreams That Move The Mountains
Hope That Doesn’t Ever End
Even When The Sky Is Falling
I’ve Seen Miracles Just Happen
Silent Prayers Get Answered
Broken Hearts Become Brand New
That’s What Faith Can Do
Overcome The Odds
You Don’t Have A Chance
(That’s What Faith Can Do)
When The World Says You Can’t
It’ll Tell You That You Can!
I’ve Seen Dreams That Move The Mountains
Hope That Doesn’t Ever End
Even When The Sky Is Falling
And I’ve Seen Miracles Just Happen
Silent Prayers Get Answered
Broken Hearts Become Brand New
That’s What Faith Can Do
That’s What Faith Can Do!
Even If You Fall Sometimes
You Will Have The Strength To Rise
I needed this today. I needed a reminder of who God is and how powerful He is! The sky looked like it was falling at times. I felt I could see the silver lining…then I realized I was living the silver lining. God is sooo good. He is good all the time! God helped me every step of the way. My run was GREAT! I felt like I could go on and on and on. (that is how you want to feel after long mileage!!!)
God brought me here. He is not going to let me step on the road leading to Boston and not be ready. He has helped my broken heart become brand new. He gave me the strength to rise. He gave me a team to get me through!!! I have a team here and a team there…awesome. God keeps His promises.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
He knew I would be in Boston. He gave me the hope. He gave me the desire.
This week I read the following scripture…it helped me as I ran today. I took part in His divine nature.
2 Peter 1:4
And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
Then when I was resting at home He allowed me to do it again…
He delivered this week in ways I needed…as He promised. These scriptures sum it all up.
- I needed REST – He provided.
Matthew 11:28-29
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
- I needed strength – He provided.
Isaiah 40:29-31
He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
- I needed success – He gave me an incredible run mentally and physically!
Philippians 4:19
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
God is faithful…just look what FAITH can do!!!
Running blessed and for HIM!
Trish 🙂
22 days and counting….
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