I am on the cusp of an adventure I started training for months ago. An adventure I honestly never thought I would ever dream of volunteering for. But an adventure for which I am so incredibly excited!
This Friday, I will be traveling with great friends to San Francisco, CA to participate in the annual Nike Women's Half- & full Marathon thru the streets of the Bay City. I probably should have been blogging about this the entire length of this journey - rather than wait til the end. But I didn't & here I am. This event is going to be so much fun! 20,000 women running wild thru the streets of San Fran, completeing the race for inifite reasons, and all with the goal of crossing that finish line. And did I mention that at that finish line every finisher receives a custom Nike Women's necklace - specially designed by Tiffany&Co.?! Yes - that's right, every last woman will walk away with their own "medal" in that perfectly recognizable blue box. Talk about motivation!
Though those reasons - along with all the other "perks" of this race - are incredibly enticing, I must admit I have other motivations behind running this weekend. Never one to call myself a "runner" I was talked into joining a local women's running clinic last fall - under the guise that you mostly walk in this group. Well low & behold, 2 weeks in & we're running. But in the time between that first real run with the women's clinic & today I have found my running spirit, my running identity, and a love for running I never believed(or would have believed) I had. There is something about running, preferrably with friends, that clears my mind - helps me focus - opens doors and screens in my soul & heart, that I haven't or hadn't experienced in other ways. Yes, being active lowers stress levels & is naturally good for the body. But this has modified my entire approach to running.
Now don't be fooled -- I still wouldn't consider myself to be of a "runner's physique" or even genetically created to be a runner. But that aside, I am a runner. I have run in the heat. I have run in the cold. I have run in the rain. I have run in the morning, in the afternoon, & even into the evening. And thankfully - and what I believe has contributed so much to my new love & appreciation for running -- I have ran the entire time with people who have become dear friends. With people who are willing to flex with how a person feels or with whatever running level they are at. With people who challenge me to be a better runner, a better friend, a better wife, & a better person...and laugh & love the whole time. I'd have to say that is the best part - even on those long runs, those brutal 8+mi. runs there always seems to be something that will get us laughing hysterically.
So here I stand - as I said - on the cusp of a new adventure! I'm not nervous. I'm not scared. I'm not doubting my abilities at all. I am strong! I am excited! And I know that I have prepared for this & will compete & finish this race with my head high & a smile on my face!..... oh! And did I mention that my parents will be flying down from OR and my brother up from San Diego to support me in this new adventure? Really - this couldn't be a better set of ingredients for a wonderful weekend. Well, except to have the husband there as well -- but football duties call! It is fall after all!
Thru this running reflection, and the last few days -- I have been encountering the sweet grace of my Lord. This past Sunday a fairly popular hymn was sung - "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." I had to be reminded of that fact -- not only reminded, but shaken with the fact that my Lord is also my friend. And that I was not taking my hurts, confusions, frustrations to Him.
My husband is a blessing. My mentors are a blessing. My family is a blessing. My friends are a blessing. But Jesus -- He is a blessing, He is Lord, He is Mighty, He is King, He is Salvation, He is Righteous, He is my Father....He is my Friend. Praying that you may find your way in any situation to your Friend too...
Love & Blessings
p.s. be praying for my young brother - waiting on his next set of orders for his next duty station. We are praying that with all that is going on overseas that the Lord would protect him and/or prepare our family for the next step in his Naval career! Thanks!
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