If you know me pretty well, yeah. You get it. It definitely makes sense! But for those who don't know me so well, or at least didn't know me in high school, you're wondering. And I get it. Today you will find your answer. Today, "keep running" is more than just the end phrase, it's the post itself.
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I love running. I grew up with it. I have older siblings that run. Two did Track in high school, and one did cross country. My freshman year, I played football. I also went out for track and tried sprinting, just like my older brother did. And I loved it! I had fun. I wasn't the fastest, but I enjoyed it.
Sophomore year, I played football again. But... that winter I was diagnosed with my cancer. I didn't run track that year. By the end of the school year, I made the decision to not continue with football, and try cross country.
Although still recovering from many months of minimal exercise, many months of my body being worn down, and many months of working to get rid of my cancer, I started running. Call me crazy! Cross country practice starts June 1 (or that closest Monday) at 6 a.m.
Yes, you read that right. Five days a week, all summer long, SIX A.M. (*Disclaimer... it wasn't mandatory, just highly recommended)
June came. I had run a few of the cross country early practices before. What I had not done was to run regularly. For you runners out there, back me up that it's not at all easy getting into the groove of running. It's pretty close to miserable for the first week, and slightly miserable the second week. Once you are past the two weeks and see yourself getting into better shape, it gets easier. More fun. And you look forward to the 6 a.m. runs. You find that the people who really do love running are not just crazy. (And that it's really a love-hate relationship)...............
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The first while for me was extremely difficult. My body was worn down, but not enough that I couldn't run. Yeah, I was tired, but I love running. Yes, I am without a doubt one of those crazy people..
I had a lot of fun during my junior year in cross country (and got Most Improved. 27 minutes in June after two weeks of running, down to the low 21 minutes at the end of the season). I loved it so much, I decided to do it all again the next year, my senior year. Some of the real important stuff I learned from cross country is that:
- It is SO much easier to run with someone else
- Don't stop if you can help it... It may feel better to walk for just a second, but it's even harder to pick up the pace again
- Even just a tiny bit of encouragement from those cheering on the sidelines make a difference
After I graduated, a friend and I trained to run a half marathon.
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| FYI, don't know these guys. The friend is in the picture above this one! |
WHICH WE ACCOMPLISHED! (Obviously) It was a huge goal and I was proud to accomplish it. For those of you paying attention to the timeline here, this half-marathon was in September 2012. It was November of that year that we realized the cancer was back, and December that I had my big surgery.
As the doctors explained what the surgery would consist of... "We will take part of your fibula and replace part of your jaw. We don't need to replace the fibula with a rod. We'll leave the ends of the fibula there so that we won't have to do huge reconstruction with the ligaments and joints at the knee and ankle."... One question I had was, "Will I be able to run again?" The doctors explained that I could, but that it would take a while, and most likely wouldn't be able to do a half-marathon or a marathon... stick to shorter distances.
It's been a slow start, but I'm running regularly- three times a week! So far, so good. I forgot how much I love it.
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Now let me clue you in on what goes through a runner's mind, at least mine, while running. I try to keep positive. I tell myself that I can be fast. I tell myself that I am making history for myself and what I've been through with every stride I take. Of course, the natural man comes in and I think, Shoot. Here comes a hill. If I could only walk, for just one second. Or I could slow down. I don't need to try my best on this hill.
Now how does this entire message I've shared so far apply to life? Well, like the natural man's thought above, you cannot psych yourself out. You have to keep running!
Life is hard. It's a constant race.
There are easy parts like the downhill sections.
There are hard parts, where the hill never seems to end and you feel like a snail could move faster than you.
There are parts when you are running with a friend.
There are parts when you are running alone.
No matter where you are in your race, no matter how easy, hard, or seemingly impossible it is, it's important to stress that you cannot stop running!
Some motivators that keep me running, physically, emotionally, and spiritually are:
- Prayer, when I need help, when I feel alone, when I've had a great day and want to tell someone about it
- Scriptures, loaded with information, all I have to do is open them and find it
- The people on the sidelines cheering me on- my family, friends, everyone I'm surrounded by that is a good influence in my life
- The people running alongside me- I help you. You help me. We'll motivate each other. Deal?
Thank you for helping me as I continue on my way through this race of life. Good luck on yours. I'll see ya out there on the course.
Keep running!
