I have time now to blog. Why? Because one of the trials in running that I am ‘stumbling with persevering’ through is a broken bone in my foot!!! There have been many trials in this process of running, but this broken foot trial, I believe is a little nudge from God to get me writing and just maybe, yeah maybe, help me in the area of patience and simply resting in Him. For those who know me, they know it is very hard for me to sit still, especially when I have a goal of my first half marathon already signed up for, paid for, and only five weeks away, now out of reach of my being able to do. Sadness!!!!
In the midst of this sadness, I am trusting a faithful, loving, all-knowing God, who knows ALL the plans that He has for me. He knows the beginning right through to the end and He can be trusted. I can look back in my life and see His faithfulness in all the circumstances He has allowed to touch my life. My feelings are all over the board, but God remains the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow – He does not change. The bottom-line – God is always good and always faithful!!!!
So . . . this running journey began Spring 2011 and I wrote this down in January 2012:
While I was running today in beautiful, sunny, smiley weather, I felt the pleasure of God. His peace. His strength. His love. His creation. His creatures. What a joy!!! It has not always been this way when I run, often NOT. There have been many ups and downs in my learning to run and enjoy it. It didn’t just happen one day when I decided to run and it was great. I have had to go over and under many hurdles to get to this point such as –
Cramps that felt like labor pains
Feeling sick and throwing up
Not enough energy
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Muscle aches and pains
Honestly, when I look back over these months of running or trying to run, I’m amazed that I didn’t give up. I started running not for me, but the mother in me, which wanted to run with my daughter so she didn’t have to run alone. The very first run I ever made with Emmi was about 4 miles. I was absolutely shocked that I was able to run that, not being a runner, YET.
I realized the reason I was able to do that was I had been training my different leg muscles and core muscles for years, strengthening them. I had tried a few different times before to become a ‘runner’, but honestly, I hated it. This time was different. Why? Because I had trained for it unknowingly. My passion was for working out with weights and it made running so much different and a new possibility. I’m so thankful that I had the foundation already of the body muscles that I needed for running.
As I ran and trained with Emmi, who was training for a marathon, I ran into many obstacles. When the cramping on a longer run, or the nauseousness and vomiting on another run happened, I was determined to figure it out. I googled all my symptoms and running. I became educated on what to do and or not do. I learned not to start my run too fast, but to ease into it, helping with the cramping. I learned to hydrate on longer runs with water and an enhancer, which gave me the electrolytes and carbohydrates that my body desperately needed, keeping me from getting sick to my stomach. I learned to eat many more carbohydrates than I usually do, which gave me the energy to run and run longer distances. It was a fight to keep running and run longer distances. I decided I was a runner and I would do what needed to be done to get that accomplished.
I found out because of low energy that I had Iron Defiency Anemia and was told by the doctor no more long runs. This was very hard for me because I had one more long run of 20 miles that I wanted to do with Emmi before she ran her marathon. That was my personal goal. I had to work around the disappointment in my mind and not totally give up. I started eating more red meat, kale, and taking iron supplements. I continued running up to 6 miles at a time, but not longer distances.
During this time of getting my iron levels up and shortening my runs from 3 – 6 miles at a time, a transformation was taking place. I remember when I first started running I would ask myself if I felt the pleasure of God, just like Eric Liddell said he did. I asked myself on every run and the answer was a resounding NO!! Slowly, through eating more carbs, drinking more water, running shorter distances I was beginning to feel stronger. My energy levels were much higher than they had been and I found myself smiling as I ran. I was running often by myself and smiling at people and the creation surrounding me. I enjoyed running in the sun, when it was cloudy, and even sprinkling. I was running up hills that I hated, but knew were good for me, walking and running to get up them. Eventually, I found I could run all the way up without walking. It was a step by step process of getting stronger and stronger as I pushed myself, but also listening to my body in the process. I may be smiling when I run because I am high on endorphins, but I would much rather think it is a mix between being thankful for a 57-year-old body that can run and learn new things, endorphins, and feeling the pleasure of God. He is my strength. I can do all things through Him, as He leads me.
Thank you for sharing. This is a powerful reminder that when circumstances get in the way of or goal or destination it doesn’t necessarily mean we are being told to stop what we are doing, but maybe, instead we are just being told to get there by taking another route. And maybe, it is the more scenic route. :0)
Love it, Patty! Thank you for sharing your heart, your journey. I am so encouraged by your commitment, your dedication and your focus! You are an inspiration to me 😉
Thanks, Lizi!!!
Thanks, Kim, I’m going with the more scenic route!!! Love you very much!!!