Running the race

I recently ran my first 5k race every. I wasn't at all ready for it, my body, 3 days later, is still hurting from it :P 

I signed up a few days before the race. My heart racing with excitement as I was getting to run my first race. I checked the form that I had filled out twice just to make sure it was all correct.
I went and got new running shoes and the guy who helped me was {SO} helpful. I walked out of the shop and I told my Mom, "that guy, Cory, was so helpful. I think I just fell in love and made a new best friend." If anyone is looking for new sports wear, let me know... I highly recommend going and seeing Cory. He is awesome!. He answered all my silly questions gave me info on different races, different types of shoes (who knew you needed a different type of shoe for trail vs road running?? Hehe) and taught me a lot more about the sport. Anyway, I ended up walking out with an awesome pair of shoes. More shopping for a pair of running socks and water bottle and there I was, set to start a new chapter in my life.

So... Forms filled in, check. Race number, check. Running shoes, check. Water bottle, check. All I had to do was rock up at Lauren's house at 6:15am so we could walk {1.8km, on top of the 5ks} to the race.

That night I made sure I was prepared. I laid out my clothes and shoes. My water bottle and race number  were ready.  I was feeling excited and motivated.

{Race Day}
I woke up early got myself ready and went over to Lauren's house. Henriette, one of our friends was meeting up with us too. Neither of them had packed water in with them. When I asked they said we didn't need to take water as there would be water stations along the way. Awesome. I didn't need to run with my 500ml bottle... So I decided to drink most of the water before we left. Not such a smart move as I was soon to discover.

We walked to the race and it was a great way to warm up. Now I just have to say, Lauren and Henriette are runners. I am so grateful to them for sticking with me and encouraging me to push myself. We got to the start line and waited excitedly for the gun to go off. They counted down, 10. 9. 8... 3. 2. 1. And the gun went off. I pushed the start button on my timer and off we went. The first 500m was crazy as we made our way out the crowd to start our run, and by run I mean jog ;)

The first 2.5ks were pretty easy... Until I started getting a stitch, right under my ribs. Ouch. Not fun. Should not have had all that water for 'energy'. Lesson learnt.  After the first 3ks the girls really had to push me. I just wanted to walk the rest of the way. My legs were like jelly, already! The thought of what are my legs going to feel like tomorrow did cross my mind but all I could think about was the end. I. Need. To. Get. A. Gold. Medal. Lauren and Henriette helped me with my breathing, helped me to get to the top of the hill and helped me from "we will start walking from the next stop street and start running again from the next tree." Some times I surprised myself and pushed a bit harder than I thought I could and sometimes I just needed to slow right down. All this time with this silly stitch that just would not leave.  They had markers at every kilometer. Which helped me a lot so I knew how far we were. I knew the 5k mark was just around the corner. Yay. We were almost there. I was hot, sweating and just wanting to finish. We got around the corner and I saw the 5k mark BUT something was just not right. There were NO people there, and there were a couple people running past the 5k marker. "Did we maybe take a wrong turn somewhere and some how end up in the 10k zone??? Where are all the people??? More, importantly, Where is my gold medal???" These were some of the questions going on in my head. Henriette and Lauren kept on running, and so did I. And even worse, there was ANOTHER hill coming up. Really, at this point in the race??? And we were now heading on 5.5ks. Henriette eventually answered all my questions... "We almost there, just a few more steps to go." We ran another corner and there I saw the best sight I had seen in a LONG time... The posters marking the last 20 meters of the race. {Which had now turned the race into almost 6ks} Henriette had said that when you see these posters, somehow, from some where, you get this energy to just run through the finish line. Well, 50 meters ago, I didn't believe her. But that Very quickly changed. Lauren, Henriette and myself started running. 47 min, 03 sec and 9 1/10 of a second we crossed over the finish line. Tired, exhausted, hot, sweaty and HAPPY, we each got our gold medals.

I had achieved my goal. To cross the finish line and to get the medal.

Again, thanks to my running, encouraging fairy friends. I really wouldn't have pushed myself that much with out you.

Now, three and a half days later I am still a bit sore. But it was so worth it.

This all got me thinking. My spiritual life is sort of like running a race like this one.

Before I started my Christian race, I knew a bit about how I had to get started. Like my running race I had to make sure I had the right equipment - running shoes and running clothes. In my Godly race my equipment is the bible. 2 Tim 3:16-17 "all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17. That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." {NKJV}

To run my race I had to make sure I was counted for so I had to fill in a form and pay a fee. In my spiritual race I had to make sure I was counted for by repenting AND getting baptized. Acts 2:38 then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remissions of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. {NKJV}

To get to my goal in the running race, which was crossing the finish line AND getting a medal, I had to make sure I kept my feet moving forward. It was hard some times, and along the way I needed encouragement to keep myself going. I went down hill where things were easy and up hill where things were hard. My Spiritual race is the same. To get to my goal, which is a crown in heaven, [Phi 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ESV] I have to keep moving forward, growing and maturing. [2 Pet 3:18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. NKJV] Sometimes my race is hard and sometimes I may feel like giving up but I just need to remember to push through. God has given us brothers and sisters through Him, that I can use to encourage me. It is an instruction to help a brother or sister in hardships. [1 Thes 5: 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. NKJV] Even though there are hardships, there are times when it is easier. Where I feel motivated all the time. In both situations I need to remember to just keep my eyes on the prize.

In between my running races and my spiritual races I need to practice, do, push myself, encourage people to join me, don't become lazy and back slide. Otherwise I might not make it across the finish line, and how tragic will it be when I meet The Lord one day and He says to me "But you thought your needs were bigger than My needs, depart from me." Col 3:17 and whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of The Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. {NKJV} 

God gives us our running gear.

Eph 6. 10-20  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.11 Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Welcome :)

Welcome to my new blog.

I hope you enjoy looking around and learning more about God and what His expectations are of us!!