If I would have known the discipline it was going to take, the incredible pain I would experience, or the constant dread that would ensue, I never would have paid the $55 and registered. And I never would have set out on the odyssey that taught me more than my finite mind can register even 10 days post-race.
I hate running. Even after training for six months and completing my first/only half marathon, I still hate it. I don't mean to be pessimistic, dramatic, or a complainer, but I'd rather have my feet chopped off than run another 13.1 miles. They feel like they've been chopped off anyway, so c'mon. Bring the saw. People talk about "runner's high". "Give it some time," they say. "You're gonna love it."
NO.
I felt as though I somewhat enjoyed it maybe five times. But I do know my deep, deep, deep hatred for the sport most definitely contributed to all the lessons I was taught as I limped up and sprinted down the endless hills of East Tennessee.
Lesson #1 - Doing something different introduces you to new people
I did my best runs at night or down back roads, and there was no way I was about to do those by myself (plus my mother would kill me if someone else didn't). Throughout my training I was able to run with friends I already had and with people I didn't know before. If I didn't have a running buddy, I would contact someone I knew ran and would ask them to come with me! So… Syd, Grizel, Megan, Anne, Shelby, Maya, and Lauren - thanks for keeping a girl going!
Lesson #2 - Running is a spiritual discipline
It may not be on many "spiritual discipline" lists, but I think it should be. Not only did running give me time to think things through rationally, it also presented long periods of time when I could talk to Jesus (that is, when I could think about doing anything other than breathing). Running through the mountains also put me smack dab in the middle of some of the most beautiful creation around. Ultimately, it taught me that even when I don't feel like it, even when my mind tells me "no", even when I think I don't have time, spending time with Jesus is always possible and always worth it.
Lesson #3 - Cars that honk at runners should have spikes thrust into their tires
But really. I don't care if you think I'm attractive as I wheeze through my open mouth, sweat in all the areas, and demonstrate the worst possible posture imaginable - do NOT honk at me. Or maybe you're just doing it because you want to see if it's possible to jump and run at the same time. Yes, I'm talking to you, Mr. Large Delivery Truck Four Feet from Me. A whistle (while also demeaning to women everywhere) is much more acceptable.
Lesson #4 - It's all about the shoes
Spend the money. Don't think you've snagged a deal on some cute-colored Nike's with your 30% off Kohl's coupon. If you're going to run long distances, go to a running store, get evaluated, and spend the $120.
Lesson #5 - Accountability means everything
If it wasn't for Lauren being on the receiving end of my post-run text messages replying with her all-caps and endless exclamation points, I'm not sure if I would have kept going. I'm normally fine with self-motivation, but only if I'm doing easy things. Her consistent "OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!! I'm so proud of you!!!!!!!!!" and "Keep going! You're getting more disciplined!!!!" messages made me feel that the pain and time was somehow worth it.
My friend, Nina, was also great to have as accountability towards the end. She ran the same race as I did, and the last couple months of training she'd ask me fairly regularly how far I'd been running that week. Whenever someone's expecting you to run and asks you about it, it makes it so much more difficult to not run!
Lesson #6 - There is beauty in pain
Just kidding. No there's not.
Lesson #7 - God knows me
When I began training, I suffered from a ton of pride. I thought that since I was putting all the effort into training, then the results were from me. My body, my hours logged, my glory. People were going to think I was super cool and fit and dedicated. God had other plans, especially after I began asking him to strip me of my pride in any way he saw fit. Life gets scary when you pray prayers like that, people. Take caution.
The pain in my hips and knees became almost unbearable. There was one week in February when I almost gave up my entire endeavor because of pain. It was then that I realized that God gives me the strength to lace up my shoes and the strength to put my right foot in front of my left. It sounds so cheesy, but from that moment on I knew each run was a testimony of God's power and grace.
Lesson #8 - You can always do more than you think you can
Running is a second-by-second decision to put mind over matter.
Lesson #9 - Have a plethora of running buddy options
Like I mentioned before, having friends to run with helped tremendously. Because of my random schedule, I never ran at consistent times. Everyone else had random schedules, too, so it helped to have a list of people I could text to see if they were available!
Lesson #10 - Chew gum
It keeps the spit from building up in stickiness. Yum.
Lesson #11 - Get over the bad days
Some days it was all I could do to run a mile and a half. I felt like I was going to die. Some days I ran five miles and didn't even think twice about it. Oftentimes those two runs would occur in the same week. It's not about each day, but the weeks that turn into months. If you have a bad day, try again tomorrow (or three days later if you're like me).
Lesson #12 - God hears prayers
Before my race, the longest distance I had run was 9 miles, and that was almost an entire month earlier. I was about 75% sure I would have to end up walking at least part of the course. My prayer during all of March was, "God, please just let me run the whole thing. I've put so much time and energy and pain into this. I promise I'll give you the glory. Just please, please, PLEASE don't let me walk." And he didn't. Thanks, God! You rock.
Lesson #13 - Doing something hard is hard
When I added "run a half marathon" to my bucket list a couple years ago, I just stuck it next to "learn to juggle" and "have a Harry Potter marathon" like it was just something else I'd eventually check off. After I trained for and ran my first 5K in October 2012, I knew quadrupling that distance would be a tad more difficult.
During my six months of training I encountered challenge upon challenge. First of all, I was training during the winter, and I hate running on treadmills. This made for a few runs in the snow (which I learned to LOVE) and quite a fewrescheduled canceled training days. Secondly, I experienced heavy amounts of pain in my hips and knees after the first month of training. If by some miracle I wasn't in pain after a run, I would rejoice. Third, during most of my training I was working 25 hours a week as a waitress and taking 18 hours of classes. I was pooped. Last of all, my training partner for the race moved across the country to do some awesome ministry mid-train. Good thing I'd already logged in four months of training by then, or I would have quit.
The last six months of life have been pretty difficult physically, mentally, and relationally, and running was a big part of it. Yes, it contributed to the hardships, but I think it ultimately helped more than it hurt. Friendships were made and deepened. I got to know my Jesus on a new, raw level I'd never experienced as I learned to fully lean on him step by step and day by day. Even though I'm determined to never run long distances ever again, the lessons I was taught will not be forgotten anytime soon... especially because I'm reminded of them every time I try to walk down a flight of stairs.
I hate running. Even after training for six months and completing my first/only half marathon, I still hate it. I don't mean to be pessimistic, dramatic, or a complainer, but I'd rather have my feet chopped off than run another 13.1 miles. They feel like they've been chopped off anyway, so c'mon. Bring the saw. People talk about "runner's high". "Give it some time," they say. "You're gonna love it."
NO.
I felt as though I somewhat enjoyed it maybe five times. But I do know my deep, deep, deep hatred for the sport most definitely contributed to all the lessons I was taught as I limped up and sprinted down the endless hills of East Tennessee.
Lesson #1 - Doing something different introduces you to new people
I did my best runs at night or down back roads, and there was no way I was about to do those by myself (plus my mother would kill me if someone else didn't). Throughout my training I was able to run with friends I already had and with people I didn't know before. If I didn't have a running buddy, I would contact someone I knew ran and would ask them to come with me! So… Syd, Grizel, Megan, Anne, Shelby, Maya, and Lauren - thanks for keeping a girl going!
Lesson #2 - Running is a spiritual discipline
It may not be on many "spiritual discipline" lists, but I think it should be. Not only did running give me time to think things through rationally, it also presented long periods of time when I could talk to Jesus (that is, when I could think about doing anything other than breathing). Running through the mountains also put me smack dab in the middle of some of the most beautiful creation around. Ultimately, it taught me that even when I don't feel like it, even when my mind tells me "no", even when I think I don't have time, spending time with Jesus is always possible and always worth it.
Lesson #3 - Cars that honk at runners should have spikes thrust into their tires
But really. I don't care if you think I'm attractive as I wheeze through my open mouth, sweat in all the areas, and demonstrate the worst possible posture imaginable - do NOT honk at me. Or maybe you're just doing it because you want to see if it's possible to jump and run at the same time. Yes, I'm talking to you, Mr. Large Delivery Truck Four Feet from Me. A whistle (while also demeaning to women everywhere) is much more acceptable.
Lesson #4 - It's all about the shoes
Spend the money. Don't think you've snagged a deal on some cute-colored Nike's with your 30% off Kohl's coupon. If you're going to run long distances, go to a running store, get evaluated, and spend the $120.
Lesson #5 - Accountability means everything
If it wasn't for Lauren being on the receiving end of my post-run text messages replying with her all-caps and endless exclamation points, I'm not sure if I would have kept going. I'm normally fine with self-motivation, but only if I'm doing easy things. Her consistent "OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!! I'm so proud of you!!!!!!!!!" and "Keep going! You're getting more disciplined!!!!" messages made me feel that the pain and time was somehow worth it.
My friend, Nina, was also great to have as accountability towards the end. She ran the same race as I did, and the last couple months of training she'd ask me fairly regularly how far I'd been running that week. Whenever someone's expecting you to run and asks you about it, it makes it so much more difficult to not run!
Lesson #6 - There is beauty in pain
Just kidding. No there's not.
Lesson #7 - God knows me
When I began training, I suffered from a ton of pride. I thought that since I was putting all the effort into training, then the results were from me. My body, my hours logged, my glory. People were going to think I was super cool and fit and dedicated. God had other plans, especially after I began asking him to strip me of my pride in any way he saw fit. Life gets scary when you pray prayers like that, people. Take caution.
The pain in my hips and knees became almost unbearable. There was one week in February when I almost gave up my entire endeavor because of pain. It was then that I realized that God gives me the strength to lace up my shoes and the strength to put my right foot in front of my left. It sounds so cheesy, but from that moment on I knew each run was a testimony of God's power and grace.
Lesson #8 - You can always do more than you think you can
Running is a second-by-second decision to put mind over matter.
Lesson #9 - Have a plethora of running buddy options
Like I mentioned before, having friends to run with helped tremendously. Because of my random schedule, I never ran at consistent times. Everyone else had random schedules, too, so it helped to have a list of people I could text to see if they were available!
Lesson #10 - Chew gum
It keeps the spit from building up in stickiness. Yum.
Lesson #11 - Get over the bad days
Some days it was all I could do to run a mile and a half. I felt like I was going to die. Some days I ran five miles and didn't even think twice about it. Oftentimes those two runs would occur in the same week. It's not about each day, but the weeks that turn into months. If you have a bad day, try again tomorrow (or three days later if you're like me).
Lesson #12 - God hears prayers
Before my race, the longest distance I had run was 9 miles, and that was almost an entire month earlier. I was about 75% sure I would have to end up walking at least part of the course. My prayer during all of March was, "God, please just let me run the whole thing. I've put so much time and energy and pain into this. I promise I'll give you the glory. Just please, please, PLEASE don't let me walk." And he didn't. Thanks, God! You rock.
Lesson #13 - Doing something hard is hard
When I added "run a half marathon" to my bucket list a couple years ago, I just stuck it next to "learn to juggle" and "have a Harry Potter marathon" like it was just something else I'd eventually check off. After I trained for and ran my first 5K in October 2012, I knew quadrupling that distance would be a tad more difficult.
During my six months of training I encountered challenge upon challenge. First of all, I was training during the winter, and I hate running on treadmills. This made for a few runs in the snow (which I learned to LOVE) and quite a few
The last six months of life have been pretty difficult physically, mentally, and relationally, and running was a big part of it. Yes, it contributed to the hardships, but I think it ultimately helped more than it hurt. Friendships were made and deepened. I got to know my Jesus on a new, raw level I'd never experienced as I learned to fully lean on him step by step and day by day. Even though I'm determined to never run long distances ever again, the lessons I was taught will not be forgotten anytime soon... especially because I'm reminded of them every time I try to walk down a flight of stairs.
