Heart & Sole

Almost a month ago to the day, I hurt my ankle. I ended up missing over three weeks of training for the Heart & Sole 5 miler, a race that I had been talking about since the fall. As I started running again last week, I really thought it was too late, that I had missed too much time to be able to run and finish. I was planning on sitting it out and just waiting until the next 5k. My Fleet Feet running mates encouraged me to come out and do it, though, to take it easy and just do the best I could. I was scared of disappointing myself or re-injuring my ankle, but I decided to give it a try anyway.


And so this morning I ran the race. And I ran it, all of it, the longest run I have completed in over a month. Although there are other races that I have completed with faster times, as I crossed the finish line today, I thought about how much more special this one is, especially after overcoming the injury and overcoming some serious self-doubt. It was sweet to complete it, so sweet.

As I came home and started thinking about the experience, I am just reminded again of how much running for me is a metaphor for life. I was thinking about how God has set a course for us to run, and He sent His Son to make us eligible for the race. As we start out on the journey, there is much celebrating and festivity. As we continue on the course, though, there are some tough spots, where the sun is beating down and steep hills (like Gervais St) discourage us. There are times we are offered detours along the way (Three mile walkers, turn left here) and have to decide if we are going to stay the course or not.
 
Each time, though, when I thought I couldn't go anymore, right then, it seemed like there was a water stop, a time to pause and replenish and soak in the mist (a time of revival and restoration). There were volunteers along the course (church family), cheering me on, cheering us on. Seeing their energy and sensing their encouragement gave me fuel to keep going. About mile marker three, there was a section of the course where you could see the ones who were far ahead (mature Christians). As they passed by, they had words of encouragement too. That encouragement meant the most - seeing the ones that were further along the course, the ones who had gone before us, the ones who knew the way and had travelled the path before.
 
All the while we are running, we have to keep our focus on the finish line, and the one there to meet us. Today it was a guy with a bucket of roses... in the future, it will be the One ready to welcome us home, the author and perfecter of our faith, the One who go befores us, the One who goes with us, the One who keeps us on course for His best and for ours.
 
I did not set a personal record today... but I did something even more special. I showed myself what Heart and Soul are really all about - committing to run the race Christ has set before us and sharing that journey with others, being encouraged by them when we are weak, and encouraging others when we are strong.