Benchmark 1 - Mission Accomplished!

Last Saturday, I ran the Ray Tanner 5K, the first of three benchmark races I have set for myself to help me prepare for the 13.1 miles in February. I was running in honor of my grandmother, who told me that she was running with me in spirit. I missed my personal record by 2 seconds. I was disappointed to fall short of my PR but relieved to run a good race. They gave all the runners medals at the end of the race, and it was very cool to be able to give mine to my grandmother. I wrote 2 Timothy 4:7 on the back, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Very fitting and appropriate words for my grandmother, who has lived an incredible life committed to Christ, full of joy and love, investing in the lives of others and being a faithful prayer warrior standing in the gap for those in need.

Those are words that I very much want to be true in my life. Sometimes I can look back and see how God has led me along the course, and others I see detours I took along the way, or unexpected hilly terrain that throws me off track. I've been there lately, feeling exhausted and not really sure where the road ahead leads. I've been wondering how much further until a break or a water stop, or trying to catch a glimpse of the final destination. I wonder if I am on the right path, or if I should be somewhere else. I want to be on the right course. I so want to be faithful, living abundantly and faithfully for Him, taking each step in line with His will. I want to sense His pleasure and His blessing in my life. I want, I need to rest in His security and His peace that even when I can't see the course ahead, He is guiding me and preparing me for whatever lies ahead.

The verse that reverberate in my mind today is Isaiah 40:31 - "But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They will mount up on wings as eagles. They shall run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint."

It is in His strength that I continue running, both the race of daily life, sorting out His plans for my future, and in training for the half. I finished the first race, the 5K. Another challenge lies ahead, the Governor's Cup 8K, that is a much more hilly course. Last year, it got the best of me. I am hoping to do better this year and to be more prepared for the challenge. It is the next stop along the way to 13.1. Hopefully, I'll see you at the finish line. Thanks for sharing this journey with me!