Monday, January 31, 2011

Stopping Short & Going Long

In my last blog, I talked about the tortoise and the need to consistently move forward. Sometimes, though, we run into detours, and such has been my training this time around. Instead of moving forward, I have been “stuck” at maintaining and struggling to get in my weekly runs, much less my 3x a week scheduled ones. My cross-training has been suffering, as I haven’t hit the gym much lately either. As happens from time to time, life gets in the way.
I recently accepted a new position at Baylor University and will be moving to Texas in a month. My training schedule has given way to packing and to-do lists, quality time with friends and family, closing one chapter of my life and preparing to begin another.
And so, in some ways, I accept defeat. I am stopping short of my goal, officially changing my registration from the half-marathon to the 5K, the same weekend. I am still, though, running with our team and still supporting Samaritan’s Purse. I just can’t finish the training and build the miles for the half while doing what I need to do to transition. As I struggled with the decision, I felt disappointed in myself and my lack of follow through. It bothers me not to finish what I started.
But while I am stopping short of this goal, the half, I am also thinking about going long, thinking long-term about how I can continue to support Samaritan’s Purse, how I can cultivate Christ-like compassion in my life, about how I can make a difference in the lives of those around me. I want to go the distance when it comes to caring and encouraging others to care about those in need around the world. I want to write, to share, to give generously to organizations like SP that are there long-term, meeting needs and changing lives in the name of Christ.
I hope to team up with Carolyn and all again in the future, and tackle a half successfully. In the meantime, I still choose to run with purpose and want to finish well.
If you missed the article Brett Welsh wrote in the Columbia College Postscript, check it out here:
It’s not too late to support our team. Go to our team website to donate:

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