From Running Fast to Running Well: Part 1

As some of you know, I enjoy running. When I lived in Columbia, I ran my first 5K race, and then conquered the Governor’s Cup 8K, and those challenging hills. I discovered that running was a valuable stress reliever, a good way to stay healthy, and a powerful metaphor for life. In my first training program through Fleet Feet, I remember being amazed at how I went from not running at all to running 5 miles comfortably in just 12 short weeks. I remember wondering how many other ways I could probably grow in my life if I applied that same focus, training, discipline & community that I had learned from running.

Then, one of my favorite students approached me. I know you’re not supposed to have favorites but you develop deeper relationships with some students as they open up different parts of their lives to you. This student had a heart that reflected a deep love and understanding in Christ. She had a big, hairy, audacious goal, to run a half marathon. AND she wanted me to join her for the journey. We were going to raise money for Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian organization that ministers to hurting families and communities around the world in the name of Christ. It was a bold vision, a God-sized dream, from a heart that echoed His. I want to be a part of God-sized challenges and grand visions, so of course I said sign me up!

Full of confidence from my recent successes in running, I quickly jumped on board and joined in the big plan making. We pulled together training schedules and a donation page. We got others on board and started the journey of preparation.
Training was hard. It took more time that I had imagined. Running with my student and her friends meant recognizing I was the weakest & slowest link. I had a decade of years on them, but somehow I thought I should still be able to keep up. Oh, the danger of comparison!

God was also starting to do something else in my life; He was starting to lead me toward a new job and a new place in Texas. Slowly, I was becoming less engaged in training and more focused on a pending move and logistics. The big dream gave way to working out details and breaking away from a community and a place that I had called home for four years.

Eventually, it became apparent that I needed to drop out of training. I couldn’t complete this journey, as I was beginning one of a different kind. Others would run the race and complete the journey I left behind. Read more about their results and our journey together here.

For anyone that has ever dropped out of training or out of a race, though, you know the bitter taste it leaves in your mouth. There is no way to spin it that doesn’t seem like failure, like you aren’t good enough or strong enough. Add in the disappointment of others that were counting on you, and it feels like a pretty miserable experience. And so it was with me...

Stay tuned for Part 2: Learning to Run Again.