13.1.
That number has been echoing in my head for the past two and a half weeks. For about a year now, I have always thought about running a half-marathon eventually in my life.
Last winter, as I was casually training with my brother, we both realized we were super busy, and it wasn't going to happen at that time. Then summer rolled around, allowing me to consider that maybe I would give this race a second-thought. I was doing good, running was becoming more enjoyable, and I started looking up schedules to follow.
Act 1, scene 1. The pain. It started slowly in my ankle, only hurting after a long run. A few days later, it got a little worse. Then the next day it worsened. It hurt to walk. Something was obviously wrong and had been building up for a while, but I was ignoring the problem, trying to push through the pain.
Act 1, scene 2. The doctor's office. Confirmed: stress fracture. Boot: 6 weeks. Running: nope. I was limited to swimming and the elipitical machine, which didn't really allow me to continue training.
Act 1, scene 3. Freedom. Finally, the boot came off, and the air cast came on. I was allowed to slowly work my way up to running again, and the doctor approved my half-marathon training for the future. A few strengthening exercises with the good old theraband, and I was good to go.
Intermission.
Act 2, scene 1. After rationalizing it for so long, I finally decided that I'm going to do it. I was all talk, no action. The best time to run is in the fall and winter, so why not train for a half-marathon now? Soon after thinking about it, I asked some of my friends if they wanted to do it with me, because running with someone and having a friend there to push and encourage you is worthwhile. Praise the Lord for Katie Nehm. Love her.
Act 2, scene 2. Here we are. Week two and a half of training (kind of). I know it's not going to be easy. But I also know that God gave Katie and I the same desire to run this half-marathon for a reason. Through this whole training process, Katie and I have developed a friendship completely centered around God and our new hobby: running at sketch times in not so good weather. I've realized that the way we have encouraged each other to finish the last mile strong and the way we have shared our enthusiasm about the race can easily be used for God's glory. We started praying before we run together, asking that the Lord would give us strength, thanking him for the opportunity to be physically active, but most importantly, asking that God would use this run to glorify Himself. Our spirit-filled conversation and just the way that we get to pour into each other has been a growing experience in and of itself.
Not to mention, we are turning into running fanatics. The idea of getting up at 6:00 am to run four miles before church now excites us. The thought of new running shoes and trying electrolyte gel packs for the first time makes our hearts beat fast. But this might be the greatest: the image of us running through the finish line after working so hard to conquer the big 13.1. It can be done, and it will be done.
