5K in the Rain

I have decided that the main reason I like to run is because I get to do a lot of talking to God in the process.  I continually ask Christ for His strength to make it to the tree ahead or the sign that I can see off in the distance. I sing His praises when I reach each marker.  I sing praise songs and hymns in my head (yep, no Ipod needed for this gal) and quote scripture to take my mind off the task at hand.

 Most of what Christ hears from me during a race is, "Please don't let me pass out...or throw up."  "Please let me finish this race running, because I want to make it worth Eric's while for hanging back with me, when he could be running a much quicker pace."  "Thank you for giving me the ability to even be here to run.  May I finish well."  "Give me your strength, Jesus! I trust you!"  All of these things I talk to God about, because in myself, running is so far from natural for me.  I would much rather walk briskly and never have to worry about keeping my breathing under control. 

Me running is a complete testimony of how if you ask, Christ will give you the strength to accomplish what you thought was impossible, if it jives with His will.   Running has been an awesome way for Eric and I to spend time together, and running 5Ks together has been a great addition to our marriage.  And God certainly loves marriages and is all about them being strengthened for His glory.  Running wasn't exactly my first choice for a bonding relationship builder, but God has been faithful and put the desire in my heart to begin an activity that my hubby loves, even though I thought my first few runs would kill me.  They didn't.  And God continues to bless my running, give me the strength to run each race, and He is so sweet to give me a joy in this activity, too.  Eric and I really do have a blast running together. 

I ACTUALLY ENJOY RUNNING.

I NEVER thought I would say that. 

Never say never when Christ is your Lord and Savior. 

This past Saturday, Eric and I ran the "Race Across the Spectrum for Autism Awareness."  Our friend, Ben, told us about it at our last 5K and said that his friend organizes a team each year to honor her precious son, Turner, who has autism.  The event raises funds to support research-based early intervention for young children impacted by Autism in Middle Tennessee.  Ben asked if we wanted to run with him and we were in, making us a part of "Team Turner."

I did not go into the race with high hopes of breaking any records this time, since we got to do little training in the weeks preceeding the run, due to vacation and weather.  My goal again was to run the entire race and not pass out.  I was pretty sure I could accomplish the second, but very doubtful about the first, but was ready to give it a try.  When we woke up at 6am, we were delighted with how cool it was.  When we got lined up to start the race, the sky opened and the rain began to fall.  It wasn't a torrential downpour, but a nice steady stream of light rain that was PERFECT.  Nice touch, God.  It was cool and rainy and in much contrast to the hot and sunny conditions of my first 5K.  I quickly assessed that running in the rain is the way to go!

I also quickly discovered that sun visors are of great use, even when the sun is nowhere to be found.  They are great sweat catchers and keep the rain from pelting you in the face.  I am a fan.

Once we were off and running, I hung in quite well.  I could tell my pace was slower than the first time, but that was okay.  Eric encouraged me, especially up the hills.  I was extremely delighted when we crossed the 2 mile mark, because I totally missed the sign marking 1 mile.  I kept thinking, "This mile is going on forever."  What joy to see that sign with the "2" on it and know we were 2/3 finished.  Woo Hoo! 

I was really running out of steam midway through mile #3.  I am pretty sure Eric sensed that, because he started singing a praise song and grabbed ahold of my hand. Now I don't recommend running in tandem the entire race, but it sure is a good boost in the home stretch.  Like last time, I feel like he carried me across the finish line.

We finished in 31 minutes 20 seconds.  Not too bad for as little training as we got to do.  We ran a 10:07 mile, which was not quite as fast as the first time, but seeing that I ran the whole way, didn't pass out or feel like throwing up when I crossed the finish line, it was all good.  I did discover that my recovery after this 5K was much quicker than the first, so I am certainly making progress in my running career.  Ha!

Two take aways from the morning:

God's strength will ALWAYS overcome the lack of your own.

And

Running in the rain is good.  Very good.