This past weekend I did something for the very first time: ran a 25K. That’s 15.5 miles, friends. WOAH.
Honestly, I love a good half-marathon and consider that a plenty long-enough distance (for me, personally) to run all at one time. I have never really had the desire to go much further than that, feeling fully accomplished and satisfied following 13.1 miles of legs burning and being covered in sweat. So when people have asked me if I’ve been interested in going further, I’ve simply just responded with, “I’m good.”
But for some reason, after finishing the Ann-Arbor Half-Marathon back in March, I felt this nudge to step out of my comfort zone and give a new, longer distance a try. So I texted my good friend, and fellow running buddy, Nicole, and said: “So, I’m thinking about the River Bank Run 25K. Think I could do it?” And she very quickly responded with: “YES!” followed by, “If you can run a half-marathon, you can run a 25K.” And so, later that day, I signed myself up for this race with a just a little over a month to train. (I mean, if you’re going to take the leap, might as well fly right off the edge, right?)
Then, as I mentioned in my post last week, I got sick again and my good-intentions of training consistently sort-of went by the wayside. I did my best, but I certainly didn’t get in as many days / miles as I had originally planned. So essentially, I ran my longest distance race with the least amount of training for a long-distance race than I ever have in all my years of running. Crazy!
Here’s the thing though – isn’t it just like God to come through and show His power in our weakness? Isn’t it things like this (uncertain, foggy, scary, risky things He calls us to) that just get Him all excited and thrilled to reveal His glory through us? He’s so crazy cool and good like that! And because I’ve experienced His faithfulness in times of weakness (and brokenness) before, I knew all I had to do was put my trust in Him to do His thing. And so I did just that, and as sure as the sun comes up each morning, He was present with me and brought me to the finish line.
Here are a few pics from this new adventure with Him …
Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at the start line!
The sweet sensation of achieving a new goal!
Victory is ours! Running buddies forever!
I really had no expectations for myself on Saturday. I didn’t feel compelled to set a goal for finish time. My only goals were to 1) have fun with Nicole and our fellow runners out on the course, 2) praise and worship God along the way, and 3) eventually cross the finish line (before the race officially ended and everyone packed up and left – LOL!). And by the grace of God, I accomplished all three goals and actually didn’t too bad time-wise with an official time of 2:40:07 (10 minutes/mile).
Overall, it was a GREAT (albeit HARD) experience and I am so thankful, again, for the opportunity to have been able to participate in such an awesome event! I’m grateful to God for the nudge to do something different, releasing control and surrendering to His plans, purposes, and power over my own. And I’m forever thankful for my friend, Nicole, who God has put in my life to encourage and support me in this running journey. (Thanks for waiting for me at the finish line and cheering me on (again), girl!) Also – thanks to my loved ones who encouraged me leading up to the race and texted me the day of – means so much to me!
Here’s to taking risks and running boldly without fear into the things He has for us! He is GOOD!