YES!

That is what I wanted to shout today when I finished running this run.



It was the best run I've had in a several weeks. I did intervals (5x1000m) at about a 9:10 pace. Man it felt good. Gave me hope, joy, and lifted my spirit. It's funny, but I often reflect on how running is related to faith. It's true in a lot of ways, but I really feel a sense of peace and wholeness when I run that is hard to describe, but I want to share that experience with other people. Same is true for my faith and my belief in Christ as Savior to the world.

The latest podcast by Steve Runner, Phedippidations, comments on the reasons we run. He reported the many different reasons people run and had a lot of comments from listeners writing their thoughts. I think the reasons can change and evolve over time, and I've related to almost all of what people mentioned. Personal health reasons is often toward the top of the list. This is big for me, and it's not only physical health, but mental and spiritual health as well. A friend of mine often would say, "Being a follower of Christ makes me a better husband, father, friend, brother, neighbor, etc." I feel that being a runner makes me a better person as well, in that it keeps me healthy in mind, body and spirit so that I can invest in relationships with others. My hope is that it makes me a better husband and father. Yes, I want to live long enough to see my boy grow up and enjoy life. I know that running isn't a guarantee of long life, but it definitely increases your chances.

But it's not really all about long life though. My aforementioned friend would also quote a mentor of his by saying, "Believing is not about heaven someday, it's about Christlikeness, now." Meaning, I shouldn't worry about heaven or hell, but about being obedient, today. God created this world the one I'm in, right here, right now and he cares for it. In the same way, running is not about long life-someday, to me. Sure, it'd be nice. But it's about an improved way of living today. It's about having energy, facing challenges and enduring, peace, patience, self-control. Wow, as I write this list thinking of running, it's funny how many of the adjectives are fruits of the spirit as well. Hmm...

Okay, enough late night ramblings. All that to say, I feel rejuvenated. Easter is a time of hope and joy.

Progress report: I've run/walked 181.4 miles so far this year and I'm down to 119.5, down 24.5 lbs. since I started this. I'm hoping to run a 5k within the next month or so so that I can gauge my progress on my pace goals, but I think I've knocked about a minute/mile off my pace for a 10k from what I was running at the beginning of the year.

Thanks for reading and for your encouraging comments. They really are a driving force.