I have been watching all of the videos on YouTube about ITB stretching, Chi Running, and other running related videos that You Tube thinks I need to see. My ITBS is dormant right now... but I am on Day 2 of REST... so who knows. My left hip... the one that suddenly started to hurt after Saturday's 8 miler... still aches. Not excruciating, but definitely hurts. My calf muscles seem really tight, my feet feel all swollen, and I cannot sleep.
Well, I can fall asleep, even early, but I have been waking up before 4 am. Is it because I am going to bed to early? Is it because I am nervous?
I do feel ready, prepared. My outfit is ready. I am going to back my belt today. I am going to the MCM Expo to pick up my bib tomorrow as soon as the kids get on the bus. But then I cannot take my time as their Halloween parties start at 1:30... and I think that is where I really will freak out. With all of the kiddos in their cute costumes, I will be thinking... about my marathon.
I have made no secret of my faith here in blogland. So I can share with you that yesterday, I officially started to REALLY pray about the race. You all have offered me great advice, awesome first marathon recaps (thanks for digging way back to give me the links), and I KNOW that I WILL be successful. Not just because I have trained. Not just because I want too, but because I have the BEST running partner - even better than Bob - (who is AMAZING).
This running partner is often forgotten by me, I have to confess. But He has always been faithful. My running partner knows my pain before I even do. My running partner knows my limits but takes me beyond them. My running partner does not ask much of me. Even when I forget about him and when I do not invite my partner, he is there with me EVERY DAY! And even more heart wrenching for me to consider is that my partner, the often neglected one, endured so much more for me. The pain I may or may not feel during the marathon does not EVEN compare to what He endured so I could have eternal life in his name. I feel so blessed that I do know my risen Savior. I know his grace and mercy is sufficient for me. I know that even though I do not show it enough, talk about it enough, experience it enough, that Jesus will not only take me to the finish line, but CARRY me over it.
I " know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?"... I will "Run in such a way as to get the prize" (1 Cor. 9:24). This prize is not the medal or a PR.
"Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air" (1 Cor. 9:26). "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever" (1 Cor 9:25).
I have certainly not earned my crown that will last forever; but through Jesus, it has been placed lovingly on my head where it is a perfect fit - just for me! Do you KNOW that you have a crown that is a perfect fit for you? If not, please email me... and I will be happy to tell you more!
7 comments:
You're going to do amazing! :) But I can only imagine how you feel right now and I will be sure to some prayers for you on race day
Good luck this weekend! You will do great!
I know you are nervous - but make sure you get in the MOMENT and ENJOY the whole event . . . including the Expo and the lead up to the race. This will always be your first marathon . . . take some deep breaths . . . relax . . . enjoy . . . be present . . . and RUN!
Prayers will be directed your way!
You will be great. You have trained hard.
MomRunningFromCancer is TOTALLY RIGHT!
Here's my take on the next few days. Don't be afraid, be JOYOUS! If you feel nervous, take JOY in the fact that you are normal. If you feel sleepless, take JOY in the fact that on Sunday you will sleep like a baby. I wish I could be there with you, to share your joy and watch you succeed. I wish I could be at the start line with you, our elbows rubbing together as we get jostled by the crowds. I wish I could be there at mile 7 when you think it's easy, at mile 16 when you get choked up because you can't believe you're really doing it, and at mile 22, when you question WHY you're really doing it. But I can't, and that's OK, because even if I was there with you, YOU would still have to do all the work & running.
Just know this - when you get to mile 7, I'll be thinking of you. When you get to mile 16, I will be sending you mental encouragement, and when you see the mile 22 sign you can think to yourself, G would tell me I'm doing awesome, and that ALL things are possible through Him. You just need to believe in YOURSELF & in YOUR TRAINING and find an inner strength to just "KEEP SWIMMING!"
And, when you get tired, shout my battle cry - NEED MORE COWBELL! I promise you, someone in the crowd will have a cowbell to ring for you!
Prayers starting NOW!!!
I have often found myself remembering late in a race or over those middle miles that I need to give even the race over to God because it is not me who is doing it, it is HE who was already carrying me through. I KNOW there have been races that he simply carried me through to the finish, took my hand when I was about to fall, steered me to the right trail, given me strengh when I had none! Although I talk a lot about worrying and no matter the level of faith a person has we all worry, I honestly know that if I simply give my race to God, He will see me through it. And Jen, you know the same thing. He has been beside you every mile as you perpared. He will be shining through you as you run every mile of your race. Do it for His glory because He deserves the praise! Prayers already being said for you and several other racers this weekend.
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