5k in 5 Days
I looked at my calendar and realized that the 5k that my friend, Rachael, and I decided to run this semester had snuck up on us too quickly. "Is that seriously this weekend?" I asked last Sunday night. "Yeah, we have to start running!" Rachael responded.
Maybe this will be the inspiration for my next book. Sounds like a good title, doesn't it? 5k in 5 Days.
We ran two miles on Monday night, three miles on Tuesday and Wednesday night, and three and a half miles Thursday night before resting on Friday and getting up early Saturday morning to race. Even though it was usually around 11:00 PM before both of us could find time to jog during the week, we bundled up in leggings and sweatshirts and jogged around campus in the dark. We don't get to see each other very much these days, so we spent the time catching up, telling stories, and laughing together as we ran.
Then, Saturday morning, we drove down to the Arkansas river in the morning fog and completed our 5k without stopping even once. After crossing the finish line surrounded by cheering onlookers, we high-fived, grabbed a post-run bagel, and basked in the sense of accomplishment.
So what's the trick to a 5k in 5 days? Maybe it was the cool, oxygen-rich autumn air. Maybe it was the slow, steady pace combined with the intense psychological motivation of you-have-got-to-do-this-before-Saturday. It is more likely that the camaraderie of running with a buddy and being distracted the whole time by meaningful conversation had something to do with it. And perhaps there was an element of miraculous intervention, too!
Training, running, and racing are so much better with a friend. I have run countless miles by myself, with only the panting of my own breath to listen to. You wear out quickly that way. Having a friend to push you, pace you, and talk with you the whole way makes a significant difference. Looking back, I enjoyed the training more than the actual race because of the late night conversations about life, relationships, faith, and topics like the church and the Holy Spirit. Training becomes a joy when you are out of breath not because of running but because of conversation and laughter.
In the race that you run, find a friend. You don't have to face what you are facing alone. Maybe it is time to open up and share the race you are running with someone close to you, or maybe you need to start praying for God to bring that someone along. You need something more than your own breath to listen to. We all need community and Christ to keep us going strong.
Maybe this will be the inspiration for my next book. Sounds like a good title, doesn't it? 5k in 5 Days.
We ran two miles on Monday night, three miles on Tuesday and Wednesday night, and three and a half miles Thursday night before resting on Friday and getting up early Saturday morning to race. Even though it was usually around 11:00 PM before both of us could find time to jog during the week, we bundled up in leggings and sweatshirts and jogged around campus in the dark. We don't get to see each other very much these days, so we spent the time catching up, telling stories, and laughing together as we ran.
Then, Saturday morning, we drove down to the Arkansas river in the morning fog and completed our 5k without stopping even once. After crossing the finish line surrounded by cheering onlookers, we high-fived, grabbed a post-run bagel, and basked in the sense of accomplishment.
So what's the trick to a 5k in 5 days? Maybe it was the cool, oxygen-rich autumn air. Maybe it was the slow, steady pace combined with the intense psychological motivation of you-have-got-to-do-this-before-Saturday. It is more likely that the camaraderie of running with a buddy and being distracted the whole time by meaningful conversation had something to do with it. And perhaps there was an element of miraculous intervention, too!
Training, running, and racing are so much better with a friend. I have run countless miles by myself, with only the panting of my own breath to listen to. You wear out quickly that way. Having a friend to push you, pace you, and talk with you the whole way makes a significant difference. Looking back, I enjoyed the training more than the actual race because of the late night conversations about life, relationships, faith, and topics like the church and the Holy Spirit. Training becomes a joy when you are out of breath not because of running but because of conversation and laughter.
In the race that you run, find a friend. You don't have to face what you are facing alone. Maybe it is time to open up and share the race you are running with someone close to you, or maybe you need to start praying for God to bring that someone along. You need something more than your own breath to listen to. We all need community and Christ to keep us going strong.
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