Less is More

Running called me last night after church, so I answered around 9:25 PM. I started my run knowing I didn't have much in the tank. I hadn't eaten in about 4 hours, except the bannana I crammed down my throat before heading out the door. "4 hours" you might say. Yeah I generally eat 300-500 calorie meals about every 3 hours, so I was a little overdue.

I was excited about the run, but not really feeling it, especially the first mile. My left knee started hurting and my left shoe was sligthly tighter than my right. (OCD was attacking my mind during the first mile. My shoes have to be tied exactly the same or I will go crazy! Note: I had also just RE-tied my shoes before I left.) I also could tell this would be a tough run during the first mile, the energy just wasn't there.

The first 2 miles I just kept a nice, steady pace. I wasn't pushing myself at all. I thought I will just go for a nice run. Yeah right. Running required more of me this night than I had planned on giving. Imagine that. At the beginning of mile 3 Running whispered in my ear, "I want more of you" One thing I have learned in past relationships if a woman asks for more (not sexually), and it's within reason, especially if she's worth keeping around, you give it. Few or no questions asked. I didn't ask any questions or come up with any excuses, I just ran harder and faster the next 2 miles. Did I start cramping? Yes. Did it hurt to breathe sometimes? Yes. Was my left foot still uncomfortable? Yes. I guess what I'm getting at is that it was tougher to run fast because a few odds were stacked against me, mainly an empty stomach. I had less of me to start with, but I learned more. I learned more about myself, my ability, my will, my desire, and my dedication to Running.

I learned more especially when I turned the corner of mile number 4 and there was jogging suit with a pony-tail running across the street. I don't care what mile I'm on, how tired I am, how bad I hurt, I don't want to be outran by a jogging suit with a pony-tail. I'm just a competitive person and I'm a guy, so I don't want to lose to a woman. (I have been beaten by a few women in a race before, they were just faster than me. PERIOD.) The next 3/4 of a mile I ran as fast of pace as I could. I ran past that jogging suit with a pony-tail like she was standing still. The last 1/4 of a mile I was gassed. I had nothing left, but I still finished. Even though this run wasn't my fastest to date it was still a great achievement.

God calls each and every one of us to run the Race of Life as hard and as best we can despite how we feel, how bad we hurt, or how much strength we have. This run reminded me of the the principle of fasting. Uh-oh I said it. Fasting. Honestly, I haven't fasted in quite some time, but the Bible calls us to it. Jesus said, When you fast, not IF you fast. When you fast from food you are starving your flesh from a necessity of life. I think the main point in fasting is to decrease ourself so Jesus can be increased in our life. When we are less, He can be more in us. Let us be less and let Him be more.


Wenesday, April 1st

Distance: 4 miles

Time: 34 minutes