13.1 Miles to Obedience

I know that I have said it a million times: I have never and will never have a desire to run a half marathon.


Well, let it be known that I am now eating my words. Actually, after having two kids I can not control what I eat. I have fallen into a habit of disobedience when it comes to taking care of my body and I have (with the helpful persuasion of my husband and community group) decided to run the Bentonville Half Marathon on April 1st, 2017.

There are times when I need to, for days, or weeks at times, pray about an idea to see if it is what the Holy Spirit wants me to do, but this is not one of those times. From the start, I have heard God telling me that this is something I need to do, but my body didn't want to. I could not ignore this any longer, but to know me is to know that ignoring the Holy Spirit is a huge part of my story

At community group last week the idea of us running the Bentonville Half came up and all the guys were on board. In fact, someone asked me if I was interested in running it and I immediately said no because, as I stated above, I have always said that I would never run a half marathon. It is instinct for these words to come out of my mouth. A few days ago, I told my parents that my husband had signed up for the Bentonville Half. My dad then asked if I was going to and of course, I said no.

But alas, here I am, yielding to the Spirit, about to register and I'm nervous.

Very nervous.

Mainly because I know how hard it'll be to get in shape. And how hard it'll be to run more than 3 miles.

But mostly because I know how hard it will be to swallow my pride and admit that I am not what I used to be. I was once in the best shape of my life, and now I am not. I trained 20+ hours a week training for college athletics, and now I do not. I had the toned arms, the nice legs, the flat stomach (as you should if you workout that much) and then I got married and graduated.

And then I had our son.

And then I had our second son.

And now it's been 4 years since I properly trained for anything and I am tired. Tired and out of shape and complainy and all I want to do is eat pizza and cookies and sit on the couch.

So join me, if you will, as I journey (or trudge) down the path of humility and discipline to a half marathon.


Tomorrow, I think I will buy some new running shoes.