Magic City Half Marathon 2014: Keep On Movin’, Don’t Stop

This is the face that says, “I must be crazy! Not just half–but all the way crazy!” After I completed my first half marathon (Mercedes Half Marathon) back in February, I said I would NEVER  participate in another half EVER-IN-LIFE *insert dramatics*. And you wouldn’t believe who signed up to Galloway their bum to run a second half (Magic City Half Marathon) within the same year!? *raises hand* I knew it would be a challenge–which is why I took it on.

I remember telling God that I was afraid. I was in tears when we had our convo. I was listening to my worship playlist and thinking–God I can’t do this again. What was I thinking signing up for this “foolishness”? *in my BGR sister/Angie voice* That’s when I heard Nothing Is Impossible by Planetshakers & Israel Houghton on my Spotify playlist followed by Running by Hillsong Live. At this point, the tears were flowing. I couldn’t believe my ears. I knew at that moment, I wasn’t going to do it without Him. I’m a big fan of Bondi Band, so when I saw this one particular band that said “Jesus is my Running Coach“, I knew it would be perfect for the challenge ahead.

It’s always nice to see a smiling face before facing 13.1 miles in freezing temps! Don’t know what I would do without my biggest cheerleader.

I know to “some”…running 13.1 miles is easy–but it’s your race, your pace. I’ll tell anyone…RESPECT the distance–any distance (yes, even the 5K). It’s how you get to that 10K, 13.1, 26.2 or 50+. I share my journey with others because so many runners (new and veteran) get intimidated. I’m here to tell you, It doesn’t come easy for me. I work hard every time my feet hit the pavement. I’m not trying to compete against the greats like Jeptoo and Goucher, that’s not why I run. I do it because it makes my heart, mind, body, and soul happy. I always want to improve and be better than I was the day before. That’s the beauty of a challenge. You’ll see so many other runners who are faster, stronger, smaller, taller, longer legs/strides, “better”, and anything else that little thing called doubt will “try” to place in your mind. If you’re not careful, it will penetrate your mind and heart–then you’re talking yourself out of achieving your “impossibles”. But don’t listen to that voice…

 And just like that—I EARNED it! I’m not gonna lie…this race was a rough one for me. I started off running with ankle support braces that hurt more than they helped, so approaching mile two I took them off. Trying to keep warm, I wore a pair of snug running tights under my already SUPER snug compression tights—AND I had on compression socks. Who does that? lol Only me! I won’t do that again. Then…the group I was running with was long gone ahead of me. No one left behind, right? I walked more than I anticipated and I wanted to give up so bad. I cried. I stopped making excuses and called on Jesus. Something inside of me kept saying KEEP GOING! Jesus really was my running coach that day and anything is possible as long as I believe. No matter what, “Keep On Movin’, Don’t Stop” and don’t EVER give up. Sometimes I have a love/hate relationship with running, but my heart keeps returning.