First two miles are the worst...

Have you seen the episode of Friends where Phoebe and Rachel run?  If not go here.  (I tried to embed it but they disabled the embedding capability... lame).  Phoebe runs like a mad person... this is how I feel every day I start my run.  I feel as though I'm flailing my arms and running with my feet all over the place.  I have conversations in my head that seem to affirm that every person who sees me running thinks that I look like a bigger bafoon then what I actually feel.  I laughed out loud today picturing me running like Phoebe.  For whatever reason the first 2 miles of my run are BRUTAL.  I want to quit at least four times in the first 15 minutes.  Then, as though I transform into Michael Johnson, I can suddenly run at mile 2.  By 2.5 I'm an olympian: I've hit my stride, magically mastered the mental game that goes along with the run, and I enjoy it.  It is really a quite strange transformation that occurs.  I've figured out the secret though....

So for the first two miles my body and MIND say what in the world are you doing? You were not built and designed to run you were built and designed to drink coffee and talk to people so what are you doing out here alone on this road that is never ending... didn't you see the temperature is 27 degrees? Go inside!  Then after telling my mind to shut it for two miles it listens and it doesn't become about me anymore.  Go figure! I know it is shocking that it takes me 2 miles to turn off the ME button.  

Last week my delightful womb-mate (no I do not have a twin) read a blog called Thirsty Hearts.  She is blogging about training for the same half marathon that we are.  She is heading up the team that is running for Libby Ryder (you can read her story here!) Anyways she talked about this scripture

 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."  Hebrews 12:1-3

So while I finish training for this half we have committed to praying through 13 things (for each mile) that has entangled us.  Sadly it takes me till mile 2 (something I'm working on) to start praying and forget about me.  Some days I talk out loud, I'm running crazy so I'm not worried about people looking at me because I'm talking out loud, some days I keep it all to myself.  

Today was such a great day God brought some great people to mind and I got to pray for them, I hope they know they are loved.  Then the Lord allowed my heart to melt, so I spent the rest of the running telling Him how great He is. Here is the thing I LOVE the Lord's heart for His people!!! Simply LOVE IT. There is nothing, NOTHING, that happens under His radar.  No broken heart, insecure thought, small victory, or greatest accomplishment that He doesn't get to be a part of.  He feels His people's pain, He replaces their lies with His truth, all of those jokes I find funny... so does He, and when I have the BEST story ever to tell He thinks it is the BEST too.  His heart for His people is FULL!!!!!!  That never gets old to me.

Mile one I will conquer you! I will! One thing/mile at a time!