Run For the Goal!

Hello Friend,
Today was one of those lovely stay-at-home days. I didn't have to go to work and I had no where to go, therefore, I spent a delightfully relaxing day at home.

Some who know me know that I like to run! Now I don't like to run simple because it is fun to run, although, if you have the right attitude about it then maybe it is. Nevertheless, I generally run for the exercise and because I know that I will feel better when I am done (although you should not do things simply because it feels good, but rather because it is right and glorifying to God). The problem is I have been so busy lately that I probably haven't gone out to run in about a week. Therefore, today, considering I would have a whole day to be at home I knew I had to run. When I got outside, I knew I was in for a cold run, therefore, I quickly grabbed my jacket and decided to face it and get this job over with as soon as possible.

My thoughts as I begin my run, "Three miles seems to be about the right amount for this cold day. Although, I haven't run in such a long time maybe I should make it four." So I run and I run and I run. Then I remembered something. I really should never have reminded myself of it, but I did. I remembered that one time when I was running I had thought it would be nice to run 8 miles, so that had been my goal for that day, but I had never been able to accomplish it for some reason or another. Therefore, today when I remembered it, I thought, "Well, I don't know about eight miles, but maybe six.". So I keep on running and I keep on running. Then I think a little more about it and say to myself, "Hey, I'm feeling pretty good so far, maybe I could do that eight miles today. Just go on and get it over with, because I'll have to do it sometime". So I keep running. Three miles pass by...and then six miles pass. "Wow! I've been running a long time! I'm no longer cold. I think I'll take off this jacket. Woo! I feel a bit lighter now." ;) I am definitely feeling pain by this point  My legs ache, I am tired ad ready to quit. My feet are in pain, but I had set a goal. I am reminded of that scripture in Philippians 3:14 that says, "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." I also had to keep on reminding myself of that passage in Philippians 4:13 which says this, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
The longer I ran, the more I thought and the more I thought, the more I realized that nine miles is only one more than eight, therefore, I should just go for nine miles. Not only that, but then I could have something to blog about, too.
I was in pain, it was getting dark, my hands were freezing, every bone in my body ached, but by God's grace I completed nine miles for the first time. The most I had ever run before today was I think only five.
I am reminded of that book "Do Hard Things" by Alex and Brett Harris. Sometimes doing hard things simply means going the extra mile or in my case going the extra five. ;)
Well, I hope you have had a wonderful day just as I have. ;)

See you in Heaven! ;)

Hannah Grace