Race Month in Indiana Still Has Me Running My Race
A year and a half later, I’m still running my race.
My word for 2016 was run. Hebrews 12:1 says “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.”
If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you probably know that I’m a runner. Cardio is my thing. I lift and do yoga, because I know those things are beneficial for me, but given my preferences, I’d just do cardio. I’ve been a runner for a long time. I’ve completed over a dozen full marathons and 60 half marathons and too many 5Ks and 10Ks to count.
But races aren’t what this blog is about. It’s about running my race in life. This blog is a reminder to keep my eyes on my own paper. It’s about staying in my lane.
Do you ever struggle with comparison? How about trying to keep up with all the highlight reels on social media?
I’ve had trouble running my race in life.
Over the years I would compare myself with other women, even my closest friends, when it came to how I looked. I felt this sense of competition to look as good as my friends or other women my age.
And then when I came into the online space, I began to compare myself with other women and their businesses. I felt threatened by her success or compelled to do things her way in hopes that I would arrive at her level of achievement.
But I was reminded that while we’re all in this race called life, I need to be running my race. Whether it’s my health and fitness journey or my online business, my path is unique. My calling is different than my closest friend’s or the stranger on the internet.
I've had trouble running my race but I committed to #runmyrace in 2016 and I'm sticking to it! Click To Tweet
Yes, I may have gathered on the starting line to health and fitness with other women, but I have to go at my own pace doing it the way that works for me.
I’m sure I joined the online space at the same time as many others, but I need to honor the pace that will get me to my goals successfully and ultimately to be obedient to God’s call on my life.
Here in Indiana, it’s race month. From the Indy Mini, a 13.1 mile running race, to the Indy 500, a 500 mile car race, racing is the theme everywhere you go.
At the #IndyMini I'll be running my race. #runmyrace Click To Tweet
I’ll be toeing the line at the Indy Mini for my 20th time this year. It’ll make my 60th (or more??) half marathon. It’ll likely be my last one given the trouble I’ve had with my knees over the last year. My training hasn’t been like any past half marathon trainings. It’s been limited. I know that this will be a different Mini than any I’ve run before, but that’s okay.
At the Indy Mini, I’ll be running my race.
I may be running it with 35,000 other runners, but the race will be mine. I’ll choose the pace that works for me on that day. I’ll choose water when I need water, and gatorade when I’m ready for that. The shoes I wear will be the ones I’m used to, and I’ll wear clothes that are most comfortable on my body.
You see, even though it’s one of the world’s largest half marathons and thousands others will be running it, I’ll be running my race on that day.
You and I may be going along in life with other people, but we need to go at the pace that has been designed for us. We need to travel on that particular path that is marked for each of us individually….and nobody else.
When we run our race, we’re sure to find joy in the journey. Feel free to use #runmyrace if you’re ready to focus on the path ahead of you and honor your journey! Let’s stay in our lane and encourage each other along the way.
Come over to my Facebook page and tell me about your racing experience.
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