Down for not exactly the count...

I know that I have neglected writing about running lately. I want to fill everyone in. I have successfully run my twenty miles last Saturday. IT WAS AMAZING. Just knowing that I could run that far blows me away. But that is where the happy ending comes to an end.

All during the run, I had pain in my foot. But then I have had some sort of pain through the training. Runners have pain and I have learned to run with it. On Tuesday, I was supposed to run seven miles, I made it two. My foot hurt and I had trouble wearing shoes. Time to go to the doctor again. Let me just tell you, I am hardly ever sick but since I started training for the marathon, I have had the swine flu, shin splints, and odd pains in the base of my foot. I have seen my doctor more during this training period than in the past five years. And now I was going to see him again. Like any other slightly techno-savy person, I looked up foot pain for runners. On that list was stress fracture and my pain fit the majority of the symptoms. I guess I could have just self medicated and diagnosed but I went to the doctor. My x-ray armed doctor told me not run and instead cross train.

So with that, I am swimming. Can I just say I severely dislike swimming? I mean no offense to my fellow athletes (I have decided after all my injuries I can say I am an athlete) but I do hate swimming. I now drive to the next city, slide into a swim suit that isn't the least bit flattering, put on goggles that leave round marks on my face for hours afterward, and swim back and forth. The only thing to look at while swimming is the bottom of the pool unless you are looking up briefly to grab air so you don't end up on the bottom of the pool. Okay I will stop with the pity party and complaining now.

The race is in four weeks, I go back to the doctor on Wednesday to find out what I need to do next. I haven't crossed White Rock off my list yet. There is a great passage in the book of James on perseverance. James 1:2-3 says "Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything."


Okay, I am certain that James wasn't talking about training for a marathon but you work with where you are at so I can see the relationship between my training for the marathon and my walk as a Christian. In life, we are faced with trials, the loss of a dream, the loss of a child or spouse, a missed opportunity, financial troubles, who knows what trials you will face in your life. But if you keep your focus on Christ and look at the trials as an opportunity to grow then the trials in your life can lead to joy. Sounds a bit easy doesn't it? It isn't. I know this first hand. When trials head my way I respond one of two ways, I attack back or I cry and go into my own pity party. I'm sure you know what I did this last time. Yep, tears galore but after a good crying jag I had to look at the situation differently.

Yes, I have a set back and my first response was to give up but I'm not. I have to continue to persevere until the end. I may not run this race but I will know that I did everything in my power to succeed. This is the same with my Christian walk. I want to do everything in my power to do what God has created me to do and be. I don't want to let my life situation stand in the way of attaining that. With perseverance, I know that I will find joy in this experience. Though this trial I am learning patience, endurance and the ability to continue when life gets tough.


All through the Bible there are examples of men and women who didn't accept difficult times passively but instead face it with a courageous perseverance. Endurance can't be learned passively from books, lectures, the wonderful preacher behind the pulpit or even blogs. It has to be learned by living it and trusting and obeying God. It is then that trials can bring joy and glory to God.