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Never have I ever

On Sunday morning, I did something I thought I'd NEVER do. I completed a 10K at the 2011 Dexter-Ann Arbor Run.

A lot of people assume I enjoy running because I love playing sports--but believe me on this, I never understood how anyone could run for fun. About a month ago when the "new year" began, I set a new personal goal to invest in my physical health just like I care for my spiritual, mental, or emotional health. When Julia told me about DXA2 at a Pubs meeting two weeks ago, I was intrigued. Running 6.2 miles seemed like just the right distance for me to be challenged without having months to train beforehand. Despite my interest, I didn't want to sign-up without having at least one buddy to run with me side-by-side and help me stick to the goal I had set. Without the A word (accountability), I knew how easy it would be for me to start walking halfway and not fulfill the commitment I had made.

It brings me great excitement to share that I (along with two very supportive, encouraging, and like-minded friends) successfully finished the 10K! Our goal was simply to finish the entire 10 kilometers without walking, even if it meant jogging at a much slower pace.

A couple of things I learned through this experience:
  • Value of training and developing disciplines
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. -Heb 12:11
  • Value of believing in your heart that you can do it
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. -Mk 11:22-24
  • Value of doing things together, not individually
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. -Ecc 4:12

After I finished the 10K, I was somewhat in disbelief. I felt like I could do anything if I had discipline, faith, and accountability. Of course the danger to this is that I take this to the extreme and think I can get everything my way as long as I put my mind to it--always a continual struggle to let Jesus reign as the Lord over my life :P

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