13.1

This past weekend I ran (okay, jogged) in the Georgetown to Idaho Springs Half Marathon. Big surprise... I didn't win this race either. In fact, as shocking as you may find it, I didn't even come close!!

When I rolled over at 4 on Saturday morning, to see what that @#%* noise coming from my dresser was (my alarm clock), it took EVERYTHING in me to get out of bed. On less than four hours of sleep, with a knee on which I could barely walk only two days prior, with the prospect of driving the hour to Idaho Springs alone and then the reality of running another 2+ hours solo, I guess you could say I was a little less than eager to run this race.

But I did.

My Father was faithful and met me once again; I actually enjoyed myself. I soaked in the picturesque views and breathed in piercingly clean mountain air all morning. I made a friend (a fellow Westminster runner) with whom I chatted and ran miles 5 through 9. My family - my biggest fans - beamed and cheered me on as I approached the end of the race, and if you look closely, you will notice that I not only finished, but I did so with a smile on my face.

Never have the words of the Apostle Paul been more true for me - on every front - than now.

" Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. [Brothers and Sisters], I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
- Phil 3:12-14.

I've reached the split. 13.1 miles to go.