Another race another goal

My running week generally starts on a Saturday morning with a long run of between 12 -20 miles depending on whether I am training for a marathon. Each week I run six days with Friday as a rest day. Running is as much a mental effort as a physical one so it’s important to include time to concentrate on form. Mostly I use my Thursday run for that, when I think about the rhythm of my strides, my breathing pattern and pace.  This week I managed 46 miles in total, my aim was to run 55 by the end of the week, but things got in the way. So actually a lot about running and achieving your goal is about determination, endurance, and perseverance and of course commitment.

Life is crammed full of things that must be done and without the determination and the desire to focus on what matters we inevitably end up off track.  Perseverance then is key because with perseverance, surprising things happen.  The same is true for our Christian life somehow we expect to have this wonderful relationship with Jesus without the determination and perseverance to stay on track through bible study, prayer and quiet time because quite often we are afraid to commit. Lent is a time of self-denial, a time when we are called to focus outwards away from ourselves rather than inwards.  It is a time of desiring to know what God desires of us - the desire to desire in a way that enables us to overcome barriers.

God desires through us and longs for life and love through us and in us. Over the years I believe running has helped me to overcome some of the barriers that prevents us from consciously, deliberately and wholeheartedly seeking what God desires of us. I know without determination things won’t get off the ground, without perseverance and endurance I’ll end up giving up and of course committing to the journey is essential.

Tomorrow I will run my final long run of 20 miles plus before the Marathon and it will serve to mentally and physical prepare me for what lies ahead. My desire to finish the race will be acute but more importantly my desire to serve the community will be uppermost in my mind. For further information see previous blog.

Please sponsor me here: http://www.justgiving.com/RevJanetBinns1

You are never too late to set another goal or dream a new dream ~ C S Lewis.