Running for Life

These are my new running shoes!!  I had to save up two months of clothes budget to buy them!!  Sorry family....that you don't have any underwear...at least I have shoes to wear!:)
No, I really made sure everyone had all their clothes needs (not wants) met before saving the clothes budget for myself for a few months.  But the old running shoes, they were bad...and it was overtime for a replacement.  I remember a time awhile back when I could pick up a pair of running shoes (good ones too) at Penney's for about $50.00. I guess those days are gone!  I will say though that for me, running shoes are a product where quality is important because if you don't buy something quality you might be hurtin'.  

I've been running since I was in fourth grade and it started when my mom had us run to a certain nearby bridge and back for some daily exercise.  There have been times in my life where I have stopped for awhile like when pregnant or when I lived up in Wyoming where it just felt too cold to run much of the year. But I really feel at my best when I am running regularly.  Not even long distances at this point.  Just short distances and regularly.  I sleep better, am able to do hikes with my family without feeling winded and I just have an overall better outlook.

I bought these shoes because they were comfortable (#1) and because of the color (#2).  They look like they are on fire:)  The purpose was to put a fire under me to get me out the door!  That mental image hit me in the store. Speaking of mental images, I think runners begin to develop them (or anyone really, who needs perseverance).  There have been a few mental tools that I have developed while running and I use them every single time.  It wasn't until the last few years that I realized my 3 favorite tools really apply to life also...I want to use them every single time too...every single day...I hope I can build those faith muscles.

Here are my mental running tools:

• The first one is to look ahead at some landmark that is way up ahead, that is bigger than myself and not take my eyes off of that landmark. It helps me to not think about my legs hurting, but just focus on that one thing. (You gotta refocus on something every time you change directions too!)
• The second one was given to me by a track coach in the fifth grade.  He said to imagine that I am being pulled by a rope that is attached to my belly button. By imagining this and running accordingly, your body is actually in a better running posture also (as opposed to leaning forward too much or slouching).
• Then the third one....It is often tempting at the end of a run to take a short cut. It takes some serious self talk of "DON'T DO IT!" And "FINISH WELL!" So, the third tool is to be prepared for this temptation and be ready to fight against it. 

How true in life that we need to keep focused on God and when we change directions, refocus on what he is doing and has for us.  Not only that, but when we are focused on him, we don't have to go it alone, he is doing much of the work, the pulling for us!!  Satan does not want us on this path and will try to persuade us to go another way, and "easier" way or some way that may look good at the time.  We need to be prepared for this, knowing that the enemy of our souls wants to tear us and our families down. Run for life and you will increase your strength!!

1 Timothy 4:8:
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.