Born to Run

That's right...again, if you were wondering, that was an intentional Bruce Springsteen reference.  Now, let's begin with a story...

I used to hate running with a passion.  In elementary school, I can remember the horrible moment in P.E. class when we had to go and run laps around the field.  Short bursts of running when needed in a game or when in a hurry were okay.  But, running for pleasure...NONSENSE!  In college, I can remember numerous attempts to lose weight, but any method other than running would be used.  Then, I met Jess.

Running has been a passion for Jess for a long time.  By the time I moved to Austin after I graduated from college, our relationship had grown enough for me to begin thinking about the possibility of marriage with her.  I began to think of things we had in common, and things that we could have in common.  All of a sudden, I found running at the top of that list.  So, I decided to take on this challenge.  Was Austin and its insane humidity a crazy place to begin a venture like this?  Yes...but love will lead you to do crazy things.

Long story made shorter...I now love to run and this has been something that Jess and I have certainly been able to share in our relationship.  But, what does this have to do with my current journey?  Perseverance and the confidence to be strong.

Running has played a major role in my therapy.  Before I began treatments, I was afraid that I would not be able to run or exercise.  Then, during my education session, I was being encouraged to exercise.  In fact, the nurse showed me a newspaper article of one of their patients that had continued training for a marathon while going through her therapy.  This lit a fire under me.

1 Corinthians 9:26-27 says, "Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.  No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."  Now, I know that I am taking things a little bit out of context and Paul was using running as a metaphor, but this verse has encouraged me.  My body is going through a lot right now, and running has been a way to encourage it and feel normal.  In fact, most of the time it serves as a pain reliever (at least while I am running).  So, I continue to push myself (while watching out for what may be too much) and I believe that it has made a huge difference in how I have coped with my therapy physically and mentally.

This brings me to two reasons I need to take a moment and thank my wife.  First, I would not have ever known that I would like to run if I did not find a reason in her to suffer through those first few months (yes...months).  Next, she has been encouraging me to not stop.  Just last night, I had been feeling pretty fatigued and said that I didn't know if I could exercise the next day.  Jess said, "Just do what you can, but do something.  Don't stop.  You know how good it has been for you."  It's great to have a loving coach.

Above all else, I have to thank the Lord for giving me my beautiful bride and for encouraging me far more than running ever will.  He is the one who sustains me.