Scott Freeman

Running For My Life

Back on November 20 I decided to run a mile after dinner.

My thought process was simple: I’ve lost 60 pounds in the last 6 months. I’ve bought a bike and done a considerable amount of bike riding.
I feel good so running a mile should be simple, right?
I could not have been more wrong.
I could not run a quarter of a mile without stopping.
It was eye-opening how out of shape I truly was.
So I sat out on this program to work up to three miles in 9 weeks.
In the process I fell in love with running.
I’m not very fast.
I don’t have the best form or technique.
But I keep running.
The question I have wrestled with is when I transition to being someone who runs to being a runner?
When does the transformation take place from wannabe to actual runner?
I think I got the answer last Thursday night.
After dinner I sat out for my regular run. The downside was that I had just eaten and felt somewhat bloated.
But I kept running.
In the pouring rain.
But I kept running:
…Through an encounter with a man-eater of a dog. THE MONGREL SLAMMED INTO MY THIGH! THE CUR NEEDS TO BE PUT DOWN.
…Through Chest cracking and bleeding
…Through shoelace coming untied
…Through blister on my foot
…Through waterlogged shoes
For 4 miles I continued to run unimpeded by my surroundings.
And it felt great.
Knowing that I could run through all that and continue with a smile on my face I know that now I am a runner.
Knowing that two nights later I can go out and set a personal record for two miles I know that now I am a runner.
Knowing that I am excited to begin a half-marathon training program this week I know that now I am a runner.
I run, not because I have to, but because I get to.
One thing that I have learned is that running does not get easier, I just learn to love it more.

Isn’t that the way it is with faith? The Christian life is not easy.
The way is difficult.
The cross that we are called to bear is overwhelming.
People may despise us for our faith.
They may criticize our commitment.
Our steps may falter on the road.

It’s not so much that the Christian life gets easier the longer we run.
It’s just that we learn to love Jesus more.
And so we can run through the rain…
Through the hurts and pains…
Through the obstacles that slam into us on the way…

In the process we become true disciples, true runners in the Race.