Joyfully Running

       I'm learning to fall back in love with running. I had run countless miles last year with spring running, cross country and winter running. Then I took a break from running because the weather became impossible; single digits, a foot of snow and a sheet of ice. During my break from running I started taking yoga and barre classes weekly and I started to enjoy strength training more. Then spring came around and I had a really hard time getting back in to the swing of running daily. I ended up with shin splints, and other tightness and pain in my legs. The last thing I wanted to do was run. I hated having to go for a run. I tell myself excuses, not run and then feel very guilty. It been came a unhealthy cycle.  

      I started to think, why do I not want to run? The first reason why I didn't want to run was it hurt. I was very busy and I was not stretching well after runs and I did not ease back into running. I'm not sure what I was thinking because not running for over two
months and then going out and running a 5k is not going to be easy and its going to leave you sore especially when you are not stretching well after. I was also putting too much stress on distance and pace and my body couldn't handle it. I had it in my mind that I had to run and I should run. I wasn't thinking of running as privilege but as a chore. I started resenting my body and running. 

     Through God's grace the holy spirit was persistent in always pointing me back to God, my loving Savior, the God of forgiveness and grace. I then started read "Devotions For A Healthier You" by Katie Farrell.

      Through pray and reading God's word I realized I needed to start caring for my body again; being active, eating well, and giving my body proper rest. I also didn't just need to start caring for my body physically but spiritually. I needed to read the Word and pray faithfully not just in times of joy but in times of trails and stress. I had always knew this but I had lost sight of it through out the past months. I had been turning to sleep, Netflix, and food for comfort. But these things only created more stress, anxiety, and weariness. True comfort comes from God and not from anything on this earth. 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things. (‭Psalm‬ ‭107‬:‭9‬ ESV)

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭30‬:‭5‬ ESV)

Reasons why I started Running 

1. To become Healthier 
2. To get outside more
3. To challenge myself 

  Why I had loved running 

1. I became healthier 
2. I felt amazing after a run
3. I loved breathing in the fresh air 
4. It felt good to sweat
5. I enjoy being out in God's creation
6. Running made me want to eat healthier 
7. I grew stronger
8. It became a way to relief stress
9. It gave me time to think and pray. 
10. Through God's grace running helped me become grateful for my body.

These were all great things so why did I not want to run? A 
question I still don't have an answer too But I going to get back out there and start running more, not necessarily more miles or minutes but just getting outside and going joyfully. 

  Changing my mindset about running

God blessed me with two legs, lungs to breath with and a strong heart. He wants me to take care of my body because I am his workmanship (Ephesians 2:10). I have been praying and asking God to help me have joy and enjoy running. Through His grace I am once again falling in love with running. 

   Tips that have been helping 

Here are some tips from other runners that have been helping me enjoy running again:

1. Unplug, no music, no timing or distance tracking.
2. Go slow
3. Run new places or places that you love


Tips from me:

1. Pray, for joy and perseverance 
2. If you need to catch your breath just stop, it's okay.
3. Run walk intervals
4. A short run is better then no run!
5. Switch up the time of day you go running 

      When I don't want to run I always try to get outside and hike, bike or go for a walk. Walking and hiking where I live is one of my greatest loves. Now that it is summer I work most mornings and I don't have time to run in the mornings and it's too hot when I get home in the afternoons. So I have been running between 8-9 pm or taking walks/hikes if I'm too tired to run. It has been very nice and I look forward to that time of the day!     

Isaiah 40:31
 

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.