Part 2
Week 3: October 23rd-29th
Looking back at this week I would definitely say God was reminding me to trust. Specifically to trust Him and His plan, to trust my coaches, and to trust in the work I have put forth this far. Unfortunately most of this week the nerves were starting to kick in and I honestly was just overthinking and comparing myself a lot. On top of me second guessing things, my watch is showing me that I have lost fitness. I would be lying if I told you that seeing that shift didn’t shake me a little. However I have a choice to make. Am I going to trust my watch or am I going to trust the professionals I get to work with who can see the whole picture?
I have also made the decision to stay off of instagram for race week. I don’t want to get caught in the comparison trap and I also want to be focused on God, the people He has put in front of me, and what is currently going on in my own life. I remember before my last race I took two days off of Instagram and it was a game changer. I remember feeling weight lifted off of me, my heart filled with gratitude, and surrendered to whatever God wanted out of me. So this time I am definitely going to create the boundary for myself even earlier to make sure I can show up to race day feeling my best by protecting my heart and mind.
I am excited to live out this next week and see what happens in this next chapter on my journey. Right now I can see the race going either way. Meaning, achieving the goal I set at the beginning of the summer by achieving a sub 24 time for my 5k. Or I could see myself falling short due to a few weeks of life happening in the last part of my build. But I pray and hope that no matter what happens that I grow. I of course pray that I have a peaceful week, setting my personal record, and seeing God’s hand right away at work in my life. But if that isn’t the case I pray God helps me grow from the challenges and use my hardships to help others. Either way I am excited to see what God has in store for me!
Week 4: October 30th-November 3rd
I have made it through the final week of the taper! I truly can’t believe I am finally going to be toeing the line this weekend. If you haven’t been following along on Instagram, I started training for this race the last week of June. That’s 19 weeks of training! During these last 19 weeks my coach and I were focusing on two things. One being just getting my body used to the demands that running has on our bodies. The second being speed because the distance of running 3.1 miles isn’t challenging for me. But running those 3.1 miles at my top speed that I can sustain, now that’s another story. I really wanted to improve my paces so I can run faster splits and overall race times to achieve future goals I have. In this build I did have a race about half way through to see where I was and used it more as a dress rehearsal for my race this upcoming weekend on November 4th. I also of course had down weeks to give my body extra rest whether that was scheduled from my coach or life just happening such as me getting sick and having to take off. But I truly can’t believe that the race I’ve been prepping for is already here!
This week honestly has been mostly a great week! Of course there has been some rollercoaster parts of the week in terms of my emotions. But so far majority of my feelings have been positive. My favorite part of this week has been how encouraging and supportive so many people have been. It has truly been such an uplifting part of my week. The texts I’ve received from family members and friends, encouraging words from my clients, and of course the biggest support from my husband, parents, and coaches has meant the world to me! Like I said, majority of my thoughts have been positive thoughts or I am doing my best with redirecting my negative thoughts into positive thoughts. But if I am being honest, I really needed those encouraging words from my people because my confidence has been on the lower side.
I wish I was going into the race a little more confident than what I am feeling right now. But I believe God is trying to teach me to put my confidence in Him. And at this point it’s my only option because I really don’t know if I can hold the paces my coach and I set for each mile. I believe the Holy Spirit lead me to this verse at the beginning of the week: Jeremiah 17:7-8. “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” I didn’t know of this verse before this week, but at the perfect time the Holy Spirit brought it to my attention and it really has been my anchor that has kept me grounded.
This morning was my last run before I race on Saturday morning. And it went ok. I wish I felt better than I did. I was a little disappointed in how I was feeling when I finished and negative thoughts did come rushing into my mind. But I feel like the Holy Spirit put on my heart. “You can choose to either trust in your feelings or trust in God.” After having that moment I put on some of my favorite worship songs to take my eyes off of me and remember how vast and powerful God is. Immediately I did feel better. And was reminded that at the end of the day all I can do is my best. Anything is possible with God. And if I trust in Him and run by faith who knows what can happen on Saturday.
Of course I pray for a personal record at this race. But at the end of the day I want to glorify God by showing up to do my best and to have a grateful heart no matter what happens. I am so grateful for all He has given me the ability to do the last several months, the improvements I have made, and hopefully the people I have touched or inspired to go after their goals too. I will be back with an update on the other side of this race. Thank you for following along!
-Shara