Today I am one week out from my first half marathon, The United Airlines NYC Half Marathon. I am feeling all different emotions. Of course I am super excited because I love to run long distances, my family is flying in to come and support me, and the course is unreal! But I am also nervous. I’ve never ran that distance before, my health hasn’t been great from a virus I got for almost the whole month of February, I am experiencing more foot pain than I have this whole training cycle, and I have been super insecure about my outside appearance which affects my mental health.
The first week of the taper felt like a century long and tomorrow starts the second week of the taper. Part of me is dreading this week because of the things I am dealing with and the anxiety that can come from the unknown. However, I already know the only thing that will get me through this week and that’s keeping my eyes on Jesus. Hebrews 12:1-2 has been a life changing verse for me over the last several months and this week I need to hold on tightly to this verse and fixate my mind on it so I live it out. The writer of Hebrews writes, “And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” I love how clear this verse is on how to move forward when I feel like I can’t. It truly gives me the hope and strength I need to get through hard things when I feel the weight of it all.
I know you may be thinking, “Shara why are you taking this so seriously? It’s just a race and you’re not even doing it professionally.” And my answer for you is because I believe that running and this race is where God has placed me to spread the gospel and show his power through me for others to see. I know that may sound crazy and bold but I know God has lead me into running for that purpose. I of course have performance goals for this race, but ultimately what drives me to keep going is because I want others to see Christ through me and desire to want to know Him. That’s why I continue to show up, trial after trial, because I want others to know Jesus and be able to experience true and real life in Him.
As I said above, I do have a performance goal for this race that my coach and I have set. With the trials I have been facing I know that the only way I will accomplish the goal and just run the race with excellence is by the power of God. One of my favorite things about running is how much it parallels life and lessons you learn from it. I have no idea what next Sunday holds for me, but I pray that no matter what I run the race God has set before me. I pray that I give Him glory whether I achieve the goal or if I don’t. At the end of the day, I truly just want Him to be glorified and for others to come to know Him. I want to end with another thank you to everyone who has been of any encouragement during this cycle. I appreciate all of the support, love, and prayers! Next blog post will be after the big 13.1 miles, talk to you then!
-Shara