Running the race

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1)

After years of avoiding most forms of exercise, and of certainly thinking I was not suited to any, I started running around this time last year, and found to my surprise that I enjoyed it. Initially I began training to run 5K and ran in three 'Race for Life' 5K races last summer. After that I began training for the Bristol 10K, which I ran a couple of weeks ago with a team of friends. I have now signed up (perhaps against my better judgement) to run the Bristol Half in September. I have set this blog up in part to record my progress throughout this training period.

But there is another race I am running... it's an endurance race, set to last a lifetime! Interestingly I have found that running and exercise has not only helped me to physically shape up, but is helping me emotionally and spiritually too. I find that I am learning some valuable lessons in discipline and perseverance that will apply to other areas of my life if I am prepared to put in a bit of training. I am facing a lot of changes at the moment as my husband moves into church ministry and, as a family, we will be up and moving shortly and having to adjust to a whole new lifestyle. I shall try to record some reflections along the way.

Of course, alongside everything else, normal, domestic life carries on regardless, and my life as a mother and home-maker (urgh - yukky word!) takes up the most part of my time. Here too I want to strive to be better - to be the best that I can be, for my children, for my husband, for those I meet along the way, and for myself. It's a lifelong ambition, and I want to enjoy the chase!