Walk

If you've ever set your mind to running any distance at all, you know that in order to build up your endurance you need to perform cycles of running followed by walking followed by running and so on in order to reach your distance goal. Well, I am training for a marathon with my husband, Brad. This will be my second and, likely, last marathon. Things are definitely busier this time out now that I have two children and a new job, etc, etc, etc. But I've learned a lot about walking this week. I had to run 18 miles yesterday building up in our training regimen. Overall, it was a very successful run. I always have to fight my tendencey to use my energy early on in the run and yesterday was no exception. Since my life is somewhat busier, I tend to rush through my runs to get home to be mom and wife. Yesterday, I learned, once again, the importance of walking. When you set out to "run" 18 miles, you will not make it without stopping to walk some. In those moments when I am walking, I have to let my muscles rest, my mind relax, stretch out my shoulders, lower my arms. There is a ritual of relaxation I must put my body through in order to regain my strength to begin running again. I know this from doing it over and over and over. When I force myself to slow down, it is amazing how my body rejuvenates even in those 2-3 minutes to prepare itself to work hard for me again. By now, you can see where I'm going with this. We must put aside the guilt of parenting, the myths about not being enough of "whatever" it is we are suppsosed to be, and simply anything that distracts us from taking those moments of rest to recharge. I don't know about you, but God is trying to teach me this lesson again. Apparently, I have to learn it the hard way. I have to spend 18 miles worth of time with Him before it sinks in. Walk...