I’m staying warm in my vehicle , waiting till the last minute to board the bus that will take me back in to town so I can run 15k over two gorgeous bodies of water. Typing on my Iphone, I’ll tap some impressions:
What was I thinking?! This was an intermediate goal on the way to training for the Country Music half, and I can run 8 miles now. Inside, on a treadmill, watching Pirates of the Caribbean.:)

Today, the wind is blowing about 17 knots. We will likely run straight into it. I will be standing in the cold wind for about 30 minutes waiting to start.

I will have to use a portapotty. At least once. Maybe twice.

I will limp around the house for the rest of the day, possibly the week.

But with all that whining done, I’m still glad I’m doing it. I’m about to board the bus. I love the pre- race chatter, people from all over , some newbies, some oldies, all bound together by the joy of being able to live and move and have our being in this way.

I love the military guys that run in rhythm, booming their chants as they pass.

I love the girls’ volleyball teams who sling water at us as we trot by.

I love my first memory of running, when I had to run 4 mimes down the mountain of a pioneer camp. We had to memorize this verse, one that has served me well in many seasons: “therefore, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us throw off the sin which so easily entangles us andrun with endurance the race set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and sits at the right hand of God the Father…”

Running a 15 k or not, not a bad verse to focus on. Today. It’s time to board the bus. Pray I run a good race as I will for you!

ADDENDUM:
That was surprisingly not that hard. As it turned out, the wind was at our back, gently propelling us forward the whole time (It’s a one-way run). I’m pretty sure there’s a metaphor for me in that. It had never occurred to me that the wind could actually help me. I wonder how often I assume the worst about circumstances, only thinking of the negative instead of wondering what kindness from God might be in them.
Oh, and I forgot another favorite thing about running long races — all the food you get to eat for the rest of the day:)!