One of my favorite times to run is while on vacation. Many people think I am crazy because that is when they least want to run. I have a few reasons for really liking to run at these times. 1) I like to eat more on vacation so the running helps me not put on alot more weight although sometimes I still eat more than I run. 2) I like to see the new scenery. I love seeing new stuff and I can run farther when I don't know what is around the corner or just down the street. 3) I like to scope out the places that I want to go see at a more relaxed pace later in the day or week.
I didn't get to run when we went to NY this year which was a bummer because we spent a couple days in Niagara Falls and that would have been a great place to run with the view of the falls. I wonder if I could have run from one side to the other? I haven't ever run from one country to another.
A week or so before we went to the beach I decided to give my knee another chance at running. I made it my normal distance without any pain. So, then I added a few miles and still no pain. Great!
At the beach I ran most of the days we were there. Since it is flat (and because my wife was running some long distances), I decided to see what I could do after not running for about 5-6 months. Kaylyn told me she needed to do 6 or 7 miles according to her 1/2 marathon training schedule. So, that became my target. I intended to do at least 5 but was hoping to do 6. It was an out and back run so you really commit to the distance half way through it unless you want to do a good bit of walking, which I didn't.
That morning I headed out for the causeway which was just over 3 miles away. As I said above, I like looking at stuff while I run. That includes the path in front of me. As I was running, saw a penny on the sidewalk. As my friends would expect, I stopped to pick it up. I had just burnt calories and made money! Years ago I either read or heard somebody talking about how they are reminded what is printed on our coins each time they find one. In God We Trust. Up to this point in the run, I had been in the mode of worrying about some challenges in life. So, seeing the penny really helped me refocus. This doesn't just happen like flipping a switch. It is intentional and slow at times. Instead of being challenges or problems, I try to see them as opportunities. Opportunities to grow and learn.
Back to running, now with a penny in my hand. As I was crossing a side street I saw a small wrench. I didn't pick it up because I didn't want to carry it for 4+ miles. But, I did take note of what intersection it was at so I could pick it up on the way back.
At this point I have been able to get my thinking more productive and open to learning vs. just worrying.
As I am approaching the end of run out to the causeway and the half way mile point, I see another penny. Of course, I stop to pick it up. Now I have 2 pennies and a wrench waiting for me a couple miles ahead. So, I am thinking about these items and working on listening. I have been reminded twice now about "In God We Trust". Did I trully believe it? Could I really say, "In God I trust"? I was working on it.
I hit the end of the first half of my run (3.1 miles by the way) so I turn around and start heading back. I am focused on finding that wrench and wrestling with "In God I Trust". Amazingly, I had already forgotten exactly where that wrench was. I remembered the street name but forgot the landmarks. This is important because as I am running and thinking and listening, I sometimes get so lost in thought that I forget my surroundings. This is nice because I also forget any discomfort of running or wishing I was closer to the finish. But, all of the sudden I had realized that I had passed some side streets without paying attention to their names. And since I couldn't remember any landmarks I began to be worried I had passed the street already. Should I go back and check? If I did, I would add even more mileage and I was already pushing my distance to a point that was probably not the wisest since I hadn't trained much and my knee was still having to get used to the longer distance. I decided to keep going in the hope that the wrench was still ahead. Sure enough, I come to the street but I can't remember exactly where it was at the intersection. I knew it was in the grassy sand area, not on the sidewalk or road. I took a few minutes looking for it but I eventually found it.
I hit the end of the first half of my run (3.1 miles by the way) so I turn around and start heading back. I am focused on finding that wrench and wrestling with "In God I Trust". Amazingly, I had already forgotten exactly where that wrench was. I remembered the street name but forgot the landmarks. This is important because as I am running and thinking and listening, I sometimes get so lost in thought that I forget my surroundings. This is nice because I also forget any discomfort of running or wishing I was closer to the finish. But, all of the sudden I had realized that I had passed some side streets without paying attention to their names. And since I couldn't remember any landmarks I began to be worried I had passed the street already. Should I go back and check? If I did, I would add even more mileage and I was already pushing my distance to a point that was probably not the wisest since I hadn't trained much and my knee was still having to get used to the longer distance. I decided to keep going in the hope that the wrench was still ahead. Sure enough, I come to the street but I can't remember exactly where it was at the intersection. I knew it was in the grassy sand area, not on the sidewalk or road. I took a few minutes looking for it but I eventually found it.
I still have at least a mile to go, probably closer to 2 and I have more time to think and listen. The pennies and wrench are getting some of my attention but I am still concentrating on what I can be learning from the opportunities I had been worrying about and "In God I Trust". I realized that I had some good visual tools in my hands.
Sometimes it feels like God throws a "wrench" in my plans but if I listen He will share his "two cents" with me. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight", are two of my favorite verses. My Mom made me a picture with that verse on it and it is up in my bedroom Proverbs 3:5-6 is so reassuring but it is also so hard to apply at times. So often I want to be in control. So often I want my plans to be kept. So often I know what is right for me. I don't really want to be in control. I know God knows what is best for me. But, I get distracted and pride sneeks in.
I got back to the house we were staying at. I had completed about 6.2 miles which was what I was hoping to do but I was still feeling pretty good, and I knew Kaylyn was going to run 7 the next day, so I figured I was so close I might as well keep going. I did about 1 more mile so I ended up just over 7 miles. On that last mile I found one more penny. I consider that my reward for "going the extra mile".
So, when it feels like God throws a wrench in my plans, I need to stop and listen to His "two cents" and if I do listen and apply what I hear, He will "make my path straight".
As a footnote to this entry, I had a few wrenches thrown in my plans as I was writing this. It took about 6 days to get this one entry done but in that time I was able to think about it more and really understand what it means.
