Gaining New Confidence

A comment I hear frequently when I mention that I'm training for another marathon is, "I could never do that!"  And my response is typically the same, "Neither could I when I first started running."

In fact, when I first started running, I was lucky if I could run around the block without gasping for air.  I used to secretly pray that my shoe would come untied so I could take a break!
  
Running a marathon isn't something you decide to do one morning and then sign up for a race the next weekend.  Rather, you start out small and then, over the course of time, you push yourself further and further... a few 5K races, then a 10K, and then a half-marathon (13.1 miles) or two.

Soon you discover that the initial pains of running have passed and you actually look forward to getting out on the road again.  One of the people in our running group posted this week that she found herself smiling while running!  That's when you know you're hooked.

Recently, I've been helping other runners prepare for their first half and full marathon by being a pace leader on our Saturday longs.  I love running with these people.  It's great to hear them say, "I've never run 10 miles before!" and then see them smile when we finish our run.  They're finding for themselves something I discovered since becoming a runner... a new found sense of confidence.

One of my favorite Bible verses is Philippians 4:13, "I can do everything through [Christ] who gives me strength."  I often repeat this verse to myself while running or when I find myself in a new or uncomfortable situation.

Distance running has given me the confidence I need when facing difficult challenges, knowing that God will give me the strength I need to push my way on to the finish line.