Surrounded

This morning I set out for my longest run yet. I'm training for a half marathon next month, and today I logged 8 miles. After warming up and stretching, I had just started to run when a Facebook friend came to mind. She's someone I have never met, but she had asked for prayer since she was running a race this morning. I said a quick prayer that she would do well, then I began to ponder how glad I am to be surrounded and supported by others.

I’ve only been running seriously for about 5 months. I ran some as a teenager, and then off and on through college to combat stress and frustration. Then just this year I finally began running seriously, training for a race, and being diligent and disciplined. 

You see, a year and half ago I finally followed through on my determination to lose weight and get healthy. I had been carrying around 20 pounds that I certainly didn’t need, but lacked the will to change my eating habits and seriously exercise. So finally, in January 2013, my husband and I began the journey together, and it has been wonderful to get fitter as a couple, but beyond that, I have connected with people who have helped me along the way.

When I began trying to lose weight I used My Fitness Pal, an app on which I could track calorie intake and exercise. There you can connect with friends so they can see your stats. Though I no longer count calories, I still track my exercise and love to get positive feedback from My Fitness Pals telling me things like “Good job!” Shout out to Amy, Renee, Stacey, and Tim for being some of my biggest fans! Tim, my little brother who has become much littler by counting calories and exercising regularly, harasses me like younger brothers often do (and encourages me). There is something so meaningful about being in this fitness quest together. It feels good to not be alone.

I’m part of a Facebook group for THM Runners (Trim Healthy Mama is the eating plan I prefer to follow). These women are eating similarly to me and running, and through that common ground we encourage one another.

A group of women from our church is running together in September – some of us are running the half marathon, some are running the 5k. We run together when opportunity allows and we encourage each other in our progress. It’s actually because one of these ladies mentioned the race to me that I even decided to attempt a half marathon. Without them I’d be running a mile here or there, instead I’m running many miles and feeling good about it.

I love the support I have received from friends and family when I tell them I’m going to run my first half marathon. I like to cross paths with other runners as I’m running through my town. Not only am I being inspired by those around me, but in this process I’m inspiring others.

I will confess, as much as I like being mentally surrounded and cheered on, I do prefer to run alone. I like that time to think, to focus on the run, and to not talk to anyone but God. He’s the one I want closest to me in those challenging moments. He’s the one who cheers me on more than any person.

Today as I prayed for my Facebook contact who was running a race during my long run, I felt grateful to be surrounded by supporters. This applies to more than running - in the past few years as I have dealt with the fact that Mike and I have not yet been able to have a baby, I have become so aware of the fact that in this challenge I am also surrounded by people cheering me on. The Bible has numerous stories of women who waited and prayed and finally received a promised miracle baby. And in this life I live today, I am surrounded by other women who have either finally received their miracle baby or who are still contending for their child yet to come. I’m not alone as a runner. I’m not alone as a woman desiring a baby. 

I’m surrounded.