Well, I finally did it. Yesterday, I finally ran. I've been feeling led by the Holy Spirit to start running since early November. I've used every excuse in the book to not start, but yesterday I took the first step--literally!

After homeschool, lunch, and my 40 minutes of me-time (a recorded episode of ER on the DVR), I realized that I had to get up and go exercise. And as I walked to my bedroom, I realized that it couldn't be the same old workout I had been doing since August. By the time I got to my bedroom to dress for my workout, I was scared to death! I have always dreamed of being healthy and taking a run to clear my head or blow off steam the way they do in the movies, but I've always thought to myself, "I'm not the physical type." When really, what I was really thinking, was that I was afraid that it would be too hard and that I would quit. I am not a quitter. So rather than quitting, I guess I've never started anything that I wasn't completely sure that I would finish. So, yesterday, when it was time for the rubber to hit the road, I was quaking in my running shoes!

I gave it to God. I just sat in the floor of my closet, tears dripping from chin, as I tied my shoes and told God exactly how I felt--that I was scared, that I was afraid that it was going to be too hard, that I felt too fat to run, that I didn't know if my bladder would hold out (don't laugh: I've had 3 kids!). I poured it all out, and His peace came over me. His Word from Timothy came to mind, reminding me that we have not been given a spirit of fear and that we were called for a purpose. Then Philippians chimed in to remind me that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. It was then that I realized that if He called me to do it, that He would get me through it and that I would only fail if I didn't try.

So I got in the car and drove to the middle school track, popped in my earphones and started walking. After a lap of warm-up, I jogged a fourth of lap; then I walked again. I repeated this until I completed one full mile in less than 13 minutes. I felt so invigorated, like I had really accomplished something. Today I feel like my hips are 85 years old! And my butt hurts!

But I finally took the first step. All I have to do now is make myself try it again and again until I can run, really run. I think I can. No, with Christ, I know I can!

By the way, after I ran/walked the mile, I still went to Curves and did my regular workout anyway!