For some reason, I recently got it in my head that I am going to run a half marathon. I have started a training program where my “short” runs during the week are 4 miles long. Under normal circumstances, that might not be too bad, but my propensity to run during the hottest part of the day has made it a bit more of a challenge. This past week, I went out for a run after having missed a couple of days due to travel and family events out of state two weekends in a row. I was not feeling great when I set out because it was hot, I was exhausted on every level, and I had been drinking way too much soda at the family gatherings to make this a good idea. But, it was a 4-mile day, so I went for it.
My running routes are already not ideal because there are not many flat stretches near our home. There are subtle hills. Everywhere. But when you are running, they do not feel subtle. So, I set off to run my 4 miles in the incredible heat, and as soon as I got started, I knew it was going to be a rough one. My legs felt like lead. As I ran the hills, it felt like I was trudging through wet cement. I was not enjoying it one bit. One mile down. I grabbed a warm metallic-tasting drink at the water fountain at the park and kept on. Crossed the intersection. Sun beating down on me. It felt like even my eyes were sweating. Is that a thing? Heading downhill now. I ran under an overpass. Grateful for the few seconds of shade, although there was no breeze at all. Two miles in. I stop and take a drink I carry with me before turning to go back the way I came. Uphill now. My legs felt so heavy. One-Two-Three steps while I breathe in. One-Two-Three steps, breathe out. And repeat. It was SO hot. I made it back up the hill. Three miles down. Now the home stretch. The last mile contains the most hills. I keep on, feet pounding the black asphalt. Heart pounding in my face. I see heat waves dancing ahead of me as I go. Almost done. I make it home and grab a cold Gatorade.
I went to the back deck and sat in the shade for a bit to cool down. As I did, I thought about what an awful run that had been. I usually feel great after I run. Even if it is just a sense of accomplishment for having done something hard. Not this time. I just felt so tired. I wondered if it had even been worth it to run that day. What a bad run.
And yet… I had run.
Four miles, to be exact. I thought about that for a while and realized something. Something beyond running. A bad 4-mile run…still carries you the distance of 4 miles. A bad 4-mile run- still burns 400-500 calories. A bad run still works your heart, still builds strength, still builds endurance. A bad 4-mile run is still a 4-mile run.
And that is not just true of running. That is true of everything that is worth doing. There are times where we are just not feeling it. I thought about spiritual disciplines. Getting up and being in the Word when we are tired-still puts God’s Words in our hearts and minds. Showing up for church when we’ve had our feelings hurt- still gives the Body a chance to minister to us and repair. Giving when we can think of other places that money could easily go- still blesses the ones on the receiving end.
I saw someone recently whose marriage has been through fire. Who has walked through hell and back. By anyone’s standards, they would be completely justified in having called it quits long ago. And they are still standing. Still together. When I saw them recently, I had the thought that they have shown me the meaning of commitment. Of covenant. Not because it has not been hard, but because it has, and with granite resolve, they fought through it, feelings aside, and are still standing after the hurricane passed. What a tough 4 miles. I am so glad they kept running.
Because even a bad 4 miles, is still a 4-mile run.
willnotbetaken 