I hate running. That’s what I always told myself and everyone else. I still think that’s part of what drives me now.
In reality it was the pain and time involved with training that I hated.
Nonetheless, running I did not like to do.
I was 36 when I finally set out to run in my first 5K. And I didn’t want any hills involved.
When I saw the Jackrabbit advertising that it was the flattest 5K and best course for a Personal Record, I was in.
If I was going to do it, I wanted it to be easy. I got my wife and brother-in-law onboard and we did it.
I ran it in a 34:21.2. Now I know that doesn’t seem fast, and I wasn’t completely satisfied with my effort, but I was proud.
Fast forward two years later. It’s two weeks after my second Half Marathon with a PR, and I’m running the Jackrabbit 5K for the second time with my friend Steven on his first 5K.
I’m very proud of him. And I posted a new 5K PR for my effort, 22:32.2. This time I also outran my brother-in-law Daniel. Sweet revenge.
There was a measurable level of relief I felt once the horn blew and the runners were on their way.
I walked across the road to look over a tunnel that the runners were running through. And as I watched them run by I literally raised my hands in joy and praise to the Lord.
Not just because of the coming end of this first race and the months of planning. But because of the beautiful day, the wonderful volunteers and the ability we had to show all those runners what it means to put Christ’s love into action.
We shared how the money raised would be used for water purification systems for people we don’t even know. And this water that sustains the body will also be used to share the living water of Christ with those in need.
Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”
John 4:13-14 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/jhn.4.13-14.NASB
In true form I’m already thinking about the next event.
We only have a few short years here on the sphere to work on the mission.
Over the last couple of months I’ve been coordinating my first 5k fundraising event. It is in conjunction with my church, First Baptist Rogers, for purchasing water filtration systems for communities and families who need them. We are partnering with Baptist Global Response on their clean water initiative.
What an exciting and nerve-wracking experience.
Getting approval from the city, deciding needed supplies, ordering medals, donations, organizing volunteers, working with the pastors and communications team and my own feeling of inadequacy. Then comes worry about the weather.
I am so ready to get these folks running.
It is now the day before the race and I have my own list of corrections of error. But guess what, its happening!
We have 74 signed up on preregistration and several more asking about late signup. Volunteers are coming through and the weather will be beautiful. Thank you, Lord. What an answer to prayer.
Back in August I had so many doubts that I would be able to navigate the huge packet of required documents needed just to hold an event at the park.
But prayer and faith pushed me on, along with the fear of unmet expectations. My church leaders were putting their trust in me to coordinate this event with the help of the members of my LIFE Group (Sunday School class).
We made it through the city parks and recreation committee approval meeting without a hitch. I had my friend and fellow church member, Rusty, with me for support.
Then we come to the race day support staff planning and resource needs. The planning wasn’t as hard because that’s what I do all day at work in an IT setting. And I have ran in several races. Also several of my LIFE Group members have ran several races. So we have seen it done.
Yet, trying to put on a quality event on a cheap budget in order to raise the max amount of money is difficult. Especially without donors and in the first year of a run.
Queue up the Lord and His connections and we have two donors. One donor, a local business, even emailed me out of the blue with offer of support. Yes, please.
Now today packet pickup is underway. I’ll let you know how the race goes.
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