My Relay Experience

I've been planning on running the CIM since January. I started off here and there with my training, picked up in September and October, then nothing. As the year progressed, life got in the way and stopped me from preparing.
One of my life's dreams was to be a long distance runner. They are so serious and focused! And most of all, they reap the benefit of their labor as they cross the finish line. My dad was the one that actually told me that if I ran the relay, I had to run the last leg so I would know what it felt like to be a winner. Luckily for me, the last leg was the shortest, so I was able to convince my team to let me run the last leg.
This past week was hard. Final papers, premarital counseling and a race?? I still hadn't trained for the race and was pretty discouraged about everything. Premarital counseling was weighing on me, work was still up in the air and I still wasn't meeting my goals. I complained about the race, I tried to talk others into running for me, I prayed that I would get sick. ANYTHING to get out of this race!!
I finally just cried out to God and left it all up to Him. I told Him if I ran the race, it would be because of His power and grace because I had nothing to bring to the table. Then I remembered God has been faithful to meet every need, no matter how difficult. The new motto became: Is there anything too hard for the Lord?
I headed up to Sac with a positive attitude, ready to conquer the race. Sunday morning greeted me with 29 degree weather. We boarded the bus for the 4th leg, waited for three hours, then got off the bus to wait at the third exchange line. My teammate didn't cross the line until after 11. I knew it would take me at least an hour and a half to complete my 5.7 mile leg. I strapped on my timer and off I went. A slow steady trot got me through the first mile. In the second mile, I was confronted by a hill. Still not sure why, but I felt like Caleb. Maybe David and Goliath was a better comparison. I had to conquer the hill! I picked up the pace and made it to the top. I took off my jacket, wrapped it around my waist, took off my hat and held it in my hand. It was running time.
Everything was good for a while, but all of a sudden I got really tired. I'd run for 30 seconds, then walk. I kept it up for almost a mile!! God bless those relief workers! I was able to get a cup of water and I downed it as it dribbled across my chin. I didn't care. Finishing was more important than looking cute. I called on God again, reminding Him of his promises to me. He told me to sing, "You are a mighty God." And I did. So He went from mighty in verse one, to faithful in verse two, and holy in verse three. It worked. I was running at a steady pace again and almost through another mile.
Did I already say relief workers are a blessing?? They gave me some Gu and I'm telling you, that stuff was made in heaven!! I turned into a super hero, taking the course by storm!! I guess running on an empty stomach isn't a good idea...
Much of the rest of the course is a blur. Toward the end, I saw the finish line and I knew I had done it. I was a finisher by the grace of God. The closer I got, I realized the sign wasn't the finish, but a freeway entrance sign! AHHH!!! Along the way I saw quite a few members of the church, walking back to the hotel. Was I that slow? It didn't matter at that point, I was finishing!! Made two lefts and there was the finish! Oh glory hallelujah!! There was Floyd, Elder Mike and Deacon Gary cheering me on. The last ones standing!
Looking back I realize, this is all a faith walk! Trusting and believing God is the beginning and the ending. And praise God I made it to the end!!