Keep On Running

Last weekend we had news that niece-Virginia, great-niece-Lucy and fiancé-Pete had completed the Great North Run – a half marathon.

Yesterday afternoon I was chatting to Adam and Aaron, two young men who’ve recently taken up running. They were chatting about their training schedules, their races, the half marathon that they’ve already completed, the marathon they have entered next year.

This morning is a beautiful fresh morning – sun shining, no wind, ideal for running. I walked along the sea front.

At one end of the promenade a gent was setting out the start for the parkrun, the weekly 5K race. Lowestoft parkrun started on 31st October 2015… last week 389 people ran, jogged and walked the course… 45 were first timers and 36 recorded new Personal Bests.

At the other end of the promenade, in Kensington Gardens, hundreds of athletes were assembling for the start of the Suffolk Coastal Path 50K.

Starting on the Lowestoft sea front the route takes runners south, along the coastal trail through stunning countryside – Benacre, Southwold, Walberswick, Dunwich, through RSPB Minsmere and along to a seafront finish in Aldeburgh.

I’ve always enjoyed reflecting on the image of life as a race… a marathon not a sprint… the next lap… pacing myself… the training necessary… the best coach… running partners… the nourishing diet… a consistent pace… the finishing line.

I’ve often returned to:‘…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.’

This morning I’m aware that I’m past my physical best… that I’ve completed more miles than I have miles ahead of me… the lap counter keeps ticking… Wanting to finish well I’m encouraged by Isaiah’s words:

those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.