Training the body

So i'm just gonna jump right into this blog. last quarter I ended up quitting the rowing team so my roommates then asked me if i wanted to run a marathon wth them. I of course said YES!!! i ddin't really start training until mid January and I really slacked off during Feb due to mid terms and a bijillion papers. I began to have seconds thoughts about running the whole marathon and was thinking about doing the half marathon instead. However, i went on a run this morning and it was really difficult (considering I haven't really ran in 2 weeks), but it was extremely rejuvenating as well.

The last time i went running was thurs (today is sat) and it was only for 20 min. That's pretty bad considering i'm training for a marathon. This morning I decided to change my whole perspective on running. I wanted to run for God. I want to do this to show the body that I am in control and that with God's help I can do all things. I wanted to use this running time as a time to meditate on scripture and keep the temple of God in shape.

I started off at about an 8 min mile pace, but then i realized i was going to fast because i wanted to quit after what seemed like only 7-8 min. Immediately i was began thinking, "i think I'm going to stop after 20 min," but then I told my self NO and I began to meditate on part of the scripture in psalm 138: 7-8 and a mix of other verses...I kept thinking " You revive me...You perfect that which concerns me...in my weakness You are made perfect..." When my body wanted to stop I used scripture to overpower that desire and i asked God to strengthen my mind and to just keep running. There were times where I told my body to shut up haha and just run. I ended up running for 46 minutes so assuming that i had a 9 min pace per mile (it felt like it) then I ran about 5miles more or less.

This morning really helped me. It showed me that the mind is so powerful. IT showed me that I must guard my thoughts because thoughts make such a great impact in our lives. IT affects our mood our confidence our ability to focus and communicate. When i was running I wanted to stop after 7 minutes, but I ended up running for about 40 minutes more!! Our mind has the power to help us overcome or aid in our defeat. No wonder why God says in Philippians 4:8-9 God says to meditate on whatever is pure, noble, admirable, of good report... These thoughts affect how we carry ourselves and how we perceive life. It also affects our health and our ability to overcome diseases. Also placebo pills are another example of the wonderful mine at work. The mind as the power to heal if you have the will power to fight off negativity. I think that it is extremely difficult to this on your own human strength. We need to rely on God and put our complete trust in Him and His word which is our sword.

When I relate this to my Christian walk, there are times where the devil will tempt me and it will be difficult to say no, but it is not impossible. With God's strength I can overcome the things and desires of this world. It's a matter of guarding my mind. I need to filter out all those thoughts, ideas, and suggestion from the devil and be in control of the temple of God. This means in all areas such as time, money and FOOD. Food is somewhat of an issue for me. i tend to eat and eat and eat and EAT!! I realize that I can be gluttonous and that i absolutely LOVE sweets. As a result I am going on a fast from all sweets for 40 days to show that I have control over this temple of God and that i can resist the temptation of the oh sooo delicious chocolate cakes, brownies, banana nut bread, muffins, etc.

I will make an attempt to keep a running log here on this blog and show how God has continued to develop me spiritually and physically through running; as well as fasting. I will also try to keep a blog for that, but i can't make any promises considering i have four papers due next week and then finals in 2 weeks and raising support for Oaxaca. =).

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NIV)