You Raise Me Up.

I haven't written about my running in a while and thought I might do so.

If you would like to read my two favorite posts on what I gain from my runs, 

you can read them here and here. ...or click here for all my posts on running.

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Running is an outlet for me.

As my feet hit the pavement, my soul awakens.

I feel closer to God more than ever.

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I went for a run yesterday afternoon, boy was it hot.

Not July hot, but hot enough to break a sweat in the first mile.

I've been living the life of luxury going to the gym, having a nice air conditioner cool me down.

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I have days when it feels like I have ran a marathon...in the first half mile.

Yesterday, was one of them.

My legs felt as if they weighed a ton, each,

but I kept on.

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It is always a struggle at first, acclimating myself to the Texas heat.

It rolls around this time every year, I digress.. because I never know how long it will stay, sometimes deep into October.

I've gotten better over the years, learning that running a few days a week outside for the first couple of weeks of summer, will make me stronger and the acclimation a slow progression, as I like it.

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It isn't always that way.

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Some days like yesterday, hit hard, the sun beating down on me like a thousand fires,

depriving me of my fuel which feeds my legs.

I try to endure the sun,

or sometimes run to any shade I can find on the oil top roads.

It is usually accompanied by a small prayer, requesting a breeze or a cloud.

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I was three miles in yesterday, and dreading the last one.

I was listening to my music and it came on,

I hope you have heard it.

"You Raise Me Up" Josh Groban.

If you haven't, please listen to this wonderful melody.

It is very thought provoking.

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...You Raise Me Up,

So I can stand on mountains,

You Raise Me Up,

to walk on stormy seas,

I am strong,

when I am on your shoulders,

You Raise Me Up,

to more than I can be.

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It sends chills down my arms every time.

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Listening to the words, and not paying attention to my feet did me much good.

My head was in the clouds.

If felt as if He rose me up..and

each stride felt like I was flying.

I must have picked up the pace, for

I looked at my watch and realized it was the fastest mile of the day.

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Now back to the Sun, 

I believe God can and will provide the shade we need in life.

Or He might send a light breeze to cool us down.

If there seems none to be found, perhaps He knows we can survive the heat.

Or He sees it as a time of acclimation.

Exposing us to the heat,

so that we can be better equipped for the next run...

Romans 5:3-4

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 

and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,..