Expectations and not rushing the process

This blog comes with great confidence and a positive attitude moving forward.

I've always been told, "be patient".  And that wasn't just in running, but mostly in life.

We have the tendency to rush things, to want to see the end product!  But what about the process, what about the hard work to get to the end result.  I think the process is beautiful, even when we are broken and discouraged.  I've learned that injuries can only make you stronger, if you learn to work with them and to not rush the recovery.

A running hero of mine, Kara Goucher says in her recent blog post, "Nothing is worth rushing-especially if I want to reach my long term goals." 

Whether you're coming back from an injury or starting up a 5k plan, savor the recovery and the process.  We all have expectations, but don't set yourself up for failure.  Realistic goals and steps can garner more success than being unrealistic and being results driven. 

My story: This fall was full of transitions (new job, marriage, injury, etc.)  I was so results-driven that I forgot about the process and never enjoyed racing like I used to in previous years.  I was so wrapped up in performance that I forgot why I am running. 

And let me tell you, running isn't fun when you have pain every day/every run.  On top of an injury I unknowingly was dealing with anemia, which for many women can make running a bad experience.  With the combination of bad races, an injury, and iron-deficiency, I was a mess. 

After many months of self-doubt and considering to give up on running, I pushed through with a lot of support from my church, husband, and family.  They provided me with he resources and encouragement that every runner needs to get through an injury or "bad season". 

The seasons and/or pits in life don't go away, but it's how you prepare for them.  I'm excited about getting over the hump and getting back into some solid training.  I've taken baby steps to getting back in shape and I'm glad I didn't just jump back in.  I could've gotten more injured and taken two steps back.

My first race since December proved to be a mental battle.  I ran in the elite section of the Saucony Mile put on by Chester County Running Club.  This event was fun and fast! I knew that there were going to be some fast competition, but I wanted to put myself out there and see where I was at, fitness wise. 

I ended up breaking the finish line at 5:15 and sprinting down 2 women to finish 3rd overall.  I've never done a mile road race, so the experience was exciting!  My husband also raced and is my encouragement, as well as my parents.  I even got to meet another Penn State Track and Field Alumni that runs in a women's masters group. 

Instead of focusing on my time and an expectation, I went out there and raced to the best of my ability.  I had a great time and met some really cool runners.

Soak in the process, enjoy the ride!

Nothing is worth rushing - especially if I want to reach my long term goals.  - See more at: http://www.oiselle.com/blog/catching-kara#sthash.w7ddopQP.dpuf

Nothing is worth rushing - especially if I want to reach my long term goals.  - See more at: http://www.oiselle.com/blog/catching-kara#sthash.w7ddopQP.dpuf

Nothing is worth rushing - especially if I want to reach my long term goals.  - See more at: http://www.oiselle.com/blog/catching-kara#sthash.w7ddopQP.dpuf

Thirsty

Do we know what it means to be thirsty?  Do we know what it means to be hungry and weak?  I think many of us are blessed and have food and water that sustain us daily.  Unfortunately, that cannot be said for everyone.  Do we also know what it means to be thirsty, weak, or hungry in our faith?  Now this, I can relate to in many seasons in my life.

I have know days when I have planted myself in dry places or shallow waters and it has stunted my spiritual growth.  I've also quenched my thirst with the wrong things.  I've idolized running & relationships over my relationship with Christ.  Even though I've never experienced starvation & thirst physically, spiritually, I have.  We all go through seasons of dryness, yet God always sustains us to make it through.   





Sharon Jaynes (Girlfriends in God) talks about a women in John 4 and how she kept drinking from shallow streams, yet they never quenched her thirst.  She came to the well.  Jaynes says, "Jesus offered her freely flowing, resplendently refreshing water; water that bubbles up from the indwelling Holy Spirit and quenches every thirst, washes away every sin, and flows into every nook and cranny of our beings. He invites us to come often and drink deeply."

One important thing that I've learned is that being thirsty is not a bad thing.

In a blog called, Hunger and Thirst for God, the writer says, "To stop thirsting for God is to die spiritually; thus we must not allow anything to diminish our intense desire for the things of God."

We like digging our own wells.  We drink from the wells of the world, not the living water.  We will never be sustained through those means.

Gwenn Smith (Girlfriends in God) portrays this picture more clearly in a devotional she wrote.  She says, "We dig our own cisterns, broken cisterns, and expect them to satisfy our thirst and bring us contentment. We drink from the broken cisterns of materialism, position, wealth, popularity, stuff, relationships, rules and religion. We have faulty expectations that our kids, spouses and friends are meant to satisfy our heart-needs. The ultimate broken cistern, however, is our pursuit of purpose in life via things of this earth.
          
We were created to pursue God.
          
We were created to know God – to be satisfied in Him and Him alone.
          
To worship Him and Him alone."

So I ask myself daily, what am I filling myself with?  Am I pursuing the right things? 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:6