This morning i woke up early to join the jogathon in campus. I thought it was a good thing to do since i get almost no exercise so why not? My preference is 100m, i think i'm fast and prefer shorter races to long distance races because i don't have the stamina to sustain myself. And i used to have breathing problems but thank God i don't have them anymore.
This is my first time running so far, we ran from campus to curtin village and back. The route was longer initially but the organisers decided to cut it short. I was a bit sad la when i heard it was just to village and back but ran anyway.
How Was It?
It was a very tiring run, both physically and mentally. I didn't know curtin village was so far, and i'm glad we didn't run with the initial route. I don't think i could finish.
Before the race i was very anxious, everytime i think about the race, my heart will beat faster and i have no idea why, i think it was scared but coming this morning, in my mind i was measuring everyone and thinking hmm, maybe i can be top 5. I was starting to be proud.
The race started and a few people started fast, i paced myself and tried to breathe rhythmically and consistently. I started slow not wanting to use too much energy since i didn't eat anything just drank milo in school before the race.
Coming out of curtin, i started to feel the strain of the race, i started to doubt if i can finish. I could see those in front, they were too far ahead. I wanted to stop. But told myself, i came here to finish. My aim is not to win, i came here to finish. And it was hard to keep my head clear of many thoughts, so along with my breathing i would say silently finish, finish...
Did You Win?
Yes and No. No because i didn't come first, or second or third. And No i was not last. I came 7th. And Yes because i accomplished my aim, to finish. I thought to myself after a while, for someone who has not run before you didnt do too bad. Its not being proud but the bible says David encouraged himself in the Lord. My mom told me once, that if you don't say i am, no one will say thou art. So yeah even though i had no hamper, i finished and that was my aim.
What Did You Learn?
I learned a few things, for one, even though i am strong, i am young, i have strength but my strength is given to me by God. And i am given the responsibility and priviledge to manage it and use it in the way that will honour him.
Secondly i learned again to be humble. I was wrong to size people up in my mind and say sure can win that one. But instead to think lowly of myself and trust in God.
I also learned that we can do pretty much anything we set our hearts to do. Nothing is impossible. But we cannot do it in our own strength, Ultimately you will need God because in your own strength you can only go so far it is he who gives the staying power, the stamina to remain and not give up.
I talked about keeping my head clear, i think its important to remain focused and clear headed in a race, you cannot think about too many thing but control the things you can and leave the rest.
I also think its important in a race to be prepared. And to set your mindset straight. Plan your work and work your plan. Because a lot a distractions will come, there will be times you will look at others and see how they are so far ahead, and become discouraged but just as the bible asked us to run the race. Its interesting that it says to run and finish. Some people were disqualified along the way and they didn't get anything. But for those who finished they can look back at the God who led them through and give him praise.
On the way back i hit my heart and said to it, thank you, you did well, God bless. I hit my legs and said thank you legs, you did well, God bless. And hit my head and said you can do better, next time. The race is as much within as it is without.
Run the race and FINISH.