{Run with blinders on}

Today as I simply put one tired foot in front of the other ran, I refused to think about struggles I have. I got on the treadmill and "put on the blinders".

As I was running, I consciously decided to not look down at my feet, not look at my watch, not look side to side and worry about who was running behind me, probably watching it all jiggle as I ran. I have a hard time not looking down, I just do. I watch my feet. I try to "distract" myself by looking around and not focusing on the time, distance, pace etc.

Today I let go of that. I ran with my head up, feet going, watch set to tell me what mile I had hit and just go. The run was much better, much more effective.

What if we ran the race of "life" like that, with blinders on. We could only see ahead. Watch any horse race, all the horses have blinders on. It keeps them focused solely on the finish.
With blinders on, we could see people ahead of us that have fallen and stop to help them. We can't see the judgement from people behind us, we can't see the people to the sides of us, casting stones and looks. We would simply be placing one foot in front of the other and going forward. We run as long as we can, we slow down when we must and only stop if we are going to pass out, puke or die.

^{Phillipeans3:13} Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Run, to finish. Run to get to the goal and when you focus on the goal ahead, the run is much more effective. The run is easier, the run is more enjoyable (did I just say that?) Run forward and focus on the finish line.

{The Marathon We Run}

So today was day 1 of 12 weeks before my Marine Corps Marathon I'm huffing and puffing and crying and praying running with Autumn. It was a rough day for the run. But I ran.

While running I tend to have ear phones in, volume loud enough to blow the ear drums out, and I run. During this time, "me time"... I therapy myself and ponder many of my deepest issues! Thoughts, reflections and do a lot of talking to God over the lyrics.

Since my birthday I have been gifted various items to help with my training:

*I was given an Apple Watch to track my run and make me less reliant on looking at my phone during the running. This has been a constant battle as to what to do with a phone, while running mile upon mile....
*I was given new shoes, the right size and a pretty color. The latest style even for the shoe I need based on my way of running. {I was evaluated and I over pronate just a little when I run}.
*I am even prepared enough to have a fancy, keep-them-on-fort-knox-lock-down-sports bra. That is hard for a woman and it is essential.

I was given the tools for the run, I was given stuff to make the run do-able, easier {if that is possible}, and stuff that pertains personally to my style, be it fashion, function or the mechanics of running.
I had the tools, I got them all by June 27th. They sat. They waited. What good were they before today? None...

God gives us the same tools and tricks we need to run the marathon He set before us.
Since my birthday I have been gifted with various items to help in my training:

*I was given a book with all the answers, both large and small. The book of instructions on how to run the marathon.
*I was given the body to make the choices to walk the right path, the run, to sprint sometimes. I was given the heart to be kind. I was given the knees to kneel on and pray. I was given the health to be able to do all of this.
*I was given the people to help me during the training and the marathon. Those to cheer me on as I run, those to run beside me, those to pick me on when I fall and given the One that can pick me up and carry me when I can't seem to walk anymore.

The tools are given to {ALL of}us, but they are just tools if we don't use them. They are just things if we don't value them and let them help us. What good is a book of instructions if we don't open the book to read the instructions? What good are shoes if we don't lace them up and pound the pavement? What good are these things if they are just things?

So today, I see the marathon set before me. The training that will lead to the hardest 26.2 miles of my life. I see the endurance and training so I can not die! run the race. I see what it will take daily to get me there.

Just like the physical training I will enure, my spiritual training needs daily work. If I show up for the race at the end of my life, I will have forgotten the training and loose. If I train daily, and work hard, the payoff will be my reward, eternity in Heaven.

While the training is daunting, some days seem like we are working backwards, working against all odds, but in the end... to cross THAT finish line, to collapse in the arms of Jesus, its sure worth the struggle and training.

What race are you preparing for? What tools lay unused? What could improve with daily use? Are you running in a race to see the throne?

Hebrews 12:1
Run with Perseverance
1Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.…