Note: I originally wrote this a couple of months ago, & recently felt it necessary to share.
This story isn’t about running. Or maybe it is.
The Runner is hopeful. While this is her first real Run, she has walked. She has read books about running. She has stretched and even jogged once or twice. She feels ready to begin.
A few minutes into the Run, she realizes that running isn’t like walking. It’s not like jogging, either. Yet she keeps going. She is committed to the Run.
A good ways in, she starts aching. Hurting. First, she ignores the pain. This pain can’t be happening, she thinks. If I ignore it, it will go away.
But it doesn’t go away. It gets stronger, more choking. Now she focuses on the pain. Why is it hurting so much? I’ve stretched. I’ve read books. I did everything I was supposed to do. This isn’t fair. For every twinge she recognizes, for every ache she gives into, 10 more appear.
Before she knows it, she is flat on her back, lying in the middle of the road. She feels broken. Defeated. She stays there for a while. Too long.
I don’t need help, she thinks. I can do this alone.
So alone she stays, not letting anyone help her. Not letting anyone reach out to her. She pushes people away and withdraws even more. Her legs grow weak and she becomes sluggish.
One day, she’s not sure when it happens, she reaches out. And someone reaches back. She begins stretching. Jogging. She allows someone to help train her for the road ahead. The process hurts, it hurts like hell. But she feels ready to continue the Run.
Not too far in, she once more feels a sharp pain in her side. She doubles over, out of breath. Not this again, she thinks. I thought I was over this. She wants to quit. She’s quit before. She can quit now.
Then, she hears a Voice.
Run, girl. Run through the pain.
I can’t.
Yes, you can.
It’s not worth it. It hurts too much.
I promise you, it will be worth it in the end.
How can I be sure? I want to go back to my old life, before the Run.
Your life before was one of pain, too. This pain is a transformation. If you can run through the pain, you will see what I mean.
So she runs. She runs through the pain. Tears streaming down her face, sweat pouring off her brow. She doesn’t give up. Even when it hurts. Even when it feels like her heart is being ripped out of her chest. She keeps running, running through the pain.
And then, suddenly, she reaches a point where it doesn’t hurt anymore. She no longer feels pain. In its place, she feels something else, something stronger, taking over her whole body, pushing her on, urging her to keep going.
“Let us also lay aside every encumbrance [...] and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
Comments on Running through it.
From Kyla Roma:
I love the way you put this- and I’m so so glad that you’re pushing through to the other side. You guys are taking on so much amazing stuff right now and I can’t wait to see what life looks like on the other side of the summer =)
From Kelly:
Wow, Lauren. I don’t know what made you post this today, but I felt like your words were speaking directly to me. My baby was born 3 months early on March 1 and is still in the hospital. Some days, like today, I want to give up this never-ending marathon I’ve been running. It hurts too much and I want to be done. And I get frustrated because I wanted this, to be a mommy, I READ THE BOOKS!, I prepared in every way I knew how. But I don’t know how to help him or myself. Instead of trusting other people enough to let them help me, I push everyone away.
Anyway, sorry for the long comment. I really just wanted to say thank you for writing this.
From Tabaitha:
So helpful today. See there is a reason that you posted it today, rather when you first wrote it. It’s encouraging many of us.
From Blair@HeirtoBlair:
I so needed this today. Thanks, L.
From mrs. darling:
beyond beautiful.
From Heidi-D:
Wow. This could apply to SO many situations. This could touch SO many people. Amazingly written. I was sad when it was done and there was not more to read. Amazing. Glad something made you share it today.
From Heather Griffis:
Thank you!!! I love this!! Not only does this apply to me as I am learning to run but in so many other situations as well!! Thank yoU!!
From Diane:
Wow. That is beautiful. And while I know it can mean so many things, I felt like it was written for me. All I can say is Thank You.
From morgan @ the818:
This is inspiring. Profound, really. Beautiful post.
From HoustonGurly:
Very inspiring. Thank you!
From Suburban Sweetheart:
I’m glad this isn’t actually about running. Because that way, it’s a really, really beautiful metaphor for life.
Well-written, my dear. Keep going. <3
From bgirl875:
This is simply amazing!
From Alison:
After losing more than 30 pounds over the last year and working with a personal trainer to increase my fitness level, I just signed up for my first 5K run yesterday. Even if your post wasn’t specifically meant to be about running, I was happy to read it. For me it IS about running (or in my case, jogging). :-)
From Leah:
Is that your butt in the picture? Because if it is, the shred is working for ya ;)
From Nora:
Beautiful post, Lauren.
Definitely something many of us can relate to… I hope that the pain you’ve pushed through is a distant memory soon and that new things await you.
<3.
From Mae:
Thank you.
From legalstyle:
This is SO well written!!!!
One word: bookmark.
From Katherine:
write a book and make a million dollars already!!!
P.s. Can I just say how gorgeous you look in your trash the dress picture?!?!?!?!!?
From Cio:
I second EVERYTHING your sister just said.
I would totally buy your book.
also. Thanks for this post. Much Needed.
From Kathleen:
You’re such a good writer, Lauren. I love every single post of yours. Thanks for the encouragement!
From Leah:
Now that I have actually read your post (instead of just looking at the pictures) I feel a bit foolish about my earlier comment. You are a very talented writer!
From ms. words and things 101:
pretty amazing post
From Joyfully, Joy:
Hi Lauren!
I got a link to this article from my daughter’s facebook page. This is really good, an encouragement, a testimony! You are reaching many people you don’t even know with the Word of God in a very tangible way.
Keep running! Your race has just begun.