I began running again, yesterday.

About 2 years ago, I began training for my first ever Half Marathon. Six months later, I was blessed to run 13.1 miles through the Colorado Mountains with 5 dear girlfirends. Through my time training, I discovered my love for running. I connected with some great people that also discovered a love for running. And I also discovered how I connected with God through it. There is something about being in the midst of His creation that connected me so very closely with His presence. There was a very unique peace that fell over me. I prayed, sang along to worship music, and just took in the beauty surrounding me. Through those 6 months, my relationship with God was at a very different level than it had ever been before. 

A couple weeks ago, I had the opportunity to spend 3 days with a few college girlfriends in Idaho. While I was there, one friend told me she was going to be doing a Half Marathon this coming April and asked me to join her. A piece of me hesitated - as it meant I would need to start training ASAP. I also realized that to make this commitment, it meant that I'd have to run in the wee hours of the morning - hours I don't typcially see. I really wanted to just say no to this one. It just didn't seem convenient! But, last week I remembered how sweet my relationship with God was during this training time a few years back. And whille my faith is stronger and deeper now, there are such beautiful memories associated that a piece of me longed for that again.

All this to say, I started running again. Convenience didn't win over me this time. Now, this training time might be different than last time. I'm expecting it to be. It might be harder. It might be sweeter. I might run faster -- or slower. My prayer for myself is that I fully take in this opportunity - and let God move in my heart how He will and teach me something new. I'm thrilled to get to run anothother Half Marthon - in Nashville, TN this spring.  :)