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puzzle pieces

Friday, October 29, 2010

Endurance in Race {life} Running


I was going through photos of all the races I have participated in over the past 2 years.

This was my VERY FIRST 10km race in Summer of 2008....
I seriously thought I was going to die.
The temperature that day was in the high 30's.
I had NEVER run 10km before this, and I don't think I had eaten properly the day(s) before.
(No..I KNOW I didn't.)
This race was done completely unprepared.

But I did it.
Time:
1:09:36
~~~~

Fast forward 2 years later.
Another 10km race...and I think my outlook was a bit different.
(Of course- it wasn't 36 degrees out;)
(you may have to enlarge to see the silly grin:)


And I did it.
Time: 55:21
~~~~

There are things I have started and wished I hadn't.
There are things I am involved in now and wish desperately I could quit.

But I keep looking back to this running thing.
And to a thing called Perseverance.
No one said it would be easy.

And why should it be?
The things you want  most in life are usually the hardest (and most work) to attain.

Quit now- there's not even a chance of getting there.
Persevere....and even if you never quite make it- at least you aren't bored:)
Endure....and one day it's yours.

14 minutes off my 10km run isn't an accomplishment that is of great eternal importance.
But it did teach me to take the other parts of my life and treat it in the same manner.

I don't want to give up.
{There are still some other things I want to knock some time off of.}
~~~

"....let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

27 comments:

Hope said...

yes Dawn, 'let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.'

what a wonderful post
thank you

and thank you for visiting me today
Have a wonderful weekend too!

Leah J. Utas said...

Yay. Good for you, and wise words.

Nancy said...

Everything that is worthwhile takes some effort and work. Thank you for posting this important reminder. :)

Pat Tillett said...

Not only great photos, but great words as well.
congrats on the improvements!

chloë. said...

I love this post! I see life lessons with running ALL THE TIME, and can really appreciate more the bible verses that contain running analogies.

And funny story, I couldn't for the life of me imagine why you would be wearing such clothing for weather in the 30s until I remembered you live in Canada. Ha! 30 degrees for us is 1 degree for you, and 30 degrees for you is about 86 for us! Oh the nifty internet that performs such calculations for me! Happy Friday!

chloë. said...

make that -1 degrees. That's our equivalent of 30 degrees.

TexWisGirl said...

I LOVED your silly grin! And I envy your athleticism and stick-to-it-iveness. You go girl!

Jordanna said...

Wow Dawn! You are inspiring! I am so NOT a runner, but I admire those that are. I've tried a few times, but I dunno if I have enough endurance... although I guess that's where discipline comes in... :) So proud of you for sticking with it, and your time is amazing!
Oh and I'm totally laughing reading Chloe's comment about the degree difference between America and Canada - I was thinking, wow isn't she FREEZING?? But then I figured it out. So funny!
Keep at it!
Oh and LOVE that verse. I needed that today - thanks!
Happy weekend!

Alli said...

Great job, that's impressive (as a post AND the running times)! Right about now there are some things I wish I could just quit on but I know I need to keep pushing through and that eventually it will be easier. Thanks for the reminder!

Jayne said...

Oh heck, I am in awe. I am one of those who think that there is a special room in hell where you run for eternity and that fact makes me want to be on my best behavior!

Anonymous said...

I won't encourage you to quit, because I'm sure you'll regret it in the future and you would wish you never quited. Running is fun & healthy. Keep it up girl!

Barbie said...

Dawn, I think taking 14mins off is of HUGE importance. It shows that you have come such a long way, if not physically but menatlly as well. It takes so much of oneself to get out there and train when life in and of itself is enough to contend with.

I look at every step no matter how small - if it's in he right direction, a huge accomplishment.

Michelle said...

Running is such a great exercise. Great for the mind and body.

Rick said...

Great lesson for life Dawn - and you've illustrated it so well with your photos and post !

14 minutes off a 10K - good work ! puff, puff !! ;-)

Pinecone Camp said...

I can't tell you how much I needed this inspiring post. Merci!
Well done on the running - I can't believe how quickly you covered 10kms!
Have a lovely weekend.

Anonymous said...

Yes!!! So glad I read this post.... I have been needing a bit of "kick in my pants' as i want to quit smoking. I eat healthy, exercise, am in good shape, but smoke..grrrrr..

seeing your silly grin was like a friend saying, "Come on girl, let's do this thing"

Thanks Dawn....

Tiggeriffic said...

I used to like running until I got older and now with a knee replacemnt and a bladder that leaks when sneezing, laughing to hard, running, I just take that one off my list.. I used to laugh at my Aunts and my mom for having this problem.. It's not funny anymore. but I do chuckle.. Thanks for commenting on my blog yesterday,,and yes I can come into the right door now. Lol.. When I got in the house he asked me "Why didn't you come in the back door, the one we always use".. It's obvious he hadn't been outside..with as fragile as he is getting to be, the door would of whipped him outside and made him fly down the steps and into the yard. I had to hang on tight when I went outside.. and then I had to push the backdoor closed.. It was a windy day..glad that's over. today is 55, sunny and nice day here in Iowa... Thanks again for your blog, I love reading it and enjoy hearing and seeing what is up in your nest.. ta ta for now.

Sem Nome said...

Great message, dear! Thanks! Wise words!

Wish you the best weekend ever!!! Bela.

Scented Sweetpeas said...

Wow , what a fantastic thing to do. Loved this post, life really is a race isn't it full or highs and lows but fantastic when you put the effort in! Keep on running :-)

sassyshoediary said...

14 minutes?! That's fantastic! my first 10K is in March.

Love the pictures documenting it, too! Good for you, girlie!

Carole Barkett said...

I agree with your message , endurance is very important.

Lynette Jacobs said...

Stunning post Dawn...I love how you parallel your race with the spiritual race of life.

~*~ saskia ~*~ said...

Wonderful Wise Words!
Happy Halloween, sweet Dawn, we do not celebrate it that much.... xxxx

darlin said...

Wow, now that is determination and dedication, hats off to you Dawn! I'm sure that you'd lose me in the first 5 minutes, well unless a bear was chasing us! lol

Awesome comparison to life, I can totally relate to endurance being back educating myself after all these years, one essay at a time and I shall get this degree... and I will do it in 2 years!

Have a fantastic Halloween and if your not into that at all then just have a fantastic day! Cheers. :-)

Kristin said...

Oooh, first of all - you look so great out there and secondly, I am so impressed by anyone who would work that hard to accomplish a goal - SO impressed! Way to go (and thank you for your sweet comments!) Kristin xo

Paula said...

Fantastic post!! I like to run too. You made great time!!! Woo hoo!!!

Mike Hilman said...

You rock sister!