Why I Run

Wow, my earliest memories of running were going out to the gravel dusted track with my brother and father at the College of The Mainland (small community college in Texas City, TX). I guess I couldn't have been any more than 7 or 8 years old and I'll never forget my dad telling me how good I was at running. It was at that point when he verbalized it that I just knew in my heart of hearts that I could run.

Fast forward to high school and college cross country and countless track meets--I thought I was running for myself. I saw some success but also experienced some disappointments along the way. I wanted to excel so much that I would completely stress myself out before the gun ever went off.

This morning, I ran a local 5K Fun Run (The Vineyard Run - Grapevine, TX) and it dawned on me why I run today. As my relationship with Christ has developed over the years, I realize that I run for Christ. Running for me today is thanking God for the natural talents He's given me. I in no way, shape or form take for granted the opportunity to put my two feet on the ground. Running is a lot of other things as well; it’s therapeutic, a mental/physical challenge, and it gives me the feeling that I'm ALIVE.

While my race times are nowhere near as fast as they were as a young man, I can tell you that I run 10 times stronger and much more confident because I know I'm using my God given talent that no one on this Earth can ever take away from me.