Training for my first half marathon, I took everything quite seriously. I ate everything I should. I drank more than enough water and cut out the diet coke. I woke up early to train according to the plan I set before me. I even worked on speed training (which I was still slow as a turtle ha!). Taking this time to prepare my body, I was able to prepare my mind. See, most that train begin 12 weeks out from the race. Not me! I began in March for a December run… crazy, huh?!?

During this time of training, I thought, during all that time of running quietly, about beginning to read more of my Bible and learn more about what all actually happened within the Bible. Shamefully, I carved more time out of my schedule for running, than I did for my devotions. Training properly is a must to be able to finish a goal that you set before yourself. Training for my half marathon, I was able to crush the average pace I set before myself. I was SUPER PROUD! However, that didn’t all the way fulfill me. “For the training of the body has limited benefit, but Godliness is beneficial in every way. Since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:8

I realized that running makes me happy and allows for me to decrease my stress and breathe. However, after I was intentional about reading my devotions, spending time in His Word, and remaining quiet to talk with God daily, I became happier, stress was manageable, and I could breathe more deeply. I realized that yes training was quite beneficial, but nothing like preparing my heart for the promises God provides not only here on earth… for eternity.