Since I started so late, the sun was out in full force. I switched to the other side of the road as it looked that there was more shade. There was, but there was something else too. First I nearly stepped on a mostly scavenged armadillo. GROSS. A few hundred feet down the sidewalk was a dead cat, a huge dead cat with huge flies fly around it. Both were on the sidewalk and smelling ripe. So, when I began feeling dizzy at mile four, I decided that I really didn't want to become road kill, so I slowed it down, considerably.
Running is like that, I have these grandiose goals, but sometimes I have to do what I can so I can make it to the race healthy. I can't compare myself to others. I have to remember that this is only for fitness and I do have to get up and live my life tomorrow. And I am getting old. It is difficult for this body to fight two battles at once, whatever microbe invaded my body AND 13 miles. I have no control over the battle in my body between the good and the bad. So, I got over it. I was ok with 4 miles and I live to run another day.
This is applicable spiritually as well. The battles we fight can make us weary and sick. Jesus tells us in Matt 11:28 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." He also tells us in I Peter 5:7 to cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us. He does care for us more than we can understand, so much so that He died for us. How wonderful is that. Isn't it special that we can lean on the all powerful One? So when our battles get tough, let's follow the Psalmist's advice in Psalm 4:8 "I will both lay me down and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
