The Official Unofficial 10 Miler

On Saturday my friend Heather and I officially ran the Unofficial Stillwater Log Run 10 Miler in Stillwater, MN. I say unofficial because after some pretty scary lightning, torrential downpours and 30 minutes of delays, the race was cancelled. This was a first for me - I had never suited up for a race before and was unable to run. We had been shuttled out to the start line, so we could take the bus back to our car and run at home on the treadmill where we would be comfy and dry. BUT....We were already wet from waiting in the rain during the delays and we did need to get a run in that day, so my friend and I (along with almost every runner who showed up that day) decided to run the race route anyways. 

I am usually a lone runner. Keeping my own pace, in my own space, with a few yard between me and the other runners. Headphones on, music pumping, thoughts gone - just me, my feet and the road. Since this wasn't an official race, I decided to do a "fun run" with Heather. We stayed together, chatted, kept each other going and busted out the occasional song. **Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle - yeah** Knowing that the timer wasn't running (yes - we are both number freaks and we had to check our watches at every mile) the pressure was off and we just ran to run. 

As we ran, my head went from "It's just a little rain" to "I am wet...my feet hurt...my new shoes are muddy...am I really chaffing there...I am miserable...I wanna quit". Half way through the run, I couldn't find my pace and I couldn't get the negative talk out of my head. I needed to quiet that voice between my ears. I took a deep breath and the saying "You have to withstand the storm in order to see the rainbow" popped into my head. Wow, God really has a way of opening your eyes sometimes. Just like 12 years ago, I was riding out (or should I say - running through) the storm to get to the rainbow (the finish line). Sometimes when runners are racing, we forget about EVERYTHING but ourselves. We are obsessing about our time, our form, the aches and pains, me, me, me. But in that moment, God reminded me that my race wasn't all about me. My shirt said "I am running for those who can't" and I needed to make the run about them. They were/are in the eye of the storm, just waiting to see their rainbow. No matter what my head threw at me to knock me down, I decided to finish the race strong for them. And I did. 

I am a huge fan of the Wizard of Oz and I think this post wouldn't be complete without a few lyrics from the greatest song on earth. 

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.