Today was the Basel Marathon, Half Marathon, and 1/6 Marathon (a 7k). I wasn’t planning on racing, but my friend Katrina asked if I could “coach” her through the half marathon. She wasn’t sure she could make it alone, so I ran with her for moral support.
There were 7 of us participating: Megan, Rachel and Heather ran the 7k, Susan, Katrina and I ran the half, and Tommy ran the full marathon.
We met yesterday for a pasta party and Chariots of Fire showing. Ironically, Eric Liddel chose not to run on Sunday, and ours was a Sunday race. Katrina and I had a unique church service on the race course. We both had music playing – hers on her iPod, mine in my head. About a quarter of the way through, I started quoting as much of Colossians as I have memorized – currently chapters 1-3 with a couple memory bumps along the way.
After Colossians 1-3, I started looking at chapter 4. Verse 2 stuck out to me – “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” That idea of being watchful in prayer was interesting – we’re not just supposed to continually bring requests before God in prayer, or constantly adore Him, or thank Him, or confess our sin – we’re to be anticipating God to work as we pray. We’re also to be watching and listening for how God is directing us to pray, even as we’re praying. How often am I really “watchful” in prayer?
Memorizing Scripture is one of the things I do on long runs, so my project for the year has been to memorize all of Colossians. I also like to pray and just process things – running gives me the space and time to clear my head and think about the people God has placed in my life without the distraction of things to do. Maybe in the coming months I’ll try to be more watchful in prayer as I run.
It was truly a blessing to run with friends!
Photo credits: Rachel and Katrina
We’re memorizing Colossians, too! Very cool! Glad you got to enjoy the race and encourage Katrina! Miss you!