Running the Race

Eleven years ago I stopped going to the gym. It was an accidental cancellation of my membership, unintentionally caused when my ex cancelled her membership. Since we had joint membership, the gym cancelled us both.

Not too much bother! I mapped out a few different routes from my home in Birmingham and started running straight away. I was very pleased with the paces I was setting;
3km in around 12 minutes
5km in around 24 minutes
10km in around 52 minutes

Fast forward a few months and I stopped altogether, becoming distracted by the new woman in my life. Then I started to put on weight, and I kept saying I need to get back to running, but always found some reason not to.

More recently I've become the heaviest I've ever been! I've been saying for the last few months that I want to get back running, but not just saying it, really feeling the urge to do it.

So last night I signed myself up to the local gym. And this morning, I took to the treadmills again. I'm far from the speed I used to be, but that doesn't surprise me. My aim is to cover 5km several times a week, gradually speeding it up as I build my strength back.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
1 Corinthians 9:24 ESV