Mini Marathon - Full Speed

You could feel the excitement, the energy, the anticipation. In just a mere moments, I was about to start my fifth Indy Mini-Marathon. 13.1 miles lie ahead for me and the other 35,000 runners. The chill of this spring morning nipped at my body, but my experience told me that it would only last a short time. The air temperature would soon rise along with my body temperature as the miles would click off. It was though others didn't realize this fact. All around me were runners with long sleeve shirts, even jackets. A few had small cinch sacks filled with unnecessary supplies.

As I approached the 1 and 2 mile markers, I discovered the road to be littered with clothing. In addition, I noticed some runners tying unneeded apparel around their waste, impeding their pace. It reminds me of Hebrews 12:1 where it says; "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

The clothing littering the road reminds me of those things I have tossed away, never to hinder me again. The challenge is to untie from around me those things that still entangle me. As I do, I will run unimpeded, full speed ahead after God.

Mini Marathon -- Water

My heart was beating, my legs were aching, and I felt a little light headed. 12.5 miles and 2 hour and 15 minutes of running behind me, I only had about 3/4 of a mile to go. As I approached the final of 17 aid stations, I could here the encouraging words of the aid workers.

By this time I had learned to look for just the right aid worker. The ones who gripped the small cups of water made the exchange difficult and often the cups of water were dropped or spilled. The best exchange occurs when the cup is laid upon the workers hand like a cup upon a table.

It reminds me to keep my hands open, ready to give to others and receive from God. A clasped hand lets nothing in or out, but an open hand -- well, it leads to a life of blessing.