Running to WIN....

I promise that soon we'll get back to FUN posts filled with creativity & thrift finds.  I scored some great finds last week on a quick excursion to my fave store.  But, lately life has been filled with bumps & bruises....literally & figuratively.  

We began the Daniel Plan back on January 6th.  We committed to just a 40 day trial & then quickly realized that it would become our lifestyle.

As part of our new "lifestyle", I started hitting the gym regularly...
like 6 days a week regular.  
The gym is a torture chamber to me.  
I hate it.  
Every minute. 
 I would much rather be creating or reading. 
 Not sweating. 

But, one glorious evening...I began to run.  
And, I ran.
And, ran.
And, ran.

I could see the B.I.G. grin on my face in the reflection of the TV attached to the treadmill.
The Gunny was running next to me & kept looking over in amazement.
I finished & I called my mama. 
 I told my kids.  
I announced my accomplishment on Instagram.  
I was SO stinkin' proud.
All weekend I thought I had finally broke through.
FINALLY.

Monday found us back at the gym.
My ankles were aching.
But, I was determined.
And, yes...even excited.

I began & immediately knew this wasn't going to be the experience I had just a mere two days before.  My ankles felt like they would explode with every step.

And, then....it happened.  
One minute I was standing up.
The next minute I wasn't.

I had realized every gym rat's worst nightmare.  
I fell.
At 6 o'clock...
 in a packed gym.

It was everything you imagined it would be.
Painful.
Mortifying.
Ugly.
(the picture above of my knees a WEEK later testifies to these facts.)

For the next two days, I licked my wounds. (figuratively)

And, on Thursday...
I laced up my shoes.

And, I went back.
Because, I'm running to win.

 I Corinthians 9:24-25

 You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.