5k Every Day in the Month of May (Day 30)

Every year our family goes to Mt. Eaton for the Memorial Day Parade. Jodi’s dad used to serve on the Fire Department, so we used to go to the parade because he was actually in it. He is not in it any longer, but we still enjoy sitting at the bank and watching the parade go by.

It’s the little things in life, really…

Since we were going to be spending the day in Mt. Eaton anyway, I decided to just run from Apple Creek to Mt. Eaton this morning. It was a beautiful morning for a run. Maybe a touch hot, but not terrible.

From my driveway to Jodi’s parents’ driveway was exactly 8.6 miles. It took me 1:09:07 to get there, which was an average pace of 8:03 per mile.

I didn’t realize until today how uphill it was from Apple Creek to Mt. Eaton. It is a pretty constant rise. They say that Mt. Eaton is the highest point in Wayne County, so that would make sense…

Running uphill this morning reminded me of a sermon that I preached on the Sunday after Christmas called “Take the Hill”. For anyone who remembers that sermon, perhaps you remember the four points.

The message was from 1 Samuel 14:1-23. Jonathan and his armor bearer took the hill from the Philistines because Jonathan was a brave leader with a big God, bold vision, and brash strategy.

This morning I was putting those four points into the context of “5k Every Day in the Month of May”. It is one thing to preach the word of God. It is a very different thing to actually practice what you preach.

I believe that I am in the habit of actually practicing what I preach (though admittedly not perfectly -and certainly not always as well as I wish I did).

“5k Every Day in the Month of May” was definitely a bold vision. Many people have asked me why I am doing it. I really don’t know. I have wanted to do it for the past couple of years, but I have not been healthy enough or free enough to do it. For the past half decade the month of May, for me, meant the annual Seize The Summer Tour. This year there was no tour and I just decided to go for it. It was bold, and many people have told me that I’m crazy (which is probably true), but it has been great.

I definitely serve a big God! I can’t believe how good I have felt throughout this month. Pretty much every May I get sick. Usually it is allergy related, but this year God has kept me healthy and he has run with me every step of the way. That is one of my favorite things about running -knowing that I am never alone.

My strategy was brash enough. Rather than stick to a 5k, I set 3.1 miles as the minimum amount per day. I have 1 day left and I have already logged nearly 125 miles (technically 124.64, but who’s counting?).

As for being a brave leader… I guess you’ll have to be the judge of that. Throughout this month I have blogged my thoughts while on the run. Some of it probably should have been censored more (and some of it was!), but my hope was to be honest and authentic. I really believe the things that I have written.

I hope that this blog has encouraged you, inspired you, and challenged you to take the hill in your own life.

Don’t let Satan have victory over you. Stand in the power of Christ (the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in us who believe in his resurrection)!

Take the hill.