Faith Laces

Photo Credit - Microsoft Clip Art M otivation is essential for every runner. We have to be motivated to lace up our shoes and head out the door on a regular basis. But like with some of the other essentials I've mentioned, m otivation plays an even bigger role for pregnant runners. During the first trimester, morning sickness can kill the desire to do anything, much less run or workout. As pregnancy progresses, added weight and fatigue can drain the desire to be active in any way. The key to running through these obstacles is motivation. What inspires your running? What encourages you to hit the roads every day? For some, it's to lose weight. For others, it's to train for a race. For many, it's the rush of endorphins or 'runner's high'. For me, it varies. I've run for all of the above reasons at one time or another. Mostly I run because I enjoy the time alone to pray, to listen for God's whispers, and to honor Him for the gift He has given ...

Remembering why I run has never been as important as it has been since I've been pregnant.  I need to keep my perspective, especially as my pace slows and my distance decreases. Some of my reasons for running are: To stay healthy. To feel good. To stay sane. To reduce stress. To have fun. To set a good example for my daughter. Photo Credit - Faith Laces Menno Haven 5K For Alzheimer's November 2012 Ultimately though, my motivation is to give glory and gratitude to God. I believe God made me a runner. He may not have made me an Olympic or record-setting runner, but running brings me joy, peace and most importantly, it brings me closer to my Creator and His Creation. It's an honor and privilege to get out there everyday and run to show God how grateful I am for His wonderful gift! And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him ( Colossians 3:17 ESV). Why do you run?

The strength I develop through running has benefits that go beyond physical. For me, running is like meditation, a way to connect to nature, grow closer to God, find inspiration and stimulate creativity. Anne Audain credits movement. By moving the body itself, you are moving not just air, food , and blood but even thought through the body. If you let things sit still, you’ll get cobwebs. Movement gives you so much more energy (Anne Audain, cofounder of the Idaho Women’s Fitness Celebration, as told to Dagny Scott in  The Complete Book of Women’s Running , p. 155). This energy carries over to other aspects of my life, especially being a mother to a three-year-old who is constantly on the move herself. Some days even after a good-night’s sleep I’m still tired, and when a cheerful little voice says, “Sun is up, Mommy! You play with me now,” I just want to roll over and pull a pillow over my head. But after a run, I’m revived and energized with plenty of pep to play hide and se...

Photo Credit - Faith Laces One of the joys of running for me is spending quality time with my daughter. Monkey is three now and joins me in the jogging stroller for two runs a week. Here’s how I make the most out of our running time together: Pray  – Before running I pray that God will keep us safe, help us to run our best, and open our senses to his presence. Practice God Sightings  – I feel closer to God when running; I’m hoping Monkey will someday know the same closeness. During our runs, I point out God’s wonderful and beautiful creations like the blue sky, fluffy white clouds, flowing water, green grass, fine sand, heavy rocks, tiny pebbles, the variety of creatures like the birds, ducks, geese, groundhogs, squirrels, and turtles. Highlighting all of the different textures, smells, sounds, and sights around us, I say, “God made that.” Later when I’m making dinner and overhear Monkey say, “God made water or God made macaroni and cheese;” My heart swells and I...