If there is one thing that I am learning it is that running is not easy. No, running is down right hard. The endurance that is required is incredible. Everytime I run lately, I think about how tough it is and always remind myself that life is harder. The verse “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1) has been coming to mind each time I feel like I can’t keep going. I reflect on how tired I am and how much I want to stop and then I remind myself that if I can’t keep going this short distance, how can I run the race marked out for me–the real race. The harder race.
Running really does parellel life in so many ways. I think that’s why this year’s Labor of Love run meant more to me than ever before. The race benefits the Akron Pregnancy Services and over 1000 runners and walkers came out. It takes an amazing amount of coordinating and so many people were there to help make it a success. Pastor Dale Saylor (who put hundreds of hours into this event!) from The Chapel asked us to capture some photographs and I wanted to share a few with you.
In order to get some great shots, Dale asked me to go up 60 feet in the air. I was a little nervous but Fred did a great job operating the equipment and I actually enjoyed the view. It’s much less scary than it looks…trust me, I am a baby. The bottom picture shows my view going up.
The view from the bucket:
And my favorite view….
That’s my little guy about to run the mile with Aunt Sharon.
Dave stayed below to get shots of the race details and some individual runners. Even Zippy showed up to cheer.
Here’s my little guy again…about to cross the finish line.
This is about thirty seconds after the start of the five mile run. Sharon ran the first leg and I ran the second.
Dave caught the winner about to cross the finish. Yes. That says 25:15. Amazing! I finished just after* this.
*denotes a time approximating an additional 25 minutes.
While running I prefer to make people feel good…that’s why I allow them all to pass me. This is my contribution. I do have one request for next year though…I wondering if we could write “Go Amy…keep running” on the back of the shirts since I get to see so many fly past.