The End is Near...

When I started this little Couch to 5K adventure about fifteen weeks ago, I never would have guessed that I would actually make progress. That I would actually stick with it. That I would complete what I had started. And yet, this morning I started Week 8 of the app. A five minute warmup walk, a twenty-eight minute run, and a five minute cool down walk. Twenty-eight minutes! I never would have imagined that I would make it to running for twenty-eight minutes straight. And for those of you that are wondering, that is running almost a mile and a half to two miles straight without stopping. 

Many of my readers have read several of my blog posts and know that mostly these runs are anxiety producing for me. Until last week. No anxiety. No fear. No whining and complaining. Someone asked me yesterday when do you get to the point where you enjoy it. That made me smile because I never thought I would enjoy running. Me? Obese, out of shape me? Enjoy running? Well, it's happened! I started enjoying running when I hit running five minutes solid. Not because I was enjoying running, but because I was enjoying the accomplishment of running. But last week I can honestly say that I hit a point where I enjoy running. 

When I first started this process, it was anxiety. Fears. Tears. Panic. Knowing I could never make it to the end. Pain everywhere. Not being able to breathe. Wanting to quit with every fiber of my being. And start of last week? It was feeling my powerful legs kicking through each step. It was feeling my arms pumping in rhythm with every run motion. It was controlled, steady breathing. It was feeling my heart beat wildly with anticipation. It was focus and determination and knowing that my hard work was paying off. I am a runner. I love running. And although I'm grateful for the days that I take a break from running, there is even a twinge of sadness at the notion that it's not a run day. I am loving who I'm becoming. My weeks of running and building endurance and training have led me to this moment. I am two runs, two workouts away from completing the Couch to 5K app. And I am excited about meeting this goal. But then what?

The end is near. And then what happens? I don't stop running. I know that much. Celebrate? Maybe get some cake! There's a piece of me that is apprehensive to get to the end. That's worried about coming to the finality of not having the app anymore. Several plans have run through my head. I could start the app over and increase my speed. Or I could download the Couch to 10K program and keep going for longer distances. I'm not sure what is going to happen. I assume I'll figure it out once I reach that point. Over the next two days I increase to running thirty minutes and then thirty-five minutes to finish it out. I feel like I will most likely need to repeat this week a time or two to get it right. And I have faith that when I reach that endpoint I'll know exactly where I'm supposed to go from here. 

Just like my faith! The end is near...No, I'm not a doomsday-er. I don't look for signs and try to predict when our Saviour is coming back. But I know there will be an end. And unlike the apprehension of my app ending, I'm not worried about the ending of the world. I know exactly where I'll end up with this one. Jesus died to forgive our sins. He blessed us poor, miserable sinners with his life, and in turn with forgiveness and the opportunity to live for eternity with our Lord at the time when the world ends. He loved us that much! There's a plan for the end. And I will be living with my fellow believers and my Jesus! No workout necessary. No strict training regiment. No gym dues or blood, sweat, and tears on my part. Just blind faith! Just knowing that He has saved me from my sins and I get to spend eternity by His side! Just knowing that my faith in Him and His love for me is all I need!

The end is near! And my faith in God and my belief in Jesus's sacrifice for me will carry me through the ending and into the next phase of God's plan for me. Whether that is the end of my 5K app, or the end of the world! My path has been determined. And I am thankful that I get to hold my Savior's hand and follow where He leads. The end is near...but will soon be followed by glorious new beginnings! Amen!