Since I can’t afford to go to a gym regularly, running is the best (and cheapest) way for me to get some exercise, and Dubai isn’t short on rubberized jogging tracks. They recently built a track spanning the entire stretch of beach all the way from Sunset Beach to Jumeirah Beach Park (and eventually it’ll go all the way up to Jumeirah 1) so I’ve been running there for a while now, usually with Jonathan and Janice, and once with Sherita.
Tonight was my first time running there by myself, since all my running buddies are out of the country due to recent deaths in their families.
With nothing but my headset, bus card and phone in my jacket pocket, I took the bus to Sunset Beach, stretched briefly, then took off. I gave myself a goal so I wouldn’t be bored or give up too soon: run for 6 kilometers straight.
The first 20-25 minutes were a piece of cake. I’ve been running for a few months now (though not as regularly as I would like) so my endurance has gotten pretty good. I managed to maintain my pace with easy breathing and no pain.
But toward the 5-kilometer mark, I began to feel tired and a little lonely. The company of good friends really helps to keep your spirits up. I missed them.
I looked ahead at how far I still had to go. My legs felt heavy. The deserted path ahead was illuminated by a long line of lampposts and I realized just how alone I felt. I normally love solitude but I guess I still have moments when I wish I had someone with me.
I was tired, I just wanted it to be all over so I could go home.
So I did what I always do when I feel weak and alone: I prayed. And I believe that God spoke to me tonight in a profound way. You may not believe it, but this is how it went.
Lord, I want to sprint to the end, this process is so hard. Could you give me the strength to run really, really fast just so I can get there? Or can I just stop now?
Pace yourself. You’re doing okay. You’ve still got quite a run ahead of you so don’t get impatient or try to run too fast, or you will just exhaust yourself before you reach the finish line. Don’t stop! Look at how far you’ve already come.
I miss running with someone. This would be so much easier if I had someone here with me to push me to keep going or even just to keep me company and talk to me while we run. Some parts of this track are a little scary, especially these little dark corners where a really determined person could harm me, having someone else with me just feels safer.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting someone to run with. But remember that that person is just your running partner, they are not the finish line. They run beside you so you can accomplish your goals together and you can look out for each other, but they are not your goal. I will protect you. Remember to focus on what’s at the end of the track, not what’s beside you…or behind.
We’re not really talking about running, are we, God?
No, no we’re not.
I just get so tired sometimes. Especially seeing how far I still have to go. I don’t know if I can keep going.
Again, look at how far you’ve come. Look! You didn’t have another person running beside you and yet you’ve still come this far. That’s because you were never alone. I am not just the finish line. I am the track, I am the cool breeze that comforts your sweaty brow, I am the lampposts guiding your path, and I am the shoes that support your feet. You may not always have someone else to run with, but you will never be alone, I promise you that. Just keep your pace, and your eyes on the goal. You can do it because I have equipped you for it.
And with that, I pushed ahead. For the entire 6 kilometers.
But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.-Isaiah 40:31
