Day 20

Day 20 – 9 Miles – Word of the Day – Adversity – (Thanks Taylor) We started out the Day at 7:30 with a great word from Taylor.  He spoke at a men’s breakfast at my church on how adversity is what God uses to develop us into the people we should be.  Second Word of the Day, “Team”.  I did not feel great out of the blocks, but I have felt worse.  I had three blisters pop on the bottom of my foot last night, but they were not bothering me, but I was a little worried about it.  So, some where around 9:40 or so, we were off.  About 1/2 mile into the run, bladder started to tell me it was full.  Great!  I was able to shake that off, but it nagged me the rest of the run.  We started with a very reasonable pace and I was doing fine until just about half way.  I had never had fatigue in my legs be a problem up to this point, but my legs were beginning to ache.  By mile six I was starting to fall behind and seemed that the pace was picking up a little.  Just before we got to our water drop just before mile 7, I was beginning to wonder if I was going to make it.  The water break seemed to help, but it didn’t take long before I started falling behind again.

Enter “The Team”!  I might not have made it this far had I been running alone, but at this point it was becoming pretty tough.  Those negative words started rolling around in my head, “Maybe you aren’t going to be able to do this”.  Just about that time, Derek dropped back to run with me.  I would like to say it gave me a fresh wind in my sails, but it didn’t.  What it did do was remind me that I was not in this alone.   If adversity helps make the man, I would say that brothers are made for adversity.  “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)  Thanks Derek – You have made into the hallowed halls of the “Well Done ” Crew.

We all finished under 10 min/mile.  My legs and feet were in definite need of some soaking and I took a good nap.  After about 4 hours, I was feeling pretty good.  I hope that I am not always causing adversity for my team mates, but if I do, remember, it is for your own good.