thejoyfilledrunner: Gobbler Grind Marathon and Half Marathon 2014

"Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established. Don’t turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil." Proverbs 4:25-27

*Yesterday was World Running Day and what better way to celebrate than with a long run? Several TEAM 413 members and I joined almost 900 runners yesterday to run the 18th Annual Gobbler Grind Marathon (151 runners) and Half Marathon(704 runners) in Kansas City. It turned out to be a perfect day for finishing 26.2 miles (or 13.1 for some). The race started promptly at 8:30 a.m. following the National Anthem. We were off and running through the paved trails that would begin and end in the Corporate Woods area of KC. There were a couple of challenging hills while running through the residential area connecting the trails but really none to speak of otherwise. The aid stations were ample and stocked with water, gatorade and gels. What the race lacked in crowd support (only bicycles and pedestrians were allowed to navigate on a majority of it),they made up for in cheery volunteers. If you enjoy the peace and quiet of nature, you will love this race. It was a very well organized run with huge finishers medals and even bigger age group award medals. Their professional free race photos were an added bonus. Paired with their reasonable entry fee, and you've got a fantastic race. Thanks to all the volunteers!

And what a difference a year makes. I attempted this race last year only to miss the crucial transition at "the split" (point where the marathoners and half marathoners separate). The temperature was in the single digits on the windchill, most of the volunteers had not shown up and only those runners who enjoy pain and suffering made an appearance. With no one to follow and my head in the clouds, I realized the mistake many (cold and lonely) miles later...too late to retrace my steps and correct my mistake. After finally making it back to the finish line with roughly 6 miles left to go, I explained the situation to the race director. Then, after declining to step over the "mat", I took the marathon medal and a well deserved DNF (Did Not Finish) and ran the course until I had made up the necessary mileage (I had vowed to do this before accepting the medal). Rather than choosing to be upset though, I chose to use that time to encourage other runners as we passed. What a laugh my friends and I had over this! After the fact of course.

Thank God for messes such as these. What a learning experience they can be. It's a reminder that we can all get off-track, even when diligently chasing after Christ and his path for our lives. If you think you know where you're going, you better check again. Without consulting Him at every turn, "keeping your gaze straight ahead", you can really get yourself "lost". When you find yourself off-track, and we all will from time to time, you have a choice to make - realize the mistake, repent and immediately get back on course or keep running on the path you're on hoping it will lead to something good. Let me remind you though, there is nothing good apart from Christ, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing." Psalm 16:2.

Maybe you have gotten off course today? Praise God that He is the God of second chances. Micah 7:18 says, "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy." You can never run far enough that the Lord won't follow you with forgiveness. God replaces our "Did Not Finish", with a "Did Not Fail" if we will simply get back on course and let Him lead, "The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray." Psalm 25:8. By following His lead you will make it to the finish line and claim the "victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57

Heavenly Father, thank You for trials, pitfalls and the wrong turns we make. While they are never pleasant, they provide us an opportunity to witness your unfailing forgiveness, love and guidance. May we learn from them and grow through them. Remind us daily that we can never run so far that You will not be there to pick us up and set us on the right path when we go astray. May we always be looking for the "proper path" to take. In your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Our time is now - Colton Dixon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqMZ-X8DGn4