Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

I started to run when my closest friend of over twenty years died after a long battle versus pancreatic cancer. I was old enough to know I could fall into a morose without motion and sunshine. I was sporadic with running until a great friend challenged me to run a 5k race. My dog loved it and kept me honest by begging to go out on the trail in the mornings. He became my trainer. I signed up for a city race challenge of three 5k races in the span of four months. Motion, sunshine, and my dog proved good medicine.

I learned something about my spirit training for shorter races. I learned the value of goals with firm calendar deadlines. I also learned the importance of time in solitude with God. I vividly remember jogging toward a small hill and imagining my lost friend cheering me up the hill. Not that it was much of a hill, but I was pretty out of shape. I kept imagining my friend Kim when I came to that hill. She was quirky and loved shiny yard art. She always believed in me. Then one morning, it was the weirdest and profoundest thing, I felt Jesus, in running shorts, waiting to run alongside me.

It wasn't a vision. It wasn't voices. It was a sensation. And I knew he was there and that he is the now, and he is rooting for me and wanting to run with me. So running became my special time with Jesus--a time to pray and think and plan and listen.

I finished that first 3-race run challenge. I wanted to try a half marathon but I was afraid to tackle the longer distance. I spent months searching races online without committing. The Lincoln, Nebraska half marathon first caught my attention with its finish line on the 50-yard line of Memorial Stadium. That sounded pretty cool since I watch Huskers games. Then I read that the 2016 race's charity is Project Purple, the non-profit organization that uses running to raise awareness and money to support families and find a cure for pancreatic cancer. Not only did I lose my longest friendship to the disease but I also lost the kindest person I ever met in my cousin who was taken from us by it. Bam, that was all it took to spark me to go for it. I registered. Both to challenge myself and to honor the memories of two people special to me.

Training hard for six months gave me a richer appreciation of God in nature. Snow vistas in the winter with my and my dog's eyelashes frosted white. The winter wheat emerging in spring. The first wild purple sweet rockets. Once a loud flock of Canadian geese flew low overhead as I ran on the wings of their shadows. Spring's new calves in the pastures.

The first time I ran twelve miles I thought I was crazy because I couldn't have run the 1.1 miles more to make it. It made me nervous about finishing and I was half afraid to run that long again. I was sore and a bit panicky. The next long run Saturday my guts were churning as I laced up to hit the dirt roads.

I prayed. I prayed for strength and for joy in the doing. Mile ten came and I was winded. Kick the Dust Up by Luke Bryan came on my playlist and I cranked it up while singing along and pumping my fists. The Meadowlarks must still wonder what jogged by. I did 13.1 miles. I could do it and there was joy even in the ache.

There are flowers and bird songs and memories. Peace and comfort and sanctuary. Cheers. In all of life's long races.

Ask Jesus. Trust Jesus. To quote Jesus, "Don't be afraid."

It's why I raised my hand in praise when I crossed the 50-yard line as a finisher.

And the ultimate lesson? Be the kick the dust up boost for someone enduring a loss or a long journey. Make that phone call. Show up and cheer.

10 tips for training if you are ready and want to run or walk a race:

1. Download a good tracking app with training plans. I like MapMyRun and Zombies, Run!
2. Invest in an exercise belt with pockets as most shorts don't have decent ones. My FlipBelt is a lifesaver because I need to carry water, chapstick, my phone, pepper spray (bobcats beware!)
3. Register for a race. Allow yourself ample training time but get signed up. Nothing pushes you like a real deadline.
4. Mix up tempo music with gospel hymns and contemporary praise songs. Change it up with audio books and podcasts.
5. If you have a lawn and it isn't winter, mow your grass with a push mower after long runs. No, I'm not kidding! The first time I didn't ache after a long run was when I did this. It stretches my legs and helps me gain endurance. Try it!
6. Indulge in motivational gear. I'm sure the neighbors are sick of seeing me in Huskers stuff but it was a reminder to keep working so I could cross the 50-yard line.
7. Run a virtual race for practice. I recommend the Zombies, Run! virtual races for fun stories and neat swag.
8. Chocolate milk for recovery. Enough said.
9. If you have trouble eating before running, try flavored Gu gels for the energy to go the distance.
10. Combine training for a race with alone time with Jesus. He will meet you on the trail, I promise