Are We There Yet?

When I was training for my first marathon a couple years ago, time trials suggested I was in sub-4 territory. Even when I had a setback during the race, I was optimistic and figured I could qualify for Boston with just a little more training...

Nearly 2 years later, I've run three more marathons--all considerably slower than the first. I've battled injuries that cost me weeks or months at a time and virtually eliminated speed work. Just to keep running has been a victory. At this point, I'd be thrilled simply to PR, and a BQ seems a long way off. 

I hope it doesn't take 40 years, but my road to Boston is starting to resemble that of the children of Israel as they marched from Egypt to Canaan. 

The shortest distance between 2 points is a straight line, and if you map it, it's only a few hundred miles. Some ultramarathoners could knock that out in a few days, and I've read even for the nation of Israel, the trip should have only taken a couple weeks...yet God had other plans. 

In my own journey, I see God's purposes in taking the long route--how's He's developing my relationship with Him and my character. Patience. Perseverance. Humility. Faith. Things of greater eternal value than a medal and things that will make it that much sweeter when I finally have that elusive unicorn around my neck. 

Thankfully, I'm coming to accept the process enough to find the humor in it. :)