Why I will lace up my shoes and run another marathon

     In the wake of such a tragedy as the Boston marathon bombing, one might ask themselves "is it worth the risk to run another marathon?"  I have read tweets of kids asking there parents to not run in races anymore and stories of runners that are worried about the future of the marathons.  If you will allow me, I want to offer my reason for running another one.  Maybe it is something that you can share with your kids and with your friends about the importance of running another race.
     I put this statement as simple as I can.  "If we stop running or are afraid to run, the terrorist will win."  Contrary to belief a terrorist objective is not to kill a large number of people or cause massive property damage.  The job of a terrorist is to terrorize.  They choose death and destruction because that is what terrorizes people.  IF throwing cute little kittens at people would cause terror then terrorist would drop kittens by the dozens over cities and incite global panic.  So if we decide to stop running or freak out about the possibility of another attack then the terrorist will have obtained their goal of terrorizing and disrupting the peace of the people.  In short the terrorist will win.
     The answer to this attack is not to have a bigger army, larger missiles, or greater leaders.  The answer to fighting terrorism is to not let the attacks terrorize us.  By that I mean that we don't let the attacks keep us from doing what we love.  By doing what we love, we fight back terrorism.  Every race that we finish, every mile that we run, every step we take is a hit to the face of terrorism.  A hit that is much harder than a punch, stronger than a bullet, and greater than an army.  We fight terrorism by doing what we love.
So let us never forget Boston.  Let us never forget those who were affected by it but let us lace those shoes and run on.  Let us "Run with endurance the race that is set before us..." (Hebrews 12:1-2)  Let us run, not with fear, but with courage.  For that is where we will make a difference.  Never give up and never stop running.        

Final thoughts before the Marathon

     I am about to embark on one of the most challenging events of my running career.  Sunday I will be participating in the 10th running of the Little Rock Marathon.  I am both excited and scared.  Excited that I will get to run the farthest I have ever run.  Scared that I will get to run the farthest I have ever run.  Excited that I get to see friends such as Aaron Johnson, Johnathan Johnson, and Ryan Copico.  Scared that I won't be able to finish.  Excited that I get to run for such a great organization.  Scared that I might get injured.  Excited and scared.  For 26.2 miles, my body will go though hell just to cross a white line and get a big medal.  For 26.2 miles, my body will be pushed to the limit to earn the term "Marathon Runner."  Excited and scared.  Maybe I wouldn't be so scared if I had time to actually train for this race.  In the misted of shin splints, knee pains, Achilles tendinitis, and just a lack of wanting to train my body is not as prepared as I wish it could be.  While I am injury-free as of today and I am able to run up to 10 miles at a comfortable pace, I am still scared.  The weather will be pretty cold which will also make for a rough run.  Whatever the outcome of the race is I am reminded that I should "first seek the kingdom of heaven and all these things shall be added to you."  I will run my race.  I will run with endurance.  I will run from the sound of the gun till the finish line is behind me.  All the while seeking the kingdom of heaven.  I will finish my race regardless of pain or suffering, not because I am strong enough to do it but because God is strong enough to do it.  

     I am ready to take on this race.  The only way that I will finish this race is if I start this race.  So Sunday, I will lace up my running shoes, put on my warm running clothes, and pack into the starting line with 8,000 other people and a smile on my face.  And I will run the race that is set before me seeking the kingdom of God.