Before going out for my run today, just a quick shout out and kudos to Sara Hall for setting a new American half marathon record on Sunday in Houston with a time of 67:15.
Her husband Ryan Hall holds the American record in the half marathon. He ran a 59:43 in 2007. His record still holds today. Ryan has written one of the best books ever on running called Run the Mile You're In. It's subtitle is "Finding God in Every Step."
This type of book is timeless and offers encouragement and advice not just on running but on Christian living. Its 26 chapters have titles like "Vision," "Purpose," "Sacrifice," "Goals," "Relationships," "Belief," "Success," "Pain," "Worship." "Love," "Victories," "Seasons," and "Victorious." I think my favorite chapter is chapter 25, "Closure." In it Hall describes how hard it was for him to retire from the sport of running. Anyone who has retired can certainly identify with these words found on p. 213:
But I found that I had some sadness in saying goodbye to the marathon and to my professional running career. It was the same kind of sadness you feel when you lose a loved one with whom you've experienced life. You remember the good times, the hard times, and all the moments of life you've shared together.
But sadness soon turns to hope and perspective:
When something in your life dies -- whether it be a job, a hobby, or a dream -- I encourage you not to focus on what could have been and what is lost but instead to look for the new life and the new opportunities that result. A new season is here.
That's good advice for all of us.
Anyways, a great book to have on your bedside table or to give to a friend. And again, congrats to Sara Hall on her achievement last Sunday. I'm sure it had a lot to do with willpower and experience. I am very proud of our American runners.