Then I couldn't run anymore. In fact, I could barely walk. I had been complaining about a weird pain in my foot for a few months when it became unbearable. My foot was so swollen I couldn't wear shoes and any pressure on it was extremely painful. I went from doctor to doctor and after another few months, I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis (an auto-immune disease similar to rheumatoid arthritis, but not usually affecting as many joints.) Mine was just in my left foot. After a couple more months of trying to figure out the right treatment plan I started to feel better. I went from being constantly tired and uncomfortable to having energy again! At this point, my 30th birthday was looming. After months of sitting/laying around and hobbling let's just say I wasn't in the best shape. I wasn't about to leave my 20's and enter a new decade like that. I found out there was a half marathon that literally went right by my house that was the day before my 30th birthday. A handful of my girlfriends decided to run too, in solidarity, and even more friends cheered us on. Then I was running to prove to myself that nothing could stop me - not the dreaded 30's and certainly not arthritis! I hung on to Philippians 4:13
" I can do all things through Him who strengthens me"
It was a REALLY tough run, but I was so thankful I was able to finish.
I guess the lazy bug bit me and I stopped running. Last summer I got to my heaviest weight and was just tired of it. A couple of friends were joining Weight Watchers so I tried it. I shared before that it really worked for me. I lost over 30 pounds. During the winter I started running again and was amazed at how fast I could run and how much easier it was with 30 less pounds on my body. People at work started talking about running in the Baltimore Running Festival and using that as an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for World Relief. They were even able to set it up as a fundraiser for those who wanted to be involved. I don't talk about my job a whole lot on here, but I absolutely love it!! The mission of World Relief is to empower the church to serve the most vulnerable. That couldn't align more with my passions and beliefs in life AND I get to work on my dorky spreadsheets while serving this mission. We are connecting churches and giving tools to the churches around the world to help those who are the most oppressed - like women and children. I was already bordering losing too much weight, so I certainly didn't need to run for that reason any more and I had already proved nothing could stop me, but I was motivated this time just because it's something I CAN do! I run because I'm able...because I have food to nourish my body, because I have shoes to protect my feet and legs from injury, because I have free time to train. The people we serve don't have these luxuries. Some don't have food to feed their children, or any pairs of shoes. They spend their days doing hard manual labor if they are able.
Those who are familiar with World Relief know that we STAND for the Vulnerable. I'd like to think in this instance that I'm running for them!
Here's a link if you'd like to help me! You can also find out more about what World Relief does and other ways to get involved by clicking here!
http://worldrelief.org/page.aspx?pid=3312&tab=0&frsid=514
Oh, and I have to mention - I got new running shoes a few weeks ago...
