Going The Distance

I RUN BECAUSE IT’S SO SYMBOLIC OF LIFE. YOU HAVE TO DRIVE YOURSELF TO OVERCOME THE OBSTACLES. YOU MIGHT FEEL THAT YOU CAN’T. BUT THEN YOU FIND YOUR INNER STRENGTH, AND REALIZE YOU’RE CAPABLE OF SO MUCH MORE THAN YOU THOUGHT.

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healthyfeeling:

arthlete.tumblr.com

kelseymagnolia:

God IS still good and Ryan, YOU continue to inspire ME. (Taken with Instagram)

Ryan Hall had to drop out of the Olympic Marathon partway through because of his hamstring and honestly…man…I don’t even know how to say what I want to say.

I guess I want to start with this:

“The easy answer is, I want to win the Boston Marathon, which would be a noble goal. But to be totally honest, it’s really not the deepest desire of my heart. As I thought about it, I thought back to what got me into running in the first place and what I most love about running. I concluded that the only thing about running that I love more than those moments when maybe I’ve given others or hopefully will one day will give others, a glimpse of God. Or those moments when I feel God running in me. It’s hard to articulate, but when you experience it, you know it. Those moments that are typically effortful, are now effortless. The thoughts in your head melt away and all that’s left is joy, delight, and the satisfying sensation of performing outside of yourself.”
-Ryan Hall

I truly believe that God has a purpose for everything. Ryan having to quit running this race hit head on for me, and his strength and courage to simply be used by God means the world to me. I honestly could not be more proud of him right now. The race he ran reminded me of the few things I need to focus on in my life and in my running. So although an injury took him out (God has purpose), he still won gold in my heart, because he has been such an inspiration to me in all he’s done in his life and in his racing. But those two are the same thing, because he knows the only true race that matters.

All I can say, is thank you.
Thank you, Ryan.
& thank you, God.