To Run or not to Run?

So, life is good. Of course there are hardships along the way, and I have to say this semester has been a toughie. Working 15 hours a week including Friday nights has put a little damper on my social life. Luckily I am really tight with my roomates and there are often people in our apartment. Anyway though, it has been tough every now and then. I am also not doing in well as school as I would like, but I am improving. Needless to say, my confidence may not have been at its peak. However, this week my really good friend and running buddy Avery registered for a 10k and wanted me to do it with her. I have just recently started running everyday again, so I haven't been in the best shape to run 6.2 miles. I also have been getting horribly painful shin splints because I need new shoes. Although I thought about how it would be nice to sleep in on Saturday, then I thought, "No. This would be good for me. I'm doing it" I registered, got my T-shirt the day before and started to get really excited. When I woke up this morning for the run, I had a stomachache and was nervous about run so much compared to what I have been doing recently and the shape my shins were in. I prayed that I would get through it and not be sick. Well, Avery and I had the goal to not walk. WE DID IT! We totally ran the whole time and kept a really awesome pace. We sped up a lot in the end realizing we had saved a lot of energy. We sprinted the last 200 meters or so into the finish line. It felt sooooooooooo good! I felt so accomplished and so proud of myself. I know that I could not have done it without the Lord! My shins felt nothing and for that I am incredible grateful. There is something about running that really calms the soul and rests your mind. I feel so incredibly blessed to have a healthy body that can run 6 miles without preparing hard core for it. I am so grateful to have legs that can take me anywhere! How wonderfully blessed we are without realizing things like health and able bodies! Running is probably my favorite activity ever!