A Bit of Honesty

It's been about 8 months since we started talking about "living a better story" and "getting off the couch and actually DOING something". After 8 months of running I can definitely say this was a horrible idea. (I'm laughing on the inside.)

We have four weeks left. That's it. Just four more early Saturday morning runs. I'm way past the point of being afraid or nervous or worried. I'm just ready for it to be over. I know it's going to hurt - nothing I can do about that. I know it's going to be grueling and awful and I'm going to have to argue with myself for every single step. I've accepted that this is how my relationship with running will always be and I just want to be done with it.

When we first started I naively thought that I would develop a love for running. Maybe I would be like those cool people who get up early and go run just for fun. Maybe I would find that "runner's high" somewhere around mile 12. Maybe, just maybe, I would continue running after the marathon.

Like I said, naive.

I don't know how other people do it. Our team runs the Riverwalk every Saturday morning. We've gotten to know some other runners who we see there every week. Some of them look like us - just trying to survive. But others look they are on top of the world. They are so stinkin happy about running! I just do not get it. Eight months of this and I hate it more now than ever.

I realize this post may sound negative. Please know that there is much sarcasm here. But, I'm also just being honest. This is hard and unpleasant and stinky and painful. Even now, so close to completing this goal, I want more than anything to quit.

The thought of running literally makes me sick. I dread it. Since we're supposed to run 4 days a week that's a lot of time spent dreading it. The excitement has worn off, the shiny newness is gone, all that's left is the determination and the commitment and the promise.

Jon Acuff of Stuff Christians Like posted a tweet today that said, "Deciding whether to create art each day is a waste of energy. Decide once, each year, and then just do your art each day."

Please don't misunderstand - I'm not calling my running "art". If you've ever seen me run you know that's hilarious. But, the general idea works here. I made a commitment to train for this marathon. I made a promise to raise money and awareness for the water crisis in Africa. The deciding is done. Now, I just have to do.

So, tomorrow morning, I'm going to go run. I won't dwell on the pros and cons all evening. I will just run. The decision has already been made. And, since running is only half of the commitment, I will continue asking my social networking friends to donate to help us reach our goal. We've raised $1,790 so far. We have six team members, each with a goal of raising $1000. Although we'd love to raise $10,000 total. That means we'd like to raise about $8000 over the next four weeks.

Just to add a bit of perspective:

$1 = 1 year of clean water for 1 African

$25 = clean water for life for 1 African

$85 = a biosand filter for 1 family

$4000 = a community well providing hundreds of people with access to clean water

Not everyone can run a marathon. But every one, every single person that reads this, can give at least $1. You can provide life giving clean water to a person in Africa.

I promise to shamelessly ask for your donations over the next four weeks without apology for how tired you may be of hearing about our running. Lives are literally at stake and I've made a commitment to do something about it.

How can you be a part of our running story?

1) Pray for our injuries. Seriously. Half of us are injured. Nothing major but painful injuries none the less that will probably take about six months to heal once the marathon is over. Assuming we don't make them worse by continuing to run insane distances over the next four weeks.

2) Pray that we will be reminded anew of our commitments. The honesty that I've revealed in this post is only a portion of how truly difficult this is for me and I know my team mates feel much the same. We need to remember the passion and desire to make a difference that we felt eight months ago.

3) Spread the word. Get excited about saving someone's life that you will never meet and then tell your friends to do the same. Tell others about the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people in Africa. Tell them about the water crisis and ask them to help.

4) Donate. Donate. Donate. Click here to find out how to donate via check or visit our secure online donation page.

I know that the next four weeks will be difficult...but they will be worth it. Our team has already made a life changing difference for hundreds of people on the other side of the world. Even if just one more dollar is given, that may mean that one life is saved from sickness and death. And that is a good reason to run.

Chrystal Murphy