It was a cold, dark, and dreary Saturday morning as I laced up my running shoes and headed out to my car to drive forty-five minutes to a 10k race. The predicted storm hadn’t yet hit, and I was hopeful it would hold off until after the event.
Unfortunately, about half-way there I encountered rain. Oh well, I thought, it wasn’t ideal, but I’ve run in the rain before. Arriving at the race venue with time to spare, I received an alert on my phone: a gale force wind warning. Even though I knew this race course was next to the Atlantic Ocean, I hadn’t fully grasped the storm’s potential impact for extreme wind until I stepped out of my car into the biting cold and fierce gusts.
Nevertheless, the race atmosphere was surprisingly upbeat. After gathering my race bib from the cheerful volunteers and making a quick stop at the porta potty, I opted to skip my usual pre-race warm-up and sought shelter in my car.
As I waited, I reflected on the challenges of my training leading up to this event and found myself strangely unfazed by the added challenge of the stormy conditions. In fact, I felt a curious anticipation to see how I’d fare amidst the tempest. I was actually looking forward to it.
The race kicked off with the emcee’s infectious energy setting a positive tone. Despite the weather’s best efforts, I maintained a steady pace through most of the race. It wasn’t until around mile five, when we turned into a headwind, that I truly understood the magnitude of the elements. It felt as though I was running in place, but instead of becoming frustrated, I kept laughing at the absurdity of it all. Relief flooded me as I finally reached the turnaround point, my personal “hallelujah” perhaps escaping my lips a bit too loudly.
With the toughest stretch behind me, the rest seemed easy. Crossing the finish line, I took some time to appreciate the beauty of the beach and the roaring waves, grateful for the opportunity to witness God’s creation in all its glory.
Unlike the wind alert, life’s storms don’t always come with warnings. They can hit when we least expect it. Regardless of the circumstances, there’s always an opportunity to find joy during trials. So, keep training hard, stay resilient, and embrace whatever weather comes your way. After all, it’s all part of the journey.
