When I first started running it was all about my health and doing something I’d never think I could or would – running a marathon. That was 2006. I lost over 60 pounds and completed the Las Vegas Marathon with little scaring. After that it was all about competing. I needed a race on the calendar to keep me motivated thru the 110 degree summers of Las Vegas. Recently I’ve come to another crossroads. I haven’t felt that same fire in my gut that threw me out door day after day. I was feeling empty and needing more. That has recently changed and I think has changed my life permanently – for the better.

I’ve been thinking for some time that there was something else I could do with running. We’re out there on the roads and trails for hours on end. If you’re like me, thousands of thoughts enter my head on every subject from every angle. You’d think collectively we could have solved the worlds problems by now!!! Most of it is nonsense and I’ve always thought I could use this time for something useful and now I have. I’m using running as time to mediate, clear my head and make up for some lost time with God.

Now, I’m not a fanatic by any means but hear me out. How many times have you thought to yourself that you “don’t have the time pray.” There’s always family, work, television or some other distraction filling our lives 24 hours a day. Running is my solitude, running is my escape but I am alone no longer.

What do you say? How do you say it? There’s no formula, no rules, no ridicule or praise. There’s now a feeling of grace, comfort, belonging and a sense of purpose. Just clear your mind, open your heart and talk. It’s your time.

I’m not a pastor or priest but a runner who’s found the prayerful dimension of running. If you’d like to learn more and be inspired to take a leap of faith, check out the book “Running the Spiritual Path” by Roger D. Joslin. I’m only 4o some pages into the book and I’m hooked. I am not alone – in running or in life.

“Imagine that you are running toward God and know that far in the distance God is running toward you” – Roger D. Joslin

Tags: God, Las Vegas, Las Vegas Marathon, Mediation, Prayer, Roger D. Joslin, Running the Spiritual Path

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 at 9:07 pm and is filed under Meditation, Religion, Running the Spiritual Path. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.