Deep thoughts by Bev...

I am often asked, "What do you think about when you run?"  This is a valid, good question-but a dangerous one...As many of you know, my mind never stops, well rarely-even at night-I dream almost every night and I wake up with something on my mind.  You may think "how exhausting!" not really, just because I think a lot doesn't mean I always say what I think...which is a very good thing! Mercy!

In deep thought on the jungle road...

So here are some of the thoughts running through my head as I do loops around ELWA for up to 2 hours!

• Sigh...thanks Lord that I can run.
• Must start my watch-I wonder what my time will be like today?
• Man, it is HOT!
• This run is not for me-go faster!
• Ooh yeah, good song (if I am wearing my ipod)
• Great, why does that guy have to pee right now as I pass him...
• I have to go pee...
• What are the boys doing!!!??? (As I pass my house)
• Wow-something smells really bad...
• No, I will not give you my ipod (As someone yells "white woma you give me that thing!" pointing to my ipod)
• What should I make for dinner?
• PHD-hmmm I think a good intro needs to have more on water and development...(I have seriously written my thesis out in my head at least 50 times...)
• I can't wait until the marathon...
• Could I sweat anymore please!
• Oh, good there is Kendell walking home-boys will have some parental supervision now...
• Don't look at your watch
• Wow that is a pretty good time!
• Wonder what the fam at home is doing right now?

As I get more and more tired and the miles start to pile on the thoughts start to get a little more focused and intense...

• DO NOT start thinking of how far you have left!
• How far do I have left?
• Therese and Rebecca-all the CLP people...
• DO NOT think of how thirsty you are!!
• Man, I am thirsty!
• Community of Barfely-with their filters
• WASH staff-Taya and the new programs she is doing-lots of thoughts of different water interventions-and praying for Tay-tay!
• Karpie and Kimbolou women walking down that hill to get their dirty water
• I wonder how we can get that water up there?
• I can't wait until the London marathon-running through all that history-hearing the crowds...(Bev starts to get butterflies)
• Stop thinking of the marathon it's making you breath too fast!
• I have to stop..
• DO NOT STOP!
• All the ladies who hold a pencil for the first time- I wonder what that feels like?
• HOT!!!!!! HUMID!!!!!!!!
• Sweat is everywhere I feel like I have wet my shorts...
• I am thirsty, I am thirsty, oh so thirsty, oh so thirsty (to the tune of "are you sleeping, are you sleeping brother John?)  I am being serious...
• Sweet, the girls left some water on their porch for me!  Must. have. water. now.
• I wonder what type of latrines the communities will build with the money raised...
• I have to go to the bathroom.
• What was the name of that woman who was blind in Foya-and her husband left her?  I need to ask Jo...
• Lord I need help for this last lap-seriously, please strength.
• Thank goodness for Joni-putting up with me as I sweat and am so tired I don't talk (As she films me on one of my runs).
• Bev, suck. it. up.  This is NOTHING compared to those who you run for.
• Jesus...You are the only one that can get me through this!
• In.Pain...
• Thank you-Lord! -Mercy there is the end!

As you see I go through a range of emotions during a run.  This is just a a glimpse of what goes through my grey matter as I sweat around the 2 mile figure eight on ELWA, around, around and around I go...or on the RIA road and trying not get mowed down by taxi's...

For the marathon I will have a 'pace band'- it will have the times I need to be at for every mile of the race to reach my goal time (which I have not set yet...).  But beside each mile I am going to also write in people's names, like Teresa and Rebecca, little Tomba and his family, Bible verses, names of communities that we have SP WASH/CLP projects in, my boys, those who have donated to this cause, those who have helped me to get here-and I will pray for each person-each mile.  My pace band will be full-just as I am-full of thankfulness and joy to be doing this.  The last .2, 385 yards, will be left for my Savior-actually, all of it is for Him-but that last push-will be full of pain mixed with extreme joy, and I will once again lean on Him-the source of my strength. 

That is what I will be thinking about on Sunday-I am sure there will be much more too-but mostly on those who I am running for and the One who I can't run without...

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