It is healthy for each and every one of us to have a certain amount of goals in our lives. Goals that we strive to reach.

A goal is an objective that a person or a system plans or intends to achieve.

Almost a year ago my wife decided to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary by signing me up for this years `Göteborgsvarvet‘ which is a half-marathon that is organized every year here in the city of Gothenburg.

Over the past few years I have come to terms with jogging as an alternative way of keeping in shape, but never personally had in mind of actually participating in an organized race and running for a prize.

As the 17th of May drew closer and closer I tried to discipline myself to be as ready as possible for the 21097,5 meters that would lie ahead. Running different lengths and speeds, both on flat ground and up-hill got my muscles into action, which also included running in Romania while there for a weeks field-trip.

My wife pep-talked me and I knew that a number of friends would be running in the various start groups… but nothing can really prepare you for the actual atmosphere of expectation mixed with nerves that grabs you as the start comes closer and closer.

I was about to launch my goal of not only preparing and training to run for the prize, but actually doing it and hopefully completing it as well!

Saturday the 17th of May at 15.19 I set off and began my aim for the goal. Running for a prize together with 48202 other participants. 200.000 spectators lined the course and cheered on all the runners.

In the hot weather for the day, 100.000 liters of water and 30.000 liters of energy drink were offered as we ”speeded” by. 80.000 water drenched sponges were offered to grab as we continued our pursuit of reaching a goal.

After a boiling, grueling 2 hours 9 minutes and 22 seconds I finally reached my goal. I had not only prepared, trained and run but also reached my goal. I had run for the prize. I had made it!

My goodness, my 1 out of 65.000 bananas tasted great, and receiving my medal of completion made it all worth it, even if my legs felt like jelly for the rest of Saturday and most of Sunday.

Four things I want to highlight are:

1. Without preparation and training I would never have made it and got my medal. Don’t expect your life and faith to just work out, you have to do your part too.
2. There were some very tempting signs at the side of the road that said: ”Quit now and we will drive you back home”. Needless to say I was tempted, but didn’ t fall for the temptation and kept on running. Winners don’t cheat!
3. Everybody got a gold medal! The great thing about this race was not whether you were first or last over the finishing line, but most important was actually completing the race. Don’t give up. Within you is the capacity to reach your own personal goals.
4. Without those reoccurring water stations along the route, I and many others would have collapsed of exhaustion. Water quenches thirst and gives new strength to continue.

Will I be running again next year? Who knows, but I learnt a whole lot from this amazing experience.

Have an excellent week!

/Mark

1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last for ever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

John 4:13 Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’