I ran tonight.  I haven’t run in quite some time.  I ran… well, mostly ran with some walking — 30 minutes / 2.2 miles.  I feel alright but have a bit o’ tightness in my lungs. *wheeze*

My church just started a short series called INTEGRITY where we’ll take a look at the importance of taking care of our physical bodies.

in·teg·ri·ty (in-?te-gr?-t?)
function: noun
etymology: Middle English integrite, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French integrité, from Latin integritat-, integritas, from integr-, integer entire

(1) the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished;
(2) a sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition

We have two *serious* athletes that are helping to spearhead this church-wide campaign — Neil K. is a cycling fiend, marathoner, and triathlete… and Kim O. is a running machine with a gazillion marathons under her belt and is a trainer for a Gold’s Gym in our area. As they shared the vision for this series, it was pretty powerful to hear how passionate they are about living a life that integrates their relationship with God, relationships with others, and health.

Both Kim and Neil have offered their expertise and time to our congregation as we begin to make choices that will improve our physical fitness, which will in turn begin to positively affect our whole being — moving toward integrity.

Part of this effort will also include a local community 4-mile run sometime in June(?).

I think I’m gonna train for it.  It will be the first time in my life where I will have run more than 3 miles.

I ran tonight… not because it’ll make me feel good. I ran tonight… not because I want to work off some extra weight.  I ran tonight… not to receive praise from anyone. (Although all of these are reasons that motivate me to some degree.)

I ran tonight… because my Creator, my God, made me. Being a good steward of what He’s given me is the least I can do for all that He’s done for me.

More to come in the following days and weeks with my thoughts and progress toward:

1. right understanding of my body
2. and moving toward overall better fitness.

Integrity.