The Best Place to Run To

This morning I ran 10 miles alone and about 12 miles with the RunnersWorld group. The group ran to the "center of the universe." A pretty cool place on Boston, over the railroad tracks on the north side of downtown. When you stand on the center of the universe and talk, your voice sort of echoes and seems amplified. It's pretty cool! Anyway, it is a pretty good destination for a run.

I ran alone for 8 miles and then with Jana for 12 miles, and for the most part we were running 9:00 to 9:30 pace, but the last miles were 8:41, 8:28, 8:19, and 8:16 (The last one I ran alone, Jana had completed her 12 miles, and I still had 2 to go.). Average pace was 9:07. It was a very satisfying run. I really loved running with Jana. She is a strong runner and great at keeping a good constant pace.

I had been having some doubts about my running this week, particularly after Thursday night's run. My plan for Thursday evening was to run 6 miles at marathon pace, plus a warm up and cool down mile. I was pretty successful at that, but a couple of the miles I struggled against a headwind and was barely able to keep within 15 seconds of marathon pace. And I was pretty tired after the run. Today was totally different. I felt good the whole way and felt like I could have kept running for quite a while longer.

Although running to the center of the universe was pretty cool, that's not what I was thinking when I titled this entry "The Best Place to Run To." Last night was the opening performance of the play my daughter wrote and is directing. It is about a girl whose mom is on drugs and alcohol and has gotten into abusive relationships. Anyway, the girl goes into foster care, and she struggles with guilt and with finding someone she can trust and share her burdens with. In the end, she learns to find a resting place in Christ. There is sort of a theme song that is played several times during the play. Here are the words:

Verse 1
I have found myself a hiding place
I have found myself a secret space
In the shelter of Amighty's love
In the safety of the Savior's arms

Chorus:
I will run to the hiding place
I will run to the hiding place
Draw me ever closer to look upon Your face
I will run to the hiding place

Verse2:
I have found myself a hiding place
I have found myself a secret space
In the refuge of the Father's care
In the cleansing blood of Jesus there

Chorus:
I will run to the hiding place
I will run to the hiding place
Draw me ever closer to look upon Your face
I will run to the hiding place

Bridge:
Though my fears may overwhelm me
And troubles, they surround
Though the wind rise up to take me
My hiding place is already found

Verse3:
I have found myself a hiding place
I have found myself a secret space
In the shelter of Amighty's love
In the safety of the Saviour's arms

Chorus:
I will run to the hiding place
I will run to the hiding place
Draw me ever closer to look upon Your face
I will run to the hiding place

So, the best place to run to? The hiding place, Jesus Christ.