Matt Lane ... Fight the good fight.

Well 21st October is the date where one chapter ended and a new one began.

My target in 2020 was to run 1000 miles and more if I could. But and there was a big but.... I had been diagnosed with PPMS (Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis) the year before, but I want to prove that I could fight this and push on... It became apparent though as the miles ticked off along with the weeks and months that it was getting harder and harder, not just to run, but also to repair my hands, elbows, shoulders and knees when I fell over.

So, I had to make a decision that I did not want to take and that was to give up my running, hard when you go by the name of RFJ (Run For Jesus), based on Hebrews 12 1-2, and that he was my strength in my running... I knew I had to fight and fight hard, however this can be achieved in other ways as Kathy my wife suggested, a spin bike in the living room, walking poles for stability. So now a new verse that I have taken on is 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the Faith. So, fighting I am, no longer running but regularly on the spin bike which is hard to fall off... And out walking which now is a maximum of 5k as just so hard doing more....

It came to pass that my last three runs would be with Solomon (my Son), Kathy and Rosie (My Daughter), and it was in that last run that I cleared the 1000 miles for the year, therefore was the opportune time to hang the running trainers up. Which strangely enough we went into Costa afterwards for a coffee and Rosie took a photo of me... Complete with Halo!!!! That just meant it was right for me..... LOL

Whilst I may have given up running on this day last year, I am still fighting. I am not running I am walking and I am finishing well, broken may be, but we have to be broken to be fixed, and I will continue as long as I can...

You will still see me at parkrun when I am not working, either with my 500 t-shirt my Marmite t-shirt or Christian Runners Vest.... And my poles of course.....

Wherever you are in your walk in Faith or your exercise regime, remember there are options that don't include giving up, we may just have to change our targets and settings, but above all else Fix our eyes on Jesus and run the race that is marked out for you.... And to fight the good fight of the faith in all we do. Giving our Father in Heaven the glory.... Be encouraged Amen.