Running Partner
Jon Stolpe – Facebook Status
Saturday, November 6, 2011
This was my Facebook status an hour or so after finishing a big run on Saturday morning. There’s a lot of different things you can pull from the update like the fact that I’m a big numbers guy (who counts people and deer while they’re running?), I must be serious about this running a marathon thing (who runs 20 miles for fun on a Saturday?), or that I was still positive after putting my body through over three hours of pure torture (did you notice how nice it was on Saturday morning?).
But I keep coming back to two sentences in this update. ”The last 4 or 5 (miles) were pretty tough. I definitely could have used a running partner.”
I guess that would be expected. After Saturday’s experience and the soreness I’ve been dealing with since, I’m not sure the body was meant to run this long. For me, Saturday’s run was such a great reminder that we need people in our lives who will “run” the tough miles with us. Life will not always be easy. We will face times in our life when we want to give up, when we doubt ourselves, when we feel like we just can’t go on. These are the times when we need people who can push us, encourage us, and maybe even carry us.
While I didn’t have anyone with me for those last few miles on Saturday, I did have the anticipation of seeing my wife at the finish – that thought definitely helped. When it comes to the rest of life, I know there are people in my life who will “run” the tough miles with me. I’ve experienced this. When my wife and I went through tough times last year, we had family and friends who surrounded us with meals, prayer, and all kinds of support. I’m so thankful for these “running partners” in my life.
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12
How about you? Do you have any “running partners”? Who’s got your back? Who in your life will “run” those tough miles with you?
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About
You might be wondering where the “Stretched” thing comes from. For starters, when I was in high school at Rancocas Valley Regional High School, I was short – 5’6″ to start my junior year. Since then, I’ve grown to almost 6’6″. Many of my friends started calling me Stretch.
On a more recent basis, I often feel “stretched” by all the things going on around me – career, marriage, parenting, church, running, reading, friendships, extended family, relationship with God, etc. (in no particular order). My hope is that this blog will provide an opportunity to express some of my “stretch marks” and to possibly hear your thoughts as well. 
So here is a bit more about me: I’m a Christ-follower, husband, dad, son, uncle, engineer, runner, chicken farmer, gardener, saxophone player, operations manager, adventurer, and the list goes on…. I’m extremely blessed to have the best wife in the whole world. We met at Grove City College. We were engaged on top of the Eiffel Tower. We got married in Greensburg, PA. Now, we live in Schwenksville, PA with our two incredible kids, and our black lab.
Love this Jon. We aren’t meant to go through life on our own. Marriage. Friendships. Relationships. God created us to have these things in our lives. I’m glad to have my wife, Jan. I’m glad to have my pal, Dave. And all of you guys in my blogging community. All of my running partners.
Larry, Thanks! I’m thankful for my “blogging” running partners also. (I just stopped over to your blog. Thanks for the update. I’m praying for your family.)
Yes, I have more people than ever before in my life who will run those last miles with me and I am profoundly grateful that God sent them. Great post! Great analogy!
Definitely something to add to your list of thankfulness!
“We will face times in our life when we want to give up, when we doubt ourselves, when we feel like we just can’t go on. These are the times when we need people who can push us, encourage us, and maybe even carry us.”
Jon…awesome, awesome line dude! Love it!
I have my wife and family as well!…they are very supportive of what I do…i’m really thankful for them…
Thanks, Arny! I appreciate the encouragement. And yes, my wife is definitely my biggest partner!
Having people that will have your back during hard or challenging times is key to moving forward. Great thoughts here.
Thanks, Dan.
Great post, Jon. My wife and I run together… we have the same pace.
I’m also grateful for a group of guys who have known me for quite some time who have committed to “doing life” together.
I enjoyed reading your Cranky Runner post. Congrats on your recent racing accomplishment!
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