Prize Surprise

Sitting in my car before heading home.

I joined the Men’s Health Urbanthlon this morning. Well I didn’t sign up for it but because I work in media, I was automatically registered by my friend Jaja from Summit. She put me up for 5k plus obstacle course. Now first things first, I usually host the runs and races–not join them competitively, and even though I dabble in kickboxing and other martial arts and regularly hit the gym, it doesn’t guarantee how well I’ll do in an actual race.

I woke up before dawn and I had a nervous knot in my stomach. As I walked up to the tent to register, I asked myself “What on earth are YOU doing here, Isaac? You did not prepare for this!” Hahha. My one and only goal was to finish it and survive it. My brother left me a lil note this morning that came with two packets of energy gel “I love you! Remember quality over speed!” My brother is my inspiration. He came from nothing and has since accomplished 2 full marathons and a few 21 k and 10k runs. The man is half machine.

Bottom line is I finished and I think I finished in good form. I loved scaling the 8-foot wall. It was the last obstacle before the finish line. I was quite daunted at the beginning seeing the other people struggling to get up and over, some ladies shrieking as they tumbled back. Just kept thinking “do it like there’s a buffet table of smoked salmon, caviar, foie gras and chilled sauvignon blanc on the other end—FREE of charge.” So I charged that wall and scaled it in a fashion that might make GI Jane proud.

After the perfunctory shakes, mutual congratulations, etc, I walked to my car in the warm sunshine just grinning from ear to ear. I drove down the beautifully-lit highway just thanking God for helping me through it and overwhelming me with His presence. I just kept crying tears of joy and saying “Thank you Lord for going through this with me.” Originally, months back, I had planned on doing this course with the former flame. When i chucked that idea out the window, I was then going to do it with another guy friend. But you know, I’m really glad I went alone. It was symbolic for me. Like it was God’s way of saying “see, no more loneliness–even when you’re by yourself. I will do all of it and go through everything with you. Always.”

For the first time, I joined a contest where my mindset was “I’m not in it to win it; I just want to live through it.” But little did I know that the prize awaiting to surprise me was a revelation of God’s omnipresence in my life. Such a sweet and comforting revelation.I can’t wait until the rest of this new chapter unfolds. I just know that God has quite a new season planned out for me. Quite exciting!!!

“Behold, I am with you heart and soul.” 1 Samuel 14:7 (ESV)

“Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.” Psalm 73:23 (ESV)