I over slept this morning...Oops.. I must have turned off the alarm by mistake. I have a clock that allows me to set two alarms; one for me, one for my wife. If the 5:00am wake up call chimed, I must have hit the "do not disturb" button. I did hear the 5:40am alarm, but by that time, it's to late to get my run in before the kids get up and the day takes off.
Maybe tonight I'll run... Probably not... I always tell myself, "Get up and run before everyone needs something." Usually in the evening when I get home, everyone needs something.
Is missing one day gonna kill me? No, its not. Does this give me permission to skip anytime I just don't feel like getting up? No, it does not.
I think I will just forgive myself for screwing up, learn from my mistake, and work towards not letting this happen again. Sound familiar.
I think Jesus is a runner.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
One step at a time
Gotta make a doctors appointment for today, small group at 10am, have to make quesidillas for school party, have lunch at school with son, pick up daughter from school, take to ballet, pick up son from leadership program, son and I have hair cuts at 5pm, buy dry ice for church party, pick up 40 apples at store, deliver medicine to three people, volunteer at church from 6:30 to 8, sew costume for son, breathe, breathe, breathe....
As I leave the house this morning in total darkness, with my head lamp and reflective gear, all I can focus on is what has to be done today. It's my day off. I pray that my mind will stay tuned to what God wants to show me this morning, but my thoughts continue to fly back to all that has piled up on my plate. I am overwhelmed and I am beginning to be smothered. I feel like I am suffocating. How am I going to get this all accomplished? What if the doctor wont see her today? Is that a person up ahead of me? Will they even sell me dry ice? What did I just step over? Am I going to be late for the haircut appointment? How am I going to keep the food hot for the party?
My head lamp just catches the next 10 to 15 feet in front of me, yet I continue to go on, knowing that it is safe up ahead. I have run this route a hundred times before. I could do it in the dark.... I am doing it in the dark. I have been here before. God tells me,He has been here before. I don't need to see a mile down the road, only the next couple of steps, because he has run this route before. He tells me that his word is a lamp for my feet. Only my feet. He just brightens the path. Put one foot in front of the other. He promises to shed his light where my feet fall, one step at a time.
As I leave the house this morning in total darkness, with my head lamp and reflective gear, all I can focus on is what has to be done today. It's my day off. I pray that my mind will stay tuned to what God wants to show me this morning, but my thoughts continue to fly back to all that has piled up on my plate. I am overwhelmed and I am beginning to be smothered. I feel like I am suffocating. How am I going to get this all accomplished? What if the doctor wont see her today? Is that a person up ahead of me? Will they even sell me dry ice? What did I just step over? Am I going to be late for the haircut appointment? How am I going to keep the food hot for the party?
My head lamp just catches the next 10 to 15 feet in front of me, yet I continue to go on, knowing that it is safe up ahead. I have run this route a hundred times before. I could do it in the dark.... I am doing it in the dark. I have been here before. God tells me,He has been here before. I don't need to see a mile down the road, only the next couple of steps, because he has run this route before. He tells me that his word is a lamp for my feet. Only my feet. He just brightens the path. Put one foot in front of the other. He promises to shed his light where my feet fall, one step at a time.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
They just dont get it
Why in the world would someone get up at 4:30am to run in the wind and rain? What are you thinking, devoting 16 weeks of your life training for a race you have no chance of winning? Are you serious? You spend how much money on running shoes? How many times a year?
Most people just don't get it. They don't understand why I run. Some folks have an idea or theory, but very few know the whole story. So stick with me.... January 1, 2005 i weighed 200lb, getting ready to turn 37, overweight, unable to play around with my kids without losing my breath. I decided that if I wanted to be an effective husband and dad, I was going to have to get in better shape; the fact that my father had a heart attack at age 40 always hung in the back of my mind. I started walking every day and trying to eat right. My sister invited me to run a half-marathon early May of that year. I accepted. She provided me with the training material I needed. 5 months and 40 lbs later, we ran the Flying Pig 1/2 marathon. I guess the bottom line is, I started running to avoid an unfulfilling life and an untimely death.
In the past 5 years, my reasons for running have changed. Now, I truly enjoy it. I don't fear an early heart attack anymore, instead my life has more energy. My attitude is better. I work out my problems on the road, thinking about yesterday, today, and tomorrow, before most people crawl out of bed. I want everyone to feel this way. Feeling the success that comes from the struggle and persistence. But sadly, few people will ever dare to lace up those shoes and step out the door.
Memorial day, 1989, while mowing my mom and dads yard, God talked to me. He knew that I was not satisfied with my life and that I wanted more than just going to college and existing. He invited me to join him on a journey that would change my life. I accepted. He provided me with everything I would need to succeed, his word, his presence. Three months later I returned to college ready to run the race set before me. I guess the bottom line is, I started this journey to avoid having a lousy life and eternity in Hell.
In the past 21 years, my reasons for accepting God's challenge have changed. Now, I truly enjoy it. I don't fear Hell anymore, instead I await Heaven. My attitude is better. I work out my problems with Gods help while most people just lay in their misery. I want everyone to feel the way I do. Feeling the peace, joy, and love from a continuing relationship with the most powerful being in the universe. But sadly, few people will ever dare to accept his invitation.
Why in the world would you volunteer 2 nights a week with a bunch of crazy kids? Why would you give away over 10% of all the money you make? Are you serious? Why would you spend the rest of your entire life following the teachings of some guy who walked this earth 2000 years ago? They don't understand why I follow him. Most people just don't get it.
Most people just don't get it. They don't understand why I run. Some folks have an idea or theory, but very few know the whole story. So stick with me.... January 1, 2005 i weighed 200lb, getting ready to turn 37, overweight, unable to play around with my kids without losing my breath. I decided that if I wanted to be an effective husband and dad, I was going to have to get in better shape; the fact that my father had a heart attack at age 40 always hung in the back of my mind. I started walking every day and trying to eat right. My sister invited me to run a half-marathon early May of that year. I accepted. She provided me with the training material I needed. 5 months and 40 lbs later, we ran the Flying Pig 1/2 marathon. I guess the bottom line is, I started running to avoid an unfulfilling life and an untimely death.
In the past 5 years, my reasons for running have changed. Now, I truly enjoy it. I don't fear an early heart attack anymore, instead my life has more energy. My attitude is better. I work out my problems on the road, thinking about yesterday, today, and tomorrow, before most people crawl out of bed. I want everyone to feel this way. Feeling the success that comes from the struggle and persistence. But sadly, few people will ever dare to lace up those shoes and step out the door.
Memorial day, 1989, while mowing my mom and dads yard, God talked to me. He knew that I was not satisfied with my life and that I wanted more than just going to college and existing. He invited me to join him on a journey that would change my life. I accepted. He provided me with everything I would need to succeed, his word, his presence. Three months later I returned to college ready to run the race set before me. I guess the bottom line is, I started this journey to avoid having a lousy life and eternity in Hell.
In the past 21 years, my reasons for accepting God's challenge have changed. Now, I truly enjoy it. I don't fear Hell anymore, instead I await Heaven. My attitude is better. I work out my problems with Gods help while most people just lay in their misery. I want everyone to feel the way I do. Feeling the peace, joy, and love from a continuing relationship with the most powerful being in the universe. But sadly, few people will ever dare to accept his invitation.
Why in the world would you volunteer 2 nights a week with a bunch of crazy kids? Why would you give away over 10% of all the money you make? Are you serious? Why would you spend the rest of your entire life following the teachings of some guy who walked this earth 2000 years ago? They don't understand why I follow him. Most people just don't get it.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Drop some weight
I'm not skinny. By American standards, however, I'm at a fairly good weight. Still, I need to shed at least 20 to 30 pounds. I know, I know, those of you who know me, may think I'm crazy, but the extra pounds truly affect how you run. For every pound you loose, you knock off 1 second off your mile time. Let's do some simple math... If I ran a marathon in 5 hours at 180lbs, that is the equivalent of 11min, 27 seconds per mile. If I were to loose 30 pounds, (get down to 150-my ideal weight) that would reduce my mile time to 10mins,59 seconds or....a marathon in 4hr,47min,40secs. You might not appreciate that difference, but 13 mins off a marathon could mean qualifying for the big dog..Boston!! Yeah, I gotta drop some pounds.
Do this for me. Fill up a backpack with 30 pounds of weights in it and keep it on all day. Think about it. How would that feel? Would it affect your work, sleep, diet? Carrying around that extra burden not only affects your physical health but mental health as well. If you could leave that backpack on for a week and then take it off, imagine how freeing that would be. To have 30 pounds lifted off you in a moment...you would stand up taller, breath better, feel stronger, lighter, brighter.
All my life I seem to want to hold on to some sort burden. Whether it be anger, discontent, disappointment, or some sin that I think is not really that bad, I refuse to give it up. Why? God tells us to cast our burdens onto him because he cares for us.
Imagine how much better we would walk, care, love if we would free ourselves of that weight. Instantly becoming stronger, taller, lighter, brighter. When we lose weight it usually takes a while and we often forget what it felt like when we where heavier. We have visible evidence, like pictures or baggy clothes, but the feeling often gets muffled and lost. Toss your burdens off and don't forget where you've come from and where you have arrived. That 1 second every mile adds up in the long run.
Do this for me. Fill up a backpack with 30 pounds of weights in it and keep it on all day. Think about it. How would that feel? Would it affect your work, sleep, diet? Carrying around that extra burden not only affects your physical health but mental health as well. If you could leave that backpack on for a week and then take it off, imagine how freeing that would be. To have 30 pounds lifted off you in a moment...you would stand up taller, breath better, feel stronger, lighter, brighter.
All my life I seem to want to hold on to some sort burden. Whether it be anger, discontent, disappointment, or some sin that I think is not really that bad, I refuse to give it up. Why? God tells us to cast our burdens onto him because he cares for us.
Imagine how much better we would walk, care, love if we would free ourselves of that weight. Instantly becoming stronger, taller, lighter, brighter. When we lose weight it usually takes a while and we often forget what it felt like when we where heavier. We have visible evidence, like pictures or baggy clothes, but the feeling often gets muffled and lost. Toss your burdens off and don't forget where you've come from and where you have arrived. That 1 second every mile adds up in the long run.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
How do you do it?
So, I am determined to do better, much better, at my next marathon. I started back running this week after taking a week off to recover from my disaster on 10/10. There is a 5 week mileage build-up plan that I have used in the past, that I decided to use to ease back into it. This week I have run 3 miles on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
What do I do after I build my mileage back up? Where do I find the answers? There are books, Internet articles, (even blogs), chat rooms, magazines all devoted to helping people become better runners. I feel somewhat overwhelmed. What method do I use to get faster? When it comes to weight training, what exercises should I do...not only that but how many repetitions, with how much weight, how may times a week, for which muscle groups? I just want to scream. There is so much information that I have been flooded almost to inaction.
It's sort of like letting my 9 year old get a pack of gum at the store. There are so many choices that he gets frozen in the possibilities. Come on!!! Just pick a pack of gum already!!!
Recently I have been involved in a small group study about a book called "Crazy Love," by Francis Chan. Don't read it. He let's us know that there is no such thing as a "lukewarm christian". It has overwhelmed me much in the same way as this running thing. The author asks us to take a serious look at our devotion to God. Are we giving God leftovers? Do we truly love him? In examining my spiritual life I have come to the conclusion that I have not been giving my best. I really need to put my faith into action. The question becomes...How do I do it? Where do I begin? What is right? I feel frightened almost to inaction. I am frozen in the possibilities.
How do you do it? Where do you begin? These are not trivial questions, but rather eternity changing challenges. Luckily, you only have to go to one place for the answers. I will begin by re-reading my bible as if I have never read it before, like a 12 year old, and move when he calls. Just like running....I will do it.
What do I do after I build my mileage back up? Where do I find the answers? There are books, Internet articles, (even blogs), chat rooms, magazines all devoted to helping people become better runners. I feel somewhat overwhelmed. What method do I use to get faster? When it comes to weight training, what exercises should I do...not only that but how many repetitions, with how much weight, how may times a week, for which muscle groups? I just want to scream. There is so much information that I have been flooded almost to inaction.
It's sort of like letting my 9 year old get a pack of gum at the store. There are so many choices that he gets frozen in the possibilities. Come on!!! Just pick a pack of gum already!!!
Recently I have been involved in a small group study about a book called "Crazy Love," by Francis Chan. Don't read it. He let's us know that there is no such thing as a "lukewarm christian". It has overwhelmed me much in the same way as this running thing. The author asks us to take a serious look at our devotion to God. Are we giving God leftovers? Do we truly love him? In examining my spiritual life I have come to the conclusion that I have not been giving my best. I really need to put my faith into action. The question becomes...How do I do it? Where do I begin? What is right? I feel frightened almost to inaction. I am frozen in the possibilities.
How do you do it? Where do you begin? These are not trivial questions, but rather eternity changing challenges. Luckily, you only have to go to one place for the answers. I will begin by re-reading my bible as if I have never read it before, like a 12 year old, and move when he calls. Just like running....I will do it.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Is "just finishing" good enough?
I have been content in my running. I have been content to logging my miles religiously, following a plan set out by experts. Just running with the goal of finishing. Wow.....a goal of just finishing. Well, I finished the Steamtown Marathon on 10/10/10, however I am far from satisfied. Everyone seems so apologetic..."At least you finished, I could never do that." Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate their support and concern, but "just finishing" is not what I'm in this for. Not any more.
What if we treated our spititual walk the same way I have been treating my marathon training? Our spiritual life has been equated to "running a race." Am I, are we, content in just finishing? There is more to running than finishing. You have to log miles (which I do without fail), but you also have to weight train, stretch, eat right, do core excersices.....etc...(all of which I dont even begin to do). I want to finish my next race knowing that I did everything I could to finish strong, harder, faster, better. I feel that in my spiritual life, I have been content in "logging my miles." I dont want to to that anymore either. We need to put our faith into action, excersice our faith, study, share, work...... I want to finish this race knowing that I put everything out there. I want to finsh strong, win the prize, and be told "Well done" not "at least you finished."
What if we treated our spititual walk the same way I have been treating my marathon training? Our spiritual life has been equated to "running a race." Am I, are we, content in just finishing? There is more to running than finishing. You have to log miles (which I do without fail), but you also have to weight train, stretch, eat right, do core excersices.....etc...(all of which I dont even begin to do). I want to finish my next race knowing that I did everything I could to finish strong, harder, faster, better. I feel that in my spiritual life, I have been content in "logging my miles." I dont want to to that anymore either. We need to put our faith into action, excersice our faith, study, share, work...... I want to finish this race knowing that I put everything out there. I want to finsh strong, win the prize, and be told "Well done" not "at least you finished."
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Never Forget...
I don't want to forget how miserable I felt last Sunday during my marathon. How exhausted, how angry, how devastated.... a failure. Yes I finished, but I can and will do better. I will be faster, stronger, and committed.
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