Yesterday, I didn't get a chance to post about my run but it went well. I ran the 3.5 mile run - the one I ran with Joseph in 37 minutes - but this time in 32 minutes.
Today, I was scheduled to run 3 miles at a 7:08 minute mile pace. I decided to try to run the first in under 6 minutes, the second under 7 minutes, and the last in under 8 minutes - to average out to about 7 minute mile pace.
Man, was that first mile fast! It's a LOT faster than I remember it being back in college two years ago. It just made me realize how far out of shape you can get in two years when you're not consistently in organized sports. So, I ran one mile in 5:56. After that first mile I stopped. I didn't even attempt the last two miles. I feel proud for making one mile in under 6 minutes but know I still have a LONG way to go (two miles in 12 minutes to be exact) - and only 17 days to get there.
I didn't really meet my first challenge to you in my last post - to do what you are capable of, and let God take the reigns from there and don't limit what He can do. I feel like I did what I could do, but limited what God could do by stopping there. It's a tough challenge for sure.
IMPORTANT THOUGHT:
Sometimes, when you are striving for a really high goal, you get halfway there, look around and say, "I like the view from here... It's a lot better than where I was before. Why not just camp out here? I don't really need to make it ALL the way to the top." Look out! Don't fall for it. Strive to reach your full goal and you will surely be glad you did. Imagine how happy you are now times ten - that's what it will feel like when you reach your goal. Keep working - don't slow down, don't give up.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
19 Days Remaining: Feelin' Good
God is good. I ran 4.8 miles this morning in 45 minutes. Check out my route below. Running out to Seminole and Fremont was not bad but I knew I was in for a good amount of running on my way home. Once again, I put on the mindset of, "I don't know if I can make it at any good pace, but I know God can - take it away God. I'll make sure I keep my legs moving and trust You to do the rest."
I thought of a couple challenges during today's run. The second challenge is only for people who finish the first challenge.
Challenge 1:
Do what you have the ability to do. Then keep going, waiting for God to jump in and help you.
A good example is my run today. Before God could help me run great distances, I had to get my lazy butt up, dressed and out the door. I had to commit to running what I knew I was capable of (at least a 30 minute run) before I could expect God to help me run another 15 minutes. You have to act first. And that's my challenge: Act first - do something - and give God a chance to help you do more than you thought you would ever do.
Challenge 2:
Do not limit God - He's capable of more than you think He is.
After I finished the run, I started walking down the street to cool down. Back when I was in track, we usually had to do about a half-mile cool down jog - super slow, super easy, just helped reduce the soreness in your muscles. Well, this morning I felt that I should do a cool down jog around the block, but I really didn't want to. In fact, I kind of told myself I didn't have the energy to.
But then I thought to myself, why am I complaining about doing a super easy jog around the block? I answered myself by thinking, "God's done enough. He doesn't need to help me on my cool down too." Wait, how often do we look to God for help but limit what He can do?
Let's say I wanted to run 3 miles in 18 minutes, and I knew I could run 1.5 miles on pace. So, I actually acted on that and started running, expecting God to show up when I've done what I'm capable of (from challenge 1). God shows up on the scene and does something incredible and I make the time! What if God wants me to run a 4th mile in under 6 minutes? Will I limit God and say, "Oh, you've done what You need to do God. I'm good." Or will you let Him do even greater things in you?
I challenge you to 1) put yourself in a position for God to do great things with you and 2) be open to the truth that God might want to do more with you than you think He can or will.
I thought of a couple challenges during today's run. The second challenge is only for people who finish the first challenge.
Challenge 1:
Do what you have the ability to do. Then keep going, waiting for God to jump in and help you.
A good example is my run today. Before God could help me run great distances, I had to get my lazy butt up, dressed and out the door. I had to commit to running what I knew I was capable of (at least a 30 minute run) before I could expect God to help me run another 15 minutes. You have to act first. And that's my challenge: Act first - do something - and give God a chance to help you do more than you thought you would ever do.
Challenge 2:
Do not limit God - He's capable of more than you think He is.
After I finished the run, I started walking down the street to cool down. Back when I was in track, we usually had to do about a half-mile cool down jog - super slow, super easy, just helped reduce the soreness in your muscles. Well, this morning I felt that I should do a cool down jog around the block, but I really didn't want to. In fact, I kind of told myself I didn't have the energy to.
But then I thought to myself, why am I complaining about doing a super easy jog around the block? I answered myself by thinking, "God's done enough. He doesn't need to help me on my cool down too." Wait, how often do we look to God for help but limit what He can do?
Let's say I wanted to run 3 miles in 18 minutes, and I knew I could run 1.5 miles on pace. So, I actually acted on that and started running, expecting God to show up when I've done what I'm capable of (from challenge 1). God shows up on the scene and does something incredible and I make the time! What if God wants me to run a 4th mile in under 6 minutes? Will I limit God and say, "Oh, you've done what You need to do God. I'm good." Or will you let Him do even greater things in you?
I challenge you to 1) put yourself in a position for God to do great things with you and 2) be open to the truth that God might want to do more with you than you think He can or will.
Friday, August 20, 2010
21 Days Remaining: Bitter or Better?
My college track coach was famous for his annual inspirational team t-shirt quotes or phrases. My senior year it was "Bitter or Better?"
I didn't make my goal today. I was going for three one mile runs at 7:28.
Mile 1: 7:26
Mile 2: 7:22
Mile 3: 7:44
Sometimes you want to see if you can do it yourself. I thought the last run would be very hard but it really wasn't. After that run I think I landed on the other extreme thinking, "Oh, I got this. No big deal." A healthy dose of humility always does the body well. And if humility is not enough, the cleaning crew picked up my t-shirt during my third mile - gone forevermore.
Coping with Failure:
I honestly don't have much experience with coping with failure. Not because I'm super incredible, but because of #3 below - mediocrity. If you set your standards low enough, you won't have to deal with failure. The side effect of setting mediocre standards, is becoming a mediocre person... Do you want to be mediocre anymore? I don't.
Four Ways to Cope with Failure:
1. The Blame Game
There are plenty of excuses I could come up with why I didn't make that last mile (like what I had for lunch yesterday...), but that's just one coping method I'd rather not use - "The Blame Game". It's where you find something or someone else to blame instead of taking responsibility yourself. Your skill at the Blame Game can directly reflect your immaturity level.
2. Quitting
Another way to cope with failure is to quit, give up. But I've already worked too hard, have too many supporting me, and ultimately have too much riding on this one to give up now.
3. Mediocrity
You can cope with failure by becoming mediocre. You realize you can't meet the high standards you set this time, so you will set lower, mediocre, luke warm, underwhelming standards for yourself next time. Then you're more likely to meet them, but even if you don't, no one else really notices because they weren't that spectacular anyways.
4. Better Yourself
A fourth (and good) coping method, among hundreds more, is to become better, to rise to the occasion, to build your strength. There are so many phrases that go with this one. My favorite is, "Crap is the best fertilizer."
A Challenge:
You will fail at something in your life. Your response to failure and other hard times in life, defines who you are. Do you become angry or bitter at the world, or at God, or at someone you once loved? Or do you challenge yourself to look for ways to become better?
I challenge you to not be bitter the next time you fail - become better.
I didn't make my goal today. I was going for three one mile runs at 7:28.
Mile 1: 7:26
Mile 2: 7:22
Mile 3: 7:44
Sometimes you want to see if you can do it yourself. I thought the last run would be very hard but it really wasn't. After that run I think I landed on the other extreme thinking, "Oh, I got this. No big deal." A healthy dose of humility always does the body well. And if humility is not enough, the cleaning crew picked up my t-shirt during my third mile - gone forevermore.
Coping with Failure:
I honestly don't have much experience with coping with failure. Not because I'm super incredible, but because of #3 below - mediocrity. If you set your standards low enough, you won't have to deal with failure. The side effect of setting mediocre standards, is becoming a mediocre person... Do you want to be mediocre anymore? I don't.
Four Ways to Cope with Failure:
1. The Blame Game
There are plenty of excuses I could come up with why I didn't make that last mile (like what I had for lunch yesterday...), but that's just one coping method I'd rather not use - "The Blame Game". It's where you find something or someone else to blame instead of taking responsibility yourself. Your skill at the Blame Game can directly reflect your immaturity level.
2. Quitting
Another way to cope with failure is to quit, give up. But I've already worked too hard, have too many supporting me, and ultimately have too much riding on this one to give up now.
3. Mediocrity
You can cope with failure by becoming mediocre. You realize you can't meet the high standards you set this time, so you will set lower, mediocre, luke warm, underwhelming standards for yourself next time. Then you're more likely to meet them, but even if you don't, no one else really notices because they weren't that spectacular anyways.
4. Better Yourself
A fourth (and good) coping method, among hundreds more, is to become better, to rise to the occasion, to build your strength. There are so many phrases that go with this one. My favorite is, "Crap is the best fertilizer."
A Challenge:
You will fail at something in your life. Your response to failure and other hard times in life, defines who you are. Do you become angry or bitter at the world, or at God, or at someone you once loved? Or do you challenge yourself to look for ways to become better?
I challenge you to not be bitter the next time you fail - become better.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Leaning on God: 22 Days Remaining
The run today was an "easy" 3.5 mile run - don't push yourself too much, just make the milage. I finished at 34 minutes - just under 10 minute mile pace and 3 minutes under the same distance Monday.
Two Important Thoughts (Short Version):
1. Subscribe to failure no more - Jesus has conquered it all already!
2. If you want to be an example of someone who depends on God, you have to allow yourself to enter into challenging situations where you have no one else to depend on but God.
The Rest of the Story:
PART 1:
I wanted to beat my previous time of 37 minutes. But, after 28 minutes of running I caved in to the excuses, and I was willingly accepting failure - mentally and physically - with 9 minutes left to run. Have you ever felt all your energy leave your body the moment you say, "I can't do it"? It's rough.
But deep down, I didn't want to fail in this little task.
So I began to pray out loud, "Lord, help me. You are my strength, my foundation. Jesus, you conquered ALL things; please bring me home. You conquered death, sin, the grave - surely you can conquer this. Help me finish the race strong. I trust in You. I lean on your understanding of what's possible, not my own. Lord, help me." I'm sure some people I ran by thought I was crazy.... but He is a faithful Father.
PART 2:
I'll often think about what kind of a father I would be if Kate and I were blessed with children. How would I teach my kids to depend on God in the tough times during their lives? How much will they love God and Scripture?
Chances are, at least initially - as little ones - my children will depend on God as much as they see me depending on God. They will love God as much as the see and hear me loving God. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) children cannot read their parents' thoughts. So if you only pray in your head, how can your children ever learn how much you depend on God?
What's worse is this - if you are never in situations where you must depend on God (internally or externally), how much more unlikely is it for your kids to never see or hear you depending on God. What example do they have for this critical lesson of God and life?
We - I - must put ourselves in places where we can't finish the race strong unless we depend and trust in God. And then we need to verbally show our trust in Him for others to see our example. Don't believe they'll see your example through only your thoughts... they see your example through your actions.
So start living like your life depends on God.
Two Important Thoughts (Short Version):
1. Subscribe to failure no more - Jesus has conquered it all already!
2. If you want to be an example of someone who depends on God, you have to allow yourself to enter into challenging situations where you have no one else to depend on but God.
The Rest of the Story:
PART 1:
I wanted to beat my previous time of 37 minutes. But, after 28 minutes of running I caved in to the excuses, and I was willingly accepting failure - mentally and physically - with 9 minutes left to run. Have you ever felt all your energy leave your body the moment you say, "I can't do it"? It's rough.
But deep down, I didn't want to fail in this little task.
"If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!" - Proverbs 24:10I knew God could help me.
"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:30-31
So I began to pray out loud, "Lord, help me. You are my strength, my foundation. Jesus, you conquered ALL things; please bring me home. You conquered death, sin, the grave - surely you can conquer this. Help me finish the race strong. I trust in You. I lean on your understanding of what's possible, not my own. Lord, help me." I'm sure some people I ran by thought I was crazy.... but He is a faithful Father.
"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" - Luke 11:11-13
PART 2:
I'll often think about what kind of a father I would be if Kate and I were blessed with children. How would I teach my kids to depend on God in the tough times during their lives? How much will they love God and Scripture?
Chances are, at least initially - as little ones - my children will depend on God as much as they see me depending on God. They will love God as much as the see and hear me loving God. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) children cannot read their parents' thoughts. So if you only pray in your head, how can your children ever learn how much you depend on God?
What's worse is this - if you are never in situations where you must depend on God (internally or externally), how much more unlikely is it for your kids to never see or hear you depending on God. What example do they have for this critical lesson of God and life?
We - I - must put ourselves in places where we can't finish the race strong unless we depend and trust in God. And then we need to verbally show our trust in Him for others to see our example. Don't believe they'll see your example through only your thoughts... they see your example through your actions.
So start living like your life depends on God.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Running Scared: 24 Days Remaining
This morning my goal was to run three, 7:48 miles with a minute rest between each. This was a whole minute faster that last Friday's run. Needless to say, I was not sure I would be able to make it this morning.
I started out way too fast which made me realize just how scared I was. I made 7:48 per mile seem like this huge beast, nearly an impossible task to accomplish. From the moment I woke up this morning, up until halfway through the last mile, I really did not want to run... because I was so afraid that I couldn't do it.
But once again, I prayed hard during these miles and let God do the work. Look what He did:
Mile 1: 7:43
Mile 2: 7:44
Mile 3: 7:38
How awesome is a God that helps you even when you're scared stiff and have so little faith in yourself - He knows what He's capable - and I know He's capable of anything.
One more important thought:
I realized this morning the experience I'm having with God while running is just one of the many faces or characteristics of God - the God who's supports His children in making their goals and helping them become greater than they themselves believe is possible.
But if you need Hope, or a Friend, or Peace, or Strength, or Comfort, or Guidance, or Provision, or Love - God embraces these characteristics. Actually, He not only embraces these characteristics, but He is the best, most faithful One you'll ever find to have these characteristics. And He is only thought away at any time. "God. Help."
I started out way too fast which made me realize just how scared I was. I made 7:48 per mile seem like this huge beast, nearly an impossible task to accomplish. From the moment I woke up this morning, up until halfway through the last mile, I really did not want to run... because I was so afraid that I couldn't do it.
But once again, I prayed hard during these miles and let God do the work. Look what He did:
Mile 1: 7:43
Mile 2: 7:44
Mile 3: 7:38
How awesome is a God that helps you even when you're scared stiff and have so little faith in yourself - He knows what He's capable - and I know He's capable of anything.
One more important thought:
I realized this morning the experience I'm having with God while running is just one of the many faces or characteristics of God - the God who's supports His children in making their goals and helping them become greater than they themselves believe is possible.
But if you need Hope, or a Friend, or Peace, or Strength, or Comfort, or Guidance, or Provision, or Love - God embraces these characteristics. Actually, He not only embraces these characteristics, but He is the best, most faithful One you'll ever find to have these characteristics. And He is only thought away at any time. "God. Help."
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