This morning I did the same 3.5 mile run as a couple days ago. After checking google maps, I found out that it is actually between 3.6 and 3.7 miles. I used Kate's 2nd generation iPod Shuffle on the run and it definitely started me at a solid pace. (It was my first time to run with music - pretty fun as long as you look both ways at intersections...) So, I ran it in 27:43 - which I felt really good about. I want to hit just under 8 minute mile pace and that did it.
I really had to dig deep with about 5 minutes to go though. And running that sub-6 minute mile a couple days really helped me realize how fast I could run, so I cranked it up to 6 minute mile pace the last 3 minutes. But let me tell you, I was hurting. Halfway, I acquired that lovely pain in your side - the one when you don't breathe evenly or deeply enough.
IMPORTANT THOUGHTS:
Accepting Pain:
Needless to say, I made my goal for this morning, but not without pain. When I was 7 minutes from my final destination, I couldn't find the right song to bring me home, so I went all naturale and took out the headphones. I quickly realized that I there was no way I would make my time if I wanted to avoid pain. At this point I really need to embrace it.
As Americans, we really enjoy our comfort. To most of the world, what we think of as pain, is really just hard work. But to not confuse anyone, I'll keep using the word pain, mainly because it means more to us than the phrase, hard work. A little word of advice: If you want to accomplish any goal worth the effort, accept the fact that you will have pain - lots of it. Once you realize pain is inevitable, you must accept it and embrace it. And you'll get a lot further, much more quickly.
Pain is Easy When You're #1:
After realizing I don't do a good job at accepting pain, I looked back in my life to see if there was any place where I really dug deep for something. (Sadly, there really wasn't much - and I say sadly because I now see all the potential I could have accessed if I worked as hard on those past things as I'm working for this goal of 3 miles in under 18 minutes in 30 days.) One thing that did pop up was art.
I compare myself to those around me ALL the time and if I see myself as better than someone at something, then working hard to maintain that status doesn't hurt as much. In High School and College, I remember staying up to 2, 3, even 4 in the morning finishing an art project that was due the next day. But that pain didn't hurt much because my reward was great - having the best project in the class, being #1.
As I grew older, I began realizing that the world is a big place. I slowly came to the realization, there are a lot of people out there who are better at art than I am. So now, I really feel the "pain" in hard work and discipline when I pick up my sketchbook or pull out a canvas. That is the number one reason I've hardly done any art since college. I had an art class every year from age 5 to 22 - and now I'm afraid I'll have to go through too much "pain" because I'm not the "best in my class" anymore. It seems silly, but it's real. The same could be said for playing musical instruments in my life. Can you find anything in your life that you've set aside because you're not the best at it anymore?
Become the best person you can be without comparing yourself to others - and realize you'll need to embrace the pain to make it.
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Thursday, August 26, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
17 Days Remaining
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.
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.
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.
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