Tag Archives: marathon

#7 in 2011: Celebrating the Runner in our Family

The Half-Marathon circuit was alive and well this past summer as our family supported Liz in four competitions.  For those of you wondering, she is planning on another summer of Half-Marathon binges :)   Here is the seventh most popular post of 2011.

 

Celebrating the Runner in our Family

Our family is coming off a weekend where we supported Liz as she ran her fourth half-marathon of the season.  Yea, she’s loco!  As I reflect on her 52.4 miles of competitive running, three things come to mind:

No fear!  Whether you think you can or cannot do it, you’re probably right.  To succeed, you’ve gotta eliminate the fear and give it your all and that’s what she did.

[Read the entire article.]

Blockout Burnout: Planning a pace for your life

Would you rather be the fastest sprinter in the world or the fastest marathoner?

I would choose to be the fastest sprinter, until I saw this video:

Ryan Hall can run a 4:42 mile, 26 times over.  He has trained his body in a way to sustain this pace, making sacrifices everyday that most people would not be willing to make.

You don’t know how long your race will be, so what are you doing to be sure that you don’t burn out?  Here are three thoughts for maintaining a good pace in your life:

Exercise – Why we give up exercise in order to sit in a chair and work for an extra hour at a lower level of intensity is beyond me. I used to do it all the time. I dealt with stress by eating and work instead of working out. The result? Burnout and chubbiness.  However you prefer, figure out a way to get regular exercise.  Your mind and body will thank you for it.

Be accountable - Stephen Covey said, “Accountability breeds response-ability.”  Accountability is something we’re all familiar with but rarely put into useful practice.  Find somebody you can trust to give the down and dirty on what you’re trying to do and how you’re moving forward.  This “somebody” probably shouldn’t be a family member or someone you’re dating.  It can be hard at times for those people who love you to not make excuses for you.

Laugh – Make others laugh or simply allow yourself to laugh at the jokes of others. Humor keeps us sane even through the most stressful of circumstances. Laughter is fun and a great way to reduce stress.  Learn some jokes, share some jokes, and find the humor in life.

In Philippians 3 the Apostle Paul describes walking with Jesus in terms of a race. Most people would look at his life and be amazed at his pace. But he looks at his life and says, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Your life’s pace is a matter of constant maintenance and intentional decisions.  Strive for a healthy pace that strides forward, eyes on the prize.

Question: What tips would you add to avoiding burnout?  Click here to comment.

This is More Than a Run [Marathon Devotion]

The Iowans for Africa Team is running the Quad Cities Marathon Today.  This is the devotion we’ll share before the run.

This is more than a run for you.  It’s a part of something bigger.

Look around.  When you see another highlighter yellow shirt out on the course, be encouraged.  These are Iowans for Africa.  Be encouraged by the teammate who has sacrificed what you have to be here today.  That woman has gotten up before the sun to begin a training run, even when she didn’t want to.  That man has gotten home from work late and set out on the course to put the miles in.  Many injuries have been overcome to be here today.

In the 1968 Olympics within the stadium in Mexico City, the stands had gone dark after an extremely busy day of some of the finest track and field events in the history of the Olympics. All that remained inside the stadium were a few judges, the clean-up crew and a handful of reporters who were filing their reports.  All of a sudden out of nowhere, a runner in his country’s track uniform half hobbled and half ran into that great stadium. He was a marathon runner who was literally hours behind the official last place finisher. He ran around the track and crossed the finish line. One of the reporters ran down to the field to ask this runner why he bothered to finish the race since he was obviously hurting and no one would even count him as a finisher. The injured runner looked up at the reporter and said, “My country did not send me over 5,000 miles to start the race but rather to finish it.”

This man persevered, endured the pain and finished the race. An incredible feat!

You are on the cusp of an incredible feat today.  You’ve already ran many miles and spent countless hours of time and energy to be here.  Your family has supported you through and through.

For you Marathon veterans, this is incredible.  You’re crazy! But this is incredible.  Do something to distinguish this run from the others.

And the rookies: You have no clue what is happening right now!  Enjoy it!  And don’t forget that you too can be a difference maker out on the course today.

In Hebrews 12, the Lord writes:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

My hope is that you fix your eyes on Jesus.  He is the reason you are here.  Set aside your anxiety and fear.  Focus not just on this run today, but your eternal run alongside the King.  Lives will be changed eternally because of the commitment you made to be here today.  And that is why this is more than just a run.

I will close with this Benediction:

As you go, know that the Lord your God goes with you.
He goes before you to guide you,
beside you to be with you.
Behind you to encourage you,
and above you to watch over you.
And may His Spirit give you peace.
Now, and forevermore.  Amen.