Posts about the things I've learned while running

Better Than Expected

A few weeks back I told you about a race I was running with my son. We signed up for the two-mile run while my husband ran the 10-mile. This past Saturday was the big day. It was 30 degrees and snowing when we left the house. By race time, there was a stiff, cutting wind quickly followed by snow and ice pellets. I had a terrible race. I have trouble running in cold weather and never venture out when it's below 30. Plus I NEVER run in precipitation. Never.

I had hoped to finish in 22 minutes or less, and I hit that in my practice runs. On race day, I was two ticks over 23. But with the conditions, I was okay with that. My son finished in 20:50, a great run his first time out and in adverse conditions. We gave ourselves bonus points for finishing and called it a day.

Here's the crazy thing.

We found out later… I won my age division. I thought that race was one of my worst outings ever, but I wasn't the scorekeeper. The scorekeeper said I won.

When we run our race as believers, it's easy to get discouraged. We run against circumstances we can't control. Often the race is more challenging than we anticipated, and our own unmet expectations can make us hard-pressed to keep going.

But the scorekeeper, Jesus Christ, has a much truer clearer picture of our race. Not only that, we can be confident He's not going to judge us against other believers (you know the type- like the 17 year-old boys who run 5 minute miles).

The key to winning my race was signing up, showing up to run, and finishing. For us as believers, it's not much different. We trust Jesus and we live that out every day. Like my race Saturday, I think once we finish, we will be astounded by how well we did.

Beginning Running

By Paula Wiseman

The last Saturday this month, my son and I are running 2 mile race and then right after, my husband is running a 10 mile race. My son's 11 and has never run a race, but I told him if he wanted to run, I'd run with him. So we are officially registered. He's mostly in it for the shirt. Oh, and lunch at Wendy's afterwards.

Analogies aren't perfect, but here are some things about our upcoming race that got me thinking…

It would be unfair and even a little cruel to expect Alan run the 10 mile race his first time out. Two miles is much better suited to his abilities (and mine). However, many times we expect new believers to behave the way veteran Christians do. Rather than saddle them with more than they're ready for, let's come alongside and run with them. Help them maintain their pace. Point out their progress and encourage them to keep going.

If I don't prepare adequately I can't help my son at all. It means getting up when the alarm goes off. Some days that means shifting my running time a little later in the day (when it's warmer) to ensure that I get it in. More running means more laundry. But he's counting on me. I can't let him down. I'm not sure we grasp how much newer believers depend on us. We have to shift our routines around for their sakes. If they see us giving up, laying down or sleeping in, they will too.

Having both races the same day, it will be tempting to look at the 10-milers and feel completely inadequate, especially since a number of them will run the 2-mile as a warm-up for their race. Sheesh. Thing is, the 2-milers get the same refreshments and the same shirt as the 10-milers. God lays a different race before each of us, and it's the one suited to our abilities and preparation. We shouldn't feel inferior to believers who have appear to have more faith, or more knowledge or some incredible ministry. At the end, we all get the same shirt- the righteousness of Christ.

How do you encourage folks who haven't been believers as long as you have?

To the Fullest

By Paula Wiseman

This past Saturday, I ran my first race. I've run for a couple of years now, but never really had much interest in racing. This was a nice easy 5K here in town and after some persuasion from a friend, there I was. I had three goals: Don't get lost. Don't lose my keys. Finish in under 36 minutes. (That's a little under a twelve minute mile pace. Not very fast.)

I met my goals. Maybe the reason I met them is they weren't especially audacious. I was number 82 out of 171. Runners and non-runners alike were very supportive and encouraging. 'You ran a race- that alone was a great thing,' they said. Truth be known, I should have been able to finish in under 33 minutes based on my times from this past summer. With training, effort and commitment, 27 minutes isn't impossible. But then again, maybe it is. 30-33 minutes sounds better to me. Doable, but not too taxing.

The thing is, that complacency invades the rest of my life, especially my spiritual life. I tend to settle for a life that qualifies as Christian, but doesn't require much effort or investment. I get satisfied with showing up and going through the motions.

In John 10:10, Jesus says "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." More abundantly. In the Greek, that's beyond abundant, superabundant even, or superior (in quality), exceedingly, beyond measure. Life to the fullest.

The best part about it- I don't even have to break a sweat. The hard work has already been done.

Are you living that superabundant life? What's holding you back?

Attacked While Running

By Paula Wiseman

I’m typically cautious when I run. I don’t use headphones so I can hear everything around me. I make sure I’m visible. (My favorite black shirt is retired for the season because it’s so dark in the mornings now.) I carry my cell phone, and I really watch the pavement for uneven spots. I was not prepared to be attacked.

Yesterday, I headed out, ready to conquer my ‘southern’ route. Early out the road dips down toward a creek between the grade school and a wooded park. (It’s nice to get that hill out of the way.) I had run the downhill side and was just about to start up when I got hit on the top of my head! My first thought was that it was a bat – a fat, clumsy bat, maybe. I didn’t see anything though. I hoped it wasn’t somebody in the woods throwing rocks at me. Finally, I decided it was something from the trees, a piece of bark or something that seemed bigger than it was because it surprised me. Okay. Whew.

Then it happened again!

And this time I saw it. An owl. A good-sized owl had thumped me. (I say ‘thumped,’ because there were no talons involved. Thankfully!)

After a little investigation, we found out she’s a barn owl, and a regular ‘thump-er.’ At least three other runners have encountered her. The Department of Natural Resources tells us that in a few weeks – maybe when her babies are bigger or gone – she won’t be as aggressive. Even so, this morning… I changed my route. Just to be safe.

So, what’s the lesson?

Even if you think you’re cautious and well-prepared, attacks can come from the most unexpected places and using the most unexpected means. I’ve seen plenty of deer, dogs and even one skunk on my morning runs, but it was the owl that got me. We can be prayed up, studied up, tight with God and that doesn’t exempt us. Don’t be surprised or dismayed. Which brings me to my next lesson…

Keep running. Granted, I checked more than once to make sure I was just sweating and not bleeding, and I was really jumpy for the rest of the run. but I kept going. I ended up making both my marks for distance. I didn’t let the attack prevent me from reaching my goal.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NLT

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1 NLT

Discipling

By Paula Wiseman

After a week of normal running and super aerobic VBS music, my knee seems to be ready to resume my plan to hit five miles (continuous) before the season is out. With football season right around the corner, my son has been getting up and running my last mile with me. For a time, my daughter ran with me, but she's decided she's more of an afternoon runner. Even so, it's fun to have a buddy, and it's fun to coach my kids along.

On the flip side, every once in a while, I'll run with my husband, he of the "eight-and-a-half-minute-mile, eleven mile" runs. Thankfully, he lets me set the pace and I feel accomplished just getting out with him. Even on my solo runs, he encourages me, and checks on my progress. He's good to diagnose my pains and recommend treatment. If we need more help, we consult with his running buddy, Jay. (Jay is so far out of my league, I'm not even going to discuss him. 🙂 )

In the same way that I'm coaching and being coached as a runner, as believers, we find ourselves in between newer and more mature Christians, with opportunities to learn and to teach. The New Testament is full of descriptions on how this works in the body of Christ. My favorite is 2 Corinthians 1:4.

[God] comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. (NLT)

All the lessons we learn in our trials, all the comfort we receive, God expects us to turn around and share that with someone else. See, He designed the coaching system.

Who are you coaching, encouraging, mentoring or discipling? Who do you look to for advice or inspiration?

Sidelined

By Paula Wiseman

Ice pack and ace bandage I haven't run for the last week, not by choice. The muscles behind my knee let me know I'd overextended them. Maybe I have an inherent weakness. Maybe I didn't properly prepare. Maybe I took a wrong step. The thing is, I didn't realize I'd pulled those muscles while I was running. It wasn't until later that evening, when it hurt to walk or come down the stairs that I knew. This isn't the first time, either. Those muscles have sidelined me even during the winter when I'm not running.

So instead of hitting the pavement, I've been busy with the ice pack, ibuprofen and stretching, trying to heal quickly and prevent any further damage.

I have weak spots in my Christian life as well – attitudes and insecurities that make me vulnerable.

Sometimes I'm not poorly prepared. I rush into things on my own strength.

Subtle attitudes shifts often lead to a wrong step.

Then I realize I don't feel like running anymore.

When that happens, I need a extra study time, more prayer and active, intentional worship to get me running again.

As you run your race for Christ, are you aware of your weak spots? Do you know what might sideline you? How do you get back in the race?

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 NAS