Day 33: Every Little Prison (Deliver Me)...

WEEK FIVE

Friday, August 17, 2012

Workout:
EASY MILEAGE - 15.5k in 1:08:45 (7:05/mile pace)
         Ran at 5:15am! It's been a long time since I've run significant mileage that early, it's incredibly challenging for me but at least I can keep it "slow" and get some recovery in at the same time as some training. Plus I get to see the sunrise!

Notes:
    Starting today with another impactful song, "Every Little Prison (Deliver Me)" - Matt Maher:

From wanting to be loved
From wanting to be praised by all
From needing to be first
From finding all my worth in this world
From wanting to be seen
From constant worrying about myself

Deliver me
From validating words that only seem to serve a heart that's proud
And all my self esteem, dressed up in vanity and doubt
From wondering if I am relevant and liked, so God

Deliver me, deliver me
Show me what it all looks like
Scribbled on the pages of a human life
Riddled through the ages until we see the light
Breaking all the cages wide open
Every little prison

From fear of letting go
From fear of the unknown ahead
From being overlooked
And so misunderstood again
From fear of being judged
From rumors of a love that fails

Deliver me, deliver me
Show me what it all looks like
Scribbled on the pages of a human life
Riddled through the ages until we see the light
Breaking all the cages wide open
Every little prison

Let every man be more than I
Closer to the truth when I'm set aside
Mostly of no use, but when I fall I fly
Breaking all the cages wide open
All these little prisons
Show me what it all looks like
Scribbled on the pages of a human life
Riddled through the ages until we see the light
Breaking all the cages wide open
Every little prison

       I have heard this song several times, but it wasn't until a couple days ago driving home from Norfolk, that I truly listened and HEARD this song, and man it was a revelation. I hope you can read deep into the lyrics and listen to the song before reading on: Click here to listen to the song.
        Anyway, I wish I could talk about this song in reflection, saying this is a battle I fought way back and overcame, but the honest truth is that this is a battle I fight everyday if not several times a day when it comes to my running career. The battle being the transition from running seeking self glory to running seeking only to glorify the Creator - real running. The lyrics really sum things up much more poetically and clearly than I could so I will leave it at the lyrics and encourage you all to reflect on the "little prisons" in your life that are hindering your walk with Christ. What prisons are you trapped in that are keeping you from experiencing God to His full.
       Running specific for me it is simply the self glory. I am but a man and I do love the praise and feeling of knowing you did something on the track, roads, course, or in a workout that make people marvel at your athletic accomplishments (even if they are miniscule to what others can accomplish). Pride is my biggest battle in life. I do pray for the day when the war is won and human pride is laying dead to the glory of God, but until then I simply fight everyday, in prayer and conscious actions, to surrender my pride and give God the glory! I pray that when this marathon mission reaches it's goal of an Olympic Trials qualifier that people will instantly think of God. That the work and results would reflect God's majesty, sovereignty, and love would be showing in radiance, to such an extreme that it would cloud out all images of me and my efforts. I pray not only that that would be the image for those following, but more importantly for me. That when I cross the finish line the mind doesn't feel pride and reflect on my hard work as in suggesting that I earned this, but instead I would fall to my face in aww of the Lord. This is the difference between the spirit of pride and the spirit of thankfulness...something I will go into further detail on a later blog as it is a constantly repeating spiritual battle of mine. 

This is Ryan Hall winning the 2008 Marathon Olympic Trials, this was his expression nearing the line after about 400m of just letting lose all the praise he had left in his body. It still gives me goosebumps. While part of me desires to experience what Ryan has on the running level, I more than anything want to experiene God on the run the way he has. I do not wish to have what Ryan Hall has in life, but simply wish to experience God at that pure of heights!

Day 32: Fight for Every Inch...

WEEK FIVE

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Workout:
RUN WORKOUT - Repeat 400's - Total Distance of 21.5k in 1:23:10 (6:12/mile avg)
     3.1k Warmup - 13:21 (6:55/mile pace)
     30 x 400m - 12k Total Time - 43:27 (5:49/mile pace)
         Recovery - 100-150m run after each interval - 4.4k total time - 17:55 (6:34/mile pace)
     2.1 k Cooldown - 8:27 (6:27/mile pace)

Notes:
     Paid for the two days of rest today. Learned my lesson by beating it into (or out of) myself! Legs had no snap to them today after the two days of letting my legs loosen up too much. Lesson learned is that in track training rest days don't hurt much and actually help as the mileage is low and workouts depend more on fresh legs; while this marathon training seems to require fatigued legs with tight muscle fibers in order to endure the intense labor (thus the rest can not continue)!
     One of my all time favorite sports movie speeches is the speech given by Al Pacino in "Any Given Sunday", the speech pertaining the battle for every inch in life. Here is a link to the audio clip of the speech if you haven't heard it (warning it does have some harsh language)... And here also is the script from the speech emphasizing in bold what I will emphasize in this blog:
I don't know what to say really.
Three minutes to the biggest battle of our professional lives all comes down to today.
Either we heal as a team or we are going to crumble.
Inch by inch play by play till we're finished.
We are in hell right now, gentlemen believe me and we can stay here and get the shit kicked out of us
or we can fight our way back into the light.
We can climb out of hell.
One inch, at a time.

Now I can't do it for you.
I'm too old.
I look around and I see these young faces and I think I mean I made every wrong choice a middle age man could make.
I uh....
I pissed away all my money believe it or not.
I chased off anyone who has ever loved me.
And lately, I can't even stand the face I see in the mirror.

You know when you get old in life things get taken from you.
That's, that's part of life.
But, you only learn that when you start losing stuff.You find out that life is just a game of inches.
So is football.
Because in either game life or football the margin for error is so small.
I mean one half step too late or to early you don't quite make it.
One half second too slow or too fast and you don't quite catch it.
The inches we need are everywhere around us.
They are in ever break of the game every minute, every second.

On this team, we fight for that inch.
On this team, we tear ourselves, and everyone around us to pieces for that inch.
We CLAW with our finger nails for that inch.
Cause we know when we add up all those inches that's going to make the difference between WINNING and LOSING
between LIVING and DYING.

I'll tell you this in any fight it is the guy who is willing to die who is going to win that inch.
And I know if I am going to have any life anymore it is because, I am still willing to fight, and die for that inch because that is what LIVING is.
The six inches in front of your face.

Now I can't make you do it.
You gotta look at the guy next to you.
Look into his eyes.
Now I think you are going to see a guy who will go that inch with you.
You are going to see a guy who will sacrifice himself for this team because he knows when it comes down to it, you are gonna do the same thing for him.

That's a team, gentlemen and either we heal now, as a team, or we will die as individuals.
That's football guys.
That's all it is.
Now, whattaya gonna do?

Strangely enough on my run I did think of a football movie and drew motivation from that. It was a battle out there today, I wanted to quit after nearly every interval, but made myself fight; my body was not that tired but my mind was crap. I was thinking of every excuse in the book as to why I should cut the workout short. 1) I was taking short run recoveries instead of standing rest making it much harder on myself - thus less repeats would be acceptable, 2) I was doing this out on the monster country hills and not flat ground as the workout was intended for - thus making it ok to cut it short, 3) it was on loose gravel and I was having to work extra hard, 4) it is very windy today, etc etc. But in the end I fought for every interval (or every inch relating it to Pacino's speech). I fought for every because I knew I needed to beat my mind up today, my mind let me be lazy yesterday and thus my mind would pay the price today.
I battled the conditions surrounding the workout and managed to average 1:26.9 for the 400's. With times all between 1:23-1:31...the hills and up's and down's in mental fight lead to the difference in times. But I fought, I beat my body, and now I feel fully confident in knowing I can fight and will fight from here out, knowing that somedays all the fight in the world isnt going to bring about an amazing workout (like today), but none-the-less I will fight!
Relating it to scripture I draw to 1 Corinthians 9:27, a verse Im sure I have used before on this blog, and know I will use again as it has been a resounding verse in my training since the early years of college.
"No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." - 1 Cor. 9:27
I encourage you all not to get down on yourself if things start slipping in training or in life in general. Get up and fight for that next inch, that next moment, that next circumstance; for that is not only beneficial to your life but is bringing glory to your Creator. God does not encourage us to keep fighting but demands it! So get up and fight in whatever the circumstance is (and if it's running - then fight for every interval, every mile, every minute, or every step; whatever you gotta do to get it done just fight for it!)
The prize not being the earthly means of accomplishment but the promise of congratulations from the Creator at the end of your time for a battle well fought!

Day 31: Major Letdown...

WEEK FIVE

Wednesday, August 14, 2012

Workout:
Nothing

Notes:
    Certainly frustrated today (Thursday) reflecting back on yesterday and the major let down. I was worn out and from time to time I get too much going on and wear myself out to the point where I just crash for a day, that was yesterday for sure. No question that I should have gotten out for some mileage but I just couldn't convince myself to get going out the door. I admit my laziness and lack of commitment/desire on that day, but hope to move past that and onto a new day today.
   Check back later this evening for a new blog for today detailing my workout and rebound from let down. Sometimes major let downs and lapses in commitment are what I need to reenergize and rededicate. Hopefully this is but one of very few of these lapses in training. The main good that's come from it is that my knee is feeling nearly 100% while out and about today, hopefully will be just as strong on the run.

Day 30: Forced Rest...

WEEK FIVE

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Workout:
REST FROM RUNNING

Core Workout (30 Minutes)
Stretch

Notes:
      It's certainly tough to rest most days, but today is easy call for me. I am absolutely tired from two long days at work and some big runs lately, all on top of minimal sleep the last 4 days or so. I have never been one to string together insane number of days of running; I simply don't train that way. I prefer to have a rest day truly be a rest day and not fill it with pointless short, easy mileage runs. I know as the training progresses I will probably move away from this trend and start running 7 days a week, but for now I will remain smart and pace myself up to the higher mileage weeks. With the rest day I'm still looking at a 68 mile week.
      I hope others got out and enjoyed the day on the run today, tomorrow sounds to be bringing back another scorcher in the midwest. A resident told me today that yesterday's high of 78 degrees broke a 57 day period of highs well above 80 degrees! That's a toasty summer especially considering how many of those topped triple digits, kudos to those who got out and battled over that stretch; especially Jeff Nielsen and Dylan Wilson, a couple of Team Nebraska marathoners who were in the middle of their training program during that period!
     I will enjoy my night of rest and will be ready to get in a good run in the heat tomorrow before laying into a massive set of 400m repeats on Thursday when it's supposed to be much cooler temps. To satisfy the desire to make some notion of progress I will get in a core workout before heading to bed tonight.

This is me nearing the finish of my first (and only) marathon to date. Sept 11, 2011 Sioux Falls Marathon. I would finish 5th overall in 2:37:44. I'm hoping for/expecting much more out of my second marathon in Des Moines in October, and those goals are part of what drive me daily. It's hard but yet crucial to recognize rest days as training days, and maintain training smart within your abilities. People often compare long events and the endurance required to "running a marathon" I think they should use marathon training as the template of patience not the actual race; the race is but a breif moment in the terms of the training.

"so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light."-Colossians 1:10-12

Day 29: Penbies...and Feeling Great!

WEEK FIVE

Monday, August 13, 2012

Workout:
HILL WORKOUT: 21k Total in 1:14:48 (5:42/mile avg)
      4k Warm Up to the Northwest Country Monster Hills - 17:50
      9 sets of 900m 1:00 walk rec / 600m 1:00 walk recovery / 300m 2:00 walk recovery
               =16.2k total workout (minus the walking recovery) in 53:48 (5:19/mile avg)
      800m Cooldown Jog - 3:10

Notes:
     To use my favorite word...I am STOKED! Came home from a very frustrating 13 hour day at work and headed straight out for training to take on a daunting aerobic hill workout. This is what I've been waiting for and pursing and man I feel so overwhelmed with relief and just pure joy and happiness. It's been a tough couple weeks, but the knee is feeling better and then legs are quickly snapping back into my own, I feel like Forrest Gump shedding his braces and TAKING OFF!
    This is by far the most difficult aerobic workout I've ever completed, and I felt amazing! I just went out cautious and went on feel, I got into a great rhythm on the hills and only focused on the distance splits and not the pace. I'm thrilled to see it being so quick and even while feeling so solid out there. Never had to reach down and really dig to make a split, just simply stuck to my cadence and feel.
    I hope you all can taste a piece of my happiness right now, I always focus on maintaining my joy in the ups and downs of training, and I certainly am all about experiencing and taking in the moments of happiness when they come. Thanks for the support during the lows and join me in taking motivation and happiness from the highs! I can't wait to start stringing workouts together, and then weeks together, and then months and then race day!
     The biggest joy of the day came from heading out without headphones, without a crowd, without anyone seeing me at all as I was so deep into the country to the northwest in solid isolation! Just me and my Father out there, and I was experience what I love to do the most to it's fullest! I was out there for nearly two hours when you factor in the recovery walking during the workout! Thank you Lord! Pray I can maintain, and mostly that I can get up at 5:00am to get to work in the morning :)
     Laslty, now that my knee is on the mend Meghan (my wife) is starting to have issues with hers, please take time and lift her up to be sound in judgement in training with the ailment and that she would also find recovery.

My workout splits looked like this:
         (900m / 600m / 300m):
Set 1 - 3:11 / 2:05 / 1:01
Set 2 - 3:06 / 1:58 / 1:00
Set 3 - 3:03 / 1:57 / :56
Set 4 - 2:58 / 1:57 / :56
Set 5 - 2:59 / 2:05 / :58
Set 6 - 2:58 / 1:55 / :56
Set 7 - 3:00 / 2:00 / 1:01
Set 8 - 2:58 / 1:57 / :57
Set 9 - 2:59 / 1:57 / 1:00

Day 28: Church on the Paths...

WEEK FIVE

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Workout:
LONG RUN - 25k in 1:37:53 (6:17/mile pace)

Notes: 

   Up at 4:15am this morning to head to Omaha to watch the men's Olympic marathon with the good mates of Team Nebraska at our team president's (Will Lindgren's) house. Obviously it was absolutely heart breaking to see Ryan Hall pull up lame short of the half way mark, as well as Abdi. Can't even phathom the trials in his world right now, but take much comfort in knowing he is a man faith and has THE ROCK to stand on in these times. If you follow this man at all you know his heart for the Lord and his desire to do well at the olympics for his country as well as to be a minister through his faith on the run. It is his first DNF (did not finish) of his LIFE! His interview after he dropped nearly brought me to tears, while at the same time it warmed my heart to hear him recognize the Lord inspite of his trials, I've watched a lot of Ryan Hall and a lot of his interviews, read his books, followed his career; and I have never seen him come to tears (well close to tears), the heartache was so strong in his eyes and words. His class is defined in his "tweet" shortly after the race was over...

"A huge bummer of a day today. Hamstring wouldn't let me go. But a huge congrats to @runmeb! You continue to inspire me. #GodIsStillGood"  -Ryan Hall (via twitter)

Ryan Hall walking off the course at 17.3K...hard to imagine what's running through his head...and hard not to feel a portion of his pain. Praying for you Ryan, David had many faulters and trials in his life before and after slaying Goliath, your day will come!

    After the completion of the marathon, we headed out for our team long run at Lake Zorinsky, it's a nice 12k loop around a big lake just a little over 1k from Will's house. Run there, rip two loops, and walk home enjoying the brotherhood that is the Team Nebraska men's team. We started with a large pack of men and it dwindled down based on paces after a while and even more as some reached their target mileage for the day. In the end it came down to just my brother in the Lord, Luka Thor, and myself. Luka is an absolute animal and he has the ability to make you feel like you are standing still compared to his beautiful effortless strides; above that he is just an amazing man of the Lord. If you know of him, and haven't truly met the man behind the running ability I'd encourage you to do so!
     As we ran along, the pace continued to creep faster and faster, until the last 5 miles or so when Luka really let it go. It was great to push like that, nothing compares to running with a brother and pushing eachother so hard, knowing neither has the intention of proving themselves as superior to the other or any other motive like that, just simply working hard to make yourself better and knowing you are making your mate better as well. To put it briefly, I kept the pace up over the first 11 miles or so while Luka woke up from his morning slumber, and then he made sure to stoke the engines over the last 4.5 miles. In the last 2k I got that thrill I always crave of knowing you are truly working hard, I was really digging to stay with Luka without getting out of control, while he floated along singing with the birds, a true marvel of running ability.
     One thing on my mind today was the idea of it being another Sunday that we are out running with the mates and not able to attend church back home. I'd like to quote Chris Gillespie here:

"True worship has NOTHING to do with the place where we gather. Instead it has everything to do with the content of the heart that is lifted up in praise, adoration, and obedience to Jesus Christ -- our Lord and Savior!" © GRACE-WORDS

 While we like to attend church and be surrounded by the body of believers, I know church can be found on the paths as well. Running with Matt Pohren and Luka Thor for some long mileage, and them being two pillars for Christ on the team is a great place to be if you can't make into the actual physical building of church for a service. I recognize that I struggled out there today with some issues that took me far from glorifying God on the run, and I pray that through acknowledging them and talking through the issues I will be able to move past to better serve as a representative of not only Team Nebraska but more importantly of Christ in the running community.

This is a photo of some of the above mentioned mates. Left to Right: Me, Luka Thor (yes, we know he's got abs, haha), Andrew Jacob in the back, and Matt Pohren gazing off into the distance. We were getting set to run a 1k time trial about 10 days prior to USATF Club National Track Championships back in July. It was 105 air temp that day, and much hotter on the track!

Day 27: Huff-n-Puff Bluff 3 Mile Race

WEEK FOUR

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Workout:
TOTAL RUN -16k in  1:05:18 (6:34/mile pace)
        6.2k warm up
        3 Mile Road Race - 15:18.3 (5:05/5:09/5:04)
        5k cooldown

Notes:
     Meghan and I were up early this morning to head to Morse Bluff, NE to run in a little 3 mile road race being put on by a Team Nebraska mate (Shannon Stenger). He was hosting the race to benefit the Morse Bluff Q125 celebration, we went to support that and get in a good tempo effort. Meghan dominated the women's field in course record time and brought home a little cash for her overall women's title. I had the fortune of getting my butt-kicked in what was a great race for me at this point in the training.
      Most wouldn't expect to go to a small village 3 mile race and come up against a world-class miler from South Africa, but most aren't in the circle of Team Nebraska mates (former and past). Peter VanDer Westhuizen is a native of South Africa, he ran for UNL, and has competed in the world championships in the 1500m. In my days running for Team Nebraska I've learned a lot from Peter, been motivated by his talent and work ethic, and yes, had my butt handed to me on many occasions by him. Also, Peter's father (Glen, aka - KillerCoach) is my coach along with many of the Team Nebraska mates via email from South Africa.
     Anyway, I got out and pushed the pace early and ran the first mile shoulder to shoulder with Peter, he then proceeded to put a major gap on me, I tried to go but couldnt muster the wheels, I figured I was fading, come to find out I was staying consistant and Peter was just laying it down! It was a beautiful morning to race and Peter surely was feeling decent as he ran the last 2 miles in approximately 9:35 to my 10:13...
    As for spiritual.mental.emotional state, I found myself just in awe of Peter's ability once again, not at all displeased with my effort, on the contrare I am really happy with me effort, just last week I split 16:20 through 3 miles of a 5k, today Im through 3 miles in 15:18. Progress is great and my legs feel like my own on the run, I'm just hoping I can move past this lingering knee issue and get to training solidly without thinking about whether Im damaging the knee or if it's getting better etc.
     Sure it would have been nice to bring home a little prize money for the overall win, but I know for certain I would not have run as well out there nor pushed myself nearly as hard if Peter was not in the race. So I am thankful for his talent, and his willingness to whoop my butt; he is a phenomenal talent, and has been a great ambassador for running and Team Nebraska in his years in the state. Just one more connection made through running that I am forever thankful for.
      -Side note- I finished the race and prepared to cool down, while the youth in the race were ripping off their race numbers, finding sharpies, and seeking out Peter's autograph. It's funny after a few years of knowing Peter and running with him, it tends to slip your mind that he is such a world class athlete, something that can be attributed to his character, and a great compliment to him at that.

Day 26: "Through the Fire"...

WEEK FOUR

Friday, August 10, 2012

Workout:
EASY RUN -18k in  1:13:01 (6:32/mile pace)
        Splits - 6:49/6:42/6:36/6:28/6:36/6:38/6:36/6:30/6:24/6:17/6:11/1:15(0.2mile)

Notes:
     One of those days where I am so appreciative of being a distance runner. Obviously we experienced a beautiful day here in northeast Nebraska, staying in the upper 70's with a cool breeze for the first time since it seems like March or so... As I set out for my run I was hoping to get in 10k and a little more is possible, I got out north of town into the country and just couldn't turn around and head home, I was too absorbed in the moment and joy of being out running.      The dramatic swings in out look are certainly a part of my training, despite my desire to avoid them. Granted today my knee was still not feeling right nor was the hip (the knee really hurts coming down hill and feels the best working uphills). About 10k into the run after climbing some hills between West Point and Pender I had my attention grabbed by the song playing in my iPod. Yes, I sometimes where an iPod when I go deep into the country which plays an assortment of Christian alternative music, worship music, and some secular music. The particular song that grabbed my attention was "Through the Fire" by Day of Fire.
    First a little background on the band and why I love them (you cen read about them at http://day-of-fire.musikear.com/ ) When I was 14 I got concert tickets to see Creed in Omaha. One of the opening acts was Full Devil Jacket a full blown secular band singing about everything that aspect of the world desires, and I loved their sound. I was at a confusing time in life caught between the desires of popularity and the worlds offerings and still having in the back of my mind that there was a God out there that did not approve of this... Anyway fast forward about 5 years and Im once again in Omaha at a small concert building called The Rock to hear some of my favorite Christian bands including Pillar. An opening act comes to stage, Day of Fire, and immediately I recognize the sound of the band, then after a few great songs the lead singer begins to share his testimony of drugs etc etc and come to find out he was the lead singer for Full Devil Jacket years back...I was captivated and still am by his story and God's work.
    Today this song really caught me as I reflected on his story and was thankful for my story, then the chorus really hit me "Don't be afraid, I'll never leave you; I'm forever yours". Reflecting on the past few days I recognize my fears and doubt in the cycle. The injury really shook me up and if you ask my wife, there have been several times I've mentioned maybe this time around isn't meant to be and I should tank on the training effort. Crazy how a month ago I could be so sure in the path, and one little injury and Im quickly ready to jump off the path... Thankful to recognize the fear and doubt and move past it and continue down the path with a full heart knowing God is there for me through this and will be FOREVER!
      Here's the lyrics to "Through the Fire" by Day of Fire. Check them out, they are a great Christian Rock band and don't waste any lyrics (by that I mean they sing to worship in every lyric and not to please the world one bit).

Walk in the flame again,
I'll be there to hold your hand,
Keeping you safe until the end.
And when the flood begins,
I'll be there with you to stand,
Walking in faith until the end.

(Chorus)
I see you through the flood,
See you through the fire,
See you through the storms a-raging.

Walking the darkest rain
I cover you by my name,
A shelter inside your world of pain
Step on the waters waves


Coming to me by faith
I am the light of better days

(Chorus)

Don't be afraid.
I'll never leave you I am,
Forever yours.

Forever yours,
Forever yours I am.

(Chorus)

Check out the song by clicking HERE!

 I'm ready to go right back into the flame knowing God has me in His hands, and when the next flood comes or this flood continues He alone will help me stand against it! Thanks for your prayers and support!

Day 25: Seeking Counsel...

WEEK FOUR

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Workout:
EASY RUN -5k in 19:33 (6:17/mile pace)

Notes:

      Finally had enough and decided to just go out and run and see what happens, the knee actually was ok, it seems to catch more and hurt worse during walking than running; but the hip really felt strange on the run and hurt after. Not sure what I've done but am trying to get through and get things right. I am not ready to give up on this training cycle and race at the dream this fall.
      I am thankful for the connections God provides in life. Tonight I am very thankful for Chris Gillespie, the founder of TEAM 413, and an athletic trainer. He touched my life two summers ago at Hospital Hill reaching out to me with encouraing words following a miserable race, I read his book "GraceRunner - Faith on the Run" and my spiritual fire through athletics was stoked at a time when it was desperately needed. Check out the ministry at http://www.team413.org
      Anyway, I reached out to Chris seeking advice on the injury, and being a true man of God he offers his time and expertise to assist someone he hardly knows, something we all could learn a lesson from, the lesson not being to immulate Chris but to reflect Christ in the way Chris obviously strives to.
  I am thankful for connections, and for the advice of wise counsel. Looking at scripture it is wise to seek the counsel of many, not rely on your own knowledge as I like to do but reach out and put your faith in others and humble yourself allowing them to help you. And hopefully on the flipside being able to pay it forward and help others down the road...

"Plans will fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."  -Proverbs 15:22

 

This is the photo I have sent to Chris to help understand my compliants of pain. The use of technology to get aide from states away. And the strange things runners are comfortable with...

 

Day 24: Down...

WEEK FOUR

Wednesday, August 8th, 2012

Notes:

Still out from running and not real thrilled about it. Did not even attempt it today as the knee still catching and causing pain throughout the day, figure better to continue to rest it then try to do something and make it worse. I do not think it is anything serious to knock out me out long term though, and absolutely plan to get back at it tomorrow.
As apparent through the blogging and few words, being injured and out of running takes a tole on me BIG TIME! It's more than a physical battle with losing fitness and not gaining fitness like I should be, but it's even more of a mental battle with whether I'll get back to running, and what to do. As well as a mental battle in trying to grab ahold of anything positive to get focused on and not dwell on the bad. I have been blessed to rarely be injured for any long periods of time, but have dealt with numerous small injuries; most times I simply train through until they are fixed, but this being early in marathon training I figure it smarter to rest rather than push and make a small injury a serious injury.

One positive I am clinging too, is that I was dwelling so much on being sore and beat up and thinking it was miserable to be training and not feeling right; now I'd give anything to be going through that instead of sitting out...something to store in the mind to remember when things hurt during training and seem to going poorly - I'd rather be struggling in training rather than be sitting out. But also sitting out I need to be thankful, as there is certainly worse things then where I am now! So I am thankful, but certainly hoping to get back to work soon!

Day 23: 2 Year Anniversary

WEEK FOUR

Tuesday, August 7th, 2012

Notes:

     No run or workout today. In Des Moines and simply enjoying the day with my wife Meghan as we celebrate our 2nd year of marriage; on to number 3 now! Was probably for the best as my knee if still giving me fits and catching even as I walk. Hoping one day off of it will do the trick.
    We headed to Adventure Land for some fun in the water and on the rides. Come to find out, neither of us really have the stomach for those carnival type rides anymore, but we did enjoy ourselves in the water and on some of the other rides.
    Vacation to Meghan and I may look very different compared to others, we spent a lot of time in the hotel laying around and watching the Olympics. It was extremely relaxing and just all around nice to get away from the real world for a couple days in the oasis of a hotel room. Plus we are both far too addicted to watching the Olympics to want to go out and do too much else; as Meghan put it, "when the Olympics are over I'm (she) going to be suffering from P.O.D. - Post Olympic Despression".
     It's great to enjoy the performances of the athletes around the world, I wish that America would take this to heart and portray it more often. The Olympians often have background stories and put forth efforts that transcend sports and effect each of us personally, why can't we televise and portray these stories and heroics more than just every four years. These athletes train and compete year round, image the impact that could have in the sporting culture if kids grew up wanting to be Olympians and immulating some of the best athletes and the best people in sports. That would be a revolution, one that I would love to be part of! And speaking of high-character athletes, I hope everyone will be watching Ryan Hall in the Men's Marathon on Sunday morning! Be lifting him up in prayer this week, he is a warrior of the Lord and will fight his battle on the roads!


Day 22: Character in SetBacks...

WEEK FOUR

Monday, August 6, 2012

Workout:
EASY RUN -7k in 30:41 (7:00/mile pace)

Notes:      Struggled from the onset today, quickly made the decision it would be an easy mileage day instead of the Pennbies Hill workout. Then shortly into the run my right knee started to catch, shooting pain throughout the front and back of my knee as well as in the hip. Labored through 7k but then called it quits. Get two easy days a week right now, so I took one, just wish it wasnt so early in the week.
  Definitely going to take some time to build consistency in this training. Just praying I can see the positives in the all the set backs and hiccups along the way. The knee is nothing serious (at least I don't think so right now) may need some more rest tomorrow to get it right. I pray I can thank God for these trials and delays instead of getting frustrated, for I know God is control and these things work according to His plan.
    May need to rethink my priorities, as I would never wake board during track training but for some reason did during marathon training. I need to put more into the training and all the life changes it requires. Wake boarding may be fun, but opportunities to train and attempt to run an olympic trials qualifier in the marathon will be sparse in comparison to opportunities to wake board later in life.
     Meghan and I are leving Fremont today and headed to Des Moines just after I write this blog, let the truly good times begin!

Day 21: Live to Dream...

WEEK THREE

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Workout:

LONG RUN - 25k in 1:44:13 (6:42/mile pace)

SHORT AB WORKOUT AFTER LONG DAY
Notes:
     Up at 5am today to head from Fremont to Millard to join some of the Team Nebraska mates at our team president's house to watch the women's Olympic Marathon. Maybe not the results we were hoping for for the USA women but it was inspiring nonetheless to watch the world's top female marathoners lay it on the line in an Olympic Record time!
   After that we headed out for a team long run. Andrew Jacob (my brother-in-law) and I were the lone men out this morning, with our team president (Will Lindgren) keeping us company on the bike. We both had a pretty darn good run. Were hoping to at least get the mileage in and hopefully get close to 7:00 pace (typically I'd run closer to 6:20 pace for a long run in Omaha with the mates, but considering this week and first long run in a long time we were conservative). I, however, did my usual thing and after 6k of fairly easy running I started to pick up the pace not knowing. We both felt good though and just stuck to it. Running the first few miles a little over 7:00 pace and the last 10-12 miles in 6:30ish.
    I entitled today "Living the Dream" because I truly am. It's so great to be able to watch the world's best compete and then go out and run and dream of being there in that position. May never get there, but it's great to know we have the ability and freedom in America to dream! And as children of God we truly are given the freedom to dream beyond the realms of what man deams possible. The key is having peace and joy in what we have, not being jealous or envious of others, allowing yourself to dream of your best while having pure contentment and joy with what you already have been given.
   To cap the afternoon, Meghan and I went boating with my sister, Autumn, and her fiance, Joe. I attempted to wake board for the first time in well over 6 years. I tried about 10-15 times but could not get up in the choppy water with my weak upper body. In reflecting on that, I am so joyful to know how I reacted. In years past I would have been frustrated, embarassed and maybe not wanted to keep trying, make up some excuses, pass the blame etc; but to my delight my reaction was full of laughs and joy. May be the company or may be a change in personality, either way I am so thankful to have experienced that and be able to reflect on it.
   Up in the morning tomorrow for a long workout and then Meghan and I are off to Des Moines! Thanks for keeping up with the journals, I truly do feel God's work in my life through these, and I hope they touch yours as well.

Day 20: New Experiences...

WEEK THREE

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Workout:
REST DAY FROM WEIGHTS/CORE

RUN - Easy Miles - 18k in 1:09:06 (6:11/mile pace)
                6.2k warm up - 26:12 (6:48/mile pace)
                10k Tempo - 35:15 (5:40/mile pace)
                1.8k cool down - 7:39 (6:49/mile pace)

Notes:      Meghan and I are on our vacation. We are trying to start a tradition of vacation for our anniversary. This August 7 will be out two year anniversary and we will spend it in Des Moines this year at Adventure Land! We prefer tent camping and getting away from society but considering this summer's weather and the training for marathon, figured it smart to go the hotel route this year. Last year we were fortunate enough to spend a week in the Black Hills and see my grandparents.
     Anyway we are on the first leg of our journey, spending a couple days at Meghan's parents in Fremont. Tonight was the Fremont Alumni 5k run, so considering Meghan and her brother Andrew would be running, I decided to incorporate the run into my workout.
     It began with a long warm up, Andrew (who is also a teammate of mine for Team Nebraska) ran the first 4.5k with me as he warmed up for the 5k run. I finished the warm up and then ran the 5k course once solo in 18:20 before catching the start of the real race and trying my hand in keeping up in the last half of my workout. I was pleasantly surprised to run 16:55 for the 2nd 5k in the race and finish 8th! My mile splits were roughly 5:55/5:55/5:50/5:22/5:27/5:32/1:15 for .22mile finish.
   This was a different experience for me knowing going in I was not going to be competitive, but it was truly a blessing. Not just how well I was able to run, but watching Andrew and other friends such as David Ernesti compete so well! I could see them throughout and really took joy in seeing them run well, it took my mind off my running and allowed me to run freely. I never once was clouded by wishing I was more competitive. Im truly thankful for this, and certainly recognize another big crack in the wall today! Along with that Meghan ran a terrific race, winning the women's division in a new course record and one of her top road 5k times!
    It was also very inspiring watching Mo Farah and Galen Rupp finish 1-2 in the Olympic 10k today! I pray I can continue to feel such happiness for other runners in their great efforts, and get away from jealousy or thoughts of comparing who I am to what they are, be free from the world and the world's parameters and just enjoy each moment I have to the fullest. Im still no where near the runner I truly am and am still struggling to find my legs but the gains are great and I know in time things will come around.
    I will keep up with the posting as we are on the road for our vacation, pray things go well for us. We are very thankful to have the opportunity to get away and enjoy one another on this our 2nd wedding anniversary! Legs may be dead, but God is good! Recognizing His presence in all of life is so much more than a man deserves!

Day 19: Weakening the Wall...

WEEK THREE

Friday, July 27, 2012

Workout: CORE/PLYMOETRICS WORKOUT

Planks – 3 x :30 Left/Right/Down
Bird Dogs – 3 x :10 each sideBack Extensions – 3 x :45 hold
Swiss Hip Extensions – 3 x 5 each leg
Dumbbell Walkouts – 3 x :10 out / :10 back
Erect Lateral Bends – 3 x 5 each side (:03 down / :01 up)
Turkish Get-Up – 3 x 5 each arm
Double Leg Hops – 4 x 3 hop for distance

RUN - Easy Miles - 15k in 1:02:13 (6:40/mile pace)
                Started around 7:00 pace and worked down to 6:10 by the end.

Notes:
       I will cut straight to the heart of it today. This week thus far has certainly been a mental challenge with basically building a mental image of this giant wall in front of me hindering me from moving forward with any progress. Today I took a giant hammer and slammed a big crack in the wall. It wasn't a mind blowing run by any means, but it was heart warming and strengthening. All day at work today I had a heavy heart of sorts feeling burdened by the poor attitude; while my words say one thing on the blog my heart-of-the-heart feelings are much different (despite my intentional effort to not think so negatively). Yet in the midst of doubt and frustration God chooses to show His grace to a very undeserving man. I realize there is nothing I can do to deserve God's grace, yet I can also recognize when I am at the opposite end running away from His grace (this is where I have been this week, beating myself down and mentally struggling with what I need to do to make things right). Today I just set our for an easy run and God showed up. I had no intention of running so far today, but I just couldn't let myself stop and step away from the experience. I am so very grateful and so ashamed of my thoughts, I thank God for underserved grace, and I pray I would not push the limits of His grace any longer.
     Reflecting on the up and downs thus far, and Im sure those that lie ahead I can't help but think of the book of Psalm and the words of David. You pick any chapter and one day David may be crying out to God in a voice of brokeness and worship and the next chapter he may be questioning God's presence or lack there of in his perception, yet God always is present and shows His hands in ways that rock David's world. In much the same way I see myself often crying out to God and wondering where He is, neglecting to see His presence in the trials but more than ready to worship Him when He shows His grace to me. As David's poems in the book of Pslam draws to an end it comes down to one powerful poem/prayer of David in Psalm 150, which I'd like to share. I pray this be the heart's cry everyday and not just at the end of trials when God's presence is made known.

"Praise the LORD.

Praise God in His sancutary;

    praise Him for His mighty heavens.

Praise Him for His acts of power;

    praise Him for His surpassing greatness.

Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet,

    praise Him with the harp and lyre,

    praise Him with the timbrel and dancing,

    praise Him with the strings and pipe,

    praise Him with the clash of cymbals,

    praise Him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.  Praise the Lord."    -Psalm 150:1-6

Find your walls, not just physical hindrances but mental / spiritual / emotional and start pounding on them, God's promise is that if you are willing to hit that wall with all you have, HE IS WILLING THE TEAR IT DOWN!

Day 18: Refined by Fire...

                WEEK THREE

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Workout:
                WEIGHTS
                                Power Cleans 3 x 10
                                Bench Press 3 x 10
                                Bent Over Rows 3 x 10
                                Upright Rows 3 x 10

                RUN WORKOUT - 15.5k in 1:03:00 (6:33/mile pace)
                           2.5k warm up / 20 x 400m with :30 jog recovery / 2.8k cooldown                          

Notes:

         Very tough day today. I knew coming into this program I would be spending a lot of time out on the roads searching for my "self", my identity, who I am, as a runner and more importantly as a child of Christ. I DID NOT anticipate struggling so much finding myself physically. To put it in short terms, when I am running I do not feel like myself. There is a difference in feeling fatigued and out of shape, and flat out not feeling like yourself, and so far I am absolutely not myself. My legs feel completely foreign to me, almost disconnected from my body. I find myself struggling with tightness, everything is tight and sore from the hips down. I have very rarely been in this situation.

        During my college career I took running for granted and would neglect running all summer and then come into cross country camp ripping mileage and getting myself into shape quickly, but I could handle it. Here I am, just three weeks removed from being in the best track shape of my life (running repeat 400's in 56, 600's in 1:24, etc...) and now I am struggling just to break 6:00 pace for a 400.

        Now that I have vented that I can get to reality in the situation, it's hot, I'm not accustomed to this style of training, and I'm flat out being tested right out of the gate. I prayed this program would change me, and the way to be changed is to be refined through fire. I could not have contemplated the fire burning so intense so soon, but it is and that's the reality of the situation; I now need to focus and stay the course with faith. I found myself praying out today about half way into the workout as I knew I was getting very frustrated with the circumstances, simply praying for perseverance and for a change in heart. I may not have found happiness in this workout but I certainly still have my joy, and I know God has my back in this process. God stokes the fire that refines and He is the only one fireproof to come rescue me from it. I pray I can remain in the fire with faith until God sees fit to rescue me from it.

       The workout was repeat 400's just below marathon pace and :30 jog rest. I was supposed to get in 30 repeats already but I settled for 20, as I was about to break. Using the Garmin I have no idea what pace I am running on each interval so I just tried to run consistant. Unfortunately I was all over the place and nowhere near the goal pace of 1:20.8; my fastest was 1:24.1 on the 19th interval, slowest was 1:32.6 on the 10th interval, average for the set was 1:28.5

 

"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy"     -1 Peter 1:6-8

I pray that I can rejoice and be thankful in these trials, for I do believe that Christ is present EVEN IN THE MIDST OF SORROW AND TRIALS! Not only is He present, He's more available to me personally than in times of "success" as with success comes pride and a struggle to reach for Christ, in these trials all I want to do is cry out to Christ for comfort and strength, and I KNOW HE IS THERE TO CARRY ME! I need not have sorrow or despair in trials, for God has given me joy in life that transcends the circumstances of my training, enabling me to have joy inspite of suffering. God is good! 

Day 17: Strength in Weakness...

WEEK THREE

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Workout:
                Abdominal Strength Routine
                                Captain’s Chair – 2 x 12 (:03 holds)
                                Crunches – 2 x 15 (:03 holds)
                                Side Crunches (Straight Leg Lifts) – 2 x 15 each side
                                Hip Crunches – 2 x 15 each leg
                                Bicycle – 3 x 30 count
                                Heel Raises – 2 x 15 lifts and :10 hold finish
                                Leg Walk-Up – 2 x 10 each leg
                                Boxer – to exhaustion (30 count)
                                Scorpions – 2 x 10 for stretch
                                Iron Cross – 2 x 10 for stretch                                                                    

Notes:
      Early in this training I am experiencing my weaknesses more in my self-control than in the physical ability or mental toughness. I have always struggled to "be smart" in training and in marathon training it is going to require more inteligent thoughts and plans than I have ever needed in track. Learning to rest when it's needed even if I could get out and run physically is going to be a gigantic step for me. Mostly due to pride, the pride that comes with high mileage, the pride that comes with consecutive days run, etc.
    I am pretty well tired and beat up. Monday and Tuesday were tough on me. So now I am struggling with the pride when it comes to trying to be smart. I am aware that I should not be afraid to rest this early in the program, as it is 12 weeks of training and I want to run well at the end not crash out early. Also factoring in the heat and other circumstances to making this is a much more difficult transition than I had hoped for. It takes a lot for me to swallow my pride and admit that; not so much to you as a reader, but more to admit it to myself. It's ok for me to be vulnerable and weak is not a thought I often accept.
     By only doing the abdominal routine and resting from running today and I am admitting to myself that I am weak and somewhat fragile, it is smarter for me to work my way into the training instead of going head first and regrouping as I break. It's only 8pm as I right this and the sun is still up, I pray I am able to resist this urge to get out and run today, and thus allow my body to heal and rest a little bit before getting after the long set of 400m intervals tomorrow. I will continue to grow and learn throughout this process and I am comfortable with erroring on the side of caution right now.
   I am thankful for my weaknesses for I know in my weaknesses God's presence is shown. I often think of this promise and think ok I am not strong at running long tempo runs so God will show his presence in having me run well on a long tempo or something along that line, I neglect that God works in more ways than that, I limit Him and put Him in the box of my mental limits. I pray also this box would be shattered, and my mind blown by the presence of God in more ways than I could imagine. I pray I would be sensitive to see and recognize them as well. And always remain grateful.

Day 16: Encouragement is a Gift...

WEEK THREE – Lifting/Stretching Only

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Workout:WEIGHTS (@ 6:15pm)

Squats – 3x10
Deadlifts – 3x10
Calf Raises – 3x10 each leg
Reverse Sit-Ups – 3x10
Super Sets (Squats/Pull Overs) – 3x20

STRETCHING

RUN WORKOUT (@7:15pm)
         15k with 6.5k Fartlek

Notes:
     Out on the roads today after what was another long day of work and training. Worked another 13 hour shift starting very early this morning, came home and got right into the lifting. Feeling beaten down and flat out fatigued, then there was the lift that I needed; the encouragement from people I view as mentors/teammates/leaders/and above all friends.
    I’d like to take a moment and thank those people. Jeff Nielsen (a great teammate and stud wrestler converted into a stud marathoner himself) for sending me an email containing solid down to earth advice following yesterday’s mental earthquake. Will Lindgren (our Team Nebraska president and a rock of a mentor/leader to me for the past 39 months since I finished my collegiate eligibility and was accepted onto Team Nebraska) for his shot out and encouraging words on his daily blog at http://www.teamnebraska.com/new/?p=2711   And of course my wife, she encourages me in ways without trying, today for allowing me to warm up to the track with her where I did my workout as she battled in her own workout in the heat, and then enjoyed a longer cooldown back home.
   The physical workout included the weight session right after work and then heading out for the Fartlek run on very tired legs. For those unfamiliar with the term, Fartlek is a Swedish word meaning “Speed play”, basically the goal is to run at aerobic threshold (marathon pace) for certain varying distances followed with short jog recoveries. It was a continuous 6.5k Fartlek run around the track. And I am completely surprised with the results. My legs and lungs were feeling rather decent today and it showed in a good effort on the track. I’m glad I settled for just 6.5k of the workout instead of 10 or 13k, following the sound advice given by Jeff Nielsen in making sure I get through the workout fresh enough to run again the next day and not over exerting myself on any given day.
    My Mile splits in the workout were as follows: (6.5k in 24:19 - 6:01.1 / mile)
             6:08
             6:00
             5:54
             5:49
               :28 (to finish 6.5k)

    The spiritual/mental workout or application comes today through the Biblical readings on encouragement. The necessity of encouraging one another and lifting one another up. I won’t go into detail explaining this but rather just share a couple passages where encouragement is defined and the results are amazing.

“¹⁹ The next morning the Israelites got up and pitched camp near Gibeah. ²⁰ The Israelites went out to fight the Benjamites and took up battle positions against them at Gibeah. ²¹ The Benjamites came out of Gibeah and cut down twenty-two thousand Israelites on the battlefield that day. ²² But the Israelites encouraged one another and again took up their positions where they had stationed themselves the first day. ²³ The Israelites went up and wept before the Lord until evening, and they inquired of the Lord. They said, “Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites?” The Lord answered, “Go up against them.”  -Judges 20:21-23

“¹¹ Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”   -2 Corinthians 13:11

If there is a way I can encourage you individually please feel free to share with me at maschn02@gmail.com or messaging below, whether it be to share in your joy, or lift you up in prayer please share. I receive so much encouragement knowing God is using me to reach out to people in this journey and I pray there is a way that you will allow me to return the encouragement!

Day 15: Immediately Humbled...

WEEK THREE – Lifting/Stretching Only

Monday, July 30, 2012

Workout:
        4:00AM - CORE/PLYMOETRICS WORKOUT
                    Planks – 3 x :30 Left/Right/Down (:15 rest between moves & :60 between sets)
                    Bird Dogs – 3 x :10 each side (:15 rest)
                    Back Extensions – 3 x :45 hold (:60 rest)
                    Swiss Hip Extensions – 3 x 5 each leg (:15 rest between sets)
                    Dumbbell Walkouts – 3 x :10 out / :10 back (:15 rest between sets)
                    Erect Lateral Bends – 3 x 5 each side (:03 down / :01 up) (:60 rest between sets)
                    Turkish Get-Up – 3 x 5 each arm (2:00 rest between sets)
                   Double Leg Hops – 4 x 3 hop for distance (:15 rest between sets)

       6:30PM – Long Intervals   - Total Mileage 15k (9.32 miles)
                   2k Warmup
                   3 x 4k at goal time of 13:21.6 (5:31/mile) with 3:00 recovery
                   1k Cooldown

Notes:
        Certainly not the dream start I had envisioned, but fairly realistic to how this training should start out. Was up at 4:00 AM to get my plyometric workout in before heading in for a 12 hour day shift. Slammed a protein shake and powered through the day at work. Got home for the workout and had intended to run it closer to 8:00pm hoping it’d be cooler but that’d mean being up pretty late while having to work again tomorrow morning. Checked the hourly forecast and realized it wasn’t going to cool off much at all so laced up the Brooks Launch and headed out into the 98* heat.
     I was a bit ignorant (maybe even arrogant) to think I’d be able to handle the intended workout, and was quickly humbled by the reality of long rest break, fatigue from work, and heat. After all I am most certainly a mortal human. Today wasn’t so much a lesson in not being as fit as I’d hoped as it was more a lesson of a new kind of humility. In track training the mind is focused on pushing through oxygen debt over and over and absolutely destroying yourself, knowing the intervals are short enough you can fight through one at a time. Today heading out for repeat 4k’s was a different story. My pride wanted to jump right in and lay down a solid full workout of 5 x 4k at 5:31 pace, my ability to be a little humble had me settling for aiming to get in 4 repeats, and reality humbled me to fighting to get through 3. I could have maintained and got in the 4^th but I was nowhere near goal pace and had no reason to hurt my body too badly right away in training.
      It’s a tough transition from the mindset of a track athlete to a marathoner, as evidenced by my workout. I should have started out slower and hoped to build throughout getting stronger, while instead my track nature lead the charge and I ran well the first 4k knowing it was costing me a lot, and then struggled to get through the next two at a more pedestrian pace compared to goal time.   
       The encouraging side is that in the past I would be very frustrated, while my anger did spill over a couple times in the workout, for the most part I stayed focused. And now in reflection I am thankful for the battle and for the learning opportunity. God is going to do great things, and it’s not on me to dictate the route these things happen, be it through amazing workouts or through battles where I feel hopeless I pray I simply maintain the right focus and continue to work for the Lord, learning to curb my frustration and sing praise in the lowest of lows as well as the highest of highs along this long path.
        I’d absolutely appreciate the prayer for that strength and focus to continue on in this battle. It’s hard for me to be take solace in knowing this was God’s plan for the day, but I do know it was and am thankful for it, I pray I grow to be more thankful.

By the way I hit the 4k intervals in:
14:00.9 (5:38/mile)
15:30.6 (6:14/mile)
15:18.5 (6:10/mile)
     
      After the first I had to be a little more smart and try to run a pace I felt I could handle without falling dead in the heat out on the smoking hot country highways.                     
      I am thankful that tomorrow will be a new day and I will continue to improve. In low times I often reflect on the following verse for comfort knowing tomorrow will bring a new day, and the Glory of God will be ever present!

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.”    -Psalm 143:8

Any midwest runner knows this training view, and I love it. Big thanks to my wife for being out on the run with me on her bike providing encouragement, water, and snapping this picture. No question she will play a SIGNIFICANT role in this training process, and I couldn't be more thankful for her. Thanks Meghan, Love you!

Day 14: Rejecting Doubt...

WEEK TWO – Lifting/Stretching Only

Sunday, July 29, 2012

WORKOUT:
EASY RUN
               10k – 41:18   (92* and 48% Humidity, 5mph N breeze)
                STRETCH                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Notes:
             IT FELT SO GOOD TO BE OUT RUNNING! Ok well to be honest the run did not feel so good, but being out running did. The heat bothered me toward the end of the run. I made the mistake of staying up way too late last night watching the Olympic coverage and was not able to get up and run before church. While that meant I had to run in the heat, it was nice to be able to head out for a run and reflect on the sermon right away though!
            Having just moved to West Point recently, Meghan and I found ourselves once again looking for a new church to plug into. We found one about 20 minutes away in the small town of Oakland, NE. It is very encouraging to have been greeted so friendly by a few members of the congregation. That is what church is, and that is what church lacks in a lot of places; open arms to strangers. That is what I lack in my day-to-day life as well, on the run I reflected more on this than the sermon in itself. How encouraged I felt to be welcomed with open arms, it made me reflect on my own actions. I am always willing to talk and be in conversation with strangers, but I RARELY if EVER am the initiator of these interactions. I take away from this day the need to be more vulnerable and open to greeting and offering myself to others, as opposed to waiting for them to first open themselves up to me.
          As for the running in itself, I am glad to be running, and am looking forward to the training. I recognize it is going to be a long battle, and have been immediately hit with doubt. Having receiver week one of coach’s program via email this morning I immediately began to question it and doubt my ability to accomplish what it assigns. After some email exchanges and searching of my heart, I know I must commit to this program, not question it, much the same as faith in the Lord. I trust God has placed me under the guidance of this coach and thus must commit.

“Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”    -James 1:22-24

         I have faith in the plan and thus must not question it but MOVE in faith and hope, knowing God will provide what is needed throughout. I take full confidence in this statement founded and backed by many scriptures which indicate God advocates for those who seek Him. I know full heartedly then that if I MOVE in faith and fight off doubt and uncertainty, eyes focused on Truth, that God will deliver what He sees fit for me in all circumstances.

“Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.”   -Isaiah 64:4

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.”   -Romans 8:28-30