Worship on the RUN: July 2012

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

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.

“¹⁹The next morning the Israelites got up and pitched camp near Gibeah. ²⁰The Israelites went out to fight the Benjamites and took up battle positions against them at Gibeah. ²¹The Benjamites came out of Gibeah and cut down twenty-two thousand Israelites on the battlefield that day. ²²But the Israelites encouraged one another and again took up their positions where they had stationed themselves the first day. ²³The 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

“¹¹Finally, 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!

Monday, July 30, 2012

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!

Sunday, July 29, 2012

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

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Day 13: Final Day of "Rest"...

WEEK TWO – Lifting/Stretching Only

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Workout:
EASY ABS & CORE STRETCHING
                                Crunches – 1 x 15
                                Side Crunches – 1 x each side
                                Reverse Crunches – 1 x 15
                                Plank – 1 x :30
                                Iron Cross – 1 x 10 for stretch
                                Scorpion – 1 x 10 for stretch
                                Child’s Pose for stretch

Notes:
End of the weights/abs for this week, and THE FINAL DAY OF REST FROM RUNNING! Which means tomorrow morning I get to put on running shorts, lace up my running shoes, and hit the roads for some sweet release on the gravel! I am obviously excited.
Keeping today short as the Olympics are in full swing and I want to go check some of the action. I had a great time last night with some friends at an Olympic Party in Omaha. Meghan and I represented Greece at the games (pictured below) we may not have been the most talented or skilled athletes in the competitions but we did win the Gold for best dressed.
Small things like this get together with friends are sometimes over looked; in our life we have been on the move from town to town a lot lately and seem to always be too busy with training, school, work to get out much and enjoy friends. Sad truth, but honest truth nonetheless. Last night, however, we made the trek to go see some friends and man was it invigorating, we certainly recognize the blessing that is found in friendship and value that, and hope to partake in more events down the road. (Hopefully find some of those close friendships in our new home in West Point as well)
I will struggle to sleep tonight as I am so excited to get out and run in the morning, it feels good to be excited to train, and even better to feel God’s movement in our lives. Meghan and I enjoyed a long, deep, purposeful discussion about God and some of life’s current events in our lives yesterday on the drive to Omaha, we pray that you would lift up these issues in prayer with us as well. God knows what they are. Thanks all. Be Blessed.

Meghan and I representing Greece at the Schaffer's Olympic Games Party for opening ceremonies!

Friday, July 27, 2012

Day 12: Accountability to Run the Race Right

WEEK TWO – Lifting/Stretching Only

Friday, July 27, 2012

Workout: CORE/PLYMOETRICS WORKOUT

Planks – 3 x :30 Left/Right/Down
Bird Dogs – 3 x :10 each side
Back 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

Notes:
Today is short and sweet. In a rush to go out and enjoy life! Worked a long day shift full of chaos, rushed home and get downstairs to the workout, so Meghan and I can get on the road to go celebrate the Olympic Opening Ceremony in Omaha with some friends! Life is chaotic, but couldn’t get much better. I am truly feeling blessed.
This certainly fed into my workout. As I rushed to get a workout in that typically takes 40-45 minutes; I cut the rest big time and got it done in 35! The struggle came toward the end with lifts I do not like to do (specifically the Turkish Get-Ups). I had the voice in my head telling me it would be ok to skip those this time, granted missing them one time or getting them in does not affect my physical training that much to either side. But as I quickly came to the conscious decision that there was no way I was going to sell the workout short, I feel I realize the mental/spiritual growth in that commitment. While not doing the set may have had little to no negative effect on my training; doing the set certainly bolstered my commitment! It is more than a commitment to training physically at this point, it’s a commitment and promise to God that I am going to give my all everyday regardless of life’s events. This is where the growth comes from, and this is the only way to “run the race” as discussed in Hebrews 12:1-2

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

I thank you all for following and providing the accountability to me to work hard for the Lord even on days when the events of life seem to take away parts of my focus.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Day 11: Slaying your "Goliath"...

WEEK TWO – Lifting/Stretching Only

Thursday, July 26, 2012

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

Notes:
        Upper body weight lifting is certainly not my forte, this requires a lot of patience on my part as I am weak in this area, and honestly do not enjoy working on it much at all. Yet, deep down the fire to be the best runner I can be burns much stronger than the disdain for lifting, and so I lift. Just 3 more days until I get to begin the running training for this program!
        In the spirit of the Olympics being just around the corner I’d like to touch on an athlete that I will be praying for and cheering on with much passion as I have for years, Ryan Hall. He is a two time Olympic Marathoner for the USA amongst his many other amazing accomplishments. Above all he is a man after God’s own heart. Just as Paul role models to us what in the New Testament what it looks like to be a follower of Christ, so does Ryan model what a Christian athlete should strive for. Not once does he lead you to be as he is, but his actions lead you directly to the Lord Himself. Everything about Ryan Hall and his training, racing, words, and life scream out the love of Christ. I hope you have known or will get to know some of Ryan’s story.
      Click here for a link to a documentary that is being developed about Ryan’s journey to the London 2012 Olympic Marathon. It’s entitle The 41^st Day, playing off of event we all know about David and Goliath. Encouraged and motivated by the trailers and reading about this documentary and Ryan’s journey I have dug into 1 Samuel, and here is a verse that jumps right out from the story of David and Goliath which applies directly to the focus and the promise in my training, it takes place as David and Goliath stand face to face, Goliath is mocking the young boy and threatens to kill him and “feed his body to the birds” here is David’s powerful reply which is still applicable today:

“Then David said to the Philistine (Goliath), ‘You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the bead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD’s and He will give you into our hands.’” -1 Samuel 17:45-47

Important to note in previous passages David had sought out God in prayer and was not jumping to conclusions about God’s destiny. He first was certain and THEN acted in faith whole heartedly! I am certainly not portraying this as going into a race as a battle in which God will deliver your competitors into your hands; I am implying this to the lies of the devil. The devil works through the lies and sometimes even the promises of this world. I often am caught in doubt and thinking I am not good enough, man enough, do not have enough faith to carry out in God’s presence; let alone be able to conquer an obstacle for His glory. But these are lies! These are the things the God, through faith, delivers to us for execution. He is stronger than the lies and the doubt, follow whole heartedly and let God deliver the “Goliaths” of your life and training into your hands for HIS glory!

Photo is of Ryan Hall winning the 2007 Olympic Trials Marathon in NYC. This is a beautiful image of a man experiencing God at another level, and certainly not afraid to show it!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Day 10: Coming Alive!

WEEK TWO – Lifting/Stretching Only

Wednesday, July 25, 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:
Enjoyed a day off from working today, and got down stairs for the tough abdominal routine this evening. I find myself thinking more and more each day about finally getting to go running. This extended (21 day) absence from running has been a true blessing. Not only has my body had the chance to heal from a very difficult training/racing phase this spring for track season, but I have slowly felt the fire to get out run growing, more than just a momentary craving but a true longing/desire. I, in the past, have run basically for the sake of fitness so that I could compete well, there wasn’t a consistent love for the discipline, but now I realize how much happiness running brings my life. My faith in God delivers salvation and joy through all circumstances, but running is one of the few things on earth that I take part in regularly that bring me happiness. Running is not the ONLY thing that brings happiness to my life; my work for the most part does (I’m a nurse), my wife, friends, and family certainly do as well! All of which I feel incredibly blessed to have and am thankful; but this blog is to focus on my running and how running and faith are intertwined in my life.

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive!” – Gil Bailie

This quote really stirs up some passion and guidance, as well as answers! Question being, “Why do I run” answer - because God has designed me so that running brings me to life! In being brought to life I am more understanding of God’s connection to me and love for me and thus can be more effective in communicating God’s grace to the masses. So that is a big thing that is accomplished through my running, but deep down I run because I love it. I hate to admit it but I love those long grueling runs, I love the feeling of hurting more than ever in a 1500m race or an interval workout. Some love the reflection on having completed these things, and I do cherish that, but deep down I love that moment of enduring the pain. Never do I feel so close to God as I do when I am a broken man battling with all I have left in a race or workout and calling/crying out to God for His strength and presence for solace!

This is a photo of me running at 2012 USATF National Club Track and Field Championships in Omaha, NE. It's my 4th race in about 20 hours, and I can't wipe the smile of my face, as despite the fatigue and pain my subconscious self has decided to chase down the next guy in the last 500m. I closed a 30m gap but ended up getting beat at the line by .09 seconds as I flat ran out of gas, but I hadn't felt so ALIVE in a long time!

You can the video of this race (Sprint Medley Relay) by clicking HERE The Team Nebraska team includes: David Eads, Andrew Jacob, Matthew Pohren, and myself.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Day 9: The Face of Love...

WEEK TWO – Lifting/Stretching Only

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Workout:

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

Notes:
I was/am admittedly very exhausted, having worked 60 hours in the last 7 days (including four 12 hour shifts, some overnight and some day shifts), it’s a good thing I love what I do! On the drive home this evening I was thinking about napping (which often is a terrible thing for the rest of my evening), but as I listened to the radio a wonderful song came on, by a band that always ignites my fire for serving the Lord! This was all I needed, along with the prompting of my encouraging wife Meghan to get down stairs and get my lifting in right away.
I’d like to share the lyrics to the song with you,

“Face of Love” –Sanctus Real:

I've seen your face on stained glass, in colored lights
In pictures of you looking to the sky
You've been portrayed a thousand different ways
But my heart can see you better than my eyes
'Cause it's love that paints the portrait of your life

[Chorus:]
The face of love
The face of love
You look more like love every day

I've read your words in the pages of your life
And I've imagined what you were like
I may not know the shape of your face
But I can feel your heart changing mine
And your love still proves that you're alive

[Chorus:]

You are the face that changed the whole world
No one too lost for you to love
No one too low for you to serve
So give us the grace to change the world
No one too lost for me to love
No one too low for me to serve

Let us see... let us be your face

[Chorus:]

Click Here to View a youtube.com video of Sanctus Real in concert singing Face of Love

My thoughts from this song and my prayers are that we could all be the face of the Lord. In relation to running, that we would use our platform as athletes and show the Lord for not only His power and might through our competitive drive, but for His love and kindness in how we interact with and view our competitors. Maybe it’s easy for some to wish all their competitors the best race (even if that means losing to them), but for me it is at times difficult, especially with certain runners who I may have conflict with. I pray I could witness to these runners and that I could develop a sincere heart wishing them all the best in their journey. If we truly live as the face of God, then there should be no difference in our views of any man or any competitor. True love from God is unhuman, but through the Holy Spirit it is portrayed through us as the vessels and face of God!
If you read my blog you probably get that I am a Christian through my words, or if you know me in real life you may see it from time to time; but my prayer is that by the way I train, the way I race, the way I interact with others, God would be seen! Without spoken word, His testimony would shine through, His love would be portrayed! In that I would find much joy and much fulfillment in knowing I am living in a way that truly brings God the glory and He can smile fully on my ways. I am far from this, but am striving toward it. I'm MOVING and that's what God requires, I entrust the fulfillment to Him.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Day 8: The Lost Son...

WEEK TWO – Lifting/Stretching Only

Monday, July 23, 2012

Workout:

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)

Notes:
                     Week Two of no running, only lifting and stretching. Last week included a lot of soreness and adapting to the muscle stretch and strengthening. It truly shows how much I have neglected the little things that make a runner strong. A set of 15 sit-ups was enough to exhaust me and leave me sore for the next 72 hours. But I battled through the soreness and continued working hard. Thankfully, I can feel the benefits already beginning to set in this week (it doesn’t take long to makes gains in areas that you have completely neglected). Following along this same note, comes my area of conviction form the past week. I have also felt a stronger presence of God in my life and in my moment-to-moment thoughts. While it is encouraging, it is also very convicting; if I feel strength increases so quickly because I had not been working on that area, and then I feel God’s presence all the more in the same short period, this must mean that I had been neglecting God in the same manner as neglecting core strengthening….
                     Thankfully we serve a loving God, who keeps no record of our wrongs and the times that we walk off the path, but He patiently waits for our return and welcomes us back with open arms. The scripture that immediately comes to mind here is the Parable of the Lost Son found in Luke 15: 11-32. I encourage you to read this scripture, but here are the cliff notes from my view (relating it to a runner). This runner (the son) had a great set up but lusted for much more and was not willing to be patient and do what was required prior to receiving his inheritance, so he decided he’d rather just go at it on his own. This runner so blinded by the prize and recognition went out, ignoring his father, simply taking what was not rightfully his yet and pursuing things of the world. Eventually the things of this world crumbled him and he came up short. He then comes to recognition that it would be better to serve his father and have nothing rather than live in the world. When he returns to the father, the father does not scorn his son for what he has done (all though he had every right to), but instead heaps him with undeserved love and showers him in affection.
                     I have most certainly been this lost son over and over and over again in my life; both in my day-to-day life as well as my running. Often times I begin seeking the Lord and am so easily ensnared by the offers the world has in terms of recognition and pride in my training/racing, quickly I am humbled in some manner and return to God broken (sometimes literally broken, as I broke my left ankle in college, at the height of my running ability and at the same time as far from God as I had been in a long time). And every time He has picked me up! Does this mean I should continue on in this manner, taking for granted that He will still pick me up regardless of how far I wonder astray? OF COURSE NOT!

"No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed reamins in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God." -1 John 3:9

It is my heart’s desire to follow the Lord and seek Him in this training and running, and this time I can feel the grasp of God’s hand leading me. I simply pray I do not pry myself free from this grasp, but find comfort and solidarity in it, instead of being distracted by the world’s empty promises.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Day 7: "The Race" - D.H. Groberg

WEEK ONE - Lifting/Stretching Only

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Today is a complete rest day, which I am very grateful for as I am in the middle of two 12 hour overnight shifts. I'd like simply to share a poem with you that has effected me since I was given a book at Fellowship of Christian Athletes summer leadership camp back when I was 17 years old. This book was given to me by a powerful speaker/minister who lead some sessions at camp that summer. His name is Lincoln Murdoch, and he is an impressive triathlete as well as a effective vessel for God's word on the pulpit.
The book, written by Lincoln Murdoch, is entitled "See You at the Finish! 8 Principles of Spiritual Endurance". It is a twist on faith from the view of an endurance athlete. Applying the principles that make a succesful endurance directly toward use in competition as well as the race of faith. I hope you will give the book a read if you are intrigued, if you can't find it and want it, let me know and I would be more than happy to lend you my copy.
This poem is included in the book, but is written by D.H. Groberg. It includes no direct spiritual/biblical reference but its application to competition as well as the race of faith is unignorable. This poem truly summarizes the principles of pain, setback, and failure. I'm sure can relate some part of life to the race of this young man boy. I hope you are moved by it as much as I have been over the years. Enjoy.

"The Race" -D.H. Groberg

A children's race - young boys, young men
How I remember well.
Excitement, sure! But also fear;
It wasn't hard to tell.

They all lined up so full of hope;
Each thought to win the race.
Or to tie first, or if not that,
At least take second place.

And fathers watched from off the side.
Each cheering for his son.
And each boy hoped to show his dad
That he would be the one.

The whistle blew and off they went!
Young hearts and hopes afire.
To win and be the hero there
Was each young boy's desire.

And one boy in particular
Whose dad was in the crowd,
Was running near the lead and thought,
"My dad will be so proud!"
But as they speeded down the field
Across a shallow dip,
The little boy who thought to win
Lost his step and slipped.

Trying hard to catch himself
His hands flew out to brace,
And amid the laughter of the crowd
He fell flat on his face.

So down he fell and with him hope
He couldn't win it now.
Embarrassed, sad, he only wished
To disappear somehow.

But as he fell his dad stood up
And showed his anxious face,
Which to the boy so clearly said:
"Get up and win the race."

He quickly rose, no damage done.
Behind a bit, that's all.
And ran with all his mind and might
To make up for that fall.

So anxious to restore himself
To catch up and to win.
His mind went faster than his legs:
He slipped and fell again.

He wished then he had quite before
With only one disgrace.
"I'm hopeless as a runner now;
I shouldn't try to race."

And in the laughing crowd he searched
And found his father's face.
That steady look which said again:
"Get up and win the race!"

So he jumped to try again
Ten yards behind the last,
"If I'm going to gain those yards," he thought,
"I've got to move real fast."

Exerting evertyhing he had
He gained eight or ten.
But trying so hard to catch the lead
He slipped and fell again!

Defeat! He lay there silently,
A tear dropped from his eye.
"There's no sense running anymore;
Three strikes: I'm out! Why try?"

The will to rise had disappeared,
All hope had fell away.
So far behind, so error prone:
A loser all the way.

"I've lost, so what's the use," he thought.
"I'll live with my disgrace."
But then he thought about his dad,
Who soon he'd have to face.

"Get up." An echo sounded low.
"Get up and take your place;
You were not meant for failure here.
Get up and win the race."

"With borrowed will, get up," it said.
"You haven't lost at all,
For winning is no more than this:
To rise each time you fall."

So up he rose to run once more,
And with a new commit
He resolves that win or lose
At least he wouldn't quit.

So far behind the others now,
The most he'd ever been.
Still he gave it all he had
And ran as though to win.

Three times he'd fallen, stumbling,
Three times he rose again;
Too far behind to hope to win
He still ran to the end.

They cheered the winning runner
As he crossed the line first place.
Head high, and proud, and happy;
No falling, no disgrace.

But when the fallen youngster
Crossed the line last place,
The crowd gave him the greater cheer
For finishing the race.

And even though he came in last
With head bowed low, unproud.
You would have thought he won the race
To listen to the crowd.

And to his dad he sadly said,
"I didn't do so well."
"To me you won," his father said,
"You rose each time you fell."

And now when things seem dark and hard
And difficult to face,
The memory of that little boy
Helps me in my race.

For all of life is like that race,
With ups and downs and all.
And all you have to do to win,
Is rise each time you fall.

"Quit! Give up! You're beaten!"
They still shout in my face.
But another voice within me says:
"GET UP AND WIN THE RACE!"

*Lincoln Murdoch. Minister/World-class Triathlete.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Day 6: Heart's Desire...

WEEK ONE – Lifting/Stretching Only

Friday, July 18, 2012

Workout:                                                                                                                                                                                                             EASY ABS & CORE STRETCHING
                                Crunches – 1 x 15
                                Side Crunches – 1 x each side
                                Reverse Crunches – 1 x 15
                                Iron Cross – 1 x 10 for stretch
                                Scorpion – 1 x 10 for stretch
                                Child’s Pose for stretch

Notes:
Today is just a very easy workout and stretch and tomorrow rest. When the running starts the weekends are where the heavy hitting from the week sets in so this light routine will suffice for the lifting/core strengthening side of training. I am definitely feeling sore this week, and am glad to be getting that soreness out of the way now. It’s been 14 days now since I last ran, by far the longest stretch I’ve gone without running, at least healthy; I’ve definitely sat out for longer periods with injuries. Just one week from tomorrow and I begin running again, excited to say the least, but know those first few days are going to feel awkward.
As I indicated yesterday, I want to focus on “inheriting what has been promised”. This is a subject I have gone over many of times in my mind, and with the counsel of others. The idea of being given what is asked for or inheriting what is promised through Christ. One thing I am certain on is that the inheritance of eternal life with Christ is bought and paid for by Christ and there is absolutely no question to that. But when I say that I have a strong since of promise in this upcoming marathon program, does that mean I know God will deliver in time the Olympic Trials qualifier I am seeking?

“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” –Psalm 37:4

I do not take faith in prosperity gospel, meaning I do NOT believe that because I believe in Jesus I will be granted riches and wealth or anything I deem as desirable as a man. However, when I read this verse and many others, I fully believe that through faith and service to Christ, whatever is the desire of my heart God will deliver that to or through me. And there is the key, through service and obedience to Christ, my humanly desires fade and the desires sent from God take center stage, these are the desires of the heart He is willing and able to deliver upon. So If I am obedient and take joy in serving the Lord, His desires for me become my desires, and thus are completed.
I have long dreamed of running at the Olympic trials, loving and enjoying track had me always wanting it to happen on the rubber oval, but in the past 5 years or so I have felt a constant calling to the marathon. One which I somewhat dreaded as I know the pain and agony it will require to train and run a marathon at the level required to make the Olympic trials. I am now however committed to this, not because I feel it may get me to the trials, but because I know I have a feeling of being called to it by the Lord. May His desires become mine, and in that may the promise of scripture be fulfilled. Whether that be a trials qualifier or not, I pray I am just focused on His desires for me being my desires along the ride, and taking joy and hope in knowing that they will be fulfilled through obedient faith.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Day 5: Patience

WEEK ONE – Lifting/Stretching Only

Friday, July 18, 2012

Notes:
                Tough to get going today again. Worked the day shift, went to the clinic to have some blood drawn, and then made the mistake of laying down for a nap which turned into a long 2.5 hour snooze. Body is definitely adjusting to the routine of working long days as a charge nurse and then working out when I get home, it’ll definitely be a big adjustment when I start adding in the miles as well. But it’s only that, an adjustment, not overwhelming just as adjustment; one in which I am eager to begin.
                This topic, PATIENCE, is the words I have on my heart today. As I am overcome with this since of purpose lately with this training program, blog, and race that lies down the road; I know my human character is to attack and go full bore until I burn myself out and fall short. So, I must meditate on scripture portraying the power of patience.
                “We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”     -Hebrews 6: 11-12
                Tomorrow I will detail more on my heart about the “inheriting what has been promised” but for now I just want to get out that I recognize the value of patience. While my blogs up to this point have been emotionally charged with “HOO-RAH! GO GET IT!”, at the core I still recognize and wish to be obedient in the calling to also be patient. Following off of yesterday’s post, sometimes the best way to MOVE is to be still and let God be God in faithful patience. I am burning with desire to be out running, not only because the running is where the real training lies, but because it is relatively easy for me to connect with God out on a desolate country road in the silence and solitude, but as I said that is the easy way for me to connect with God. I struggle more to connnect with God in my day-to-day life and at this time am recognizing the need for this "training" or sorts. So I patiently wait the beginning of my running training, and I patiently wait for the Lord to gather more of me to Him in this training. I have full faith in the promise and the fulfillment of the desires of my heart, which I will explain tomorrow…

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Day 4: God Expects & PROVIDES!

WEEK ONE – Lifting/Stretching Only

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Workout:
WEIGHTS

Power Cleans 3 x 10
Bench Press 3 x 10
Bent Over Rows 3 x 10
Upright Rows 3 x 10
Notes: Very quick workout today, but definitely can feel the effort. For those that know me it’s apparent I don’t lift often especially upper body, but this is just another area in which I must commit to doing more than I have been willing to in the past. Running for a distance runner looks much different than the common image of lifting. For instance, when I bench it’s not cut down sets with increasing weights with a ton of rest and maximal effort; instead it’s longer sets with short rest and continuous lifting at a much lighter weight, focused on muscular endurance not strengthening or growth. The last thing I’d want to do is get that role model upper body, it may look good in the world’s eyes but it’s not beneficial to my task.
The message on my heart today closely relates; the message is about what God requires of us. God may require of us, and He is absolutely just in this as we are His creation. I am grateful God does not require more of us; He sent His Son to pay our price and thus requires nothing of our own to earn our eternity in heaven. So where does this train of thought go….? Well in terms of my running God still requires we give what we are working for to Him and that we give everything we have to the pursuit of this task. Check out Genesis 22:1-19, here is a man willing to give His own son in obedience to the Lord! Relate that to me, I am willing to give everything I have in pursuit of training and running at my absolute best for the glory of God alone. This is a daunting and honestly not an accomplishable task for a mortal, sinful man such as myself, no matter how hard I try on my own I will fall short as my pride will stumble me or the pure lack of ability will have me fall short. So now comes the REAL ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THESE VERSES! Verses 13 and 14. God requires a sacrifice of Abraham, and….HE PROVIDES THE SACRIFICE! God provides the materials for Abraham to complete the task required of him by God! Practical application to my running is that God requires a super human effort in training for the physical and mental aspect of training as well as a super human focus to give things over to God constantly, a super human effort to not fall victim to pride and the world’s pressures; and HE PROVIDES THE MATERIALS TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT DWELLS WITHIN ALL BELIEVERS!
What an amazing God! I could not be more encouraged having read this and had this on my heart all throughout the day today, I could not wait to get home and workout and continue to dwell in pure amazement of this revelation. Be encouraged, no matter where you are in life, God is not only calling you to obedience but He is providing the methods, material, and path to get there all you have to do is MOVE! God does not require we accomplish the task under our own ability, but He simply requires that we MOVE and then He can take action. I'm absolutely ready and am MOVING with all that I have in full confidence of the Lord and His plans for me!

Meghan and I following our first marathon (Sioux Falls 2011) with two of our closest friends (York and Megan). Friendship like this is just a small image of the blessings I have through running.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Day 3: Testing Commitment Early....

WEEK ONE – Lifting/Stretching Only

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Notes:
Today was a true test of desire. After a long 13 hour shift at work running crazy and feeling completely wiped out when I got home, it took some coaxing to get downstairs and workout and not put it off a day. These are small battles that I’ve got to get in the habit of fighting and winning so that I can be consistent when the real training comes around.
I searched for a verse to fit the day and have come across one I hope to meditate on throughout this training:

“Their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work" – 1 Corinthians 3:13

I must remain focused in this truth that Paul speaks of. This verse is very convicting in that it shines light upon not just the labor but the intent or heart behind the labor. I can work as hard as I possibly can and if it is not in worship and of pure heart it will be of loss for the kingdom of God. Everyday that I commit to working hard I pray I am held accountable to this truth and my focus would be pure in heart, working for the Lord and not for man. In that there is no failure in the end of the labor, regardless of world’s view of the success of the effort.

Day 2: Train to win the PRIZE...

WEEK ONE – Lifting/Stretching Only

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Notes:                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Today I got after the core and plyometric workout. This is not necessarily stuff I enjoy and will struggle to stay dedicated to it, but I Will! I know the benefits in this to my training and performance as well as maintaining health during the program. These are the small things I have neglected my entire career, trusting more in talent than work ethic; the type of runner I do not want to be anymore. Not because I want to be the best runner I can be, but because I want to be the best son to my Father that I can be. As I said yesterday I recognize the gift and my desire is to honor the Gift Giver with my work ethic and effort.
                ^“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 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 Corinthians 9:24-27

Day 1: Training Begins...

*One quick note, I am not self-coached. I am coached by Glen Van Der Westhuizen from South Africa (KillerCoach). His son is Peter, who ran for University Nebraska Lincoln and is a world class miler, representing South Africa. KillerCoach earns his name through his intense training cycles and workouts, as you will see. So much credit and thanks to Glen for the time he has invested into helping me train to be the best runner I am capable of being.

WEEK ONE – Lifting/Stretching Only

Monday, July 16, 2012

Workout: WEIGHTSSquats – 3x10 @ 50lbsDeadlifts – 3x10 @ 70lbs
Calf Raises – 3x10 each leg @ 25lbs
Reverse Sit-Ups – 3x10
Super Sets (Squats/Pull Overs) – 3x20 @ 45/5’s

STRETCHING

Notes: I am currently on 21 days of rest from running after just completing the training program for and racing at the 2012 USATF National Club Track & Field Championships in Omaha, NE. I was very thankful for the rest at first as the training had been hard on me (although I was running faster in workouts than I have in my life) and my body was really torn up after the club national meet after running steeple/1500m Friday and anchoring the 4x8, Sprint Med Relay, and Distance Medley Relay on Saturday! I was really struggling to get out and run the weeks prior to the meet as I was tired of training and had little desire. I realize I was tired of it because I had lost sight of my true focus. Training for national meet lost it’s as do all things of this world; I had forgotten that I train to honor the Lord.
I have long felt the call to run the marathon, and am now committed to running just my second marathon, but the first time I will truly train for it and race it with purpose. I am eager now to get to running but am adhering to the advice of my coach to remain dormant from running for another 12 days! I did however begin the weight program for the training program today. We are blessed to now have a weight set in our basement where I can go and lift and enjoy my time spent working without being conscious of others.
Today as I was lifting I was looking at the trophies we have in our basement from our running accomplishments and strangely saw them in a different light. Most of the time I feel some pride and drive to train from acknowledging past accomplishments, but today I saw a bunch of medal and objects that meant little to me. As I gazed up and saw the verse on the wall above the trophy collection – Philippians 4:13 “For I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” – I was quickly redirected mentally. These trophies were not meaningless and should not be viewed as such; they are display of the ability of God’s creation. Yes they can become an idol which takes my focus from Christ, but I can also see them in thankfulness and with a spirit of humility knowing God has created me as a runner, and one with a level of talent.
As I begin this training I pray I am able to keep my focus on glorifying God through my training and performance and not be taken in by the cravings of success created by the world’s view. In this I will be successful regardless of what happens to me. I am going to give God everything I have; knowing He already has and will continue to do the same for me. Lifting/stretching/eating right all things I have neglected in the past as I do not enjoy any of them; I will do these things in discipline and honor to my Creator not just to make me a better runner who can place higher or run faster but to honor the creation and the Creator!