Dress For Success

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

In an entertaining story published yesterday titled “Canfield runner completes Pittsburgh marathon in potato costume,” it was reported that a local runner took part in the 2026 DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon on Sunday as a part of the Speedy Spuds dressed for Potatoes USA.

Anna Luongo of Canfield donned her potato costume and took to the course during the half-marathon, surrounded by 25 other runners who did the same.

Luongo was picked from a nationwide applicant pool and says she has carbs, community and Heinz ketchup running through her veins.

"The Pittsburgh Half Marathon did not disappoint,” Luongo stated. “Fueled with mashed potatoes on the course and the energy from the crowd was unmatched. So thankful for the incredible opportunity to run as a speedy spud this beautiful Sunday morning.”

Along with her fellow Speedy Spuds, the 26 potato team represents the 26 grams of carbohydrates found in a medium-sized skin-on potato.

Potatoes USA is a national marketing and research organization focused on strengthening the demand for potatoes nationwide.

According to a news release, this was the largest known coordinated potato costume running event in American history.

Wow, right? I would definitely consider their marketing campaign a win. I mean, who wouldn’t want to eat a potato after watching 26 runners dressed like spuds run 13.1 miles and cross the finish line? In that way, you could definitely say they were dressed for success.

And you know, in the same way, what believers wear matters. Now we aren’t marketing a “product” per se, but we are promoting the eternal benefits of following Jesus Christ by what we say and what we do.

And one of the best ways we can do this is to clothe ourselves “with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience,” bearing with each other and forgiving one another as the Lord forgave us. And, then, after we’ve done all that… over all these virtues, we put on love, “which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

What does that mean exactly? Well, it means we must first remember that we are “God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved.” This designation means that these virtues are not meant to earn God's love, but are a natural response to being loved by Him already.

Then we are to remember that this “changing of clothes” (putting off the old self and putting on the new) describe the practical, daily adoption of five core virtues that are contrary to the attitudes of the world: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. These virtues, that should be clearly seen by our speech and behavior, symbolize the change that Jesus Christ has made in our lives—a change that’s so amazing that it should make others want to experience this change for themselves.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34

Furthermore, this new clothing, or new way of life, also allows us to forgive one another when conflicts arise, modeling the otherworldly forgiveness God granted us. God loved us while we were still sinners and commands us to love others in the same way. That is not worldly behavior!

Finally, love is described as the final layer ("over all these virtues") that acts as a belt or binding agent, bringing all other virtues together in perfect harmony. This love has the power to inspire the lost to seek the One who inspires it in us!

So, be sure to dress for success every day my friend by clothing yourself with the virtues that will cause the lost to seek the Lord. It’s the best way to promote and glorify the One who has the power to transform lives.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that, as believers, we are called to be set apart in everything that we say and do. Help us to clothe ourselves every day with the virtues that show we are followers of You so that others would be inspired to follow You as well. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus, amen. 

Happy Running!

Nothing Secret is Concealed From God

“There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.” Luke 12:2-3

In a story titled “Scientology "speed running" trend prompts church to remove door handles from its Hollywood buildings” it was reported that the Church of Scientology removed door handles from its Hollywood locations after viral "speed running" videos were filmed inside the buildings by masked activists who forced their way past security.

Runners, many of whom are masked, some of whom are wearing costumes, sprint past security through hallways and stairs until they're kicked out of the buildings.

"Trying to unlock as much as we can of the 'map' — is what they call it, to see what they have hidden," said one runner, who did not want to share her name. "Because they keep it very strict in there. You can't see anything up above. It's very secret and we want to know what it is all about."

She added that the trend is all about protest and exposure, hoping to get answers to what they believe is an effort by the Church of Scientology to conceal what they're doing.

"The public wants to know what's in there, what they are hiding," she said. "Why are they being so aggressive towards opening up about the truth?"

And, you know, the Church of Scientology (which is a false church and a false religion) is not the only “church” or organization that is hiding, or secretive about, their dealings, doings, and doctrine. There are thousands of false churches around our world today that are equally as aggressive towards opening up about the truth of what they represent because their theology, morality, and methodology are anything but holy and God-honoring. Hence the reason for secrecy. 

Two things are certain though, nothing is secret from God and “there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.” In fact, what people have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what they have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs… no matter how much they try to hide it. 

This means all secret sins, hypocritical actions, and quiet disobedience will eventually be exposed in the final judgment. This serves as a reminder that God sees everything--something, you can be sure, is good news for some and bad news for others.

So, while it may appear that evil people, organizations, and agendas will continue to prosper and not be exposed, the Bible is very clear that nothing is truly hidden or concealed. There is coming a day when all will be exposed and judgment rendered. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that, while it may appear that evil has no consequences, we know that You see everythingand will one day reward the righteous for their obedience and punish the unrighteousness for their disobedience. Help that to give us hope when we look at our world today, knowing that You are still on the throne and still in control. It’s in your precious name. We pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Be Prepared and Willing to Step In

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” 1 Peter 3:15 NKJV

In a story published yesterday by The Marlow Review, the following was reported:

In a heroic act of compassion and courage, Chadell Atkinson, a registered nurse and Marlow resident, played a pivotal role in saving a fellow runner's life during the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon this past weekend.

As runners made their way through the grueling course, one participant suddenly collapsed, prompting immediate concern among those nearby. Without hesitation, Atkinson and an Oklahoma City firefighter, who was also racing, rushed to the scene. Together, they performed life-saving CPR until emergency medical personnel arrived.

Thanks to their quick actions, the collapsed runner regained a pulse and was transported to a local hospital for further treatment. After ensuring the runner received help, Atkinson demonstrated remarkable resilience by continuing to complete her own marathon.

The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of being prepared and willing to step in during emergencies. Atkinson’s bravery and commitment to her fellow runners highlight the spirit of community and support that the marathon embodies.

"And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:15

" He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.'" John 3:36

And, you know, when it comes to being “prepared and willing to step in” during emergencies, the most urgent and dire situation we could ever find a person in is the state of unbelief. You see, while most people think death is the end, death is truly only the beginning—since a person will either spend eternity in heaven or in hell after their final breath here... a decision that's determined by the choice they make before they die to either accept Jesus as their Savior or to reject Him. 

This is the very reason that every believer must "sanctify the Lord God" in their hearts and "always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks" them a reason for the hope that is in them, "with meekness and fear." This call to "always be ready" is a reminder that the opportunity to tell someone about the hope of the resurrection and eternal life that's found only in Jesus Christ might come unexpectedly and might only come once. 

Because of this, every believer must be prepared to speak about their faith, knowing that their testimony and transformed life will provoke further questions. In turn, they must be prepared to give a rational, spoken reason for their faith, based on biblical facts and not just their feelings. 

Furthermore, the tone of our sharing is critical. We must be humble and respectful, rather than aggressive or argumentative, always remembering that this spiritual CPR (think Critical explanation of your Personal Relationship), if done right, has the power to save a person's soul. 

So, be ready and willing to step in when you see someone in need of spiritual CPR my friend. Doing so could very well determine where that person spends eternity. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that the way that we live is very important since our total devotion to You, in the easy times and especially in the hard times, is one of the very things that compels unbelievers to ask us about the hope we have that’s only found in You. Help is to be ready and all times to answer their questions in such a way that the lost are compelled to seek You. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - What We Can Learn From a Pro

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog

Now let’s get started by talking about what happened over the weekend. Not only did the Frisco Railroad Run take place (one of my all time favorites) but the London Marathon took place as well. 

And while OMRR reported some fast marathon finish times (as well as other distances), no one was as fast as Sebastian Sawe—who crossed the finish line of the London Marathon in 1:59:30. Sawe not only broke last year’s record but became the first person to ever run 26.2 miles in less than two hours. Wow, right? 

Now, before we get into what we can learn from Sabastian, let’s remember that, while training like a pro can make us faster, every person has their “fast” limit based on the way the good Lord made them. Elite runners, like Sawe, generally have a higher VO2 Max, possess a higher percentage of Type 1 (slow-twitch) muscle fibers (which are highly resistant to fatigue), and often have larger left ventricles and superior lung function, allowing for greater blood and oxygen circulation. Science shows that elite runners also show biomechanical superiority in many ways. But to sum it up, elite athletes such as Sawe were born to run, and to run fast. 

Other runners, like myself, were born to run too…. Just not as fast. But that’s okay. After all, running success, at the end of the day, isn’t only measured by the number on the clock but by the joy, friendships, and sense of accomplishment running brings. Not to mention the million other benefits that come from running; like a clearer mind, seeing new sunrises, and earning that iced coffee and extra slice of pizza. 

With that being said, all of us can learn a lot from elite runners such as Sawe, and the elite runners can learn a lot from us average runners as well. 

What exactly can we learn from Sawe? Well…. A quick AI search fetched these results: 

Sabastian Sawe’s historic sub-two-hour marathon (1:59:30) teaches that peak human performance results from blending relentless hard work, mental discipline, and humility with scientific advancements in fueling and footwear. His journey highlights the importance of consistency, simplicity, and running clean.

Key Lessons from Sabastian Sawe:

Discipline and Patience: Sawe emphasizes that "talent, with hard work, discipline and patience," is key to unlocking big achievements. He advocates for consistency, even rising from humble beginnings with minimal resources to reach the top.

Embrace Modern Technology and Science: Sawe credits his record-breaking success to advanced, lightweight Adidas footwear and specialized carbohydrate-based fueling strategies that optimize performance.

The Power of Simplicity: Despite being a global superstar, Sawe keeps his life and nutrition simple, such as eating simple meals like bread and honey before races, proving that basic, effective habits can support elite performance.

Run Clean and Promote Integrity: Sawe strongly advocates for anti-doping, urging increased testing to ensure a fair playing field and to prove that success can be achieved clean.

Belief and Preparation: Sawe's mantra, "I didn't believe, but I was well prepared," (not quite sure what that means but it apparently works for him) shows that intensive preparation builds the confidence needed to break barriers.

Stay Humble and Positive: His coach describes him as having positive energy and being exceptionally humble, demonstrating that kindness and humility can accompany top-tier talent.

And what can elite runners learn from average runners? First of all, that there's more of us than there are of them. Secondly, we all put on our shoes one foot at a time so humility fits us all well. And lastly, every mile, whether it’s slow or fast, is a gift to be treasured and celebrated. 

So, let us be thankful for every finish line friends. Whether we come in first, somewhere in the middle, or even dead last, we are all blessed to run. And for that, we should celebrate like the elites do with signature dances, huge smiles, fancy hand signals, and eating our favorite post race food. 

On that note, if you had running success over the weekend (however you define success) won't you tell us about it in the comment section so we can celebrate with you? By God's grace, I completed the 50 mile run at Frisco Saturday and went home with an awesome buckle and the award for being old and not dying (aka the Grand Master Female award) out on the course. I'd say that's not too bad for a day of running with amazing friends and treating running like a second job. While it was hard, every mile truly was a blessing and I can't wait for Dogwood Canyon and Bass Pro's Marathon Weekend to do it all over again! Are you signed up? 

 Happy Running!

Be Someone Worthy of Following

“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 NKJV

In a heartwarming story titled “Layton High School distance runner breaks 40 year-old record, set by assistant coach,” published Friday, it was reported that Sophomore Parker Harris unwittingly beat a 40 year-old record for the Davis School District track meet last month — coming in with a time of 9:24.8, in the 3,200 meter run.

“I had no idea. I just was going for the win,” Harris said.

Not only that, but he quickly learned of whose record he’d beaten — one set by his own assistant coach, Kurt Black as a member of the Davis High School team, in 1986. His time back then: 9:28.2.

“It was good at the time, but I didn’t think it would last that long,” Black said.

Black delivered the good news not long after Harris crossed the finish line.

“Five minutes later, (he) comes up to me was like, ‘gosh dang it, you got my 40 year-old record,'” Harris recalled. “It’s just so cool to see, I’m following in the footsteps of great athletes. I mean, Coach Black — he’s so awesome.”

And, you know, when it comes to following in the footsteps of great people, the apostle Paul served as an awesome example to the church at Corinth of what it means to run the race for Christ.

So much so that he didn’t hesitate to tell the Corinthian Christians to imitate his walk with the Lord. Paul knew the Corinthian Christians needed examples, and he was willing to be such an example, and a good example at that.

Why could Paul confidently say this? Because Paul knew he followed Jesus closely. He also knew that it was not “Paul” who was a worthy example, but “Paul the follower of Jesus” who was the example.

Furthermore, in saying “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ,” Paul clearly set a limit and a direction on the way we are to imitate others. “Just as I also imitate Christ” has the idea of “follow me as much as you see me following Jesus.”

Sadly, very few people today are able and willing to confidently say what Paul said! Instead, because of compromise and ungodliness, people are quicker to say, “Don’t look at me, look at Jesus.” And while it’s true that we must all ultimately look to Jesus as our greatest example, it’s also true that every believer should be an example of what it means to imitate Him.

The situation is even more sad when we consider that our world is in desperate need of godly role models. Hence the reason every believer should make it their mission to copy and emulate Jesus so closely that, if others followed in their footsteps, their footsteps would lead them closer to Jesus.

Can you just imagine the impact a flood of godly role models would have on our world today? You see, this world doesn’t need more Kim Kardashians or Cardi B’s, it needs more Deborahs and more Esthers. And you can be sure this world doesn’t need any more Bad Bunnys or Chris Browns either, but more Pauls, Johns, and Peters.

And that flood of godly influence must start with us. It must start with us imitating Christ so closely that we can confidently, like Paul, say to the world, “Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.” What a change that would make!

So, vow to follow Christ with your whole heart each and every day my friend. Vow to be completely uncompromising on the truths laid out in the Bible and to live on fire for Jesus so that you can be an example to follow! This will not only benefit you but will benefit all those around you.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that all believers have an obligation to be a godly example to those around us, and especially to the next generation. Cause our hearts to be stirred to live out that calling each and every day Lord that we might be the change this world so desperately needs. Help us to imitate You. It’s in your precious name. We pray Jesus amen.

Happy Running!

Jesus Tore Down the Barrier

"Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.”And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split," Matthew 27:45-51

"The barrier has been broken! Sub 2! 4:33 per mile." That was just one of the posts that came across my Facebook notifications yesterday that described a moment in history that will not be forgotten. Sabastian Sawe accomplished what many runners have been trying to do for years. As reported by Hunts Post UK, Sebastian not only won the London Marathon for the second time on Sunday but broke the two-hour barrier to make marathon history.

The Kenyan won this race 12 months ago and successfully defended his title but more importantly he crossed the finish line in a time of one hour 59 minutes and 30 seconds.

His incredible run wiped 65 seconds off the previous record held by the late Kelvin Kiptum, who did so at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.

Sawe’s time is 10 seconds quicker than Eliud Kipchoge’s record in 2019 – which was not recognised as official because it was not in open competition and he was assisted by pacemakers.

And, you know, while it's mind blowing to witness the tearing down of the once elusive barrier to running 26.2 miles in less than two hours, it's even more mind blowing to read about the moment the elusive barrier between man and God was torn down--an event that was witnessed by many spectators and recorded for us so that we could understand the enormity of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

The event occurred on Good Friday at about the ninth hour, specifically, right after Jesus, having been on the cross for approximately six hours (from about 9:00 a.m. which is the third hour until about 3:00 p.m. which was the ninth hour) "cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit." What happened next fulfilled prophecy and changed the course of history for the entire world! "Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,"

Did you get that part? The veil of the temple--which was roughly 60 feet tall, 30 feet wide, four inches thick, and said to be so heavy and cumbersome that it required 300 priests to move or manipulate it--was ripped in half from the top down. Only the hand of God Almighty could have done that!

Is that amazing or what? To truly grasp what this means, we must first understand that the word “veil” in Hebrew means "to separate" and this veil was there to separate sinful man from the holiness and majesty of God.

"and the LORD said to Moses: “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud above the mercy seat." Leviticus 16:2

Behind this veil was the Holy of Holies, or "the Holy Place" and the mercy seat where the blood of the sacrifice was placed that would reconcile God and His people. Only once a year on the Day of Atonement, did a high priest enter this area "inside the veil” and offer the sacrifice.  

"For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified." Hebrews 10:14

"Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us." 1 Corinthians 5:7

"Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." Hebrews 10:19-22

And here's where it gets good... From the moment the veil was torn, a priest was no longer needed to bring the blood of animals to atone for our sins. We could now, through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, go directly to our Lord. The blood Jesus shed on the cross allows us to now enter into the presence of God because, by His blood, the barrier was broken! Since Christ is our Passover then, we can "having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus" have unbroken communion with God.

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6

That means we no longer need a Jewish high priest, or anyone else for that matter, to atone for our sins or mediate on our behalf. The sacrifice of our Savior on the cross offered perfect atonement that allows us to approach God confidently without the intercession of a priest. Jesus death completely removed the barrier that separated man from God once and for all. 

If that wasn’t enough of a cause to celebrate, consider this…The tearing of the veil reminds us that God desires intimacy with His people and provided the perfect Way for us to experience it daily. Is that mind blowing or what?

So, let us celebrate the One who paid such a sacrifice to tear down the barrier between us and God today and every day my friend. And if you have yet to make the choice to accept Jesus as your Savior so that you can experience this great intimacy for yourself, I urge you to do it today. God broke down the barrier so that all can come to Him by faith in Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that tells us about the amazing sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Thank You for sending your one and only Son to die for us so that we could boldly come to the throne and have a relationship with You. Help the enormity of the sacrifice of Jesus cause us to seek You each and every day and to boldly implore the lost to be reconciled back to God. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus amen. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 
Happy Running!

A PB is Measured by Obedience

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 NKJV

In a heartwarming story published by Sky News following Monday’s 130th Boston Marathon, it was reported that two men stopped their own race to help a fellow runner cross the finish line at this year's iconic race.

Ajay Haridasse fell to the ground shortly after the 26th mile mark at the Boston Marathon on Monday.

Aaron Beggs pulled Mr Haridasse to his feet and was joined by Robson De Oliveira - the pair then put their arms around Mr Haridasse to support him to the finish.

After falling down the fourth time, I was getting ready to crawl," Mr Haridasse told the Boston Herald. "Obviously the wheels kinda fell off at mile 26…"

“It was a split-second decision," Mr De Oliveira wrote on social media. "When I entered the final stretch of the marathon, I was just a few meters away from achieving my personal best, but in the distance I saw [Haridasse] collapsing.

"I knew I wouldn't have the strength to help him on my own. In that moment, I thought, 'God, if someone stops, I'll stop too and help him.'"

He said he knew he could help "because two are stronger than one."

Mr De Oliveira also ended up in the medical tent after the race with Mr Haridasse, who was suffering from extreme dehydration.

"The fact not many people realise you gave everything to help and ended up in a worse state than the guy we helped," Mr Beggs replied on Mr De Oliveira's post. "True star."

And, you know, quite sadly many people in our world today would say that De Oliveira made the wrong choice and should have finished the race and claimed the Personal Best (PB) he had worked so hard for. But this is the deal… God doesn’t measure a believer’s “personal best” in the same way the world does. He measures it by our obedience. De Oliveira knew Ajay needed help and he also knew that he, himself, needed another person’s help and cried out to God to provide it.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

And when the Lord answered that plea by sending Aaron, Robson immediately placed his own ambition and goal to the side to look out for the interest of a fallen runner who needed help.

In this way, Robson shone the spotlight on the Lord rather than on himself. He let his light shine before men in the good work that he did—something that glorifies the Father in heaven. And for that I agree that Robson is indeed a "true star".

A Personal Best (or PB) then, at the end of the day, isn’t measured by what we accomplished for ourselves but by what we did for others.

So, live your life to bring glory to God rather than to yourself my friend. Be obedient to the calling He has placed on your life and, in the end, you’ll find that submitting to God’s will rather than following your own is the greatest measure of success. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that You don’t measure success in the same way the world does. Knowing that, help us to always choose serving You above going after our own goals that we might lead others to You and be obedient to the commands You have laid out in the Bible.  It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Don’t Miss Out

“‘Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV

In a story titled “‘I Kept Going’: How the Final Official Finisher of the Boston Marathon Motivated Herself to End Strong” published by Runner’s World on Tuesday it was reported that Carlie Siegel crossed the line in the nick of time on Marathon Monday to get under the 5:36 p.m. cutoff time.

When Carlie Siegel crossed the finish line at the 130th Boston Marathon on Monday, she had mixed emotions. She was proud of how she overcame multiple trips to the medical tent for low glucose during the race, and how she proved to herself that she was mentally tough enough to make it to Boylston Street, finishing in 6:13:29.

But the end was bittersweet. Siegel crossed the line at 5:35 p.m.—nearly six minutes after the cutoff time to be counted as an official finisher of the race, which is 5:30 p.m. She got her medal, but she missed out on earning a star for finishing one of the seven World Marathon Majors.

Or so she thought.

Siegel found out the next day that the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) had extended the cutoff time to 5:36 p.m. Race organizers made a mid-race adjustment on Monday once they learned that not everyone had crossed the start line by 11:30 a.m., as expected. To ensure all participants had a full six hours to complete the course, the BAA extended the cutoff time by six minutes since the final person to cross the start line did so at 11:36 a.m. (This year, the race went from four to six starting waves, so the BAA made a one-time exception to make sure it went smoothly.)

When Siegel, 38, learned the news on her flight back home to Florida, she started crying...

And, you know, while Carlie shed tears of joy at learning that she had been counted as an official finisher of the 130th Boston Marathon, there will be many people on judgement day that will shed tears of shock, sadness, and disbelief when they hear the words “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” These will be people who genuinely thought they were saved by their motivation to do good works, but in the end will find that they weren't really saved at all. 

You see, these people are those that assumed they would be counted as “official” followers of Jesus because they prophesied in His name, cast out demons in His name, and did many wonders in His name. They even called Him ‘Lord, Lord” but, in the end, they will be denied entrance into the kingdom of heaven because they did not have a relationship with Him. 

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

And while this might sound harsh, consider that  works can do absolutely nothing to save a person. And claiming to know Jesus can do absolutely nothing to save a person. The Bible is clear that it’s ONLY by putting a persons faith in Jesus Christ that they are saved and ONLY by putting their faith in Jesus Christ that they will be counted as ‘official finishers’ of the race, and worthy of entering into heaven and claiming the prize that awaits every true believer.

“'If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.’” John 14:7

So, don’t miss out on the greatest event of all time my friend. Crossing the finish line of the Boston Marathon is a great thing indeed, but it will pale in comparison to crossing the final finish line and entering into the presence of Jesus to hear those words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." And that will only happen if you know the Father because you have known the Son. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that not everyone who says they know You will be known by You. Help us to understand that only those who place their trust in You will be saved, no matter how many good works they do in Your name. Thank You for making the qualifications into heaven so clear that no one can claim they didn't know. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Aim to Run for Life

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog

Now let’s get started by talking about the 130th Boston Marathon that was held on Monday. John Korir of Kenya set a new Boston Marathon men's course record of 2:01:52 and Sharon Lokedi set a record in the women's division, winning in 2:18:51. Amazing right? The winning times just keep getting faster and faster!

And while some people might say that running success is measured by the time on the clock, I would say that running success is measured by the miles a person is able to complete over a lifetime.

Consider Amby Burfoot, who won the 1968 Boston Marathon with a finish time of 2:22:17. At 21 years old, he was the first college student to win the race and the first American to win in 11 years. Now, at the age of 79, he completed the 2026 Boston Marathon in a time of 5:17:16. That's what I call exciting! 58 years of running is quite an accomplishment physically and mentally. 

If this has you saying, "Wow, I'd love to be running like that in my later years," you're not alone. That's one of my top goals. Which is the very reason I train differently now than I did in my 20's, 30's, and 40's. If this is one of your top goals as well, check out this article titled "How Can I Stay Fit and Run for Life?" in which Amby, prior to this year's Boston Marathon, shared a few things he’s learned over the years that have ultimately led to his longevity. He started by saying, "Identify what you love about running, get in a groove, and keep coming back to it." Great advice right? And here's what else Amby had to say... 

Run Lots. Some Days Hard. Other Days Easy. Back when I won Boston, I was running 110-to-120 miles a week. Lots of long, slower runs with some intensity mixed in. If I were to do it over, I’d probably try running a bit less. I think I could have achieved the same results with about 70 percent of the training.

Greatness, Single-Minded Focus: I grew up in the era of sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll, and I didn’t do any of those things. I was completely dedicated to running. I ran about seven miles every morning and nine miles every afternoon. I was committed to getting better.

Favorite Workout: Back then it was a 15 miler through apple orchards and nature preserves. We got faster as the run progressed so it was pretty hard by the end. But the run was always enjoyable and in a great environment. My training was the antithesis of the metrics-based interval training that took hold a bit later on. We just went out and ran—it was a beautiful thing.

Keep Fueling Simple. It amazes me how many nutrition and hydration products there are these days. Back then, we hardly consumed anything outside of maybe a little water. Although we suffered a lot, we were still pretty fast. Nowadays, I like to take a few gels, especially the kind with caffeine. But I still keep it simple.

Eat Clean. I’ve always been a bit of a food “faddist.” For a while, I was an ovo-lacto vegetarian [eggs but no meat] and ate tons of carbohydrates. When I was running hard, I’d inhale tubs of ice-cream and it burn it off immediately. As I’ve aged, I’ve realized the importance of protein in my diet. Nowadays, I eat less carbs and a lot more protein. Eggs, Greek yogurt, and fish are all staples of my diet; I’ll even occasionally eat chicken. But I still don’t eat red meat.

Mental Strength: We didn’t really talk about “mental fitness” in 1960s. I grew up in a very small community. No one ever told me I would be successful so I was always kind of stunned by winning anything. Eventually confidence builds and success leads to more success. Proving yourself to yourself is really special.

Play to Your Strengths. I learned early on that I didn’t have top-end speed or a fierce kick. I developed my whole racing strategy to punish people early so there wouldn’t even be a “race” at the end. I dared people to suffer as much as I was willing to suffer.

“Recovery” Is Smart Training. While there is a lot of hype about various recovery modalities—from foam rolling, to cupping, to compression, to ice, to heat—there is not a lot of conclusive evidence supporting any of them. Far more important is understanding your body’s natural rhythms and cycles and designing your training accordingly: How many easy days do you need after an intense day? How many weeks can you train hard before taking a break? How often can you race? If you listen to your body and are honest with yourself, you’ll be able to answer these critically important questions.

Transitioning Out of Competition: In 1976, I gave it one last shot at making the Olympic team. I finished maybe ninth or tenth. At that point, I had given my all to the sport for over 10 years. I felt I had left it all out there—not just in that race but in my entire career—and I had no regrets. Hanging up the racing shoes wasn’t that hard.

Amateur Running: I love it! The 120-mile-a-week weight on my shoulders was lifted. I got back into running for the sheer joy of it.

Longevity: Eat right. Sleep. Listen to your body. Don’t be afraid to run less. Right now I only run about 25-30 miles a week.

Running and Writing: The only thing I’ve ever tried to do is to be authentic. There’s been a bit too much fluffy writing about running throughout the years. I just try to paint an honest picture of what it’s like to be a runner and to train hard.

Latest Book: It’s called First Ladies of Running. So many women were doing incredible things for the sport in the 1970s, really transforming it. I was shocked no one had compiled all these stories in a book. So I did! Even though I’m not biologically their “contemporary,” I grew up with these women. I saw them at the Boston Marathon every year. We ran together. I have tremendous respect for them and felt their stories should be documented.

Life-Long Love Affair: What’s really important to me in my running career is not that I won the Boston Marathon. It’s that I’ve run the same Thanksgiving Day road race the last 53 years and I’ve still got a foot in the game and I am leading a healthy lifestyle.

We get so obsessed in running with muscle fibers and cardiac health and we think it’s our nutrition or foot strike or length of our Achilles that is important—but I don’t think any of those things are that important. What’s important is establishing a sound emotional relationship with the sport. If you can keep running…it’s like an old friend. You can revisit, evolve, and recommit in a different way. An old friend that yields massive benefits.

And there you have it friends. Those are some amazing tips from a man who knows a thing or two about running. As long as you're running, you're winning. Which means if you want to be a winner, you'll need to train like one, think like one, eat like one, sleep like one, and recover like one. This is the best way to ensure that you're able to run for life. Happy Running!

Patience Pays Off

“To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1 NKJV

In a story titled “Unreal! John Korir Destroys 15-Year-Old Boston Marathon Course Record, Running 2:01:52” published yesterday, it was reported that Korir defended his title from 2025, winning by nearly a minute.

For the second consecutive year, John Korir surged in the Newton hills and ran unchallenged over the final 10K to win the Boston Marathon. The Kenyan bettered not only his winning time from last year but also the course record with his 2:01:52. Korir took an astounding 1 minute and 10 seconds off of the previous course record of 2:03:02, set by Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai in 2011 when runners enjoyed a strong tailwind for much of the race…

Korir ran patiently early in the race as Germany’s Hendrik Pfeiffer and Americans Ryan Ford and Alex Maier most often fronted the pack. The pace was solidly in the 2:03 range early on, but the more difficult part of the course was still to come.

Korir’s first real move was to reel in Ethiopia’s Lemi Berhanu, the 2016 Boston winner who surprisingly took the lead just before halfway, which he passed in 61:43. Korir overtook Berhanu three minutes later, then eased back, allowing Milkesa Mengehsa, Talbi, and a few others to join them. Boston first-timer Mengesha then took a solo lead early in the Newton hills, but Korir easily chased him down in the 20th mile. A 21st mile of 4:36—which includes Heartbreak Hill!—gave Korir a solo lead that he only increased to the end.

Korir earned $150,000 for his win and a $50,000 bonus for breaking the course record.

And, you know, in the same way Korir’s patience paid off in breaking the course record and claiming the prize, our patience pays off in the form of deeper faith and a greater trust in God.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12

You see, as David clearly understood, every believer will (not might) go through difficult parts in their spiritual race. And when (not if) they do, they have two choices… they can sprint ahead and do what seems right to them (but in the end leads to death) or patiently wait upon the Lord, knowing that He hears their cry. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

And while this patient waiting can be difficult at times, it helps to remember that the cry of a believer is so precious to the Lord that He inclines His ear for their sakes, not for His. After all, the God of the universe is not hard of hearing. The deep love that God shows for us in this simple act helps us to also remain patient when the answers we seek or the deliverance we pray for is either detoured, delayed or denied, knowing that the God who hears us will direct us to the path that’s best for us.

"And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown." 1 Corinthians 9:25

So, if you're running through a difficult part of life's course today, don't give up my friend--and don't lean on your own understanding. Patiently wait on the Lord and follow the path He has laid out for you. Your patience will pay off when you keep the faith and claim the "imperishable crown" that awaits all those who trust God, press on and finish the race.

Heavenly Father, thank You for making it abundantly clear that You hear us when we cry and that You care for us. Help us to understand this Lord when we can't comprehend the detours, delays, and denials of this life. Help us to continue running the path that's laid out by You until we reach the end. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Make the Choice to Belong

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:” John 1:12 NKJV

In a story titled “Nike Removes Controversial Sign in Boston That Read, ‘Runners Welcome. Walkers Tolerated’” published last week, it was reported that after online backlash, the brand took down the sign on Newbury Street that was put up ahead of the Boston Marathon.

The sign, which has since been taken down, was up at Nike’s Newbury Street location ahead of Boston Marathon weekend, and it’s been criticized online for being exclusionary.

On Friday, Nike released a statement about the sign: “We want more people to feel welcome in running—no matter their pace, experience, or the distance. During race week in Boston, we put up a series of signs to encourage runners. One of them missed the mark. We took it down, and we’ll use this moment to do better and continue showing up for all runners…”

As expected, the internet reacted to Nike’s ad verbiage accordingly. One guy made his own poster that said: “No matter the speed, forward is a pace,” noting they’re immensely proud of their very own 6-hour finish time and of having raised more than $21,000 for Dana-Farber.

So many people seem to forget that when they talk about Boston’s exclusivity. Some runners are there to race. Some runners are there to finish. Some runners are there to raise life-changing money. All of them belong on the course.

And, you know, when it comes to belonging, there’s no greater thing that a person could ever belong to than the family of God—an exclusive benefit bestowed on all be those who make the choice to receive Him and believe in His name.

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

“For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.’” Romans 10:13

But, unlike the Boston Marathon that has more than one way to gain entry onto the course (running a qualifying time, running for an official charity, using an international tour operator, or through specific, limited partnership programs), the Bible is clear that there is ONLY ONE way to the Father and that’s through faith in Jesus Christ. This is an offer that, you can be sure, is open to everyone regardless of their pace.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,not of works, lest anyone should boast.'" Ephesians 2:8-9

This means there’s absolutely nothing that a person can do to qualify for entry into heaven outside of accepting Jesus as their savior. You see, salvation is a gift of God. There’s no work we could ever do to earn it, no work we could ever do to repay it, and no work we could ever do to make us worthy of receiving it. Hence the reason we can never boast in anything we have done but only in what Christ has done for us.

Is that amazing or what?

So, if you have not trusted Jesus as your Savior, I urge you to do it today my friend. It will be the best decision that you ever make in your life. It will not only ensure that you are on the exclusive course that leads to eternal life, but will ensure that you will reach the finish line and hear those words “Well done good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your Lord.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for making it clear that there is only ONE way to heaven. Thank You, Lord, that we don’t have to be good enough to get there on our own, but that we get there by the gift of grace that was freely given to us through the death, burial and resurrection of your son Jesus Christ. Help us to understand that there’s nothing we could do to earn it so we cannot boast about anything, except for your grace and your goodness. Help us to live our lives so on fire for You in thankfulness for that that we inspire others to join us in this race. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Prevent Spiritual Dehydration

“A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1 NKJV

In a story titled “Runner rescued from Western States Trail after reporting dehydration” published Tuesday, it was reported that a runner was rescued from the Western States Trail after reporting to Placer County Sheriff’s Office that he was dehydrated, cramping and unable to continue.

PCSO said that dispatch received a text-to-911 message from a runner who said he was on the Western States Trail, east of Michigan Bluff and needed help.

CAL FIRE NEU responded and hiked almost two miles before locating him.

The difficult and rugged terrain resulted in a request for aerial assistance, PCSO said.

A hoist operation was conducted with a rescue specialist being lowered to the runner. He was secured, hoisted from the trail and then flown to Foresthill.

PCSO said he was taken to a local hospital.

“As we head into the warmer months, it’s important to stay prepared on the trails. Bring plenty of water, know your limits, and always have a reliable way to call for help,” officials said.

And, you know, while dehydration can certainly render a person unable to continue their physical race, spiritual dehydration can have the same effect on a believer. Which is the very reason, believers must “stay prepared” and address thirst early and frequently.

This was something David wrote about in Psalm 63 while in the Judean wilderness, likely while fleeing from his son Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 15–17), or possibly earlier while being pursued by King Saul. Whatever the cause, we know that David was physically exhausted, lonely, in danger, and experiencing a "dry and thirsty" period—as can be gleaned by his words, “My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.”

But we can see that David was prepared. In fact, before stating his problem (overwhelming thirst), David said, “O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You.”

As every runner knows, the time to drink in water is not after they’re thirsty but before. A good runner anticipates the conditions of the race and prepares accordingly beforehand so they can prevent dehydration from occurring 

And you can see this is exactly what David was set on doing. He knew the road before him would be difficult and seemingly devoid of any refreshing. Hence the reason he sought God early and would continue seeking Him—so much so that his spiritual thirst manifested in a physical thirst that demanded quenching.

So, if you’re in a day or season of  “wilderness” when life is exceptionally hard, be sure to prevent becoming spiritually dehydrated by seeking God (through prayer, Bible study, and meditation) early and seeking Him often my friend. This is the only way to ensure that you will be able to finish the race set before you. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that You are the living water that’s overflowing in every situation that we could ever find ourselves in. Help us to seek You early and often Lord that we might avoid becoming spiritually dehydrated and finish the race set before us. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 
Happy Running!

Believers are Called to Pray

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4 NKJV

In another all too familiar story titled “Avid runner stabbed and shot in string of random attacks allegedly carried out by repeat offender,” published Tuesday, it was reported that a 40-year-old avid runner was stabbed and shot during a string of attacks in Georgia.

Lauren Bullis, 40, was identified as one of the victims in Monday's string of attacks in DeKalb County, Georgia. Police arrested 26-year-old Olaolukitan Adon Abel on Monday following the back-to-back incidents.

"It is apparent to us that this was a completely random attack," Brookhaven Police Chief Brandon Gurley said Monday.

The timeline of the terror began at approximately 12:50 a.m. Monday, when DeKalb County Police discovered a woman shot multiple times on Wesley Chapel Road. She later died from her injuries, police said. Authorities have not identified her.

The violence then shifted to Brookhaven, where a man was ambushed and shot several times while sleeping outside a business center on Peachtree Road. He remains in critical condition.

The spree reached a horrific conclusion around 6:50 a.m. on Battle Forest Drive. There, 40-year-old Bullis was found both shot and stabbed in a vicious attack. Witnesses, police said, reported seeing a man standing over her before he fled the scene. Bullis did not survive her injuries.

Bullis' social media accounts showed that the 40-year-old Georgia woman was an avid runner, posting photos of participating in recent races.

In a Facebook post, her cousin, Lee Renfroe, wrote that Bullis was "such a special person."

"My cousin Lauren Bullis was brutally murdered in a series of violent attacks in the Decatur GA area," he wrote. "We love you and miss you Lauren. Please say a prayer for our families as well as the families of the other victims. I don’t even know how to completely put my thoughts together right now."

And, you know, although we should definitely pray for the families of the victims, we should also commit (as the Bible commands us) to praying daily for “all men, for kings and all who are in authority" that we may lead quiet and peaceable lives “in all godliness and reverence.” We are not merely to pray though. We are to make supplications and intercessions, with the “giving of thanks”

To understand what that means exactly, we must first understand that supplication and intercession are intense, earnest forms of prayer to God Almighty. Supplication, as defined, is a humble, desperate petition often for one's own urgent needs or the needs of believers, while intercession is standing in the gap to plead on behalf of others, particularly for the unsaved or to reverse the effects of sin. Both are considered powerful spiritual acts and are our greatest spiritual weapons.

You see, at its core, the fight before us is a spiritual one and can’t be fought with carnal weapons. This is the very reason that the people of God are called and commanded to fervently pray for those in authority. You can be sure that winning this spiritual battle is crucial if we are to ever see this trend of lawlessness and senseless crimes change—because change starts with those in authority making biblical laws, biblically enforcing those laws, and then extending the full punishment that comes from breaking those laws. There is no other way.

This truth is made clear when we consider that this crime could have been prevented if Abel, who is a repeat offender, had served his full sentence and gotten the full mental health evaluation and treatment that was merited.  Furthermore, investigators believe the suspect would have continued to kill if he had not been apprehended. Scary right? Now we can only pray that he’s imprisoned for life so that no one else gets hurt.

So, don’t fall into the trap of not praying for “all” those in authority just because your party affiliation or beliefs don't align with theirs my friend. The command to pray for those in authority has nothing to do with the way we "feel" about someone else but everything to do with ensuring that our leaders make choices that lead to safety and justice. "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that each and every believer is called to pray for those in authority from the bottom to the top. This means we are to pray for our local leaders, our state leaders, our federal leaders and our President as well, regardless of their party affiliation. Help us to understand that prayer has the power to change all situations and that prayer is is our greatest weapon. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - The Benefits of Gratitude

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog

Now let's get started by talking about gratitude. This was something I was thinking about yesterday before heading out on my normal morning run which was anything but "normal."

You see, before lacing up my shoes, I had to make sure that my dear husband and favorite running partner was all set up for my absence. Just one week post-op from his second knee replacement, I prepared his ice machine and then opened up the windows beside his chair to bring some of the "outside" in to him. "You may not be able to get out there for a while," I told him. “But at least you can feel the breeze, smell the fresh air, and hear the birds chirping as the sun comes up.” We both smiled at that, knowing that only runners would understand the fascination and drive to be in the great outdoors at a time when many people are still sleeping.

As a runner whose had her fair share of injuries throughout the years, I'll tell you that I'm always thankful when those inevitable setbacks don't happen in the spring or fall which, like most runners, are my favorite times of the year to run. Quite honestly though, I've learned to be grateful for every run at this point in my life--even the ones that are ugly and painful. Because this is the deal... I don't HAVE to run (none us do), I GET to run. And for that I choose to practice gratitude each and every day, knowing that being thankful for being able to log a few miles not only makes my mind better but it makes me better.

In fact, believe it or not, science shows that "gratitude can make you a better runner" as laid out in an article published by FLEET FEET. And while this is something I talk about a lot, it's something worth talking about again. There are so many benefits to developing a "practice of gratitude." Running better is just the tip of the iceberg.

But without further ado, check out what the writer had to say (*with my two cents thrown in of course):

The running world is full to bursting with obsessively researched workouts to lower your times, nutrition tips to fuel your body, and recovery methods to help you do it all again tomorrow. In fact, the process of developing faster, stronger athletes has become so exact that training often resembles a science.

Runners can use VO2 Max and training paces to predict race times to the nearest tenth of a second. Shoes are engineered to propel the body forward as efficiently as possible. Nearly every step you take can be carefully calculated to achieve the optimum end result. So why not prioritize and practice mental health training with the same vigor?

Truthfully, the role of the mind in race performance is anything but straightforward. Every season, some of the most talented and dedicated athletes step up to the start line after months of perfect training, only to come up short.

Mentality plays such a crucial role in the ability to compete and perform, but training the mind to assist instead of sabotage is a daunting task. It’s too much to expect that the average runner has the time, funds, or even desire to work with a sports psychologist or mental coach. Luckily, there is a simple process to start exercising the mind to improve your training, and it begins with being grateful.

Gratitude as a personal practice

Gratitude is often reduced to a feeling, as opposed to a practice. There are benefits to feeling thankful, but when gratitude is implemented as a practice it actually has the power to create positive physical change.

A 2010 study conducted by UC Davis found that practicing purposeful gratitude has been shown to trigger a 28 percent reduction in perceived stress, 23 percent lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, 7 percent reduction in inflammation bio-markers, 25 percent reduction in dietary fat intake and 16 percent lower diastolic blood pressure in comparison with not practicing gratitude.

Think about that for a second. All of these physical factors that have the power to boost athletic performance are significantly improved by simply practicing gratitude. In short, gratitude can have the power to boost training and performance.

The key to using gratitude to improve your training is to write it down. Keeping a training log is a common practice among runners, and the concept of a gratitude journal is largely the same.

Tracking the things that make us feel grateful allows the mind to create a cycle of positive thinking. Having the ability to look back over what creates feelings of thankfulness is not only a good way to reinforce positive habits, it is crucial to using gratitude as a tool to improve training.

Start by keeping a weekly journal of the events and actions that make you feel grateful. Log everything running-related, but also take time to log the little life moments that bring gratitude. Not only will this help foster a more positive mindset, but the process of logging gratitude can help spark progress toward goal achievement.

In the same study by UC Davis, participants who kept gratitude journals over a period of 10 weeks showed significantly more progress towards short-term, performance-based goals in comparison to their counterparts who did not log gratefulness.

For runners, rough training days are inevitable and keeping a positive outlook on progress is not always easy. Having a gratitude journal to remind yourself of the reasons you are grateful for running will make it easier to get back into a positive headspace.

The benefits of sharing gratitude with others

Another tool to put gratitude into practice is, believe it or not, the thank you letter. The relationships we keep have a huge impact on our feelings of happiness and wellbeing, which all contribute to our ability to perform physically.

Leading gratitude researcher, Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman of The University of Pennsylvania, has shown that writing a letter of gratitude to people in our lives who have not yet been properly thanked for their kindness causes a significant uptick in our feelings of happiness.

Using letter writing, in combination with journaling, is a simple yet effective way to harness the power of gratitude and improve our day-to-day training.

Fleet Feet recently interviewed Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University. During a discussion about loneliness during the time of COVID, Dr. Holt-Lunstad explained how fostering the positive relationships in our lives was crucial to maintaining mental health.

“Expressing gratitude [to others] will elicit a more positive response in return,” says Holt-Lunstad. “It creates an upward spiral instead of a downward spiral and can reduce loneliness.”

Essentially, letting the people in our lives know that we are grateful for them not only brings happiness, but it strengthens relationships and helps us break cycles of negative thinking.

Running is what brings us joy. It is an escape at the end of the day, a challenge to constantly pursue, a reward for pushing our limits. How amazing is it that we can help ourselves become better athletes by thanking the people who help us run?

Try making a list of the people who have helped you along your running journey. Think about the first coaches you had, the friend who dragged you out the door for your first jog, the partner who took care of dinner so you could squeeze your miles in. Next time you log your gratitude, write a letter to someone who has made your running possible. Thank them for their impact, no matter how small it may seem...

Take some time, write it down, thank the people around you and let gratitude guide you along the journey to becoming the runner you want to be.

And there you have it friends. Developing a "practice of gratitude can not only make you better in more ways than one, but can elicit feelings of gratitude in others. And, if you ask me, that’s a win in so many ways. So, before you head out the door today, write down a few things you’re grateful for. It will be the start of an upward spiral that will have you smiling all day.

Happy Running!