BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Be Ready for the Unpredictability of Spring

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 unpredictability of spring weather. The temps are all over the place as are the storm warnings. And considering that this is one of the prime running seasons in my humble opinion (second to Fall aka Bass Pro Marathon Season), runners would do well to make the most of spring running by preparing to deal with the unpredictability beforehand. Which can be done by adhering to a few spring running tips.

Without further ado, here are a few spring running tips that will help to have you ready for whatever the season holds:

1. Hydration:

Stay Hydrated:
With warmer weather, it's crucial to stay hydrated before, during, and after your runs. This is especially true as your body adapts to the rising temperatures. 

Practice Hydration Strategies:
Experiment with how you carry water on longer runs, whether it's a water bottle, hydration pack, or using water stations. Think about stashing water along your route. This is a great option when you're running a loop and don't want to carry anything. 

2. Weather Awareness:

Check the Weather:
Spring weather can be unpredictable as this week's forecast shows us, so monitor the forecast and be prepared for potential changes.

Layering:
Opt for lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking fabrics that allow you to adjust to changing temperatures. Arm sleeves are always a great option for this time of year as well. 

Gear:
Have a rain jacket, gloves, and a mix of shorts and leggings on hand.

Visibility:
Consider a headlight, LED vest, or reflective vest for early morning or evening runs.

3. Training:

Start Slow: If you're new to running, gradually increase your mileage and intensity to avoid injury and burnout. Stick to the 10% rule that states weekly mileage should not be increased more than 10% each week. 

Build a Strong Base: Focus on consistent, easy runs to build endurance.

Incorporate Interval Training: Add interval training, hill sprints, and strength exercises to improve speed and power.

Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your body's signals and take rest days when needed.

Cross-Training: Incorporate cross-training activities like swimming or cycling to reduce the impact on your joints.

4. Foot Gear:

Proper Footwear: Invest in good running shoes that provide adequate cushioning, support, and traction for the terrain you'll be running on. If you'll be running in rain, consider purchasing a pair of Gore-Tex shoes. My personal favorites are the Clifton Gore-Tex. I wore these to pace the 2024 Bass Pro Marathon when the forecasted rain showed up right on time and came out with no blisters and big smile on my face. 

Assess Your Shoes: Check your shoes for wear and tear and replace them when necessary.
5. Other Tips:

Warm-up and Cool-down:
Never skip warm-ups and cool-downs to improve flexibility and blood flow, reducing the risk of strains and stiffness.

Set Goals:
Having a goal, like a race, can provide motivation and help you stay on track. Check out the Bass Pro Shops Fitness Series of Events. You’re sure to find a race that’s just right for you. 

Find a Training Partner:
Having a training partner can make running more enjoyable and help you stay accountable.

Embrace the Change:
Enjoy the longer daylight hours and the beauty of spring.

And there you have it friends. Spring running can be very unpredictable which can work to a runner's advantage by allowing them to experiment with ways to adapt to all conditions remembering that a successful runner needs to train in all conditions to be ready for all conditions. This is what's known as resilience. And the more of that a runner has, the more likely they are to reach the finish line. So, get prepared now to get out there and train with a smile on your face rain or shine. You'll be so glad you did! 

Happy Running!

Help to Share the Cure

“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—“ Romans 6:6 NIV

In a story published yesterday by pa media, It was reported that an avid runner will attempt to break the record for the fastest person to run the London Marathon dressed as a traffic cone. Michael Wiggins, 47, from Streatham, south-west London, will run his 18th London Marathon since 1999 and his first in a traffic cone costume as he attempts to break the Guinness World Record (GWR).Mr Wiggins, who works in advertising and post-production, wants to complete the run in three hours and 15 minutes to beat the previous record of three hours and 22 minutes, all while raising money for Prostate Cancer UK.He said he was “shocked” after three of his friends were diagnosed with prostate cancer and hopes his record attempt will encourage more men to talk about their health concerns… He is aiming to raise more than £1,000 for Prostate Cancer UK, a charity funding research into the disease which affects one in eight men, and hopes the money will help towards finding a cure.

Sadly, while prostate cancer will affect one in eight men, the disease of sin will affect one hundred percent of all men and women. Thankfully though, God provided a cure for the condition when He sent Jesus to became the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. Which means that “our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.” With the old self dead then, we are not only made free from the disease of sin, but we don’t battle the old self anymore. We simply reckon him as dead. And should live that way. 

So knowing that the cure to the deadly disease of sin is available to all those who choose to accept it, do your part in raising awareness my friend. After all, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”

Heavenly Father, thank You for providing a cure for the disease of sin that leads to spiritual death. Help us to be so thankful for this cure that we would be bold in sharing it with the world and compelling the lost to seek Jesus that that they might rid themselves of their old self and be made new. It’s in your precious name e pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Look at the Positives in Your Struggles

“Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;” Romans 5:3 BSB

To say Saturday’s ultra marathon was a challenging one would be an understatement. Having trained in the 30 and 40 degree seasonal morning Missouri weather, I was not prepared for the heat and humidity of Mooresville, Alabama’s Blue Heron Hundred. And although I was praising God for the cloud cover He so graciously provided, a good degree of humidity was still felt, along with high winds and several pop up showers that plagued the runners throughout the entirety of the event (32 hour cutoff). Which is the very reason I wasn’t the only runner who struggled that day. In fact, every distance runner will struggle at some point but not all distance runners will look at struggles in the same light—something that was evident when I crossed the finish after 30 hours of running and stepped up to receive my hard-fought-for belt buckle. “Well I’m glad that’s over with. I finally get to sit down now,” I said jokingly to the Race Director as she passed the reward off to me. “You act like that didn’t hurt at all,” she said as she smiled at my jest. Smiling back I said, “Oh it hurt alright! But if I want to inspire others to run, I’ve learned to look at and share the positives in all my struggles.”

And, you know, when it comes to looking at the positives in every struggle to inspire others to be more like Jesus, Paul said that, as believers, we are to “rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;” You see, struggles or suffering are to be welcomed and appreciated by every believer because of the persistence, determination, tenacity, steadfastness, endurance, and grit they bring about in us. These are character traits that are not only necessary for reaching the finish line of an enduring race, but are crucial to reaching the finish line of our spiritual race. And, unfortunately, these are character traits that are only gained through suffering. 

So, rejoice in your struggles today and every day my friend. Choose to thank God for the good they are producing in you and for walking with you through them. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that there are blessings in all our sufferings and that we never go through them alone. Lord, help us to rejoice when we experience suffering, knowing that it gives us the perseverance to hold firm in our faith and press on when the race gets hard and we feel like giving up. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Do Not Let Your Guard Down

“Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.” Mark 13:33 NIV

In a story published by the Daily Mail on Tuesday, it was reported that a runner suffered an embarrassing loss after she started celebrating her win too soon, ultimately costing her the first place title. Xiao Fen, 35, was in the lead as she approached the finish line at the Women's Half Marathon in Chongqing, southwest China on Saturday. With a victory seemingly right in front of her, Xiao raised her arms in the air in triumph and appeared to slow down, allowing her rival to zoom past at the last second. Gan Zhifang overtook the runner and sprinted towards victory, crossing the finish line to become the first-place winner of the race. Footage of the Xiao's embarrassing loss quickly went viral on Chinese social media, with the runner saying she was 'disappointed' in the outcome. Xiao said that despite placing second just a few fractions of a second behind Gan, she should not have let her guard down and 'opened the champagne' ahead of time.

Sadly, as this story shows, there can be grave consequences for relaxing your vigilance before you cross the finish line. But, spiritually speaking, the consequences of letting your guard down before crossing the final finish line are gravely eternal. Which is the very reason Jesus, after explaining what the world would be like before his final return, warned the disciples to “Be on guard!” And to “Be alert!” Jesus went to explain, “You do not know when that time will come.” Which meant the disciples were to be prepared at all times—not letting themselves be deceived by false teachers, not letting themselves fall into sin, and faithfully serving the Lord and preaching the Gospel so they would be ready for His return, no matter when it happened.

So, as you look around at our world today, it’s easy to see that the return of Jesus could happen at any moment my friend. So be on guard! Be alert! And keep on running the race until you hear that trumpet blow!

Heavenly Father, thank You for helping us to discern the times by your Word. Help us to understand that we must be ready at all times and that we must urge others to do the same. Help us to be found faithful, watchful, and busy upon your return. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

The Brain can be Retrained

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 NIV

In an interesting story titled “How marathons change runners’ brains: scans point to surprise energy source,” the following was reported: A fatty substance that insulates the electrical signals transmitted by nerve cells might also be a source of energy for the brain — especially when reserves are running low. This intriguing possibility has been raised by scans of long-distance runners’ brains, taken before and after they ran marathons. The scans suggest that levels of the insulating substance — called myelin — decreased in brain areas involved in motor control and sensory and emotional processing after these gruelling endeavours, only to bounce back to normal within two months…Mustapha Bouhrara, who studies brain imaging and ageing at the US National Institutes of Health in Baltimore, Maryland, said the reduction in myelin lasts for only a short time, so is not concerning. Furthermore, he went on to say that the process teaches the brain how to quickly repair myelin, and “could be very, very beneficial”.

Unfortunately marathons aren’t the only thing that can change a persons brain. Indulging in sinful behaviors can as well. In fact, science has shown that repeated sinful behaviors lead to changes in brain chemistry and reward circuitry—specifically changes in dopamine, oxytocin, and norepinephrine levels, which can reinforce these behaviors. Furthermore, repeating sinful behaviors can train the brain to expect and seek out those bad behaviors, making it harder to resist them and even harder to discern and follow “God’s will” for a person’s life. Which is the very reason the person caught up in those behaviors must first repent, turn back to God, and then retrain their brain—a process that begins by no longer conforming to the pattern of worldly thinking, but transforming the mind with a pattern of godly thinking that comes from reading God’s Word and then meditating on it day and night. This is very, very be beneficial as it sets a person free from the guilt and shame the sinful behaviors caused and keeps the person from returning to “ the pattern of this world.”

 

So, if you’re caught up in a pattern of sin that you don’t think you can break free from, think again my friend. God can not only set you free and restore you upon repentance but can renew your mind as well, giving you a fresh start on life… something that is very, very beneficial to you both now and for eternity. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for providing a way for us to be made righteous when we have strayed. Thank You for the restoration Jesus’ death provided for us and for the renewal of the mind that your Word provides us. Help us to seek your pleasing and perfect will at all times by staying in a right relationship with You and keeping our hearts and minds stayed on You. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - If Jellybean can do it You can too

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about motivation. That's something runners talk about all the time right? After all, we can't make it to the finish line if we aren't motivated to step up to the start line. And we won't step up to the start line without the motivation to train. And if motivation can be defined as the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way, then it goes without saying that having a valid reason to run one of the Bass Pro Fitness Series races would motivate a person to begin training... as if these spring temps weren’t enough to get a person out the door (but I digress). 

So what's a valid reason that you’ve  probably never heard of? How about because if Jellybean can do it, you can too? Who's Jellybean you might ask? Why she's the Sacramento region’s smallest ultramarathon runner as reported by The Sacramento Bee.  Jellybean is 6 years old, weighs 9 pounds and fuels on a veterinarian-approved diet of Chipotle Mexican Grill chicken and cheese. This sweet pup is also Fleet Feet Davis’ unofficial mascot and Davis resident Andrew Owens’ Chihuahua mix. Since Owens adopted Jellybean as a pandemic pup in 2020, she’s become a fixture at local races and an inspiration for human runners — once they get over their initial shock.

Her owner said, "She doesn’t look like the typical half-marathoner, let alone a marathon finisher. But as she sprints past runners or crosses the finish line, she challenges every stereotype and assumption. Jellybean reminds us that potential isn’t defined by appearances. It’s about heart, determination and the work we’re willing to put in.” How's that for motivation? I can't even imagine how many steps this dog gets in each day! And if Jellybean has the heart and determination to put in the work, what's holding you back? 

And now, here’s the rest of the story…

Owens was a semi-casual runner with a German Shepherd named Kodie when he first met Jellybean in the halls of Mather’s Bradshaw Animal Shelter. He had never owned a small dog, and didn’t see the two of them as a fit at first. But he slowly changed his mind and returned for her a few days later. Jellybean tore up the house those first few days, and planted her heels when Owens tried to take her for an initial run with Kodie. But she whined when Owens’ brother tried to take her back to the house, and given a second chance, she proved to be a happy runner. She and Owens kept adding more and more miles, eventually outpacing Kodie and building the stamina to run Fleet Feet Davis’ unofficial marathon course in December 2020. Her paw pads are remarkably soft for any dog, let alone such an active one, and she usually runs out in front of her human companion. As social distancing restrictions eased, Jellybean and Owens embedded themselves in the Sacramento-area running community. They became a regular sight at Fleet Feet Davis’ popular Tuesday night Run Crew, as well as more intensive marathon training courses. An Instagram page Owens set up on Jellybean’s behalf (@jellybean26.2) has attracted more than 1,000 followers. Runners and spectators can’t believe their eyes at races, and use Jellybean as motivation for their own endurance goals, Owens said. “It’s disbelief and then it’s awe, and then ‘you inspire me,’” Owens said. “Runners at races (say), ‘no way, he carried the dog, that dog’s not going to make it.’ And then people will come up after and say, ‘Did that dog do all of it?’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, she did every single step.’ And they’re like, ‘No way. If that dog can do it, I want to go from a 5K to a 10K, a 10K to a half, a half to a marathon.’”

Owner and dog have run six marathons together, the fastest being 3 hours and 47 minutes at the Garmin Kansas City Marathon in October (8:40 min/mile pace) and have completed three ultramarathons (distances over 26.2 miles). Through all this, Jellybean has accumulated a lot of running friends. Sarah Pitfield met Jellybean as a Fleet Feet running coach, her side hustle for 10 years until November. The Chihuahua mix with some dachshund and Sheltie thrown in doesn’t look like a super athlete, but her body is primed for distance running, Pitfield said. Jellybean has small legs, yes, but they don’t need to move very far for each stride. She’s “all muscle” in a way that human physiology can’t imitate, said Pitfield, a science teacher at Douglass Middle School in Woodland. Bigger dogs (and humans) put more impact on their joints each time they hit the pavement; Jellybean often doesn’t even have her mouth open at the end of a marathon, Owens said.

“A lot of people are like, ‘Oh man, that’s a little dog, there’s no way.’ And at the end, Jellybean has more energy than any of the humans,” Pitfield said. “It’s kind of like she’s skipping as she’s going. She never looks like she’s putting forth any effort. She just really loves it. “And if there’s a squirrel that she sees, you’re getting pulled behind her because she goes for it — it doesn’t matter what mile we’re on. She just has endless energy.” Every time Owens sucks down an energy gel, Jellybean gets a handful of Blue Buffalo Chicken Bits training treats to fuel her as well. She drinks only a few licks of water at a time but enjoys having some squirted on her in the summertime heat, Owens said. The Chipotle kids meals are add-ons to her usual kibble diet, and she’s been known to scarf down half a charcuterie board when allowed. Jellybean’s love of running has pushed Owens to go all-in on the sport, sometimes leaving his canine companion at home during rainy conditions or the deeper parts of 100-mile race training. Outside of those occasions, though, she’s upset if she doesn’t get to run as well, he said.

She’s shown her fans that size isn’t a barrier to speed. When Owens’ friend Peter Blando went looking to adopt a dog, he sought out an active companion that could keep up with him on runs. He ended up with a Chihuahua mix named Bacon.

And while she’s already accomplished more than most people (and dogs) will in their lifetime, Jellybean isn’t done yet. She and Owens are now working toward setting Guinness World Records for the fastest small dog to complete a half marathon and a full marathon. Is that awesome or what? 

And there you have it friends. We can sure learn a lot from our four legged friends. So if your motivation has been waning, I do hope you'll consider Jellybean's story. It's a tale (or a "tail" in this case) of what can be accomplished when motivation is combined with joy and the heart and determination to put in the work. And since size seems to be no barrier to speed, you might even consider adopting a small shelter dog that can accompany you on your training runs. The dog will get a home and you’ll get a faithful running buddy. Talk about a win/win! So in the spirit of Jellybean, put a smile on your face and get out there and get those legs moving. Happy Running!

Avoid Toxic Positivity

“For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT

In a story titled “How Toxic Positivity Aggravated One of My Worst Experiences” published by Runner’s World yesterday, the writer Donna Raskin said “Recently, I sucked. As soon as I started to run the 2024 New Balance 5th Avenue Mile in New York City, I lost my breath. I didn’t even make it through two blocks before I had to slow down, then watch the backs of other runners fade away. I spent so much time walking that I was reduced to nothing but my own worst thoughts: How embarrassed I was. How out of shape. How I have no friends, my life has no meaning, and my running is never going to improve. Did I spiral? Well, yes, of course I did! It took me 13 minutes to walk a mile. A few days later, looking for some running advice, I told a coach with whom I’m friendly about how badly I felt. In response to my sadness, she said, “But you did great!’” Why was this response from the coach so bad? Mike Gross, PsyD, a clinical and sports psychologist at Princeton University, and founder and director of TriState SportPsych explained it this way “The term is toxic positivity. Some people are uncomfortable with negative emotions, and so they invalidate your sadness or disappointment. Their response is disingenuous, and it comes at the expense of your well-being because we have to process our feelings in order to grow.” Thankfully, as Donna explained, Gross, who works with athletes at all levels, validated her feelings and then suggested that rather than making a decision about her racing future, she should begin to look at what is getting in the way between practice and performance—thus getting to the root of the problem and fixing it rather than pretending that everything is “great” for the sake of saying something positive. 

And you can be sure that toxic positivity isn’t only harmful to our physical health but to our spiritual health as well for many reasons. With the most important reason being that toxic positivity downplays the seriousness of sin and the seriousness of the consequences sin brings. You see, when you and I talk to a person caught up in sin and we say things like, “Oh that’s not so bad. I’ve seen people do worse” or “Don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s not like you murdered someone,” we don’t allow that person to experience the guilt and shame which leads to “the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience.” The deep anguish of heart that “leads us away from sin and results in salvation.” Toxic positivity then leads to “worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance” and  “results in spiritual death.”

So, while it’s true that staying positive is crucial to our overall health, it’s also true that being overly positive at the expense of ignoring the truth will destroy our health. Our perspective, although hopeful, must always be informed by the truth of the Bible and grounded in reality.

Heavenly Father, thank You for shining a light on a subject that even good Christians get wrong. Help us to be very discerning in this area and to be able to spot truth from a lie and to call out behaviors that lead to death, no matter how positively the world spins the behavior. Help us to love others so much that we will speak the truths that lead to life. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!