God is not Merely a Bystander

“The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” Deuteronomy 42:8 BSB

In an article titled, “Runner Falls Into Bayou Following Robbery” posted by Runner’s World Tuesday, the following was reported: On Friday, February 3, a woman was out for a run when she was robbed in downtown Houston, Texas. In an attempt to seek help, she ran down towards the Buffalo Bayou, a waterway that runs through the middle of the city, and fell in. A bystander saw the runner fall in and called for help. Soon, first responders arrived to the scene and threw her a flotation device to pull her out of the water. Officials told ABC 13 Houston that she wasn’t seriously inured and wasn’t far into the water. Unfortunately, there is no known description of the robber as of yet. Thankfully for the woman, this story ended well thanks to a ‘bystander’ who saw what happened and was willing to stop and help. 

Sadly though, as this world continues to slide further and further into moral decay, you can be sure that brazen crimes such as this will be on the rise. And while the thought of that may fill you with fear, let me remind you of something… our God is not merely a bystander. He goes before us, He is always with us, and He will never ever forsake you or me. And because of that, we can be encouraged to boldly take the Message of the Gospel to the streets, undeterred and unafraid of any opposition or consequences. 

So “do not be afraid or discouraged” my friend. Perilous times are ahead of us, of that you can be sure. But that shouldn’t cause us to fret or fear. The Good News needs to be preached so that those have fallen into sin can repent and be rescued before it’s too late. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that crime will only increase as the love of so many will continue to grow cold. Let that thought fill our hearts with a sense of urgency Lord knowing that the time of your return is imminent and there are people who need to hear the Gospel before it’s too late. It’s in your precious Name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

We are One in Christ

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28 NIV

In an article subtitled, “Casual runs at a moderate pace will boost your mood and help your heart” published by Runner’s World Monday, the author said: While many runners consider “jogging” to be less beneficial than running, the truth is that even less intense runs—those done at easy or moderate paces—are good for your physical and mental health. In fact, the benefits of jogging touch on everything from your heart to your headspace. The writer went on to explain the difference between walking, jogging, and running. Jogging probably means something different to you versus the person chasing miles next to you. But technically speaking, scientists measure activity intensity by determining how much oxygen a person needs to complete a task. For example, we breathe harder when we run than when we watch TV. This measurement is called a MET, which stands for metabolic equivalent for task. One MET equals what your body burns at rest. According to the American College of Exercise, walking at a moderate pace of 2.8 to 3.2 miles per hour on a level, firm surface is approximately 3.5 METs, while jogging is about 7 METs. In comparison, running an 8:30-minute mile pace uses 11 METs, which is why it’s harder than jogging at a low intensity.

And you know, when it comes to differences, the Bible tells us that “there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female” in the body of Christ. That means there are no lesser Christians in the family of God. And although we may look different, have different jobs, and come from different backgrounds, we “are all one in Christ Jesus” and of equal value in the Father’s eyes. As believers then, we are fully united with everyone else who is in Christ and should view one another accordingly. 

So knowing that we are one in Christ, let us work together as one, looking past our differences and looking to the One who is head over us all. We would surely make a greater impact for the Kingdom if we would. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that believers all across the world are united as one under Jesus Christ. Help us to treat one another as equals and to love one another as You have called us to love them Lord. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - There are Many Ways to Measure Success

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about getting better at running. After all, that's why we get out there day after day right?

But “getting better” begs the question... how do runners measure their success? Well… if you're an elite runner like Emily Sisson you measure the growth of your ability by breaking your own half marathon record. The 31-year-old ran 1:06:52 at the Houston Half Marathon on January 15 to become the first American woman under 1:07 in that distance. It was reported that her long-time training partner Molly Huddle finished as fifth overall and second American in 1:10:01, nine months after giving birth to her daughter, Josephine. Huddle, who had set a new American record with a 1:07:25 on the same course in 2018, cut three and a half minutes from her last half marathon outing this past fall.

So as you can see, Emily progressively became faster so could measure her success by her times. Molly, on the other hand, didn't run her best half marathon time but could measure her success by beating her last half marathon time while balancing a new baby and life. As someone who knows what it's like to have a newborn, Huddle's success could even be measured by the fact she had the energy to even put on her shoes much less put in the training it takes to run so well. 

See where I'm going with this? So while speed is an accurate indication that a runner is getting better, it isn't and should never be the only measure. Especially as we get older. In an article posted by SELF in 2021 Subha Lembach, a certified running coach in Columbus, Ohio said, “I often find that people identify too much with their pace. That can lead to bigger psychological challenges—and potentially tempt runners to quit altogether—when injury, age, or other factors slow them down. For longevity, it becomes really important for people to identify at least a couple of different ways that running gives them benefit, value, and identity beyond pace." I couldn't agree with her more.

That being said, check out these "12 Ways to Tell You’re Getting Better at Running That Aren’t All About Your Time" as reported by SELF. 

1. You’re more consistent with your training.

Running can bring tons of benefits—everything from making you feel happier and healthier to boosting your cardiorespiratory fitness—as SELF recently reported. But reaping all those rewards requires getting out there on a regular basis, Kaitlin Gregg Goodman, an elite runner and running coach in Boston, says.

If you’re running once a week or less, your body will feel like it’s nearly starting from scratch every single time, which can make your session feel a lot more challenging. On the flip side, with regular practice, your musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and neurological systems learn to absorb the impact of running—and make adaptations to get better at it.

Because consistency underlies so many of running’s effects, it’s a good idea to set regular runs as an early goal, Goodman explains. If you can swing three runs per week—even super-short ones—for three to four weeks, it’ll likely start to feel easier. “Running might not be a lot of fun for the first month. But if you can get over the hump and stick with it for a month, you see the change,” she says. (If three a week seems daunting to you, just remember it’s likely dose dependent, in that if you’ve been running once every couple weeks, increasing that to just once or twice a week would likely bring some regularity benefit.)

2. The motions feel more natural.

Megan Roche, M.D.,—an elite trail runner, researcher, and coach based in Boulder, Colorado—agrees that running form can feel awkward and uncomfortable when you’re first starting out, ramping up, or coming back after a break. Every step and leg swing can feel arduous, like you’re conscious of exactly what your body is doing.But once you lock into a groove, the connections between your brain and your muscles become more efficient and less effortful. “It’s almost like this feeling of floating,” Roche says. Bonus: If you’re able to run outdoors, getting to this point helps you take in and appreciate the scenery around you, another sign you’re making progress.

3. You’re able to handle longer distances.

Knowles first dabbled in running in 2012. She remembers struggling along a stretch of streetlights that lined the canal path in downtown Indianapolis. “I could not run the length of those lights—at some point I always had to stop, catch my breath, and walk a little bit,” she says. In 2016, she returned to the sport on a more consistent basis, and her cardiovascular system grew strong enough to carry her from the first streetlight to the last.

Lembach advises new runners to begin with a run/walk, and count it a win every time they decrease their walking interval and increase their running one. Once you’ve worked up to a consistent run, you can set a goal to go even farther.

Neely Spence Gracey, an elite runner and coach also based in Boulder, recommends designating one run per week as your long run. If your goal is to go longer, slowly increase the distance of that one weekly outing—say, from two miles to three miles or four to five, and eventually more, if you like. Your pace may not be changing, but powering through more miles is a clear sign your cardiorespiratory system is getting stronger.

4. You can run more, week by week.

Most runners also track their weekly mileage, Gracey notes. Because it’s a high-impact sport, adding too much, too soon can put you at risk of a running injury. But gradually building up is a sign your muscles, tendons, and joints are adapting to become stronger and more resilient.

Say you’ve run two days a week for a few weeks—try adding a third and see how your body responds, Lembach recommends. If you want, you can then work up to four or even five. Just aim not to increase your total weekly mileage by more than about 10% at a time—so that might mean making each day shorter at first.

One way to make sure you build up instead of burn out: Track your training. Digital logs on sites like Strava, Garmin Connect, or TrainingPeaks, can help you monitor your mileage, but it’s also important to note how your body feels. Gracey and Lembach both use the Believe Training Journal ($22, believeiam.com), which offers space to note goals, aches and pains, and also emotional states along with numbers like miles and times. Revisit your logs frequently and you’ll start to notice patterns in how you feel, how much your body can handle, and all the progress you’re making, Lembach advises.

5. You charge up hills.

If you live in a place with undulating terrain, consider it a built-in benchmark. “Often the first thing I see from athletes who are rapidly improving is ‘Oh, my gosh, I feel so much stronger on this uphill,” Roche says. Perhaps they once had to walk, but now can ascend without breaking stride.

Hills not only provide a supercharged boost to your cardiovascular system, they also fire up nearly every muscle in your core and lower body. The stronger you get, the easier it is to climb. “There’s something about running uphill that makes people feel powerful too; there’s some good energy tied into that,” Roche says.

If you live where it’s flat, see if you can seek out an incline—even a parking garage will do—and practice running short, fast efforts up it while walking or jogging down. If you can do more of these repeats without slowing down or taking a break, you’ll know you’re getting stronger, Knowles says.

6. Your heart rate is lower.

When you first start running, your heart has to work extra hard to keep oxygen-rich blood flowing to your working muscles. As your cardiovascular system becomes more efficient, each pint of blood can carry more oxygen, and your heart can push higher volumes of it with each pump.

Tracking your heart rate over time can help you see this happening, Goodman says. Your baseline will vary based on factors like your age and family history—but wherever you start from you’ll likely see your average decline even as you run the same pace. (A chest strap will usually give you more accurate readings than a wrist-based monitor, she notes, but either will probably allow you to spot trends.)

Lembach used this method when returning from a foot injury several years ago. “I wouldn't necessarily see improvements in my pace. But my heart rate would be about 10 to 20 beats lower than it had been a few weeks ago,” she says. “To me, that was another really good indicator.” Your resting heart rate—which you can measure when you get up first thing in the morning—might decrease too.

7. You can breathe more easily—and even chat while you stride.

Have you ever felt like you couldn’t even run a block, let alone a mile? When you’re first starting out, any distance can leave you huffing and puffing as your lungs struggle to pull in enough oxygen, Knowles says.

Training-induced changes in your muscles and cardiovascular system eventually raise your ventilatory threshold—the point during a workout where your breathing becomes labored. As a result, you can go farther and faster without becoming winded.

Eventually, you might be able to carry on a conversation with your running buddy, or on the phone if you’re running alone, Knowles points out. “Being able to tell stories and engage with people on the run is fun—and it’s a good sign of fitness,” Roche says.

8. You finish a run feeling strong.

Over time, you’ll likely find that not only can you run longer, you’ll feel better as you do it. Whereas you once thought you might pass out a quarter-mile before the end of a two-mile run, you might have enough left in the tank to speed up a bit at the end. This increased energy will come naturally as your body adapts to the sport, and to the distance and duration you’re covering.Plus, you can deliberately practice positive self-talk to further boost your stamina. When you feel yourself fading, try repeating an affirmation—you can also adopt one for your week or your whole training plan, Gracey suggests. Some of her favorites: “You can do this,” “Strong, smooth, smile,” and ”Trust the process.”

9. You’re less zonked immediately after a run, and less sore the next day.

The first time you take on a new distance, you might feel like you need a nap, or at least a healthy dose of Netflix time on the couch afterward. “You might find yourself super sore, or when you wake up the next day and you’re getting out of bed, you’re feeling pretty creaky,” Goodman says.

As your muscles and connective tissue grow stronger, they sustain less damage when you run and also repair more quickly from the stress and strain of running. So you’ll be able to handle the same amount of running—or even more—with fewer aches and pains.

Eventually, you might be able to knock out a long run in the morning, then get on to the rest of your day energized instead of exhausted, Roche says. (Also note: Fatigue can also serve as a good gauge of whether you’re striking the right balance in your running—if you’re always zonked after a run, you might be overdoing it or not allowing enough time for recovery between outings.)

10. It’s emotionally easier to do it again the next time.

The improvements in fitness and recovery you’ll experience when running regularly also influence your motivation. Sure, even experienced, elite runners sometimes have a hard time getting out the door—or have moments of doubt or frustration along the way.

But on the whole it’s a lot easier to lace up once you’ve gotten into a groove and made running a habit. “That confidence starts to build, the ability to know you’re going to get through whatever day is out there,” Roche says.

Ultimately, you’ll also develop what’s known as self-efficacy—a belief in yourself and your ability to succeed that transcends running. Lembach puts it this way: “I’m capable, I’m valuable, and I can accomplish things.” One great but surprising potential sign you’re improving as a runner is when that feeling starts to carry over into other areas of your life, from your work to your relationships, she says.

11. You make other changes on behalf of running.

And speaking of the rest of your life—once running becomes a habit, you might find yourself shifting the rest of your priorities. Lembach and her family—her husband and daughter—now prioritize nutrient-dense foods to fuel their regular running habit, for instance.

You might also find yourself going to bed earlier or investing in a foam roller or similar tools to enhance your recovery. And if you want to stay healthy as a runner in the long term, you’ll find ways to make strength training and mobility work—which might include yoga and Pilates—a regular part of your routine as well, Lembach says.

12. You’re motivated to aim bigger, while having fun along the way.

If you take a healthy approach to gaining speed, there’s nothing wrong with having goals linked to time—although they’re far from the only option. Whether they have to do with pace, distance, consistency, or otherwise, you’ll know you’re moving forward as a runner when you set goals, reach them, and then feel compelled to set new ones. (On the flip side, setting goals that are too extreme, such as running every day when you’re currently lacing up a couple times a month, or progressing straight from two-mile regular runs to five-milers, can make them way less sustainable for the long haul.)

“Not every day will be great, but you should choose goals that get you excited and have you enjoying the work,” Gracey says. “Set attainable goals at first, then check them off as you go. You’ll build the staircase that will take you to those bigger goals that seemed a dream at first, but after a little work, feel realistic.”

So there you have it friends. Getting better at running is about so much more than nailing those PR's. It's about making friends, living life to the fullest and having fun along the way. But however you measure your success, I do hope you'll remember that success isn't really measured by what you do for yourself or what you can accomplish but by what you do for others and what you can help them accomplish. Because believe me when I say this... people will never remember your finishing times but they will always remember a kind word you said along the way or the helping hand you extended on the racecourse. So smile big and remember that running is most certainly a gift but the people you share it with are the greatest gift.

HAPPY RUNNING!

Test the Experts

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1 ESV

In an article titled “Is Running in Shorts in the Winter Bad for Your Knees?” posted by Runner’s World last week, the writer said: While charging down the snow-dusted path in denial of the changing seasons, I can’t ignore the dull ache I feel in my knees every run. It started as a small bother and morphed into a full-blown, “But am I actually doing irreparable damage by running in shorts in this bone-chilling cold?” To find out if I should change my wardrobe (and add running with a five-inch inseam mid-winter to my growing list of poor life decisions), I spoke with two experts: Shane M. Davis, MD, and William C. Updegrove, PT, DPT. And this is some of what the experts had to say… Davis compared cold’s effects on tissues to the elasticity of a rubber band. Just as stretching a rubber band in the cold will cause it to snap, this lack of flexibility can lead to performance decrements or even potentially a slightly increased risk of injury if you’re not adequately warmed up and protected. And while the ‘experts’ went on to list a few more culprits that could be causing our knees to ache, the consensus was clear… warm muscles and tendons perform better, feel better, and are at a decreased risk of injury. Which means it’s a good idea to don pants or capris when the mercury plummets. 

And you know, when it comes to good ideas, the Bible is very clear that it’s not only a good idea but it’s imperative that Christians “not believe every spirit” but test them to see if they are truly from God. In other words, you and I are not to blindly accept all spiritual claims even if they come from the ‘experts’— or those professing to be true preachers of the Word who are really one of the “many false prophets” Jesus said we would encounter instead, men and women who profess to follow Christ but deny and distort the Truths laid out in Scripture. 

So don’t be shy about checking the source, content, and accuracy of any person’s teaching when it comes to the Gospel my friend. Many ungodly people will come and try to lead us astray with false doctrine—and will succeed if we don’t do our due diligence. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for warning us that false prophets would be on the rise as the Day of your return draws ever closer. Lord help us to guard our hearts and minds by being skeptical of every teaching that even remotely deviates from the Bible and give us the courage to warn others who might be duped and be led astray by lies. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Justice is Nowhere to be Found

“We all growl like bears, And moan sadly like doves; We look for justice, but there is none; For salvation, but it is far from us.” Isaiah 59:11 NKJV 

In a disturbing story titled, “Runner Attacked On Trail in Peoria, Arizona” posted by Runner’s World last week, the following was reported: A man from Phoenix, Arizona, was arrested on January 28 for sexually assaulting a woman who was on a run. According to reports, 27-year-old Steven Ryan Michael threw the woman to the ground after coming up behind her. She had been running on the Skunk Creek Trail near Peoria, Arizona. Police reported that the victim aggressively fought Michael, punching him and kicking him in the groin. She escaped and ran away. She didn’t have a phone, so her husband was able to call 911 when she arrived at her home. “I can’t even imagine going through what she already had to go through just to get him off of her but the fact that she escaped, it’s a miracle, and it’s a blessing that she was able to get away,” Mackenzie Ridgeway, a resident of Peoria, told Fox 10 Phoenix. “People like that shouldn’t be walking around and doing that. Justice needs to be served for people that are victimized like that. They should not be out here roaming around free.”

And you know, as the world drifts further and further from God, justice is becoming a rare commodity. Many sins have been redefined as virtues, righteousness has become offensive and justice is being twisted. And because of that, those who victimize others are roaming around free and justice isn’t being served in the way it should be. Much as it was in the days of Isaiah when the people growled like bears, moaned sadly like doves and looked for justice but found none. Thankfully though, a world praying for justice will finally see it when the Lord returns. 

So be on your guard as lawlessness continues to rise my friend. There are perilous times ahead and we must be prepared to aggressively fight and stand firm until the end. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Word that tells us exactly what to expect before your return. Lord as we see more and more of these things happening before our very eyes, please give us the strength and discernment to navigate the times, to keep our eyes on You and to stay faithful until the end. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Don’t Write Anyone Off

as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” Romans 3:10-12 ESV

In an article titled, “BATTLE OF THE CHAMPS: Aili claims 2nd Beargrease Marathon win, Anderson runner-up” published by Valley News Live, the following was reported: It was a battle of past champions in the final legs of the 2023 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. Keith Aili of Ray, Minnesota, and Ryan Anderson of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, were both fighting for first place. In the end, Aili crossed the Grand Portage finish line first on Tuesday afternoon, finishing just before 3 P.M. After he crossed the finish line, Aili said his approach to this race differed from others. Running with a younger and less experienced team, he had to go slow at the start of the race and then really kick it into high gear toward the end. “A lot of people had written me off whatever place I was in, fourth or fifth. A lot of people said, ‘oh, he’s not even in the race,’ so to prove them wrong was fun to do,” said Aili.

And you know when it comes to ‘writing someone off’ or, as defined, deciding that someone or something is not suitable or good enough to be successful, the Bible is clear that there is not one person who is righteous or good enough to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Which means we should all be ‘written off.’ Thankfully though, the Bible tells us that when we placed our trust in God, we were made righteous by the precious blood of Jesus Christ who died on the cross to take away the penalty we deserved.

So knowing the secret to successfully obtaining eternal life lies with the acceptance of Jesus Christ, let us remember that no one should be ‘written off’ as not good enough to come to the Cross my friend. Jesus bids all to call on his Name and be saved… a message that we MUST share with the world. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we should never write anyone off as unredeemable. Help us to see others as You do and to love them like You do so that we would have an urgency to share the Message of Salvation to the world, beginning in our own neighborhoods. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Godly Sorrow Leads us Away from Sin

“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 an article titled “Regret a Running Gear Purchase? We Can Help You Find the Right Fit.” published by Runner’s World yesterday, the following was said: Not every piece of gear works for everyone, but we’re here to help find the best fit for you. Earlier this month, Reddit user agreeingstorm9 posed a question on the r/running subreddit: “What running purchase do you regret the most? Or think is a giant waste of money?” More than 300 comments stand as proof that there are many—as are the reasons why a piece of gear may not work out. Maybe you put too much stock in your running group's hype about a trendy pair of joggers, or perhaps you relied too heavily on Amazon reviews only to end up with a product that wears out after a few uses.Our experienced test team actually tries everything it recommends, from sneakers and socks to percussion massagers and treadmills. We make sure to only recommend the products we've loved—a.k.a. products that are high quality, durable, and as functional as possible—for our gift guides and shopping roundups to help prevent regretful purchases.

And you know, when it comes to feeling sad, downcast, or disappointed over something we’ve done, the Bible tells us that there’s no regret for the kind of sorrow that “leads us away from sin and results in salvation.” That’s because the kind of deep inner sorrow that causes us to mourn over and turn from our wrongdoings (recognizing how hurtful they are to God, to us, to our families, and to the church) is the type of sorrow that brings us to repentance and thus restores our relationship with Christ. “But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death” because it’s the type of sorrow that’s only on the surface. It leads a person to feel bad only because of the consequences their sin brings but inspires no need to turn from them. 

So knowing how sin separates us from God, let us pray that the Lord would cause our hearts to sincerely grieve over anything we have done or said that is offensive to Him. This is “the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience” because it results in our salvation… something we will never regret. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that the way we deal with sorrow over our sin leads to either life or death. Cause us to regret our sins so much that we would turn from them and be reconciled to You so that we would have eternal life. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!