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!

There is Fullness of Joy

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 NKJV

In a story titled “Runners Rock the Parkway in Support of Children’s Mercy Kansas City” published Saturday, it was reported that:

More than six thousand runners hit the pavement Saturday to participate in the 17th annual Burns & McDonnell Rock the Parkway half-marathon and 5K. In partnership with KC Running Company, the race started and finished along Kansas City’s scenic Ward Parkway and benefits Children’s Mercy Kansas City, which provides healthcare, programs and resources to improve the lives of children and their families.

“It’s inspiring to see the Kansas City community come together each year in support of Children’s Mercy,” said Julee Koncak, vice president, community relations at Burns & McDonnell. “Every runner, volunteer and supporter helps strengthen the care Children’s Mercy provides to keep families strong and healthy.”

In 2025, participants raised nearly $38,000 to help bring hope and healing to children like Olivia Robinson, who has received care at Children’s Mercy since being diagnosed with a brain tumor at age three. After surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, she is now nearing two years in remission and recently overcame a rare inflammatory condition — all with remarkable resilience and joy.

And, you know, although we live in a fallen world full of disease and disappointment (hence the reason for races like this), every believer can experience a “fullness of joy” that’s not dependent on their circumstances. Why? Because the Lord has promised to lead us along “the path of life.” And while we know this path isn’t free from heartaches, hurts, and hurdles, so long as we are in His presence, joy will always abound.

You see, when David said, “In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore,” he was expressing trust in the knowledge that God was always with him—in the good times and in the bad, from his first breath until his final breath, and into eternity.

"For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob." Malachi 3:6

Furthermore, David understood that there was a difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is fleeting because it’s dependent on circumstances, but joy is constant because it’s dependent on the One who never changes. Amazing right?

So, knowing that the source of true and endless joy is found in God’s presence, do your part in inspiring others to seek Him my friend. They will surely thank you for doing so!

Heavenly Father, thank you for providing fullness of joy in every circumstance both now and into eternity. Lord, help us to grasp what a huge blessing this is that we might not keep it to ourselves but implore others to seek God for themselves. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

The Win is Making it to the Finish Line

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-7 NKJV

Year #2 as a pacer is in the books!

​The weather couldn't have been more perfect, but sometimes the body has its own plan. Calf cramps kicked in at mile 4, and my left foot decided to go completely numb on and off between miles 5 and 9.

​I had to listen to my body and walk a bit to manage the pain. While I finished around 2:17ish—missing that 2:10 pace target—it was still faster than my time last year! I’m counting that as a major win for the foot. I truly felt God’s presence picking me up and guiding me through every mile of that challenging course.

​Sometimes the "win" isn't the number on the clock, but the grit it takes to get to the finish line anyway. This course is super hilly and another one for the books. Come join me next year on April 10, 2027 for the Bridge and Dam.

Those were the words written by my dear friend Erika (pictured above holding the 2:10 pacer stick) yesterday, the day after pacing the annual Bridge and Dam Half Marathon at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Now, if you’re unfamiliar with the world of pacing, that 2:10 on the pacer stick meant that Erika’s job was to get the runners in her group from the start line to the finish line (13.1 miles later) right at or just under 2 hours and 10 minutes. As you can imagine, this meant that Erika would have to keep a consistent pace while encouraging the runners in her group to keep pressing on to the end—something that’s no easy task. As someone who’s run this course before, I’ll attest that it is indeed a challenging one. Running in the Ozarks always includes a multitude of hills. 

And while it’s true that Erika didn’t meet her “pace target,” what’s most important is that she pressed on through the pain, finished strong, and gave God the glory for giving her the “win.” You see, I have no doubt that Erika inspired and will continue to inspire others to trust God and press on when things don’t go as planned by the way she chose to keep the joy and trust God’s plan rather than her own. 

This, in fact, should be the attitude of every believer since God never promised us a life of ease. What He did promise, though, is that all who remain faithful to the end will receive “the crown of righteousness.” This crown isn’t given to a runner for ‘the number on the clock’ but for the fight, grit, and perseverance displayed by remaining faithful until the end. Is that awesome or what? 

This steadfast endurance was something Paul clearly understood when, nearing the end of his race, said “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

“Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.” 2 Corinthians 11:12-28

Paul was acknowledging that a life completely poured out in service to the Lord, as his was, would not be an easy one. Paul had faced many trials and troubles—including false imprisonments, floggings, beatings, stonings, shipwrecks, and a host of other perils—but he never backed down from the fight or slowed down in his spiritual race because he was racing toward the crown!

“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—“ 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

In fact, there were times in Paul’s life when the race got so hard that he felt as if he would be crushed by the weight of the pain, persecution, and perils he was experiencing…but he never despaired or lost hope. And because of Paul’s perseverance and steadfast devotion to God and fulfilling the mission God had given him, countless believers (including myself) have drawn strength from his grit and chosen to press on until the end.

So, this is the deal friends. It’s easy to praise God and run the race when the course is easy and the conditions are perfect. But that’s not what inspires those who are “struck down” to finish well and keep the faith. Our example in the face of opposition does! Which is the very reason, we must never quit and never give in to the temptation to say “Woe is me, this race is just too hard.”

But instead we must praise the Lord and press on knowing that “the win” isn’t in reaching our goal but in reaching the goal of finishing well and inspiring others to do the same.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that every believer has the power to influence their brothers and sisters in Christ to either give up or to keep pressing on. Help us to keep our eyes on that final finish line so that we would be, like Paul, an encouragement to those who are struggling to finish. Help us to always keep joy in our hearts and praise on our lips, so that we can one day like Paul say "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith." It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

There is Hope after Tragedy

“For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 103:11-14 NKJV

In a story titled “Drunk driver sentenced for killing Eugene marathon runner” published Wednesday, it was reported that a man found guilty in the death of a well-known Eugene educator and musician out for a morning run last spring has been sentenced to 75 months in prison.

Scott Stolarczyk was found guilty by a jury last week after a three-day trial of second-degree manslaughter and DUI for Sharon Shuman's death on the Amazon running path. Stolarczyk drove off the roadway and struck Shuman, who had been a professor at the University of Oregon, an accomplished violinist and a marathon runner.

Stolarczyk had claimed he blacked out during a coughing fit while driving. However, his blood alcohol level was more than twice the presumed legal limit at 0.19%.

In addition to more than six years in prison, he will be on post-prison supervision for 45 months after his release. He will lose his driver's license for life.

In an online video, Stolarcyzk shared a quick statement before the sentence was read:

"There are no words I can say to fully apologize for what I have done to Mrs. Schuman and her family and my friends and family. I take full responsibility for my actions and I hope to come out of this a better person."

And, you know, while this story is truly a tragedy, there is hope for Scott to “come out of this a better person” if he chooses to turn from his sin and to turn to God with reverent fear.

You see, God’s mercy is as high as the heavens are above the earth “toward those who fear Him.” This great mercy is the compassionate, unearned, and loving withholding of punishment that humanity deserves due to sin. It is a divine, active, and infinite lovingkindness that forgives mistakes, offers comfort, and restores relationships. Essentially, God’s mercy means not receiving the judgment we deserve. 

Now, while God’s mercy won't eliminate the consequences of a person’s sin in this world, it will eliminate the punishment they are deserving of in the next world. Pretty amazing right?  

And if that’s not enough to understand how good God is, consider that the sins of those who love, trust, and fear Him are removed entirely as far as the east is from the west. That means those who fear God can have their records wiped clean! 

What does this fear look like exactly? Well…this fear of the Lord is not the type of terror, dread, and panic that terrifies and immobilizes a person but a profound, reverent awe and deep respect for God's holiness, authority, and power. It's an attitude of love and obedience, that acknowledges the Lord's greatness and leads to a deep desire to please Him, to honor Him, and to depart from your wrongdoing. 

Furthermore, "as a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust." Do you get that? Not only does the Lord grant mercy and forgiveness to all those who fear Him, He acts with fatherly compassion to them as well. 

Why? Because God understands human frailty and grasps man's inherent weakness to sin. Because of that, God doesn't treat us solely according to our sins and failings but understands that we are prone to make messes of our lives (and the lives of others) when we go astray, and yet chooses to care for us anyway. 

I don't know about you, but the realization of how much God loves us reminds me that there is no one beyond redemption who chooses to turn from their wicked ways and turn to God in reverent fear. That means, no matter what a person might have done, there is hope after tragedy. There is hope in the One who extends abundant mercy and completely removes the transgressions from all who fear Him. 

So, if you're in need of hope after tragedy today, turn to the Lord and allow Him to change your life my friend. This forgiveness won't remove the consequences from your wrongdoing, but it will give you a new start and allow you to come out of your trial a better person who’s intent on serving God and obeying His commands. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing to love us the way that You do. We are all sinners gone astray and yet You, like a good Father, always welcome us back. Help the person who needs forgiveness and a new start turn to You today Lord, so they can experience your great love, kindness, and mercy. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Don’t Play the Comparison Game

“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.” Psalm 139:13-15 NKJV

In a story titled “When Can You Really Start Calling Yourself a Runner?” published by Runner’s World yesterday, writer and runner Aly Ellis said “This is how I confronted my imposter syndrome when it came to lacing up and hitting the road.”

Growing up, I played basketball, softball, and lacrosse, even dabbled in fencing, but always stayed away from running. Other kids were faster than me, so I left running to them. When I moved to New York in my early 30s, I discovered the joy of a 5K, and started to lace up regularly.

A decade later, I’m still at it. By now I’ve run nearly 100 races, including five marathons. I work as an editor at the world’s best running magazine, and I cohost The Amazing Runner’s World Show with Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate. Yet some days I still feel like a fraud.

As I look around my office, filled with runners who are faster than me, it’s hard not to compare myself with them. Some of my coworkers have been running since grade school. Some ran on college teams. Several have won races!

And then, there’s me. I’m a back-of-the-pack runner. Party-pace runner, whose normal cruising speed is around 13 minutes per mile. My goal is to get faster, but I doubt I’ll ever make it to a winner’s podium.

Yet nothing lights me up like talk­ing about this sport I love so much. After speaking on a panel at the New York City Marathon last year, a runner approached me, saying she felt nervous about the race. It was my second time running it, so I talked her through the course to calm her nerves.

Afterward, she messaged me to let me know she finished and had a great race. While I may not know everything about running the way some of my coworkers do, I’m learning it can be a good thing. I have a different perspective and connect to other party-pace runners and newbies who are just dipping their toes into running.

And, you know, while it can be hard to keep our minds from playing the comparison game, it’s important that we do. Why? Because comparison will not only steal our joy, it will steal our confidence and keep us from fulfilling our unique calling.

You see, the Bible tells us that God, Himself, formed our inward parts in our mothers womb, and “skillfully wrought” us “in the lowest parts of the earth.” This "skillfully wrought," as used in the Bible describes a process of intricate, artistic, and purposeful creation. The phrase implies being meticulously fashioned, woven (think DNA), or embroidered, typically referring to God’s deliberate and detailed formation of human life in the womb, as well as the skilled craftsmanship used in building the Tabernacle. Pretty neat, right?

This means we are not only precious to the Lord, but are one-of-a-kind marvelous works of art.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

As such, “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,” good works that are specific to the way we were “skillfully wrought” and our life experiences that stem from our divine craftsmanship. 

Think about it this way. Whether Aly knows it or not, her “different perspective” that allows her to “connect to other party-pace runners and newbies who are just dipping their toes into running” comes as a direct result from the way she was made.

Spiritually speaking, this means God makes us all different and gives us all different perspectives to reach a broad range of different people. If we were all fast, who would reach the middle of the pack runners? And if we were all middle of the pack runners, who would connect with the award winners or the back of the packers? See where I’m going with this?

God seeks to reach all people with the Gospel and will use all people—with their unique quirks, varied talents, different personalities and walks of life—to get it done. And for that, we should not only refrain from playing the comparison game but rejoice in the way that we are made— looking for unique opportunities to reach the people we are uniquely qualified and called to connect to.

So, be thankful that you’re not like anyone else my friend! Rejoice in your differences and in the One who made you one of His marvelous works!

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, created for purposes unique to the way we were designed. Rather than playing the comparison game that steals our joy, help us to rejoice in our uniqueness and to use it for Your glory to connect to the lost. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Get Away From the Noise

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog

Now let's get started by talking about excessive noise. If this is a subject you haven't thought about before, you're not alone. It was certainly one I never gave much thought to. That was until Monday when my husband's surgery took me away from running the peaceful, quiet, and solitary trails of my hometown to running the streets surrounding the Mizzou Orthopedic Institute in Columbia, MO.

After arriving early that morning to help get my husband checked in and prepped for a full knee replacement, I headed out for a few miles after they took him back for surgery to pray and quiet my anxious thoughts, knowing I'd have at least 90 minutes before I had to be back at the clinic.

But, let me tell you, the majority of that run was anything but peaceful. The area surrounding the surgery center (which includes a large college campus, a major sports stadium, a huge hospital and a network of other medical centers and related facilities) was exceedingly busy and the traffic was nonstop and noisy. No matter what road I turned down, I couldn't get away from the clamor, cacophony, and commotion all around me. "So much for a peaceful run," I found myself saying.

Thankfully that all changed near the end of my workout when I discovered a quaint trail that was lined with trees and the sounds of nature which, to my utter delight, blocked out most of the city clatter. To say that I experienced immediate joy and delight would be an understatement! The serenity and stillness of the gravel path brought instant relief from the nervousness and tension that had been building up within me, and the time in nature (albeit short) refreshed my spirit in a way that only nature can. 

Knowing how much just a small bit of noise pollution affected me, I decided to look into the connection between noise and health. And this is what I found according to Harvard Medical who concluded that noise pollution is more than just a nuisance... it's a health risk.

They went on to say:

For half a century, U.S. agencies such as the EPA have deemed noise pollution “a growing danger to the health and welfare of the Nation’s population.” The European Environmental Agency reports that noise ranks second only to air pollution as the environmental exposure most harmful to public health.

Yet, in sectors from government regulation to health care practice, the threats posed by noise remain “often underestimated,” according to the International Commission on Biological Effects of Noise.

Researchers and clinicians are trying to change this. They’ve shown that noise pollution not only drives hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypersensitivity to sound, but can cause or exacerbate cardiovascular disease; type 2 diabetes; sleep disturbances; stress; mental health and cognition problems, including memory impairment and attention deficits; childhood learning delays; and low birth weight. Scientists are investigating other possible links, including to dementia...

Estimates hold that chronic noise exposure contributes to 48,000 new cases of heart disease in Europe each year and disrupts the sleep of 6.5 million people...

Another branch of inquiry focuses on how vibrations from noise can cause impairments. Part of the answer lies in the stress-response system. Researchers have found that the more people are bothered by noise, the greater the health risks they face from it. Yet, even those who tune out noise pollution, whether when awake or asleep, experience autonomic stress reactions.

Ahmed Tawakol, an HMS associate professor of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Michael Osborne, an HMS instructor in medicine at Mass General, have used advanced PET scanning to show that transportation noise is associated with heightened activity of the amygdala relative to regulatory cortical regions. Amygdalar activity can trigger stress pathways, including inflammation, that can lead to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Participants with a higher ratio of amygdalar to cortical activity had more risk for adverse outcomes in follow-up. The link persisted even after accounting for other disease risk factors.

In the clinic, Tawakol and Osborne say that evidence supports strategic intervention rather than trying to squeeze questions about noise into each patient encounter.

“If a patient mentions noise as a cause of stress, especially if they have or are at risk of cardiovascular disease, I’d certainly recommend personal noise mitigation strategies and stress reduction techniques,” Osborne says.

I don't know about you, but I found that research extremely interesting! And it backs up what I already knew to be true. Trails and quiet time spent in nature are good for our minds, bodies, spirits and souls. So much so, that every runner should find a place where they can routinely go where the only noises that can be heard are the sounds of the birds singing, the rush of the wind blowing, the trickling of a stream, and the echoes of footsteps hitting the ground.

If you ask me, this is the ultimate personal noise mitigation strategy and stress reduction technique that anyone could ever have!

So, do your research and find a solitary spot to escape to regularly friends. Every walk and run with nature brings rewards and that means you'll be the better for each and every one you take. 
Happy Running!

Make God your Top Priority

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5 NKJV

In a story posted by Runner’s World last week, it was reported that Olympic medalist, Josh Kerr, will attempt to break the mile world record.

Josh Kerr has the world titles. Now, he’s ready to etch his name in the history books alongside one of the most storied world records in track and field: the mile.

On July 18 at the London Diamond League meeting, the Scotsman will chase 3:43.13 for the full mile. The world record mark was memorably set by Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco at the 1999 Golden Gala in Rome, Italy, with his Olympic rival Noah Ngeny of Kenya also running under the previous record in 3:43.40. El Guerrouj is also the world record holder in the 1500 meters, running 3:26.00 in 1998.

The historic records are almost as old as Kerr himself, who turns 29 later this year.

“It’s one of the most important track and field records of all time right now,” Kerr said to Runner’s World. “I’m not trying to do this quietly, because I think it deserves more respect than that. I’m at a point in my career where I have some great medals, I’m able to show up consistently when I need to, and I have amazing coaching staff and people around me that I think we can get pretty close if we’re not going to be getting it. It’s time to call my shot and try and create that moment for track and field…”

Ideally, he says, he will be able to roll into Commonwealth Games and European Championships after the London Diamond League in top condition but the record attempt itself is his top priority for the year.
And, if a priority can be defined as something given or meriting attention before competing alternatives, you and I would do well to remember that we are called to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, all our souls, and with all our strength. Which means God must have top priority over everything else in our lives, and we are never to entertain any “thing” that might compete with our attention.

You see, although it’s not bad to have goals and dreams, if we put them before God (like anything else that we put before God), they can quickly become idols and lead us astray.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 NKJV

This is the very reason Jesus said to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” Matthew 6:31-32

Now while Jesus spoke these words in regard to worry, the same principle applies over every area of our lives. When we make God the top priority in life—seeking to spend time with Him first, praying without ceasing, meditating on the Word, and living to please Him above all else—life has a tendency of falling into place, bringing peace, purpose, and divine provision. In addition, when we seek God first, we are reminded that we have no need to worry about the things the Father knows we need and is faithful to provide.

This certainly doesn’t mean that we won’t have our fair share of trials and troubles though, but it does mean that we can avoid the self-inflicted problems that come from following the world rather than the Way. The problems that come from seeking our will above His will, and from seeking career, family, fame, possessions,titles, records, and self-interest above a relationship with God.

So, if you want to live a life of true peace and divine purpose, make God your top priority my friend. Doing so will ensure that your other priorities in life will be in their rightful order and you will be able to ‘roll into’ every new day with a smile on your face. 
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that cultivating and keeping a close relationship with You must be our highest priority and will ensure the rest of priorities fall into the right order. Help us to see both the present and the eternal benefits of loving You with all our hearts, souls, and strength Lord that we would put in the work it takes to seek You above all. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!