When Things Don’t Go as You Hoped

“A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NKJV

In a story titled “70 ultramarathon runners evacuated after being stranded by heavy rain: Officials” published over the weekend, it was reported that 70 runners and volunteers participating in Utah's Moab 240 ultramarathon were evacuated from the rugged outdoor race course on Sunday after being stranded overnight by a heavy rainstorm that hit the area.

The San Juan County Sheriff's Office said on Sunday that it coordinated with race organizers to assist the stranded runners, who had been unable to safely leave the affected areas.

Destination Trail, which organizes and manages the race, said in an update on Sunday afternoon that buses were evacuating the final group of affected participants, who were stuck at an aid station near the Bridger Jack Mesa in the Bear Ears National Monument.

To understand why this was such a huge disappointment to the runners, consider that the entry fee alone was over $2,000 and that the runners who participated trained for months or even years to be there—some who would never get another chance to attempt such a monumental goal. And while the organizers were going to issue a refund for their entry fees, the runners would not be reimbursed for travel and training expenses, which you can be sure were at least as much as the entry fee. 

"We know this isn't how anyone hoped Moab 240 would go," Destination Trail said in a social media post to the stranded participants. "So many of you trained for months and traveled a long way to be here, and we're truly sorry the race ended this way. Sometimes the weather has other plans, and when it does, everyone’s safety has to come first."

And, you know, as this story illustrates, there will be times in every persons life when things won’t go as they had hoped or planned; no matter how meticulous the planning was.

These are the times when we, as believers, have two choices. We can either cry and complain over the uncontrollable change in our situation, thereby denying that God is sovereign over our steps, or we can look up and say, “Okay Lord, my plan didn’t go as I planned, so I will trust that your plan is better than mine.”

The latter response, which is the only fitting one for a Christian, not only acknowledges our understanding that “the Lord directs” our steps, but affirms our belief that His direction is always better than what our hearts planned.

You see, this verse reminds us that when our personal plans fail or unexpectedly shift, God could very well be at work steering those steps toward a higher purpose and a greater ultimate outcome.

“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

Which is the very reason we must trust God completely so we don’t miss that purpose, especially when we don't understand what He is doing or where He is leading us.

Furthermore, consider this… when we trust Him completely and yield fully when things don’t go as we hoped or planned, we can react to life’s changes in a way (with joy and anticipation) that’s so contrary to the world that people will take notice.

So, choose to view the disruptions of life as divine redirections my friend. And when things don’t go the way you hoped or planned, look up and say, “Lord, I trust You with all my heart. I willingly and joyfully surrender to your redirection. Lead me along the path You have laid out for me.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for being sovereign over our footsteps. Help us to trust You when our plans go awry and our dreams are dashed. Help us to follow the path You have for us rather than focusing on the one that was closed off, knowing that Your ways are higher ans better than ours. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Shared Suffering is Easier Suffering

“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” Acts 16:25

After completing countless solo training miles over the course of countless weeks in anticipation of an upcoming 100 mile race (happening this weekend) I signed up for, I was absolutely stoked when I saw that Fleet Feet Springfield was hosting a 20 mile run for those training for the Bass Pro Marathon (there was also a 10 mile option for those training for the Cohick Half) that I will be both running and pacing on November 1.

“Finally,” I told my husband (who is also training for an ultra this weekend and pacing the BP half), “we will have people to run with! I have been finding it super hard to keep my motivation up alone." 

And let me tell you what! The encouragement I received from fellow runners along the course led to my having the best run I have had in a long time. Lots of people were struggling, but struggling together made it so much easier and, in a strange way, made it much more enjoyable. 

But, you know, ask nearly any runner (especially those who run long distances) and they'll tell you that there's something about sharing the miles with others that makes the hard miles seem easier. The distance doesn't change. The hills don't get smaller. And the legs still get tired. But when we have someone beside us who understands what we're going through and why we choose to go through it, the suffering becomes easier to bear.

In this way, shared suffering makes for easier suffering.

And the same is true in our Christian walk.

To illustrate this point, we need only look at the story of Paul and Silas who were beaten severely before being locked in the inner prison (with their feet fastened in stocks) in Philippi for casting a demon out of a fortune-telling slave girl. 

Instead of despairing though, Paul and Silas (who no doubt mutually encouraged one another) began praying and singing hymns to God at midnight while the other prisoners listened. Suddenly, an earthquake shook the prison, opening the doors and loosening their chains. What followed was the conversion of the jailer and his household. Amazing, right?!

Their shared faith and steadfastness under extreme suffering provided a shared strength and a powerful witness to everyone around them. 

That's the power of collective suffering! It not only motivates individuals to keep going when the race gets hard but inspires those around them to continue running as well!

Think about that for a minute. Paul and Silas had every reason to complain. They were hurting. They were imprisoned. And they were uncertain of what would happen next. Yet, instead of focusing on their circumstances, they focused on God. And rather than allowing their suffering to steal their joy, they chose to worship together.

And people “were listening to them.”

So, in this race of life, be sure to surround yourself with other believers as often as you can my friend. It will not only serve to strengthen your resolve to press on when things get hard, but will strengthen theirs as well. This, in turn, will help you keep the joy in the midst of suffering that you might, like Paul and Silas, continue to worship God and influence those around you to do the same by your witness.

Heavenly Father, thank You for those people in our lives who will come alongside us and encourage us to embrace suffering as a means to grow our own faith and that of those around us. Lord, help us to be people who suffer well that we might choose to sing in the midst of our greatest pain; and in doing so cause those listening to seek the only One who can inspire this type of unusual behavior. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Be Thankful for the Sun and the Maker of it

“Truly the light is sweet, And it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun;” Ecclesiastes 11:7 NKJV

In a recent story titled “Runner aims to complete 50 marathons before losing her vision,” Penny Frey shared her journey of running a marathon in all 50 states while slowly losing her eyesight to a hereditary disease. With only four states remaining, Penny is determined to finish her goal while she can still see the beauty around her.

What struck me most about her story wasn't the number of marathons she’s completed, but her appreciation for something many of us take for granted: watching the sunrise.

In fact, this is what she said, “Every mile is a chance to savor the sunrise. I do, because I know someday I might not be able to see that.”

Penny knows there’s coming a day when she will no longer be able see the sun come up in all of its glory, so she makes a point to savor every opportunity she has to witness it. 

In Ecclesiastes 11:7, Solomon (considered the wisest man to have ever lived) reminded us that life is a gift from God and that we should find joy in the simple blessings He places before us, saying “Truly the light is sweet, And it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun.”

Think about that for a moment. When’s the last time you thanked God for the warmth of the sunshine and the beauty of a sunrise?

How about the time spent with loved ones, or even the ability to get out of bed each morning? These are blessings we often overlook because we assume they will always be there.

But they won't.

"whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." James 4:14 NKJV

James reminds us that our lives are like a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes. This means we aren't promised tomorrow, which makes today all the more precious.

I don’t know about you, but Penny’s story reminds me that I shouldn't wait until I’m about to lose something to appreciate it. None of us should.

Hence the reason you and I should wake up each and every morning recognizing that every breath, every sunrise, every opportunity to love and serve others, and every moment spent in God's presence is a gift. 

“From the rising of the sun to its going down, the LORD’s name is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3

So be thankful for the sun and the Maker of it today my friend. And then don’t forget to thank God for all of the blessings you can see, to trust Him with the all the things you can’t see, and to praise His holy Name for all of it. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the many ways you bless us. Help us to meditate on all those ways that we would not take any of them for granted. Lord, help us to start each and every one of our days with thanksgiving and praise and to end each and every one of our days with thanksgiving and praise. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 
Happy Running!

Move Beyond Guilt to Repentance

"For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death." 2 Corinthians 7:10 NKJV

In a disturbing story titled “An Influencer Posted a Berlin Marathon PR. Then She Was Caught Cutting the Course on a Bike,” it was reported that a Chinese fitness content creator known online as Abeeeer has apologized after she was photographed riding a bike late during this year’s Berlin Marathon on September 27. She initially celebrated her finish as a personal best.

The Independent reports that the Official Marathon Time Integrity Unit (OMTIU), an Instagram account that investigates questionable race performances online, flagged the images. According to OMTIU, Abeeeer—who has roughly 530,000 followers across social media—was pictured on the bicycle near the 38K mark. Her fastest 5K of the entire race came between 35K and 40K, the same stretch where she was reportedly seen getting a ride.

She later shared a finishing time of 4:53:46, which might have passed as a successful Berlin time to post about if the combined photos and split data hadn’t started telling a very different story.

On October 3, a few days after the race, Abeeeer acknowledged breaking the rules and said she wasn’t going to excuse it. “I will not make any defense for the above behavior,” she wrote. She also admitted that the deception continued after she got off the bike, calling the way she presented the race afterward “a very dishonest act” that “violated the sporting spirit of fair marathon competition.”

She also addressed the fact that she’d been “feeling unwell” on the course, saying that still didn’t justify what she did, and added that she felt “deeply guilty” about it.

And, you know, while feelings of guilt, spiritually speaking, indicate that a person knows they have done wrong (at least by the world’s standards), merely feeling guilty doesn’t change anything. Only true repentance does. 

You see, there’s a difference between feeling guilty and truly repenting. Guilt says, “I feel bad about what I did” or “I feel bad that I got caught.” Repentance says, “I have transgressed against God and I don’t want to keep living this way.” 

This is the reason Paul said, "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted;" and then added "but the sorrow of the world produces death."

In this passage, the Apostle Paul distinguished between two entirely different emotional and spiritual responses to wrongdoing. Godly sorrow is a profound, Holy Spirit-driven grief that arises when a person recognizes they have sinned against a holy God, moving them toward true repentance—a genuine turning away from sin and toward righteousness—which brings salvation and leaves absolutely no regret. 

On the other hand, worldly sorrow is a superficial, self-focused regret that centers on the negative consequences of sin, such as public embarrassment (in this case, the influencer was exposed), lost status, or fear of punishment, rather than a hatred for the sin itself. Because worldly sorrow lacks a desire for real heart change, it offers no lasting healing and instead produces bitterness, despair, and spiritual death. 

Paul shared this truth to encourage the church in Corinth, demonstrating that while his previous letter of rebuke might have caused them temporary pain, it was ultimately a blessing because it led to a healthy, life-giving restoration of their walk with God.

So, if you’ve sinned against the Lord today (and all sins are ultimately against God), move beyond merely feeling “deeply guilty” about it to truly repenting for it my friend. This is where true change takes place. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for forgiving us of our sins when we turn from them and turn to You. Convict our hearts when we transgress against You, Lord, that we might experience the godly sorrow that leads to repentance and forgiveness rather than merely guilt that produces death. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Practice Race Day Before Race Day

Hello Runner Friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about an upcoming event that you won't want to miss. Especially if you're planning on running the Bass Pro Marathon or Cohick Half Marathon in a few weeks. It's the Fleet Feet 20 Miler! Don't worry though, there's a 10 mile option for those running the half marathon.

And while the price of the run is only $10, the lessons you can learn by using this long run as a “dress rehearsal” for race day might just be priceless. 

The Long Run Dress Rehearsal: Practice Race Day Before Race Day

So, here's the deal... as race day gets closer for the Bass Pro Marathon and Cohick Half Marathon, one of the most important workouts on your training schedule is your longest training run. This run isn't just about covering miles, but is an opportunity to practice race day before race day. 

And especially if this is your first marathon or half marathon. Because, as someone who’s run countless marathons, there's a lot more to "practice" than simply running when it comes to making race day the best it can be. 

Don't Go It Alone

Long runs can be intimidating. That's one reason I encourage runners to complete their longest run with other runners whenever possible. Hence the reason the Fleet Feet run is such a great idea!

Running with others gives you accountability, encouragement, and someone to talk to when the miles get long. It can also teach you how to run around other people—something you'll definitely experience on race morning.

There's also something special about struggling through a long run together. Everyone will have good miles and difficult miles. You learn to encourage someone else when they're struggling, and you discover how much encouragement can help when you're the one having a tough day.

And did I mention that some of the pacers will be there? This is the time to ask questions as they are more than happy to help! After all, they take their job of getting you to the finish line very seriously. I know this because I'm one of the pacers (5:15 marathon)!!!

Moving on... 

Treat Your Long Run Like a Dress Rehearsal

One of the biggest pieces of advice I give runners is simple:

Nothing new on race day.

Your longest training run should be a dress rehearsal.

Wear the shoes you plan to race in. Wear the socks, shorts or tights, shirt, sports bra, hat, hydration belt, vest, or whatever else you expect to use.

This is when you discover that the socks you thought were comfortable cause a blister after mile 10. It's when you find out that your favorite shirt starts chafing after two hours or that your hydration belt bounces once it's fully loaded.

Those aren't failures. That's exactly what training is for.

Finding a problem during training gives you time to fix it before race morning. This is super important!

Practice Your Nutrition Too

Your stomach needs training just like your legs do.

If you plan to use gels, chews, sports drinks, electrolytes, or other fuel during the Bass Pro Marathon or Cohick Half Marathon, don't wait until race day to try them.

Use your long runs to determine what works, how much you need, and when you need it.

Practice drinking while you're running. Practice opening your fuel packages with sweaty hands. Pay attention to how your stomach responds. Learn how frequently you need calories and fluids.

For first-time marathoners and half marathoners, this can be one of the most overlooked parts of training. You can have perfectly trained legs, but if you don't have a fueling and hydration plan that your body tolerates, the later miles can become much harder than necessary.

Your long run is where you develop that plan.

Practice Your Race Morning

Go even further with your dress rehearsal.

Eat the breakfast you plan to eat on race morning. Get up around the time you'll need to get up. Drink what you expect to drink before the race. Wear your planned clothing and carry your planned gear.

Then run.

Afterward, take notes. What worked? What didn't? Were you hungry? Did you drink enough? Did anything rub? Were your shoes comfortable late in the run? Did your fueling sit well? Is there something you need to change?

Every answer makes you better prepared.

Build Confidence, Not Just Fitness

There is another huge benefit to completing that longest run: confidence.

If this is your first half marathon or marathon, there may still be a little voice asking, “Can I really do this?”  

Your longest training run helps answer that question.

When you finish it, you have proof that your training is working. You have practiced your gear, tested your nutrition, worked through tired legs, and learned that you can keep moving when the run gets difficult.

Make the Long Run Count

So when it's time for your longest run before the Bass Pro Marathon or Cohick Half Marathon, don't look at it as just another workout.

Gather some running friends. Put on your race-day gear. Pack your race-day nutrition. Practice your hydration. Test your breakfast. Run your planned pace.

Make mistakes now. Fix them now. Learn what works now.

Then, when you stand at the starting line, there will be fewer unknowns. You'll have already practiced the plan.

Race day shouldn't be the day you figure everything out. I can’t stress that enough!

Race day should be the day you put everything you've practiced into action.

And there you have it friends. Those are some solid reasons to show up at the start line of Saturday's Fleet Feet 20 mile/10 mile run. Not to mention that there will be food at the end! And runners love food almost as much as they love running, right? So, I hope to see you there! It's guaranteed fun for everyone!

Happy Running!

Let Jesus Set the Pace

"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." 1 Corinthians 1:11 NIV

In a story titled “Twin Cities Marathon pacers do the math, carry the flag and help runners reach their goals” posted yesterday, the writer said:

Thousands of runners hit the Twin Cities Marathon on Sunday chasing personal goals.

Some were trying for their fastest time. Others were running their first. And some were just trying to make it to the finish line.

But 30 runners winding the 26.2 miles from downtown Minneapolis to downtown St. Paul weren’t focused on setting their own records. They were there to help other runners reach their own goals, volunteering as part runner, part coach and part human metronome.

They’re called pacers, and they carefully keep track of each mile, making sure they’re running an even split. As the name implies, they help runners keep pace…

Before pacers can convince anyone else to keep going, they have to make sure they're going the right speed themselves.

That means a lot of math and regularly checking their paceband — a printed wristband with the mile splits they need to hit — against their actual time. Some pacers even note on their paceband changes in elevation and bathroom locations, which can prove helpful for runners.

Erin Manthey, a math professor from Apple Valley, said like most pacers, she constantly compares her pace with mile markers and her watch. If she gets too far ahead or falls behind, she makes tiny adjustments during the following mile.

And, you know, in the same way experienced runners serve as pacers to help less experienced or new runners make it to the finish line, it's the job of every believer to live in such a way to be able to say, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” and, in doing so, serve as spiritual pacers.

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

This was something Paul was confident in declaring because Paul had made it a daily practice to crucify his flesh and to "live by faith in the Son of God" whom, he was certain, loved him and gave himself for him.

"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:25

Because of this, Paul knew that he wasn't the one setting the pace. Jesus was. And Paul wanted to be so "in step with the Spirit" that he considered himself dead to his own desires and living only to please the Father--something that included being a spiritual pacer intent on leading as many people as he could along the path to the final finish line…

"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:8

Helping them to run in such a way that they would receive "the crown of righteousness" which the Lord would give to Paul "on that day" he successfully completed his race. But not only to Paul, "but also to all who have longed for his glorious appearing.”

So, check your pace consistently and check it often to ensure that you're in step with the Spirit my friend. This will allow you to make immediate adjustments when needed so that you will not only stay on pace with Jesus, but will be able to say, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” and lead others to the finish line. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the Bible that serves as our paceband. Help us to read it and to commit it to memory so we can check each of our steps against it and not only avoid going off course but helping others avoid it as well. Lord, help us to follow the example of Jesus (the ultimate Pacer) so close that we can say "Follow me as I follow Christ" and won't have to worry whether our example will disqualify those who look to us as pace setters. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Believers Should be Known for Giving Back

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1 NIV 

In a Facebook post titled, "SLAM GIVES BACK" posted Saturday afternoon by the Fort Leonard Wood Sweat Like A Mother group, Tessa Phillips said this about the photos she shared:

Some of our SLAM mamas spent this beautiful morning volunteering at the 10K turnaround mark for the Froghill 10K & Half Marathon!

And let me tell you, this was SO amazing! Even our kiddos got involved, handing out water, Gatorade, and snacks to all the runners and walkers! 

What a beautiful morning, an amazing community, and such a great cause!
We are so glad SLAM FLW could be a part of today and give back alongside so many amazing people!

This is what community is all about! 

And the best part? The amazing moms from SLAM weren't the only individuals that stepped up to help make the 13th Annual Frog Hill Half Marathon/10k/5k  (a race I have the blessing of directing) a success. We had countless volunteers from various age groups and walks of life "give back" by working water stations, helping at the finish line, directing traffic, serving food, providing medical care, passing out medals, and a million other things that go into a two-day event that hosted more than 200 runners. 

Even with the help of the volunteers, though, the event could not have happened without the many sponsors who "gave back" by donating money, food, hotel rooms, resources, and their time as well to our race. To say I was overwhelmed by the kindness of so many community members would be an understatement. 

But, this is the deal. By and large, almost everyone who "gave back" in one way or another is a follower of Jesus Christ. Which should come as no surprise since believers have a lot to be thankful for!

We have so much to be thankful for, in fact, that Paul said, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

And you can be sure that this "therefore" is important. 

You see, Paul is connecting what he is about to tell us to do (offer our bodies as a living sacrifice) with everything he has just explained about what God has already done for us. And believe me, God has done a lot for us!

In Romans 1–11, Paul explains the gospel: we are sinners who cannot save ourselves, but God, in His mercy, sent Jesus to do for us what we could never do on our own. We are saved by grace through faith, not by being good enough or doing enough good works. 

So when Paul says, “Therefore… in view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,” he is essentially saying, Because of everything God has done for you, this is how you should respond… surrendering all you have in service back to Him. 

One of the ways we become a living sacrifice, then, is giving our time, our energy, and our supplies to serve others—remembering that we don’t serve to earn God’s love; we serve because of the love and mercy Jesus has already given us. And we serve to inspire others to seek the One who inspires our service. 

So, be known for "giving back" by looking for opportunities to serve Jesus by serving your community my friend. You'll not only bless others but you, yourself, will be blessed by doing so. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that, in light of all that You have done for us, we are to offer up every part of ourselves--our time, our talents, and our treasures--in service to You by serving others. Compel us to look for ways to do this Lord that we might be known for giving back and, in this way, inspire the lost to seek You. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!