A second chance

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace” Ephesians 1:7 NIV

“Redemption: Minnesota marathon runner who collapsed in 2019 race crosses the finish line in 2020” was the headline published Wednesday by KSTP Eyewitness News. And the story made headlines because it was about a man, Tyler Moon, who was given a second chance at life and came back to not only finish the 10-mile race he started in 2019 but to go even further and complete the full 26.2 mile marathon (virtually of course). You see, in 2019 while running the Twin Cities 10-mile race, Moon went into cardiac arrest and was later told that his heart may have stopped for 15 minutes. His doctors weren't entirely sure why his heart stopped, but he received a stent and they cleared him to run again. And Tyler wasted no time to begin training, later saying, "I just got the calling from God to just go and do this… to share the story and to show people and encourage people."

And you know, when it comes to getting a second chance at life, do you realize that every believer received a second chance when Jesus died on the cross? It's true! The Bible tells us that "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sin, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." That means, while we were dead in our sins, Jesus gave his life as a sacrifice to redeem us from death. He paid a price we couldn't pay for sins He didn't commit and, by doing so, conquered death once and for all so that every person who places their trust in Him would have eternal life. Wow! How's that for being given a second chance? 

So in consideration of all that Jesus has done for us, let us waste no time in sharing our stories! After all, telling others what Christ has done for us has the power to draw others to the foot of the Cross... the very place where they too can be born again and receive eternal life. So won't you tell somebody about Jesus today?

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending your one and only Son to die on the cross for us that we might receive eternal life by putting our faith and trust in Him. Lord, help us to be bolder than we ever have in going out into the world to share what Christ has done in our lives, how He has changed us, that others might seek the know the God of second chances as well. 

Happy Running!!!

Tell Somebody 

Make sure you are ready

"And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut." Matthew 25:10 ESV

As I began my run early yesterday morning, I couldn't help but notice that the morning was darker than usual. There was not even a hint of light from the moon or stars; something that wasn't a problem until my headlamp began to grow dim very quickly after setting out. "Oh no!" I said silently. "You haven’t changed the batteries since last year! It's no wonder they’re running out of power." Knowing I had to do something quickly, I made my way to the brightly lit Dollar General parking lot (right before the light went out completely) where I ran in circles waiting for the sun to come up. "Melissa," I chastened myself as I went around and around. "What you did was foolish! You've got to be ready!" And do you know what made the situation even worse for me? The realization that I had the money in my running vest to buy what I needed but the store didn't open until eight.  

And you know, when it comes to being ready, Jesus clearly laid out the consequences of not being ready for His return when He gave us the Parable of the Ten Virgins. In the parable, Jesus explained that there were ten virgins waiting to join the wedding procession, hoping to take part in the wedding banquet. But when the groom didn't come at a time they expected, five of them who were foolish and unprepared ran out of lamp oil. And by the time the five went out and bought extra oil, it was too late. "Those who were ready," the wise ones who had extra oil, had already gone in with him to join the marriage feast "and the door was shut." 

So let me ask you this... if Jesus returned at this very moment, would He find you ready? If He returned next week, would He find you prepared? I sure hope so my friend. Because when the door is shut, it will be shut forever... never to be opened again. So get ready and stay ready. Jesus is coming and soon we'll be going home... if we’re ready. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we must be ready at all times for the return of Jesus. And since we don't know the day or time that will be, fill us with an urgency to be prepared at all times as we anxiously wait for the Son to return in the same way we anxiously wait for the sun to rise each day. As the days get darker Lord, help us to shine bright that others might be drawn to us and the message of Salvation we are commanded to deliver. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!! 

People get ready - Avalon

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION- Training is overrated

Hello runner friends! 

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series 

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog. Now let's get started by talking about something that may be on many runners' minds as we approach Marathon weekend. Did I train well enough to finish? 

So listen up... if you're having this thought, you're not alone. Every runner will wonder this at one time or another before stepping up to the start line. But if you trained well and are confident that you will complete your 13.1 or 26.2 miles, then you can skip the rest of this blog. However, if you're like the majority of runners, you'll want to keep reading on because this will give you hope. Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of running the Marine Corps Marathon virtual with a group of my military and civilian friends that wanted to get the awesome bling the MCM gives out each year and also to honor our Marines for their service to this awesome country. But guess what? Most of the runners hadn't trained at all! And those that did said their training wasn't good. But guess what else? All but one runner finished! Pretty good odds huh?

And while I won't say that the race didn't get "ugly" at times for many of those runners and that many of them were not left unable to walk or sit without noticeable pain or difficulty for days, they all finished and are sharing some tips to help you finish too. So if that's your goal, there's hope! But before I share a few of their stories, let me make a disclaimer... as a certified running coach, I do NOT advocate attempting a half or full marathon without proper training. But hey, it's 2020 and I'm not your coach, your conscience or your mom. So here goes...

Lorenzo on left

In 2017 I ran my first Marine Corps Marathon on less than 24 hours notice. I’ve always been a big believer in the body can do more than the mind thinks. I’ve proven it to myself over and over. In 2018, I completed the first ever Marine Corps marathon 50k and this year completed the first Marine Corps Marathon Virtual. I swore last year I was done with long distance and then the Marine Corps threw a curve ball and made this MCM even more special by adding volcanic ash from Iwo Jima. Being a Marine, I of course had to complete it. So I signed up, made a Facebook post and next thing I knew 17 friends were running it with me. So I made a route and off we went. To those who believe they need to run a lot of miles to “be ready” for a marathon, I am proof you just need to be physically active. Your mind is a powerful thing and your body is just as strong. Noakes says that the brain holds us back from pushing past a certain point. “There’s a control mechanism to make sure that you reach the finish line not in a completely, utterly wilted state,” he claims. “You always have a little reserve.” Or as some would interpret this, you can always push a little harder. (Mind Over Matter, No, really, it works! BY MACKENZIE LOBBY SEP 24, 2009) I couldn't agree more! If you can just push past those mental blocks you’d be amazed at what you can accomplish! - Lorenzo Valdivia

#teamnottraining because we talked about doing the marathon when they released info on the medal all those months ago and life got busy... so we went with the "you can walk 8 hours if you need to" mentality. I was a daily runner up until about five years ago. It started to hurt my body and yesterday solidified that it's not an activity I would go back to... but I did it! - Bri Sides with her husband Thomas

Being in the Army, everybody thinks you have to run miles on top of miles on top of miles to make you a better runner. My fitness journey started in the CrossFit realm where they believe you don't have to just run to be a better runner. So one day a few years ago, I ran 13.1 miles on my own just to say I did it and prove you don't have to run all the miles just to get out and run some miles. Now I did the Marine Corps Marathon virtual with no specific training and next month I'm doing a 25k trail run at Dogwood Canyon just to continue to prove the point. If you like to run, by all means, run your heart out. But if you don't like running, like me, just know you don't have to run all the miles to get better at running!!! - Craig Horstman

Betheny 2nd from left showing off the matching tattoos several of the runners got

I trained minimally for this race as my heart wasn't in the training this year due to all the things going on in our world. But I had done 6 marathons before this plus many other race distances so I knew my body was capable. Plus, I knew that by doing this with friends I would get it done no matter how long it might take. I also knew it would probably hurt more than if I spent more time training but that it would still be a fun, memorable experience and another great accomplishment. And when I hit a mental wall or started to get tired, I tried to focus on the positives or how capable my body was. I used other people's motivation to keep me going and just power through. Races are always more about just enjoying my surroundings and the excitement, ideally with friends or good company... not about a PR. - Betheny Johnson

I didn't have any formal training this time around, I just did something everyday. So definitely minimal training and more "junk miles" as a way to relieve stress and spend time with Jesus. And other than getting in a long run every weekend. I did a lot of what you did (meaning me and my taking the time to just enjoy the miles with friends): I just slowed down my runs and didn't stress over my pace. - Susie Montoya (who ran it in MD at the same time we ran here because she was inspired by what we were doing)

Stephanie is on the right

So for me it wasn’t about what interferes with my training. It’s about not necessarily getting the miles that everyone recommends under my feet. Regardless of the miles I did or didn’t do, I still was moving weight and training my body which I believe is a HUGE factor in the ability to finish the marathon. Marathons, while physical, are incredibly mental. You hit a point where the joints hurt and you have to turn your brain off. That’s how it was for me. I had to turn my brain off and just continue to move my body. I’m SO grateful for Jenni who stayed with me the whole way. She is the true hero but this was a mental win for me. I was able to do something that genuinely pushed me far beyond that comfort zone. I didn’t put the miles under my feet but I train my body under stress 5-6 days a week and that pays HUGE dividends in the ability to finish a race of this caliber. - Stephanie Valdivia

Michael is second from left

This past weekend I ran in the Marine Corps Marathon Virtual edition. Why would I do this? Easy... one word... FRIENDSHIP. I am part of Team RWB and a few years ago I met a couple other leaders at a training and we have been friends ever since. When the virtual option came up, one of them said “Hey I got a great idea....” Yep you know the story.... A few of us signed up and I had plenty of time to be ready. I am not the fastest but I do have a pretty decent marathon time and I run a lot so a marathon isn’t really that big of an issue so what the heck. I forgot to ask myself “what could go wrong?” but I found out. At the beginning of October I started having Achilles tendinitis issues and it sidelined me for about a month before the run--so you can basically say I wasn't trained for this. But I couldn't let my friends down so I rested and figured I could power through. Race day came and not only did my friends decide that we all would go though this together, Lorenzo actually talked 15 more friends into doing this. He is a very dangerous person!! To be around so many other veterans or veteran supporters plus going through this mental and physical event felt great. I would recommend you do a nice long run that pushes you as well. I don‘t necessarily recommend doing it untrained or undertrained, but if you do take your friends with you!!

And last but not least, I leave you with what runner Bill Hardwick had to say to Lorenzo Valdivia the day after he ran the MCM2020 virtual with absolutely no training when asked, "How are you feeling?" 

"Fine. Totally fine. Only hurts if I stand up or am sitting down or if I'm moving or if I'm holding still." 

So there you have it friends... if you are stepping up to the start line of the Bass Pro Marathon or Half Sunday and are untrained or undertrained, there is hope that you can still reach the finish line! It may not be pretty and it certainly won't be easy but you can bet it will be worth it when you claim your medal at the end. Heck, you might even want to celebrate your accomplishment by getting matching tattoos with your friends. 

Happy Running!!!

Never turn your back on the enemy

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." Ephesians 6:10-11 NIV

In a video that went viral earlier this month, Kyle Burgess came face to face with every runner's worst nightmare... an apex predator. It all started when Kyle went out for an easy 10 mile trail run in Utah's Slate Canyon and stopped to take a video of what he thought were baby bobcats. But as he moved closer, he realized he was in big trouble. He had stumbled upon mountain lion cubs and the mama was not happy. For the next six minutes the angry cat continued to charge at Kyle while he walked backwards slowly and continued to film. Speaking later about the incident, Justine Smith, an assistant professor of wildlife, fish, and conservation biology at the University of California, said it's never wise to approach wildlife but if a person ever did encounter a situation like Burgess’s, the best defense would be to back away slowly, make yourself look big, be loud without sounding distressed, speak in a lower-toned voice and, most importantly, never run or turn your back to the animal. And those actions are exactly what saved Kyle's life.

And you know, while our chances of being attacked by a mountain lion are very slim, our chances of being attacked by the devil are very high. In fact, it's not even a matter of if you and I will be attacked but when. And when that happens,  we would do well to stand our ground and resist the urge to run or to turn our backs on the enemy just as Kyle did. You see, the Bible gives us everything we need to not only face our adversary but to defeat him. But guess what? We can't fight our enemy if we are running from him! Which means we must "put on the full armor of God" and then take our "stand against the devil's schemes.”

So if you're going through a battle today, resist the urge to run from it my friend. Stand up and face the enemy knowing that you, through Christ, are most definitely bigger, louder and stronger than anything the devil can throw your way. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us to stand firm in the midst of any attack. Help us to understand that the reason we don't have any armor on our back is because we were meant to face the enemy not run away from him. No matter what we might be facing today Lord, remind us that through You we are victorious. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Marching on - Rend Collective

Slow down a little bit

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV

Last Saturday morning, a group of my Team RWB friends and some of their friends from out of town set out to run the Marine Corps Marathon virtual. My plan was to show up, cheer them on, complete ten quick miles and then go home. But as it turned out, that didn’t happen. Why? Because as I listened to them laughing and talking behind me, I had this thought, “Why are you rushing through life again Melissa? You're always rushing! Have the events of 2020 not taught you that each day is precious and unpredictable? What is so important that you can’t just slow down and enjoy today?” At this realization, I stopped, smiled and turned around and ran back to join them. “I think I’m gonna hang with you guys for a little bit,” I said. And that “little bit” turned into the full 26.2 miles and the funnest marathon I have ever completed in my life.

And you know, life is short whether we live to be 8 or 80; it goes by quickly and we only get one go-around. And while the Bible tells us "that there is a time for everything," we rarely take the time to enjoy the “everything.” In this fast paced world, it seems the majority of people are always rushing here or there to get things done. And while every one of us will have our seasons when it seems there's so much to do and so little time (like when raising our families, going to school, or starting our careers), we would do well to take the time to enjoy the people around us and the things we fill our life with, being especially grateful for each and every day the Lord gives us. 

So slow down a "little bit" today my friend. Live in the moment and be thankful for the time you have right now. After all, there is a time and a season for everything and you can be sure this time and season will soon pass like all the ones before and you don’t want to regret the way you spent it. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for prompting me to slow down Saturday. I not only have memories that I will cherish forever but a renewed attitude and perspective about life. Help us all to live in the moment Lord so that we would appreciate the time we have right now rather than rushing to meet tomorrow's needs and worries. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Keep me in the moment - Jeremy Camp

Discern your steps

"A naive person believes everything, but the shrewd person discerns his steps." Proverbs 14:15 NET

Like thousands of other runners around the world who have had their marathons canceled due to COVID this year, Jodey Hopcroft, 38, set out at 4:45 a.m. on October 4 to complete the virtual London Marathon. She had already run the London Marathon four times, but chose to walk it this time as she had not trained. And while walking 26.2 miles would definitely take a long time, it took Jodey 15 hours! Get this though, she actually completed 49 miles; but because of a bad GPS signal, the app that was tracking her run didn't properly record her mileage. So rather than going down as a DNF (Did Not Finish), Jodey stuck it out and later said, “Once I had started I could not stop. Everything would have been void and I would not have been registered as finishing. I had to keep going until the app registered I had done 26.2 miles. The app did recommend people used a secondary device, but I only downloaded it a few days before and I didn’t have anything else to take with me, so I was a bit naive." 

And you know, while being naive can be defined as a person who lacks experience (in this case to know that apps don't always work as they should) and expects things to be easy, it can also be defined as someone who expects people to be honest or kind. The Bible goes on to define a naive person as a “person believes everything," but then tells us that the "shrewd person, discerns his steps." Which means, as Christians, you and I can NOT be naive. We can’t expect things to be easy nor can we believe everything we read or hear or trust everyone who claims to speak truth (that includes pastors, friends, family, teachers and politicians). Instead we must use the knowledge obtained through Scripture (that means we must read and study it) to recognize, judge and understand what's truly right and wrong for ourselves. 

So in a world where everyone seems to have an opinion on what is right and wrong, be very discerning my friend... very discerning. Weigh everything you hear against the absolute truths found only in the Bible because it's only then that your steps will lead you in the right direction. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the timely reminder that being naive is something a Christian cannot be. Help us to understand the importance of knowing the Word that we might not be led astray by false teachers, false doctrine or anything or anybody that would cause us to compromise or go against the Truth. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Your Words - Third Day

Look at me Coach

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’” Matthew 25:23 BSB

Working at our local health department as the Wellness Coordinator is, I believe, the best job in the entire world. I mean I literally get paid to do the things I love and would do for free. And one of the best things I get to do is to teach our A.C.T.I.V.E. Kids running program to the elementary students in several of our county schools. I absolutely love these little ones! So you can imagine how happy I was to be back with some of them this week after being out for a while due to COVID restrictions. And I could tell they were just as happy to see me by their big smiles, constant air hugs and numerous elbow bumps. Their exuberant attitude even spilled over as we begin their 20 minute workout. “Look at me Coach Mimi! Look at me Coach!” they all seemed to yell at one time. I felt I was constantly turning around to watch one of them go through the agility ladder, around the cones or through their sprints as each child beckoned me to watch. And to each one I yelled “Good job!” as I clapped like the proud coach I was. Later I said to the group, "I am so proud of you guys. You really worked hard while I was gone! Now reach around and pat yourselves on the back." 

And you know, watching these precious children led me to ponder something— if God is my Coach, and He is, am I running life’s race in such a way that I could invite Him to look at me (and by that I mean my life) as these kids invited me to look at them, confident that I would hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant?" Well thankfully what I can say is this, “Look at me Coach. I know I fail You and fall short of perfection but I am striving to live my life for You. Look at me Coach. I love You. I know I am a sinner but I am making every effort to take all You have given me and use it for Your glory. Look at me Coach. By Your strength, I am striving to love others as You love them and am giving an all-out effort to stay faithful to the end." 

So how about you my friend, are you running life's race in a way that will please your Coach?  If you aren't, it's not too late to get back on track. Simply say, "Lord, I need You. Forgive me for going astray. From this day forward, I vow to run the race as You lead and guide me to. I want to please You above all else." 

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us in spite of our imperfections and constant failings. Help us to live our lives with the intent of crossing the final finish line only to bow down at the feet of our Coach and Savior to hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Well done - Moriah Peters

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Embrace the craziness

Hello runner friends! 

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series 

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog. Now let's get started by talking about something all runners know... we are crazy! 

But strangely enough, we get even crazier the moment we even start thinking about completing a marathon. Have you ever noticed that? Which is why running a marathon or half (especially the Bass Pro Marathon) with friends should be on your bucket list for 2020. After all, 2020 is the year for craziness right?

But before you decide you want to be identified as a crazy person, a.k.a. a marathon runner, check out this definition of a crazy person... someone or something that is insane or not mentally sound (yep, that describes marathoners). An example of crazy is an idea (like running a marathon or half) that makes absolutely no sense. An example of crazy is a person who is in a mental hospital (or at the start line of Bass Pro) and who is yelling, hallucinating and otherwise acting like they are insane (something every runner does at mile 20).

Now check out Nicole Kramp's story of how and why she recently crossed the bridge to craziness and never looked back.

On October 17, Nicole Kramp posted something that had me doing a double take, "A very special thank you to Erika Knuckles and Roseanne Newsom, I ran my first marathon. Marine Corps Marathon." Boom. Just like that. What??? Having run with her on the Monday prior and being told that Bass Pro was going to be her first marathon, I was shocked. So what made Nicole spontaneously decide to do something less than one percent of the population will ever do? Two weeks before the Bass Pro Marathon? Without aid stations, cheering sections, or a finish line? This is what she said, “I signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon (virtual) the night before! I love running with Erika and Rosanne. Never once did I think I’d run anything father than a Half. Always said I’m only half crazy! Looks like I’m full crazy now." Yep you could say that. 

From left to right - Nicole, Rosanne and Erika

Hmmmm... so it seems Nicole went crazy and signed up because her crazy friend Roseanne had signed up. And Rosanne signed up because her other crazy friends were signed up. This is what Roseanne said, "I signed up for the virtual race maybe two weeks ago. I have run three MCM’s prior to this one and it is by far my favorite marathon, mostly because we are a Marine Corps family. I signed up to do the virtual because friends were already signed up so it was going to be a group effort and also because it’s the first time in the races' history it was canceled so why not get in on a piece of history? I knew it could be done because Erika, Nicole and I have been training for Bass Pro." 

Yes. Why not run 26.2 miles just to get in on a piece of history? That's not crazy right? And neither is running the Bass Pro Marathon two weeks later right? 

And what did Erika have to say about why she also joined in on the craziness? "She (Roseanne) posted about doing the virtual MCM and I sorta just invited myself to tag along to endure the suck with them. I’ve pretty much decided we all need a shirt that says ‘That’s a horrible idea...what time are we meeting up?’ I saw all these other people signed up and I didn't want to be left out. I signed up a little over a week ago. This is how our conversations go- Do you want to run (a virtual half, a yeti, a marathon) with me? Ugggg! No. What day/time? "

So when I asked the girls why having crazy friends and attempting crazy things in 2020 was a good idea, Roseanne said this (to which Erika emphatically agreed), "Since 2020 has been so unpredictable and has left everyone with the inability to plan, it has been fun to just “go for it” and do things we wouldn’t normally do (like sign up and run a marathon in two weeks). 2020 has been full of the unexpected. Everyone should set a goal they feel like they could or would never do. It’s fun to push outside of your comfort zone when we have friends pushing, competing, training with you and cheering you on. Not only are you meeting a goal but building strong relationships in the process."

Melissa Bland up front and Jackson second from left, back row

And speaking of crazy friends who will be running Bass Pro, check out what my crazy runner friend Jackson wrote yesterday... "The hills are alive with the sound of rock runners trail group doing hill repeats! I huffed and I puffed and I did 3 miles of hill repeats! A big thanks to Melissa Bland for pushing us and better yet believing in us... I’ve done crap this year I would never have imagined! It’s a covid miracle!"

I’ve done crap this year I would never have imagined? It’s a covid miracle? Yes! I like that. Go Jackson!

So there you have it folks; since you can't change the craziness of 2020, why don't you join in on it by doing things you never could have imagined yourself doing? You'll not only make the year suck a little less, you'll have joined an elite group known around the world as The One Percenters Running Club (yes I made up that name but it's 2020 so we're all good). And you can do that by getting signed up for the Bass Pro Marathon or half today. And if not Bass Pro, find another race before the year ends. You will then truly be able to say that 2020 was without a doubt the craziest year of your life!

Happy Running!!!

Always choose joy

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10 NIV

After getting in a great workout yesterday morning, I walked into work with a bounce in my step and a smile on my face. "It's going to be a great day!" I said silently. But as I got closer to my office, I noticed that the door was shut. "Hmmmm...." I thought. "I don't recall having closed my door on Friday before I left." And that's when I saw the sign posted on it in red ink, "Beware. Your office Stinks!" And boy did it ever! Upon opening the door, I was immediately blasted by the smell of something so rotten it made me frown. And while I could have easily let the situation steal my joy, I didn't. I put that smile right back on my face and began looking for the source of the odor which I eventually found. It was the lunch I thought I had "lost" two weeks prior while directing a race. Someone had put it in a box where it was covered up with leftover medals and later placed in the closet in my office. And you know what? The discovery had me and everyone else in the building laughing about how it got there; all because I chose joy. 

And you know, when it comes to joy, the Bible tells us that "the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy." You see, the devil hates the sound of our laughter, the sight of our smile and the joy we have in our hearts and will do whatever he can to steal it from us; something every Christian has experienced at one point or another. But guess what? The devil can't steal our joy unless we allow it because true joy is found in Christ. You see, our circumstances will always change but the One in whom we find our joy never does and if we keep our eyes on Him, we can’t help but find joy in every situation. 

So no matter what you might be going through today, choose joy my friend. Choose to remember that Jesus came that you might not only have life but "have it to the full." And choose to say, "Not today Satan. My God is still on the throne. My salvation is secure. I am a child of the Most High God. I know nothing can ever change that so I will smile and rejoice." 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that the devil would love nothing better than to steal, kill and destroy us physically, spiritually and emotionally. Help us to remember this in times when we are tempted to get upset or give up. Fill us with Your joy Jesus until we are overflowing so that we might pass that joy on the others. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Joy - King and Country

Step out into the mission field

"He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Mark 16:15 NIV

Whether I'm running alone at home or solo in a new place (something I did while in Springfield over the weekend), I never start out with a definite route in mind. And while that might sound crazy to most runners who like to play it safe and embrace predictability, I prefer to follow the Holy Spirit's promptings no matter how reckless it might seem, going this way or that way as He speaks to me; a practice that always either leads me to something God wants me to see or to someone God wants me to interact with. So when I ended up doing laps around a brightly illuminated church parking lot for the first couple of my early morning miles yesterday, I couldn't help but wonder why I was there. But as I eventually felt prompted to leave and began running towards the exit, I saw the “thing” I was supposed to see... a sign strategically placed where each and every person leaving the church would have to pass on their way out, "MISSION FIELD AHEAD". 

Is that a great reminder or what? I mean, think about it. How many people go to church on Sunday only to leave "the building” thinking they’ve done their part? What I mean is this... the church is not a building. The church is you and me and every other believer who has put their faith in Jesus Christ. And "the church" has a job to do; a job that requires each member to step outside the four walls and share the Good News of the Gospel with the world. In fact, Jesus commanded “the church” to do this very thing when He said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." And that going into all the world starts in our own backyards because, whether you and I want to believe it or not, the United States is a mission field—a field that is filled with millions of people who have never heard the gospel.

So knowing that we are commanded to "go into all the world,” let me ask you this my friend... are you willing to go across the street today? Are you willing to tell your neighbor that there is only one way to eternal life? Are you willing to go into your workplace and tell your lost coworker about Jesus Christ? Are you willing to tell those in your running group? I sure hope so because the time is short and the message has to be heard. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the timely reminder that each and every believer is called to the mission field. For some that could mean going into a third world country, but for most it means going into our own backyards, towns and places of employment. Give us a boldness to step outside the walls of the church Lord to share the Good News. Give us an urgency to shine Your light. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Good News - Mandisa

Our God is so kind

“Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You.” Psalm 63:3

“You’ve got to be kidding me. I never do this!” I cried out loud yesterday morning after realizing why my alarm had not gone off. I had forgotten to plug in my phone so it was completely dead! Thankfully though I hadn’t woken up too much later than usual to get in my normal morning run but much later than I had planned in order to get in some “extra” miles as part of my 100 mile race training. “Oh Lord,” I later prayed as I hit the trail, “my training has not been what it should be. I can’t complete this run on my own! I need you to remind me that You will be there with me so I will have the courage to step up to the start line. Remind me Lord! Please!” And nearing the end of my run, that’s exactly what He did. “Good morning!” I said to the older lady that frequently walks her dog on one of the gravel roads I run as I approached her. “I see you have a new companion today.” “Yes,” she said almost tearing up. “This is Charlie. Isn't he something? He loves everyone. Our dog of 16 years recently died and God gave us this rescue dog to heal our sadness.” “He certainly knew what you needed,” came my heartfelt reply as I reached down to pet Charlie while fighting back tears. “God is so good like that.”

And you know what? God is indeed good like that. In fact, the Father is so good that the psalmist declared that the lovingkindness of the Lord "is better than life.” And because of the goodness of God, his lips would praise Him. Something I did upon realizing just how kind, considerate and loving the Lord was to remind me of His faithfulness by orchestrating this “random” early morning meeting. You see, God used “Charlie” to remind me that He knows what I need and would be faithful to provide it just as he did for Charlie’s new Mom. He loves His children that much! Is that realization a reason to sing His praises or what?

Perhaps you’re in need of a reminder of just how much God loves you today as well? Perhaps you need to be reminded that He will be with you in whatever it is you’re facing? If that’s you, consider this your reminder. God loves you my friend! He sent His one and only Son to prove it. So put a smile on your face and praise Him with your lips for His lovingkindness!

Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing Charlie into my path yesterday. You knew what I needed and met that need at the perfect time. Thank you for reminding me once again that You are always with me and every other believer now and to the end of the age. Your love truly is better than life Lord, and for that I will praise You with my whole heart. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Better - Pat Barrett

Serve wholeheartedly at every age

“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,” Ephesians 6:7 NIV

On Saturday, October 10, Ian Barnes did something many runners only dream about doing. He ran a mile in 8 minutes and 10 seconds. What makes this so incredible though is that Ian is 85 years old (and is now the British Masters mile record holder for his age group). Speaking after the race that gave him the title, Barnes said, “I’m very pleased with that. I expected to do about nine minutes.” The retired legal executive, who is joint president of Darlington Harriers running club, said he started running when he was in his twenties and never stopped. In fact, Ian, who turns 86 in December, when asked why he still chooses to race, said, “I enjoy it, I suppose. It gets the adrenaline going. You have your highs and lows, of course, and it’s great to keep fit.” Don’t you just love his attitude?

And you know, while most people will be unable to run an eight or nine minute mile in their eighties, becoming as fit as one can be and staying that way over a lifetime is something every believer should strive to do. Why? Because every believer is called to “serve wholeheartedly" or with complete sincerity, enthusiasm, dedication, devotion and commitment; something they can only do when they are at their best physically. But let me remind you that you and I, as believers, are not called to serve for a portion of our lives but for our whole lives and with our whole lives. That means giving everything we have for the cause of Christ from beginning to the very end. 

So remembering that we are to serve as if "serving the Lord" and "not people," may you and I strive to be the best we can be physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. After all, if we, as believers, are to be the living sacrifice God is calling each one of us to be, we must be our very best so we can give our very best. Our God deserves nothing less. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that the earthly bodies we dwell in were made to serve You. As such, help us to understand the importance of taking care of them that we might use them to to the best of our ability all the days we are given. Give us an urgency to go out into the world as a living sacrifice to be the hands and feet of Jesus. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Send me out

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Hitting the reset button

Hello runner friends! 

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series 

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog. Now let's get started by talking about something that hundreds of runners make the decision to do each and every day to get their running and fitness back on track... they hit the reset button. 

What does it mean to hit the reset button you might wonder? And how can making a fresh start motivate a person to train harder or start training again after life derailed their plans? Simply defined, hitting the reset button means letting go of the past and making a fresh start free from any habits, hang-ups or expectations your old self had. It's making the decision to start over where you are at this very moment and move forward based on the ability you have today. To show you what this looks like in real life, I asked two dear friends that I ran with many years ago, even in several Bass Pro events, to talk about what got them off track and why they made the choice recently to hit that reset button so they could get back to pounding the pavement and hitting the trails. 

Laura at the finish line of her first marathon in 2012 

Meet Laura Murrieta. In 2012, Laura ran her first marathon and went on to run several more along with countless half marathons, trail runs and local races. And while she loved being a runner, she longed more than anything to be a mother. Something that finally happened in 2015. And then again in 2017 and again in 2019. Now in 2020, Laura knew it was time to get healthy once more. She new it was time to hit that reset button.

Laura getting active with her kids

In her words, "Well after being diagnosed with post baby depression after my last child, I made a choice that this is my year, my year of putting myself first and to stop having to start over. I've been working out constantly since January, on average 5 to 6 days a week. I have a membership with Ifit which puts out monthly challenges that rewards me with a magnet for completion and I make sure to sign up to keep dedicated. I don't have any life time goals right now. I'm just trying to love myself again--because in all honesty sometimes I have low points where I hate my body. I'm just being real. I'm thankful right now for reconnecting with old friends and enjoying the sport I once loved. I'm just trying to be the best me and get through one week at a time and focus on non scale victories because I hated my body and hated that I had to be on medication for depression. And I needed change." 

Laura now, getting in a workout with a friend

And this is why Laura needed to hit the reset button. She needed change! She went on to say, "I was tired of starting over. After having 3 kids in 5 yrs, I lost me and I'm fighting my way back. Since starting back (hitting the reset button) I've been able to get off my medication! I look forward to my time on the treadmill or out walking or running with a friend. That's my new medication! Lord knows I have laughed on walks and runs and I have totally broken down and cried, and I'm talking ugly cry, but I'm learning to put myself first because in doing so, I'm able to be a better wife and mother."

Kelly Scarbrough at her first marathon

Meet Kelly Scarbrough. In 2011 she ran her first marathon. She went on to run ten more 26.2 mile races and three ultras (including Dogwood Canyon 50K). In 2014, she was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in her knees but was able to continue running for several years until the pain became unbearable. That's when she took up bodybuilding until a torn labrum in her left shoulder forced her to quit that as well. 

Of her condition, Kelly said, "Being a very active person and having this disease in my back, torn labrum in my left shoulder and osteoarthritis in my knees was very depressing to say the least. But I knew God had a plan. After putting off surgery for a total hysterectomy for more than 10 years, it was time to do that in December 2018. After I recovered, I began to exercise again and started running small distances and even ran a 10K at the Frog Hill half marathon in 2019. But one day I noticed I was having extreme abdominal pain. I went to the doctor only to find out I had two hernias which forced me to stop working out because of the pain. I then had hernia bilateral surgery in June 2020. Finding my motivation after two surgeries back to back was hard; but since starting nursing school in August I needed a good stress reliever and running is a great stress reliever for me and a way to get into nature and enjoy God‘s beautiful creation. My goals are to be able to run again (preferably with no pain) but realizing that if I have to walk it’s not the end of the world. I know that we all go through trials and tribulations for a reason and it all in the end makes us stronger and better people and it humbles us. I realized through all this that I had developed a bit of pride in my later running years and during my bodybuilding years and I guess I needed a step back to realize sometimes that’s not what life is all about. It’s about serving God, loving others and doing good in this world. I know that I will probably never be where I once was with all of my health issues but I know that one day at a time I will slowly get there with friends and family driving me on and knowing that God is always good!"

Laura and Kelly back at it together earlier this week

"I am so blessed to have friends who encourage me and even convince me to run races with them. I currently have two races coming up too... a 15k with my beautiful sister in Christ, Laura, and a 12 miler with my beautiful sister Melissa. I thank God for my friends and my family and I'm so glad that I decided to hit the reset button."

Wow! Do you just love those stories or what? They're proof that no matter what age you are, what limitations you might be experiencing or how out of shape you might feel, you CAN start over! Each and every person CAN make the decision to be the best they can be now! So don't waste time looking back, you can't go there! Determine to make a fresh start today. Choose a goal that's achievable for you in this season of your life. That may be a 5k, 10k or even a half marathon. Whatever it is, make today the day that you hit that reset button!! You'll be so glad you did. 

Happy Running!!!

Do hard things

"'Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life." Mark 10:28-30 ESV

People that do hard things... that would definitely describe the group of runners I'm blessed to be a part of that gets together as often as possible to support one another in our training—something we did yesterday that prompted my friend Kate to later post, "When you have friends that do Hard Things, you wake up to run 11 miles with them on an October Monday morning..." And not only did Kate have to wake up early to make it the 6:30 a.m. group run, something that wasn't easy in itself, she then completed the miles in her training plan (as the others did as well by running more or less) and went off to work a full day. But that's the power of having friends who know that doing hard things is worth the effort; they inspire others to join them in their pursuit of the great rewards reaped from the sweat, toil and trouble of their strain. 

And you know, while having friends who share our running goals can be crucial to our success on the racecourse, having friends who share our goals of faithfully following and serving Jesus throughout a lifetime can be crucial to our spiritual success. You see, serving Christ is hard... very hard. Something Peter acknowledged when he said to Jesus, "See, we have left everything and followed you." But Jesus was clear that it was worth the effort when He said that whoever gave up all they had to follow Him would reap the rewards "now in this time... and in the age to come eternal life." A fact our godly friends will remind us of so we don't give up!

So if you have friends that share your passion to serve Christ, consider yourself blessed. They will encourage and inspire you to press on through the hard times. But if you don't, you would do well to find some. They can literally make all the difference in whether you give up when things get hard or press on to the finish line. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that doing hard things reaps real rewards, rewards that are worth our all-out effort. Help us to understand the importance of having fellow believers as friends that we would seek them out and fellowship with them often. Give us a passion to stay in the fight no matter how hard it might get. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Keep fighting the good fight

Be used wherever You are

“At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid. One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.'” 2 Kings 5:2-3 NLT

“You know how you can’t connect the dots looking forward? Looking back now I realize if it wasn’t for running I never would have found myself in Africa.” Those were the words written by my dear friend Levi Malone as we messaged one another yesterday, a friend who the Lord brought into my path many years ago when he was a young soldier from Texas stationed at the army base close to where I live. Bound together by our mutual love of running and Jesus, Levi joined our running group for many months before feeling led to leave for Kenya to train with the elite runners there. And it was this love of running that brought him back to the country and people he'd grown to adore several years later... this time as a missionary. 

And you know, when it comes to being in the right place at the right time, God is an expert at connecting the dots to get us there—something Levi was right to say can only be seen in retrospect. Consider the “young girl” who was taken captive and “given to Naaman's wife as a maid.” She surely never dreamed that she would be forcefully taken from her home to fulfill the purpose of delivering a message that would change the life of a man she had never met. But because she was faithful to serve God wherever she was placed, Namaan sought out Elisha "the prophet in Samaria" and was cured of his leprosy. Most importantly though, because of this young girl's faith, Namaan came to believe in God. 

So wherever you find yourself today, allow the Lord to use you my friend. Because whether you are where you are by your own choosing or for some other reason completely out of your control, you can be sure God has placed you there for a purpose... a purpose you might only see and understand in retrospect.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that Your ways are always better than ours and that You will lead those who love You down the path where they can be used according to Your good and perfect will. Help us to willingly go wherever it is You call us to deliver the Good News of the Gospel to those in need of hearing it Lord. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

I will go - Big Daddy Weave

 

Be constant in prayer

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12 ESV

"I'm so excited!" I thought to myself as I set out yesterday morning intent on running some consistent miles as part of my training to pace the 4:45 group at the upcoming Bass Pro Marathon. And as I ran, I constantly monitored my GPS watch to make sure the miles were all at a 10:52 pace or within seconds of it. And just why was I so obsessed with logging miles that were the exact same you might wonder? Because if a pacer (whose primary job it is to get the runners in their group from the start line to the finish line at their designated time and whose secondary job is to do it while keeping them entertained) goes too fast, the runners in their group won't be able to keep up. And if a pacer goes too slow, the runners won't reach the finish line on time--which is the exact reason that consistency is the key to success when it comes to pacing. 

And you know where else consistency is the key to success? In our spiritual walk. You see, if you and I are honest, most of us would say that we only go to the Lord in prayer when we're in trouble or when we're in need of something. Am I right? And while God certainly hears those prayers, He longs for us to come to Him regularly for fellowship, just to spend time with Him. Why? Because God knows how much we will benefit from that time--time spent with a Friend that will change us, teach us, draw us closer and make us more like Him. Consistent prayer then is crucial for our spiritual growth and to keep us on the right path; which is the very reason Paul urged all believers to "be constant in prayer." 

So how would you describe your prayer life today? If you said anything other than constant and consistent, I urge you to make it a point to talk to the Lord throughout the day. Start with small prayers like, "Good morning Lord. Thank you for waking me up" or "Please walk with me today." You'll soon find the more you pray like this, the more it will become natural and you'll eventually spend hours in prayer with Him each day; something you most certainly will grow to look forward to.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that regular, constant and consistent prayer is the key to the success of our spiritual walk. And whether we sit down to formally pray, go into a prayer closet to do it, or simply talk to You out loud or in our hearts, help us to hear what You want to say to us more than what we want to say to You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Pray - Sanctus Real

Live worthy of the calling

"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." Ephesians 4:1 NIV

According to a recent study out of the University of Oregon, the more goal-oriented or planful a person is, the more likely they are to exercise. Lead study author Rita Ludwig, Ph.D.(c), of the University of Oregon’s department of psychology said, “Being planful includes things like setting concrete steps to reach a goal, being willing to make sacrifices now for future rewards, and using the goal as motivation to overcome obstacles to success." Ludwig went on to say that, "Taking the time to intentionally plan may be beneficial for athletes who want to achieve a certain level of performance. Long-term goal pursuit is, after all, a marathon— not a sprint.”

And you know, when it comes to setting concrete goals for ourselves, the Bible is clear that the rock-solid goal of every believer should be to "live a life worthy of the calling" they have received from the Lord. You see, God has chosen us to be Christ's ambassadors on this earth, which is a title of the greatest honor. But to be worthy of a title this substantial and distinguished, you and I must fulfill the requirements of it. That means we must love others as Jesus did and we must be understanding, humble, gentle, patient and peaceful in our dealings with them as well. To put it simply... when the world looks at our lives, they should without a doubt know Who it is we represent.

So I ask you this my friend... are you living “a life worthy of the calling you have received"? Are you walking in such a way that others know Whom it is you serve? I sure hope so because the way you and I live has the power to either lead others to the foot of the Cross or away from it. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for redeeming broken people and making them useable. To think that You would allow us to represent Christ is unfathomable. Help us to understand how great an honor that is that we might live worthy of being called Christ's ambassadors. Cause us to live in such a way that others would see You in us and be drawn to You because of it. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Let them see You

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Give it your all

Hello runner friends! 

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series 

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog. Now let's get started by talking about how deciding to "give it your all" will motivate you to be a happier runner. 

But first, I'd like to share what inspired me to write about "giving it your all” in the first place. Last Saturday, my friend Mike Wells ran the Frog Hill Half marathon in Waynesville, MO. Having the blessing of being the Race Director and having known Mike for several years, I assumed he would most likely win the race because Mike is very fast. And he is also very competitive. But not so much against other runners but against himself, always striving to be better today than he was yesterday--physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Which made me smile to read what he later posted after receiving the overall male finisher plaque.

The devil wanted to throw his 666 elevation worth of hills at me, but not enough for my God.....what an awesome, prayerful run. He continuously gave me the strength to keep pushing, as I had a guy nipping at my heels for the first 10. Now....I'm always in for the win, and that was great....but honestly I'm so much more proud that I crushed my last year's time by more than 3 mins. It doesn't matter what place you get. It doesn't matter where you stand against others. What matters is that you give YOUR all and become a better version of yourself....stronger, faster, kinder, more patient, more generous, more thankful.....whatever it is...

GROW!!! The world will be better and you'll be better. The real competition is with yourself... that's the best win.

Did you get that part? It doesn't matter what place you get? It doesn't matter where you stand against others? What matters is that you give YOUR all and become a better version of yourself? 

But what is YOUR all? For Mike it was laying down the hammer and running as hard as he could to shave three minutes off his time. He wanted to be better than he was the year before. Winning against someone else was just the icing on the cake. Beating himself was the real win. 

Now before you start comparing yourself to Mike, remember this... everyone's ALL will look different and might even change as they grow and mature. My all many years ago would have looked similar to Mike's--to continue getting faster and capturing those PR's. But today, giving my all means running to the best of my current ability and never giving up in my pursuit to train regardless of what life throws at me. Giving my all now means waking up every day intent on putting in the work I need to put in to get myself to the finish line of another 100 mile race and giving God the glory for it. Giving my all now means that I cherish personal relationships with others above personal records--and put forth daily effort to nurture those relationships and inspire those I meet to pursue being the best that they can be. That's what it means for me to "give it my all" and it keeps me focused on being better today than I was yesterday in all areas of my life. Giving my all doesn't mean that I win against other people but against myself!!

So let's check out what some other runners from the race said it meant to "give it their all."  

(Jeanette is second from left)

Time used to matter to me, but then I almost burned myself out on running and trying to be the best all the time. So for me it doesn’t matter what place I get, I just want to have a good time with my friends, doing what we love. Intervals helped me to love running again, to look around at the beauty God created, and to slow down and enjoy it. I think it makes me better because now if I saw someone struggling, I would turn around and help them versus trying to just win and pass them up. I’m not there to get into the Olympics for running, I’m there to get my miles in and enjoy it. Yes! Enjoying the run and getting my miles in is how I "give it my all." 

(Frances is on the right)

Before last Monday (28th) I had only ran 5 times over a full month and they were shorter runs with a lot of walking. I was moving but I wasn't satisfied. Last Sunday, I was convicted to get back out there and bring these dry bones back to life! I was convicted to "give it my all." I started back at it Monday morning and Friday night I ran the Leapfrog 5k. It was all about me and making my intervals. I wanted to make it in 50 minutes. My time was 50:18. The very second that I felt disappointed over that 18 seconds the Lord told me "chin up". I was smiling to myself as I came across the finish. I cried half the trip home. I finished! I'm alive again. I beat the demons in my head! I gave it my all!

It doesn't matter to me what place I get (except I never want to be the final finisher overall) because it's always about beating myself and whatever condition I have been dealing with physically or mentally. It's not always like in a PR sense but finishing a race ahead of how I trained and all feeling good. That's what it means for me to "give it my all" in a race. 

Shawn is on the right

I never really think about what I place in a race. I really only compete against myself and strive to do better the next time. Two years ago, I ran the Frog Hill Half Marathon for the first time and really didn’t know what to expect with the course, other than there may be a hill on the course. Luckily, we ran down Frog Hill instead of up it, and then we hit Superior Hill around Mile 5. I really didn’t train for the half marathon and I definitely didn’t train on hills like that, so I struggled going up the hill and struggled the rest of the way and finished at 2:26:26. After that run, I set a goal to beat my time on that course the next year. I knew what to prepare for. I came back last year prepared and finished at 2:07:17. I set another goal to beat that time, so this year I came back and finished at 2:02:47 after logging more miles and running on more hills in my training. I wished I would have pushed myself a little harder to finish below 2 hours, but now that is my goal for next year’s run. That's what it means for me to "give it my all."

So there you have it! The way each runner gives their all is as unique as they are with one commonality... giving their all as they have learned to define it for themselves brings them joy and reminds them why running is such a blessing!! So find what it means to give YOUR all today... your unique all. The all that brings you joy and makes you smile. And strive to give your all every chance you get! Especially as you run the upcoming Dogwood Canyon trail run and/or the Bass Pro Marathon or half. 

Happy Running!!!