Pray for Discernment

“So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?’” 1 Kings 3:9 NIV

In a story published by Click2Houston earlier this week that’s becoming all too common, it was reported that a 32-year-old woman was out for a morning run in her Houston Heights neighborhood Monday when a man in a white van approached her from behind and grabbed her shirt. She says the man was attempting to pull her closer to him, but she was able to get away. The incident happened in broad daylight, around 9:15 a.m. on Monday. The woman immediately filed a report with the Houston Police Department. “It’s sad, because normally I don’t really hear about a lot of things happening on that side of town and in broad daylight,” said Dalia Harris who was out for a walk. The writer went on to list several safety suggestions including: Trust your intuition: If something doesn’t feel right, you may be in danger. Avoid a person or area if it feels unsafe.

And you know, when it comes to intuition or the ability to understand something immediately without the need for conscious reasoning, Solomon was wise to ask for a “discerning heart… to distinguish between right and wrong” when God offered to give him whatever he asked for. Thankfully, we have the Holy Spirit that lives inside of us that give us this priceless knowledge as well, knowledge that’s both in the heart and in the head—protecting us, teaching us, and guiding us through the pages of the Bible and through the promptings of the Holy Spirit. 

So the next time you feel led to go this way or that, or to avoid a person or a situation, take heed my friend.  Earnestly pray for discernment as you wait for the Holy Spirit to reveal your next step. This is the only way to avoid danger and remain on the right path. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the discernment You provide through Your Word, through prayer, and through the Holy Spirit. Help us to seek You and to listen for Your voice at all times so that we would be able to distinguish right from wrong. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Seek the Lord and Let the Fear Go

“Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:3,4 NIV

In a harrowing article titled “Security cameras capture runner being followed in terrifying ordeal” published Monday, runner and mother-of-six Shanna Birchett shared the frightening experience of being followed by an unknown vehicle with tinted windows while out on her morning run (in an area that was considered very safe) recently—an experience that most likely would have had disastrous consequences if an elderly homeowner in her neighborhood hadn’t answered Shanna’s desperate knock at the door and let her in. While the incident on Nov. 3 is over and Birchette is safe home, what happened has had a lasting emotional impact that she said is going to take some time to heal from. “When I watched the videos, that's when it really hit," she said. "I remember those feelings so vividly and seeing the footage confirmed to me that the driver was stalking me and they did not have good intentions. There are a lot of times when I am mad because, in a matter of seconds, this person stole my safety and peace of mind," she continued. "They stole my love for running and it was hard for me to get back out there. Birchette went on to say that she has learned a lot from the incident, and hopes to start a conversation about people protecting themselves. 

And you know, when it comes to learning a lot from incidents such as this, incidents where the enemy tries to harm us, we would all do well to remember that the fear these failed attacks leave behind can be debilitating. That’s what fear does though. It keeps us from doing the things we love and from serving Christ as we are called to do. Which is the very reason every believer must earnestly seek the Lord when they are frightened or scared—remembering that the One who delivered David from “all” his fears (he was being pursued and hunted down by Saul and his army when he wrote this) will deliver them as well. 

So if you’ve been holding on to fear from a past trauma that’s been keeping you from moving on, I pray that you can let it go my friend. I know from experience that it won’t be easy (believe me when I say this, and it may not be instantaneous) to do this, but with the help of the Lord you can live in victory and go on to “exalt His name” (as I do now) for hearing your cry and delivering you from all your fears. God is so good like that. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we have no reason to fear when You are the Lord of our lives. Although we are to be vigilant, sober and alert at all times since evil is always lurking, help us to do so with confidence knowing that fear has no place in the life of a believer so that we can be obedient to anything and everything You call us to do. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Bring on the 5k

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about a distance that rarely gets the attention it deserves... the 5k. This was something I was thinking about after seeing my social media feed blow up on Thursday with pictures and posts about the various 3.1 mile Turkey Trots that took place all over the nation.... images of smiling runners of all ages and abilities intent on having fun while burning off a very small portion of the calories they would consume later. According to RunSignup, 2023 Turkey Trot participation shattered records so it wasn't just my feed that was blown up. On that registration site alone, 920,761 people participated in 833 races across the country and raised more than $1.9 million dollars for charities. That represented record-shattering participation on the platform, with an increase of more than 160,000 compared to the previous record set in 2022. And if the current trend continues, there will be even more in 2024! Wow right?

With that being said, there are lots of good reasons for putting the 5k race on your calendar throughout the year. One of which is, it's the best distance to do when you're short on time and it's a great distance to enjoy with the whole family. And don't discount the awesome speedwork workout you'll gain from competing with other runners for that portion of your marathon or half training. That's something every runner can appreciate. 

But don't just take my word for it, check out what professional 5000 meter runner Lauren Fleshman had to say about it and the 10 reason she says the 5k is awesome:

With a growing obsession over distance races, and a focus on completion rather than competition, 5Ks have somehow lost a lot of their allure. They have become little more than a gateway drug for marathons. The prevailing mentality is to go longer and longer and longer, until one day you find yourself down six toe-nails, dressed head to toe in compression gear, contemplating your first 50-K ultra over a morning bowl of chia seeds. Stop! Listen to me. The 5K is awesome. It encourages you to develop a combination of endurance, speed, and strength. You can train for it and still have a life. You can race one every weekend and still be able to walk normally. If people ran more 5Ks, I'm positive the average life satisfaction of humans would increase dramatically.

And without further ado, here are the 10 reasons Lauren says the 5k is awesome (*with my two cents thrown in of course):

10. Fitness

Shorter interval work is more effective than long-distance runs for weight management and gaining fitness. Interval training won't set you up to run a great marathon, but it will make you a baller at the 5K, an event that requires strength, speed, power, and endurance combined. By making the 5K your focus, your training plan will actually line up with what's best for your overall health. Excuse me, what? Yes.

9. Travel

With 5Ks being readily available within driving distance, you don't have to fly around the country to do one. Racing is a cool excuse to travel, but you know what's even better? Traveling without racing. You can actually walk places and see things without limping, eat whatever you want, and spend a significantly smaller portion of your trip on the toilet.

*In longer races, you'll need to pack for the changing race day conditions and take along everything that you might need. This takes lots of time to prepare. Which is why the 5k is a great option. A person can easily get through the race without food, water, or any other supply besides clothing. Which means you can travel much lighter. 

8. Doctors' Bills

Overuse injuries go hand in hand with marathon training. Sure, you can get injured doing 5Ks too, but with less overall mileage and workouts that involve a greater variety of paces, you'll be more likely to stay healthy. More running days per year = happy runners with more money = a healthy global economy = World Peace.

*So as a general rule I’ll agree with this but remember, chasing a PR without a proper warmup can lead to injuries as well. 

7. Free Time

What will you do with your weekends when you aren't destroyed from running three-and-a-half hours?

*As long as you don't spend your time off from running watching running or sitting back dreaming about it, the sky is the limit to make an impact in your community. Use your free time to volunteer in your community or to do something meaningful with your family. You'll all reap the benefits. 

6. Nipple Health

There is no nipple bleeding.

*I have nothing to add to this one. 

5. Budget

5Ks are cheaper, and you still get a stale bagel and a green banana and only have to run one-eighth as far.

*5k races are not only good for your budget and fun but great for the community since most of these runs are nonprofit and give money to local causes. 

4. Competition vs. Completion

The satisfaction in a marathon comes with completion under duress. You reach the point where you aren't sure you will finish, and then somehow you do. It's an amazing feeling, but it's only one way to experience racing. In a 5K, you know that you are going to finish. Satisfaction comes instead from competing: against yourself, the clock, and others in an intense, concentrated period of time. This adds a whole new depth and richness to your running, regardless of your speed.

3. Mulligans

Getting derailed in a marathon due to inclement weather, travel mishaps, poo-poo problems, or just having an off day can cost you 16 weeks of training and traveling somewhere far away for another attempt. If you screw up the 5K, you can just get in your car and try again next week. Boom.

2. The Humanity

When you hit the wall in a 5K, it hurts a lot, but it's over faster than it takes to make a cappuccino. Literally. I timed it.

1. Style

No fuel belts. No water bottles. No gels or blocks or powders or bars. No shorts with 30 pockets. No Vaseline stains. You can run a 5K in jorts with nary a chafe. 5K for the win. Who's with me?

*This distance is not only the very best one to try out a new costume, but is a welcome break for those runners training for long distances who have been wearing hydration vests and packing supplies. As one of those, I’ll tell you that the 5k is a freeing race! It’s a time to break loose and just run!

So there you have it friends. Those are all great reasons to put a few 5ks on your racing calendar. As an ultra runner looking to gain some more speed in 2024 (I actually started using 5ks earlier this year for that purpose and have seen great results!), this is something that I'm actually looking forward to. My goal is to run them as fast as I can and continue saving the intervals for the long runs. We shall see how that goes. Either way, I'll be enjoying every 5k (and I hope you will too) in my future knowing that running, regardless of the distance and speed, is always an undeserved blessing from the Creator. Does that make you smile or what? So get signed up for a few of them today! You’ll be glad you did. 

Happy Running!

Don’t be a Fair Weathered Follower

“At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:66-69 NLT

In a story titled “Kenyan runner creates new record for Shanghai Marathon” published Sunday, it was reported that fine weather helped Kenyan runner Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba to create a new record of 2:05:35 for the Shanghai Marathon. Some 38,000 runners from home and abroad set off from the Bund on Sunday morning. The previous record was created by Kipchumba's compatriot Paul Lonyangata in 2015, who completed the 42-kilometer race in 2:07:14. This is also the best men's record among all marathon events in China. "This is my first visit to Shanghai," said the 25-year-old Kenyan. "The course is beautiful and the weather is just perfect, helping me to creating a new record."

And you know, when it comes to fine weather, we as believers must be determined to follow Jesus no matter how difficult it might become. In other words, we can’t be fair-weathered Christians who follow Him only when the conditions are perfect or exactly to our liking. You see, in Jesus’ day just as in ours, there are people who ‘believe’ in Him as long as they are seeing miracles and being fed (aka getting something without any commitment or sacrifice). But after Jesus explained that it was all done to point to the spiritual truth that He was the Son of God and that there was no other way to heaven barring a total and complete commitment to Him, many of the so-called disciples “turned away and deserted him.” Then and now, only those who, like Peter, understand and wholeheartedly believe that eternal life is found in no one but the “Holy One of God” will stay. 

So if you were to asked to rate your level of committedness today, what would it be? If your answer was anything but fully and totally devoted, you’re in a dangerous place my my friend, because fair-weathered followers won’t make it to heaven. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Word that tells us exactly what it takes to make it to heaven, and that’s a full and total commitment to Jesus Christ. If any person reading this has not fully surrendered their life to You, I pray that today is the day they will do it so they will inherit the eternal life that only You can give. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Marry the Best

“Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.” Proverbs 31:10 NKJV

In a story titled “Couple gets married just before running Thanksgiving Day Manchester Road Race,” it was reported that more than 10,000 people ran the Manchester Road Race on Thanksgiving Day and the day was especially special for one couple who got married just before running the race. Nithyalakshmi Kannan, of East Hartford, has been running the road race since 2012 and her now-husband, David, started running it with her when they started dating a few years ago.“When I told him that I run the Manchester Road Race religiously, he was like, ‘OK, I will run with you.’ And I was like, 'It’s a costume race and I had been running in many different costumes,'” she said. Five years ago, they decided their costume would be the “Runaway Bride,” and Kannan ran in a secondhand dress that she found. Then last year, Tom Topping saw them taking pictures and said that if they were ever interested in actually getting married, he’d be happy to officiate.About 45 minutes before the race began, they got married with Topping as the officiant… The newly married couple said this event was the best spot to get married at. “And this is the best woman to get married to,” David said. Do you just love that or what? 

And you know, when it comes to finding the “best woman to get married to,” King Lemuel, inspired by the utterances of his mother, righfully concluded that the worth of a virtuous wife “is far above rubies.” Lemeul then went on to share the qualities a man should look for when marrying a woman and the benefits of finding a partner who showed high moral standards and conducted herself in a noble way. No doubt, according to the king, this woman was so rare that once found she should be highly prized, admired, and appreciated. And while this passage is traditionally understood as being addressed to women, it is more accurately spoken by a mother to a son for instruction on knowing the character and potential character of a good wife before marriage, and then valuing and praising that wife for her virtuous character once married.

So knowing the priceless worth of finding a woman who loves the Lord with all her heart and desires to serve Him by serving her husband and her family, young men should take care to choose a virtuous wife. Likewise women should do their best to exemplify the woman in Proverbs 31 so that they will also choose wisely and attract the right man. I can assure you that they will both be eternally grateful for having done so. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the Bible that has the answers to all life’s questions and problems. In a world where the divorce rate is skyrocketing, help us to teach the younger generation the importance of finding a godly spouse, and being a a godly spouse. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

The Best Savings Offer

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 NIV

Like thousands of other runners across the United States yesterday, my family and I hadn't even finished celebrating Thanksgiving and being grateful for all the wonderful things we have, before the ads, popups and email invitations to get more stuff that we don’t need (by taking advantage of the countless Black Friday sales) began to flood my feed and inbox. From discounted running shoes and headphones to sale-priced hydration vests and so much more, the retailers' promises of free and fast shipping for online purchases and low and reduced prices on in-store buys ‘today only’ might be savings too good for many to pass up, right? Maybe so, but those sales aren’t nearly as good as the greatest offer ever extended to all of mankind on a Friday… an offer that was free and anything but black. 

You see on the first Good Friday over 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ died a criminal's death on a cross so He could offer each and every one of us the greatest deal of all time... accept Him as Savior and receive the free gift of eternal life. Why? Because “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Is that amazing or what? But it gets even better! You don't have to wait for a sale or even a special day to receive this life-saving savings—eternal life is offered to "whoever believes in him” at the moment they choose to believe in Him. Do you get that?? That means each and every person who accepts this offer "shall not perish but have eternal life." How's that for savings?

Now if you're thinking this offer is too good to be true, let me assure that it isn’t my friend. There are no hidden fees, no hidden disclosures, and no conditions that need to be met. Simply accept Jesus as your Savior today and be saved. It's a decision that won't leave you with buyer's remorse either, because as Billy Graham said, "I have never known anyone to accept Christ’s redemption and later regret it.”

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much that You would send Your one and only Son to die for us that we might spend eternity with You. If there is anyone reading this today that has not accepted you as their Lord and Savior, I pray today is the day they would say, "Lord, I admit that I am a sinner. I believe that you died on the cross to save me from my sins and I accept you as Lord of my life. Forgive me for the mistakes that I've made and help me start new knowing that I can look forward to eternal life with You." It's in Your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Declare your Thankfulness

“He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!'" Luke 17:14,15 NLT

Like thousands of other runners around the United States today, I’ll get in a short run before the Thanksgiving festivities begin. Why? So I can burn off a few calories before sitting down for the feast of course. But the main reason I’ll wake up and get out before the turkey even goes into the oven is so I can spend some precious alone time with my Savior and thank Him for the countless ways He has blessed me. And you can be sure I’ll be thanking Him for ‘major’ things like family, food, a job, and a home. But I’ll also be thanking Him for the seemingly ‘minor’ things that I take for granted so often—things like the air in my lungs, the heartbeat in my chest, the countless friends I share life with, His Word that I get to read each and every day, a husband who loves me more than I deserve, and even for the trials of the past year; knowing that God worked each and every one of them for my good and for His glory. There’s just so much to be thankful for! 

Sadly though, the majority of people in our world will never thank God for anything, not the major things, not the minor things, and not even life-changing things. Consider the story of the ten lepers who "were cleansed of their leprosy." Keeping in mind that leprosy in the ancient world was extremely painful, hopelessly incurable, grotesquely disfiguring, and forced the one who had it to live outside the city (completely cut off from normal society and all physical touch), can you just imagine how badly a leper yearned to be healed? And yet when Jesus gave the ten lepers the greatest desire of their heart, only "one of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus." Only one shouted "Praise God!" Only one… 

And while I may not have been healed from something as bad as leprosy, I do have a million things to be grateful for today. And so do you my friend! So until the Lord calls us home, may we boldly declare our thankfulness by shouting, "Praise God!" each and every day. Even if we’re the only one…

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that there are so many things to be thankful for, especially for the salvation that was freely given to us when Jesus died on the cross. Lord, please forgive us for the many times we’ve failed to thank You for even the smallest of blessings. Help us to remember that we deserve no good thing but receive good things anyway because of Your great love for us. Today and every day Lord, may we boldly express thanksgiving to You with shouts of praise. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION-Embrace the Lessons

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about the Bass Pro Fitness Series. Whether you ran the 5k, the half marathon, or the full marathon on Marathon Weekend and/or the Dogwood Canyon Trail run the following weekend, you’ll probably agree with me that there was something to be gleaned from your experience, whether it was good, bad, or downright ugly; something that can be used to make all of us better runners and all-around better people. That's what running does though right? It teaches us things about life.

This was something I was meditating on Sunday morning after wrapping up three weekends of amazing races and priceless time spent with friends. By God’s grace, I paced the 5 hour 30 minute Bass Pro Marathon group on November 8, completed the 25k/15k Dogwood Challenge the following week, and the Honoring our Heroes Marathon last Saturday. And what did I learn from all this? Among other things I learned that by His strength, I can do exceedingly more than I think I can, that pain really is temporary, that good training pays off, that good friends truly make the experience more fun, that volunteers are worth their weight in gold, that there’s always something to be grateful for, and that I will never know the why’s of life. I could write a novel if I included all the lessons running has taught me, but I’ll leave it right there.

Speaking of running, friends, and lessons learned, check out what my dear friend Leah Nelson (pictured above, who is in our Bass Pro training group) wrote after finishing her first marathon last Saturday—a finish I was blessed to witness since I was at the same race:

So, I did a thing this weekend. I completed a marathon! I was fighting some sort of an IT band issue and spent the last month trying to cram eight weeks of rest into four. When I started the marathon, I was hoping for the best. Unfortunately, "the best" ended up being 23 miles of trying to keep my knee pain manageable rather than excruciating. A balance, that I'm pleased to say I mostly managed. My time wasn't awesome, but I did finish. 

God reminded me of three important truths during the marathon. (As it happens, I had lots of time to think.) I haven't included chapter and verse on any of them, but I think they're all biblical principles. (I've written a whole essay, but this will be the Cliff's Notes version.)

1. At times, everybody does something that they stink at. When you've worked hard and you want to do your best at something, and you still stink at it, it's a little bit humbling. But that's okay. It stung my pride a little bit to walk most of the marathon when I wanted to run. But I think it was good for me to push through and finish, even though it didn't go how I hoped it would.

2. You never know what people are going through. It would have been easy to assume that I hadn't trained or that I wasn't trying very hard, when in reality I really was doing my best and my best was just really slow. Just because someone looks fine on the outside, doesn't mean they are. It doesn't cost me anything to be kind or gracious to the people around me.

3. Mindset really matters. It happened more than once, but the most distinct time was at mile 24. I was thinking about how rough the race was going, and I was hurting, and I was tired, and I was hungry. Focusing on those things almost made me cry, and in that particular time, crying was only going to make things worse.  I had to change my mindset and focus on positive things. It didn't make the bad things go away, but it helped me get through them. In life, your mindset doesn't make your problems go away, but it can help you through them.

Leah went on to say, “Am I going to do another marathon? Not anytime soon! But I'm glad I did this one.” That totally made me laugh because like many marathoners (especially first timers) she said she’d never do it again within minutes of completing her first 26.2 mile run. But as time went by and the pain subsided, her feelings changed a little bit. I have a feeling we may be seeing her out on another marathon course really soon. Which is another lesson we can glean from running… when we dig deep and make the determination to press on, we can all do hard things and will continue to do hard things as long as we value the lessons we learn from doing them. 

So there you have it friends. Running is a blessing in so many ways—something that we sometimes see only in looking back. Which is the very reason, I urge you to look back at your time and think about what you learned and to be grateful for it. You’ll be glad you did. After all, it’s the season for thankfulness. 

Happy Running and Happy Thanksgiving!

Love with Brotherly Affection

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:10 ESV

In a story titled “2023 Philadelphia Marathon runners took the city by storm,” it was reported that top runners from around the world competed in the 30th annual Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday. People cheered as thousands of runners braved not only the cold but any feelings of doubt or hesitation to participate in the Philadelphia Marathon. "We really saw the City of Brotherly Love showing up and showing out and people were making sure that we had the motivation that we needed," Caleb-Michael Files said… About 35,000 people took part in the marathon races throughout the weekend. 

And you know, when it comes to showing brotherly love, the Bible tells us that we are to not only “love one another with brotherly affection” but we are to “outdo one another in showing honor” as well. This means that the love we feel for other believers should be real, sincere and genuine—recognizing that we are true brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. As such, we are to highly respect, esteem and praise one another as fellow children of God who were adopted into the same family by grace alone.  

So if you’re going to go all out in anything, let it be to surpass your brothers and sisters in displaying honor my friend. Continue to show up and show out in big ways so the lost will see your love for one another and be inspired to seek the One who inspires this deep familial affection.  

Heavenly Father, thank You for modeling what it means to love others despite their flaws and shortcomings and for adopting us into Your family. Help us to love our brothers and sisters as we’re called to Lord and to lift them up and encourage them at every opportunity. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Patiently Endure to the End

“In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.” 2 Corinthians 6:4 NLT

On Saturday, November 18, I had the blessing of running the 8th annual Heroes Marathon in Rolla, MO and posted this afterwards, “What a blessed day and race it was!! By God’s grace I completed the Honoring Our Heroes Marathon, for the 8th time (keeping my streaker status) and got to see some amazing finishes…” That means since the race’s debut in 2016, the Lord (and I give Him all the glory) has given me the strength to complete the 26.2 mile distance multiple times. And let me tell you, none of them were ever easy (no matter how much I smiled in the photos). There were years that were hot, some that were freezing, and even one year when it was both and the runners and I had heat in the morning and then were hit by a fast moving cold front about three hours into the race that pelted our exposed skin (most of us were in tank tops and shirts) with sleet. Now that was a hardship! But by making the determination to press on no matter what, I reached the finish line and claimed the prize that awaited me and every other finisher. 

And you know, it’s this mindset that says, “I will press on no matter what,” that every Christian must adopt if they want to be successful in their spiritual race and prove themselves to be “true ministers of God” who “patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.” And let me tell you, the list of difficulties Paul had to weather to be considered a “true minister” was very long and extremely arduous. But Paul refused to quit because he knew there was a prize awaiting him (and every other person who makes it to the finish line) that made the effort well worth the pain and the struggles. 

So determine within yourself now that you will take a stand to follow Jesus no matter the cost my friend. Continue to run the race without slowing down, backing down or compromising the Truth knowing that you’ll reap an eternal and priceless reward when you cross that final finish line, having remained a “true minister.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for not only laying out the race rules and the race route, but for revealing the prize we will receive if we continue to fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith. May this knowledge spur us on to share the Good News with the lost at every opportunity so that they can also finish the race. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Be Careful not to Forget

“When you eat and are satisfied, you are to bless the LORD your God for the good land that He has given you. Be careful not to forget the LORD your God by failing to keep His commandments and ordinances and statutes, which I am giving you this day.” Deuteronomy 8:10,11 BSB

In an article titled, “This Maintenance Running Plan Helps You Keep Up Your Fitness After a Big Race,” posted by Runner’s World Wednesday, the writer said “Going into the winter months is the perfect time to enter maintenance mode! Whether you just ran a half or full marathon (congrats!) or have been putting in work all year to lead to PRs in other distances, backing off a bit during the off-season is a smart strategy for both recovery and future progress.” They then listed several strategies for maintaining a balance between rest and running that would keep a runner from losing their love for the sport and giving it up altogether.  

And you know, when it comes to maintaining your love for something when you’ve achieved your desired success, the Bible gives us the story of Moses’ reminding the Israelites of all that God had done for them over the 40 years He led them through the desert on their way to the promised land. Now, on the pinnacle of entering and gaining what they desired, Moses gave them this warning… “Be careful not to forget the LORD your God by failing to keep His commandments and ordinances and statutes, which I am giving you this day.” You see, Moses knew that it’s in times when we “eat and are satisfied,” that we are most likely to look to ourselves rather than to God, and that’s the beginning of forgetting Him altogether. 

So whether you’ve gained a PR or had a massive prayer answered, be careful to always remember that all your gifts, talents, blessings and accomplishments come from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth. Bless Him daily for all that you have then and keep His commands at all times. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that prosperity breeds apathy. Help us to always remember that You are the giver of good things so that You would get the glory and we would not forget You. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

There is No Excuse

“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” Romans 1:20 NLT

In a story published by The Guardian yesterday, the following was reported: A leading British ultra-marathon runner has been banned for 12 months by a UK Athletics disciplinary panel for using a car during a 50-mile race and then accepting a trophy for third place. Joasia Zakrzewski admitted that she had jumped into her friend’s vehicle during the 2023 GB Ultras Manchester to Liverpool race on 7 April, but claimed she only did so after telling marshalls that she was injured and was no longer competing. And although the 46-year-old runner continued to stick by her story in an effort to prove her innocence, her explanations and excuses were rejected by a UKA disciplinary panel. In a written decision, the panel said that Zakrzewski’s claims were “contrary to the evidence of the marshals, evidence which the respondent did not seek to challenge or contest, by way of cross-examination at the hearing”.

And you know, when it comes to evidence that leaves a person without excuse, the Bible tells us that “since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” That means no matter how much a person denies the existence of a Sovereign Creator who made all that was made (every human being and all of creation), their excuses (no matter how vehemently they are made) for not knowing the Lord will be rejected and they will face the consequences that come from opposing the Truth. 

So knowing that there is no excuse for not knowing God and the awful fate that awaits every nonbeliever, let us be bold in proclaiming the Good News to a world in desperate need of hearing it my friend. Let us urge the lost to look for God in each new sunrise and all of nature so that they will see the evidence of His existence and come to know Him before it’s too late. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for making Yourself known through what You have created so that all could come to know You and will be without excuse for not doing so. Each new day and each new birth reminds us of this. May it also remind us that we have a new day to share the Good News, and should do so at every opportunity. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Join the Family

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let’s get started by talking about the best two day event there ever was and ever will be (in my humble opinion of course)… the Dogwood Canyon Trail Runs. With a 25k or 50k option on Saturday and then a 15k option on Sunday, there was a distance for everyone. And even a Dogwood Challenge (the 25k or 50k Saturday and then the 15k) for those who really wanted to give their quads a workout and walk away with a slight limp. And what runner doesn’t want that right? After all, it creates an opportunity for you to brag about your adventures when people ask you why you're walking so funny. 

All joking aside, Dogwood Canyon is a special race for so many other reasons as well. Because it’s challenging, because it’s beautiful, because it's a park the whole family can enjoy, because the North Face swag is awesome and because the custom medals are to die for. But mostly because this iconic trail run is a family reunion to many (including me). You see, this is a race that people do year after year, even planning their vacations around it and using the race to celebrate birthdays, to pay respect to loved ones that have passed, and to run in honor of those who can’t. Which is the very reason that putting Dogwood Canyon on your 2024 racing calendar is a great idea! But don’t just take my word for it, check out what these participants had to say:

I didn’t used to love the Dogwood Canyon Trail run. In fact, I hated it. It was hard and I always felt defeated after doing the race. My body ached from the pounding. My feet hurt from the rocks. My pride hurt because once again, I didn’t train well for the event. Each year the sign up would come around and I would begrudgingly sign up again. Why? Because I didn’t want to miss out on the hoodie, the party, the friends and the racation it brought to my year. However, once I flipped the switch on how I looked at the race and how I ran the race it became my favorite race of the year. I stopped hating the hill climbs and started talking to people as I climbed. I have meet so many interesting people and had some of the best conversations on those hills. 

Really there are no words that can truly describe the feelings I get when racing the Dogwood Canyon Trail race. The area is so beautiful with all the fall colors, the water crossings, and the majestic bluffs. I think the best part about racing this event is the party and comradery that happen at the end of the race. Sure, there is some during the race as runners pass each other or help each other through a tough spot. However, at the end is where the party begins. I get to see all my race family and hear all the stories. Not only what happened during the race but also what has happened all year long for them. It’s like a small family reunion except there's no drunk uncle I need to avoid.

There truly are no words to describe how it feels to race the Dogwood Canyon Trail. You must come and experience it for yourself. -Alicia Adamson

Paul Maness is behind me in the orange shirt 

I run Dogwood every year, this year it was not meant to be. I was a little down about it but hey volunteering gets me around trail runners so, I'm in. You get to watch the race unfold in real time, the first few blaze past with a nod or "I'm good", then a few start to grab a drink, pretty soon you have people milling around, laughing, taking selfies and taking a way too early shot of Fireball, or cursing their decision to be there, followed by the..."I'll see you next year" with a wink. If this doesn't make your heart happy, breeze down to the finish line and watch the first timers come in, often with a tear of joy in their eye and big hugs all around, crying because they had been changed for the better.

Paul's station and his trail running family

I spent a beautiful, temperature perfect day, with my trail running family. Next year maybe I'll get to slide into an aide station griping but I promise I'll have that wink with "I'll see you next year" - Paul Maness

Heidi second from right on bottom in yellow

So here is my recap of my weekend in the woods. First, let me say, "I love my trail family"!!! Getting to spend the weekend with so many friends makes my heart full. Second, I love volunteering/crewing and giving back to the community that gives so much to me through the awesome events, beautiful trails and all the people who make them possible. Saturday, I headed up the mountain to run Aide Station #4, which I have renamed Fireball Hill. We aided 25K and 50K runners. Sunday was my day to enjoy the trails and Fireball Hill. For some reason, this weekend was more special than in the past. I think because on Saturday, I witnessed so many people doing their thing and enjoying the beautiful atmosphere.

The greatest joy of the weekend was the two guys wearing the Barry Strong t-shirts. You could tell they were whipped but had no desire to give up. I asked what the shirt was about. You see, they were running for their friend, Barry. Barry had planned on running Dogwood, but the Wednesday before, he was hit head-on by a drunk driver and was in ICU. He and his kids survived, the kids are fine, but Barry may never walk again. These men, and others, were out there with no training, had never run more than 10 miles, but they were out there giving it all, with a smile on their faces the whole time. I think I made some new friends!

My aide station crew was amazing. Joel and Allison Davis, John Cardoza, Hannah Spotts, Josh Mattix, Mike Fiddyment, I cannot thank you enough for keeping the party going for me. Being trail runners, ultra runners, and tri-athletes, we know how to take care of you. We are the best aide station! See you next year on top of Fireball Hill. Thank you Bass Pro Shops Fitness Series for another great year. Your team is amazing! - Heidi Thomas

Pictured here with Steve Welko

And here's what I wrote after day one... I was so blessed to cross the finish line of another Dogwood Canyon Trail Run to see my sweet Larry standing there with my medal. I then got a hug from Steve Welko who’s been a beloved volunteer for the Bass Pro Shops Fitness Series for as long as I can remember. Hanging out with friends afterwards was the icing on the cake. The Bass Pro events are always like a family reunion and I’m so thankful to be a part of this amazing group of people!!

And here's what I posted after completing the 25k/15k Dogwood Challenge.... And day 2 of the Dogwood Canyon Trail Runs is complete. Finished another Dogwood Challenge by God’s grace (those Ozark Hills are no joke!). Made some new friends, laughed with some old ones, started both days off with a devotional, and had my sweet Larry at the finish line. It doesn’t get any better than that. God is good and I am blessed. The Bass Pro Shops Fitness Series is the best!!

So there you have it friends. Dogwood Canyon weekend is amazing for so many reasons. But the friends we make along the way, on the trail and at the finish line, is the most amazing reason and it's what keeps runners coming back year after year. These friends soon become family and that's the beauty of trail running. So if you have yet to discover this for yourself, I urge you to get signed up for the 2024 event so you can join the family. You won't regret it. 

Happy Running!

Accept the Invitation Today

“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come.” Matthew 22:1-2 BSB

In an article titled “Dirt Circus to draw top runners” published yesterday by the Arkansas Democrat, the following was reported: A field of top runners is expected for the Dirt Circus 10K this weekend. The Bentonville Dirt Circus 10K and 5K races will be held Saturday. The new event is hosted by UltraSignup, Rush Running Company, Visit Bentonville and Trailblazers. The Dirt Circus 10K is a challenging course that will wind through Handcut Hollow, a system of hand-built trails developed and maintained by Trailblazers… The course is intended to be rugged, technical and unforgiving, according to a news release. The writer went on to say that the event is geared toward bringing in professional trail runners and trail running enthusiasts with a $10,000 prize being offered for the 10k winner. Not a bad deal for running 6.2 miles is it? 

And you know, when it comes to events that might attract the elite, the Bible gives us the “parable of the wedding banquet.” The simple story tells us that, although the party was for the King’s Son and came with the greatest prize (which meant it was one whose invitation should have been sought after), those who were invited “refused to come.” Can you just imagine that? God sent His one and only Son into the world, and the very people who should have celebrated His coming rejected Him, bringing judgment upon themselves. As a result, the kingdom of heaven was opened up to anyone and everyone who would set aside their own righteousness and by faith accept the righteousness God provided through Christ. 

So if you have not accepted the invitation to come to Jesus, I pray that you will do it today my friend. It will not only be the best decision you will ever make but will ensure you don’t miss out on being a part of the most epic event of all time. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for extending the invitation to everyone to come to You for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life that only Jesus’ death on the cross could have provided for all those who accept Him as their Savior. Lord, help us to be bold in urging all those who have not made the decision to follow You to do so before it’s too late… before the door is shut, never to be opened again. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Be Bold and Set Apart

John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey." Matthew 3:4 BSB

“Oh man. My quads are kinda tender,” I told my sweet husband as I slowly climbed into the car to go home after finishing up the second round of the Dogwood Challenge trail run (and completing the Back2Back Challenge in the process as well) yesterday morning. Two days of running up and down the Ozark Mountains with seriously steep accents and gnarly downward descents, with their jagged rocks and ruts, had taken its toll on my legs. But like most of the other runners who completed day one, day two, or both days, I left the Dogwood Canyon Nature Park with a huge smile on my face and a desire to come back and do it all again in 2024. You can be sure my idea of fun makes me seem very ‘weird’ to the world but quite normal to my fellow runners. 

And you know, being known as weird should be what every Christian strives for—since being odd sets us apart from the world. Consider the example of John the Baptist who “wore a garment of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey." Talk about weird! John was different from any one the people of his day had seen. But his strangeness is the very thing that attracted people to him! They all wanted to see this man who was so different from everyone else so much that they came out to the desert to hear the daring words John spoke, "Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven has come near." 

So don’t be afraid to be bold and set apart my friend! Be weird in the way that people see you following Jesus at all costs and come to know that you are anything but normal. After all, being strange and unusual may be the very thing that draws people to you… and when they’re drawn to you, you can share the Good News. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that as followers of Jesus we are to be set apart and totally different from the world. May we be so different that others would be curious as to why, and then be drawn to us that we might share the Good News of the gospel with them. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!

Always Keep the Joy

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 NIV

In a heartwarming story published by the Washington Post yesterday, the following was reported: Last place is typically not a cause for celebration. But for Joel Kaufman, bringing up the rear at the New York City Marathon on Sunday was “one of the great moments” of his life. By finishing the race in 8 hours 43 minutes and 34 seconds, Kaufman became the final official finisher of the 26.2-mile race. His rank among the runners: 51,258th place. (More than 100 additional wheelchair and hand-cycle competitors also competed.) Finishing last wasn’t something the 65-year-old Queens resident expected to happen or even knew he had accomplished when he crossed the finish line with both arms raised high around 8:17 p.m. in Central Park. But on Monday, an official for the New York Road Runners, which organizes the New York City Marathon, called Kaufman to inform him that he was the last person to officially cross the finish line. “I was loving every second of it,” Kaufman said of the race. “It wouldn’t have mattered if I was last or a thousand people faster.” Do you just love his joy or what?

And you know, as both a runner and a running coach, I will tell you from experience that nothing can steal a runner’s joy quicker than a pessimistic perspective. What I mean by that is this… a person can rejoice because they are simply able to complete the race (which is the attitude every believer should have) or drop out because they can’t do it in the time or manner they see fit. This is the very reason Paul, while being confined in prison, wrote “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” He knew there was always a reason to feel happy because God was always with Him, guiding his steps, setting his pace, and leading him to places where he could share the Gospel. So whether he was in a palace or a prison, Paul had cause for celebration! He didn’t care what ‘place’ he came in, only that God was allowing him to run the race. 

So let us rejoice in all circumstances my friend, knowing that God is with us… directing both our steps and our circumstances to put us in the right place at the right time to share the Good News. Now does that make you want to jump for joy or what? 

Heavenly Father, thank You for being the Source of our joy. Help us to remember that Your ways are not our ways but that Your will is always perfect so that we will be glad at all times. Help us to remember that keeping our joy in all circumstances is what inspires the lost to seek the One who inspires it. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Marriage is Worth the Work

“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT

In a heartwarming story published by the BBC yesterday, it was reported that a man who completed his 500th parkrun event at the age of 90 has reached another impressive milestone. Bob Emmerson, from Walgrave in Northamptonshire, has celebrated 70 years of marriage to his wife Thelma. They wrote to one another for 20 months while Bob was on national service before meeting face to face… Talking to BBC Radio Northampton, Thelma insisted that, after 70 years of marriage, Bob had no annoying habits. Bob said: "There's only one problem with Thelma. We get all ready to come [here] and then she realises she wants to do something like have a little wash, or comb her hair. I'm sitting in the car, waiting." "She does make a lovely apple tart," he added. Do you just love that or what? 

And you know, when it comes to staying married for a long time, you can be sure it’s no easy feat. In fact, Bob might agree that it’s even harder than keeping an impressive running streak. But you can be sure that it’s worth the hard work. You see, in this life Christians will face many attacks, trials, hardships, and things that could easily defeat them. But when they have a godly spouse, the two of them “can stand back-to-back and conquer” because the Lord is at the center of the marriage—strengthening each partner individually so they are then strengthened as a couple. Which is the very reason Solomon said that, “Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” 

So don’t buy into the lie that marriage is just a piece of paper or an antiquated institution my friend. God designed marriage to meet our need for companionship (to give us a helper who would walk with us through every stage of life) and to illustrate God’s perfect love for us. Which is the very reason every believer should strive to find the right partner who models what love is supposed to be and works hard to make their marriage last a lifetime. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for laying out the many benefits that seeking and growing a godly marriage with You at the center of it has. Help us to model those marriages to our children and those around us, loving our spouse as we should and being patient and kind in all circumstances. May our goal be to bring You glory through our marriage. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Relive the Experience

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about the Bass Pro Marathon weekend! Whether you ran the 5k, the half marathon or the full marathon Sunday, I hope you had as great a time as I did. The weather was perfect, the race shirts were amazing, the expo was full of vendors and happy people, the course was absolutely beautiful, the volunteers were encouraging, and hundreds of runners fulfilled their bucket list dream by crossing the finish line. It was just an amazing day!

Speaking of amazing, I not only had the blessing of completing 26.2 miles but did it as one of the 5:30 Bass Pro Marathon pacers. And I met some amazing people out on the course! One of them was Audrey Hukill (pictured above), and then two others were Karah Carpenter and Jonas Candie. We had so much fun talking (at one point we were all together) that we vowed to stay in touch via Facebook (which makes us "official" friends right?). To my delight, when I asked them to share their Bass Pro experiences, they all said "Of course!" 

So without further ado... check out what 31-year-old half marathoner (who joined our group to come back to help her friend Jonas finish) had to say about her experience... 

For most of my life, I didn’t believe that I was capable of difficult things. Therefore, I became extraordinarily adept at avoiding them. After birthing two babies without an epidural (both weighing close to eleven pounds), I realized I had been selling myself short. I began to wonder, “if my body is capable of this, what else can it do?” This led me to running. This was my second half marathon. In my first, I clawed my way to the end. An injury during training had kept me from performing the way I desired. Last time was about surviving. This year, I wanted to thrive. The biggest hurdle I faced this year was fear. Fear that my body wouldn’t do what I was asking it to. Fear that the pace was unsustainable. Fear that I would be disappointed with myself. Each time those thoughts came, I would thank the Lord. I would thank Him for making my body capable of running this distance. I would thank Him for His kindness that led me to this point. I would thank Him that the pain He leads us through always produces something. And I would keep my mind exactly where my feet were. And you know what? I made it. My father in law ran the last five miles with me. He coached, cheered, supported, and believed in me. After I finished the half, I received a text that my friend was struggling to finish his full marathon. I was able to meet him on his course and run some of his last miles with him. We prayed and remembered that the people we were five years ago would have never believed we would be doing what we were in that moment. Along the way, we met some amazing runners with beautiful testimonies. I plan to run the Rock and Roll Nashville Marathon in April. This run showed me the beauty in the running community, the power of encouragement, and lit a fire in me for marathon training. This is only the beginning!

Oh my... is that an awesome story or what??? And that's the very reason I love hearing the stories of runners who participate in the Bass Pro Fitness Series. 

Next up we have 22-year-old Audrey Hukill's story... Don't you love that smile??

I decided to run bass pro because last year I did the bass pro half and I felt as though I could go right on past that 13.1 so that is what I did. The course was so pretty with all the fall colors and so many volunteers and neighborhoods cheering me on. The hardest part for me was about mile 14-16. No one was around me, I did not have music queued up, and started to question am I going to cross that finish line. The most rewarding part was at about the 18mile mark I ran into Melissa and she started to speak life and encourage me with her stories and music to get me to the finish line, then seeing my family and friends at the finish line cheering me on meant so much to me. My next goal is to do a marathon in under 5hrs and 25minutes, and eventually be able to do a 50k. I will definitely come back and do bass pro next year! This race taught me to be an encourager, just like Melissa was able to encourage me from mile 18-26! This experience changed me for the better and revealed in this life we are all going to go through challenging times but we have to choose to persevere!

And last but not least, check out what 31-year-old Springfield native Jonas Candie had to say about his 26.2 mile journey to the finish line...

A year ago I had not ran over a mile in years. I wanted to reincorporate cardio in my workouts. After that I was motivated by a friend who just came off of doing the half marathon at Bass Pro [that friend was Karah Carpenter]. Next thing I know I went from 1 to 2 miles and 2 to 3 and next thing 5 miles. It was around the 5 miles I began seeing and hearing Yahweh establish and talk to me about faithfulness. He showed me what it is to commit to something and that He would be the one that sustains and finishes it all. I began getting more confidence and one thing led to another and I signed up for the marathon. Knowing my friend was signing up again also was something that helped and made me commit to it even more. In those long runs I began realizing how powerful the mind and body are. 

On marathon day, the hardest part for me was not lack of preparation but emotionally and mentally processing the things I couldn’t control. My leg felt as if it was struck by lightning and hurt like something was wrong. Both my knees were in grueling pain as well. As much as all the determination and endurance I had made me want to push through I knew my body and I knew I shouldn’t. I was forced to walk-run the rest of the race. Coming to terms with disappointment and unmet expectations in light of this huge event I had been preparing for was crushing and devastating. Yet the ability to endure and finish the race and prioritize my long term health showed me all that truly developed over the last year in me. I have become a man of determination faithfulness consistency endurance and mental strength beyond what I knew was possible for me. 

I definitely plan on returning to Bass Pro to run again and I feel like it will forever be my place of accomplishing one of the most challenging tasks in my life thus far. The reward for me has actually become plural. And I see it being more transferable than just for myself. I see it in encouraging and motivating my wife who suffers with health issues and physical problems. I see my children getting to see their father accomplish the marathon [check out his daughter watching him finish in the pic above] and inspiring them to achieve and succeed in their dreams, goals, and little lives. Both here and now and for things to come. I see family members getting encouraged and motivated, saying if Jonas can do it I can do it and I want to do it. It’s really much bigger than just my victory. And what it boils down to is the body (both personally and collectively) is capable of much more than it is just doing things in isolation. We were created for relationship, fellowship, and communication with others. And out on a race and course you get to see that all come together and it’s just a beautiful and wonderful experience. I have been reminded that I’ve been created to overcome and that in the midst of difficulties we can and must prevail. The race taught and showed me Jonas can start something and complete it until it is finished. And that God is not a liar. He is faithful and trustworthy. In times past I have given up on myself and even God when things got hard, or didn’t go as planned, but I was reminded and shown again that His word is everlasting and He is always present with us in the running and the walking. In our best and in our worst He is faithful and His presence will guide and carry you to the finish.

So there you have it friends. Those are some amazing stories, aren't they? But there are so many more! That's the thing with running. We all do it for different reasons. So be sure to bring to mind your experience of that day often. If nothing else, running the race was a learning experience that, as Jonas said, teaches us that we were "created to overcome and that in the midst of difficulties, we can and must prevail." The memories of that race will remind you of that when you need it. Hope to see you in 2024! Happy Running!