BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Reflect on 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 past two weekends. What fun they've been! First, we had Marathon Weekend which consisted of the Bass Pro Marathon, the Cohick Half Marathon, the Marathon Relay and the CMC 5k. Not to mention a totally fun two-day expo. And then we had the Dogwood Canyon Trails runs with the 25k/50k on Saturday and the 15k Sunday. As someone who had the blessing of taking part in both weekends (the marathon, 50k, and 15k), I'll tell you that it was bittersweet to cross the final finish line of 2026. And I'm sure I wasn't the only one who felt that way. 

And if you're feeling that way, rest assured that it's normal. I mean, think about it. You trained for months. You logged the miles, pushed through the tough workouts, sacrificed sleep, battled the weather, and showed up on days when motivation was nowhere to be found. You spent much of the year preparing for Bass Pro Marathon Weekend, the Dogwood Canyon Trail Runs, or maybe even BOTH!

And now? Just like that, it's over.

The finish lines have been crossed, the medals have been earned, and the sore muscles are finally beginning to recover. But before you pack away your running shoes or start chasing your next big goal, I want to encourage you to do something important....  Reflect.

Because while the races may be over, the lessons you learned along the way don't have to be. Think about the person you were when you first started training compared to the person you are today. Think about the mornings you got up when you wanted to sleep in, the runs you finished when quitting seemed easier, and the moments you discovered you were capable of far more than you ever imagined.

That's GRIT. And grit doesn't just make you a better runner. It makes you better at LIFE.

Every time you pushed through a difficult mile, you practiced perseverance. Every time you adjusted your training because things didn't go as planned, you learned adaptability. Every time you kept going when your body was tired and your mind was begging you to stop, you strengthened your ability to face adversity.

And guess what? Life is FULL of those same challenges.

There will be days when your job is overwhelming, when relationships are difficult, when finances are stressful, or when life simply doesn't go according to plan. But the same determination that carried you up those Dogwood Canyon hills or through those final miles at Bass Pro can help you navigate life's obstacles. Pretty cool, right? 

You see, running teaches us that discomfort doesn't always mean defeat, that progress isn't always pretty, and that sometimes the greatest victories come from simply refusing to give up.

And let's not forget something else. GRATITUDE.

Consider it a blessing to have had the opportunity to participate in one or both of these incredible weekends! It means you have a body capable of movement. You also had a community of runners who encouraged one another, volunteers who gave of their time, and events that brought people together through a shared love of running. And let's not forget the amazing bling we all went home with! Those 26.2 and 13.1 jackets were amazing! 

And think about this too... Not everyone had the opportunity to stand at the starting line. And not everyone who started the journey made it to race day. That's worth remembering.

Which means, whether you earned a personal record, barely beat the cutoff, walked more than you planned, or didn't get the finish you hoped for, you still gained something valuable from the journey. 
You gained experience. You gained perspective. You gained strength. And hopefully, you gained a deeper appreciation for what your body and mind can accomplish when you refuse to quit. I know I certainly did. 

So here's my challenge to you as you reflect back on all the goodness that came out of these two events: 

Don't let the lessons end where the race did. Take that grit into your workplace. Take that perseverance into your relationships. Take that discipline into your daily habits. And take that gratitude into every new day you're blessed to experience.

And then do this...  Sometime this week, take 10 minutes to reflect on your running journey and complete these three simple steps:

1. Write down THREE lessons running taught you this year. Maybe it was patience, perseverance, discipline, confidence, or learning that you're stronger than you thought.

2. Choose ONE area of your everyday life where you can apply one of those lessons. Is there a difficult conversation you've been avoiding? A personal goal you've been putting off? A challenge that seems overwhelming? Take one small, intentional step toward tackling it using the same determination you brought to your training.

3. Express gratitude to ONE person who helped you along the way. Send a text, make a phone call, or simply tell someone how much their encouragement meant. None of us gets to the finish line entirely on our own!

And here's my BONUS CHALLENGE: Share one lesson you learned from Marathon Weekend or Dogwood Canyon in the comments! Your experience just might be the encouragement someone else needs today.

Remember, you don't have to be training for a race to keep becoming a better version of yourself. Recovery is important, and rest is part of the process, but personal growth can continue every single day. Because the greatest reward of running isn't always the medal hanging around your neck. Sometimes it's the stronger, more resilient, more grateful person you've become along the way.

And there you have it friends. The race may be over, but the growth doesn't have to stop.Keep showing up. Keep growing. Keep being better than you were yesterday. And never forget that you don't HAVE to run. You GET to run! Is that a reason to reflect and be grateful or what? 

Happy Running!

When Suffering is Self Inflicted

“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV

After slowly walking into work Monday morning, a coworker and I began to discuss what we did over the weekend. After telling her all about the fun I had at the Dogwood Canyon two-day Trail Runs (at which I ran nearly 42 miles up and down the steep and rocky Ozark mountains), I also told her about the pain in my quads that explained why I was doing the dreaded marathon shuffle.

After we had a good laugh, I said, “I really can't complain too much, though, because I brought this suffering on myself. After all, it's one thing to suffer for something you didn't deserve, but when you bring the suffering on yourself, it's better to just accept it.”

And let me tell you, we had another good laugh about that! She was quick to assure me, though, that this was one type of suffering she would NEVER be bringing upon herself. Is that funny or what? 

But you know, spiritually speaking, there's a valuable lesson here for all of us. And the lesson is this…

Sometimes we suffer through no fault of our own, and other times we suffer because of the choices we've made. And while we may never understand why God allows certain trials in our lives, we can trust His promise in Romans 8:28 that He works all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

But what about the suffering we bring upon ourselves?

You see, the Bible tells us in Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” In other words, our choices have consequences. And while God promises to forgive us when we genuinely repent and turn from our sins, He doesn't promise to remove all the consequences of those sins.

Consider King David. Although God forgave him for his sins involving Bathsheba and Uriah after he repented, David still suffered painful consequences for his actions (2 Samuel 12). His forgiveness was real, but so were the consequences. And the same is true for us.

Poor decisions can damage relationships, destroy trust, harm our health, and leave us dealing with consequences long after we've asked God for forgiveness. And when that happens, we can't blame God for the suffering we've brought upon ourselves. We must take responsibility, learn from our mistakes, and move forward in obedience.

But here's the beautiful thing about God's mercy. Even when we deserve the consequences of our actions, God doesn't abandon us in our suffering.

Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us that His mercies are new every morning. Think about that! Every single morning we wake up is another opportunity to experience God's compassion, learn from yesterday's mistakes, and make better choices today.

And while God's mercy doesn't always remove the consequences of our actions, it assures us that our failures don't have to define our future.

In fact, Psalm 103:10-12 tells us that God has not dealt with us according to our sins or punished us according to our iniquities. And that as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

What an amazing picture of mercy!

You see, mercy isn't God giving us what we deserve. Mercy is God withholding the punishment we deserve. And nowhere is that mercy more evident than at the cross, where Jesus willingly suffered for sins He never committed so that we could be forgiven of the sins we did commit.

Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Jesus didn't wait for us to get our lives together. He didn't wait for us to become worthy of His love. He suffered and died for us while we were still sinners!

And because of that great mercy, we can face the consequences of our past without being consumed by guilt, shame, or regret. We can repent, accept God's forgiveness, make things right where we can, and trust Him to help us move forward.

Does that mean life will suddenly become easy? Of course not. But it does mean that our suffering is never wasted when we surrender it to God. Whether we're suffering because of circumstances beyond our control or because of choices we wish we could undo, God can use those experiences to humble us, teach us, strengthen our faith, and draw us closer to Him.

And that's something we should be incredibly thankful for.

As for my sore quads? Well, I knew what I was getting into when I signed up to run those beautiful but challenging trails. And while I might be shuffling around for a few more days, I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. But the spiritual lesson is one I hope we never forget.

We may not get to choose the consequences of our actions, but we DO get to choose how we respond to them. We can become bitter, blame God, and remain stuck in regret, or we can take responsibility, receive His mercy, and allow Him to use even our mistakes for our good and His glory.

So whatever suffering you might be facing today, remember this my friend: God's mercy is greater than your mistakes, His grace is sufficient for your struggles, and His love is not diminished by your failures.

You can't always undo what you've done, but through Jesus Christ, you can be forgiven, restored, and given a new beginning. And that's a reason to praise Him today and every day. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercies that are new every morning. Thank You also for Your grace that provides forgiveness of our sins. Help us to undertand that forgiveness doesn’t always free us from the consequences of our transgressions here on this earth Lord, but does ensure that we will inherit eternal life where all things will be made new. Thank you for that promise. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Practice Gratitude Every Day

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NKJV

Yesterday morning, before the start of the second day of the Dogwood Canyon Trail Run, I had the privilege of sharing a devotional with the runners preparing to tackle the beautiful but challenging 15K course. And while the message was directed toward runners, it's one that applies to every single one of us, whether we run or not.

You see, the message was simple but powerful. We don't HAVE to run. We GET to run! And when we begin to understand the difference between those two statements, we begin to understand just how important gratitude is to living a joyful life.

As I reminded the runners yesterday, by God's grace, we had been given another day to wake up, lace up our running shoes, breathe in the fresh air, and experience the beauty of His creation. We had the opportunity to challenge our bodies, enjoy the fellowship of others, and do something that many people would love to do but physically cannot.

And what a blessing that is!

I challenged the runners to remember that when the hills got steep and their legs grew tired. Rather than saying, "I HAVE to climb this hill," I encouraged them to say, "Thank You, Lord, that I GET to climb this hill!"

Because the truth is, what we sometimes complain about is the very thing someone else is praying for the ability to do. And isn't that true of so many things in life?

We complain about having to go to work when someone else is praying for a job. We grumble about having to clean the house when someone else is praying for a place to call home. We complain about being busy with our families when someone else is longing for the companionship and relationships we sometimes take for granted.

You see, gratitude changes our perspective. When we focus on what we HAVE to do, even our greatest blessings can begin to feel like burdens. But when we focus on what we GET to do, we begin to recognize just how good God has been to us.

And that brings me to the greatest reason we have to be thankful.

Jesus didn't HAVE to die for us. He CHOSE to die for us!

Romans 5:8 reminds us that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. Not after we cleaned up our lives. Not after we became worthy of His love. And certainly not because we had done anything to deserve it.

“No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” John 10:18 NKJV

He willingly laid down His life because He loved us. In John 10:18, Jesus explained that no one took His life from Him, but that He laid it down of Himself. His sacrifice was voluntary, motivated by love, and made in obedience to the Father's will.

Think about that for a moment. The Son of God willingly endured the cross to pay the price for our sins so that through faith in Him, we could receive the gift of eternal life.

If that doesn't give us a reason to be grateful, I don't know what will!

Psalm 100:4 tells us,“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” (NKJV)

Notice that Scripture doesn't tell us to be thankful only when life is easy, when everything is going our way, or when we have everything we want. We are called to be thankful because God is good, His mercy is everlasting, and His faithfulness never ends.

That's why I challenged the runners yesterday to spend their miles praising God. To thank Him for the strength to climb the hills, for the ability to keep moving when their legs grew tired, and for the breathtaking beauty of the birds, waterfalls, streams, and valleys along the course.

I even encouraged them to sing a praise song or two as they ran! After all, if the birds can sing, why shouldn't we lift our voices in praise to the One who created us?

But here's what I want you to understand today. We don't have to be running through the beautiful trails of Dogwood Canyon to practice gratitude. We can do it wherever God has placed us and in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.

We can thank Him for the breath in our lungs, the people in our lives, the opportunities before us, and even the challenges that cause us to depend on Him more. And when life gets hard, we can still praise Him for the one blessing that can never be taken away from those who belong to Christ—the promise of eternal life through Jesus.

You see, gratitude doesn't mean that life is always easy or that we won't face some difficult hills and valleys. It simply means that we choose to focus on the goodness of God rather than allowing our circumstances to steal our joy.

And the more we practice gratitude, the more we begin to recognize His blessings all around us.

So today, I want to challenge you to do the same thing I challenged those runners to do yesterday. Change your HAVE TOs into GET TOs. Look for the blessings in the ordinary moments. Thank God for the little things as well as the big things. And most importantly, never stop thanking Him for the gift of salvation that Jesus willingly made possible through His death on the cross.

Because the truth is, every breath is a blessing, every day is a gift, and every opportunity we have is another reason to praise the One who gave us life and gave His life for us.

So run grateful. Walk grateful. Work grateful. And live grateful. Not because life is always good, but because God is always good!

Heavenly Father, thank You for all the ways You are good to us. Lord, in response to providing a way to eternal life, help us to live lives of gratitude. Help us to be so joyful and so thankful everywhere we go that others might be drawn to the One who elicits this response. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Value Spiritual Training over Physical Training

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8 NIV

In a story titled “Leading US Marathon Runner Trains at Planet Fitness,” published yesterday, it was reported that up-and-coming star Vinny Mauri, who won the 2025 Chicago Marathon has a different training setting than most other elite athletes do. The 25-year-old trains at his local Planet Fitness in Ohio.

Most of his training miles, he said, are completed on the treadmills of his local gym, where a membership costs $24.99 a month.

Mauri smashed the Glass City Marathon course record in April, winning the race in a time of 2 hours, 5 minutes, and 54 seconds. At a speed of 4:48 per mile, this was the fastest debut marathon by an American in history. Speaking on his unique training base, Mauri said:

“People love that I’m just doing it from here, doing it from home. I didn’t really have to relocate to do the thing that I love.”

And, you know, while physical training is important—hence the reason there are many ways and places to train—training spiritually is even more important. 

This was something Paul alluded to when he said, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

Paul clearly understood that, while physical training could strengthen the body and improve a person's health, spiritual training could strengthen the soul and prepare a person for eternity. In addition, the benefits of physical fitness are temporary while the benefits of godliness are eternal. Think about that for a moment.

No matter how many miles we run, how many weights we lift, or how well we take care of our bodies, they will eventually wear out. Our strength will fade, our endurance will diminish, and one day our earthly lives will come to an end. But the time we spend growing closer to God, studying His Word, praying, and learning to walk in obedience to Him will never be wasted. Because while physical training prepares us for the challenges of this life, spiritual training prepares us for both this life and the one to come.

And that's why Paul said godliness is profitable for all things.

You see, the discipline we develop through spiritual training doesn't just help us become better Christians on Sunday mornings. It changes how we live every single day. It teaches us to respond with patience instead of anger, to choose obedience over temptation, to trust God when life gets hard, and to remain faithful when things don't go our way. It gives us the wisdom, strength, and endurance we need to navigate the trials of this world while keeping our eyes fixed on eternity.

But here's the thing. Just as a runner can't expect to finish a marathon without putting in the training miles, we can't expect to be spiritually strong without putting in the time to grow in our faith. Spiritual strength, like physical strength, requires intentional and consistent training. That means making time to read our Bibles, spending time in prayer, putting God's Word into practice, and choosing to follow Jesus even when it's difficult.

And while there's certainly nothing wrong with spending an hour at the gym or going for a long run—in fact, taking care of the bodies God has entrusted to us is an important part of being good stewards—we should never become so focused on training our bodies that we neglect training our souls.

After all, what good would it do us to be in the best physical shape of our lives if we were spiritually weak? What good would it do to cross the finish line of every race we entered if we failed to faithfully run the race God has set before us?

The answer is simple. Nothing we accomplish physically can compare to the eternal value of knowing Jesus Christ and living for Him.

So, by all means, lace up those running shoes, hit the gym, and take care of the body God has given you my friend. But make sure you're putting even more effort into growing spiritually. Because the medals, records, and physical accomplishments we work so hard for will one day mean nothing, but the rewards of a life faithfully lived for Christ will last forever.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Bible that gives us everything we need to become spiritually fit so that we can run the race with endurance, remain on course, and make it to the finish line. Lord, help us to take our training in the Word so seriously that we make it our top priority. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Don’t Put Off the Decision

"We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 NKJV

In a heartbreaking story posted by Runner’s World on Tuesday, it was reported that Rachel Apa was nearing the end of her first New York City Marathon when she collapsed in Central Park on Sunday, November 1. The 24-year-old had spent months putting in the work needed to conquer 26.2 miles, but never made it across the finish line. Instead, she was taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center, where she died later that night.

Apa, a Bucknell University alum who lived in central Pennsylvania, came to New York to run with Parkinson's Foundation Champions, raising money in memory of her grandfather, who died from the disease in 2022.

According to reporting from The New York Times, the medical emergency happened around 1:30 p.m. close to Mile 24, around 85th Street, right as runners enter the final stretch through Central Park. Several spectators rushed to help and began performing CPR. New York Road Runners medical staff arrived shortly after, and tried to resuscitate her with a defibrillator before paramedics took her to the hospital…

Doctors spent hours trying to save Rachel. Her father, Steve, told the newspaper she was pronounced dead around 9:40 p.m.

"It's unfathomable," he told the newspaper. "Perfect health, perfect shape, 24 years old."

Steve told the Times that his daughter died from rhabdomyolysis, which occurs when damaged muscle tissue breaks down and releases substances into the bloodstream. The condition can cause serious kidney damage and, according to the Cleveland Clinic, can be triggered by extreme physical exertion.

And you know, Rachel's death is a heartbreaking reminder of just how fragile life is and how quickly everything can change. At only 24 years old, she had her whole life ahead of her. She had trained for months, made plans for the future, and was just over two miles away from accomplishing something she had worked so hard for. But in an instant, everything changed.

And while we don't know what tomorrow holds, or even what the next moment might bring, this story reminds us of this... not one of us is guaranteed another breath.

That's why Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 are so important. When he said, "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation," he was urging people not to put off accepting God's gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. You see, salvation is available to everyone who repents of their sins and places their faith in Jesus Christ, but the opportunity to make that decision will not last forever.

And that's something you and I simply cannot afford to ignore or to share. 

You see, the Bible tells us in Hebrews 9:27 that, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." This means that when our earthly lives come to an end, our eternal destiny is settled. There are no second chances to repent after death. 

And as difficult as it might be to hear, those who die in their sins, having rejected Jesus Christ as their Savior, will not inherit eternal life.

Jesus Himself warned us of this when He said, "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." (John 8:24 NKJV)

This is why the decision to follow Jesus is the most important decision you will ever make. More important than your career, your relationships, your accomplishments, or any goal you could ever achieve. Because while all those things matter here on earth, only your relationship with Jesus Christ determines where you will spend eternity.

And here's the beautiful thing. God doesn't want anyone to perish. Second Peter 3:9 tells us that the Lord is "not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." That's why He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins, making a way for us to be forgiven and reconciled to Him. Salvation isn't something we can earn by being good enough or doing enough good things. It's a gift of grace received through faith in Jesus Christ.

But it's a gift we must personally receive.

So let me ask you something. If your life ended today, would you be ready to stand before God? Do you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior? Or have you been putting off that decision, assuming you'll have plenty of time to make it later?

If so, please don't wait!

As runners, we spend countless hours preparing to cross a finish line. We train, sacrifice, and discipline ourselves because we know how important it is to be ready when race day comes. But how much more important is it to prepare for the finish line of life? After all, we know when a marathon is scheduled to end. We have no idea when our earthly race will be over.

And while we can always sign up for another race if we miss one, we cannot go back and make the decision to follow Christ once our lives have ended.

So, if you haven't accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, I urge you to do it today my friend—because tomorrow isn't promised, the next moment isn't guaranteed, and eternity is far too long to be wrong about where you will spend it. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the free gift of salvation that You provide to all those who choose to accept You as Savior and to turn from their sins. Lord, help us to be bold as we work alongside You to plead with the lost to receive Your gift of grace while they still have time, knowing there will be no second chances after death. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Keep the Momentum Going

Hello Runner Friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about Marathon Weekend! Was it a blast or what? From the expo to the race, this event did not disappoint! So, a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to every runner who crossed a finish line on Sunday! Whether you completed the 5K, half marathon, marathon relay, or the full marathon, you accomplished something worth celebrating!

Think about all the early mornings, long runs, tired legs, and sacrifices that brought you to that finish line. You set a goal, committed to the training, pushed through the hard days, and YOU DID IT!

But now what?

As a longtime runner and running coach, I can tell you that one of the best things you can do after accomplishing a big running goal is to SET ANOTHER ONE! Why? Because you don't want to let the post-race blues steal your joy!

Believe it or not, there’s something runners sometimes experience called Post-Marathon Depression (PMD), often referred to as the post-race blues. It's that emotional letdown that can happen after spending months training for something big, only to suddenly find yourself without that daily purpose or goal. I can tell you from experience that it’s a real thing!
Think about it… For weeks or months, your life revolved around training schedules, long runs, nutrition, recovery, and counting down the days until race day. Then, just like that, it's over.

The excitement fades, the medal gets hung up, and you might find yourself asking, "Now what do I do?"

That feeling is more common than you might think. And while taking time to recover physically and mentally is absolutely necessary, having something new to look forward to can help keep those post-race blues from taking over.

Your Accomplishment Is a Springboard, Not a Stopping Point!

Here's what I want you to remember: You are not the same runner you were when you started training!

You're stronger. You're more disciplined. You're more confident. And you've proven to yourself that you can do hard things!

So why stop now?

Maybe you just completed your first 5K. Why not set your sights on a 10K? Finished your first half marathon? Maybe a full marathon is in your future! Already conquered 26.2 miles? Perhaps it's time to explore trail running (think Dogwood Canyon), tackle an ultra, or work toward a personal record?

And here's the beautiful thing: Your next goal doesn't even have to be a longer distance or a faster time. Maybe it's simply becoming a more consistent runner, improving your strength, or learning to enjoy running without the pressure of a race clock.

Progress, you know, doesn't always mean going farther or faster. Sometimes it means becoming better at what you're already doing.

Keep the Momentum, But Respect the Recovery!

Before you rush out and register for your next big challenge though, remember that your body needs time to recover from the work you've just asked it to do. Especially if you completed the marathon!

Rest is not losing fitness. Recovery is part of training!

Use this time to celebrate your accomplishment, enjoy some easy movement when you're ready, reconnect with friends and family, and reflect on everything you've learned.

But don't lose sight of what you've gained. Go ahead and put that next race on your calendar! Having something exciting on the horizon can give you renewed motivation and direction while allowing yourself the recovery you deserve.

The Best Is Yet to Come!

One of the things I love most about running is that there's always another opportunity to grow. Every finish line has the potential to become the starting line for something greater.

That race you just finished? It wasn't just about earning a medal. It was about discovering what you're capable of when you commit to something and refuse to give up.

Don't let all that hard work become something you used to do. Let it become the foundation for what you're going to do NEXT!

So, to all my fellow Bass Pro Marathon Weekend finishers, I challenge you to do three things: Celebrate what you've accomplished, give your body the recovery it deserves, and find another goal that excites you!

Maybe I'll see you at the starting line of your next adventure? I know where my next adventure will be... Dogwood Canyon!!!

And there you have it friends. The finish line isn't where your journey ends. It's where the next chapter begins! So keep moving forward, keep challenging yourself, and never forget that the way to keep from experiencing post-race blues is to keep setting goals and doing what it takes to achieve them. 

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Keep the Momentum Going

Hello Runner Friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about Marathon Weekend! Was it a blast or what? From the expo to the race, this event did not disappoint! So, a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to every runner who crossed a finish line on Sunday! Whether you completed the 5K, half marathon, marathon relay, or the full marathon, you accomplished something worth celebrating!

Think about all the early mornings, long runs, tired legs, and sacrifices that brought you to that finish line. You set a goal, committed to the training, pushed through the hard days, and YOU DID IT!

But now what?

As a longtime runner and running coach, I can tell you that one of the best things you can do after accomplishing a big running goal is to SET ANOTHER ONE! Why? Because you don't want to let the post-race blues steal your joy!

Believe it or not, there’s something runners sometimes experience called Post-Marathon Depression (PMD), often referred to as the post-race blues. It's that emotional letdown that can happen after spending months training for something big, only to suddenly find yourself without that daily purpose or goal. I can tell you from experience that it’s a real thing!
Think about it… For weeks or months, your life revolved around training schedules, long runs, nutrition, recovery, and counting down the days until race day. Then, just like that, it's over.

The excitement fades, the medal gets hung up, and you might find yourself asking, "Now what do I do?"

That feeling is more common than you might think. And while taking time to recover physically and mentally is absolutely necessary, having something new to look forward to can help keep those post-race blues from taking over.

Your Accomplishment Is a Springboard, Not a Stopping Point!

Here's what I want you to remember: You are not the same runner you were when you started training!

You're stronger. You're more disciplined. You're more confident. And you've proven to yourself that you can do hard things!

So why stop now?

Maybe you just completed your first 5K. Why not set your sights on a 10K? Finished your first half marathon? Maybe a full marathon is in your future! Already conquered 26.2 miles? Perhaps it's time to explore trail running (think Dogwood Canyon), tackle an ultra, or work toward a personal record?

And here's the beautiful thing: Your next goal doesn't even have to be a longer distance or a faster time. Maybe it's simply becoming a more consistent runner, improving your strength, or learning to enjoy running without the pressure of a race clock.

Progress, you know, doesn't always mean going farther or faster. Sometimes it means becoming better at what you're already doing.

Keep the Momentum, But Respect the Recovery!

Before you rush out and register for your next big challenge though, remember that your body needs time to recover from the work you've just asked it to do. Especially if you completed the marathon!

Rest is not losing fitness. Recovery is part of training!

Use this time to celebrate your accomplishment, enjoy some easy movement when you're ready, reconnect with friends and family, and reflect on everything you've learned.

But don't lose sight of what you've gained. Go ahead and put that next race on your calendar! Having something exciting on the horizon can give you renewed motivation and direction while allowing yourself the recovery you deserve.

The Best Is Yet to Come!

One of the things I love most about running is that there's always another opportunity to grow. Every finish line has the potential to become the starting line for something greater.

That race you just finished? It wasn't just about earning a medal. It was about discovering what you're capable of when you commit to something and refuse to give up.

Don't let all that hard work become something you used to do. Let it become the foundation for what you're going to do NEXT!

So, to all my fellow Bass Pro Marathon Weekend finishers, I challenge you to do three things: Celebrate what you've accomplished, give your body the recovery it deserves, and find another goal that excites you!

Maybe I'll see you at the starting line of your next adventure? I know where my next adventure will be... Dogwood Canyon!!!

And there you have it friends. The finish line isn't where your journey ends. It's where the next chapter begins! So keep moving forward, keep challenging yourself, and never forget that the way to keep from experiencing post-race blues is to keep setting goals and doing what it takes to achieve them. 

Happy Running!

Run the Tangents

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.” Psalm 111:10 NKJV

In a story titled “Wow! Jess McClain Becomes the First American Woman on the NYC Marathon Podium in 8 Years,” published by Runner’s World yesterday, it was reported that Jess McClain, the 34-year-old from Scottsdale, Arizona, finished second at the New York City Marathon in 2:24:42.

She later intimated that “wise” running was the key to her success.

The race broke open at mile 23 with eventual champion Sheila Chepkirui and defending champion Hellen Obiri, both of Kenya, creating a seven-second gap.

But McClain, in her mint green Brooks kit, was always visible lurking in the distance.

And notably, she ran the tangents through the curves of Central Park, while the leaders stayed in the middle of the road, adding distance.

“The last two miles through the park, I was just like really focused on the tangents and my form,” McClain said. “And I was taking the shortest line possible, and I kind of noticed Hellen kind of not taking the tangents, and I think honestly, like, every small percentage of anything helped in the last few miles.”

Her wisdom allowed her to remain near the front and ultimately outsprint Hellen, who has three Olympic medals, including two silver medals at the 5,000 meters, in the last 200 meters of the race.

And you know what? There's a powerful spiritual lesson here for you and me.

You see, running the tangents means taking the shortest possible straight-line path, which is the shortest possible legal path, through the curves of a racecourse rather than following the road's bends. And while knowing how to run the tangents is important, that knowledge does a runner absolutely no good unless they actually put it into practice.

The same is true in our spiritual race.

This is something we see in Psalm 111:10 that says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.” In other words, true wisdom begins with having a deep reverence for God, recognizing His authority, and trusting that His ways are better than our own. 

But notice something important here… The psalmist doesn't say that understanding comes simply from knowing God's commandments. He says it comes from doing them.

And that's where running the spiritual tangents comes in. 

You see, God's Word shows us the best and straightest path to take in life. It teaches us how to avoid unnecessary detours caused by sin, poor decisions, and disobedience.

But just like a runner who knows the shortest route and chooses not to follow it, we can know what the Bible says and still choose to go our own way. And when we do, we often make our spiritual race much harder than it needs to be.

That's why reading and studying God's Word every day is so important. We can't follow instructions we don't know. And we can't expect to make wise decisions if we aren't filling our minds with the wisdom that comes from God. But knowing His Word is only half the equation. We must be willing to obey it, even when doing so isn't easy or convenient.

And here's the beautiful thing. The more we study God's Word and put it into practice, the better we become at recognizing His ways and choosing them over our own. Our obedience strengthens our faith, deepens our understanding, and helps us stay on the course He has set before us.

So let me ask you this. Are you running the spiritual tangents? Or are you adding unnecessary miles to your journey by knowing what God commands but choosing to do things your own way?

The answer to that is very important my friend, because if you want to make it to the finish line as a champion, you must make it your daily mission to know God's Word and to obey it. This is the only way to ensure that you’ll be wise enough to run the spiritual tangents. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the Bible that lays out the course to the finish line. Help us to study Your word and to obey it that we might follow You so closely that we don’t stray from the straight and narrow path laid out for us. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Two are Better than One

“And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.” Mark 6:7 NKJV

As I stepped up to the start line of the Bass Pro Marathon as a pacer once again yesterday morning, I thanked the Lord repeatedly that I was not alone in my mission to help the runners joining our 5:15 pace group make it to the finish line in five hours and 15 minutes or less.

You see, what a lot of people don’t understand about pacing is this… not only is it the pacer's job to keep a steady and consistent rate of speed from mile one to mile 26.2 (something that requires constant monitoring and frequent recalculations of how fast or slow they are leading the group), but it’s also a pacer's job to keep the group motivated, encouraged, hydrated, and laser-focused on the finish line.

This is the reason pacers are sent out in pairs and the reason I was so thankful that a replacement was found when my original co-pacer had to bow out due to injury. Pacers constantly encourage one another so they, themselves, can remain encouraged and can pass that encouragement on to the runners in their group.

And you know what? Jesus understood the importance of having someone by our side as well.

"One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established." Deuteronomy 19:15

In Mark 6:7, we're told that Jesus sent His disciples out “two by two.” You can be sure there were several reasons for this, including the Jewish law found in Deuteronomy 19:15, which required two or more witnesses to establish a matter. Sending the disciples in pairs helped establish the credibility of their testimony.

"Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

But there was another important reason Jesus did this. He knew the mission wouldn't be easy. The disciples would face rejection, opposition, exhaustion, and discouragement. Having someone beside them meant they wouldn't have to face those challenges alone. They could encourage one another, hold each other accountable, and help each other remain faithful to the mission and make it to the finish line. 

And isn't that exactly what we need today? 

“then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.” Philippians 2:2 BSB

So, knowing that two are better than one when it comes to reaching the finish line, do what you need to do to acquire and maintain close relationships with like minded individuals my friend. “Being united in spirit and purpose” is the very thing that will ensure that your pace is steady and consistent from start to finish. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us like-minded friends to help us run the race of life. Help us to live in such a way that we are worthy of following Lord that we might help others in our path follow You in such a way that they make it to the finish line. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 
Happy Running!

Rejoice in Being the Underdog

“and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest), that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away at Adam, the city that is beside Zaretan. So the waters that went down into the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, failed, and were cut off; and the people crossed over opposite Jericho.” Joshua 3:15-16 NKJV

As I began yesterday‘s early morning run, I started to pray that I would not be the only 5:15 pacer for Sundays Bass Pro marathon. As is the case with most pace groups, those of us tasked with getting the runners from the start line to the finish line in the time allotted individually to us are sent out in pairs. That way we can not only help keep the group encouraged, but can encourage one another as we work to ensure a consistent pace. And let me tell you, that encouragement and accountability from a partner is very underrated.

So when my favorite co-pacer, Jody, who I’ve paced with for many years, sent me a text and photo of her feet Wednesday night, I was definitely a little concerned. Several toenails were missing due to her running a 100k race the previous Saturday, and both big toe toebeds where the nail had once been were now red, swollen, and raw. They were so painful in fact that Jody told me that she still could not even put on a pair of shoes. Running 26.2 miles then was probably not going to be an option for her. 

“Oh Lord,” I prayed as I practiced the pace I would need to do the job solo, “I’ll be going into this race as an underdog if there’s no replacement for Jody and I have to do it alone.” As I continued to petition the Lord, He brought to mind a handful of other times when I had stepped up to the start line as an underdog (due to injury, illness, substandard training, or other circumstances) and a handful of other times God stepped in to do what only He could do. Part the waters to get me to the finish line in such a way that I could only say, “Wow God!”

And, you know, the Bible is full of stories of people who were able to do amazing things by the power of God, despite having a slim to little chance of doing them. And these underdog stories (tales of success from people who had a poor chance of success, winning, or achieving some other goal) serve to give us hope today! 

One such story is told In Joshua 3 when the Israelites were preparing to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. They knew they were supposed to cross but there was a problem. The Jordan was at flood stage, overflowing its banks because it was harvest season. The waters were high, the current was strong, and crossing seemed impossible.

Yet God instructed the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant to step into the river despite that. Notice that God didn't stop the waters before they stepped in? It wasn't until the priests' feet actually touched the water that God stopped the river from flowing, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. 

Is that a powerful lesson in faith or what? The priests had to step into the raging waters before they saw God's power at work. They couldn't wait for the circumstances to improve or for the waters to recede before obeying. They had to trust God enough to take that first step.

And the same is true for us today. Sometimes God calls us to move forward when we’re the underdog—when the circumstances seem overwhelming and the outcome is uncertain.

But here’s the deal… Faith isn't waiting for God to remove every obstacle before we move. It's trusting Him enough to step up to the start line expecting Him to move. 

And the best part is this. Although going into a race or any other challenge as an underdog is scary, we not only get to witness God working to overcome the odds but we get to share our story with others. 

So, if you're facing impossible odds today, rejoice and trust God my friend. Because the least likely it looks that something can be done, the more likely people will see that God was the One who did it when it gets done. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that You will stack the odds against us for reasons we may never understand this side of heaven. Help us to remember that You are on the throne, You are in control, and You are working all things for our good for Your glory. Help us to trust You when the waters are at flood stage and to step forward in faith,  confident that You will move in such a way that You get the glory. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 
Happy Running!

You Don't Have to Work to Earn God's Love

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1 NIV

In a story published by Time Magazine yesterday titled, "I Thought Running Would Make Me Worthy of Love", Nickademus de la Rosa described the reason he got into ultrarunning--and it's a reason that resonates with a growing number of my fellow ultrarunners. Hence the reason that ultramarathon finishes have roughly tripled since 2010, exceeding 150,000 runners last year, according to UltraRunning magazine.

This is what Nickademus had to say about that:

I understand the appeal. I spent years competing in some of the world’s most difficult endurance races, finding satisfaction and eventually a professional career in seeing how far I could push myself. But as more runners test their limits, I hope they’ll also ask themselves what they need those achievements to prove. For me, winning became a way to feel worthy of love. Every finish line offered reassurance that lasted only until I started worrying about the next race.

It took losing my professional running career to understand why I needed that reassurance so badly. The story began long before I laced up a pair of shoes and entered a race.

Divorce and my parents’ own troubled upbringings made my childhood difficult. As an adult, I can now see that my parents were unable to provide the safe, nurturing, and stable environment a kid deserves.

My young mind came to a conclusion that many children do: I must not be good enough the way that I am. Love, attention, and care, I believed, were all things that you had to earn. As a teenager, I was desperate for the attention I rarely received at home. My grades were good, but not scholarship level; I was on the cross-country team and acted in school plays, but was never the standout star in either.

Despite my best efforts, nothing worked. That is, until I found success in ultrarunning.

At 15 years old, I watched my mother train and complete her first marathon. I was mesmerized. Maybe I could win her affection by doing what I’d seen her do.

Later that year, I crossed the finish line of the San Diego Rock n’ Roll Marathon. I loved the challenge, but I wanted more. Within a few years, I was running my first 50-mile ultramarathon. As part of my senior project, I pledged to run 100 miles around my high school track while fundraising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in honor of a friend who was battling cancer.

The ensuing media coverage was much more than I expected. To be honest, I loved the attention. Suddenly I felt seen by my mom. Again, I wanted more.

At 19, I finished Badwater, a 135-mile race across Death Valley in July. A year later, I flew out to Minnesota and completed the Arrowhead 135, in which I pulled a sled across the frozen landscape for nearly 54 hours. By age 20, I had attempted the Barkley Marathons for the first time, a race so difficult that in its 40-year history, only 20 people had ever officially finished. It would take me two more attempts navigating heinous trails through the hillsides of Tennessee to ultimately finish the race in 2013, becoming finisher 13. Soon I was flying across the world, competing in 200-mile races, and living the life of a professional trail runner. It was everything I could have hoped for: the attention, the praise, the pre-race interviews, and the post-race adulation. And yet a part of me knew that if I didn’t win every race I entered, the worthlessness that I’d kept at bay for so long would drown me.

In 2018, that tidal wave finally came crashing over me. I had been diagnosed with a congenital bicuspid valve in my heart, and the resulting aortic aneurysm meant open-heart surgery.

Just like that, my professional running career was over, and with it went my path to validation. I had lived my whole life up to that point working for my worth; it was never inherent. If I couldn’t achieve results, who was I? Did I even exist? How could I be loved without having earned anything?

And you know, for many of us, the idea that love must be earned started when we were children. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, our parents may have made us feel that their love and approval depended on how well we behaved, how much we accomplished, or how closely we met their expectations. And sadly, those feelings can follow us into adulthood, leaving us believing that our worth is determined by what we do rather than who we are.

But here's the good news. We never had to earn the love of our Heavenly Father, and we never will.

You see, Romans 5:8 tells us, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Did you catch that? God loved us before we ever did anything to deserve His love. In fact, He loved us when we were at our worst. His love wasn't a reward for good behavior or an achievement we had to work toward. It was a gift freely given through Jesus Christ. Amazing right?

"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

And if you ever question how valuable you are to God, just look at the cross. The Creator of the universe loved you so much that He sent His only Son to die for you. Not because of what you could accomplish for Him, but because of His great love for you. That's how much you're worth to Him.

Yet how often do we find ourselves trying to prove our worth? We measure our value by our accomplishments, our appearance, our careers, our relationships, or even how much we do for others. And when we fall short of our own expectations, we begin to feel like we're not enough.

But here's the thing. When we place our identity in what we do, our sense of worth will always rise and fall with our performance. When things are going well, we feel valuable. When we fail, we feel worthless. And that's a terrible way to live.

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

God never intended for us to find our identity in the things of this world. The Bible reminds us that we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. Notice the order. We are His workmanship first. The good works come afterward. We don't work to become valuable to God. We do good works because we already belong to Him.

And that's an important distinction. Our obedience, service, and good works should flow from our love for God, not from a desperate attempt to earn His love.

So what happens when we finally understand this truth? We stop striving to prove that we're enough and start living with the confidence that, through Christ, we are loved, accepted, and secure. We can pursue the things God has called us to do without allowing our successes or failures to define us.

Does that mean we stop trying to improve ourselves or striving to be the best we can be? Absolutely not! It simply means our motivation changes. Rather than working to earn God's approval, we seek to honor Him with the lives He's given us. We pursue excellence out of gratitude rather than fear of rejection.

And when we stumble, as we all will, we can get back up knowing that our failures have never and will never diminish God's love for us. His grace is sufficient, His mercy is new every morning, and our identity in Christ remains secure.

So today, my friends, I want to encourage you to stop measuring your worth by what you accomplish, what others think of you, or how well you perform. Those things will always change. But God's love never will.

You are not valuable because of what you can do. You are valuable because you were created by God, loved by God, and, through faith in Jesus Christ, called a child of God.

And that's an identity worth holding on to.

So go out and give your best in everything you do today my friend. Not to earn the Father's love, but because you already have it.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we never had to earn Your love, and that there's nothing we could do to ever make You love us less. Lord, help those who are struggling with finding their worth in what they can do to understand that when their identity is in You, they can stop striving and rest in their identity as children of God. Lord, thank You for lavishing Your great love upon us. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.


Happy Running!