Dig Deep into God

“‘But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.’”Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV

In a story titled “Runner returns to epic British ultra to celebrate 50th birthday – and WINS the race” published by RUN247 yesterday, it was reported that Marcus Scotney won the 400km Cape Wrath Ultra in a time of 42:55:05, just over two hours in front of Jon Shield and Lewis Taylor on an all-British podium. And afterwards Scotney said: “After winning the inaugural edition of the Cape Wrath Ultra in 2016, I had always wanted to return and experience the incredible route once more. It’s a truly spectacular trail; you quickly run out of superlatives trying to describe how breathtaking the course is each and every day. “This year, however, I wasn’t sure how my now 50-year-old body would cope with eight consecutive days of demanding running. “The competition this year was fierce and relentless. I was pushed all the way by Jon and Lewis. Their presence kept me sharp, even on the tougher days, particularly day seven, when I had to dig deep to keep going. Crossing the finish line was a deeply emotional moment.”

And, you know, if “dig deep” is defined as having to use all of one’s resources or strength to keep going through a difficult time, you and I would do well to remember that, like in this demanding race, we will all encounter tough times in life. It’s not a matter of if, but when. Which is the very reason that we must trust in the Lord with all our hearts. You see, the person who seeks God above all else and chooses to dig deep into the Word each and every day “will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” In other words, the more a person has dug deep in advance of suffering, the more they will have of God’s provision deep in their soul (water) when that suffering comes. Which means they can not only rise to meet any test, trial, or series of troubles but will thrive as they go through it. 

So, knowing that our enemy, the devil, is fierce and relentless in his pursuit to cause us to give up on God and bow out of the race, dig deep before the challenges come my friend… and they WILL come. Plant your roots, heart and mind deep into the promises of God now so you won’t be moved, shaken, or unable to cope. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that the person whose roots are firmly planted in You has no need to worry over the attacks of the enemy or any trial or storm that might come their way. Help us to dig deep every day Lord by training in the Word that we might bear fruit at all times and in all circumstances. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

The Grace of God is With every Believer

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10 ESV

In a story published by CBC Sports yesterday, it was reported that Canada's Marco Arop will aim for his third consecutive 800-metre victory in the Grand Slam Track league on Saturday in Philadelphia. His success, according to his coach, can be traced back to his willingness to push his body to its maximum effort, something he displayed during high school workouts in Edmonton and is continuing to display now. Most successful track and field athletes don't shy away from the pain of training, but Arop understands the pain pushes him a step closer to his ultimate goals, according to his coach. "It means he's determined and committed to the craft, and he is not going to let anything get in his way," said Chris Woods, who has worked with Arop since becoming head track and field coach at Mississippi State University in 2019. The 26-year-old Arop can buffer lactic acid, or hurt longer and more, than anyone Woods has seen in 12 years at MSU. Woods, who began coaching at the U.S. collegiate level in 2009, has guided several track standouts…but none like Arop. "He's a once-in-a-lifetime athlete.”

And while athletes such as Marco may be unusually rare, believers who are determined, committed, and unwilling to let anything get in their way of serving Christ, should be commonplace. You see, as Paul clearly knew, “the grace of God” makes us what we are and by “the grace of God that is with” every person who follows Jesus, we can and should be known as people who work harder than anyone else. Despite the suffering, pain and hardships we might have to endure along the way, we are press on as we count our afflictions, troubles, temptations, and trials as pure joy—thereby ensuring that the grace toward us is not in vain. 

So vow to run the race with all that you have my friend! Whether God has called you to a sprint or to a marathon, keep running as fast as you can and serving Christ with all that you have. Don’t shy away from the pain you will experience along the way either, but boast in the One who gives you the strength and ability to overcome it and make it to the finish line. 

Heavenly Father, we thank You for giving us everything we need to run the race and complete the mission in front of us. Help us to embrace pain and suffering for what it produces in us Lord so that others will see our joy and be inspired to follow the One who inspires it. Help us to be found faithful at every mile until we reach that final finish line. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus amen. 

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Make Plans for Global Running Day

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

 Now let's get started by talking about signs. Defined as an object, quality, or event whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else, consider the talk of the upcoming annual Global Running Day (held the first Wednesday in June) your sign that it's time to start running if you never have before or to start running again if you've taken a break from it. Why? Because running is so fun and the people you meet while doing it are even more fun! Something that you can discover for yourself by attending one of the many group runs and events that are coming up on Wednesday, June 4. 

And if you can't find one in your area, why not join us for Fleet Feet's "The Big Fun Run Springfield?” This is an event you won’t want to miss because you're encouraged to "party like a runner" by participating in a free 5k and taking home some goodies! You can also long onto the Global Running Day Website where you can log your miles or run the NYRR Virtual 5k for free anytime between May 31 and June 8. You'll be joining thousands of other runners that share your passion for, in my humble opinion, the best sport in the world. 

But whether you do it in person or virtually, for real take this as a "sign" that you should be running if you're not already! Why? Because it's not only fun but it’s good for you both mentally and physically as well. This is something we talk a lot about since movement is good for our bodies! Running, in particular, offers a multitude of benefits for both mental and physical health. Physically, it improves cardiovascular health, strengthens bones and muscles, and aids in weight management. Mentally, it can reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and even enhance cognitive function. And the best part? It can be done nearly anywhere and it can be made more fun by joining a party!

Which is the very reason, starting a running routine on Global Running Day can change your life for the better! Check out these benefits adopting a habit of running (or brisk walking) provides...

Physical Health Benefits:

Cardiovascular Health:

Running is a great way to improve heart health, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease. This will not only allow you to live longer but to have a better quality of life. 

Bone and Muscle Strength:
Running is a weight-bearing exercise, which helps strengthen bones and muscles, particularly in the legs and lower body.

Weight Management:
Running can help burn calories, which contributes to weight loss and maintenance.

Improved Respiratory Function:
Running can increase lung capacity and improve overall respiratory function.

Enhanced Metabolism:
Running can boost metabolism and help the body burn more calories at rest.

Mental Health Benefits:

Stress Reduction:
Running can help reduce stress hormones like cortisol, leading to a calmer and more relaxed state.

Improved Mood:
Running releases endorphins, natural mood boosters that can help alleviate feelings of depression and anxiety.

Cognitive Enhancement:
Running improves blood flow to the brain, which can enhance cognitive function, memory, and focus.

Increased Self-Esteem and Confidence:

Achieving running goals can boost self-esteem and provide a sense of accomplishment. As a running coach and a runner, I will tell you that my morning run routine starts an upward spiral that improves my mood and allows me to be more productive. Contrary to popular opinion, brisk walking or running will give you more energy. 

Improved Sleep:
Running can help improve sleep quality and duration, especially when done regularly.

Neuroplasticity:
Running stimulates the brain's ability to form new neural connections, which can help with learning and memory. And don’t we all need help with that?

And there you have it friends. There are so many reasons to take part in this worldwide running celebration that encourages everyone, everywhere to get moving by making running fun—while stressing that it doesn't matter how fast you run or how far you go, the important thing is that you get out, have a good time while being active, and inspire others to join you! So start making plans for celebrating Global Running Day next week. My husband and I (pictured above at last years event) will be joining some other crazy runners at Fleet Feet to party like a runner!! I hope you’ll join us. Happy Running!

Offer up Wholehearted Praise

“Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:” Psalm 103:1-2 NKJV

After logging onto the wear blue: run to remember site to register for their virtual Memorial Day event, I received an email that read: We are honored to invite you to remember and honor a fallen service member this Memorial Day. As you run, walk, or remember, say their name aloud. Share their stories. Keep their memory alive through your purposeful steps.We encourage you to take time to learn about your Hero Match. And just as I was encouraged to do before embarking on the run Monday, I took the time to learn more about my “Hero Match.” His name was SSG Kevin M. Witte and he was killed in action on October 20, 2006 in Operation Iraqi Freedom at the age of 27. Kevin was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. For his outstanding service and bravery, Witte was awarded many medals including a Purple Heart. 

And, you know, while Memorial Day is a time we set aside each year to remember and honor our fallen service members, as believers we are to set aside time each and every day to remember all the ways God is good and worthy of our praise, honor, and worship. This command or call to “bless the Lord” with all that we have (with all our soul and entire being) was so important that it was repeated three times in Psalm 103. You see, as David understood, it’s not enough to merely go through the motions of worship — but because of the many ‘benefits’ we receive when we choose to follow God, we should bless the Lord with ALL that is within us. That means halfhearted worship is no worship at all. We must give up everything within us to the act of honoring and praising God. 

So, make it a habit to “forget not all His benefits” my friend—by making it a habit to remember the many  benefits of God the psalmist listed… including the forgiveness of sins, healing, redemption, and being crowned with loving kindness and mercy among other things. This ‘habit’ will reap ‘benefits’ beyond what you can imagine. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us through the words of the psalmist that we owe you the praise of our complete soul. Knowing that You are blessed and honored when man and creation sing your praises, help us to worship You in a way that causes us to be delighted in You and You to be delighted in us. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Honor their Sacrifice Today

"Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed." Romans 13:7

Like many other Americans on this Memorial Day, I will be honoring the memories of the millions of brave men and women who sacrificed their lives in wars and conflicts at home and abroad to give us the freedom that I and so many others enjoy in the United States today; freedom that’s taken for granted by so many who have forgotten that it came with a price. And I will be doing it in a way that many other runners will as well... by putting forth purposeful steps as part of an organized event. Several of my friends and I will be sharing some miles together today to pay respect to those fallen service members who willingly laid down their lives, not only for their loved ones, but for people they would never know or even meet.

And you know, when it comes to paying "respect to whom respect is owed" and "honor to whom honor is owed" as the Bible commands us, you and I would do well to both honor and respect the memories of the fallen soldiers who gave their lives for the independence this country holds dear—something we do by taking time to reflect on their courage and to thank God for inspiring the selfless love and bravery these heroes (who are many times unknown or who have long been forgotten) displayed. And then let us pray for the family and friends who were left behind to mourn their passing  

So as you start your day, be sure to put up your flag as a reminder of what this day truly stands for my friend. And then take a few moments to remember that "Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.” May your day be blessed. May our nation turn back to God and may you and I courageously declare ourselves to be proud Americans. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for all those people who willingly died to provide the freedom we enjoy in this country. Lord cause us to pay them the respect they are due today and to remember that this great nation was founded on the principles laid out in the Bible. Help us to get back to those Lord and to remember that true freedom is found only in your son Jesus Christ who gave up His life that so we could have eternal life. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Be Known for your Selflessness

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 ESV

In a timely story titled “Some Runners Are Filming Every Mile of Their Race. That’s Not Just Annoying—It’s Dangerous” published by Runner’s World yesterday, the writer shared a frustration many other runners share… the number of runners hyperfocused on shooting their own content during increasingly crowded races. The writer then went on to explain why: If you’re actively filming yourself—arm outstretched and angled down, narrating your mile splits like a sweaty David Attenborough—I’m going to politely ask you to put your phone down before you take out another runner. Courses are hosting record-breaking numbers of runners: 55,000 spots are available for this summer’s Peachtree 10K; nearly 28,500 runners finished last weekend’s Brooklyn Half Marathon; and the 2025 London Marathon saw a record-breaking 56,640 finishers. These events are designed to be a collective experience, one that celebrates community alongside individual grit. They’re not meant to be a backdrop for your personal vlog. When you’re filming yourself in the middle of a race, you’re shifting the focus from the shared to the solo. At best, it’s selfish and disruptive… At worst, it’s a safety issue. 

As someone who’s encountered this type of behavior at races myself, I would definitely agree with the writer that this conduct is both an issue of selfishness and safety. Which is the very reason, as followers of Jesus Christ, we should always strive to do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but consider others more important than ourselves. You see, when a believer allows themselves to be puffed up, their pride leads them to do whatever it takes to promote themselves—allowing selflessness to be overcome by selfishness, which always harms others and destroys our witness for Christ. 

So, wherever you might be, lift up the Lord rather than yourself my friend. If we are to reach a lost world, we must model the humility and the selflessness that Jesus  showed when he died for the sins of all at Calvary. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us that at all times, and in all places, we must seek to show the love of Jesus rather than the love of self the world promotes. Help us to put You above all Lord that we might reach a world in desperate need of salvation. Help us to be so set apart that we would not act or talk like the world in any way, shape, or form. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Pursue the Goal like an Olympian

“As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says,“In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 NIV

In an inspiring story published yesterday titled “American Olympic Runner Summits Mount Everest,” it was reported that famed runner Nick Symmonds just became the first and only person in history to summit Mt. Everest and break the 4-minute mile. The writer went on to share the Instagram post shared by Citius Mag showing a victorious Symmonds at the top of the mountain. "2x U.S. Olympian and 2013 World Championship 800m silver medalist @nicksymmonds has become the first person to have run a sub-4:00 minute mile and summit Mount Everest. He was part of a group of 30 climbers that reached it today. He has a 3:56:72 mile personal best." It's hard to fathom what else the celebrated athlete is capable of, or where his adventures will take him next. For now, he will probably spend some time recovering from such a grueling journey, but in true Olympian fashion, he is likely already thinking about his next goal.

Speaking of goal setting in ‘true Olympian fashion,’ which could be defined as a mindset that refuses to rest on past accomplishments and continually pursues opportunities for growth, Paul reminded us that as coworkers with God in the ministry of reconciliation, our goal is to always be found working hard and pressing forward (refusing to rest on past accomplishments or even slow down), intent on seeking out and never missing out on a chance to share the Good News. Why? Because, in quoting Isaiah 49:8, Paul reminded the Corinthian Christians that they must live with a sense of urgency— something we must do as well, staying ever mindful that God has a set time for us to be workers together with Him and a set time for that window of opportunity to close. Hence the reason Paul said “now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” 

So, choose to live your life with intention and urgency my friend. Choose to live focused on the Lord and the mission every believer partners with Him to complete. In this way, you will have no regrets when you reach that final finish line and have no more time to do the things God has called you to do “now.” 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we may not have tomorrow and should not put off doing those things you have called us to do today. Help us to use all the time, talents, and treasures You have given us in service to You Lord that we might not have received your grace in vain. Fill us with a sense of urgency that compels us to share the Good News with everyone we meet. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!