Our decisions add up

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

After pacing the 5:30 group (5 hours, 30 minutes) at the Bass Pro Marathon Sunday morning, I couldn't help but thank God that my co-pacer, Jody, and I got the runners following us to the finish line on time. "Several hundred decisions went into that," I later thought to myself. "Speed up, slow down, take the corner broad, cut the corner close. Walk at the water station. Run through the water station. Check the watch. Check the watch again, and again, and again." And while each one of these decisions might have appeared tiny at the time, they were anything but. You see, all these decisions worked together to determine whether we reached our goal. Ironically, though, one bad choice here or there (and there were several) didn't undermine our attempts to complete the 26.2 miles in the time allotted when we immediately recognized the wrong choice and rectified it. For example, at one point Jody and I allowed the runners to meander through an aid station a little too long. After checking our watches, we immediately knew we were falling behind and so skipped the next water stop to make up for it. 

And you know, the Christian walk is much the same as a 26.2 mile race. There are millions of decisions that you and I will make on our journey to the ultimate finish line. Some will be good choices and some will be bad ones. Thankfully, though, when you and I make bad decisions that ultimately lead us to sin (and every one of us will), we can "confess our sins" and be made right. You see, the Bible tells us that Jesus "is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" if we come to Him with repentant hearts. That means you and I can jump back into the race when we've strayed off course no matter how much time we might have wasted. Is that great news or what? 

So if a series of bad choices has you feeling as if you'll never make up for lost time or be able to get back on track, remember that each new day is an opportunity to change the course of your life my friend. Simply confess your sin, repent, and allow Him to restore you. It's that easy. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that our sins don't have to define us or keep us where we are unless we let them. Remind us that we can be forgiven, made righteous and put back on the right path by confessing and repenting of our transgressions and bad decisions. Thank You for being faithful Lord. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

We are better in pairs

"Then Jesus called the Twelve to Him and began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits." Mark 6:7 BSB

As my co-pacer and I lined up at the start line of the Bass Pro Marathon yesterday morning, pacer sticks in hand, I said to her, "Jody, if God doesn't come through this will be an epic fail for me." "Same here," she replied shaking her head. "Between my walking pneumonia not being totally healed and your injured calf, we won't even make it past mile one if He doesn’t intervene." "I'm so glad that we're together," I told her as I held back tears. "Me too," she said smiling. And then we were off. And while I'd like to say that the pain in my calf totally disappeared and that Jody's lungs opened to full capacity, neither of that happened. What did happen, though, is that Jody and I were able to make it to the finish line on time, despite the odds stacked against us.... by God's strength and through the encouragement we received from one another. Something that strengthened our faith and allowed us to plant seeds into the hearts of every person who was in our pace group. 

And you know, as this story clearly illustrates, we’re just better in pairs. Jody and I would both agree that we wouldn't have made it through this 26.2 mile race if we hadn't had one another. And certainly not on time. Which is the very reason that Jesus, after calling the disciples to Him, sent them out "two by two." He knew that they would need encouragement from one another to make it through the trials, struggles, setbacks, rejections, and persecution that would surely plague them on their mission to share the Gospel with the world. So even though it might appear that the disciples could reach more people individually, Jesus sent them out in pairs knowing the priceless advantage of teamwork. 

So if you're trying to run this Christian race solo, look at the example that Jesus set and enlist the help of a partner my friend. You'll not only receive encouragement when things get tough but you’ll be inspired to do hard things knowing that a brother or sister is by your side. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we are better in pairs. Help us to remember this so that we would be better able to share the Good News with the lost by enlisting the help of a friend. Thank You for giving us fellow believers to share life and to serve with Lord. Friends truly are a priceless gift. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!! 

Go the distance

"But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace." Acts 20:24 BSB

On the morning of October 31, University of Cincinnati (UC) students Collin Albers and Hattie Martin were said to have gone the distance in an article aptly titled, "UC students go the distance in local half-marathons"—Albers by completing the Flying Pig half-marathon and Martin for completing the Queen Bee half-marathon; a first 13.1 mile race for both of them. Though Albers had not completed a half-marathon before, he is active, frequently participating in co-ed or men's soccer leagues in the summer or fall semester. "I'm in soccer shape, so why not do it?" Albers said. Albers says the hill going up to Eden Park was the hardest part of the half-marathon and an issue with his knee made it even harder. He spent the rest of Sunday sleeping and recovering, but he plans to do it again next year. As for Martin's experience with the hills (that she said were the hardest part of her route as well), she admitted, "It would have been so easy for me to call an Uber to the finish line, but I had to maintain a positive, empowered mental state." 

And you know, if going the distance in a race or sports competition means staying the course and continuing to run until the very end, we would do well to understand what the "end" is for the Christian athlete; something Paul clearly told us was completing "the ministry of testifying to the good news of God's grace.” We would also do well to adopt the attitude that Paul had who said, "I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish the course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus." You see, this is the "positive, empowered mental state" that every Christian must have to continue running the race despite the pain, trials, setbacks, and hills that are sure to be found on the course. This is the attitude that says, "Lord, no matter what I encounter in this race and no matter how hard it gets, even if it costs me my life, I will never cower, compromise or back down from preaching the good news of Jesus Christ." 

So remember, God never said this job would be easy. But He did say that He would be with us every step of the way and that it would be worth it. I don't know about you my friend, but I eagerly await the day when my race is finished and I can look upon my Savior's face to hear the words I have so diligently longed to hear, "Well done good and faithful servant."

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we are all in a spiritual race to the finish line. Help us to complete the mission of sharing the Good News with the same attitude that Paul had so that we would let nothing cause us to drop out before our work is finished. Lord, please give us the strength to stay the course and to go the distance. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

People will be boastful in the last days

"You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred." 2 Timothy 1-2 NLT

On November 1st, Sommer Sports, an outdoor athletic event producer, posted the following: "This is a first, not the bandit part as we have them at almost every race, but a bandit posting on social media that they won the race, and also boasting they didn't pay to enter the race, is a first. What type of person brags that they stole something on social media?! For clarification purposes, if you didn't register for the race, you are not the winner of the race. Being a bandit in a race is no different than shoplifting, it is still classified as theft." And sure enough, the screen shot Sommer Sports shared of the offender confirmed the story. "2 weeks off won the race 18:30 without signing up. 5k halloween" the brazen runner posted on social media along with a photo of himself racing to the finish line. And if that behavior wasn't arrogant enough, the male runner (whose name Sommer Sports graciously blacked out) posted photos of his shirtless self that were taken during the race, prompting Sommer Sports to comment, "He even had the audacity to share photos that our paid photographers captured of him during the race!" Wow! Was that guy boastful or what? 

And you know, while that story would have shocked me ten years ago, it doesn't in the current day and age in which we live. In fact, Paul warned us "that in the last days" there would “be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money." Paul went on to say that people would be "boastful and proud, scoffing at God" among other things. And there certainly is an increase of people doing that. Wouldn't you agree? What was once considered a relatively humble sport is now littered with men and women who show excessive pride and self-satisfaction in their achievements, possessions, or abilities with little or no concern of how their behavior might affect someone else. 

So don't be surprised when you see this type of behavior becoming increasingly more popular my friend and don't be afraid to expose it when you do. Because, although you and I can't keep it from occurring, we can do our part to maintain our personal integrity and that of the sport that we love so much. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for warning us of the many things that we can expect to see in the last days. Lord, please give us the discernment to identify those who would choose to scoff at You rather than follow your ways so that we could distance ourselves from them as the Word clearly tells us to do. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

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BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Ready for Race Day

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about something that most likely has you both scared and excited at the same time... Race Day!!!! This is even more true if it's your first half or full marathon. You might even be saying to yourself right now, "Why did I sign up to do this?" If that's you, take heart. You're not alone. Lots of runners, first-timers and veterans alike, are thinking the very same thing as we speak.

So in an effort to dispel those fears, check out what several first-time Bass Pro Marathon runners had to say about their experience in 2020 and why you should be excited about 2021 and consider running with one of the BP pacers!! 

Shannon on the left and your's truly on the right

In 2020 I ran the Bass Pro Marathon, which was my first ever marathon. After 12 half marathons, I decided to take the plunge. I chose Bass Pro because of the encouraging environment, organizational values, and community support. The pacers provided were awesome and the entire race experience was truly one of a kind. For any first timers thinking about completing a marathon, I highly encourage you to choose Bass Pro. You won’t regret it! Being an experienced runner, I still found the marathon to be quite different than what I was used to. This is where the pacers came in! Using a pacer also kept me motivated to keep running on pace and inspired me to push harder. I am so thankful to have used a pacer in my first marathon as it allowed me to stay on pace for the entire race, not just the beginning. My pacers, Melissa and Shannon, kept our group on pace and motivated each of us individually. They were constantly checking in on us all while keeping our group on time. I had a wonderful experience using a pacer and would recommend using their pacers! - Kelsie Linebeck

Cassie on left, Jeannette on right

I ran the Bass Pro Marathon last year! It was my first marathon ever… and before this I had only done 2 half marathons. It’s always been a bucket list goal of mine to run a full marathon. I chose this race specifically because it is a great course for first timers - very flat - and I attended college at Missouri State, so it was fun to run in Springfield again! I would say to anyone running this, to just trust your training and your body! You are more prepared than you realize! Also, find a group of people and pacers to run with! Our awesome pacers and group of friends made it that much more fun! - Cassie Hindman

I ran the marathon last year for Bass Pro. When I originally signed up, I signed up for the half marathon. I was running by myself at that time. When I started to actually run with my WooHoo Crew (my running tribe), I fell in love with running again. Not that I disliked running, but with friends it was so much more fun and I didn’t care how long it took to get a run completed, which was a first for me. I was persuaded into running the marathon because well if you’re already running 16 miles, might as well do 26.2 right? This was the BEST impulsive decision I have ever made. I had the most amazing time running the Bass Pro marathon with all of my WooHoo Crew and our wonderful pacers. We smiled, laughed, and most importantly shared stories and pushed each other to keep going. We didn’t come in first, but we did encourage everyone we saw, and that’s a win in my book. - Jeanette Luttrell

My first time running Bass Pro was 2019 and it was my first half marathon. I literally signed up two weeks before marathon weekend pretty much because all my friends said “hey if you’re going to run a marathon bass pro should be your first”, lol! I had just finished another race and was still on that running high. I had no idea what I was in for but let me tell you, it was the best experience I could have ever asked for!! My longest single distance prior to the Bass Pro Half was 10 miles at the Ultra Sweaty Santa and I was super nervous but I showed up and finished strong. The next year (2020) I ran my first marathon at Bass Pro, this time with my “Girl Gang” I had linked up with and trained with much of the year. It was an amazing experience I will never forget! I remember at mile 17 I really started feeling tired and questioning why I was even doing this, but all it took were some words of encouragement from my squad and our awesome pacers and my head was back in the game. There were tears of joy shed at the finish line for sure! There is truly something to be said about showing yourself what you’re capable of! Just remember, like Goggins says, when you feel like you have nothing left to give, you’ve got at least 60% left in the tank! Get out of your head and get it done! - Angi Betran

Randi on left, Gretchen on right

Bass Pro was my first half marathon in 2015 and my first marathon in 2020. It’s one of my favorite races of all time, and one I will continue to recommend to new and seasoned runners! I didn’t know what to expect when I decided to make Bass Pro my first half, but I knew for sure that I wanted it to be my first marathon based on my previous experiences at this race! The atmosphere is amazing—the runners, spectators, and volunteers are all so positive and encouraging, and the course is so beautiful and flat, perfect for a first timer. I can’t wait to come back and race Bass Pro again. My biggest advice for anyone running this weekend is to have fun. You’ve put in all the work up to this point and you’re ready, so go out there and have a great time, meet some new people along the way, and finish the race strong! You’ve got this - Randi Cicardi

I chose Bass Pro Marathon as my first marathon because my friends had done the Half before and told me about what a great race it was! Great aid stations, great crowds and the swag was awesome too. I was excited to be able to participate in such a well put on event that was fairly close to home. My advice to anyone running this race for the first time is to really enjoy every single moment of it. It will get hard, but trust your training and stick with it! One of our pacers last year, Ed Green, said something that still sticks with me a year later. He said “I know it is hard but if it was easy everyone would do it. You are part of a small group of people who have done it."  I was so thankful for that advice. - Gretchen Puett

Do you just love their attitudes or what? Each of these marathon finishers took advantage of a BP pace group which is one of the main reasons they all had so much fun and still smile at the mention of Bass Pro today! But in an effort to calm your fears and apprehension even further, here are five tips that will help to ensure that you are ready to run the race Sunday.

1. Pack your bag now. Seriously, think about what you'll need (frequently checking race day conditions) and pack it. And yes... pack extra. Packing your bag early will help ease your anxiety now knowing that you are prepared. And speaking of packing a bag, be sure to pack diaper rash cream for chafing, comfortable clothes for the ride home, and of course what you'll be wearing on race day. And as someone who knows from experience how your feet might feel at the end of the race, pack sliders. You may end up with some black toenails that won't feel very good being shoved into a normal shoe. Your feet might also swell so be ready! As far as hydration, there are ample water stations eliminating your need to pack your own (the less weight the better you run) and plenty of snacks as well. However, packing a few of your own gels or nutrition bars is always a great idea keeping in mind the age-old rule that you should never try anything new on race day. 

2. Make a game plan to receive encouragement. This can actually make or break your race. Bass Pro is a great course with lots of access points for your family and/or friends to follow you and cheer you on as you strive to complete your 13.1 or 26.2 miles. A motivational hand-made sign, a little cowbell, or a high-five can go a long way into filling your tank with joy. And let me tell you this from experience.... joy is your strength. Fight to keep it! 

3. Remember that the night before the night before the race is the optimal time to be sure that you get a little extra shut-eye. Why? Because race day jitters will most likely keep you from sleeping well the night before the race. This is perfectly normal and most-likely won't affect your performance at all as long as you manage a few hours of sleep. 

4. Make a flat self and then set your alarm. That means laying out everything that your full self will be wearing and/or carrying. This will exponentially increase your chances of catching a few z's. Knowing that you have everything you need in one place does wonders to calm the nerves. And here's an extra hint... for those of you sharing a hotel room with people that you don't want to wake up, store all this in the bathroom so you can quickly and quietly change there before exiting the room. 

5. Make it a weekend for fun. If you can, plan to come in early and bring the family or a few friends. Hit the expo and then hit the town. There are so many wonderful things to do and see in Springfield that you might even want to stay an extra day or two. 

So there you have it friends. There are lots of reasons to be excited about this year's Bass Pro Marathon/Half. The biggest reason though is this... you will be participating in an event that will leave you with memories for years to come and will allow you to be, as Ed Green says, part of a small group of people who have done it. Do you just love that or what? I love being a part of that small group. It's one of the reasons I come back year after year. So go get packed and I'll see you at the start line!

Happy Running!!

Be ready out of season

"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." 2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV

In 1970, Larry Trachtenberg was a 17-year-old talented cross-country athlete who saw an ad for the very first New York City Marathon in the pages of The New York Times. After taking a second look, Larry said he wondered if he could run a whole 26.2 miles without stopping and if he could run that long without drinking water? The answer to both of those questions turned out to be yes. On Sunday, Sept. 13, 1970, the day before his senior year began at Long Island City High School, Larry Trachtenberg was one of 127 athletes who lined up in Central Park to run the first New York City Marathon. He was one of 55 finishers. He will be the lone runner who ran the inaugural New York City Marathon who is also racing this year’s event, the marathon’s 50th running. Wow right? Not only will Larry find that running a marathon at 67 is a bit more challenging than running one at 17, I think he will be surprised to see all the water stations and crowd support that now line the course. A lot has changed in 50 years, hasn't it? I bet those 55 finishers never dreamed running marathons would become so popular. 

And you know, while running has become more and more popular in the last half-century, there is something that has not only grown more and more un-popular over that time but is now considered completely unacceptable to a growing number of people all around the world. And that "something" is sharing the gospel, something that was unpopular in Paul's time as well. Which is the very reason Paul urged Timothy to "be ready in season and out of season" to "preach the word." You see, it's one thing to preach "in season" when people are hungry to hear the Word and quite another to preach it "out of season" when people are hostile to it. But this is the very time that you and I should be boldly, courageously, and unashamedly sharing the Good News with everyone, no matter the consequences. 

So prepare yourself to preach “out of season” my friend. It won’t be easy but it will be worth it. Especially to the person whose soul was saved from hearing about the saving grace of Jesus Christ. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we have a duty to preach the Word both when it’s popular and when it’s not. Give us the strength to stand firm in our mission Lord regardless of what the consequences are knowing that our eternal reward awaits us in heaven. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

His promises are tested and true

"And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers." Romans 8:28-29 BSB

After capturing our group photo early Saturday morning, my friend Stephanie, who (along with her husband) graciously opened up her home to host the Marine Corps Marathon virtual for nearly twenty of the runners in our local running group, posted, "Here we gooooo! MCM year 2! (We’ve got marathoners and some 50k-ers). What started because of the RONA is now something I look forward to! Find a crazy group of friends and make it happen!" And happen it did! After a group prayer and a playing of the national anthem, this crazy group of friends was off traipsing down the remote farm roads near Stephanie's house for the second year in a row. “Talk about God working a bad situation into something good,” I thought to myself smiling. “The same RONA that caused us to stay apart for a time now unified us like nothing else could. God's promise to work "all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose certainly proved to be true once again.” I'll be the first to admit, though, that I don't always know how God will make good come from bad, I just know that He will. He always does. 

And you know, while the promise that all things (that means the good, the bad, and even the downright ugly) will work together for our good can certainly bring us unexplainable peace in the midst of our struggles, hardships and trials, we sometimes still grapple with the why? Why does God call us to do hard things or to go through difficult circumstances that He could change in an instant? Like having to endure months of rehab for an injury He could heal in the blink of an eye? Or having to experience the sorrow of a loved one's death or the breakup of a marriage? Because doing hard things is the very thing that makes us more like Jesus my friend. It transforms our character into His; something God predestined "those who love Him" to be. 

So no matter what situation you might find yourself in today, whether its' good, bad, or even downright ugly, smile and look up. If you are a child of God, the promise that all things will work together for your good is true. Every one of His promises have been thoroughly tested and have always been true. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise of Romans 8:28 and 8:29 that remind us that no matter what we face in life that You will work it for our good. Help us to trust that promise and to lift up our hands in praise and gratefulness when we are going through hardships knowing that You will use these problems to conform us into Your image. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!