There is a Place Prepared for Us

“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:2-3 NIV

In an article posted by Runners World last week, it was reported that 26-year-old runner Sam Norton was competing in the Santa Rosa Marathon On Sunday, August 27, when he collapsed just before reaching the 23rd mile. Medical staff arrived at the Santa Rosa Creek Trail to offer medical assistance to Norton and performed CPR as runners continued to move past them. Norton was then taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead. The day after Sam’s unexpected and sudden death, his mother, Kristen Caisse, told The Santa Press Democrat, “He was doing something that he loved… He just was such a blessing to all who knew him.” 

And you know, as much as this story pained my heart to read, I couldn’t help but think that Sam and Kristen must be believers because of the peace she displayed upon her son’s untimely passing. Peace that every believer should have since Jesus clearly tells us that life doesn’t end when we die. He has prepared a place for all those who have trusted in Him and promised that He is coming back to take them there. Do you just love that or what? That means we not only have the confidence that we will spend eternal life with Jesus but that our loved ones who have passed before us will too. 

So if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, rejoice my friend. You will spend eternity with Him. But if you haven’t, don’t put the decision off for even one more second. As this story clearly shows, no one is guaranteed tomorrow. And those who die without accepting Jesus will not go to be where He is. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that gives us peace about what happens when we breathe our last breath here. To know that we will be with You forever in a place that Jesus has prepared allows us to live unafraid of dying. Spur us to boldly share this Good News with the world. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running! 

Break the Generational Curse

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

In an article titled “Jim Walmsley Wins UTMB, Breaks the U.S. Men’s Curse,” published Saturday by trailrunner magazine, it was reported that, “The Arizona runner who lives in France became the first U.S. man to win the epic race, just ahead of Zach Miller.” When asked about what it’s like to become the first U.S. male runner to win UTMB, Walmsley went out of his way to acknowledge the success of American women at UTMB. During the first 19 years of the race U.S. women claimed eight titles, including two apiece by Krissy Moehl, Rory Bosio, and Courtney Dauwalter and singular wins from Nikki Kimball and Katie Schide, who won last year. He said he was proud to follow their success and stand on their shoulders after all they had accomplished. Many of the all-time American men have run UMTB through the years—Topher Gaylord, Scott Jurek, Anton Krupicka, Geoff Roes, Timmy Olson, Hal Koerner, Tim Twietmeyer, Tim Tollefson, Mike Wolfe, and Mike Foote, among others—but have come up just short or spectacularly short. Walmsley’s victory represents a new beginning.

And you know, when it comes to new beginnings and the breaking of curses, the Bible tells us that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” That means that those generational curses—or habits or behaviors that have been passed from one generation to the next—don’t have to continue despite what many people think. By choosing to follow Jesus Christ, a person can break the chains of addiction and dysfunction that, according to statistics, seems to be something parents pass on to their children. Is that good news or what? 

So if you are in need of a new beginning today, make today the day you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior my friend. You won’t become perfect (sanctification is a process that will never end) overnight but you will be given a new identity and a new future that will be better than anything you could ever ask for or even imagine. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that You have the power to break every chain, no matter how tight they are or how long we’ve worn them. Through faith in Jesus, generational curses can be broken and people can have a new beginning and a new life no matter their circumstances. Help us to boldly share that message with a world in desperate need of hearing it. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Take Responsibility for Your Actions

“People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.” Proverbs 28:13 NLT

In an article published Tuesday by Oregon Live titled, “Portland man must give up ownership of dog Bubbie that mauled runner, attacked poodle,” it was reported that a Multnomah County hearings officer has ordered that Jessie Miller must permanently give up his pit bull mix Bubbie after designating the canine dangerous for mauling a runner in Southeast Portland in April, less than two months after he attacked another dog… Miller, who lives in a van on the street, later acknowledged he wasn’t present when the dog attacked Wakerhauser. Miller said he was sick and vomiting and allowed his friend to take the dog for a walk, he said. The friend let the dog run off leash in a vacant, fenced-off property along Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard. Miller suggested that Wakerhauser must have done something to agitate his dog, fallen or possibly slapped it. He questioned if Bubbie was trying to “kiss” the runner. “Maybe she freaked him out…I don’t believe that he would’ve mauled her. He might have got scared,” Miller said. “He’s a wonderful pup. He’s a great dog.” Wow! Talk about shifting blame. The runner suffered severe injuries from the attack that was clearly the fault of the owner but Miller refused to take responsibility. 

And you know, when it comes to owning up to our faults, errors and shortcomings, the Bible tells us that “people who conceal their sins will not prosper.” Which means when a person chooses to blame others for their actions rather than take responsibility for them they feel no need to confess their mistakes and therefore show no remorse by turning from them—something that would undoubtedly cause them to receive mercy both from man and from the Heavenly Father. In their arrogance and pride then, these people choose to forever play the victim and forgo the grace and forgiveness that could be theirs. 

So always take responsibility for your actions my friend. Admit your mistakes. Apologize to those you’ve wronged and humbly make amends when it’s necessary so that you can free yourself from the harsh punishment you deserve. You’ll be so glad you did. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that there are always consequences for our actions. Whether we admit to our wrongdoings or not, the truth always comes out. Knowing that help us to be quick to accept responsibility for our actions and even quicker to apologize for them if we’ve hurt someone by those actions.. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Forget the Past

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,” Philippians 3:13 NLT

In a story titled “Charges Filed Against Man Who Tried to Kidnap a Runner in North Carolina” published Tuesday it was reported that a woman in Winston-Salem, North Carolina was out for a run and noticed she was being followed last Wednesday. A man she had passed earlier who was wearing construction clothes—she assumed he was just walking to his work site—and walking the other direction turned around and began following her. When he got close enough that she could hear his footsteps, she whipped around and said, “Oh my gosh, you scared me.” After that, she said she turned around and began walking, hoping that he would just continue on, but within seconds, the man, 19-year-old Dylan Cody Smyers, attempted to grab her… While the female runner who survived the attack is grateful to have escaped without physical injuries, she told the Statesville Record & Landmark that her throat still hurts from screaming when Smyers grabbed her. Last weekend, she went for her first run since the attempted kidnapping, and told the newspaper she “jumped out of my skin” when a child yelled at her while riding past on a bicycle. She is planning to take a self defense class in a few weeks and has started carrying pepper spray, but said, “You can’t live your life scared to go on a run. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

And you know, while this story has a happy ending, it could have been tragic had the woman not made the decision to not focus on the past. You see, there are many people in this world (even believers) who have experienced things that could cause them to become bitter and/or fearful—things that cannot be changed. These things can not only keep us in bondage to the person or thing that caused those feelings but can keep us from pressing on and serving Christ as we are called to do. Which is the very reason Paul made the decision to focus “on this one thing; forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,” not letting anything interfere or slow him down in his pursuit of the heavenly prize he knew awaited him and every other faithful believer. 

So if something in the past is keeping you from running the race today, it’s time to let it go my friend. You can’t change what was done but you can choose to not let it keep you from moving forward anymore. As the woman said, “You can’t live your life scared.” Lay it down at the feet of Jesus and let Him give you the strength to move on. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we can be more than conquerors through You if we would only let go of the thing or the things that are holding us back and surrender to Your will for our lives. Give us the courage to throw off everything that’s weighing us down and to run the race with all our might. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Take Some Advice

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 can save you a lot of heartache during your training and especially on race day… seeking out advice from other runners. This is something Ed, Gretchen and Leah (pictured above from left to right) and I were discussing while out on our group run last Saturday. I'm not sure how the conversation got started since runners seem to be all over the place once the endorphins kick in but I do know that we were talking about how amazing Leukotape was and how it prevented Ed, Gretchen, and me from getting blisters on our feet at the prior weekend's ultra marathon. That's when Leah asked us what Leukotape was as she had never heard of it before, much less been told that this rigid strapping tape that is used in physical therapy had so many other uses! Which then prompted Ed to say, "There really should be a book that has all this random advice in it for runners. It seems we learn a lot of tricks of the trade along the way that help us but we don't think to pass the information on." Remembering that it was my friend Jill who told me about this amazing tape two years ago (after a mutual friend told her) that has since saved my feet multiple times, I told the group, "Okay guys, think about some things that you've discovered along your running journey that may not be well known that will help someone and I will share it on the Bass Pro blog. And this is what they had to say:

My best advice is to show up healthy by not over training and by doing a proper taper. Also research and know temp range for the day and not overdress. Take time to drink and fuel or you will suffer late in the race. Be willing to be flexible with your goals on race day so it will be a fun healthy day. If it is a longer race, I would say: Don't be a show off in the first half and don't be a wimp in the second half. - Ed Green

*Wear what you are comfortable with. You don't have to wear spandex and tank tops to be a runner. I wear skirts and t-shirts. I look different than the runners around me, but that's OK. 

*Use an interval timer! 

*Find a running group or a running partner. You'll be more consistent and probably be pushed to go farther/faster than you would on your own. 

*Ask questions. If you aren't sure what to do or how to do it, ask! If you think you might be injured, ask! A couple of years ago I walked around with a sore ankle for 2 months before I finally asked someone about it, and a few days of stretches later I was "cured." (Also, asking running friends shouldn't replace talking to a doctor if needed.) 

*There is no right pace. It is OK to be slow. Forward IS a pace. A 14 minute mile is the same distance as a 7 minute mile. Also, there is no right running surface. If everyone around you loves dirt miles but you live in a concrete jungle, it's OK. It's not going to kill you. There is no right shoe. There is no right distance. Especially if you get into an experienced group, everyone is going to have preferences about everything. What works for someone else might not work or be practical for you. Get advice and learn from others, but it is OK to be different. 

*Listen to audiobooks! I have been bribing myself to exercise with audiobooks for most of my adult life. I personally prefer cozy mysteries that I borrow from the library. They are free, entertaining, and I don't have to focus very hard to follow the plot. - Leah Nelson

Two of my absolute favorite products (aside from Huma gels and hydration)are Squirrel’s nut butter and Injinji toe socks. I use Squirrel’s Nut butter to prevent chafing on long runs, hot and sweaty runs, or pretty much any run just in case. I especially use it on my inner arms and my bra line. What I love about it is it comes in a super easy to use mess free stick like deodorant. It comes in two sizes a full size and a mini size. The mini size fits perfectly in my hydration vest so I always have it with me just in case some painful chafing areas appear along the race course! I buy directly from their site. 

My other “can’t live without “ product are my Injinji toe socks! When I first started running longer distances I would get the worst blisters on the bottoms of my pinkie toes because they would slide under the toe next to them. The best way to prevent that from happening…. Keep those bad boys separated with some toe socks! Toe socks are just like little gloves for your feet, each toe is individually protected against the ones next to it and no more blisters! They are the ONLY socks I wear to run and the Injinji brand are my favorite, they are soft and comfortable and affordable! A few times a year you can score them for buy one get one half off or even a free pair with an order. I get them straight from their website. - Gretchen Puett

So I thought long and hard about this and wanted to provide some random things I’ve learned in my decades of running that have not only saved me heartache and pain but also saved me precious time. So here goes in no particular order... 

*As Ed said, check the race day forecast and be prepared. Fall and Spring races are wonderful to run in but it can get very cold standing in the start line. Buy some used sweatshirts at yard sales or thrift stores and cut them completely down the middle. This will keep you warm as you stand there but won't break the bank. You can also wear this important layer for a few miles and then easily take off it off as you would a jacket and toss it to the side of the road (marathon staff will pickup and donate). I've even used second-hand bath robes if the temps are going to get really cold. Buy cheap gloves by the dozen as well as long socks too. The socks can be used for arm warmers by simply cutting off the toes and then taken off when the temperatures rise. Learning how to cheaply layer saves a lot of time and money!

*Invest in a pair of good recovery slides (I like the HOKA ones but there are several to choose from) and have them in your after-race or post-run bag (which should also include a towel, dry clothes, baby wipes, water, snacks, and diaper rash cream for chafing). Putting these on after a hard effort will act as a mental reward since it feels so good on your feet. I actually find myself thinking about slipping on my slides mid race. And having these other items to change into quickly will save you from the chafing and cool-down shivers that come from staying in wet running gear too long. 

*Buy some Leukotape! I talked about this earlier but learning where and when to apply it will literally save your skin and prevent blisters. You can use it on your feet and any other area where you are prone to chafe. Let it come off by itself as it sticks so well that pulling it off isn't easy or recommended.

*Keep a blanket in your car. You can use it to sit on after you're done running to cheer on the other runners crossing the finish line but you can also use it to turn your vehicle into a makeshift changing area. Simply put the blanket over your head and body and change out your clothes underneath. That way when your family wants to take you to lunch to celebrate your accomplishment you'll be ready to go! 

*Keep plastic grocery bags in your car as well. You can put your dirty clothes and shoes in them until you can get home. On a side note, rinse out your running clothes as soon as you can if you can't wash them out immediately using hand soap if it's available. Then stick them in a bag and throw them in the laundry when you get home. This will keep the stink from setting in. 

So there you have it friends. I hope some of those tips helped you and I also hope that you'll share any good tips that you might have with us. After all, what good is knowledge if we keep it to ourselves? So share away!

Happy Running!

Do the Right Thing

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.“ James 4:17 ESV

On Wednesday of last week, according to a story recently published by Runner’s World, Clara Adams, a 14-year-old track star from Salinas, California, ran after a purse thief riding a BMX bike. The purse belonged to Nikki Gillott, a family friend attending the birthday party of David Adams, Clara’s father. Gillott screamed when she noticed her bag was missing, and Clara took off running toward the man. “I saw this guy with a bunch of stuff. When I looked, I saw (Gillott’s) purse,” Clara told The Mercury News. Clara, who ran the fourth fastest time in Monterey County history during last month’s 200-meter event at the Junior Olympics, was uniquely qualified to run down the stolen item. “I got into my 200-meter mood and ran toward him,” she said. “I just grabbed the purse from him and left…”  Clara says it felt instinctual to go after the stolen items. “It happened so fast,” she said. “It just seemed like the right thing to do.”

And you know, when it comes to doing the right thing, the Bible tells us that “whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it” is sinning. Which means that it’s not merely enough to know what the Word says, we must do what the Word says—something you can be sure only becomes instinctual when we are walking in the Spirit and are in close fellowship with the Father. This deep and dependent relationship is the only thing that gives us the wisdom, strength, and courage to do the right thing even when our flesh wants to do otherwise.  

So do your best to not only avoid evil but to do good my friend, knowing that God is honored when we walk in the Spirit rather than the flesh.  

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that it’s not enough to know Your will but we have to do Your will, even when it’s scary or we might face opposition. Give us a heart set on bringing You glory in all that we say and do that we might always seek to do the right thing. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Go Where the Spirit Leads

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 NKJV

In an article titled “Winding road takes runner Abdihamid Nur from Somalia to the starting line at worlds for the US” shared by AP Sports last week, Nur detailed how his life began to change when his mother decided to flee Somalia when he was just a little boy.  “She believed coming to America was in our plans for us. We didn’t know how it was going to work out but amazingly, all my siblings, and all of us, were able to succeed really well and take advantage of the opportunity that America gave us.” He went on to detail how a serious car accident led him to love running and eventually to compete at the World Championships in Budapest. “It’s like, ‘Wow, this is my life.’ It’s pretty crazy,” said Nur, who finished fifth in his heat of the 5,000 meters on Thursday night to advance to the final. “I never thought running would bring me all of this. Sometimes, I’ve got to pinch myself. I was just a normal kid who just worked hard and believed in the system.”

And you know, when it comes to winding roads that lead believers to places they never thought they’d be, the Bible is very clear that we are to “walk in the Spirit” and go where God calls us to go rather than where we want to go. You see, God’s plan for our lives is much better than any plan we could ever dream up, imagine, or devise for ourselves—but those plans always include trials, roadblocks, setbacks, detours, and u-turns that we can never plan for or anticipate. But these changes in course will always put us in the exact place we’re supposed to be at the exact time we’re supposed to be there. Which means when we follow the Holy Spirit we will find ourselves looking back in awe at the way the turns and twists along our route brought us to a beautiful unplanned destination. I don’t know about you but I find that exciting! 

So if you feel the Holy Spirit calling you to make a move today, make it my friend! Whether it’s across the street or across an ocean, “walk in the Spirit” and go where He leads you. Looking back you’ll be so glad that you did! I know I am. I’m certainly not where I imagined I’d be at this point in my life, but I’m sure thankful that I’m here. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us. Lord help us to be sensitive to hear and understand the leading of the Holy Spirit and obedient to obey His voice, knowing that where You are leading us will open doors for us to serve You in new and amazing ways. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!