TheRunningRev.Com

Just a thought

I came across this quote the other day and it makes a lot of sense...

Never make a decision when running uphill

The Right Time Is Now: "Carpe Diem"

It was perhaps the first day that really felt like summer, it was hot, it was humid, the dew point was high and it was hard to run! But run I did, just four miles, it took longer to stop sweating than it did to run the miles.

As I was running today I was reminded once again that you can't sit around waiting for ideal conditions to run, if you want to be a runner you have to run in spite of the conditions. Yes, there may be days when you don't run because the conditions are actually hazardous but those times are few and far between.

Hot, cold, rain, sleet, snow, wind we run on because we are runners and that's what we do.

As a pastor I here people all the time tell me they are waiting for the right time to share their faith, the right time to get involved in a particular ministry, the right time for this or the right time for that. The right time may never come, the time we have is the present.

If we wait for the ideal conditions in life to start something new we may never get started and we can be sure that we will miss out on much of the great adventure we know as life. Don't miss your opportunity to seize the moment, carpe deim!

What The Goo Goo Dolls and The Cult have in common

So what is the connection between The Goo Goo Dolls, and The Cult? The answer is ultrarunning! Perhaps that's the answer you were expecting but its true, no sex, drugs and rock'n'roll here, just miles and miles of running.

Mike Malinin the drummer with The Goo Goo Dolls is an avid ultramarathon runner, having completed several 100 milers. Then there's Michael Dimkich of The Cult. Dimkich notes in his chapter in "Running Through The Wall: personal encounters with the ultramarathon" that, "music and running crossed paths as a musician friend of mine, Mike from the Goo Goo Dolls, mentioned that he'd done a local 50k not too long ago. I couldn't let another "rock guy" tackle an ultra distance while I just ran marathons." So off he went and  ended up completing the Angeles Crest 100.

Perhaps Goethe said it best,

Whatever you think you can door believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, grace and power in it.

Coe and Ovett, a trip down memory lane

I've just finished reading "The Perfect Distance - Ovett and Coe: The Record Breaking Rivalry." It was journey down memory lane, as I read not only of their rivalry but also of Jeff Capes, Fatima Whitbread, Steve Cram, Dave Moorcroft, Daley Thompson and all the great British athletes of the early to mid 1980's. I remember watching the great duels of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow over 800 and 1500 metres. The amazement we felt when Ovett stole the 800 from Coe and people thought he would double up on the 1500 only to lose it to Coe.

Then came the 1984 Olympics in LA when Mary Decker and Zola Budd clashed in the 3,000 metres, Decker going to the ground and Budd,after being spiked, struggling to finish the race. But the great race was again the 1500 in which Coe would become the first person ever to successfully defend his gold over the 1500.

If you like great sports rivalries then this a book for you to read.

I had the privilege of seeing both Coe and Ovett run at Mary Peter's Track in Belfast. Indeed the international events at this track allowed me to see some of the world's greatest run. I've watched John Walker, Zola Budd, Tessa Sanderson, Jeff Capes, Fatima Whitbread and others all compete in person. It really is a delight to see the worlds best compete in person.

A Thought From Roger Bannister

Bannister said,
"Sport is about not being wrapped up in cotton wool. Sport is about adapting to the unexpected and being able to modify your plans at the last minute. Sport, like all of life, is about taking your chances."

Still Running!

As of today I have run 762 miles this year. How far have you gone?
I don't mean how many miles you have run but rather are you growing in your faith in measurable ways? Are you getting closer to realizing your dreams? Or has life become static for you?
Keep on running, life is a marathon not a sprint. Follow Paul's advice and keep on pressing "toward the goal to win the prize for which God is calling me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Have a great weekend.