I hate jogging like you would hate hairy hemorrhoids. I don’t know what a hairy hemorrhoid is and I’ve never had a bald hemorrhoid, but I’m assuming we’d all hate em if we had them. So I hate jogging and yet on Saturday I suffered through jogged 10 miles. What in the wild world of sports would possess me to do such a thing? I’m glad you asked.
I’m jogging a half marathon. Up until last week this was just a theory…er hypothesis…er…something I talked about. I had set a goal to run one this year but up until last week I hadn’t put down the money for the race. I know! How stupid is it that you pay to run?! Well, now my race is paid for. I’m running the Flying Pirate in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. RRRRRun ye mattey.
Now it’s on like Donkey Kong playing ping pong all night long while singing a song. What song is he singing? “Red Solo Cup” cause you’ve got to be on something to weigh what I weigh and run a half marathon. By the way I’ve never tasted alcohol, and I drink Mtn. Dew in my red Solo cups. I wanted to clarify just in case you were judging me.
I’m not on a substance that alters my behavior. I simply set a goal to push myself and I’m trying to stick to it. Or I hate myself. That’s what I was thinking as I was running 10 miles.
So I’m running with my buddy Ryan and we started with 5 miles 3 weeks ago. Last week we ran 7 and this week we ran 10. I have never run 10 miles in my life. On mile 7 I was done. What got me to mile 8 was the thought of eating McDonald’s afterward. I know that’s not what skinny people who run eat but I’m not skinny. I also needed all the help that I could get to go to mile 8. Now mile 8 through 10 was all kind of a blur. The only thing that I remember is that I kept thinking about a quote that I heard from a pastor I had been listening to.
The pastor was talking about the human spirit and how strong it is. He gave multiple examples of people who have achieved remarkable things. He then said that if the “human spirit is this strong just imagine what it can do when we involve the Holy Spirit.”
The Bible says, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13.
In this world we are going to hurt. We are going to have needs. We aren’t always going to get what we want. What’s the secret to being content in every situation? Finding your strength in Jesus!
Some people have a jogger’s mind. They can push through mental walls and push themselves to great distances. I don’t. I have jogger’s nipple and it hurts like a mother. The human spirit is capable of great things, but it’s not enough. I made it 8 miles on dreams of McDonald’s, good conversation, and will power. I prayed my way to mile 10. We can do all things through Jesus. If the human spirit is capable of great things just imagine what it’s capable of with the Holy Spirit?
If you could do one thing and not fail what would you do? What’s stopping you from pushing past your human limitations and leaning on God’s spirit?
Rob, I would thou-hike the Appalachian Trail.
Larry, that’s intense. Good luck with that! I have some friends who have tried it and weren’t able to finish.
I think I’m still working on this question.
Ryan, I have an idea for you.
I would be the kind of dad my dad was and is. If I get halfway there, I’ll consider it a success.
Ricky, you will be without a doubt in my mind.
Congrats Rob! Way proud of you!
IN JESUS NAME…..I RUN
What an AWESOME verse ! I gotta say that I must be blessed or just old, tired and worn out from trying becuase I am content with what I have and where I am… I learned a long time ago that it is OK to lean on the Lord, He WILL provide. Sure there are a lot of things that I would like to try to do but it isn’t the mindset that I may fail it’s just a matter of priorities, as I have gotten older I have realized some things just aren’t as important as they used to seem.
I totally agree with you! One thing I would add is: and some things that didn’t seem so important years ago, are what is most important now.
Thanks Brian!
Brian, I love that verse. The secret to being content is Jesus.
I think this is cool. It also doesn’t hurt that it gives you plenty of blog fodder, which I suspect is the real reason behind all of this. I was reminded of Stu’s quote this past week, “If you see me running down 17, please stop and help me!”
Daniel, I don’t know if the pain I feel is worth the blog fodder. It hurts so good!
I’m a firm believer in pushing past the pain and “running” after what God has birthed in you to do. As a 12-year old, I accepted Christ and started going to church, regularly, with a friend. I was first to graduate from college in my family, and first and only to seek a Christian mate and establish a home and family based on Christ-centered values. Paving the way, plowing new ground is tough, but it builds spiritual muscle and endurance. As we follow God’s intent for our lives, He longs to fulfill the desires of our heart, but we have put on the running shoes and run the race set before us.
Mim, great examples. The hard thing to remember is that with God it’s not a sprint. It really is finishing strong and running for the long haul.
It’s ok to fail. It just means I actually TRIED! And I usually learn something along the way so I am more successful at something else.
Ahhh…McDonald’s…wish I had an egg mcmuffin right about now…
Gayle, very true. It’s better to try and fail then to not try at all. It stinks but it is better.
For the record, I think you’re insane for doing this. But, good luck, my friend. Godspeed! (Sidenote: How fast exactly is “Godspeed?” Do you think it could be measured by a human made radar gun? Probably not, right?)
Kevin, that is a great question. I think Godspeed is really slow with the potential to be really fast. To God a day is like a thousand years. He’s slow to anger and tends to take his time with things. But at the same time He’s God so I’m sure it’s faster than the Flash.
Godspeed is the speed necessary speed for the action/task at hand. As far as it’s relation to the Flash, two Flashes (Berry and Wally) made the Cosmic Treadmill…God can run on the CT forwards backwards, on his hands, on one limb, on his head, on his big toe, etc. etc. etc. until it runs down and breaks while God is still traveling back and forth between time, space, dimensions, and reality.
Props on the perseverance and keeping up with your training, brotha… I can’t think about things I want (like McDonald’s) on my long runs or it makes me realize how bad what I’m currently doing sucks. I have to think about random unrelated things, like how long it would take me to canoe across the James without a paddle, stuff like that.
Stephen, well we literally were going to McDonald’s after the run so I was thinking about what I was going to eat. Food motivates me.
I get tired just driving 10 miles in the car. But I do admire your spirit. Good Luck!
Thanks Sele! I’ll feel better when I actually run this stupid thing. Right now it’s just training. I want to prove that I can do this no matter how stupid it is.
Pay my bills by leading the people of Christ in Worship…
Arny, I hear ya! Keep going after it!
You’ve never tasted alcohol? I’m here to tell you one thing: YOU’RE NOT MISSING OUT. It tastes nasty.
Burrill, well it smells pretty bad so I imagine that it tastes like it smells.
I’m guessing y’all din’n't read my blog yesterday then?
I guess I would wave a magic wand over someone who refuses to see truth – even though it’s been shown and offered.
Cindy, if you ever get that wand please make me a copy and send it my way!
Rob. You’re a beast.
Man it is awesome that you wrote this. My goal this year is to get into extreme obstacle racing, Like Tough Mudder, Warrior Dash, Primal Mud Run, and the one that appeals to me the most- Spartan Race. I keep coming up with reasons why I can’t/shouldn’t do it, or fears that I will fail. And they are all very logical and plausible reasons. But they are still excuses. I guess I needed to read this in order to get my mind right. Thx.
You can check out the Spartan Race here http://www.spartanrace.com/
Ps. Hobie Call is my role model when it comes to Spartan Race, the guy is amazing. Right there next to Lance Armstrong.
Oh yeah, if I could do one thing and not fail…it would be the Tour de France.
Dude. Good work!!
I remember on some of my long runs I would look forward to eating milk molasses chips from See’s. That is what made me want to run more.
Rob, That is an awesome blog. I totally respect you for taking on this goal. Although I’ve run/jogged for years and actually enjoy it to distress I can understand the challenges with training for a half marathon. Trust me, your training partner is preparing you for the race. I think Paul was a runner. He understood that life was a race and one needs to train. Oh, and I will not judge you for using the “Red Solo Cup” quote. I heard/saw the video of that song over the Christmas holiday and laughed so hard. I still sing it every time I see a red solo cup. We had a saying back in Montana, “Don’t judge me now!”
I was thinking of signing up for that run…maybe I will now to keep you company on the run and provide some encouragement.
In my Adam Saddler voice, “You can do it”!!
So many things to choose from…I think if I could do one thing and not fail, I’d like to memorize the bible within about a week. I realize that this sounds like a suck-up “Churchy” answer, but this is something that I’d love to do. I’d love to be able to recite verses from memory and to know God’s word/instructions from heart. The thing that’s stopping me is that I don’t have the patience because I’m unwilling to give up the other things in my life. I’m thinking I’ll dedicate some of my spring break to it and I’d like for people to keep me accountable, I can’t trust myself with some things.
So jealous about your half-marathon in the Outer Banks. I love it there. Ugh. Wish I could run one there!
I do want to run one soon though, somewhere. You’ve inspired me.
That’s amazing that you already did so many miles! Keep it going.
So many of my analogies for life have come through my experiences while running. Hebrews 12:1-2 has come to life more than once, too.
Watch out… you may just get bitten by the racing bug. My first race was four years ago next month. A 15K. Since then, I’ve conquered a couple marathons, three half marathons, and a few other shorter races. It can be addicting.
I hope you have an awesome half marathon! Arrgh!
I would write that dang book I’ve always wanted to write. That’s what I’d do.
Good on you for committing, starting, and following through. There is no step four.