Reflections on my Labor Day 5K Race (August 25, 2012)

(I'll add some more pictures to this post when they become available.)

Beating my 5K PR (personal record) continues to remain elusive. I anticipated that today would be the day that I could break the 24:21 time (7:51 pace) I attained at my first 5K back on April 7, 2012. Well, it didn't happen. Here's how the race played out:

I did a short, easy pre-race run with Neil, a friend I met on dailymile. (The encouragement and insight he has provided since I got into running has been invaluable.) In doing that pre-race run, I got my legs loosened up and my heart rate elevated. I checked that off my list.

Then, I took my position at the Start line at the front of the pack. (There seems to have been a couple hundred runners.) The path was about 10' wide which makes passing difficult when runners cluster together so I wanted to get up to the front. I checked that off the list.

The gun was fired a couple minutes past 8:00am and we took off. That's when I made my big mistake. The front pack was filled with teenagers and 20-somethings. They hit it hard and I tried to stay with them. (One of the most interesting parts of a race is the minute after the gun is fired. Everyone is crowded before the start and then as everyone begins to run, it takes a lot of mental effort to keep from tripping over each other and find your personal running space.) I did well for the first mile. But, then I noticed the clock at mile 1 and it said 7:15. I began to panic a little because I knew that I was in uncharted territory. I've never run that fast.

Maybe it was partly mental but in miles 2 and 3, I began to fizzle. I stopped to walk a couple of times for no more than 5-10 seconds ... but I had to walk. Bummer! About half a mile from the finish line, I felt like I was depleted of energy and I stopped for the second time. A runner, who I've never met, gave a word of encouragement as he passed. "Don't give up now! You're almost there!" I resumed running and booked it to the finish line.

One of the highlights of this race was halfway through when I ran past the crowds. There was a lot of cheering going on for the runners. Those cheers didn't do anything for me. But, then I saw Kim, Zach, Sean, & Joseph. They clapped, smiled and yelled out words of affirmation and encouragement. It felt awesome! It made me feel like I could have kept running ... well, almost!

I'm unsure how many runners were in my gender/age grouping. I was in the male/40-44 group. For the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place medals, I was only up against runners in this group. I was pleasantly surprised that my finish time of 25:22 (8:10 pace) got third! It's my first medal and hopefully won't be the last.

After the race, my wife took a picture of Neil and me. He's in the 35-39 age group and took first place with a time of 19:17 (6:13 pace). Too fast for me ... at least for now.

Race Day Jitters: Red Mule Runners Labor Day 5K Race

I tried to get a good night's sleep last night but was only able to get about 5 1/2 hours. My resting heart rate was 63 when I awoke so my body is just fine. I'm just excited about today's race!

The first 5K (3.1 mile) race I entered was on April 7, 2012. The course was easy: it had hills throughout but nothing too serious. I had only been training for four months. Leading up to that race, I went on an abbreviated vacation with my family (2 weeks before) and battled with a serious bout of allergies (1 week before). I was only able to get 7 workouts in during the three weeks leading up to the race. (Not good at all!) Yet, I completed that 5K in 24:21 (7:51 pace).

The second, and last, 5K race I entered was on May 26, 2012. The course was a bear! There were 3 major hills that made up about 25% of the course! Further, I messed myself up by having a bowl of cereal (yes, with milk) that morning. I felt tired almost as soon as I began the race but I pushed myself and finished in 27:14 (8:47 pace).

Today's race is a flat, shaded, paved course that is made for setting PRs (personal records). I feel pretty comfortable about the possibilities of beating 24:21 today. I'm much more fit than I was 4 1/2 months ago (although I'm about 5.5lbs heavier). I fueled properly yesterday and this morning. I'm also learning better running technique and how to use my mind to increase performance.

My goal today is simply to beat 24:21. I have never come close to that pace set in my first 5K no matter how hard I have pushed it! Today, I want (and plan) to set a new PR!

I have been putting in plenty of miles since my first race but have not focused as much on speed drills. Eventually, I want to blow 24:21 out of the water. But for now, I believe a worthy goal is simply to beat it.

Biblically responding to those in sin…

First of all, we must begin with our own propensities toward sin. God’s Word tells us that “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23) and that includes you and me. That knowledge of ourselves should create a sense of humility in how we respond to others. You see, if I realize my own struggles with sin and am broken by that fact, I will tend to be much more compassionate in how I respond to others in sin. I will find it easier to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) because I am all too aware that I am also flawed.

 

However, should a knowledge of our own sinfulness cause us to remain indifferent to sin and sinners? Since we are flawed, should we sit back and allow sin to run amok? Of course not. If so, what did Jesus mean when He told us to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16)? To be salt and light means that we are to hold back sinful decay and expose it wherever it may be. There is no room for indifference.

 

So, as we are salt and light, do we treat saved people who are engaged in open, known sin the same as we do lost people who are engaging in the same exact sins? No.

 

Look at 1 Corinthians 5:9-13:

 

“I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people – not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler – not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. ‘Purge the evil person from among you.’”

 

If someone who claims to be a believer is engaged in sexual immorality, is greedy, has a lifestyle that shows he worships anything other than God, slanders others, is an alcoholic, isn’t honest in his financial dealings, or any number of other known, open sins, I’m not supposed to even eat with him. However, if someone who is unsaved does those same things, I can absolutely spend time with him as I seek to tell him the message of the Gospel.

 

Quite simply, unsaved people are going to act like unsaved people. How else should we expect them to act? They need the Gospel. So spend time with them!

 

But someone who claims to be a follower of Christ? Now, that’s a different story. He should know better. He claims to already have the Gospel. There’s nothing else besides what he already claims to have. So, measures are to be taken. Out of love for him and a concern for his eternal destination, we are to remove him from the protective blessings of the church (1 Corinthians 5:2) and avoid any interaction that would show acceptance of his behavior (1 Corinthians 5:11).

 

Why is this loving? Because in being removed from the protection and blessings of a church fellowship, he may come to the end of himself and come back to Jesus! “You are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 5:5). The desired end result is not negative. It’s restoration!

 

Can it truly be said that we are compassionate Christians if we don’t lovingly confront our brothers and sisters-in-Christ when they are in sin in the biblically appropriate way? Can it truly be said that we are compassionate Christians if we ostracize unbelievers who so desperately need the Gospel that we can share with them?

Running, Endurance, Encouragement and the Christian Race

I’m starting a "Run for God" program at our church and the first meeting is this Saturday, August 18^th. Many of those who will attend aren’t presently runners but want to be. I’m excited to take them on this 12 week journey! 

To spice things up, I looked for a 5K (3.1 mile) race to end our 12 weeks together. I found one on November 3^rd that winds in and out of downtown Brooksville and around our church facilities. I was initially thrilled … and then I noticed the northernmost part of the route. There are some serious hills!

I’ve got twelve weeks to get these guys and gals ready at a pace that keeps them healthy and interested. From personal experience, I know that they’ve got to develop endurance and they’re going to need a lot of encouragement.

Do you know what it will take to build endurance? Certainly not sitting in a chair listening to me talk about the art of running. They’re going to have to get out there and run. They’ll sweat. Their legs will ache. Their lungs will cry out for air. Their body will let them know how out of shape they’ve become.

But, if they do the hard things, then eventually, they will be free to enjoy the quality of endurance and good health. They’ll realize that running 3.1 miles at a time (what they once thought was impossible) is actually enjoyable! They’ll experience the thrill of crossing the finish line as the gathered crowds are applauding their achievement!

This truth applies so easily to the Christian life. If we want to develop the ability to glide through the difficulties of life (“life is pain” for you Princess Bride fans), then we’ve got to go through the tough times. That's the only way to develop endurance. In fact, that is exactly why God brings difficulty (the bad things) into our life … to build endurance (the good thing). Romans 5:3 says, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance.”

Don’t get upset at God when life gets tough. Realize that he’s toughening you up. He’s getting you spiritually fit so that when life gets tough again, you can handle it and glorify Him in the middle of it.

But, I want to share one more thing. I mentioned that in a foot race, it is so fun to hear the crowds cheering as you approach the finish line. Wouldn’t it be nice if we were encouraged that way in our Christian race? Well, we are. Just read Romans 15:4. “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (emphasis added)

As we read God’s Word and see how He worked in the lives of the biblical characters, we believe that He is doing the same in us (Hebrews 12:1-2) so we are encouraged. When we read the precious promises found in God’s Word affirming His love for us, His assurance that He is fully in control of all things, His promise that He will work all things for our good, His provision of the Holy Spirit, and so much more, we are encouraged to keep going, to keep following Him in word and deed no matter how tough it may get.

Why? Because God has made us to be more than conquerors (Romans 8:37)! He wants us to show others how incredible He is by our ability to go through tough times with endurance and feeling extremely encouraged!

How exciting is that?!

Chick-Fil-A and the First Amendment

Yesterday, I suspect thousands upon untold thousands (some have used the word "millions") flocked to Chick-Fil-A for "Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day." Peppered across television newscasts and online newsites and blogs were videos and pictures of incredibly long lines of customers waiting to get into their local Chick-Fil-A to enjoy a meal.

 

But, I believe the message is misunderstood in many circles. Why did all of those thousands of supporters give up an hour or more of their time to patiently wait in line to give what appears to be a record breaking sales day for Chick-Fil-A?

 

In the video link at the bottom of this post, Mike Huckabee nailed the real issue! Yesterday was primarily about the First Amendment.

As Christians, we have our biblical convictions about marriage. And yes, those convictions are strongly held. The Bible is clear on this matter (just one of the texts is found in Romans 1:18-32 as it describes how a society declines morally. Verses 26-27 outline how the breakdown of "traditional marriage" is a part of this decline.)

But, I don't believe that yesterday was really about the issue of marriage. I don't think it was about gay-bashing. I'm certain that the news would have reported on that if it was present but I heard no one using vitriolic hate-speech with a Chick-Fil-A in the background.

Here's what I observed. Yesterday highlighted the fact that there is a growing number of citizens who are greatly concerned that our First Amendment rights are being stripped from us. There was the conviction that we must strive to keep America a nation where people have the right to their own opinions and to express them freely.

In our country, unlike some countries, we still have the right to agree to disagree. But, we don't have the right to shut someone down for expressing their opinion.

If this is tolerated, the big question becomes: "Who and what gets shut down next?"

Surely, conservatives as well as liberals don't want to go down that road.

To view the video of Mike Huckabee, click here.