dragitoff
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2007
- Messages
- 1,356
I'm a youth pastor and I know not everyone in the world prescribes to religion, God, or any other higher power, but I thought my message last night for my youth group was something all runners could appreciate and take something from.
My message last night for my youth group was Life is a Marathon. I'm briefly summarizing it. There's going to be times in life where there are obstacles, times where you're ready to throw in the towel or times where you just want a break. I likened it to running because that's something I know. There's time in a race or training when it's easier to just say "the heck with it" and quit or take a walk break when you're on pace for a PR, but we have to push through in those times. We have to hold on a little longer and be stronger because our second wind could be around that next turn.
Running a marathon takes planning and strategizing. You don't just wake up and go run a marathon without training, nutrition, hydration, etc... Some elite world class athletes can't even do marathons. Only 1% of all people will ever complete a marathon. That's a ridiculously low number when you think of all the great athletes in the world. 1%!
As runners, we often set goals for ourselves. Personally, I'm a set the bar really high person. My first race, I set a time goal of 24:00 that was :34 better than my PR, which was almost a minute faster than the second best time I had EVER run. I set a finishing goal of top 3 in my age and top 50 overall. I only achieved one of those 3 goals (finishing in the top 50), but I was 4th out of my age group (soooo very close) and finished the race in 24:49 (not too far off my goal time either).
Sure, I failed to hit 2/3 goals I set, but I knew I gave it everything I had and really had done well. I was pleased with the results. At the end of our marathon life, we have to make sure we're pleased with the results. We need to know that we've given everything we had and not given up 1/2 way through the race. Be satisfied with the end results. It's a long journey so pace yourself, refuel and enjoy the journey!
Take time to enjoy what's going on around you. Don't be so short-sighted and focused on the end fo the race that we miss everything along the way. I have to remind myself of that many times when running. It's more than just exercise or more than just times and seeking another PR.
I ran this week without an iPod. I run at 5am and live in the country so there were plenty of sights and sounds to keep me entertained (and sometimes a little scared). In the darkness and still of the early morning hours, you can actually see alot. We just have to open our eyes.
Just wanted to share this with everyone. Have a great day!
My message last night for my youth group was Life is a Marathon. I'm briefly summarizing it. There's going to be times in life where there are obstacles, times where you're ready to throw in the towel or times where you just want a break. I likened it to running because that's something I know. There's time in a race or training when it's easier to just say "the heck with it" and quit or take a walk break when you're on pace for a PR, but we have to push through in those times. We have to hold on a little longer and be stronger because our second wind could be around that next turn.
Running a marathon takes planning and strategizing. You don't just wake up and go run a marathon without training, nutrition, hydration, etc... Some elite world class athletes can't even do marathons. Only 1% of all people will ever complete a marathon. That's a ridiculously low number when you think of all the great athletes in the world. 1%!
As runners, we often set goals for ourselves. Personally, I'm a set the bar really high person. My first race, I set a time goal of 24:00 that was :34 better than my PR, which was almost a minute faster than the second best time I had EVER run. I set a finishing goal of top 3 in my age and top 50 overall. I only achieved one of those 3 goals (finishing in the top 50), but I was 4th out of my age group (soooo very close) and finished the race in 24:49 (not too far off my goal time either).
Sure, I failed to hit 2/3 goals I set, but I knew I gave it everything I had and really had done well. I was pleased with the results. At the end of our marathon life, we have to make sure we're pleased with the results. We need to know that we've given everything we had and not given up 1/2 way through the race. Be satisfied with the end results. It's a long journey so pace yourself, refuel and enjoy the journey!
Take time to enjoy what's going on around you. Don't be so short-sighted and focused on the end fo the race that we miss everything along the way. I have to remind myself of that many times when running. It's more than just exercise or more than just times and seeking another PR.
I ran this week without an iPod. I run at 5am and live in the country so there were plenty of sights and sounds to keep me entertained (and sometimes a little scared). In the darkness and still of the early morning hours, you can actually see alot. We just have to open our eyes.
Just wanted to share this with everyone. Have a great day!
