Make the Most of your Time

How many times have I thought, "If I can just get my work out in, but I've got so much to do."? That is this week so far. We have a couple of football camps we are involved with this week and add to that church VBS. So too say that time is a premium is an understatement.

In days when you have a little time give it your all. You have to decide what is important. Some days you just have to wake up early. Some days you have to be satisfied with a short run knowing you got it in.  But it comes down to managing your priorities.

In our spiritual journey we have those days of pressure and schedule crunch too. Paul reminds us in Ephesians, "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." (5:15-16) Our spiritual walk is to be governed with wisdom in that we learn to take advantage of and control over our time. These days are evil and we must maintain our spiritual pursuits even more diligently than our physical ones.

Today: quick 2 miles, coached in football camps for younger boys, then middle schools.

Train Wreck Work Out

Every once in a while I will own this truth - some days are just train wrecks. You show up with great plans and you feel great. You have a good attitude and your close even match. Then you get going and it all falls apart. I mean the wheels fall off, the train wrecks, you crash and burn.

There can be a lot of reasons for the tough surprise. The heat, dehydration, lack of rest, or even lack of proper nutritional fuel. So, then you dig in a little deeper. Start trying to find the next level from where you are and crawl back out and around. You just simply keep moving. There is always more in us than we think.

Reminds me of the struggles we can encounter in our spiritual journey. It seems all is great then all of a sudden a spiritual train wreck, we get knocked for a loop. We don't give up or give in no we strain ahead toward the calling of Jesus in our lives.

"Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid of me."

Phil 3:12 

Today: warm up, dynamic stretch, 3 miles, train wreck.... attempt at 50/50 spirit shuffle drill x 3 = 2 miles, stretch.

Here's a shot of a few of the boys who worked so hard with me this summer - This is a proud Coach! Heart is so Full!

What attitude will you choose?

Some days we get up to get after it and have a thought that this is going to be a rough one. Isn't it amazing that more times than not we then go out and struggle. You see our attitudes have a lot to do with the impact of our work out. What is amazing to me is that we are actually in control of our own attitudes.

Today my attitude was actually good. I felt tired from adding some stuff to my schedule and little on the sore side. But my thoughts when I got up flew to how this is good day to stay loose and stay at it. The fun thing for me was that the fellows I was training also showed up with the same thoughts.

Guess what? We had a great day and actually had a little fun.

My favorite Scripture covering attitude is penned by Paul reminding us to have an attitude. But not any attitude but the attitude of Christ Jesus. This attitude is one of a servant. So as a follower of Jesus I have a choice to become in always and at all times a servant. With this attitude in place it is amazing how many time the Lord opens opportunities for us to serve people for Him.

"Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus." 

Philippians 2:5 (HCSB) 

Today: warm up, dynamic stretch (started slow), ladder drills, 2 miles, flying 30's up a shady hillside x 10, long good stretch

Hooray for Hydration

One of my families favorite things to do is hydrate. We are sort of militant about it when you are around. If you don't believe me ask my mom how obnoxious we can be when you need to be filled with water. Hydration is essential before, during, and after any run.

My hydration plan is simple. I start the night before I run (so almost everyday). Drink a couple of cups of good ole H2O at night before bed. Then in the morning before you head out (about an hour) make sure you drink between 16-20 oz of water. On training days be sure to push some water and or diluted sports drink. Then after you are finished make sure you drink 20-30 oz of water. These amounts could vary for each person but this is my plan.

All this hydration talk reminds me that there are times our spiritual lives require a bit of hydration as well. We need to be refreshed with the Spirit of God. The Scripture reminds us to "Be filled with the Spirit..." Ephesians 5:18. I love this passage since it reminds me that we need fresh filling of the Spirit. We can become hydrated with the Spirit through spiritual exercise of sorts. Confessing sin, requesting the Spirit's presence, and total reliance on Him.

Hooray for Hydration! 

Today: Warm up, dynamic stretch, 3 miles, core work, long stretch,,,plus hydration.

Running with Wisdom's Pace

I still admit to being a novice runner. My readings, searches, and conversations find seasoned advice in training. Some of the best advice I've gotten has to do with being wise with pacing. I am learning to train and adjust with pace in all of my drills. This has even been a secret to improving my speed, breathing, and endurance. Running with wisdom's pace is the best.

This reminded me while we were training of the special relationship of wisdom to our entire life. "Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding" (Proverbs 3:13). "Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore get wisdom..." (Proverbs 4:7). "For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her." (Proverbs 8:11).

So seek after the pace of wisdom in your life. This is more important than seeking money, seeking peace, seeking positions, or even seeking fame.

Today: warm-up, dynamic stretch, ladder drills, sprint hills x 10, surprise sprint stadium stairs x 5, 10-10 Alley drill, 4 corner sprint, shuffle, back pedal drill, core, stretch .. oh yea and I got in 3.56 miles on top of these. 

Running is the Recipe for the Road

Running while on the road traveling can be an exciting adventure to the novice runner. After long hours driving running is the perfect recipe for ankles, knees, and mind. Leaving the hotel in Arkansas today I had only a brief map in my brain over which way I would go and how far to run. What I discovered was that with the every twist there was a new adventure awaiting me.

Life can offer us many twist and turns. It can even offer to you some unexpected times that you have mapped out the best possible route and run into unexpected "adventures". For those of us that are Followers of Jesus Christ we have a confidence in him no matter the road. Consider the Psalmist David found himself in a tough spot and yet remembered the shield of the Lord. "But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, (SELAH) My Glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill." Psalm 3:3-4

Today was amazing run in Fayetteville, Arkansas and I got to see some great sights that I never dreamed I would see on this adventure. Ran 4.26 miles - and sure helped my legs feel better.

Just a Little Hard Work

When you are training there is a point you get to when you feel like you could push a little further and dig a little deeper. This is exciting when you do it. Push yourself and reach out a little further knowing that you are building your self up. Training takes work, dedication, and determination.

Reminds me of the Proverb 13:4 "The soul of the lazy man desires, and had nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich." So, we have a choice to make. We can want it and not work for it and then not be surprised when we do not get it. Or we can dream it, go to work, and get our riches!

Today: warm up, dynamic stretch, Ladder drills,  3 miles, 50/50 speed endurance drill x 3 totals a mile and half, recovery laps, good stretch with not a dry spot on our body! Total miles for the day 4.5!