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! 

When the heat cools

The last two days around here have been awesome! The main reason is that the heat went cool. I have no idea the meteorological systems that fell into play to accomplish this chill, but I sure am glad. This has given us two great days to work.

It reminds me of the refreshing that comes in times of revival. Now in these days it may seem strange to speak of revival. I have always contended that in order to get to the refreshment of revival you have to go through the pain of removal that goes before refreshing. This comes through being honest about sin, owning our part and coming to the Lord for cleansing.

Oh that days of refreshing will come soon. Acts 3:19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins my be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. 

Monday: Warm up, dynamic stretch, 3 miles, stadium steps x 10, 4 corners drill x 10, core, stretch and all in the cool!  (Then got opportunity to run a pressure washer for 8 hours!!)
Tuesday: Warm up, dynamic stretch, 3.5 miles recover run, stretch -long version and again in the cool! 

Push Yourself

Training with a friend is awesome. Others have a way of pushing you to work harder. This is especially true when you are helping to train someone else. While pushing them you remind yourself that you have to hustle to set a great example.

This is the attitude of determination that we need to push ourselves regardless of what others are doing. Reminds me today especially that we who follow after Jesus are responsible for our personal walk. I must walk in integrity.  I must walk in humility. I must walk in holiness. I must be the example.

Psalm 26: 11 But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; redeem me and be merciful to me.

Today: Warm up, dynamic stretch, 3.3 miles, agility ladder, flying 20's up hill x 10, flying 30's up hill x 10, stretch and ring out the shirt!

New Stuff

Muscle can get used to your workout. When that happens your body will actually fall into cruise control and you will not get the maximum benefit. So every once in a while you need to confuse yourself. Ha ha for me that is easy.

Today was a day for some new stuff. We did some new drills for acceleration and endurance. It was exciting to get started and actually easy until right at the end. We need new stuff to fit in creatively with the way we are made. Set some new challenges and stretch ourselves to gain.

As we moved through the new stuff today I was reminded that the Scriptures tell us to sing a new song to the Lord. There are actually a lot of Scriptures that tell us to do sing new stuff. All the new stuff is to honor and praise Jehovah's name and glory. If you will moving us to creatively express our joy to Him.

Psalm 98:1 - Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For he has done marvelous things; his right hand and His holy arm have gained Him victory.

 Isaiah 42:10 - Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise from the ends of the earth, You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, You coast lands and you inhabitants of them! 

Revelation 14:3 - They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders... 

Today: Warm up, Dynamic stretch, Crossover power steps x 10, Acceleration Drills: Pick up sprints (jog @50% 10 yards increase to 75% for 10 yards sprint 100% 15 yards slowing 5 yards) x 10, Acceleration sprints (Jog 10 yards, sprint 10, jog 10, sprint 10, slow 5)  x 10, Speed Endurance Drills: Power Alleys (jog 15 yards, sprint 30 yards, slow 10 yards) x 10, Two-fers (Hard jog 50 yards out and back then sprint 10 yards x10, jog 50 out and back then shuffle up and back x 10, jog 50 out and back then sprint 10 yards x 10) x 10. Stretch!!