The Importance of Self-Talk

Self-Talk Makes All the Difference!

In a graduate course, I was assigned the reading of a book entitled, “What to Say When You Talk to Yourself” by Shad Helmstetter. I will admit that when I first read the title my thoughts were something like, “oh great, gotta read some psycho-babble!”, but I was wrong! The thesis of the book is that we are so greatly affected by what we tell ourselves, that we actually become exactly what we think. And since we ultimately become what we think, we need to closely watch our thoughts and ensure that they are what they should be.

In my running I have discovered this truth over and over again. I recall once, while training for a half marathon, that there were only two days in the entire training program when I thought, “I can’t do this today” and those were the only two days that I didn’t finish the run. On the other hand, there have been many times that I willed my way through difficult stretches by reassuring myself that I could do it and, without exception, I succeeded. Many of you have experienced the same.

We should not be surprised though, as this is a biblical principle from long ago. Solomon wrote, “For as a man thinks in his heart, so he is…” (Prov. 23:7). We eventually become what we think. This powerful principle cuts both ways and we need to be on the right side of it, thinking what is right and best to fully reach our potential.

Many people - runners, Christians, and others - short-circuit themselves with false and negative self-talk. They convince themselves of falsehoods that in turn become self-fulfilling prophecies. Yes, there are many challenges, but the strength for the journey is available. Paul declared that he could do all things, not on his own, but because God strengthened him to do so. (Phil. 4:13).

Regardless of your goals, remember to think the best things and the right things, so you can fully reach your potential!

Gotta run!

YOU NEED FUEL!

YOU NEED FUEL

Every runner knows that without the right kind and amount of fuel, you won’t run very far. Fuel is so important to running that untold numbers of studies have been conducted to determine the way the body responds to various foods, and to determine how much is needed. The findings of the studies: you have to have fuel!

More specifically, your running body needs fuel on a periodic basis. To get ready for a race, runners will “carb up”, not just the night before, but all week leading up to the race. The strategy is to stockpile energy for the race so that they don’t grow weak.

But you can never stockpile enough fuel to last the entirety to the race; you need it periodically. Those of us who run long distances actually put food in our pockets for the journey, knowing we will have to have the calories along the way. And when a runner hits the dreaded “wall”, it is because his body has run out of energy to metabolize.

Every runner knows that they need fuel!

The spiritual parallel is obvious: we need spiritual food for the journey! The good news is that, as our Creator, God is aware of this need and has completely provided everything. Among the “foods” that energize us for the journey are bible study, prayer, and fellowship with other Christians. These supplements keep us strong in Christ and, in turn, a strength for others (Heb. 10:23-25).

Too often when one hits the spiritual “wall”, it is a direct result of neglecting the fuel that they need. Too many times we’ve seen Christians neglect assembling with the church or stop reading their bible or stop praying (or perhaps neglect all of these) and as a result, they grow weak. And like the runner that doesn't eat, this condition is completely preventable!

So take advantage of the spiritual food that is yours to enjoy! Read, pray, worship and grow stronger, because every Christian knows that they need fuel!

Think about it.

Gotta run!

Keith

It's Better to Run With the Group

It Is Better to Run With a Group!

Neither schedules, nor running paces have often allowed for me to run with a partner, but when I have, the miles have flown by! Not only does the time go faster, I go faster. I remember very well the early morning runs on the dirt roads in and around Kisongo, Tanzania with my buddy Mike Reese. I almost always ran at a faster pace with him than when on my own. Neal Pollard and Bob Turner have had the same effect on me in the oxygen-deprived altitude of Denver.

The same dynamic happens on race day. There are so many like-minded people that the air is filled with excitement. You can feel it! The enthusiasm is so contagious that most runners actually have to make a conscious decision to not go out too fast when the gun sounds. Every runner loves race day!

Regardless the interest, there is always something special about sharing an activity with others who love it as much as you!

And this is why it is so important for Christians to “run with the group” as often as possible! Whether it is the regular assembly times or other specially scheduled events, we need to be with each other! It is there that we both receive and give encouragement (Heb. 10:24, 25). These are the times when we share our common interests and ambitions and enjoy the enthusiasm of our commonality.

On the other hand, when we choose to not come together, we are distancing ourselves from God and His people, which will ultimately lead to a cooling of our enthusiasm. This is precisely why God said to not do it. Anyone who stays away will eventually go away.

So let’s not miss out on any opportunity to run with the group!

Stand Up Straight!
“Examine yourselves…” [2 Cor. 13:5]

It’s likely that we have all seen basketball players taking advantage of a break in the action to bend over and hold their shorts while someone else is shooting free throws. Perhaps we have even done the same thing. That’s because the natural tendency is to lean over when you’re tired.

The same is true in running. As we tire, we gradually begin to bend at the waist and the move is so subtle that we seldom realize it. The problem is that that is the worst thing to do! When you bend at the waist it constricts your diaphragm and limits your breathing, making it more difficult to get the air that you need. It feels like the natural thing to do, but it is actually the worst thing to do!

I’ve noticed a similar reaction in our spiritual lives. When we begin to tire we often lean in a way that actually hurts us. Maybe we’re tired from the stress of a particular issue or some hidden burden that no one knows about or just the cares of everyday living. It is at that point that many make the unconscious choice to lean by forsaking the church assemblies, by not being with other Christians, by not reading and praying and by not taking advantage of the strength around them. It feels like the natural thing to do, but it is actually the worst thing to do!

It is in those moments we need to check our posture. While running, I look for any reflective surface (windows, mirrors, etc.) to see if I need to straighten up, literally! Spiritually, God’s word provides the mirror (James 1:23, 24) and we are to examine ourselves (2 Cor. 13:5) and make positive changes in our life.

Have you been leaning lately? Look in the mirror to see if you need to straighten up.

Gotta run!

HELPING EACH OTHER RUN BETTER
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. [Pro 27:17]

My favorite running route is a trail I have named “Serenity and Sweat”. A 5 mile trail through the wooded hills, it is serene. The beauty of the trail follows the seasons so its appearance is ever changing and you’re more likely to see wildlife than people. And the sweat flows freely because it is a most challenging run composed of 5 miles of hills and constant elevation change.

Near the end of the run there is one last hill that both defies and discourages me. After having already run 4 miles of hills I often convince myself that is it understandable to just walk it. But not on a recent run. The difference was that Kyle (our oldest son) was running the trail with me. Kyle didn’t know that I sometimes walk that last hill (he has run the trail with me only once) so he kept running. So I kept running because he was and because I didn’t want to look like the Dad who couldn’t keep up! We both made it to the top still alive and finished out our run.

On the way home he said, “When we got to that last hill I didn’t think I could make it. I wanted to walk but since you weren’t I just kept running.” A wry grin crossed my face while I said, “Let me let you in on a little secret…” Later I told him, “If we play this right, we can make each other better runners!”

And that’s the way it works, doesn’t it? Exemplary companionship is a win-win situation. It is a never-ending circle with benefits both. Solomon said it this way, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. [Pro 27:17]. It is true in running (if you want to run faster, run with someone faster!) and it is true in even more important aspects of our life.

Remember this principle whether you’re choosing friends or running partners and you’ll be sharpened as you sharpen. Think about it.

Gotta run!

Enjoy the Journey!

Enjoy the Journey

I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ [Phil. 3:8]

To train for a big race you have to be willing to invest many hours and be ready to put in many miles. One shoe company ad says, “Because we know that 26.2 is the easy part!” That’s so true! To prepare for a marathon you spend 12-16 weeks running between 300-500 miles. That is more than 10 times the distance of the actual race. And inevitably there comes a point when you begin wondering if it’s worth it and then the little voices begin telling you to quit.

Every runner knows that race day makes it all worthwhile, but what do you do when race day is just too far away to provide any real motivation?

That’s when I decide to enjoy the journey! That’s when I choose to focus on the beauty of the scenery or on the fun of being outside and moving or simply on the joy of discipline. These are the fringe benefits that add another layer of payment to all the training. If I don’t enjoy the journey I’m sure to quit!

The same principle applies in Christianity. Sometimes in the course of running the Christian race we begin to wonder if it’s really worth it. It seems like we’re making big sacrifices to be in the race while others are just lying on the couch and we wonder if we should join them. The temptation to quit is great!

Every Christian knows that Heaven makes it all worthwhile, but what do you do when it just seems too far away to motivate?

That’s when you remember that there is SO much more to Christianity than looking forward to Heaven! That’s when you decide to focus on the fellowship and support of brethren, the joy of Christian living, the hope you have for both the present and future, and the many other fringe benefits of living for God. Paul said that he was willing to lose everything now to be with God later and even if that happened it would be worth it all! (Phil. 3:8) If we don’t enjoy the journey we’re sure to quit!

Stay in the race! Enjoy the journey! It’s worth it…now and later!

Gotta run!

UPHILL AND INTO THE WIND!

UPHILL AND INTO THE WIND!

“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,” [2 Cor. 4:17]

If you’re like me, you don’t have the flattest terrain on which to run. If you do run on level ground I can assure you there are many of us who are at least a little envious. Without hills the running is so much easier; so much more predictable. And while there is a downhill for every uphill, it has been proven scientifically and experientially that the down-side of the hill never gives back all that the up-side took.

The same can be said of the wind. The difference the wind makes when it is blowing into you is nothing less than amazing…and disheartening! It slows you. It strains you. It actually discourages you. And so often it seems that the wind is in my face the entire run regardless of the direction I am running. It is so much easier to have it at your back. And when the two are combined, running uphill and into the wind, the run can be very tough.

But here’s the part of the story that’s so easy to miss in all the huffing, puffing, and sweating: running uphill makes you a better runner and better prepares you for the next hill! There will be hills on the course. At the 7th mile of my first half-marathon there was a 1¼ mile stretch that was a 7% grade uphill. While competitors were dropping like flies I never missed a step. The reason was simple: I was accustomed to running hills!

It would be nice if life was always downhill and with the wind at our back, but we know that simply isn’t possible. There will be hills and strong headwinds and, at times, it will seem that the universe is conspiring to combine the two simply for the purpose of making our run tough. But it is during those times that we are actually being made stronger.

Occasionally we have to deal with setbacks and disappointments in the course of life. Health issues, family troubles, job concerns, and the like are the uphills of life and none of us wish for them, but God tells us that they are actually making us stronger (2 Cor. 4:17). He also says that they are temporary (2 Cor. 4:18) and that we can look forward to one day coasting on the downhill. So remember, when the going is tough just keep running, taking comfort in the fact that you’re becoming stronger and that the tough times won’t last!

Gotta run!