Iss. 3 - Weekly RunDown
Happy New Year: Let’s start this over…again
Thought for the Week
Well, it is officially 2024…and to be honest, my mind is still processing 2020.
I feel like our lives have become a cycle of moving from one “big” event to another. We are surrounded by wars, illnesses, endless shootings, and a political discourse that has caused fractures so deep they seem almost irreparable.
This has me thinking about what my basic hopes are for 2024.
I will probably write a separate blog post about my “New Year’s Resolutions” (not a big fan of that phrase but it will do for now). However, for now, I just think about my…expectations…for 2024.
What do I expect to happen?
Well, the pessimist side of me says that I expect that our disagreements will become too much and something untenable will happen. However, I want to bring a positive attitude into 2024 (as hard as that might be).
Therefore, my expectations, lie more in my hopefulness that things will look better. That we will find ways to mend relationships. That we will move behind harmful language, and towards a language of love, empathy, and compassion. That it would be less about the ego and more about the other.
2024 can be our opportunity to look beyond the systemic cycles that continue to cause harm and pain to the marginalized. Yeah, I know, more of the Rev. is coming out over the runner, but even so. I think we can all agree that the last few years especially have not been the brightest spots in the history of…well maybe ever.
As we move into this new year, maybe we can find ways to brighten the world around us. We can look towards the hope of what can be, and make it a reality.
This might be wishful thinking, but one small act can spark a world of difference.
Rev on the Run
Gosh, what a year it has been for running. The ups and downs of a truly fantastic half marathon PR at the Shamrock Half Marathon and injuries, sicknesses, and mystery fatigue (that ended up being an iron deficiency).
Despite all of that, I still managed to rack up over 1100 miles for 2023. It might be far off of my 2000-mile goal that I had, but I have grown in ways I had not even imagined possible on the run this year. What is in store for 2024…guess we will have to find out together.
This week was a down week, as I let my body and mind have a much-needed “detox” (?). I was on vacation and wasn’t in the mood to do anything. Literally, I spent a lot of time this week just sitting in the recliner reading books. Did manage to get in a few quality easy runs in, and began brainstorming what the rest of my winter training might look like to prep for Shamrock in mid-March.
Weekly mileage: 9.3 miles
Around the RunninRev Network
The first episode of Run Build Grow is going to be released this coming Friday. Make sure to subscribe or follow on your favorite podcasting platform (links to subscribe here) so you get it as soon as it releases, or make sure to bookmark the website.
Run Build Grow and Active Faith Podcast are now on Instagram!!! Make sure to follow along for all updates for each pod.
Because I have been on a much-needed vacation, I did not preach yesterday, so I have no new sermon for this week. However, you can check out Beech Grove’s Christmas Cantata worship service from yesterday on our YouTube page (click here)
Lastly, due to really trying to honor my body and mind’s needs I did not record a Monday meditation for this week for the Active Faith Podcast feed. I did do a bit of writing (as you can see from this week’s newsletter), and brainstorming for what 2024 could hold. I cannot wait to move into this next year, as I continue to find more ways to build community through both running and self-care.