Thought of the Week
Wow, it has been quite a busy past few weeks.
First, was the preparations for Christmas, which as a pastor often involve lots of work and stress. Then we had the season of Christmas (those are the 12 days of Christmas beginning on Dec. 25). During those 12 days we began a new year, and finally last week, I released my brand new podcast exploring the communal spirit of running.
During this time, I had some vacation…a break from my pastoral vocation. I took this time to enjoy time with my family, read, and even did a bit of writing. However, now that I am fully back into my job, my new podcast is launched, and I have all the other stuff of life happening.
Seems like a great time to remember not to over-work myself…right?
One of my goals this year is to be better organized around the different areas of my life. I want to be able to give my all to my family, at work, and continue to produce content for the RunninRev Network (writing and podcasting).
Goals can seem too big when we look at them from the onset. To foster relationships and produce all this content can seem like a lot. It might seem rocky at times, as I offer myself some grace when I fail to live up to my expectations. However, the key has been trying to be better organized with the variety of areas in my life and trying to create better boundaries.
Through these first couple of weeks, I have learned a little bit more as I continue to grow in these areas. I have had to move to a new ADHD medicine and am trying to get the dosage correct. I am also getting myself back into running, or so it feels. I do not lift these up as excuses, but as reasons to remind ourselves not to go too hard.
I definitely feel like we as humans can make excuses for things. However, sometimes we just offer reasons. I think an excuse is a reason something happens or doesn’t which we refuse to learn from. When we make the same mistake over and over and don’t try to fix it, those become excuses.
We can though, have reasons, reasons which teach us lessons. Ways that we are learning to do better. I have been reflecting recently on how I can be a better husband, father, pastor, podcaster, and even runner. Each of these is an opportunity to grow.
How are you looking to grow this year?
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Rev on the Run
This past week
Have you ever just had your routine thrown off by the weather?
This week has been all over the place, weather-wise, and it felt like I couldn’t get in a groove. Still working on building my mileage as a prep for a half marathon at the Shamrock Marathon Weekend. With my running being all over the place I haven’t gotten a long build-up to work the speed like I would like. As I approach this Half, I do so looking to have a good race. I want to get back in shape where I can run a half (really at any time). In this mindset, time has never mattered, but starting in this space has allowed me to work more on speed as race cycles come up. Look for more mileage (I hope), and let’s get ready for a great spring.
Weekly Mileage:
Coach’s Corner (NEW SECTION)
Stay Motivated!
Motivation can be tough. Find what drives your running and keep it at the forefront.
Are you running for times, distance, for fun?
Knowing your why can keep you motivated and driven to have your running take you places you could never imagined.
Around the Network
Episode 2 of Run Build Grow hit the podcast feed on Friday. Check it out below and make sure to subscribe on your favorite podcasting app. Also, help out by leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Check out my sermon from yesterday as I continue the series at my church, exploring the voice of God in Hebrew Scriptures. Yesterday I explored and dove into the calling of Samuel from Samuel 3.
Something I am Excited About
The Olympic Marathon Trials are less than 3 weeks away, and it is shaping up to be quite a battle for the top three spots on the women's and men’s sides. I get so excited for Olympic Athletic. Having watched the World Athletics Championships the last couple of years I know Paris 2024 is going to be full of awesomeness. The journey begins for the marathoners in Orlando. Check out more info here.