The Weekly Pulse: No. 4
The one where the cough WILL NOT GO AWAY
Thought for the Week:
You always hear about the studies that have looked at the impact renowned events like March Madness and Fantasy Football have on people’s abilities to get work done. However, I wonder if they have done similar studies on how much time I waste watching the Olympics.
Now, honestly, I use the word “waste” very loosely. In fact, I have somewhat mastered being able to have the Olympics on my iPad while also getting work done on my computer. Maybe this is why….I can “follow” the Olympics without giving 100% of my mind to it. Of course, when something major happens, or even if it is something I am invested in, it will draw my attention, but oftentimes it is for brief moments and I find myself drawing my attention back.
Maybe it is because some of those other activities draw your attention more. They are activities that require focus on one thing. Focus is a crucial understanding when it comes to self-care. This comes in understanding how we may best focus on what is in front of us and what needs to be done. Tangentially watching the Olympics has me pondering this nature of focus and what it looks like in my life. I have found a couple of occasions where I either need to turn the volume down on what I am watching or even turning it off altogether based on what I am working on.
The deeper we understand ourselves, perhaps the deeper we understand what we need to help ourselves focus better.
Week in Running
Gosh, running has been awful lately. Last week, I was not feeling well, and just couldn’t get my energy to run. Luckily I was able to get a few walks in to keep the body moving. Unfortunately, this last week, a lingering cough that has led to some chest tightness has made it all but impossible to do any miles. I attempted some on Tuesday, at run club, but it ended with me tossing up the white flag after a quarter mile.
No worries though, I am continuing to work along. I am going to keep moving and trying to get back. As this newsletter is released, I am participating in J&A Racing’s Big Blue 5k. This is a race I am looking forward to. The last two years, I have been injured and unable to participate in it, and this year, even with this cough, I am going to get out there and get those miles in and enjoy the celebration!!!
My goal this week, is to get back to my roots of movement. I am hoping to get a few days of running in, once this cough subsides, but the primary goal is more movement-based, as I am going to aim for 10,000 steps per day. I am hoping that re-establishing this consistency will help as I get to the fall and get into the heart of half marathon training.
What does your next week look like in terms of movement?
Again while I do call it a run club it is more about movement of any kind rather than just running. Leave a reply in the weekly movement chat on the subscriber chat.
Run Build Grow Podcast
Another exciting episode, as Richmond native, Rich Saunders, joins to talk about the communities that have helped make running fun again for him. Even as a competitor, he talks about how community drives him forward and reminds him to always keep running enjoyable.
Rich talks about him in this episode, but it reminded me of my conversation with Adam Otstot. We are reminded that there is a balance of community that is meant to ground us, even when we are at the front-end of the field. We are always humbled and brought to remember that we never do anything alone. Check out and re-listen to the episode with Adam:
I am always looking for fantastic stories to share through the podcast. If you have a great story of community running or know someone email me or share the podcast or this newsletter with friends.
On A Long Run
Have you seen the Olympics? It has been quite a journey these last couple of weeks. With the only event truly left being the Women’s Marathon, I will reshare, one final time my marathon preview. Be sure to take an extra look at that course…
Also, as we continue those summer miles, and that heat (and humidity for many) continues to bear down on us, check out this article about making it through those miles. I promise they will be worth it.
Deep in the Archives
This past week, we had our J&A Ambassadors welcome gathering for the 2024-25 cohort. Jerry and Amy Frostick, the owners of J&A Racing, truly foster a community centered on the joy of running. As I begin another year as a J&A ambassador, I'm reminded of an article I wrote last fall that captures Jerry and Amy’s vision: for their ambassadors to not only represent J&A but also to become Ambassadors for Running.
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RevFlections
Devotion
Community is truly something to behold. Check out this reflection/devotion on the power of community in our everyday lives.
What you might expect this week:
I am firmly back into my regular pastoral ministry. I am going to try and get the two sermons I will have preached since being back, uploaded by Monday (Aug. 4 and 11). This series, is about God’s Welcome and this nature of Gospel Hospitality. This can be an opportunity for this community to grow deeper in what it looks like to welcome people in all manners of life. Sermons will be posted as videos on YouTube, and will be shared in the RevFlections section of the Run Club. My hope in the future is to have contextual sermons for this run club that I will record and release earlier.
I am trying to figure out a content calendar that works for me, and includes access to posts for both free and paid subscribers. The more I learn about this community, the more, I figure out how I can do better. I think I am settling on trying to do one longer form blog post per week, with two devotions (one free and one paid), my sermon, and the newsletter. I am toying with adding a paid subscriber preview of upcoming articles, and continue to release podcast episodes.
If you have ideas of how I can earn your paid membership or even ideas of content, please comment below, send me a DM, or email me.
Final Note:
For a deeper experience with this newsletter, download the Substack app and keep up with the notes tab or even DM me through the app for more connections!
