Saturday, March 31, 2012

Daily Read - March 31, 2012

 14 “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”



Thursday, March 29, 2012

Google Exodus - Passover movie



Cool different look at the Exodus/Passover story through digital media!

JC



Wednesday, March 28, 2012

This is what I'm after... currently! The Medal for the Cap City Half...

Currently...
This is what I'm after...
What I'm rehabbing my quad for...

The medal for the Cap City Half Marathon on May 5...
It must be on my wall!!!

Oh yes... It will be mine!

JC


Daily Read - March 28, 2012

    20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.



Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Quick Running Tip Tuesday - Debit Running (March 27, 2012)

I am a self-motivated runner. 

Translation: I run because I want to run... not because someone is forcing me or expecting me to. 

Translation: I could stop anytime... I choose not to.

A couple of weeks ago, I started coaching the distance guys for a local middle school.  It's a fun little exercise in challenging middle school students to run a 1/2 mile or a mile around the track fast.  Our middle school track coach thought that since I run distance for fun, I could help the guys out.  Actually, I enjoy it.  The sunshine is nice.  It's fun challenging students to do something hard and I get to hang out with kids (which is awesome!). 

Funny thing and interesting difference between myself and my track guys. 
   -I run because I want to. 
   -Many of them run because I make them. 

I was observing some of our team... not the distance guys (they know better... or at least know that I'm watching closer)... as some of them cut out a little early on their required running.  Why?  Because they assumed that no one was watching.  But also because someone is making them run.  While, as a coach, it frustrated me a little.  As a runner, it frustrated me a lot. 

Then it dawned on me today, while I was running (after track practice and thinking about these things), my training and running is like a debit card.  Debit card accounts are different than credit card accounts.  With credit, you purchase first and then pay later.  With debit accounts, you pay first and purchase later. 

So... what does that mean?  There are a couple of guys on my team who want to stay later than others and get in a few extra 800's.  They are paying into their account.  They get out a do a couple of miles on the weekends.  They are paying into their account.  They stretch and eat right and admit when they fail (especially in terms of eating).  They are paying into their account.  They give it their best and hardest effort every time around the track, even if they don't feel like it or when they are cramping and sore.  They are paying into their account. 

And every time they pay into their account, there is more there to withdraw in the future... at a race... at the next meet...

So what does this mean?  The beautiful thing about running at my stage of life is that what I put in... I get out.  No one knows but me if I cut a workout "short."  No one knows but me if I gave my speedwork all my effort.  No one knows but me if I loafed through a tempo run... or if I skipped working out my core... or I ate some junk food. 

But every time that I do... I don't put as much into my debit account... therefore I won't have as much to withdraw come race day. 

So give it all you've got.  Make the deposits! Work hard! Sweat! Do the core stuff!

When you get that medal or that PR... it will be all the sweeter!

Keep running friends!

Jim

Disclaimer (if you're into that sort of thing): Jim is not a professional runner nor is this blog endorsed by any company.  These thoughts are merely the thoughts and experiences on one runner.  What works and what doesn't work from a practical level.  Jim hasn't set any records, but he's run a few races (Marathon: 4h 22m / Half-Marathon: 2h 3m / 5k: 22m 57s) and he's been around the block!


Daily Read - March 27, 2012

   33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”



Monday, March 26, 2012

Daily Read - March 26, 2012

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.    5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.



Wednesday, March 21, 2012

October Baby - Trailer



This looks powerful! The movie comes out on Friday... I'm going to see it! You?

Video is HERE.

JC


Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Quick Running Tip Tuesday - Cheap Headphones (March 20, 2012)

As I started this blog post, for some reason ZZ Top's song "Cheap Sunglasses" popped to mind.  I would never advise you as a runner to get cheap sunglasses.  Your eyes are too important.  Get an expensive pair of polarized sunglasses... especially if you're going to be out for many hours (20 mile run... 3 and a half hours).

But you can go cheap on your headphones.

I learned this tip first hand a while back.  When I first started running, I grabbed the best pair of headphones that I had... a pair that came with my iPhone ($30 on Apple.com).  And...... then it rained.  They were ruined. 

So I replaced them with another pair of Apple earbuds... They lasted longer... but eventually sweat, dirt, repeated uses and rain eventually killed them too. 

Then I got smart. I went to TJ Maxx and got a cheap pair (about $5). 

Now, if they get ruined... rained on... sweated on... pulled out... or otherwise destroyed... I'm out $5 instead of $30.  Sure, they aren't as nice as the Apple Earbuds.  They aren't as convenient with the remote control.  But I'm also not out as much money when they get ruined.  Because honestly, they are going to get ruined sooner or later (especially when that freak thunderstorm shows up 120 minutes into your 20 mile run). 

Go expensive on the sunglasses... go cheap on the headphones and earbuds!

Keep running friends!
Jim

Disclaimer (if you're into that sort of thing): Jim is not a professional runner nor is this blog endorsed by any company.  These thoughts are merely the thoughts and experiences on one runner.  What works and what doesn't work from a practical level.  Jim hasn't set any records, but he's run a few races (Marathon: 4h 22m / Half-Marathon: 2h 3m / 5k: 22m 57s) and he's been around the block!

Daily Read - March 20, 2012

 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”



Monday, March 19, 2012

The Afters - Life Is Beautiful


The Afters - Life Is Beautiful (Official Music Video From October Baby) from fairtradeservices on GodTube.


Looks like a good movie coming out about the importance of EVERY human life!

JC



Daily Read - March 19, 2012

   34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”



Saturday, March 17, 2012

Daily Read - March 17, 2012

  11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.  15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.



Friday, March 16, 2012

Daily Read - March 16, 2012

 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.



Thursday, March 15, 2012

Daily Read - March 15, 2012

   42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.



Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Quick Running Tip Tuesday - Restart Slowly (3.13.12)

My bad folks for missing last week. 

If you know me at all, you know that consistency is a high value in my life.  Unfortunately, I was taking one of my last classes for my MDiv (Master's of Divinity) degree in Illinois and I just plain forgot.  I'll try not to let it happen again.

But there is some good news on the horizon.  I think that I'll be able to resume some regular mileage this week.  It's been over a month since I injured my quad with some quadriceps tendonitis.  Therefore, it's been over a month since I had any regular mileage.  It has been a long, hard month mentally.  It feels like a taper... if you are a distance runner, you know what I mean... without the expected race at the end. 

However, I got out and ran a couple of miles on Saturday and feel pretty good following.  I'm going to attempt another today.  I am praying and hoping that it happens.  Last time I tried the second run back failed. 

But here's the tip.  Restart slowly after an injury.

My temptation right now... and I shared this with a couple of folks Sunday at church... is to go out and resume normal running operation. Their response was that it would be a "bad idea."  I agree and mostly shared in jest.  Translation: I want to go out and run 10 mile runs like I was doing before the injury.  Bad idea.  If I did so, I would likely re-injure myself.

Give yourself permission after coming back from an injury to take it easy.  I'm hoping to get maybe 15 to 18 miles in this week (I was logging 33-35 a week before).  We'll see how the quad holds up and go from there. 

Take it slow.  Otherwise you'll end up back on the injured list!

Keep running friends (cause I'm hoping to see you out there this week)!
JC 

Disclaimer (if you're into that sort of thing): Jim is not a professional runner nor is this blog endorsed by any company.  These thoughts are merely the thoughts and experiences on one runner.  What works and what doesn't work from a practical level.  Jim hasn't set any records, but he's run a few races (Marathon: 4h 22m / Half-Marathon: 2h 3m / 5k: 22m 57s) and he's been around the block!

Friday, March 02, 2012

Busted Dreams, Quads, Frustration and the Cap City Half Marathon

One word:  Frustration!

About 4 weeks ago (Feb 4... and yeah, I'm counting the days), at some point during my 7 mile run that Saturday, I injured my quadriceps tendon.  It may be quadriceps tendonitis (inflammation or irritation of the quad tendon). This has been a very, very frustrating injury.  Just about the time that I think I'm ready to power up, it flares up. 

I've been hitting the gym... working on my core... doing some cross training... But I'm very, very frustrated.  I'm chomping at the bit to get back on the road.  Especially with the Cap City Half Marathon looming in the future (May 5)... less than 63 days away. 

With everyday, my confidence in my endurance is waning.  On one hand, I think "I'm a marathon runner who is used to running 35-50 miles a week and I'm coming off a 79 day run streak... I'm not losing that much..."  Then, about 2 minutes later I think "I haven't had a serious run in over 2 weeks... 14 days... I'm never going to make it." 

Unfortunately, at this point, it doesn't look like one of my primary goals for the Cap City Half is going to happen.  I don't think, short of a couple of miracles (instant healing of my quad tendon and 63 days of totally amazing, hardcore training without concern for the tendon), that I'll be able to smash the 2 hour mark like I had planned. 

Which is: Disappointing...

And only adds to my frustration.

I had hoped to power back up this week with a couple of runs.  Tuesday, I felt pretty good and actually enjoyed a 1.3 mile run at a decent pace.  Yesterday, I had hoped to get in another similar run (1.3 miles) but it was a total bust after about .25 miles with some quad tendon soreness... so I shut it down. 

I'm hoping that another week will get it healed up... that or a miracle... at this point, I'll take either (or both)!

Keep running friends (like I wish I was)...
JC

Daily Read - March 2, 2012

1 Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land the LORD promised on oath to your ancestors. 2 Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. 4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. 5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you.  6 Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him.



Thursday, March 01, 2012

Daily Read - March 1, 2012

 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.