Review: Running through Twenty 12- Just do it
My thoughts on http://runningthrutwenty12.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/just-do-it.htmlI agree with this:
And this from legendary miler Sir Roger Bannister:
"We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help
ourselves...The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find
some outlet for this craving for freedom."
When I run, I find that I can process ideas, pray, meditate on God's word. I often recommend that clients do some form of exercise to alleviate symptoms of depression or anxiety. And there is this feel of community when you wave to fellow runners in the morning, you don't have to say much but it's as if you know each other.
And too right there is a sense of accomplishment. Especially when we are getting older and we aren't getting as much feedback as if we were children. We don't get weekly report cards, we don't constantly have tests are work. But when we cross our finish line, and look at the stopwatch, it's a sense of accomplishment.
Running isn't a way of life. Running is about training the body and the mind. It's about endurance. It's about taking extra steps even when our body wants to stop.
Our God calls us to run with perseverance the race marked out for us. You can draw a parallel between running and doing God's work. At the start, you may want to start out sprinting because you feel the passion and energy. But then, it gets tough and many people drop down to a walk or may even stop. For those that keep going, despite the challenges? They reap the rewards at the end of the race!
So I say, Just do it! Run hard, work hard, preach hard. Just do it!
Hebrews 12
New International Version (NIV)
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
__________________________
Please support my efforts in the Gold Coast Marathon 10km run. This year I will be running for Compassion.
________________________________________________________
Snipit from original article http://runningthrutwenty12.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/just-do-it.htmlJust do it!
Running is not life. I'm not even sure that we were born to run. If early humans were vegans, then they didn't need to hunt. Only gather. And, apples and berries don't require chasing. Doesn't it seem reasonable that the earliest humans ate fruits, nuts, and grains? Raw meat isn't very appetizing and fire requires an inventor. How soon did that happen? Just saying.
Anyway, enthusiasts of all sorts seem to go overboard in assaying the object of their enthusiasm. I once had a t-shirt that announced "Baseball Is Life." Runners are no different. Check out this quotation from Roger Robinson in the April 2012 Running Times referring to John J. Kelley, an early winner of the Boston Marathon:
"He was way before his time in perceiving that running is part of the greater movement of world
environmentalism and a return to pre-industrial, non-materialistic values."
You think? Running is part of an environmentally-conscious, pre-industrial, non-materialistic culture? Why do I see so many iPods and $400 Garmin watches at the starting line of races? Not to mention expensive hi-tech shoes, shirts, sports bras, and shorts? Why are 5K entry fees $30? Marathon entry fees $100? Why are the race parking lots filled with expensive, gas-guzzling SUV's?
How about this gem from Oprah Winfrey:
"Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it."
The problem here is that you can substitute all sorts of activities for running and the rest of the quotation would still be true. How about "playing the piano"? Oprah likely said running because she was a runner at the time. As far as I know, she's never played the piano.
And this from legendary miler Sir Roger Bannister:
"We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help
ourselves...The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find
some outlet for this craving for freedom."
It damn well better be doing me some good! I guess that it's either running or therapy for Sir Roger. And, running is cheaper. Anyway, when I think of people craving for freedom, I think of Syrians, not some stockbroker with a BMW and $120 running shoes.
And, here's Patti Sue Plummer on racing:
"The gun goes off and everything changes... the world changes... and nothing else really matters."
Maybe it works that way in the temporary bubble that envelopes the competitors. Otherwise, the world goes on its merry way. Even for the runners, the illusion is ephemeral. All the old problems and worries that existed before the gun went off are still there once you've crossed the finish line.
All running quotations aren't pretentious, hyperbolic, or silly. Some are modest, measured, or wise. Here are a few:
"In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that."--Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder
"No doubt a brain and some shoes are essential for marathon success, although if it come down to a choice, pick the shoes. More people finish marathons with no brains than with no shoes."--Don Kardong, marathoner
"Maybe I shouldn't have had breakfast at Denny's."--Jordan Kent, runner
Anyway, enthusiasts of all sorts seem to go overboard in assaying the object of their enthusiasm. I once had a t-shirt that announced "Baseball Is Life." Runners are no different. Check out this quotation from Roger Robinson in the April 2012 Running Times referring to John J. Kelley, an early winner of the Boston Marathon:
"He was way before his time in perceiving that running is part of the greater movement of world
environmentalism and a return to pre-industrial, non-materialistic values."
You think? Running is part of an environmentally-conscious, pre-industrial, non-materialistic culture? Why do I see so many iPods and $400 Garmin watches at the starting line of races? Not to mention expensive hi-tech shoes, shirts, sports bras, and shorts? Why are 5K entry fees $30? Marathon entry fees $100? Why are the race parking lots filled with expensive, gas-guzzling SUV's?
How about this gem from Oprah Winfrey:
"Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it."
The problem here is that you can substitute all sorts of activities for running and the rest of the quotation would still be true. How about "playing the piano"? Oprah likely said running because she was a runner at the time. As far as I know, she's never played the piano.
And this from legendary miler Sir Roger Bannister:
"We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help
ourselves...The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find
some outlet for this craving for freedom."
It damn well better be doing me some good! I guess that it's either running or therapy for Sir Roger. And, running is cheaper. Anyway, when I think of people craving for freedom, I think of Syrians, not some stockbroker with a BMW and $120 running shoes.
And, here's Patti Sue Plummer on racing:
"The gun goes off and everything changes... the world changes... and nothing else really matters."
Maybe it works that way in the temporary bubble that envelopes the competitors. Otherwise, the world goes on its merry way. Even for the runners, the illusion is ephemeral. All the old problems and worries that existed before the gun went off are still there once you've crossed the finish line.
All running quotations aren't pretentious, hyperbolic, or silly. Some are modest, measured, or wise. Here are a few:
"In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that."--Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder
"No doubt a brain and some shoes are essential for marathon success, although if it come down to a choice, pick the shoes. More people finish marathons with no brains than with no shoes."--Don Kardong, marathoner
"Maybe I shouldn't have had breakfast at Denny's."--Jordan Kent, runner
