Getting Stronger...Getting Ready

Getting Stronger
It's been a slow comeback as it relates to running. Last week's 5K race I finally started feeling a little stronger. But this morning I feel like I'm back. Still not the same speed pre-injury, but the run felt really good. I ran 3 miles in 24:12, getting me very close to an 8 minute mile average. By the way, what a beautiful morning for running.

Getting Ready
In my quiet time this week I have been reading in Mark and focusing on the days leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. This morning, as I was meditating on what my Savior was enduring on this Friday morning, I was caught by what Jesus said the night before while praying with His disciples in Gethsemane. The disciples could see He was "distressed" and even "horrified" about something. And then Jesus says "My soul is swallowed up in sorrow."

Wow! What an incredible word picture. To have one's soul swallowed up in sorrow! We think we have it bad. But just try to imagine what Jesus was going through as He literally faced taking on the entire sin of the world! That phrase helped me this morning appreciate even greater the greatest sacrifice of all time.

Take some time today to prepare your heart for celebrating on Sunday.

What A Day!

What a day yesterday!

I got up very early for a Saturday morning and headed down to Coconut Point with Evan Foster to run in the Komen Race for the Cure 5K. Still recovering from my foot injury in January, I was not expecting to have a very fast time. My goal is always do a little better than my last race. Well, I knew I wouldn't be able to accomplish that, but I wanted to run and do my best and enjoy the morning. Much to my surprise, I ran better than I thought I would. I ran a 25:47, about a minute and a half slower than my last race, but about a minute faster than what I was predicting for myself.

As soon as I got home I quickly showered, ate a bite, and headed off to the church for our Transformed Conference with Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron. The conference was incredible. Close to 3,000 people showed up for an awesome time of teaching and challenging messages. Hearing today how the conference impacted people's lives was really cool. Special props to Shawn Bergen and Nancy Painter for taking the lead for this conference - You guys did an awesome job!!!! And double props to the tons of McGregor volunteers who made this a phenomenal experience for every person who showed up!

No, I didn't get to personally meet Kirk Cameron, but it still was an awesome day! But my friend Jason got his picture taken with Kirk...

I Made It

Since I started back running a couple of weeks ago, one of my goals was to get back as quickly as possible to running a complete 3 miles. Well, Thursday of this week I made it. 3 miles in 26:11. More than 2 minutes slower than what a training run would have been for me 2 months ago. But I'm not complaining - I'm just glad to be back running again.

Next goal - running in the Komen Race for the Cure 5K on March 15. Let me know if you are planning on running in this race.

New Best Time With the New Shoes

Could it be the new shoes are faster?

This morning I ran my best ever 3 mile time: 23:31. The shoes did feel good, but I don't think they could have caused this. Maybe I was more motivated with new shoes? Maybe I was motivated because I was missing another 5K race and I wanted to prove something? Who knows. Maybe the new shoes are just faster.

Gotta go to the Preschool Ministry Fellowship in the Park now. Later.

I'm Back On

This morning I ran my three miles in under 24 minutes. It's been a while since I have run a sub-24 minute, so it felt real good. The cooler weather I think brought a little motivation along with the fact that I have been back running more consistent the last couple of weeks.

I am planning on running in a 5K next Saturday - the Veteran's Day Midpoint Madness 5K. It will be my first 5K in about 5 months. I'm getting anxious for running in another race.

I also spent several hours today helping my brother-in-law and his family move into their new house. Pretty cool, they will now live 1.5 miles away from us. Hey, I could run to their house and back for my 3 mile run! Just a thought.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow at church. We will be introducing two new staff pastors in our AM services. Cynthia Turner and Arthur Keeley. Arthur is our new Single Adult Pastor. It was so cool to see how God open this door for us to bring on someone who was already at McGregor. He is going to do an awesome job! I am also very excited about Cynthia starting in her role as our Preschool Ministry Director. I have been praying for this position for over a year and a half. Praise God, He brought us someone incredible to fill this critical role at McGregor. God is so good.

Best Run Yet...

I've had a good week running and was ready to push it a little today with my morning run. Well, as some of you know, I've been trying to break the 24 minute mark for 3 miles and get my average mile time under 8 minutes. Well, I finally did it. I ran 3 miles in 23:42! Yeah!

Next 5K race is August 11. Steven - are you ready????