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marathon

2010 Resolutions

Just for the record, I’m not a “resolution” guy.    In fact I’ve taught a number of Bible studies on what Jesus thinks about making “vows,” which is a type of resolution.   This year seems to be different to me.   God seems to have me on the edge regarding a few things.  Being “on the edge” is not all bad; better to be on the edge than over it.  

2010 seems to be a year in which a few large accomplishments should be realized, and other long-overdue commitments should be made.   If I make them public, I’m more likely to hold myself accountable for reaching these goals.   Feel free to hold me accountable in your own generous way.   So what’s on the plate for 2010?   Here it is, in order of least important to most:

1. Complete a full marathon

One day I’m going to be too old and/or broken down to achieve this.  Since I (hopefully) still can, this is the year.   Less than 1% of all people can say they have completed a marathon.   As of mid-February, I intend to be one of them.

2.  Complete my Master of Arts degree

Yes, I’ve been working on this since 2000.   I have also worked full time, been a father and husband, and been on the staff of three churches.   The kids are out of the house (college breaks excepted), and I’m not serving a church at this time.   So 2010 is the year to complete my degree in Christian Philosophy and Apologetics.  Four more courses!

3.  Develop writing/blogging/speaking/website design/internet marketing into a career

Sure, this may take more than a year to work into a full time career.   But 2010 is the year I begin down that path.   I enjoy these activities and have toyed around with them for a while.   Now it’s time to get serious.

4.  Greater family communication/involvement

Ok, true confessions: I’ve been a lousy son and brother.   Yes, we are all spread out across the US and the world.  But come on, I’m attached to my Blackberry and yet fail miserably at staying intimately involved with my family.  Why?  I lack the discipline to make them a priority and force myself to set aside regular time to communicate and stay connected.   No more excuses in 2010.

5.  Celebrate our Silver Anniversary.

It’s hard to believe that in August Dee and I will have been married for 25 years.   Life is busy and time just wizzes by.   One person has born the burden of my adult up’ s and down’s (more down’s than up’s), and that’s Dee.   She’s been a great partner in life and a great mother to Billy and Jessie.   I’m not sure how to properly reward her for her faithfulness and love, but 2010 is the year I make a serious effort. 

You can add your suggestions, comments, and encouragements.   If you have anniversay ideas, I’m open.  Time to get to work!

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Reflections on Chickamauga weekend

Chickamauga Battlefield Half Marathon

Chickamauga Battlefield Half Marathon

 

After a great weekend on North Georgia, I’m taking a few minutes to relax and reflect.   The trip had two purposes: run the half marathon at Chickamauga Battlefield and visit with Jessika at Covenant College.   The Battlefield Park is less than thirty minutes from Lookout Mountain, so it was a convenient location for a race.   I’ve been training for it for several weeks, so I was hoping for a good finish.  For me, that would be a time of under two hours.   In the end, I finished in 1:54:32. which is a pace of 8:51 per mile.   That was good for 173rd of 731 runners overall and 14th of 44 runners in my age group (45-49 yrs old).    Here are some random thoughts:

  • Until now, I thought I was an average runner.  It appears I am above average, both overall and for my age.
  • Training and hard work pays off.  You wonder if it does sometimes.  But getting up at 4:30 or 5am and doing your training makes a difference.
  • Chickamauga Battlefield is a beautiful setting for a race.  Scenic and serene, gently sloping hills.  The weather was great for a race-mid 40′s at the start warming up to the mid 50′s.
  • Before long it will be February and I’ll be running a full marathon at Myrtle Beach.   No time to rest.
  • A full marathon??!!  I was super-sore after a half marathon.  How will I feel after a full one???
  • My (very) ambitious goal for the marathon is a time of under four hours.   Yikes!  That’s nearly the same pace as the half, but for twice as long!
  • Running long distances is a very spiritual experience.   By that I mean that you have a long time to think, to pray, to overcome pain and trials, to pass slower people and get passed by faster people, and to breathe many breaths.   In short, you know you are alive.   And knowing you are alive makes you think about the One who authors life and keeps life going by His exclusive will and power.   You feel close to the Lord and far from Him at the same time.   And then you finish the race, which is a tremendous feeling of accomplishment.  No wonder Paul spoke so eloquently about finishing the spiritual race as a Christian.
  • Oh yeah, we visited with Jessie too.  Nice to see her in her college environment.   We’re impressed with her maturity, her friends, her effort and focus, and her enjoyment of this season of life.   I’m envious, in a way.  Here she is with her roommate:

Jess

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