A Runner’s Thoughts: “People sometimes sneer at those who run every day, claiming they'll go to any length to live longer. But I don't think that's the reason most people run. Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest. If you're going to while away the years, it's far better to live them with clear goals and fully alive then in a fog, and I believe running helps you to do that. Exerting yourself to the fullest within your individual limits: that's the essence of running, and a metaphor for life [and a metaphor for faith]” (Haruki Murakami and [me])

A Runner’s Thoughts: “Struggling and suffering are the essence of a life worth living. If you're not pushing yourself beyond the comfort zone, if you're not demanding more from yourself - expanding and learning as you go - you're choosing a numb existence. You're denying yourself an extraordinary trip.” (Dean Karnazes, Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner)

A Runner’s Thoughts: Here are some words to ponder and perhaps even to live by from Paul Maurer’s book, The Gift – A Runner’s Story.  “Running isn't a sport for pretty boys...It's about the sweat in your hair and the blisters on your feet. It’s the frozen spit on your chin and the nausea in your gut. It's about throbbing calves and cramps at midnight that are strong enough to wake the dead. It's about getting out the door and running when the rest of the world is only dreaming about having the passion that you need to live each and every day with. It's about being on a lonely road and running like a champion even when there's not a single soul in sight to cheer you on. Running is all about having the desire to train and persevere until every fiber in your legs, mind, and heart is turned to steel. And when you've finally forged hard enough, you will have become the best runner you can be. And that's all that you can ask for.”  And this is what faith is about too!

A Runner’s Thoughts: “It takes practice and perseverance, but as long as I hold on to my dreams, I know they'll become a reality.” (Florence Griffith Joyner) So to in the spiritual life…prayer takes practice and perseverance and if we hold on to the dream the Kingdom will become a reality in our life!

A Runner’s Thoughts: “At first an ordeal and then an accomplishment, the daily run becomes a staple, like bread, or wine, a fine marriage, or air. It is also a free pass to friendship. (Benjamin Cheever) So to in the spiritual when talking about prayer!

A Runner’s Thoughts: “The most important day in any running program is rest. Rest days give your muscles time to recover so you can run again. Your muscles build in strength as you rest.” (Hal Higdon) So too in the spiritual life – rest is necessary for the mind, soul and spirit!

A Runner’s Thoughts: It's important to know that at the end of the day it's not medals or where we finished that we should remember. What we need to remember is the process, the journey – what we learn about ourselves, about our relationship with God by challenging ourselves, the experiences we share with other people, the honesty that training, that prayer demands – these are things to remember because nobody can take them away from us whether we finish last or first.

A Runner’s Thoughts: “Struggling and suffering are the essence of a life worth living. If you're not pushing yourself beyond the comfort zone, if you're not demanding more from yourself - expanding and learning as you go - you're choosing a numb existence. You're denying yourself an extraordinary trip.” (Dean Karnazes) And you are not having the fullest experience of God that you can have, so don’t run away from struggles or suffering in running. walking, in moving through life another way or in living life, embrace them with the help and grace of God!

A Runner’s Thoughts: “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” (Mahātmā Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi)

A Runner’s Thoughts: “For me, it’s such a gift from God to be able to run. Every time I run, I really feel His presence.” (Tracy Guerrette) So to for those who walk, or move through life another way…Let us all feel God’s presence today!