Performance Enhancers

I had good times and bad times last Saturday in the Governor's Cup. I had great advice from my lifelong friend Sid (link coming). I read books and websites.

One tip that helped me was to greet people who were along the route. I particularly focused on the kids. How fun! They were surprised. More serious runners did not waste their energy treating a 13.1 mile uphill race like a political campaign. I did. Guess what? It helped me. I greeted people. I waved at everybody (picture coming).

I am proud of my accomplishments. You probably could tell. But this is all work for me. I was never a track or cross country person back in the day. There were reasons: I am not that good at it and uh, it takes discipline. So, I look for advice, tips, honest ways to cheat the system, advantages, legal performance enhancers. You know what I mean.

Well, waving back at people, greeting them, being nice to them . . . was an incredible performance enhancer. My mind focused on others instead of the enormous hills and overwhelming distance. My focus was upon those who were so focused on me. Kind of a win -- win! When they cheered, I waved and said, "Thank you!" It felt great. Great tip. I am going to try it more today.

I Give Spoonfuls To God

. . . He returns shovelsful to me (Quote from Bill Bright). So it was this past weekend. I reached my three goals in the Governor's Cup Half-Marathon: 1) Don't die 2) Don't quit 3) 10 minute miles. I spent a few hours volunteering at the Passport to Italy, the first annual Italian Festival in Columbia. I was able to hang out with family. We started 30 Days To Live at Willow Ridge.

The defining moment was during the half-Marathon. I really had a God experience. The mental part of a long run is more than half the battle. God began to show me the names and faces of my encouragers.

I began to cry just a bit. No kidding. Everyone has their challenges in life. Me included. But I have more encouragers than most people. The streets along my journey has crowds of people: Tennessee, Louisiana, Ohio, South Carolina and other places. They cheer loudly.

I am not sure what I have done to deserve all this. I only give spoonfuls to God. He returns shovelsful of blessing and encouragement. But I am determined to be better at encouraging my encouragers. How about you?

One Month To Live

Next Sunday we start a 30 Day focus at The Ridge. We are copy cats. But the One Month to Live series will help us answer the question: What is really important? Give me some of your thoughts. I may quote you in a sermon. Or . . . if it is a really great thought, I may take credit :) -- I hope you will understand.

Lights Out for Good II

Anthony Campolo said once that Americans have lost their passion for life. He suggested we don't even sin with great enthusiasm anymore.

God leveraged the life of the great Apostle, Paul. As misplaced as his vision, passion, and view of God used to be, God leveraged it to change the world!

We should have a question that defines who we are, that is answered - Not until they turn the lights out for good! Get out a yellow pad, draw a blank line on line one. On line two, write Not until they turn the lights out for good. Craft your defining question.

Tell me what your question is. I'll bet it won't be, Will I ever stop partying?

Am I Ever Going to Stop Partying?

Not until they turn the lights out for good. I was eating my weekly Blimpee watching SportsCenter a few weeks ago. My Blimpee on Colonial Drive in Columbia believes in keeping 2 year old sports mags for their bored customers.

John Daly (pro golfer who owns the above vision) is a poster child for celebrity sports underachievers. It would make perfect sense for a guy like me to act brilliant and sermonize about his deeply flawed vision.

John Daly is a life-changing experience away from leveraging his life to make a difference. His passion, although misplaced, shows great potential. Think of a person in your life that has clear vision and great passion. Maybe their focus, philosophy, and view of God is flawed, but have you ever seen that as potential? What if?

What a great weekend at The Rock in Conway and hanging out with my bride! In a positive way, they have created their own culture. Kevin and Polly Childs are movement makers.

You young guys will think this is funny. I was you once. I heard an old guy say, in reference to his marriage, it just keeps getting better. I thought -- no way! Just what you are thinking right now. Most of you will owe me an apology in 15-20 years.

You Are Looking At Yourself!

Abigail caught me two weeks ago, in Wal-Mart parking lot. I caught a brief reflection of myself as we walked by a parked car. I had, as they call it in the romance novels, a lingering glance at someone. A romantic glance? Did you throw up, just a little bit, in the back of your throat. She said, Daddy you are looking at yourself.

A glance is a glance. A glance will never make a difference. A glance will never tell the truth. At a glance I saw what I wanted to see. The high parts. The mountain peaks. I was embarrassed when Abby caught me. I need to either take a longer look, or stop looking. Bottom line. You too.

Beating Yourself: A Higher Bar Than You Think

Yesterday I talked about the front runners. I have noticed how safe it is to live in the past. Organizations do it, churches do it, people do it. Another safe option is to make excuses for our present. I am particularly gifted at that.

What would it take for you to beat you? The vast majority of people, organizations, etc., that I come in contact with used to be/do better. The real Old Timer's disease if you will. For you to beat you is the highest possible bar you could ever set.

Let's see, who said this? Was it a distance runner, a NASCAR driver, an NFL coach?

But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead . . .

And the rest of the quote that will give it away . . .

I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus (The Bible, Philippians 3:13,14 - Spoken by the Apostle Paul ).

Paul was called the World's Most Successful Christian. Talk about your high bar!

201st Place in the Lake Murray 10K! Front Runners

Nice run on Saturday. I am not a runner yet. I am a person who runs to try to beat the chubby monster. I have made this point before. Some of you may feel it is humanistic - get over it!

No question the really fast runners (let's say the top 50) make me a little uncomfortable. The 40 year old and above guys (69 of those beat me including a 72 year old man named Henry) particularly make me wonder about my commitment. I still don't like it when my legs hurt really bad and I struggle to breathe. Getting up at stupid o'clock in the morning to dodge cars before daylight does not necessarily ring my bell either.

The front runners do have a purpose. They exist to make me ask myself the question: Am I really doing my best? Sometimes, however, the front runners can discourage me. Front runners can overwhelm me. But, I can't let them excuse me from the table. In most cases, they will always be there, smiling, and waving their trophies.

I don't resent the front runners. In fact, I admire them. They will always remind me I have another level to go. But my target must be my next level. I ran 6.2 miles in 55.36. The winner (a 40 year old, Eric) finished in 31.42. If my goal is to beat Eric, I quit. If my goal is to beat Dino, that is worth getting out of bed for!