Pace + Purpose || 4.19.24

Friday reflections + recommendations on running, faith, and a deeper way of living.

Apr 19, 2024

Reflection - Make Running a Team Sport

I used to avoid running with people.

It made me self-conscious, and I wanted to use all my runs for one-on-one time with my music or favorite podcast host. It was an opportunity to be alone with my thoughts and tick off miles in peace. Most of my miles are still this way, plodding along in the dark of the early morning by myself before the world gets up.

A couple years ago, however, a few friends from church decided to start running Saturday mornings at 5am together. Each week, we log some miles together and then head to McDonalds for coffee (you can get $0.99 coffee…any size…with their app).

Around that time, another friend invited me to join a running club in Houston—Night Heron RC (pictured). Now, several times per week, my miles are happening next to other people. Turns out, building community around running has been one of my favorite evolutions.

The tradeoff is less time alone, but slowly I’ve learned this is an important (and more rewarding) way to run…together.

Running is by nature an individual sport, which isn’t inherently bad.

My PRs, my splits, my workouts, my training block.

When we can run together, however, running becomes a tool to support community.

We might have to slow down or log less distance than we’d like on certain days, but the relational gains can outweigh the fitness progress when we prioritize friendship along with mileage.

Fight the urge to spend all your miles alone.

Run with a friend, join a club, make running a team sport.

Recommendations

Texas Independence Relay - The photo above happened right before three Night Heron RC teams undertook the infamous Texas Independence Relay together—a nearly 200-mile relay race across rural Texas roads from Gonzales, TX to the heart of Houston. No better way to make running a team sport than to compete in a running event as a team. Last year was my second consecutive year to compete with the Herons. Get some friends together and run it next year (happens every March). While you’re exploring, check out this epic map.
Boston: The Documentary - Leading up to Monday’s Boston Marathon (dannnng Lemma & Obiri), my wife Meagan and I got takeout and watched this in-depth documentary on the Running Super Bowl. It’s hard to find (we had to get a free trial to Curiosity Stream through Roku to watch it), but worth the hunt. Did you know the race didn’t allow women until 1972? Yikes. Shoutout to Kathrine Switzer. What a legend.
Featherstone Nutrition Carb Loading Calculator - Meghann Featherstun is a great running nutrition follow (great podcast, too), and this quick carb loading calculator is a great resource leading into a big race. I used this before the Woodlands Marathon this year, and it helped contribute to a bonk-free race. So. many. bagels.

Faith

Reflection - What Is the State of My Heart?

I’m currently in the book of Mark, a rapid-fire gospel filled with highlights from Jesus’ life and ministry. I continue to be amazed and convicted by how much Jesus confronts self-righteousness. This week, it came up again in Mark 7.

Mark 7:15 says, “Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.”

In this scenario, Jesus is responding to religious leaders getting on his disciples’ case for not adhering to established traditions—particularly around the proper handling of food consumption.

Rather than mark success by how well we’re following man-made rules (in this case, foods we can eat and how we must eat them), Jesus says we should focus on the state of our hearts.

Am I creating extraneous rules and/or adopting human traditions as a measuring stick for my success? What is my motivation? Am I burdening others with expectations even God doesn’t place upon them?

As I approach the weekend, where is my heart misaligned from Christ?

Recommendations

Leverage: Money - Jon Tyson - This sermon from Church of the City New York gracefully discusses a topic many people start to cringe over when it’s brought up from a pulpit. “We need a Godward view of giving, remembering that all we have has been given to us by God and is His to do with as He pleases.” Great material for deep thinking, encouragement, and conviction on a long run.
How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People by Pete Greig - In January, our church did a fast to start the year—and I read this book...so good. If you’re struggling with the concept of prayer, Pete Greig has put together a truly simple (yet incredibly profound) look at prayer and how to do it, especially when you feel your prayers aren’t being answered or even heard at all.
Every song by Jonathan Ogden - In a landscape of worship music filled with stadium rock (no shade, I love it, too)—Jonathan Ogden contributes a refreshing sound and lyrically rich style. Great for easy runs on a breezy afternoon.

A Deeper Way of Living

Reflection - Board Games Are Great

In a tech-saturated world, board games are a medicine we should be taking on a regular basis.

This week, our friends Will and Emily came over and brought a few board games with them.

It reminded me how fun + important board games are in a phone-addicted world.

Analog entertainment encourages us to stay present with the people and the moment we’re in, and it gives a group of people a shared experience free from Zoom rooms and social media feeds.

Choosing to spend time with people (and without screens) is a recipe for good things.

Recommendations, Board Game Edition

Sleeping Queens - Great for the whole family. My kids love it, and it’s actually fun for the adults playing with them, too.
The Game - Kudos to Will and Emily for introducing us to this one and the following game, too. The Game is simple to learn and unique because all players work together to beat the actual game together. Only cards, no boards or complexity involved.
Machi Koro - If working together isn’t your thing, and you get excited when you hear “Settlers of Catan,” Machi Koro might be your cup of tea. Simpler to set up and learn than Settlers, but in the same category (there are wheat fields, after all). It’s also got some major Dominion vibes.

On we run, together.

Blake

Oh, and one more thing (thanks for sharing, Jeff)…