First Running Post

I am a Christian. I am a husband. I am a father. I am a pastor. I am a runner.

I am not fast. I am not strong. I just run. My body does not look like a typical runner’s body. I am not tall or even lean. I just run.

I started running when I was a teenager. Most of the runs were at night. I had no idea what I was doing. All I did was run. I did not know what shoes to wear at the beginning. I did not know what form to use. I just ran.

As a result, I ran hurt. Every time I would run, it hurt, but my response was just to run.

Eventually, I was fitted in proper shoes. It helped me to keep running.

After I married, I stopped running. I got heavier. I got more unhealthy.

So at the age of 39, I started running again. This time, I got some knowledge. I learned about running form. I learned more about shoes. I learned more about training. I learned about nutrition. (Maybe, substitute the word “am learning” for “learned.”) Now, at near 50, I run pain-free 35 to 40 miles a week. I just run.

As with most things in my life, I asked God about returning to running. He spoke to me and said that it added balance to my life. My life was pretty much just ministry and work. Running provides benefits to my mind and my body.

Since my return, I have run numerous races. I have raced four full marathons (hopefully another in 2022) and more half-marathons than I can remember. I run for health. I race for fun.

I am no expert on running. I do read a lot about running. I listen a lot about running. I also run a lot.

From time to time, I will post various thoughts and information from others and sometimes from my own experience about running. It is not medical advice. It is just the thoughts and discoveries of a person who runs.