In his epistle to the Philippians–Philippians being one of my favorite of the 66 books in the bible because of all the rich theology, wisdom and practical advice about how to live a moral and contented life it contains in so few words–St. Paul wrote:
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
I can even run a half marathon, which I did yesterday, through Christ, who strengths me.
Good training and nutrition also helps if you want to do things like run 13-mile foot races, but still.
Having deep faith in Christ strengthens me now, more than ever, in my lifetime commitment to always take on new challenges, to grow stronger in every way–mentally and emotionally and intellectually and physically.
Read on for more rambling notes and stuff about the 2012 Rock N Roll Dallas Half Marathon, which I ran with 14,000 other people of every age and physical capacity imaginable.
IN THE PIC: Me & Baylor trainer and running coach Nikki, who advised me through 12 weeks of training specifically for my first half marathon–advice that helped me build up speed, strength and endurace for the 13-mile grind and more importantly, to train without injuries from all the pavement pounding that can plague long distance runners. Because of her counsel, along with lots of online research on my own and still more advice from doctors and nutritionists I have the pleasure of knowing and working with at a Baylor hospital, I lost 20 pounds and had enormous fun.
What you all want to know, of course, is did I pass by Troy Aikman, who is a well known Dallas area foot race runner as well as a NFL and Dallas legend.
Fact is, I didn’t even see him in the sea of bodies at during the race or at the Rock N Roll after-party at the parking lot of the Cotton Bowl.
I’m figuring he may have dropped out this year after word got out that I planned to pass by him with my dazzling fleet-of-foot speed. He no doubt would have been humiliated and reluctant to ever go be so visible around the city at the Mavs games and other events where he graciously acknowledges his fans and admirers while he carries on with his life.
———————–
I did see the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, however, some of whom reached down from a platform near the finish line to high-five me as I approached the finish line.
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders inspire me to new heights.
—————–
Hope that readers here will be mindful of why I took on his challenge.
Naturally, I took it on for personal reasons–as a challenge and a way of working hard toward a goal that would get me in top condition and give me a sense of accomplishment with its completion. And, for sure, I got that out of it. And it was so good and, in the end, so pleasurable an experience that I see myself traveling the country for running events as a way of keeping in shape and getting to sightsee around the country.
The Rock N Roll Half Marathon series holds events in just about every major city in the country every few weeks, and it’s not unusual for people with the ways and means to do it to run–and party–in every city year round (The Rock N Roll run series has also expanded overseas to Brazil and other countries.)
But I also did this as a way to call attention to the crushing effects of the epidemic that is diabetes in this country.
As I noted here in other postings, I have a hard time with all the deaths, the amputations, the pain and so many other crushing effects of diabetes in my ministry as a chaplain at a the hospital.
I’ve also noted that it’s a major contributor to the outlandish costs of health care in this country. And sadly, more often than not, diabetes can be avoided with a sensible, reasonable healthy diet–one that entails old-fashioned counting of calories and even moderate exercise a few times a week.
I want to emphasize, yet again, that you don’t have to go crazy and transform yourself into a fanatic runner, like I did, to avoid diabetes as well as some cancers and so many other crushing maladies.
And we now know that a sensible diet doesn’t mean that you have to starve yourself. Eating the right foods with the right calories and carbs and fats and all that reduces the food cravings that all of us in this fat and happy nation have.
For sure, strict nutrition and diet and vigorous exercise like running is greatly to be desired. And I can’t recommend that enough.
But, again, the operative word is “sensible.” McRibs from Mickey D’s and copious amounts of Tex Mex helpings–Tex Mex cravings being one of the food addictions I shook off in training so hard for the marathon goal–do not sensible health habits and disease prevention make.
