Since 2009
THE PRAYFIT DEVOTION
Deciding to Run
"So we all agreed to choose men...who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." --Acts 15:25-26
Read: Acts 15
A 1996 study found that the risk of having a fatal heart attack during, or in the 24 hours following a marathon, was 1 in 50,000 -- a statistic researchers dismissed as insignificant. A full 13% of runners completing the 2002 Boston Marathon were found to be hyponatremic, a blood sodium deficiency that can result in vomiting, seizures or death. Long-distance runners regularly battle soft-tissue injuries such as plantar fasciitis, patellar tendonitis and shin splints. So why, exactly, do people commit to such a stressful, perilous feat?
Well, everyone has their reasons. PrayFit endorser Josh Cox, who holds the American record in the 50K, enjoys the catharsis that running offers. For others, it's simply motivation to train -- a quantifiable, physical goal with a discernible finish. Some just savor the challenge of testing their ability and measuring their will, one footfall at a time.
Despite the rationale, and considering the inherent dangers of distance running, it would seem foolhearted or, at the very least, ill-advised to commit to running 26.2 miles. But regardless of what takes marathoners to the starting line or what carries them through to the finish, the act of running the race is not, in and of itself, of great consequence. What is more remarkable is that these intrepid few, despite the risk, have decided to run at all.
--Eric Velazquez
Questions: Can you remember the moment you chose to follow Jesus? Was it an unpopular decision with family or friends? Have you ever felt like your faith is exercised at some risk? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Congratulations to the First Lady of PrayFit, Loretta Pena, for finishing this weekend's San Francisco Marathon with a time of 4:20:25, putting her among the top third of her age group!
DID YOU KNOW? In 2011, over 518,000 individuals started and completed marathons in the U.S. With a population of just over 311 million, that means 0.1 percent of the population has logged 26.2 miles on a competitive course.
EYES WIDE OPEN
November 4, 2011Read: Ephesians 1
"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened." --Ephesians 1:18
As I prayed and waited to board my plane en route to the New York City Marathon yesterday, a scene from one of my all-time favorite shows, Friday Night Lights, came to mind. Before the big game, coach asked his young quarterback if his eyes were closed when he threw last week's touchdown pass. The kid's response: "No sir. My eyes were open. My eyes were wide open."
Well, I suppose that scene came to mind because that was my simple prayer -- that the Lord would open the eyes of my heart this weekend in New York. As a writer, not a runner, I know my purpose at the marathon isn't necessarily to have a fast start or even a strong finish, but rather to listen from start to finish. Indeed, after 26.2 miles, I want to be more focused on my walk than my run. May that be your prayer too. Whatever race lies before you today at work, school, or home, let's just try to see Him. All we want to do is see Him.
--J.P.
P.S. When they announced my flight, I turned and who was standing next to me? Pastor Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life. We chatted a few minutes, he asked about PrayFit, and I praised what he's doing at Saddleback Church in the area of health. Thank you, Lord. My eyes are open. My eyes are wide open.
PRAYFIT WEEK IN REVIEW Time to cherry-pick from a week's worth of faith and fitness
Faith
>> PURPOSE OVER PROCESS: Know the destination, savor the journey
>> ELLA'S GRIN: The Lord watches over us, pausing on moments too good to pass up
>> REASON FOR THE CALL: We represent Him in how we live, speak and move
>> ROAD WARRIOR: Because He traveled, we will get home
Fitness
>> 3 MILES: How did you fare in this week's fitness challenge?
>> KID ACTIVITY: How much is enough?
>> DEPRESSION: Beat the blues with a few minutes of exercise
>> MARATHON FUN FACT: How close was the closest finish at the NYC Marathon?
PRAYER REQUEST: PrayFit Nation, we ask that you join us in praying for founder Jimmy Pena as he tackles the course at this weekend's New York City Marathon. Please pray that he is kept safe from injury and that with each footfall, he strides with his eyes (and heart) wide open. We're so proud of you for undertaking such a feat, brother!
--Team PrayFit
PURPOSE OVER PROCESS
October 31, 2011Read: 2 Corinthians 4
"What we see will last only a short time, but what we cannot see will last forever." --2 Corinthians 4:18
There’s an old story about a pharaoh whose young wife died far too soon. In his grief, he ordered his wife’s tomb to be built lavishly. No expense was too great for the monument. Each time he’d survey the construction site, he’d order more jewels and more gold - - "Bigger! Higher!" His wife’s tomb became his obsession.
One day, as he proudly surveyed his masterpiece, the pharaoh tripped over a box along the perimeter. Embarrassed, he ordered the removal of all the trash. What he didn’t realize was that along with all the rubbish, he’d ordered the removal of his wife’s coffin. See, he was so caught up in the process that he forgot about the purpose.
I was reminded of that story while watching the movie “Up in the Air.” George Clooney played a man whose life was all about the journey. He lived for the process. Flight status boards, frequent flyer miles and hotel key cards were the trophies of his trade. Link enough of yesterday’s trips together with tomorrow’s, and sooner or later, you’ve got yourself a life.
But this week, let’s focus less on our man-made monuments and more on the One who matters. Our lives gain meaning when our purpose is revealed. Remember, Jesus is our destination. Everything else is just a first-class ticket to nowhere.
–J.P.
Firm Believer: How can you add true meaning to your life in the area of health? What will you commit to the Lord this week in honor of your purpose on earth?
WORKOUT OF THE WEEK: 3 MILES Time to hit the road (or treadmill). Whether you choose to slow walk, fast walk, jog or run, three miles is the goal. This could be the start of a new habit or you have a time to beat, keep good track of your time. In a couple of days, your goal will be to do the same three-mile route in slightly less time. Simple. Effective. Go the distance, literally.
PRAYFIT NEWS: Three miles is a great place to start but in a little less than a week, PrayFit founder Jimmy Pena will be among the field of over 40,000 runners toeing the start line at the ING New York City Marathon. Though it's his first foray into distance running, his goal as he snakes his way through the five boroughs will be the same as it is every time he sets foot in the gym: to honor the One who gave him the ability to do it in the first place. Visit next week for a first-person recap of Pena's first-ever 26.2.
ON YOUR MARK
July 22, 2011Read: 1 John 1
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” –1 John 1:9
Well, we’re at the end of marathon week. If you missed any of the entries, we hope you go back a few days and catch up. But on this final leg, I’d like to go back to what Loretta said at 4:00 a.m. the morning of the race. Sitting on the edge of the bed, with barely enough light to tie her shoes, she paused. Her unpinned race number lay beside her, along with the invitation to the race, and with a nervous smile she said, “Am I really doing this?” “You’re ready,” I told her. “I’ll see you at the finish.”
And when I finally found her, 26.2 miles and just over four hours later, amidst the crowd and celebration, you know what she did? After a long, happy, tearful hug, she showed me her medal. Did she win? Well, in my book, yes. But actually, everyone had a medal. The prize went to anyone who accepted the invitation to the race.
Friends, God invites us to accept Jesus into our hearts and lives. When we do, we join a race He’s already won on our behalf. Our job is to trace His steps and help others do the same. See you at the finish.
–J.P.
RESTED DEVELOPMENT
One thing we haven’t discussed in our PrayFit marathon week? The importance of good rest following the race. In fact, experts say to take as long as a week or two to fully recover. Light activity like walking or easy swimming are excellent ideas to help the joints and muscles recover from the vigorous strain of a long run like the marathon, not to mention the weeks of preparation necessary to complete it.
Our plea to adhere to good rest is not limited to marathoners. If that were the case, few of us would be resting! So in general, our bodies need good rest and recovery time, so feel free to take time off every few months, performing mild activity for a few days at a time to maximize recuperation. Also, take time to get an adequate amount of rest each week. If you’re sore, fatigued or otherwise limited, it could be your body’s way of telling you to back off slightly. Serious lifters, for example, will train a single bodypart hard then rest it for a full week.
Rest will help your joints and muscles, while also providing your mind some time to recover. Good message for a Friday? We think so.
CHEER ME UP
July 20, 2011Read: Hebrews 12
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses...”-- Hebrews 12:1
I know beyond a doubt that I’m not the first person to see heaven in a marathon, nor will I be the last. But standing among the countless other witnesses along the cement track just begged a comparison.
Maybe it was the blind runner holding on to his guide to get him through the miles. Or perhaps it was each coach strategically placed throughout the trail to encourage and motivate. (Indeed, each warrants a devotional all their own). But for me, it was written on a little girl’s shirt as she anxiously awaited her daddy to come running. It simply said, "Cheer me up." Not "Cheer me on" or "Cheer me through" but... "up." And with every passing group of runners, her shirt would come into view. Not knowing the context, I dismissed it.
But it wasn’t until the race was over, while I was waiting in the designated Family Reunion area, that her shirt made sense. We too are being encouraged each day. By those we know and those we don’t, and even by those we can’t even see. And someday, when our race is over and the good Lord calls us home, we’ll reunite with loved ones and strangers who have been anxiously awaiting our arrival –cheering us up – all along the way.
–J.P.
SO YOU WANNA RUN A MARATHON?
If you answered the above question "yes," PrayFit editorial director Eric Velazquez probably asked "Why?" with a look of confused pain on his face. But if all this talk of running has ignited a spark in your gut about taking on a marathon, we've done half our job. The other half would be for us to help you prepare. For that we look to our friends at Runner's World for some helpful training tips. If you're new to running, today's helpful tidbit is just for you.
BEGINNER: Who, exactly is a "beginner?" Well, if you've run 15 to 20 miles a week for at least six months, completed a 5K or 10K -- perhaps even something longer, you are a beginner. A marathon beginner can run five or six miles without collapsing afterward and want to gradually become a stronger runner with a marathon on the horizon.
>> The Plan. You're going to train just three to four days a week and gradually increase your weekly mileage from around 10-15 to 35-plus miles a week. The biggest key of all will be to gradually increase your mileage, especially that of your weekend long run. "The beginner needs to focus almost entirely on the long run," says anaerobic management coach Jon Sinclair (www.anaerobic.net), "but it's also good to throw in a little hill work and some aerobic intervals on alternate weeks to bolster your stamina and to liven up your training."
Lastly, we're going to have you running two low-key races -- such as a half marathon or 10K -- to get the feel of competition before the big day.
>> TOUGHEST WORKOUT EVER: Well, the contest isn't on anymore but we're still curious -- what was your toughest workout ever? If you continually challenge yourself, there's likely one or two workouts that stand out. Share here on our forums!
26.2: THE FINISH
October 11, 2010Read: Corinthians 9
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." --1 Corinthians 9:24
Twenty-six miles. Well, 26.2 to be exact. Driving back from San Diego, Loretta checked the online results for her first marathon. The four hours and 14 minutes it took her to run a little over 26 miles represented the culmination of countless days and weeks of preparation and sacrifice. And for a non-runner like her husband, it represented four hours and 14 minutes of pride and excitement.
Finding my perfect place on the course, I hunkered down. With camera in hand, I anxiously awaited the love of my life to turn the corner and head for home. And as I waited, I took some notes. It just so happens that a marathon is to a fitness writer what a farmer's market is to a chef; plenty of ingredients from which to choose.
Oh, and yes, Loretta turned the corner indeed. Just like I knew she would. With a flushed face, she put one foot in front of the other and ran right to me. Well, first she finished the race, of course, but I took her home. All things being equal, somehow I think God understands the marathon.
--J.P.
PRAYFIT WORKOUT OF THE WEEK: 26.2
You workout of the week is to run, bike, walk or swim for at least 26.2 minutes. Go as fast as you can and log your distance, either visually or by using a site like Map My Run (www.mapmyrun.com). Each day this week -- or a minimum of three times -- run the same amount of time but increase the distance. More work in the same amount of time will get you great results, whether you're looking to improve cardiovascular fitness, endurance or just shed a few pounds.
DID YOU KNOW? THE FIRST MARATHON
The name Marathon comes from the legend of Pheidippides, a Greek messenger. The legend states that he was sent from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated in the Battle of Marathon (in which he had just fought), which took place in August or September, 490 BC. It is said that he ran the entire distance without stopping and burst into the assembly, exclaiming “We have won!” before collapsing and dying.
(Source: Wikipedia)