Routine Routinely Produces...(Back to school post)

When I was young I fought routine.  I mostly fought against the discipline routines required.  I didn't understand why routine was important or how I could benefit from them.  I only knew that old people woke me up the same time everyday and ordered me to go to school where I would experience the BORING routine of going to the same classes, following the same rules and even seemingly learning the same things DAY AFTER DAY - YEAR AFTER YEAR - OVER AND OVER AGAIN...Fast forward to today YEARS LATER and having run for 2,447 days in a row (many of those days on the T-DREADMILL) I may know a little something about ROUTINE!

Just to be clear Websters defines ROUTINE as:
a regular way of doing things in a particular order
: a boring state or situation in which things are always done the same way

: a series of things (such as movements or jokes) that are repeated as part of a performance

Today my children started school.  It's fair to say the house was filled with mixed emotions from all of us.  We love summer.  Staying up late, playing games, bbqing, etc. it is a great time!  BUT I have grown to love the fall even more.  Not only is it MARATHON SEASON, and the weather has cooled enough to run mostly outside, but our family gets back in routine.

I have learned that within the boring monotony of routine I personally thrive.  Not only do I thrive but my entrie family thrives.  Spontaneous is fun and I believe we all should have some spontaneity in our lives...but routine is king when it comes to becoming better and growing!

I encourage you as the beginning of school starts build in some healthy routines to your schedule.  Don't let other things take their place...

If you want spiritual health then spend time praying, meditating and reading the Bible.
If you want physical health then exercise and eat healthy.
If you want mental health then spend time focused on growing your intellect.
If you want family health then spend time enjoying your family.

If you want to experience sustained growth then the area you desire to grow in needs to be part of your daily routine.

When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 1 Cor. 13:11

What areas do you need more routine?
Do you have a trusted friend who you can share these goals with and will check to make sure you are sticking with your routine?

Don't RUN from life's challenges RUN through them!

Don't RUN from life's challenges RUN through them!

I have run for 2,444 days in a row...not everyday or every run has been easy or enjoyable!  In fact most of them have been difficult.  But my first run was by far the UGLIEST!

My running didn't start 2,444 days ago though, it was probably closer to 3,000 days ago.  After losing 50 pounds I decided running was a good idea...So, I went to the school track and attempted to run a mile.  I thought, "How hard can it be?" "I use to do this all the time in high school"

I was now 30 and had gone from 321 pounds to 270.  I can't even imagine what my students would have thought if they had seen me standing at the start line in my oversize warmup outfit complete with stylish soccer shoes. I felt ready to conquer the world.  One thing I should include here is that I was a PE teacher and I regularly told my students (ALL OF THEM) that running the mile was NOTHING...I'd find out for myself that day just how wrong I was...

I looked down at the ground and with great effort lifted my left foot followed by my right...it took about 5 seconds for my lungs to start gasping as the pressure increased I thought I would actually pop a lung as my skin to begin crying.  I was running...it wasn't fun...it wasn't soothing or therapeutic...it was HARD and it was CERTAINLY UGLY!  I got about 100 meters into the run (from the the light pole to the third tree as I remember it) until I had to slow down and walk for a few seconds (ok probably a minute or ten) then I repeated and repeated and repeated this.  It was that day I realized how far my fitness had slipped since college.

Fast forward from that moment to today...
Last year (8 years later) I averaged close to 9 miles running a day...
I have completed 8 marathons, 13 half marathons, 2 half Ironman triathlons, and tons of smaller races.  If I can do this, SO CAN YOU!

I can't imagine what life would be like today if I would have quit after day one...that UGLY, HARD, DON'T EVER WANT TO DO THIS AGAIN day...

Things worth doing are worth pushing through the pain, difficulties, and obstacles!  DON'T GIVE UP...YOU CAN DO THIS...LET'S GO!!!

So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. (Gal. 6:9)