Run for God - Connect Magazine - Winter 2015

connectMAGAZINE

DEFEATING THE

OddsFROM YOURFRIENDS AT

WINTER 2015

WHY TRIBENEFITS OF CROSS-TRAINING

CHALLENGING

THE WHOLEBODY OF CHRIST

NEWYEARGOALS

RUNFORGOD.COM2 WINTER 2015

WELCOME TO

connectSO WHAT IS CONNECT? I’m glad you asked! Here at Run for God we are

always looking for ways to better serve our ever-growing family. We’re

always taking note of your suggestions and trying to figure out how we can

make those suggestions come to life. Devotions, for example, was a product

of you all wanting something more, something that runners of all levels

could have in their spiritual arsenal. We dug deep, put our heads together,

and out came the latest in our line of endurance studies.

Many of you have indicated that our newsletter needed some work. We

couldn’t agree more! Many times our newsletter was a last minute thought.

It was very sporadic, and often times there just wasn’t much meat. Well,

once again our team sat down, put our heads together, and we are happy to

bring you the latest new from Run for God, connect.

connect will be a quarterly publication that will plug you right into what’s

going on in and around the Run for God community. Each quarter we’ll

highlight students and instructors as well as telling you their awesome

stories. We’ll give you updates on what’s on our calendar along with

running tips and answers to frequently asked questions. Behind the

Scenes will give you an inside look at what goes on each day at the Run for

God shop. We’ll even be hearing from Dean Thompson about his favorite

running topics. Don’t know Dean? Be sure and check out Devotions!

The bottom line is that connect is just as simple as the name states.

It’s our way to connect with you. We hope that you’ll enjoy reading this

publication as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it together! Thanks again for

your continued support of Run for God.

Mitchell

connect is just

as simple as the

name states.

It’s our way

to connect

with you.”

A WORD FROM MITCHELL

3RUNFORGOD.COM WINTER 2015

6. Why Triathlon?

16. Sticky Notes

17. Gear & Gadgets

25. Behind the Scenes

DEPARTMENTS

features

2210

6

8 Student Spotlight: DEFEATING THE ODDS

16 Instructor Spotlight: CHALLENGING THE WHOLE BODY OF CHRIST

20 Deans Thoughts: NEW YEAR, NEW GOALS

18


Copyright © 2014 Run for God, LLC. All rights reserved.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any other form or by any means without the prior written permission of the Run for God, LLC.

Printed in the United States of AmericaDalton, Georgia

If you require medical, fitness, or nutritional advice, you must contact your own health care professional. You should seek the advice of a doctor before starting any exercise routine.

This publication may contain information relating to various medical conditions and their treatment and an exercise/nutrition protocol. Such information is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice of a physician or health care professional. You should not use this information for diagnosing or treating a health problem or injury.

To make informed health care decisions, you should always consult your physician for your personal medical needs. Neither Run for God nor its agents, affiliates, partners, or licensors are providing these materials to you for the purpose of giving you medical advice.

For any questions about your health and well-being, please consult your physician.

CONTRIBUTORS

LETS CONNECT

FINDING GOD IN A RUNNERS SPACE

RUNFORGOD.COM

Pick up your copy

of Run for God

DEVOTIONS

TODAY!

Tanna Friday is an instructor,

runner, sweet tea drinker,

and writer with 4 children

who currently lives in

Georgia. Although she

struggles to find ways to

post to all social media

platforms while running,

(need an app for that!) she

enjoys tapping into the

national running community

to share her passion for Run

for God and God’s grace.

Dean Thompson serves as

the National Race Director

for the Run for God Race

Series as well as serving as

an instructor at his home

church in Cohutta, GA. Dean

loves to run, loves life, loves

his wife Debbie and loves

Christ. Look for all of Deans

stories in Run for God’s

Devotions.

Andy Sweet is a personal

trainer and owner of Hub

Endurance located on the

North Shore of Downtown

Chattanooga, Tennessee.



REIS ATHLOS, OR THREE CONTESTS, is the

root of the name ‘triathlon’. It’s a name that

is fitting, as triathlon is actually a sport of three

sports: Swimming, Cycling, and Running. And it

is growing in popularity at an incredible rate worldwide!

Despite a history that can date back into the early 1900’s,

the first modern day triathlon was held in San Diego in

1974 and had only 46 participants. Now, there are triathlon

races all over the world, and hundreds of thousands of

athletes’ toe the line to participate. Why? What is the

draw of this sport that could cause that rate of growth

in only 40 years’ time? Perhaps I can shed some light to

answer this enigma.

I participated in my first triathlon at the age of 10 back in

1992. My older brother heard of a nearby race at the end of

summer that was going to include swimming, biking, and

running. He wanted to try it. Always looking up to him,

and never to be outdone, I was in as well! I was already

a competitive swimmer at that age, but never rode a bike

or ran besides playing in the yard. However, there was no

fear, as this was a new endeavor without preconceived

notions of difficulty or possible defeat. Come race day, we

gathered up our department store bikes, funny shaped

bike helmets, our least destroyed street shoes, and had

our Mom drive us to the race. I remember very little of that

race…other than the exhilaration of seeing the finish line

after cresting the final hill of the run course. Everything

else was a blur of hard physical exertion.

I went back to that same race year after year, seeking

faster times and podium finishes by

adjusting my training and equipment

each summer. Balancing the disciplines

and constantly trying to learn more.

And that’s how my love for the sport

of triathlon blossomed. The unique

balance required to train for three

sports, rather than just one, was

something truly amazing. If my desire

to go to swim practice was waning,

I could go jogging instead. If the hot

sun and dense air of the Midwestern

summer was too overpowering to run,

I could head out on my bike and let the

breeze cool me down. I was always

excited. I always had something to

work on. And as athletes, that desire

to work hard and improve is what

we crave. The knowledge that if we

put in the time and effort, we will

accomplish things that formerly seemed

impossible. That is triathlon.

Current day triathlons all consist of the

same three disciplines (swim, bike, run).

But not all triathlons are identical, as the

distances can vary greatly. There are

now four fairly standardized triathlon

distances: Sprint, Olympic, Half-Ironman,

and Full-Ironman. A Sprint triathlon,

despite its somewhat misleading name,

WHYTriathlon?

THE DIVERSITY OF TRIATHLON IS MAKING IT ONE OF

THE FASTEST GROWING SPORTS IN AMERICA.

BY ANDY SWEET

T


is still an endurance event and usually

consists of a 500 yard swim, a 12 mile

bike, and 3.1 mile run. However, when

compared to a Full-Ironman distance

triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike,

and 26.2 mile run) a sprint does seem

rather short. While most athletes

enter the sport by competing in Sprint

triathlons, even the Full-Ironman distance

races are experiencing huge growth in

participation each year. So, where are they

coming from? Who would get into such a

unique sport?

It is not surprising to hear most

triathletes come from a single-sport

background (swimming, biking,

running, or ?), but some are brand

new to athletics entirely. In my years

of working with thousands of these

athletes and hearing their stories, I have

identified several common themes that

exist in people’s journeys to becoming

triathletes. I have even given names

to each style of triathlete convert: The

Plateau Athlete, The Collegiate Athlete,

The Life Changer, and The Challenger.

THE PLATEAU ATHLETE: This is an

athlete that has spent countless years in

their respective sport and has reached

an ability level that has halted continued

progress/improvement. They are hard

workers and have usually tried numerous

different styles/programs/regimens to get

past their sporting plateau. These athletes

often turn to triathlon to try something

new that still utilizes their talent and love

for their original sport discipline. Triathlon

provides them with some welcomed

diversity and gives them the opportunity to

see improvement once again.

THE COLLEGIATE ATHLETE: These

are your ex-collegiate athletes, often

fresh out-of-school but not always.

College athletics requires a lot of

focus, drive, and time… a lot of time.

All of that time and determination

generally leaves an athlete ‘burned

out’ on the sport for a period of time

after their collegiate career is over.

Triathlon provides them an avenue to

return to their sport without the same

mandates on time/focus and because

the races are so different (distances,

formats, categories) it does not produce

the same burn-out emotions.

THE LIFE CHANGER: These athletes

have decided to change their lifestyles

dramatically. Sometimes they come

from an unhealthy sedentary lifestyles.

Sometimes from sickness or disability.

The backgrounds are endless, but

the decision is the same: they want

to change! Many of these athletes

turn to triathlon because it offers a

real, tangible goal to solidify their

transformation: a finish line to an

event that seems so impossible.

THE CHALLENGER: These folks

are driven by a desire for adventure.

They are always looking for the next

challenge. They have tried or will try

everything. These athletes seek out

triathlon because it is such a huge

accomplishment: from the shortest

sprint to full Ironman distance.

So, there is no right or wrong ‘type’ of

person to participate in triathlon; it accepts

all, and more importantly embraces all

types of people. It is a sport that focuses

on community and comradery over

competition. Everyone’s accomplishments

are their own personal triumphs, and

those are celebrated by all!

So, why is triathlon the fastest growing

sport in America? This is why:

Accomplishment, Diversity, Community,

and Challenge.

Visit hubendurance.com

for all of your triathlon

needs.

Andy Sweet, owner of Hub Endurance can assist you in choosing all of the right gear for your multi-sport and crosstraining needs.


Run for God has you covered on those cold, winter runs with our DryBlend Hoodie.

Shop RUNFORGOD.COM


RUN FOR GOD WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING

NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SPONSORS.

RUNFORGOD.COMWINTER 201510

Student Spotlight


DEFEATING THE

Have you ever felt as if the odds were against you?

Ifyou met Crystal Tucker

she would list them one

by one down to the first

battle cry. But for the first

time in her life, God has

given her the desire to

share her story and share

how God removed her comforts and false

securities from her life to remind her that

He is the one and only source

of strength.

OUT OF SERVICE

In 2006, Crystal served as a 68W

(Combat Medic) with the U.S. Army with

the 32nd Medical Battalion stationed at

Fort Sam Houston, Texas. In 2007, she

was engaging in Afghanistan combat

readiness training when something

unexpected occurred. “During a 5-mile

battalion run with my attending

commander, I stumbled, and took a

hard fall into a hole fracturing both

of my legs,” says Tucker. Her injuries

were much more serious than she

imagined and resulted in fractures in

both tibias, femurs as well as

her hips.

Throughout her recovery, Tucker

went through vigorous rehabilitation

efforts while relying on ambulatory

devices. She was evaluated by

military physicians who assessed

her with a permanent profile of a

non-deployable status, which led to

her honorable medical discharge.

“Since I had what was called a

‘Permanent Profile’, I was considered

non-deployable and of no use to the

BY TANNA FRIDAY


“Since I had

what was called

a ‘Permanent

Profile’, I was

considered non-

deployable and of no

use to the military.”

military,” she said sadly, “I could not

run, jump, march correctly, or lift over

a certain poundage.”

Upon receiving her medical discharge

from the U.S. Army in April of 2007,

she returned home to Georgia. “After

returning home from the military, I

rested for quite a bit, settled back

into civilian life, completed my VA

paperwork and got back into school,”

Tucker said. And for the first time

in several months, Tucker and her

husband, Chris, received some good

news and had a reason to celebrate

– a new addition to the family. What

Tucker did not expect was for her

injuries to return.

Throughout Tucker’s pregnancy, her

symptoms became worse. “My legs

would fall asleep to where I could

barely walk. I had trouble sleeping

due to the tingling in my legs. I

developed arthritis and it became

painful to leave my bedside and even

participate in physical activity,” said

Tucker. “After my son was born in

February of 2008, I tried to exercise to

help with the circulation of my legs,

but decided to seek a vein specialist

to correct my problems.”

FURTHER COMPLICATIONS

After experiencing symptoms of

numbness, pain and tingling, Tucker

was evaluated by her doctor and

was diagnosed with Venus Reflux

Disease. “Basically,” Tucker said,

“the blood flow – instead of making

a complete circulation in my body, it

was trickling back down.” Tucker’s

physician best described her condition

as a ‘leaky roof in her circulatory

system’ and required her to have two

separate surgeries, one on each leg,

to correct and burn out the bad veins

and reroute the blood flow. After the

procedure and during a follow-up

with her physician, he told her she

would never run again. Tucker did

not lose hope.

HOPE RENEWED

God’s Word speaks a promise of

renewed strength.

“Those who hope in the LORD will

renew their strength. They will soar

on wings like eagles; they will RUN

and not be weary, they will walk and

not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

If you have ever been in a place where

you have been weary and tired, you

have more than likely yearned for

renewed strength. Being weary and

tired can lead to discouragement and

perhaps the desire to give up. It is in

this place that we find it difficult to

face life, to make decisions or to even

take another step.

Tucker did not know what she would

go on to accomplish after hearing that

she could never run, not just from one,

but from two different doctors-- but

through the Run for God program,

Student Spotlight


Tucker’s physician

best described

her condition as a

“leaky roof” in her

circulatory system.

God was able to show her that with

Him all things are POSSIBLE. Tucker,

now a Run for God graduate, found

hope and strength during a time when

others lost all hope and faith in her.

“When I think of Run for God, I can’t

help, but smile,” says Tucker. “I am

so passionate about this group and

ministry and I will never think of

running the same way again. With

all of the odds that were stacked up

against me, God lead me right where I

needed to be,” she continues.

“I was looking through the newsfeed

on Facebook when I came across a

group that involved running and a

Bible study,” she said. “At the time,

I wanted to try out a Bible study, so

I thought I would give it a try.” The

class was a Run for God 10k/Half

Marathon Challenge that began in

January 2014 after the Run for God’s

10k/Half Marathon program release

in December 2013. This challenge is

a 12-week Bible study that parallels

faith and endurance all while

preparing experienced runners to run

a 10k or half marathon.

“Once I entered the classroom, I was

terrified about the decision I had

made,” she said, “I mean, I have only

completed a 5k since my injuries.”

The class met three days a week for

the training: Tuesday evening after

the Bible study, Thursday evening,

and Saturday morning. “The weather

could not have been more cold,” said

Tucker, “I was bundling up as if I was

heading to Alaska.”

As the program continued, Tucker

thought of all the odds stacked up

against her, including not being able

to run again. They began to cloud

her mind until a 12-mile training

run. “I was listening to K-LOVE for

motivation to push through the pain

of a long 12-miles when a verse from

a song said, ‘you are the peace in my

troubled sea,’” said Tucker. “It was

in that moment, while I had been

wanting to quit and wallowing in my

pain that God was trying to tell me

something. Not only had I come to


realize that God had completely restored my health, transformed my life and gave me

hope and the renewed strength I needed to run again, but also He wanted me to use

it for His glory – I am to run to serve His purpose,” she exclaimed!

“I can still remember our graduation day just like it was yesterday,” Tucker says, “when

I ran down the hill of Praters Mill Road, emotional, exhausted, turning the corner to run

the last few kilometers. Then hearing the familiar sounds of my Run for God friends

cheering and shouting, ‘GO, GO, GO! YOU CAN DO IT!!!’ and God whispering to me,

‘Run towards me.’ ‘Remember your purpose.’ ‘All finished.’ ‘You finished.’

“I am impacted greatly by this journey. It is still a journey. Despite the odds that

were against me that should have demolished my future, instead lead me to not

stand defeated. With God by my side, He helped me stand up to defeat the odds and

to serve a purpose larger than myself,” said Tucker. So when the odds are not in your

favor, don’t think that God has abandoned you. Stand your ground and keep your

eyes fixed on the LORD. With everything else stripped away, you will be amazed at

what your God can achieve.

Student Spotlight

VISIT RUNFORGOD.COM

to get registered for your race

TODAY!


CHOOSE YOURCHALLENGE

WWW.RUNFORGOD.COM/RUN-FOR-GOD-STORE

$189.99

$189.99

THE 10K CHALLENGEStudent Book Only: $19

THE 5K CHALLENGEStudent Book Only: $19

THE JUNIOR TRIATHLON CHALLENGEStudent Book Only: $19

$189.99

WHETHER YOU’RE TAKING A CLASS OR TEACHING A CLASS

IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!


Q: Should I Stretch Before or After I Run?“I have heard that I should stretch before I run and I also

heard that it may cause injuries. When is the best time to

stretch – before or after running?”

Pattie, GA

A : It is important to always warm up

before you begin to run. It is a bad idea to stretch cold

muscles because it can lead to pulling and injury. It is

recommended to warm up for about 5-10 minutes using

light aerobic exercises, such as a brisk walk or a slow jog,

to loosen and warm up muscles for your run.

SSTICKYNOTES

17WINTER 2014

HOW DOES THIS WORK YOU ASK? Moisture travels on

the surface of the fiber and is pulled away from the skin,

rather than absorbing into the fibers. The fibers push

the liquid towards the outside of the fabric where it can

evaporate once it has made contact

with air.

GGEAR &

GADGETS

Popular fabrics, such as cotton can absorb

moisture, and become heavy and

uncomfortable once they are drenched

in sweat. Now there are more improved

synthetic fabrics that keep moisture

away from the body.

W H Y P E R F O R M A N C E

Wear?Let’s face it, the fabrics for exercise clothing have come a long way since the days

of sweatshirts and leg warmers. Today, there are many fabrics to choose from, but

choosing the right fabrics are important for any running experience.

AIR DRIRELEASEFABRIC

SKIN

H2O

H2O

H2OH2O

H2O

The “Run for God Long-Sleeve Performance Tee,” made by

Sport Science Technology®, feels amazing and works even

better. This synthetic fiber is polyester, but with a look and feel

of cotton. It actually performs like a traditional polyester that

prevents chafing and abrasion that other fabrics can cause.

With the inclusion of the freshguard® finish, the smelly workout

shirt has become a thing of the past.


With the help of Run for God, the health of our

congregation is changing – the emphasis is to take care

of our lives both physically and spiritually.”

Instructor Spotlight


SATURDAY

MORNING

at Varnell United Methodist Church

(VUMC) in Varnell, Georgia, and 60

Body of Christ to grow faithfully, physically and spiritually

CHALLENGING THE

church members are dressed in their

Run for God shirts and ready to train.

They are training for a race. This isn’t

just an ordinary race or a competition

against each other. It is a race that

requires endurance and preparation,

and has been individually designed for

each of them (Hebrews 12:1). But make

no mistake; there is a prize at stake.

And these who are in attendance this

morning at VUMC are in it to win it.

As more churches look to expand their

outreach, and help their communities

and congregation lead healthier lives,

Run for God’s Connect is spotlighting

a Run for God instructor and a unique

individual, Reverend Stephen Streett,

who is leading his congregation to

IT’S

{WHOLE}

BY TANNA FRIDAY

Stephen Streett with the members of Run for God, Varnell UMC.


new health goals – to become healthier

mentally, physically and spiritually.

The Run for God 5k program, 12-week

training plan aimed at running a 5K

while maintaining a Christian focus,

began at VUMC in the summer of 2010.

Their leader, Matt Gallegly, established

a well-organized and fruitful ministry.

But it wasn’t long before the program

started growing too much for Gallegly

to lead alone. As the program continued

to expand, so did their efforts. Gallegly

used his resources to train other

individuals to lead the classes and

group trainings, including Streett, who

began leading the program in 2012.

“After not being able to run for nearly

7 years, I felt well enough to start

again,” says Streett.

It was a young man named, Michael

Hicks, who inspired me to give it a

try, to start running again and get involved in this program.

He had never run before joining Run for God, and now has

just completed his first Ironman,” Streett shares. Hicks, along

with many others in the surrounding Dalton area trained with

Mitchell Hollis to compete in the 2014 Ironman Chattanooga.

After recovering from back surgery in 2007, Streett says he

gained weight and wanted to get back into shape. “I did not

have any direction in my running until I found the Run for

God program. Run for God changed everything in my life

and gave me a new perspective on running and endurance,”

he continues. There has been a change not only illustrated

in the life of Reverend Streett, but also in the lives of the

congregation at VUMC.

When a pastor is behind a program in a church, such as

Run for God, and is truly passionate about it’s purpose, it

When a pastor is behind

a program in a church,

such as Run for God, and

is truly passionate about

it’s purpose, it can change

the whole dynamics of

the program. Streett

recognized through his

own experience that

others in his congregation

were struggling with living

unhealthy lifestyles.

Instructor Spotlight


can change the whole dynamics of the program. Streett

recognized through his own experience that others in

his congregation were struggling with living unhealthy

lifestyles. He realized that as a spiritual leader he had a unique

opportunity to help others through this ministry. Physical

health is important in the life of a believer. Streett realized that

educating people on the necessity physical health was a great

place to start. The Run for God program opened many doors

to see how to apply it in his life as well as in the lives of others.

“We as Christians should set the example on how to care for

both our bodies and our spiritual health. The Scriptures teach

us that our bodies are the temple of God. Run for God has

reminded us all of the importance in caring for our bodies, so

we can be better witnesses for Christ mentally, physically and

spiritually,” says Streett.

“With the help of Run for God, the health of our congregation

is changing – the emphasis is to take care of our lives both

physically and spiritually. We cannot do God’s work if we are

tired, exhausted and feel bad about ourselves,” says Streett.

Streett’s team has introduced healthy alternatives in every

aspect of the congregation including what’s for dinner.

“There has been a drastic change in

the eating habits in our congregation,”

says Streett. “Our church dinner menus

have changed. We now offer a salad bar,

steamed vegetables, baked items, and

have replaced desserts with fruits,”

he continues.

Not only has Run for God brought a

change in the way the congregation

serves meals within the church, but

has influenced its members to become

involved and share their professional

expertise with the program to help

members live healthy lifestyles. For

example, VUMC has a nutritionist

and a physician who offer medical

education to the program participants.

After having a huge success with this

ministry, VUMC has grown to offer many

more services including the Run for God

program, circuit training, extreme sports,

and a walking ministry for every fitness

level in the congregation. “The message

we want to convey to our church and the

community is that you don’t have to join a

gym, just come to Run for God,”

says Streett.

“The Run for God program is part of

our faith journey,” says Streett. “The

spiritual aspect of the class is what

has made people return. If it were just

physical training, no one would come

back,” Street continues. “When our

students are asked what the greatest

benefit of the Run for God program

is in their lives, the answer is always

the same – the support and love of its

members,” Streett says. We believe

that it is what matters the most.

Stephen Streett and Michael Hicks discuss the benefits of running and the community they experience as a result of participating in the Run for God 5k Challenge program.

VISITRUNFORGOD.COM

to start your5k Challenge

TODAY!


HEARD THAT SAYING

a hundred times and

it never applies more

directly than it does when we think about goal-

setting. Setting realistic, exciting goals will help

to motivate you, especially on those days when

finding the enthusiasm to get out the door feels

almost daunting.

When we think about a new year, the topic of New

Year’s resolutions will surface sooner rather than

later. Those resolutions can be many things, but

most are really goals. Setting goals for yourself is a

critically important tool for motivation. As a matter

of fact, for many runners, having a meaningful

goal is all they need to keep themselves motivated.

Whether we want to admit it or not, we all have

ambitions to accomplish things. Even if you have

no goals you have chosen to set a goal to avoid

making goals! There’s an old song by the rock

group Rush that states “If you choose not to

decide, you still have made a choice.” That’s how

it is with goals. The trick is to understand how

to use goals to make you better or to achieve an

objective that is important to you.

NEWPERSONALIZE SUCCESS

How do we go about formulating

the targets at which we are going

to take aim? The best way to do

this is to think about what success

looks like for you. It may be that

you are new to running and you

would consider it a success if you

could finish a 5K without walking.

That would be a great goal. It

has everything a goal needs to

have: 1) It is specific and easy to

understand. In other words, you

will know it when you see it! 2) It

is measurable, meaning that there

is a definite way to know when

you have achieved your goal. 3) It is

reachable. You want to make sure

you set goals that are achievable. It

is discouraging to set a goal that is

unrealistic. Another goal might be

to run a 10K in under 40 minutes.

Again, it is specific, measurable

and, depending upon who you are,

it is achievable. Those are more

“IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING, ANY ROAD WILL TAKE YOU THERE.”

obvious goals, but you can be as

creative as your mind will permit.

For example, maybe you want to

lose weight and you want to use

running to help get you to your

target weight. Maybe you want

to run at least four days a week,

or even every day. There are

people who have run at least one

marathon in every state. More

than likely, it began with a goal to

do just that. Anyway, you get the

idea, the possibilities are endless.

The best way to undertake

creating goals is to begin long

term and work backwards. In

other words, think about what

you want to ultimately achieve

and set that as a major goal.

Then you can set intermediate

goals along the way that will

help you get there. I think about a

staircase. It would be impossible

to leap from one floor of a building

YEARGOALS

I’VE

BY DEAN THOMPSON

Deans Thoughts


to another in one jump, but with a

staircase, making that trip is easy.

Goals are like a staircase; you have

a major goal of reaching the next

floor, but each step is a smaller

goal that will ultimately lead you to

that next floor. Those intermediate

goals, or each step, help to get you

closer to being able to see over the

top step. Once you get a glimpse

of what is on the next floor, it is

easier to pick up the momentum

through increased motivation. The

intermediate goals are typically

whittled down into a to-do list.

Again, as you check off items on the

to-do list, you build excitement for

the ultimate goal.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND

FORWARD PROGRESS

Next, you’ll need to ensure that

you are held accountable for your

goals. There are three effective

steps to making sure you and

your friends are vigilant in

guaranteeing you leverage those

goals for the greatest motivation

possible: 1) Write your goals

down and visit them often. 2) Tell

someone else about your goals,

and make sure it is someone who

is going to ask you about them

regularly. 3) Post your goals where

you and others will see them.

Place them somewhere you can’t

miss, like next to a mirror, the

refrigerator door, or at a desk.

There are many possibilities.

In this day of social media, it is

easy to post things where many

can see them. Actually, you can

accomplish all three through

social media. The idea, of course,

is to think about your goals

regularly. Planning is important.

As the saying goes, “When you

fail to plan, you are planning

to fail.”

Have you ever gone out for a run

in an unfamiliar city and gotten

lost? Keep in mind that there

will be times when you get off

course. Sometimes you will find

it difficult to check off every

item on the to-do list. When it

happens, get back on course.

Don’t fret over what you missed,

and don’t try to make up for it

lest you find yourself injured

from overwork. Just pick back up

on your plan and move forward

again. How many times have

you seen others have a bad day

while on a diet and just give up

because they strayed from their

plan? Don’t be that person. If

you miss a run, it is not going

to mean the difference between

success and failure. If you miss

twelve runs, it will make a

difference. Just try to minimize

the disappointments. And, most

importantly, remember that

it is about the execution, not

the plan. Don’t become so tied

to the specifics of a plan that it

paralyzes you when life happens

and you have to make choices.

You own these goals and how

you go about achieving them

is your business and your

choice. I have seen many people who seem

more interested in setting a goal that will

impress others, rather than reaching for

what makes them happy. Be content with

what you wish to achieve, otherwise you

are setting yourself up

for disappointment.

ANTICIPATE REWARDS

After you write down your goals and before you

begin to execute your plan, decide how you will

revel in your success when you reach your goal.

Use that celebration as fuel to feed your fire

to keep the engine burning hot as you motor

toward your goal. Once you celebrate, you can

begin the process again!

All of these steps to realizing your goals

are helpful because they create reason and

intention. When we are intentional about

getting something done, we are usually

successful. It works the same way in our

Christian walk. We don’t have to look through

much of our Bible to find a reason for creating

goals for our study and prayer life. Romans 5:8

says, “But God demonstrates His own love

toward us, in that while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.” That is all the motivation

we need, but we have to add intention to that

motivation. Setting goals using the same

method you do for your running goals is just as

effective in everything else you do, including

your spiritual life. Maybe you want to read at

least two chapters of the Bible every day. Make

it a goal. Maybe you want to set aside thirty

minutes every morning to pray. Make it a goal.

Again, you can get creative and think of much

better and more specific ideas. Just make sure

it’s specific, measurable and reachable. Don’t

forget to write them down and find a good

partner who will hold you accountable.


WHEN: 6.20.15

WHERE: CAMP JORDAN, EAST RIDGE, TENNESSEE

WHEN: 7.25.15

WHERE: DALTON PARKS AND RECREATION, DALTON, GEORGIA

WHEN: 8.14.15

WHERE: CAMP JORDAN, EAST RIDGE, TENNESSEE

WHEN: 4.11.15

WHERE: PRATERS MILL, DALTON GEORGIA

HOSTED RACE SCHEDULE

THIS RACE SEASON WILL BE THE BEST YET! If you’ve never made the trip to be a part of a Run for God Hosted Event, then you don’t know

what you’re missing. Our races may be somewhat small in numbers, but they’ll compete with

even the largest races in the world when it comes to organization, atmosphere, race schwag,

and encouragement. Join the Run for God - Race Series in 2015!


BEHIN

D T

HE S

CEN

ES

FOR THE LORD NOT ONLY has plans for us to reach

across boundary lines to touch lives for Him, but He

also, commands us in Acts 13:47, “that [we] should be

for salvation to the ends of the earth.” Some may call

this the Great Commission or the Jabez Appointment,

but the blessings come when we respond to His call

and when we invite God to act. We don’t realize His

purpose until we can begin to ask this simple question:

“How may I help you?”

Gaye Coker has been dedicated to students in Georgia’s

Whitfield County School District for 31 years. When

she decided to retire in 2012 as Family and Consumer

Sciences teacher for both middle and high school

students, posts she’s held since 1981, she knew with a

happy heart, it was time to move forward.

“I have always loved teaching. I had a wonderful

year and I knew that it was time to move on and help

Mitchell in the Run for God ministry,” says Coker.

In May of 2012, Coker retired and joined the staff of

Run for God in Customer Service. Since then, Coker’s

position with Run for God has served the body of

Christ nationwide and her role in Customer Service has

helped equip, prepare and serve several generations

of this ministry’s students and instructors. “Working

in Customer Service at Run for God has become my

ministry,” says Coker. “For me, it is a way that I can

minister to others behind the scenes through the Run

for God program.”

Run for God’s Customer Service, located in Dalton,

Georgia, serves as the shipping facility for all Run

for God products and merchandise, including the 5k

Challenge study, which began in 2010. Coker believes

that she contributes to the ministry, in part, because

she feels connected to people when she packs and

prays over the merchandise. “God tells us to bring

salvation into the ends of the earth. Even though I

am not physically out there, I feel like I am part of it,”

Coker adds.

Coker shares that her job is a very satisfying and

emotional experience. “ I say a lot of prayers when I

am packaging and shipping,” says Coker, “because

these books and Instructor kits may be a blessing to

someone and possibly others through this ministry.”

As Gaye continues to share how the Run for God

program has blessed her and her marriage, her voice

begins to crack. “I want every person who receives

a copy of the Run for God Challenge to have the

same experience that I experienced with Run for

God and so much more,” she continues. “Nothing

but blessings.”

PACK PRAY LOVE


Why DEVOTIONS?

Devotions came together as a result of the outpouring

of letters and e-mails that come into the Run for God camp each week.

These stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things and Run

for God’s role in their lives prompted us to find a way to preserve

these memories. From a desire to both preserve and share these

stories, Devotions was born.

This Bible study is not your ordinary study. No, it’s a study that

is made up of stories from people just like you and me, real

stories from real people. These thoughts and experiences are

brought to you from pastors, deacons, Sunday school teachers,

new Christians, old Christians, and even Christians who had

lost their way for a time. So if you’re looking for a study that

is authored by a renowned theologian, this isn’t it. But if

you’re looking for a study that shows what God can

do through someone just like you and me, then

you’ve definitely come to the right place.

Whether you’re a new runner, a seasoned runner, a

fast runner, or a slow runner, this study is for you.

Each week we’ll take you through inspiring stories,

scripture, running tips and tricks, as well as challenge

you with thought provoking questions to ponder. There

are also training plans in the back that will cover any

distance you desire. Use this for your personal devotion or

grab a group of friends and start a small group, either way

you can’t go wrong. Enjoy!

52-Week Study • 464 Page Hardback

FINDING GOD IN A RUNNERS SPACE


THE CONCEPT OF A “Virtual Race” is that you can

participate in a running event from anywhere in the world.

Let’s use the 2014 Run for God – Pinky 5K as an example.

Last year runners signed up from all 50 states and many

other countries. They registered and trained just as if

they were going to attend a physical race. The difference

What is a Virtual Race?

is when race weekend arrives, instead of

traveling across the country, runners would

mark out a 5K in their own community. It

could be on a trail, on the road, or even on a

treadmill, it really doesn’t matter. Then, they

simply show up, run their 5K, record their

own time, post their pictures, and we mail

out Goodie Bags complete with race shirt and

medal the next week. It’s very simple and

completely AWESOME!

WHY A VIRTUAL 5K?

For several years now we have been getting

requests from individuals and groups from

all over the globe to host a Run for God race

in their community. While this is flattering

and very tempting, it’s just not possible.

This past year we tested the waters with

one Virtual Race, and the response was

overwhelming. It sold out quicker than any

race we’d ever hosted. So, this is a great

way for you or your group of friends to get

together and run your own race, no matter

where you may live.

2015 Virtual Races

SUMMER

THIS IS YOUR RACE, ON YOUR

OWN TIME IN YOUR OWN TOWN.

OUR MOTIVATION COLLECTION IS A FUN WAY TO MOTIVATE YOUR RUN! GET YOURS ONLINE AT RUNFORGOD.COM.

Documents

Run for God - Connect Magazine - Winter 2015