Training for something more

Man oh man..... I have so many thoughts running through my mind right now.  It seems that that is all that is on my mind these days, Running, Riding, Swimming...simply put TRAINING!  It is a good thing no doubt because I fully believe that this is what God has called me to do but every now and then I do need to take a step back and evaluate my training.  I have to remind myself that I am not doing any of this for my own personal gain.  Sure I train hard so I can improve on my abilities but really what is the focus of my heart.  Is it so I can be made great in the eyes of people?  Is it for me to get so good that I can actually compete against others and WIN!  Or is it simply just to enjoy the gifts that God has given me and as an act of gratitude and worship offer my training to Him for His glory.  I wish I could tell you that I always have the last focus!  However sometimes I do get caught up in the mentality that I have to be better and I have to win, that I long for the praises of people telling me how good I am or how I am improving.  I was gently reminded of this by the Lord this week thankfully I haven't fallen into those mindsets but He did just simply say to remember why I am racing, why I am training, and stay focused.

I was also challenged to make a spiritual training schedule that coincides with my physical training schedule.  I have found it at times so easy to get caught up in my running, riding, or swimming schedule that there are days that I don't make my time with God to be more than a few moments during the day.  I tend to get so focused on what I have to do physically to improve and forget what I must do spiritually.  There are numerous verses in the Word that speak into putting God first and then He will bless you in all you do.  Well this area is no different!  I have decided that the amount of time I spend doing my physical training I must do at least that amount of time with the Lord in prayer, worship, reading the word, meditating of the word.  I believe that as I begin this not really new area of training but a renewed focus, spending more of my time with the Lord keeping my heart set on the things of heaven I will see even greater spiritual growth and fitness then ever before! 

Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father."

Training and not simply working out

So I have really been hit with an idea that I actually got from listening to a sermon a few weeks ago and its finally sinking in and taking root!!  Only took a little bit of time!  Let me ask you a question.... Is there a difference between training and working out?  Think about it.... Google it.... what are you thinking?  Ok well let me say that I believe there is a HUGE difference between these very similar terms.  First off lets look at training; now when I think about this word I think of my lifestyle.  I am in a training season right now, I am on a specific plan each day to help me get ready for running a marathon and do my triathlons.  Sure I have workouts that I do each day, but those workouts are a part of a training program designed to get me to my set goals.  "Do you know the difference between training and working out? Training is when you have a progressive plan with measurable goals and continual challenges. Working out is anything that makes you sweaty and tired but not necessarily better because it lacks consistency, direction and specificity."  -Nick Tumminelo 
I like that quote it totally hits the point hard.  Truly there is a difference, training take time, it takes a great deal of focus, and like that quote said consistency!  It is little things over a long period of time continually building upon one another.  It is gradually building strength that will last and get you to the goal.  I have ran 2 marathons, and completed 2 triathlons.... It took me 5 months to get from never running to completing my first marathon.  I couldn't just go out and run 26.2 miles, it took time, it took complete dedication and a desire to not give up or quit even when it was painful and not so fun.  Working out in my mind is just something that is done.  It doesn't really change who I am, where for me training is a lifestyle.  Just like our faith.  We can choose to "workout" in our faith meaning we can sometimes pray, sometimes read the bible, go to church, but if we don't let any of these things go to our heart and change us we are just going through the motions.  In our faith we are looking for transformation, lives colliding with God and being radically changed.  God doesn't save us so we can stay the same, stuck in our same old sins.  He saves us, and redeems us and gives us new life, a training program to bring Him glory here on earth.  However it isn't easy, it takes a lot of hard work, it isn't always comfortable, or even pretty but with our eyes set on the goal JESUS it is worth it.  Everything is worth giving up for the one prize Jesus!

The Race

Love City Triathlon finish

Well I have to say this last week has been an incredible time in my training.  I was able to take some time over labor day weekend and go to St. John and compete in the Love City Triathlon here are the Results from that race!  It was a very good learning experience I must say.  It was the first time I traveled for a triathlon so it was a new course, a course I was only able to drive partially.  So I didn't know much about the bike course except that it was VERY hilly and lots of hairpin turns at the bottom of the downhills.  I have been training pretty hard these last few weeks but I really haven't been doing much swimming and it shows!  I am now determined to get myself in gear and start busting out those pool workouts.  I can't simply give 100% in 2 of my disciplines and only 50% in the other one.  I must equally work at all three of these areas.  Like I said before this was a great learning experience and I did some things that I am not to fond of, made some mistakes that hopefully by God's grace I won't make again.

First off I learned to ALWAYS do a pre-race bike inspection!  Make sure everything is working properly, all the little details are so important.  I had the sickest feeling in my stomach after the race when I was loading my bike and I realized I never closed the clasp on my brakes from when I took the tires off to travel.  So although my brakes worked fine THANK GOD, I could have been in a heap of trouble due to that one little mistake. 

Second : I learned I have to be very careful about my breathing on the bike.  I had 2 KILLER side aches on the run that I am not positive about how I got them but I think it was from not breathing correctly going up the hills.  Position on the bike when climbing hills is necessary to breath deep and properly.  Not slouching over down on the handle bars but holding the top and allowing your torso to be as straight as possible I guess.... (I'm still working on this one)

Third: I have found that racing in the Caribbean is INCREDIBLE!!  I was stunned and left breathless (not simply because the hills I was riding up were extreme) the view I had from the road of St. John was so amazing.  I for a moment forgot that I was even racing when I came over a hill and saw all the British Virgin Islands to the north.  It was spectacular!  It is in those moments that I just get blown away by the work of God. 

Forth : and lastly go out and do your best!  Even though my run was in my mind horrible due to my side aches I couldn't give up.  I had to walk a lot of the 4 mile course, it wasn't my ideal run but I just kept persevering.  I finished strong and even though I had a few shifting errors and my chain fell of in the middle of 2 hills, and I walked up the remaining hill...(something I'll never do again either)  I learned it will save time to coast to the bottom of the hill fix the chain and ride back up!  I struggled with the run but I kept moving and I didn't give up.  I believed in myself and I just focused on the prize....THE END OF THE RACE! 

I have found that my mind is where the biggest battle is.  I must captivate my thoughts, ignore the ones saying I am tired, I can't continue, it's to hard, I need to stop...these are all lies and when ignored you will see your body do what you thought was impossible.  Overall this was a great race!  I fell in love once again with triathlons and now look forward to my next one at the end of this month!!