There’s running in the rain…and then there’s running in the rain forest. Ironically, our 5-mile run around Lake Arenal in Nuevo Arenal, Costa Rica was sunny, rain free and only mildly humid. But a weather report alone cannot even begin to tell the story of running in Costa Rica. Yes readers, CENTRAL AMERICA.

But first, some backstory.

We spent this past week visiting dear friends and wonderful hosts, Merlinda Gallegos and husband Paul Vigil, at the home they’re renting in the 1,000 person (and 500 dog) town of Nuevo Arenal. Why “new” Arenal? Turns out Volcano Arenal buried the old town and they gave it a second shot in the 1960s. This developing country gives new meaning to the word “beautiful.” Nuevo Arenal is a happy rural farming town where dogs running the streets smile, locals giggle when well-intentioned gringos (that would be us) order dinner en Espanol, and somehow – without wifi and cell phones – everyone knows simultaneously that the town is out of eggplant.

As for the setting, think “Jurasic Park.”
As for the insects, think “A Bug’s Life” (but without the cute).
As for the air, think pure, fresh oxygen oozing from countless leafy surfaces.

We hiked lush hanging bridges…relaxed in thermal rivers…saw Congo monkeys…swayed in hammocks…drank water from coconuts forced open with a machete…

Oh yes, and we ran!

Running in Costa Rica is unlike anything we ever experienced. On one hand, our senses were overwhelmed:

• the temperature warms your bones
• the breeze kisses your skin
• the soft earth on the trails along the lake makes for fast running
• the views are never-ending and magnificent
• time seems slowed…if not suspended

Then there are the realities of running in a developing country:

• the roads are without shoulders and laws for driving are questionable (no traffic lights in Neuvo Arenal)
• getting stared down by a bull with an attitude (corralled in by a fence that wouldn’t scare a chicken) is concerning
• Costa Rica is freakin’ hilly!
• depending on your source, the water is either super refreshing or cloudy and tastes a lot like the lake
• always over your left shoulder is that imposing Volcano Arenal…still smoking after all these years
• it’s hard to run anywhere without knowing if you’re trespassing or not (are the jail beds in Central America comfortable?)

That said, the miles were as hard and demanding as they were therapeutic and spiritual. Costa Rica’s beauty is unparalleled and begs you to come back. We accept the invitation.

(By the way, our post-run pancake breakfast made the realities a little less harsh!)

RMFR

By Tara Maras

It’s funny how easily we can get distracted. In my case it was dealing with a runner’s low that reintroduced the iPod back into my running routine. Without thinking about it, my 0ne-on-one time with God and prayer became less and less on my runs. It’s difficult to pray with Nickelback and DragonForce blowing out your eardrums.

So it came in the form of a simple message on Facebook, from someone commenting on earlier post on spiritual running, that brought about my Easter Eight with God (sort of ironic that that someone’s name was Faith). I left the iPod at home on a gorgeous Easter morning in Las Vegas. After saying my prerun prayer, I headed out on my usual 8-mile course but with my priorities set straight once again.

I don’t want you to think that this is something you need to learn. An exact science it is not. It’s simply using the time you have during your run to talk to God. In my case it starts with a running mantra “He has risen, saved by grace.” I break up the syllables to my stride and that helps clear my mind and lets me focus on the task at hand. Usually after a mile or so, I’m ready. Today being Easter, my mantra fits perfectly and that’s what my runs prayers focused on. It’s not all about prayer though. I use this time to just talk to God. Asking questions, making comments and saying prayers for other runners and cyclists. Living in the moment and appreciating everything He has done and will do in my life.

While I know this may not strike a chord with some of you, I find it spiritually rewarding and I think you will too. This is Our time. Not performed with hundreds of people but my direct connection with God that’s not limited by rituals or time constraints. It’s from my heart and I know that He is running along side me. Not just on that particular run, but running along side me in life.

Next time out, leave your iPod and distractions at home and give it a shot. I think you’ll be surprised at the results.

He has risen. Saved by grace.
RMFR

How many times have you been on a run and a car suddenly stopped before clipping you? On a hot day, has there every been a cloud that just seemed to hang out – covering the sun and keeping the temperature just a little cooler? One could dismiss these occurrences to luck or good fortune. Some might not even pay much attention or notice them at all.

Since I started meditating and praying while running, I’ve noticed these events happen more often than not. I think more often than not, we dismiss little things in life as coincidences. I have been putting much more thought into Divine intervention. While I don’t think that God is constantly making my runs as easy as possible, I do believe that he has his hand into a lot more things then we give Him credit for.

Why is it do we think that signs from God must be grandiose? The burning bush. The parting of the Red Sea. Miracles and signs that left no question to who/what they were. I think the problem is that in this day and age with our 24/7 lives, we’ve stopped paying attention. While I’m running and focusing on my breath, I try and make my senses open to all stimuli. Tuning out all mental static and listening to the silence, I’ve become more in tune with the world around me and able to bask in all of God’s creation.

On your next run, leave the iPod at home. Force yourself to focus on your breath. Fall in tune with your footfalls and tune out your worries, troubles and issues. Recite a mantra and get into a groove. Don’t worry about your pace and just listen. Listen to nothing and allow your senses to take in the world around you. You’ll be amazed at what you’ll see.

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

As long distance runners, we work hard to build our endurance and strength. On race day, we have our wicking shirts, lightweight shoes and our bodies are prepared for the test that lies before us. To run the race that God has set before us, we must also strip off the excess weight that slows us down.

• Choose friends that are also committed to your race (run with the right crowd).
• Drop activities that are counter productive towards you ultimate goal.
• Get help for addictions that disable you.

It’s never too late to experience God’s grace.

If I pass you on the road somewhere be sure this prayer is being said for you.

God,
Please protect this runner from injury or harm;
help lift them up the inclines and back down again to You.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will RUN and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.

OK, how inspiring is that!!!

Psalm 19:1-5
The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
It bursts forth like a radiant bridgegroom after his wedding
It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.

When we run, we’re surrounded by nature – God’s creation. Take time on your next run to thank Him for such magnificent beauty and the truth it reveals about our Creator. Become one with your breath, feel (really feel) your foot hitting the earth, the strain in your muscles and take in your surroundings – noticing every cloud, hill, tree and mountain. Fantastic displays of God’s craftsmanship give evidence of His existance, His power, His love and His care.

Titus 2:7
And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.

My run this past Saturday (well pretty much all my long runs are on this road) was on a long stretch that leads out to Red Rock Canyon. This stretch of road is well traveled by cyclists and a few runners lured by the incredible scenery and the long inclines for training. There’s a lot of of strange things you’ll see dumped on the side of the road (makes you wonder if anybody remembers the old PSA commercial on pollution).

On this particular morning, I happened upon a rubber glove on one of the road markers greeting every person that passed by. At first, I took notice and kept on going since I was almost to my turn around point. On the way back, there it was again, greeting me for the second time in all it’s unglory. Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve been known to forget to raise my other fingers on occasion but never this publicly. I kept running downhill for another 100 feet before I crossed back over the road. I couldn’t let that glove stay there in it’s current state. Without having a means to transport the glove to a trash can in the middle of the desert, I decided to change its greeting.

The title of this post has nothing to do with your stride, frame or running style but with the way we should lead our lives. In Roger D. Joslin’s book “Running the Spiritual Path,” he talks about the “Mother Teresa Run.” As you run, offering blessings to everyone you meet whether they acknowledge you or not. It can be as simple as a smile or a wave or a prayer to God to see them safely on their journey. That’s what I was trying to do on my run, take something negative and turn it into something positive.

Grace is something that was gifted to us when Jesus died for our sins. As a follower of Christ, it is my responsibility and honor to lead by His example. Enjoy your run, be one with nature and love one another as He loves us.

I just finished reading John Brant’s book “Duel in the Sun” and if you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend it. Being fairly new to running, I didn’t know much about Alberto Salazar or Dick Beardsley except for the fact that I knew who they were…or so I thought.

The thing that most caught my attention in this book was not what you would think. Yes, the narrative of the 1982 Boston Marathon was gripping. Yes, Dick Beardsley’s addiction and recovery is an inspirational story everyone must know and learn from. Yes, Alberto Salazar’s health problems and inability to recover from the aforementioned battle evoke sympathy and praise. The thing that really touched and inspired me was reading about Alberto’s faith.

Without ruining a great read, when Alberto Salazar was at his lowest battling depression and his health, he turned to God. It was nothing that happened right away. He didn’t pray one day on a long run and BAM he was cured. In fact, when he rededicated his life to God to the time he finally found a cure for his ailment was nearly 3 years later.

“I believe that God guided me to keep the faith through all the years because the answer – in my case, Prozac – would be coming,” Salazar said. All those years unable to run and he never gave up faith.

We sometimes get inpatient when our prayers go unanswered. We sometimes question our faith and wonder if God is even listening. Remember that we’re His children and he loves us. There’s a plan for each and every one of us and when it’s time, He’ll lead us where He wants us to go.

“Run toward God and know that far in the distance God is running toward you.”
- Roger D. Joslin

Just a quick update on a new mantra that I’ve started using (click her for my previous post). When I typically start my running meditation process, my pace is slower and using “He Has Risen, Saved By Grace,” works nicely with my pace and breath. I noticed however when I was charging up a hill or quickening my pace, it didn’t work very well. I started using “Godspeed” for these more aerobic stretches during my run. Breath in on “God,” taking in his Grace and strength; breath out on “speed,” expelling all your fatigue and doubts. The two syllables are perfect for the faster pace and the connection to God and self mediation is restored.