I think it’s safe to say most runner’s have their favorite playlists for those long grueling miles or training. While I generally run sans iPod, I’ve recently dawned them again so I could listen to my favorite band – Third Day. For those of you not familiar, they’re a Christian (southern) rock band from Marietta, Georgia and besides their musicality, the subject of their songs inspire and help me share my time running with God.

The other thing that always strikes a chord with me is when these songs mention running. The tie-in between praising and running towards God keeps my motor turning. Here’s one of my favorites from their “Revelation” album – Run to You:

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“You can listen to the stream run. You can listen to the birds. Music is my life, but running allows me to appreciate the music of the outdoors.”
– Gail Williams, hornplayer

Another reason to leave the iPod at home. Zone into nature. You’ll be surprised at what it has to say.

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

There are some runs when you just don’t know what to expect. You could run into somebody and share interesting stories, encounter a bizarre event or see something unexpected. It’s something totally different when you get throw a curveball from you kids.

In the middle of an easy 5 miles with my iPod on shuffle, who should come blaring thru my headphones but Alvin and the Chipmunks and their Witch Doctor anthem. After my initial shock, I couldn’t keep from smiling. Obviously, they must have been messing with my iTunes playlists and added this cult classic into my hard rock playlist.

They didn’t know they did it but it definitely added a little something extra into an ordinary run.

RMFR

Four years ago I started running in sweat pants and cotton shirts. After some trial and error, it didn’t take long to figure out I was on a pathway nowhere good. I scoured the running mags and visited all the stores to see what “those running folks” were wearing. I became aware of terms like “wicking” and “Dri-FIT” pretty quickly. I loaded up on all the essentials and now looked the part while still not.

My first marathon was run in a blue New Balance long sleeve shirt and it’s still with me today. It’s worn on the sleeve where I used to wear my iPod and it has a permanent “smell” to it but I still train in it today. In three weeks, I plan to wear Ol’ Blue at the place our journey began, the Las Vegas Marathon (now a RNR). It’s fun looking back on my journey and knowing that there’s still a little piece of my running past that’s been there with me the whole way.

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.

First, let me say that I’m guilty. Guilty as the rest of you. From the minute I started running, I read the articles, scoured running stores and purchased nearly every gadget, gizmo and accessory I could get me hands on. When asked about gifts for birthdays and Christmas, I’m more than willing to ask for latest “need” that will enhance my running experience. So the culmination of all these purchases has now left me a “Running Gizmo”.

Think about why you got into running. For me it was easy – I didn’t need to have a lot of stuff to run. All you needed were a pair of shoes. That’s it. You didn’t need the latest breakthrough in footwear. Lace ‘em up and run. Period. As time wore on, you checked out the stores and slipped on the glass slipper that is now your running shoe of choice and you can’t imagine life without them. You run at night and need to see, so you get your head lamp. Don’t forget about hydrating on your 18 milers – put on your CamelBak. iPod’s, Garmin GPS watches, heart monitors, Shoe Wallets, braces, Road I.D. tags and even some protection to beat off dogs, coyotes and old ladies in walkers – they all serve a purpose.

As my running has progressed thru the years, so has my gear. Love it, hate it or come to terms with it. It’s what I am…a “Running Gizmo”.

I was checking out my “Tweets” the other day and happen upon this article sharing Sara Hall’s iPod Playlist. Ryan and Sara’s devotion to their religion as well known. In fact, it’s refreshing that they don’t try and hide it or feel embarrassed to make it known publicly.

Back to the subject at hand, I found it funny that I just posted on this same exact topic – My Spiritual iPod. I also wanted to share one of the songs that gives me goose bumps every time it shuffles thru my magic metallic green music box. I love the tie in with running and praying and this song sums it all up for me. If you like this song and want to check out the rest of the album go the the two42 cafe and have a listen (Track 13).

I’ve been “running the spiritual path” now for about a month and a half. It’s changed my life. I love the quiet moments with God and being at one with my breath. It’s not only enlightening but it transforms you. You know how when you see that really inspirational movie (i.e. Rudy) and you get the chills…actual chills. I’ve attained that with spiritual running. There have been many occasions when I’ve made that connection and God has lifted me up and touched me. Some may call it a “runner’s high” or an “adrenaline high” but I see it as being touched by Him.

The point of this, is that I cheated or at least I felt that I had cheated. During my “slump” a couple of weeks ago, I headed out on a 5 mile run with my iPod. God wasn’t on my iPod – no, somebody MUCH different – Nickelback was. I honestly felt guilt going out on a run with music and apologized profusely in prayer. I needed to give it a shot. I hate to admit it, but the music was good. I had a driving force behind my pace but spiritually my run was empty. I couldn’t commit to a mantra nor could I establish any concentration towards any communication with God. Call it an epiphany or call it a sign, but I came up with a solution on that guitar mashing, profanity laden run.

The following Sunday while attending Central Christian Church here in Las Vegas (Summerlin Campus) I marched right up to the two42 Cafe and purchased all three of the First Wednesday CD’s (First Wednesday is a time when our Church worships with an hour full of inspirational music and fellowship). These are not hymns by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, there’s nothing “old school” about them at all. There’s a full drum kit, electric guitars, a bass and it’s loud!!! The only difference is the message of these songs. One’s about getting drunk and fooling around while the other celebrates and thanks our Lord.

The following day, I tried this experiment/suggestion and it hit the mark. While it may not having the speed guitars of Dragonforce or the hard driving beat of AC/DC, it surpassed any of my rock library hands down. I swear I caught myself singing a couple of times and I know I caught myself “lifting it up to God” several times. But you know what…it felt great. I felt connected and I felt I was communicating with Him the way he intended me too.

I still don’t run with an iPod that often, but when I do, I know that my time spent is going to be meaningful time well spent.