run for god - connect magazine - spring 2015

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connect MAGAZINE FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT SPRING 2015 LEAVING YOUR COMFORT ZONE RUNNING FASTER COURAGE TO Start , FAITH TO FINISH

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The official publication of Run for God.

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Page 1: Run for God - Connect Magazine - Spring 2015

connectMAGAZINE

FROM YOURFRIENDS AT

SPRING 2015

LEAVING YOUR

COMFORTZONERUNNING

FASTER

COURAGE TO

Start, FAITH TOFINISH

Page 2: Run for God - Connect Magazine - Spring 2015

RUNFORGOD.COM2 SPRING 2015

WELCOME TO

connectHot Chocolate and A Word From God!

FEW WEEKS AGO I WAS in Atlanta, Georgia, working the Run

for God booth at the Hot Chocolate 5K/15K Expo. I was amazed

at the size of this race. Nearly 25,000 people signed up to run

a frigid January race for a hoodie and some hot chocolate. I think the folks at

RAM Racing must be on to something.

98% of the runners who stopped by were warm, accepting, or at least cordial; but

occasionally I would notice those who seemed offended by our very presence,

walking out of their way to go around our booth. Some passed by not paying

attention until one of us said, “Hello,” then they’d just keep walking and shaking

their head. Others stood staring at our booth in disgust, almost daring us to

engage in some kind of debate.

You would think that the encouraging 98% would drown out that small 2%. For

me, it didn’t. I found myself getting discouraged and even somewhat ill at that 2%.

Inwardly, I was fighting a pretty serious battle. It felt like a test of my spirit, to take

my focus off of the point— sharing the gospel of Christ. I knew there were those

around me who don’t have a relationship with Christ, and I could either shine His

light or allow my “flesh” to take over.

At the end of our two days I was physically exhausted, but more than that I was

mentally exhausted from the spiritual battle that had taken place. My mind started

to wonder. Am I on the right path? Am I really the person for this? Is what I’m

doing really making a difference?

I see now that God was using the lingering doubts in my mind to prepare my

heart for His Word. The Sunday school lesson that week was taken from Nehemiah

6. God had called Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He had many

supporting and helping him, but there were two men, Sanballat and Geshem who

A WORD FROM MITCHELL

were trying to distract and destroy

Nehemiah. They sent him letters

requesting meetings, and spread

rumors about what he was doing.

Nevertheless, Nehemiah kept his focus.

It seemed this lesson was just for me.

The Bible is full of stories about those

who responded to God, worked through

adversity, and went down in history as

soldiers of Christ. We are all called to be

like Nehemiah, to run the path that God

has laid in front of us and to lay aside

the sin and distractions that make us

lose our focus.

So let me encourage you today. If you

are facing opposition while trying to

advance God’s kingdom, then you may

be exactly where God wants you to be.

Prayerfully keep your eye on what God

has called you to do, and don’t lose

your focus.

MitchellHebrews 12:1

James 1:2-4

A

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3RUNFORGOD.COM SPRING 2015

6. DEAN’S THOUGHTS: Running Faster

20. Sticky Notes

21. Gear & Gadgets

42. Behind the Scenes

DEPARTMENTS

features

2414

6

14 Student Spotlight: LEAVING YOUR COMFORT ZONE

22 Instructor Spotlight: WHEN GOD LEADS

26 Triathlon: COURAGE TO START

FAITH TO FINISH36 Beyond the Run:

ROCK’N YOUR RUN

37

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RUNFORGOD.COM4 SPRING 2015

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

LET’S CONNECT

STARTING YOUR DAY WITH A RUN?

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 Dean’s

stories in Run for God’s

Devotions.

Pick up your copy of

Run for God DEVOTIONS TODAY!RUNFORGOD.COM

START YOUR RUN WITH GOD

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5RUNFORGOD.COM SPRING 2015

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RUNFORGOD.COM6 SPRING 2015

Dean’ s Thoughts

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7RUNFORGOD.COM SPRING 2015

I have fielded thousands of questions about

running by runners ranging from six to

sixty-six years old. They range from easy

to impossible, from one word answers to

voluminous discourses, or from personal

queries about me to individual recommendations for

them. Since I love to talk about anything running

related, I never mind taking the time to discuss

anyone’s interests or concerns. Recently, after a race, a

high school runner walked up to me, introduced himself

and asked me the question I am asked frequently, “What

do I need to do to make myself faster?”

There are, quite literally, thousands of answers to that

question, but it is often asked as if there is a mystery

formula, and I am the key-holder to the lock-box of the

secret. So, I sat and pondered, searching for a simple

answer to that question. Knowing that I have been a fairly

successful runner using many different combinations

of training methods, and that those routines continue

to evolve as I get older, how would I boil it all down to a

simple answer? After a fairly short period of time, I reached

the end of my intellectual capacity and came up with the

following answer: Consistency and hard work. Ta Da!

Incredibly insightful, huh? Of course not.

Here’s the bottom line: Elite runners are doing all the

little things that shave tenths of seconds from their 10K

times, but the fact is that most of us are not doing the big

things that can shave many seconds or even minutes from

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RUNFORGOD.COM8 SPRING 2015

our times. Worrying about the mix of carbohydrates and

protein in your meal the night before a race is great, but if you

short-changed your training, your dinner won’t upright the

sinking ship.

In 2014, I decided it was time to check off an Ironman

distance triathlon from my bucket list. It would require

me to completely change the way I was training, because

I now had to incorporate cycling and swimming into my

plan. I studied triathlon training and even began to plan my

training, but something got in the way. I had been running

every day for nearly two consecutive years, and I decided

it was more important for me to keep my streak going than

to run the fastest triathlon I could run and my training plan

became simple: run seven days a week, bike two days a

week and swim two days a week. I didn’t always get the

swimming and the biking in, but I did get my running in. I

didn’t follow the normal plan of riding multiple hundred mile

1:00

rides and swimming for four miles at a time. I kept it simple

and decided to let the chips fall where they may. Well, the

chips were good to me, and I completed the race faster than I

had ever hoped, which led me to this conclusion: Consistency

and hard work paid off! Although my training was not

conventional, I did work hard every week.

I like to ask young runners how many days a week they run

and how much time they take off in between seasons. The

answers vary, as some are committed and take little time off;

but many take months off and even skip running days during

the season. Next, I ask them if they want to be the best

runner they can be, and the answer is always the same: Yes!

It’s interesting because they’ll ask about the tiniest detail;

like how to tie their shoes properly for maximum speed. They

want to know about the little things but they’re not even

doing the big things right!

THAT MOST IMPACT YOUR PERFORMANCE

4 45 BIGTHINGS 4

2:00

1:00

HAVE NO REGRETS.

Make it your goal to never

come home from a run and be

disappointed because you cut

it short, didn’t run as hard as

you wanted, or ran too hard on

an easy day. Don’t talk yourself

into an excuse not to run. Those

days will break you down both

physically and mentally. Decide

how many miles you want to

run each week and do it. Every

week. The only exception is

number three. 2:0

0

EFFORT IS EVERYTHING.

Most people don’t vary their speed

in training very much. If you want to

get faster, you have to train faster.

If you are a nine minute per mile

5K runner, you need to spend time

running eight minutes per mile in the

form of intervals, fartlek, or pick-ups

(Google it if you don’t know). But

often, the neglected side is that you

also need to spend time running

at over ten minutes per mile on the

days when you don’t run hard. Make

your hard days hard and your easy

days easy!

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9RUNFORGOD.COM SPRING 2015

Being a Christian is almost exactly the same. We

sometimes worry so much about all the little things, like

exactly how to interpret the book Revelation, while we

miss the most basic necessities. I believe that if we spend

time with God in prayer and time inside the pages of the

Bible, everything will follow. God will take it from there! I

have always been amazed by Dr. Billy Graham and his son

Dr. Franklin Graham. No matter what the topic at hand may

be, they always find a way to share the plan of salvation.

The message is always simple and straightforward, void of

fancy words or complicated concepts. It is clear that they

have a message and they carry that message with them

wherever they go. I’m sure it didn’t happen overnight. As

simple as it looks, they have planned, prayed, and pleaded

with God for His help in sharing His message. The fact that

it looks so effortless is a testament to that.

44 43:00 4:00 5:00

Because sometimes things happen to people and they’re not equipped to deal with them.”- Catching Fire, The Hunger Games

“3:0

0

5:0

0

4:0

0REST APPROPRIATELY.

Your muscles repair themselves

while you sleep so get plenty

of it. I have heard a lot of

people over the years brag

about how little sleep they

require. I have a name for those

people as it relates to running:

Underachiever. Everyone’s sleep

needs are a little different, but

you shouldn’t be nodding off in

the middle of the day. A short

night of sleep every now and

then will not hurt, but you don’t

want to make a habit of it. 2:0

0

EAT GOOD

MEALS AND STAY

HYDRATED. Don’t fret

over what you eat, but eat

regular meals. Skip any diet

that tells you to eliminate

any particular type of

food. Eat natural food in

reasonable proportions, with

carbohydrates, protein and

vegetables at each meal.

Snack on fruits and nuts.

Drink lots of water.

LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.

Soreness is okay, pain is not. If

you have pain, do something to

make it better, whether that is

using ice and anti-inflammatories

or going to see a doctor. You’ll

get over the soreness. If you

will learn to embrace and enjoy

soreness, it will help.

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RUNFORGOD.COM10 SPRING 2015

Going Outside Your Comfort Zone

The folks at Kindle keep track of the most highlighted

sentences from those who use their reader. The most

highlighted sentence in any book comes from the popular

Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins from the second

book in the trilogy, Catching Fire. It reads, “Because

sometimes things happen to people and they’re not equipped

to deal with them.” Does that sound familiar? I would say we

have all faced something we felt ill-prepared to deal with.

What do we do in those circumstances? The responses

to unanticipated situations are as varied as the situations

themselves, but most fit into three categories: We can retreat

from it, fake it, or learn from it. For the most part, your

personality may dictate your course of action or inaction, but

one thing is sure, it is not comfortable or pleasant in any way.

No one likes to feel they are not in control. So why then, do

we most often choose to retreat from it or fake it? If someone

brings up a subject in conversation that you feel you should

know, we often either excuse ourselves from that discussion

or we act as if we understand and hope no one asks us a

direct question. When the dialogue is finished, we relax and

move on, never thinking about it again. Very little learning

takes place when we choose these two paths.

There is a third option available to us. We can choose to learn

from uncomfortable situations. We are often so worried about

what others will think of us if we show our vulnerability,

that we avoid asking questions we really want to ask. If we

reveal that we don’t know, we’re afraid people will think less

of us. What would we learn if we were never afraid to ask

What do we do in those

circumstances? The responses

to unanticipated situations are

as varied as the situations

themselves, but most fit into

three categories: We can retreat

from it, fake it, or learn from it.”

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11RUNFORGOD.COM SPRING 2015

those questions? Even more, what if we went home after that

conversation and studied so that the next time the subject

was raised, we would be subject matter experts?

Paul said in Ephesians 4:11-16: And he gave the apostles, the

prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to

equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the

body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and

of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to

the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that

we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves

and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human

cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking

the truth in love, we are to grow up in every joint with which

it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the

body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

God has a part for each of us to play. If we don’t take the

time to learn about the big picture, it is difficult for us to

be successful with our part of the picture. Have you ever

felt God urging you to share Christ with someone, but then

walked away, retreating from the situation, because you felt

you were not prepared to handle it? If we’re being honest,

I think most of us have been there. I know I have! When

we do this, we’re doing more than being disobedient to

Him. We’re short-changing His ability to carry us through

the conversation! Of course, He also expects us to prepare

for those encounters, but for many of us, we will never be

“comfortable” with those discussions until we force our way

through the wall of discomfort.

There is an old Revolutionary War saying, “Trust in God, but

keep your powder dry.” It is great to have full faith in Him,

but we have to do our due diligence in preparation. Would

you run a marathon on two weeks of training? Of course not!

It takes dedication and perseverance to be ready on race day,

and then we still may feel unprepared. But deep down inside,

we know we’ve done all we can.

What if someone came to you today and asked for spiritual

guidance from you? Would you be prepared to help? If not,

what can you do to be prepared? If we are striving to be who

God wants us to be, that moment will inevitably come. The

more you shine Jesus’ light, the more people notice and the

more likely they will approach you with questions. It may

seldom happen that someone seeks spiritual guidance from

you, or it may happen regularly. More than likely, it wasn’t

comfortable the first time; but chances are, you recognized

it as an honor to be chosen to do His work. If you have never

experienced it, look at this way: How did you feel the first

time you ran a 5K? You were nervous before the race, but

when it was over, you were excited! You prepared and then

executed your plan. So, how do you prepare to be used by

God when He calls on you to assist others? The answer

can be found in the most highlighted Bible verse on Kindle:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your

requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends

all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in

Christ Jesus.” Phillippians 4:6 (NIV)

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RUNFORGOD.COM12 SPRING 2015

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13RUNFORGOD.COM SPRING 2015

RUN FOR GOD WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING

NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SPONSORS.

THANK YOU!

2015

Page 14: Run for God - Connect Magazine - Spring 2015

RUNFORGOD.COM14 SPRING 2015

Student Spotlight

ZONE

There are times when God calls us to be strong helpers and supporters in widespread ways.

Run for God had the honor of spotlighting someone who not only extends her help to her

husband, but also to the Run for God ministry she encouraged her husband to lead.

BY TANNA FRIDAY

LEAVING YOUR

Comfort

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15RUNFORGOD.COM SPRING 2015

The LORD God said, “It

is not good for the man to

be alone. I will make a helper

suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18

I DON’T THINK MANY of us women truly embrace

the calling of this passage. Woman, created in the

image of God, was designed to be a helper suitable

to her husband. To some, the term “helper” may

sound inferior, but it is simply because our English

translation does not compare to the Hebrew term.

Instead, reflect upon our Savior carrying His cross

toward Gethsemane. Because of the beatings He

had endured, Simon of Cyrene helps carry His cross

(Mark 15:21).

So when you read this passage, remember “helper”

is not defined as a maid waiting on a master’s

orders. This is not God’s example of help. Instead,

we are called to comfort, show compassion, defend,

encourage, protect and support. We are called to be

like Christ.

Giving Comfort Instead of Seeking It

Knowing about his passion of running and his

calling to serve in a ministry, Wendy encouraged

her husband, Darren, to start a Run for God 5k

Challenge at their church in October 2013. “The

Run for God program was like a big billboard,”

she laughs. “I reminded Darren that he had been

praying for a ministry where he could be useful and

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RUNFORGOD.COM16 SPRING 2015

Student Spotlight

She was the glue that held the class together.”“

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17RUNFORGOD.COM SPRING 2015

share his passion. How could he not

want to be a part of something like

Run for God?”

On March 19, 2014, Darren answered

God’s call to ministry and began a

Run for God ministry at their church,

Christ United Methodist Church in

Chattanooga, Tennessee. With her

encouragement and full support, she

was by his side as his co-leader and

running partner.

Wendy supported Darren with the

administrative responsibilities

including class communications and,

at times, co-leadership. “She was the

glue that held the class together,”

Darren says. “I knew that he didn’t

have the time to do the extras since

he works full-time. He needed my

help,” she joins in.

“There were times I would co-lead

when Darren would have to work

late,” she says. “At first, I didn’t feel

comfortable with public speaking, but

I gave it to God and he took control of

it.” Explaining her responsibilities of

co-leading when her husband needed

her. Throughout our conversation, her

radiant spirit reflected that God was

in control. In fact, the Christ United

Methodist Run for God graduate class

can attest to this, as well. Under the

instruction of her husband, Wendy,

along with thirty-eight students,

trained for 12 weeks for the 5k

training program. They celebrated

and completed their graduation race

at Run for God’s JFest 5k in East

Ridge, Tennessee, on June 20, 2014.

“Darren was running around taking

pictures and encouraging everyone to keep moving. It

was wonderful,” she explains. “Throughout the race,

I was trying to catch up with people I knew.”

When asked how Run for God influenced Wendy

personally, “Well, I had a great instructor number

one. I love my husband,” she says, with a smile.

“The rewards with Run for God were having the

opportunity to help my husband and to be a part

of something bigger than myself,” she explains.

“In addition, it not only made me more active, but

also enriched our marriage and made us closer

as a family.” Wendy adds that her 9-year-old son,

Benjamin, has enjoyed running alongside her and

Darren, throughout the class. “He would join us on

the track when we had our group workout,” she

shares. “It was truly a proud moment for me to

see him enjoy the sport of running and

accomplish something.”

A Shrinking Comfort Zone

Not only was public speaking out of Wendy’s comfort

zone, but also running. Before Run for God, Wendy

had not run. “I loved when Run for God released the

Move Out of Your Comfort Zone t-shirt,” she says. “I

have been saying this all along.”

“I was a co-leader and a student,” she says. “When

we were training, I wanted to experience it all so I

could be the encourager and help motivate others.”

Although these points were out of her comfort zone,

Wendy discovered that she needed to minister to the

students in Run for God like God, her Help, ministers

to her.

“I knew that if I were going to do this, I would have to

be fully committed to support everyone,” she says.

“Even when it’s raining.” But what Wendy gained

from this experience was much more, including

creating deep friendships.

“God knows where we feel deficient,” she explains.

“Run for God really turned it into a blessing.”

PICK UP YOURCOMFORT ZONE SHIRT

TODAY!

RUNFORGOD.COM

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RUNFORGOD.COM18 SPRING 2015

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19RUNFORGOD.COM SPRING 2015

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RUNFORGOD.COM20

SSTICKYNOTES

SPRING 2015

3 Tips To Get You OutdoorsWhen the snow begins to thaw and temps begin to rise, many of us head outdoors and hit the

open roads for some fresh spring air. There is nothing more refreshing or invigorating than

training in the springtime, but there are a few things to consider to keep your running as

enjoyable as possible.

Spring Has Sprung – Come Out and Run!

UNPLUG

Even though Rocky’s theme

song may help you have

your rockstar run, it is not

safe when running outside. It

is important to be aware of

what is around you including

a car, person, or animals

coming your way. You can still

listen to your music, just put it

on speakerphone.

BUTTER UP BUTTERCUP

Don’t forget the sunscreen.

The sun is shining bright and

although the air feels refreshing

on your skin, the UV rays will still

leave a nasty burn on exposed

skin. Make sure that you apply

sunscreen to exposed areas

such as the back of the neck,

upper back, ears, and nose. It

would be a great idea to use an

SPF lip balm and wear a visor

or hat such as our Run for God

SweatVac Hat.

REMEMBER THE 10% RULE

With this incredible spring

weather, you feel like you can run

like Forrest! Even if you have been

running indoors on the treadmill

during the winter months, please

remember to follow the 10%

rule: don’t increase your weekly

mileage by more than 10% from

the previous week. Building

up your mileage gradually

prevents injuries.

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21SPRING 2015

GGEAR &

GADGETS

TAKING INVENTORY: When to Replace Your Running Shoes

SPRING HAS FINALLY ARRIVED! After taking a few months off from running, it

is easy to forget how old or worn out your running shoes are. Do you know the

last time you replaced your shoes? If your memory is fading, it may be time to

purchase some new treads.

A general rule is 400 miles, but Andrew Dorn, manager of Front Runner

Athletics in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is more concerned with how you wear

your shoes. “If you run mostly on roads, your shoes will have a much shorter

life than if you spend time on the treadmill,” says Dorn. “Keeping a running

log, making note of the date you started wearing your shoes, then keeping

track of your weekly running mileage, will help you easily calculate your

mileage in your shoes.”

To help figure out if your running shoes need replacement, Front Runner

Athletics provides some helpful tips to determine when it’s time to part

ways with our worn out trainers:

Midsole Wear

For most running shoes the midsole is the first part of the shoe to wear out.

This layer provides the cushioning and support for the shoe. Over time, the

foam material loses its shock absorption as when the shoe was new.

What to Look for:

If there are distinctive compression

lines or wrinkles along the midsole,

this is an indicator that the shoe has

lost its cushioning.

Test: Hold the shoe upside down and

press with your thumb on the outer

sole towards the midsole. If there is

little or no compression, this is an

indicator that it is time to replace

your shoes.

Worn Treads

Another place Front Runner Athletics

suggests to check for wear is on the

bottom of the shoe, or the outer sole.

As Dorn mentioned previously, this

part of the shoe tends to wear down

faster for those running on roads than

for those running on the treadmill.

What to Look for:

Worn treads can be seen visibly by

looking at the bottom of the shoe

in the heel and forefoot areas. Look

closely for areas where the rubber

treads have been worn smooth.

Test: Place the shoe on a flat surface.

If the shoe is leaning excessively on

one side, it is worn out and needs to

be replaced.

Andrew Dorn, Manager, Front Runner Athletics

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Instructor Spotlight

22 SPRING 2015 RUNFORGOD.COM

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GodLEADS

WHEN

The summer after Darren and Wendy

Lewis were married, Darren prayed for

God to lead him to a ministry. He would

ask God for His insight, and Darren

would remind Him of his heartfelt

desire to serve. And with that, he set

off on this journey of letting God be God and discovering

the Run for God ministry.

In Romans 8 there is a beautiful verse that we rattle

off and say so frequently, we often forget its profound

meaning. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all

things God works for the good of those who love Him, who

have been called according to His purpose.”

The Run for God program kept appearing to

us like a big billboard.”

-Darrin Lewis, Run for God Instructor

“BY TANNA FRIDAY

23RUNFORGOD.COM SPRING 2015

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RUNFORGOD.COM24 SPRING 2015

Instructor Spotlight

God had plans for Darren, though he could not see it at the time. “It took a

while. The Run for God program kept appearing to us like a big billboard,” his

wife Wendy shares. “He was made to do this type of thing. He loves running

and loves God.”

Darren also knew that as a result of attending Run for God’s Instructor Summit

in 2013, a weekend of fellowship and training, he had come away awestruck by

the character and nature of God, with the realization that God was paving

a way.

Five months later, Darren answered God’s call and began a Run for God

ministry at their church, Christ United Methodist Church in Chattanooga,

Tennessee. With her encouragement and full support, his wife Wendy

accompanied him as his co-leader and new running partner. To their surprise,

the first class consisted of over 100 students who were laced up and ready

to run. “If we can help just one person, that’s what God wants us to do,” he

shares. “It’s about the quality, not the number.”

If you were

to ask me

if I felt

comfortable

leading a

Bible study, I

would have

thought you

were crazy.”

Darren and Wendy Lewis along with their son, Benjamin.

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25RUNFORGOD.COM SPRING 2015

2 Timothy 2:2 tells us that we are to take what we have

discovered and entrust it to reliable people who will also

be qualified to teach others.

“If you were to ask me if I felt comfortable leading a

Bible study, I would have thought you were crazy,” he

says. “Running, I knew. The Biblical and spiritual side, I

completely turned over to God.” Darren, a seasonal runner,

shares some valuable lessons he has learned, including

some that have been a little more difficult. “I put my

running on the back burner,” he says. “What I’ve learned

from this journey is that you need to set your own personal

agendas aside and let God lead you wherever He wants

you to go. Letting go was the hardest lesson.”

Darren still made time to run before class and, more

importantly, have prayer time in order for God to prepare

his heart and lesson for class. “What I’ve learned is how

to minister to those in need. If we can help just one person,

that is what God wants us to do,” he shares. “God has

restored lives, repaired marriages, and provided

church homes.”

Built on the Run for God 5k Challenge study, Christ United

Methodist Run for God instructors typically structure their

classes with a 30-minute Run for

God Bible study lesson, a 30-minute

running topic, a 30-40 minute group

training at the church’s track, and

finish with a prayer circle. “We have

our children train with us on the track

each week,” he shares. “It’s very

rewarding to see a difference that

this program has made in the lives of

everyone who has participated.”

38 participants trained and completed

the 12-week challenge, graduating

at the Run for God – JFest 5k race on

June 20, 2014. As each one “ran his

own race,” Darren captured the joys

of each moment in photographs, while

doing what God lead him to do - run

and share God’s love. “Watching each

one of them cross the finish line was

more moving than completing my

first marathon,” he says. “It was like

experiencing the joy of God’s presence.”

The journey did not end once the 38

graduates crossed the finish line.

“Many of our students wanted to

continue to train and continue with

a Bible study,” he continues. “This

ministry has been a journey within

itself. We are going to continue to

grow this thing and want to take

it to the next level.” Christ United

Methodist Church has plans to begin

another Run for God program in

March, 2015.

The Christ United Methodist Run for God class celebrating their Run for God journey.

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RUNFORGOD.COM26 SPRING 2015

COURAGE TO

Start, FAITH TO

FINISH

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27RUNFORGOD.COM SPRING 2015

Faith is such a powerful gift from God, as seen

in Christ’s words to His disciples in Ephesians

2:8-9, “For by grace ye are saved through

faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift

of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.” Faith is

so important to our Christian life that the Bible tells us in

Hebrews 11:6, without it, it is impossible to please God. In

fact, we see how powerful God’s gift of faith is in Matthew

17:14-20, when Christ tells his disciples their attempts

were unsuccessful “because you have so little faith. I tell

you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed,

you can say to this mountain, ‘move from here to there’

and it will move; Nothing will be impossible for you.”

We know that this statement about moving mountains

by faith is not to be taken literally, but what is key is the

nature of faith, which is a gift from God. If you have ever

seen a mustard seed, you will know it is one of the tiniest

seeds. What we can draw from this passage is the amount

of faith needed to do mighty things is very small.

So, does the tiniest bit of faith increase and multiply in the

lives of believers to influence those with whom we come

in contact? If you know the story of Dean Stamper and

Wendy Tieck, then you know the answer. You may only

have to look at the picture of Dean and Wendy on the front

page of The Chattanooga Times Free Press to realize that

these two performed extraordinary feats in the face of

unimaginable odds through faith that was, at one time, the

size of a mustard seed.

COURAGE TO

Start, FAITH TO

FINISHMeet Dean

Dean Stamper is a husband, father, friend and an Ironman

finisher who started his journey in 2010 weighing a little

over 300 pounds.

“In 2010, my family and I moved to Dalton, Georgia, and

with God’s divine providence, we found a home next

door to Mitchell Hollis,” says Stamper. “One of the things

my wife and I love about the South is folks’ openness

A story of how God used three friendships and one seed of faith

to give two ordinary people the courage to start the Run for God

5k program and the faith to complete an Ironman.

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RUNFORGOD.COM28 SPRING 2015

to discuss their faith with others.

Mitchell is no different.”

While getting to know Hollis and his

family, Dean learned about the Run

for God ministry that Mitchell and

his wife, Holly, started at Grove Level

Baptist Church. “Up to this point, I

had never been a runner,” he says. “At that time, I tipped

the scales at 308 pounds and knew I had to make a

change in my life.” Stamper made the decision to make

some changes and joined the Run for God 5k Challenge

along with his son, Andrew. Just 12 weeks later, both

he and his son graduated in the 2010 Dalton 5k in

Dalton, GA.

“Throughout the challenge, I remained faithful to the

program, trusted God when it became difficult, and listened

to my body tell me what it could endure,” Stamper says. “I fell

into some pitfalls that first-time runners do; thinking that you

could eat whatever you wanted since you’re exercising, but

I quickly corrected my problems,” he continues. “Through it

all, God never failed me.”

Stamper moved up to the next challenge, a 10k (6.2 mile)

distance while his son joined the Run for God Junior

Triathlon team. “Through the entire journey, my relationship

with God, my son and the rest of my family grew stronger

with each step,” Stamper says. After completing his 10k

goal, he started incorporating swimming into his training

to prepare for his next goal, an adult sprint triathlon. He,

once again, was able to physically be a part of a race with

his son at the Run for God Dalton Parks Triathlon. “After

completing my first adult sprint triathlon, I thought I was at

the end of my journey when it actually turned out to be a new

beginning,” Stamper says. “I think all of our lives have those

pivotal moments in them. Mine occurred on Saturday, July

21, 2012.”

…I think all of our lives have those pivotal moments in them. Mine occurred on Saturday, July 21, 2012.”“

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29RUNFORGOD.COM SPRING 2015

Meet Wendy

Wendy Tieck is a wife, friend, and an Ironman finisher

who started her journey in 2011 weighing a little over

240 pounds.

Wendy, along with Dean’s wife Alissa, journeyed

together in the Run for God 5k Challenge and graduated

12-weeks later at the Run for God - Run at the Mill 5k

the following April.

“After I completed the 5k, I thought 3.1 miles would be

the farthest distance I would ever run. Then, my cousin

asked me to run in the 2012 Disney Princess Half,” Tieck

says. “The thought of running 13.1 miles terrified me,

especially since Disney had strict pace requirements

and I am super slow! Once I saw that there was a tiara

shaped medal, I bit the bullet and signed up for my first

endurance race,” Tieck continues.

“Looking back at the Disney half marathon, I have to

shake my head at how afraid I was of completing 13.1

miles,” she says. “I was so worried throughout my run

and so afraid of not finishing in

time that I didn’t stop to take any

pictures along the way.” It turned

out that after all of the doubt, Tieck

had nothing to worry about. She

completed the race with over an

hour to spare. “I learned a valuable

lesson after completing my first

endurance run, ‘never put limits on

myself’,” she says.

The Day a Mustard Seed

Was Born

One evening, Dean, Wendy, and

Mitchell were sitting around after

dinner discussing the next Run

for God Triathlon. “The subject

quickly shifted to ‘What’s next?’ in

our improbable athletic journey,”

Dean says. “Fully looking forward to

retirement at the time, I told Mitchell

that I would probably run some 5k

races and participate in the annual

Run for God Dalton Parks Triathlon.”

Who knew the next question

Mitchell would ask would change

the course of Dean and Wendy’s

journey? “He asked us what we

thought of signing up for a half

ironman distance triathlon,” he

continues. “Both Wendy and I

laughed aloud at the thought.” Once

Dean and Wendy realized Hollis was

serious, they stopped laughing and

listened to Hollis’ challenge.

“He promised us both if we would

commit, he would make it his

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RUNFORGOD.COM30 SPRING 2015

personal mission to get Wendy and

me to the finish line at the 2013

Ironman Florida 70.3,” he says. “I

liked the idea of the finish line, but

knew that up until that day, my

longest distance included 6.2 miles,

so for me, the thought of swimming,

biking and running an additional

64.1 miles longer hurt my head.”

Before making any quick decisions,

Dean and Wendy both agreed to

look at their performance from the

upcoming sprint triathlon before

making any decisions. “Being the

impatient one that I am, I decided

that if it was meant to be, I did

not want my performance in the

upcoming triathlon to get in the

way of my destiny,” Dean says.

“I went online that evening,

registered and forwarded my

registration to Wendy along with a

Run for God motivation photo and

quote by John Bingham that read,

‘The miracle isn’t that I finished.

The miracle is that I had the

courage to start.’ Wendy registered

shortly after.”

Hollis kept his word and trained both

Stamper and Tieck to the finish line

of the 2013 Ironman Florida 70.3.

“Mitchell trained us so well that five

months before the actual race, we

completed what we affectionately

refer to now as the ‘Dean & Wendy

Half Ironman’,” he continues.

When the actual race day approached, Dean and Wendy

had the training and confidence to finish the race. “Boy

did we need every bit of that training,” Dean adds. Both

explained the differences in temperatures that the two had

been training in the last months. “The temperatures were

in the 90’s with humidity at 93%,” he continues. “There was

definitely a change in temperature compared the comforts we

were accustomed to training in North Georgia,” Wendy says.

There were definitely some challenges at the beginning,

but nothing that God hadn’t already had in His plans.

“A little before 8 pm the night before the race, my son

Alex had his finger inadvertently smashed in the door of

our camper,” Dean explains. “The entire tip needed to

be surgically put back into place.” Needless to say, Dean

lost many hours of sleep tending to his son, but returned

just a few hours before the race began. “I’m pretty sure

I fell asleep a couple of times during the swim,” he

adds, “but that was probably a good thing since it kept

me from thinking of the alligators the race crew scared

away just before the race.”

“Staying faithful in my ability to do all things through

Christ, the miles ticked away slowly but surely,” he

says, “but Wendy and I worked our way to the finish

line.” When they both reached the finish line, Dean and

Wendy’s faith grew and they saw how far God had

led them.

An Open Door

Two moths later, Hollis gave them a bigger challenge:

complete an Ironman triathlon. Arguably the world’s most

grueling endurance race, the Ironman consists of a 2.4-mile

swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and a marathon 26.2-mile run

with no break.

Wendy found herself laughing and saying those words,

“I can’t.” “I’m sure there are tougher things that people

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31RUNFORGOD.COM SPRING 2015

have done, but at 240 pounds, the thought of swimming

2.4 miles, biking 112 miles, and running 26.2 miles

within an allotted time seemed impossible. Completely

impossible!” Tieck says. Hollis did not get the immediate

response he expected, but a seed was planted.

Wendy shares that many times throughout her half

Ironman training people would ask her if she would ever

consider completing a full Ironman. Her answer was

immediately, “Never!” She shares that after reading

Scott Rigsby’s book, Unthinkable, she felt conflicted.

“As inspiring of a story as it is, I actually had even a less

desire to do an Ironman,” she shares, “after reading that

he breaks his back in Idaho, gets kicked in the face during

the Kona swim, bikes through the wind and blistering

heat, and falls during the run.”

Scott Rigsby, whose legs were amputated after an

18-wheeler collided with a truck he was riding in at the

age of 18, prays that God would open doors for him. He

started running triathlons and became the first double

amputee to finish Hawaii’s Ironman.

Even though Wendy felt a conflict within, she knew deep

down that God was nudging her to do the impossible.

On July 30, 2013, Wendy sent out an email to her

devoted friends, Dean and Mitchell that summarized her

decision. “I want to explain myself a little bit to the two

of you,” she said. “You’ve been there every step of the

way, from my initial 5k to my half Ironman, and without

either of you, I would still be sitting on the couch. I want

you both to know why I am going to do a full Ironman.”

As you can imagine, we were all captured by the words

of her email. So going back to the initial question “Does

the tiniest bit of faith increase and multiply in the lives of

believers to influence those around us?” You bet!

Wendy continues explaining to

her friends that after seeing Scott

Rigsby speak at Grove Level Baptist

Church that she and God had many

conversations when she tried every

excuse in the book to convince God

of why she shouldn’t complete an

Ironman. Wendy shares some of

her battle:

Wendy: “I don’t want to do an Ironman.

There’s no way I can finish in time. I’ll go

through all that training, and they’ll take

me off the course. Besides, there is no

reason for me to complete one.”

God: “It’s my story, not yours. Don’t

worry about the how or the why, just

run through the door.”

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RUNFORGOD.COM32 SPRING 2015

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33RUNFORGOD.COM SPRING 2015

Wendy: “My story isn’t the same a

Scott’s. He has no legs. A man with no

legs doing an Ironman is impressive.

There’s nothing newsworthy about

me completing an Ironman.”

On July 30th, 2014, Wendy asked for

the support of her friends, including

Mitchell. “Whether I like it or not, I’m

all in! Let’s do this! If you can show

me the “how,” maybe one day God

will let us in on the why,” she says.

“After reading her email and after

wiping away some of the mist that

was welling up in my eyes, I knew I

couldn’t let the folks down who were

counting on me,” Dean shares, “and

I knew I couldn’t quit now on all who

had helped God get me this far.”

All three, Dean, Wendy and Mitchell,

were able to register together for

Ironman Chattanooga, May 2014.

“There were many friends and fellow

triathletes that were shut out of

the registration process,” he adds.

“The race sold out in minutes, but

miraculously, Wendy, Mitchell and

I all got in.”

Nothing is Impossible

Now that Dean and Wendy made the

commitment, the next step was to train

and keep their eye on the goal. “Training

for the full was slow and arduous for me,” Dean shares. “While

I had the motivation to sign up, my motivation to stick to a

training schedule was fading.” He shares that his workouts

became sporadic and that discouragement began to creep into

his training.

In early January 2014, Dean was sent to the ER with

pancreatitis caused by a gall stone attack, which left him

hospitalized for eight days following the removal of his

gallbladder. “The damage caused to my pancreas left me

an insulin-dependent diabetic,” he shares. “I knew that my

Ironman journey had come to an end, but I also knew

I could at least support my friends throughout

their journey.”

Dean was six weeks from being cleared from his surgery

and when he was able to regulate his blood sugar, he lost an

alarming 30 pounds in three weeks. Dean began to ask if this

was part of God’s plan all along.

Meanwhile, Wendy pushed her limits while looking towards

the goal. “The hardest part for me was the naysayers,” Wendy

shares. “I would tell people that I was training for an Ironman

and get a negative response. It’s almost like they thought if

they couldn’t complete an Ironman, then there is no way this fat

chick can do one.” Wendy definitely didn’t let the naysayers hold

her back. “It made me more determined to prove them wrong,”

she adds. “I would use their comments to fuel my training.”

Mitchell and Wendy decided to seek professional coaching

through the team at HUB Endurance, owned by Andy Sweet.

Dean sought Sweet’s professional opinion regarding

whether or not he would be able to complete that level of

training based on his physical abilities. “Andy told me that it

takes the body a while to forget the level of fitness we achieved

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RUNFORGOD.COM34 SPRING 2015

training for the previous half Ironman,” he says. “He assured

me that if I committed to the plan, I would finish the race.”

This was all the confirmation Dean needed. Dean repeated

his original mantra, “courage to start, faith to finish,” and

recommitted to the path that God paved.

“I’m not going to pretend it was an easy journey,” Wendy

shares. “It had highs and lows, including the additional

mileage to the Ironman course.” The Ironman distance

for biking is 112 miles, but Ironman Chattanooga added

an additional 4 miles to their bike route due to a permit

status. This adjustment totaling the new course distance

at 144.6 compared to standard length course of 140.6

miles. “It was beginning to look more and more impossible

by the day,” Dean says. “But in my moments of clarity,

God provided me with the wisdom to understand that I

shouldn’t worry about the things I couldn’t control.”

Day by day, event-by-event, both Dean and Wendy

continued to build strength and endurance through

training and grow in their faith. Then another setback

occurred, a wreck. “Dean and I were biking on the

course a month before the race and a truck pulled out

in front of me causing me to wreck,” Wendy says. “I

suffered a horrible road rash, a concussion, and a broken

rib that took me out of peak training time.” Wendy’s

rib injury did not have time to heal before the race. “I

remember thinking, this is impossible! But not with

God!” she continues.

The finish line was fantastic, but the journey was

even better. It’s amazing the work God can do

– changing couch potatoes into Ironmen and

Ironwomen if you only have the courage to start

and faith to finish.”

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35RUNFORGOD.COM SPRING 2015

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are

possible.” Matthew 19:26

Wendy, now beaten and battered from a hard fall, heard

people all around her encouraging her to quit her training,

but she knew this was not her story. A week and a half

later, she was ready with two able arms, legs and a sharp

mind. Oddly enough, the fact that her rib was not fully

healed kept her going strong. Wendy shares that she

received a 5k PR (personal record) during the Run for God

Pinky 5k. “I believe my broken rib fired me up,” she laughs.

What Dean and Wendy believed was impossible was

possible and part of God’s plan. When race day arrived,

God took care of all the worrisome details that were

beyond their control including the weather, rest, and swim

current. “We couldn’t have scripted a better ending,”

Wendy says, “only God could have written something so

perfect.” Dean explains that even though he experienced

difficulty during the marathon, he was able to catch up

to Wendy. “Once I saw Wendy’s mom, she told me that

Wendy was up ahead,” he says. “I pushed myself to go

faster and caught up with Wendy about a mile before the

finish line.”

Once Dean and Wendy caught up with each other they

had a lot to discuss, including how they were going to

cross the finish line. “We didn’t want to steal each other’s

moment crossing the finish line together,” Wendy says.

“We decided to finish at the same time.”

“We could hear the crowds cheering in the distance and

we kept a steady pace across Walnut Street Bridge and

into the Downtown Chattanooga finisher’s chute,” Dean

shares. “The atmosphere was electric. I don’t think I’ve

ever experienced anything like it in my entire life.”

“I know that if I can do an Ironman, anyone can – but you

have to have a reason,” she shares. “I felt God wanted me

to.” Wendy recalls the message she sent Dean and Mitchell

about not knowing “why” God wanted her to complete an

Ironman. “Maybe God’s ‘why’ was

so that Dean would have something

pushing him after his surgery or

maybe it was so Dean and I could

complete the Ironman together and

show that we did it with and for God.”

Whatever the reason, the finisher

photo has a few words of its own.

It illustrates two individuals who

performed extraordinary feats who

had faith, which was, at one time,

only the size of a mustard seed.

“The finish line was fantastic,”

Dean shares, “but the journey was

even better. It’s amazing the work

God can do – changing couch potatoes

into Ironmen and Ironwomen if you

only have the courage to start and

faith to finish.”

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RUNFORGOD.COM36 SPRING 2015

Rock’nRUNYO

UR

ROCK CLIMBING CAN BE A GREAT SUPPLEMENT FOR ADDING OVERALL STRENGTH TO

YOUR RUNNING REGIMEN.

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37RUNFORGOD.COM SPRING 2015

Training in various activities that develop the

aerobic system or build strength can provide

a break from the “same old, same old” while

still moving towards your goal. There are so

many healthy options to cross training, such as cycling,

elliptical, swimming and walking, but did you know that

rock climbing, both indoor and outdoor, build mental and

physical strength?

Run for God had the chance to speak with two highly

accomplished professional rock climbers, Wills Young and

Lisa Rands, who not only are husband and wife, but also

run the climbing school at High Point Climbing School and

Fitness Gym in Chattanooga. Both Rands and Young share a

few background facts about the origin of rock climbing, clear

one common misconception for beginners, and provide a list

of healthy benefits that this sport offers for runners as an

option for cross training.

“Rock climbing,” Young explained, “began in England as

a means of exploring the world.” Young, who was born in

England, shared that climbing became a leisure time for

the wealthy to explore, but as mountains became more

challenging, people needed the skills to know how to reach

the peaks. As exploration continued in the US, people

eventually learned free climbing, without aids, instead using

their muscle power to climb. Today there are three popular

types of climbing – sport climbing, traditional climbing

and bouldering.

Bouldering, a sport Rands is known for, is a form of rock

climbing performed without the use of ropes. Most climbers

use climbing shoes to help secure the footholds, chalk to keep

their hands dry, and bouldering mats to prevent injuries

from falls. “Every climb unfolds a different way, “Rands

shares. “That’s why it’s called boulder

problems.” Boulder problems are

the path the climber must take to

complete the climb.

Today, indoor climbing facilities

provide a controlled, supervised

environment that mimic the outdoor

rock climbing experience where

Rock climbing offers a fun cross training program beyond just pushing weights.”

- Wills Young, Highpoint Climbing and Fitness“

Outdoor climbing walls at High Point provide a challenge for all levels of climbers while taking in the view of downtown Chattanooga.

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RUNFORGOD.COM38 SPRING 2015

climbers of all ages can learn the

skills and techniques to improve

their fitness goals. “A rock climbing

wall is a modular designed with

climbing holds that are attached to

the surface,” Young explains. “The

holds can be changed around to make the problems more

difficult for climbers.”

Before you begin rock climbing indoors or outdoors,

it is important to learn the necessary climbing safety

skills from a qualified rock-climbing instructor. Before

beginning a climb, a climber is secured with a safety

harness to a climbing rope, which then travels to the

second person on the ground called the belayer. The

belay ensures the safety of the climber by controlling

the tension of the rope; giving or taking, as the climber

ascend to the top of the wall.

“Rock climbing offers a fun cross-training program

beyond just pushing weights,” Rands says. “There’s

mental engagement.” Rands, American rock climber,

The problem solving

involved in rock climbing

definitely compliments the

mental aspects of running.”- Lisa Rands, Highpoint Climbing and Fitness

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39RUNFORGOD.COM SPRING 2015

chooses running as a means of cross training to climbing.

“The problem solving involved in rock climbing definitely

compliments the mental aspects of running,” Rand

shares.” It really is a fun way to push your body.”

Contrary to what many beginners may believe, climbing

requires more than just upper body strength. “There’s

a misconception with beginners that climbing requires

upper body strength,” Rands says. “You will learn to

engage your entire body to climb.”

Rands mentioned the benefits of problem solving that

rock climbing demands, and like running, you will learn

mental control along with your improved climbing skills.

Additionally, Rands shares other healthy benefits

to climbing:

BUILDS STRENGTH – Rock climbing uses all of the body’s

major muscle groups and if you regularly use climbing as a

means of strength training, it will continue to improve your

upper body strength, core muscles, and legs.

“Bouldering has definitely made my legs stay strong,”

Rands shares. “I can tell a difference in my

downhill running.”

FLEXIBILITY – Rock climbing increases your body’s

range of motion.

IMPROVES COORDINATION – Rock climbing requires

coordination between mind and muscles for problem

solving challenges. With every climb, a problem solving

challenge awaits. It is up to you to solve the problem and

continue without falling.

“Climbing helps with coordination, which is especially

good for trail runners who want to keep up speed without

falling,” Rands says.

“For people looking for a healthy alternative for fitness, I

think climbing is a perfect fit,” Rands says. “Climbing to

me is a great challenge to push through the uncertainty,

while maintaining the focus, along with camaraderie

with partners I trust!”.

Wills Young and Lisa Rands belaying climbing students at High Point Climbing and Fitness, in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Page 40: Run for God - Connect Magazine - Spring 2015

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Page 41: Run for God - Connect Magazine - Spring 2015

41RUNFORGOD.COM SPRING 2015

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HIS COLLEAGUES DESCRIBE him as a man of deep faith, someone who is

dedicated, and devoted to Run for God. Mitchell Hollis calls him an advisor, a

mentor, and “the one who first said Run for God was going to be something

big.” Although David Hendrix does not have a formal title, he is admired and

appreciated by many, but more importantly, he loves God and has a desire to

serve, which he believes is his calling.

Hendrix will tell you, firsthand, that he is thrilled to serve behind the scenes,

helping others, rather than standing in the spotlight. “I believe God called me

to enable others,” he says. “And when I am working for Run for God, I don’t

really consider it work. It is just awesome to see God work.”

Performing tasks behind the scenes along with encouraging others is what

Hendrix enjoys most. There are many projects he completes including setting

up the finish line structure, taking inventory, preparing equipment, and other

functions that may be required by the Run for God team. “It’s not Run for God

ministry that excites me, it’s seeing God move,” he says. “Mitchell is following

God and God is leading this ministry.”

Hendrix shares how God has been

in this ministry from the beginning.

“These days people do things by

their own effort and they fail,”

Hendrix says. “It’s a thrill to witness

people like Mitchell do things when

they spend time following God. It’s a

fact, God’s leadership is going

to prevail.”

David Hendrix has been with Run

for God since it began in 2010 at

Grove Level Baptist Church. “I

was there from the beginning and

knew God had His hand on this

ministry,” he says. Hendrix retired

in 2012 from Grove Level Baptist

Church after serving 31 faithful

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years as the Associate Pastor/

Minister of Music. “I remember

when Mitchell shared that God

called him to the Run for God

ministry,” Hendrix says. “I knew

that God was going to help him

because this was totally out of

Mitchell’s comfort zone. He was in

construction for heaven’s sake.”

“My role began helping Mitchell get

things done at the church,” he says. “I

am no longer involved in the intimate

details like I was in the beginning.

Mitchell has a lot of things going on,

now that the ministry has grown, but

whenever I see his number on my cell,

I know it’s priority, and I am on it. I

want to make God and Mitchell proud

of everything I do.”

Hendrix was a part of the first Run

for God 5k class at Grove level Baptist

Church and shares how Run for God

has influenced his life. “Run for God

to me is deeper than being in shape,”

“Nothing can be compared to the thrill of serving God, of truly

being used by Him to make an eternal difference in the lives of

people and advancing His purpose in the world.” -Bill Hybels

WOULD YOU

LIKE TOVOLUNTEER?We could use your help! Help us

make race day easier and safer for

our runners by offering your time in

one of our volunteer spots!

Please contact customerservice@

runforgod.com for upcoming

volunteer opertunities!

Hendrix says. “If I had to give you a

golden drop of everything in

my life, Run for God has given

me perseverance.”

“I have learned that pain is

necessary, not fun emotionally

or physically, but the rewards are

greater when you persevere.”

“Before Run for God, I sold myself

short,” he says. “When I reached

mile 8 while running my first half

marathon, I thought I was going to

die, but I persevered through it.”

“The big question I asked myself was

how many things have I quit because

of pain? I knew I couldn’t do anything

about those things in the past, but I

could do something about tomorrow –

persevere to the end,” he says. “It all

comes down to this: It’s bigger than

physical, it’s emotion. It’s a spiritual

experience to run. You apply what you

learn in Run for God to life.”

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RUNFORGOD.COM44 SPRING 2015

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!

FINDING GOD IN A RUNNER’S SPACE

52-Week Study • 464 Page Hardback

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45RUNFORGOD.COM SPRING 2015

Why DEVOTIONS?

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 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.

What is a Virtual Race?

SIGN UP TODAY AT RUNFORGOD.COM

THIS IS YOUR RACE, ON YOUR OWN TIME IN YOUR OWN TOWN.

Page 46: Run for God - Connect Magazine - Spring 2015

START SOMETHING TODAY.

RUNFORGOD.COM

IT ALL STARTED WITH A

SHIRT.