Training Week 9: Purpose in Every Step

Hope you're all having a fine Labor Day weekend!

I'm sharing this Training Week 9 update with the Fit Dish and Faith & Fitness link-ups. Week 9?! Only three more weeks until race day... and the end of September. I hope Fall sticks around for a while. It seems so short while winter seems so very, very long.

Our verses for this week are from 1 Corinthians 9, where Paul is teaching us about our need for self-discipline.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-27
When I was thinking back to my college tennis days, I noticed that my coach had a purpose for each practice.

Some practices we focused on serving, others volleying, practice matches, ball machine, sprints, timed miles.

You name it. We arrived at the courts and coach had a plan.

My daily tennis-playing days are long gone but the same concept applies to long-distance running. Each day of running has a purpose! Easy, recovery, long, tempo, speed-work, hill intervals, strength training.

It is possible to run without a purpose, but major growth doesn't happen when you run aimlessly.

When I first started running marathons, I paid little attention to varying my workouts. I threw on the shoes and headed out the door.

While I did cover the miles, without the speed-work, my speed didn't improve and, without the recovery days, my muscles didn't have time to recover. After my last marathon, I was burnt out!

Since learning to run with purpose, I have felt more motivated to hit the workouts and my running has improved so much compared to the plateau I was on before.

As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, our spiritual growth requires training with purpose, just as athletes train for competition.

Opening your Bible every morning is a great starting block - but what's next ? I want to dig deeper!

Tie up your laces and run your life with purpose to win the eternal prize.

How can we run with purpose in our faith?

  • Study God's Word.
    For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. HEBREWS 4:12
  • Do What God's Word Says.
    Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. JAMES 1:22
  • Live with Integrity.
    Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. PROVERBS 10:9
  • Exercise Self-Discipline.
    For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 TIMOTHY 1:7
  • Love God and Others.
    Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' MATTHEW 22:37-39


.....

Wild Hog 1/2 Training Week 9


8/31 M - Easy: 4 miles with double jogging stroller, 39:54 @ 9:58.

9/1 T - Speed Intervals: 5.5 miles, 45:00. 5x800m speed intervals with 800m easy/jog in between (9:05/mile). 7:30, 7:30, 7:04, 7:04, 6:40
.
9/2 W - Off. Sore throat and no energy today...

9/3 H - Tempo Run: 4 miles, 32:00 @ 8:00/mile avg + Strength Training. Still not feeling very well.

9/4 F - Off. STILL not feeling well!

9/5 Sa - Long Run: 13.75 miles, 2:00:00 @ 8:44/mile avg.

9/6 Su - 4 miles with my sis-in-law!

Total Mileage:  31.25 miles

How do you live with purpose?

Linking up with the Fit Switch, Jill Conyers and Faith & Fitness Friday. #dishthefit  #FridayFaithFitness

Comments

  1. that is a lot of miles for a girl who is not feeling very well! Nice post! A great reminder that a purposeful like is a life worth living! You have to live with purpose in every area, I agree!

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  2. Great thoughts and insights, Amy! I love how you have improved your workouts so you don't have any 'junk miles,' and it's great to hear that you're improving and enjoying it, instead of feeling burned out. Having a purpose makes such a big difference in all we do. Thanks for the reminder! #fitfamlove

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  3. Great post, and great truth too! Popped over from The Fit Dish link up, nice to meet you! Look forward to following along! :)

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  4. Love this Amy. I rarely if ever shadowbox. I lived life with intention and purpose. I love it when I read a post that makes me think. You've done that for me. Much love xoxo

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    Replies
    1. That's awesome, Jill! And thank you for the encouragement :)

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