Runners are crazy people. I've heard it said before, but I'm actually starting to believe it's true. We create mantras to get us through the rough runs. We run at all hours of the day and night and in all kinds of weather with strange fanny packs attached to our fronts and backs. We care about things that no one else even thinks about like how foot turnover and arm rotations affect speed.
I guess I never really thought of myself as a runner. Then I saw this quote by Amby Burfoot, Runner's World Editor,
" A runner is someone who runs. It's that simple — and that grand. Be that someone. Be yourself."
And it changed the way I viewed myself. Instead of thinking of myself as someone who runs, I started to think of myself as a runner. It became a part of me. And over time, the perception I had of myself as a runner has also changed.
Recently, I was dogging it out on a hot afternoon, and I employed a tactic I use often to complete my runs: visualization.
I began to pep talk myself into not only finishing, but finishing strong. Then came the visualization. The thought process goes something like this:
"Ca'mon (insert your last name here)! You can do it. Finish strong! You got this!"
(Slap thighs with both hands) "Ca'mon legs! Don't fail me now!"
Positive reinforcement: "I am killin it...KILLIN IT!"
and then I visualize myself as some enormous, intimidating, pavement-devouring beast, teeth bared- galloping through the streets of my city- decimating roads and sidewalks and costing the city thousands of dollars in repair. The pavement is no match for me!
Visualization.
Yes- I am a runner.
I'm one of those crazy people.
But there's something to be said for how we view ourselves on the inside and what it does to the way we act on the outside. I am not just a runner- I am a Christian, and Galatians 2:20 speaks specifically to who we are on the inside if we call ourselves "Christians." It says," I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Call me crazy, but if I read that right, it says that the person on the inside isn't me anymore- it's Christ. Think about that for a second....
That means He took all my insecurities, doubts, fears, failures, and replaced them with His all consuming Holy-self! What a trade! And the life I live in the flesh, the crazy me you see running up and down the streets in my town, visualizing, the person living that life- is living by FAITH in the Son of God. That means, I'm putting all my trust and belief in Him. I'm not banking on my crazy-runner-self. I'm banking on Him. He's a sure bet
Because
He LOVED me (still does)
and
GAVE HIMSELF....for me.
Amazing.
It also means that I can do all things through Christ who lives on the inside of me. (Philippians 4:13)
Do you have any idea what He is capable of?
Are you ready to find out?
It's time to unleash the beast.
I guess I never really thought of myself as a runner. Then I saw this quote by Amby Burfoot, Runner's World Editor,
" A runner is someone who runs. It's that simple — and that grand. Be that someone. Be yourself."
And it changed the way I viewed myself. Instead of thinking of myself as someone who runs, I started to think of myself as a runner. It became a part of me. And over time, the perception I had of myself as a runner has also changed.
Recently, I was dogging it out on a hot afternoon, and I employed a tactic I use often to complete my runs: visualization.
I began to pep talk myself into not only finishing, but finishing strong. Then came the visualization. The thought process goes something like this:
"Ca'mon (insert your last name here)! You can do it. Finish strong! You got this!"
(Slap thighs with both hands) "Ca'mon legs! Don't fail me now!"
Positive reinforcement: "I am killin it...KILLIN IT!"
and then I visualize myself as some enormous, intimidating, pavement-devouring beast, teeth bared- galloping through the streets of my city- decimating roads and sidewalks and costing the city thousands of dollars in repair. The pavement is no match for me!
Visualization.
Yes- I am a runner.
I'm one of those crazy people.
But there's something to be said for how we view ourselves on the inside and what it does to the way we act on the outside. I am not just a runner- I am a Christian, and Galatians 2:20 speaks specifically to who we are on the inside if we call ourselves "Christians." It says," I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Call me crazy, but if I read that right, it says that the person on the inside isn't me anymore- it's Christ. Think about that for a second....
That means He took all my insecurities, doubts, fears, failures, and replaced them with His all consuming Holy-self! What a trade! And the life I live in the flesh, the crazy me you see running up and down the streets in my town, visualizing, the person living that life- is living by FAITH in the Son of God. That means, I'm putting all my trust and belief in Him. I'm not banking on my crazy-runner-self. I'm banking on Him. He's a sure bet
Because
He LOVED me (still does)
and
GAVE HIMSELF....for me.
Amazing.
It also means that I can do all things through Christ who lives on the inside of me. (Philippians 4:13)
Do you have any idea what He is capable of?
Are you ready to find out?
It's time to unleash the beast.