5k Every Day in the Month of May 2017 (Day 15)
Okay. I’ll admit it. My legs are super tired.
I could really feel it today, but I did my best to suck it up and keep going.
This morning I was awakened by my beautiful bride to run a 5k with her. She rocked it! (I didn’t do so bad, myself.) We ran 3.1 miles in 30 minutes and 55 seconds for an average pace of 9:56 per mile. I am really impressed by her dedication and improvement in such a short period of time.
Following the morning run I started thinking about how important Day 15 is to the “5k Every Day in the Month of May” challenge. Today is not quite the mid-point, but tomorrow tips us OVER the mid-point. As of tomorrow the challenge will be MORE than halfway over.
We can do this!
I’m really impressed by everyone who took up the challenge and has been rocking it. Great job! Yesterday I got a text message from someone who was doing the challenge. The text contained several pictures of bloody hands and knees. One of our faithful participants had a misstep on an uneven sidewalk and fell pretty hard! (I have done that before… falling is not a matter of IF, but a matter of WHEN and HOW HARD.)
She said she did a hobble walk for a few steps (which frustrated her), and then ran home. She finished the run! She said:
“If there’s one thing 5k May is teaching me, it’s to push through the pain! And perhaps even more, it’s teaching me that I CAN push through the pain and discomfort. Before 5k May, this would have been an automatic walk home…”
That’s awesome! What a champ!
With tomorrow being the tipping point for “5k Every Day in the Month of May”, I have been thinking more about finishing strong. I want to go out with a bang!
This whole crazy running thing started with a vow to the LORD to eventually run a marathon… so I thought to myself, “Why not end 5k Every Day in the Month of May with an epic full marathon!?”
One of my running buddies who is participating in this crazy 5k May challenge said he would be willing to do it with me, which is huge! I would love to get my brother to run it with me, so I sent him a text this morning asking him about it. Here is the conversation:
Jeff: Sully and I plan to run an epic 26.2 on May 31. We plan to run the Akron course. I wondered if you want in.
Brian: You guys are nuts.
Jeff: But the real question is, “Are you nuts with us?”
Brian: LOL! The real question is, “Are you in shape to run a marathon and not be down for 2 weeks of training time after because you are too beat up?”
Jeff: Well, that’s kind of why I was hoping you would come along.
Brian: Hahaha! Piggy back?
Jeff: If I made it 20, I believe I can make it 26.2. I just don’t want to go too fast.
Brian: When is the last time you went 20?
Jeff: It’s been a while, but with my double-header runs, I am getting more mileage in the next two weeks. I ran 15 miles last Sunday and felt good.
Brian: I just don’t want to see you set yourself back, that’s all. Also, from what I remember from college, 26.2 > 15.
Jeff: I am more of a fuzzy math kind of guy.
Brian: LOL! I remember!
Jeff: Obviously I don’t want to be set back either, that’s why I am trying to make a good plan for the next couple of weeks.
Brian: Ok… well I guess there’s no talking you out of this really bad idea, so I’m likely in. Really bad.
Jeff: Haha. That’s the spirit!
For the record, he is right. This is a really bad idea. And yes, I am nuts.
Still, I think I can do it.
We’ll see.
To help get the mileage ramped up and to help get me ready for a full 26.2, I am increasing my weekly mileage for the next two weeks and then backing way down (to just 5k’s for the final week. Hopefully that will do the trick to get me ready for May 31.
I am aiming for 70 miles this week and next. Averaging 10 miles per day will do the trick.
So I added another couple of runs to my day today.
I was already planning to meet a running buddy at the Fredericksburg trail head this afternoon for a run, so I figured I may as well just run there!
The run to Fredericksburg ended up being 7.3 miles at an average pace of 7:13 per mile for a total run time of 53 minutes and 6 seconds. Not bad. My third run for the day ended up being a 10k (6.2 miles) at a 7:42 per mile pace for a total run time of 48 minutes and 2 seconds.
Altogether I was able to log 16.7 miles of running today. I would say that is a great start. Now, let’s just keep it up…
The daily Bible reading challenge is also still going strong! Today we ended the Gospel of Mark and began reading the Gospel of Luke. I LOVE the Gospel of Luke! They are all amazing, but the Gospel of Luke is my personal favorite.
I can really resonate with Luke. Like me, he is more of a thinker than a feeler. More sensory than intuitive. He is a thorough, straight-shooting, inquisitive kind of guy.
Luke is my kind of guy!
When Jodi and I served as missionaries overseas in Islamic nations, making friends and sharing the GOSPEL, we always used the Gospel of Luke (in Arabic) to help our friends understand who Jesus is.
For some reason, many Americans resonate with the Gospel of John more deeply (which is great and I am glad!) Personally, I resonate more with the Gospel of Luke, so I am looking forward to the next 8 days of reading 3 chapters per day in the Gospel of Luke.
I should warn anyone who is tracking along with the daily Bible reading challenge… Luke’s Gospel has very LONG chapters. Like I mentioned -he is very thorough.
As much as I love the Gospel of Luke and would love to dive deeper into the first chapter, what stands out to me most from today is obviously the death and resurrection of Jesus from Mark 15-16. I am forever amazed that the King of kings would willingly lay down his life for mine… and yours!!
I love the honest, heart-wrenching words of the centurion in Mark 15:
And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” – Mark 15:39
As we look at the cross of Christ, at his willing sacrifice, can we see as clearly as this centurion? Can we say with conviction, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”?
And once we recognize it, what do we do with it? Do we move along, unfazed? Or do we humbly and fully submit our lives to the temporarily dead, but now forever and fully alive, resurrected Son of God, who alone has the power to save our souls and make us right with God?
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Wow. You are crazy. But, I’ve never seen you make a challenge and not came through with it, but I have no doubt you can do it! (Even though you have a doubting Thomas “brother”) lol!
The daily challenge has been hard for me, but so far I’ve managed to get it done. Sometimes at the last minute grumbling as I push myself out the door. But, they’ve always ended well and making me feel better. I’ve also felt more energized throughout the day while driving that big ole semi 12 hours a day! I plan on continuing the runs after May, not everyday, bit several times a week. I wonder how many pounds your accountable for all of us together losing? Haha
Way to get it done! How many pounds have you personally lost?
I’ve lost 5 pounds!
If you can run an entire year without having to miss a day for injury I think you’ll be able to dominate your marathon. I ran 6.2 today in Fredericksburg and it was 10 times more enjoyable having a buddy to run with than running in the treadmill with a TV that I can’t hear.
I was again amazed at the cruelty Jesus put up with on our behalf. Incredible humility, self restraint, and love!
Haha. It’s always good to have a running buddy! Thanks for the great run, today.
We got both our 3s in yesterday late afternoon then today’s 3s early this morning. It is always difficult for me to read/hear about Jesus’ crucifixion. It was so extremely cruel, and no matter how many times I hear it, it just plain hurts. But it’s also my favorite reading, because I’m reminded what He did for me and how much He loves me. And I always know the resurrection follows! That isn’t just good news–it is fantastic news! He lives!!
I agree. Sometimes I just want to skip over that part, but it’s because of the cross, we’ve been made spotless. (Heh, sounds like a Polen song). It’s difficult to read, but the best is yet to come… He’s Alive!
Amen! It is fantastic news!!
I got my 5k in for the day.
These chapters were interesting on words to me.
First I came across where Jesus was talking to the 2 Mary’s and he said go tell the disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. It was interesting how he said disciples and added Peters name. Was it because Peter denied Jesus? Not sure but was interesting to me.
When he appeared to the two disciples it said he appears in another form. That struck me.
Moving into Luke I love what Mary said in chapter 1:38. Behold I am the servant of the Lord let it be to me according to your word. And the angel departed from her. To say this right after she finds out she is pregnant from a angel. She had to be strong but it’s really cool to see God using people.
I think he called Peter by name for two reasons. (1) He mentioned Peter specifically because of the denial and knew that Peter was taking it hard. (2) He called him “Peter” instead of “Simon” to let him know that he was still the rock upon which the church was to be built. Jesus is very particular about when he calls him “Peter” and when he calls him “Simon”. That would be a fun study to look at…
A marathon? Crazy, but impresssd. Ran this evening and catching up on my reading I am a night behind. I will get caught up.
Don’t get impressed, yet… it hasn’t happened, yet! Way to keep going! You are rocking it!
Randy and I ran together today – woohoo! We went to a flat location ( Dalton trail) and slowed down a little. We ran 3.2 miles in 30:57 with a pace of 9.32. My knee definitely feels better when it’s moving! And it stiffens up real quick when I don’t move 🙁 I think your marathon will definitely be an awesome way to end this past year! I can see you doing that to the glory of God. (But I also love the text conversation where your brother tries to bring you back to common sense!)
I like that we are already in Luke! I just thought it was interesting to read both the death of Jesus (a difficult read) and the announcement of His coming birth on the same day. I also appreciated reading this part (and the rest tomorrow) when it is NOT the Christmas season. I feel like I looked at details a little closer today than when I read it when it is Christmas time and read it with more of those feelings instead of better appreciating his facts. Also, the end of Mark intrigued me when Jesus lists those things that come with belief. That was quite an interesting list and one I wasn’t sure how to take exactly. I haven’t done a single one of those things!
Sounds like a fun run together! I have really enjoyed running with Jodi. I agree with you about the marathon being the perfect way to end “5k Every Day in the Month of May”. Lord, grant me the strength!
I ran 2 x 5k today. One on the way to VR and one home. I was also featured in a world renowned blog about a guy who runs a 5k a day for a year and a month. Incredible day all around!
Haha… you were featured in a world renowned blog?! That’s great! You were featured in this one, too!
I agree… incredible day all around!
I’m not even going to comment on the crazy marathon idea. Barely made it through my 5k early this morning, but it was a beautiful morning. In the Bible reading it is interesting going from Jesus’ death and resurrection to the events surrounding his birth. I’ve been thinking how blessed we are to have Luke’s gospel account. So many amazing details we would have missed out on.
I agree! I love Luke’s attention to detail! Way to keep going on the 5k Every Day in the Month of May challenge!
We got our 5k done in the morning in 23:49 (7:40/mile pace). Something that I liked from the reading for today was the story of the birth of John the Baptist. The backstory with Zechariah being mute for not believing and the miracle of Elizabeth getting pregnant shows how God is so powerful. He can do anything to fulfill His plan.
Good run! So true that God is so powerful and that He can do anything to fulfill His plan. He’s pretty much awesome!
I’ve done this for years, but it’s harder this year – I think life business. But, watching my friend – who’s first year it is, achieve it keeps me motivated! We’ve both made it all 15 days so far!! We can’t always walk together, but always check in on each other.