As Christians we are called to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. If you are anything like me, this is an extremely difficult thing to do. There just never seems to be a good time to broach the subject. To be honest, I am afraid of the awkwardness this discussion might cause.

Running has torn down the awkwardness and created a platform for me to talk freely about my faith. It is my hope that these stories will help draw you closer to our creator – through whom we all have the strength to move mountains.

God has given me a body built for endurance. Over the years, I have run a few races and met many wonderful and interesting people. These posts contain my stories. You do not need to be a runner to relate to these events. We are all running the race of life. We all have our peaks and valleys that we have to climb and descend.

My Family

My Family
My Lovely Wife Christina & Sons: Chase, Cruz, & Dash Dexter

YouTube Video of 2010 McNaughton 200 Mile Trail Run

Friday, May 1, 2009

Letter From My Mom

Last Saturday, I received a letter from my Mom (Barbara Dexter) who lives in Pennsylvania regarding the 150 mile race I ran a couple weeks earlier. I was recently interviewed by Kevin Patrick from Endurance Planet (www.enduranceplanet.com) and referenced this letter, so thought I would include the entire note. Although this is written to me, I think it emodies all of us and the unlimited potential we all have.

Dear Ryan:

When I saw the picture of you at Mile 140, I was overcome with emotion. I could see that it was your mind that was in control – no question. You displayed strong-will, determination, focus- great concentration, and I knew nothing could have stopped you then!

When we cheer that spirit of a true athlete, what we are applauding is the demonstration of courage, tenacity, commitment, alignment with principle and purpose, a demonstration of excellence, honor, respect, and humility. You displayed all of that in that single moment captured on film. But, as all good coaches, CEOs, military commanders, and YOU know, it takes a team effort with a great deal of team spirit to determine the difference between victory and defeat. You had a great team with you. I could tell from your blog that they forced you to go beyond the very real human level of SELFISHNESS to SELFLESSNES! You moved from personal pride to an esteem that is an expression of unconditional love – one that also honors one’s opponents for their dedication to the same lofty principles. Top performers like you, are imbued with the belief that your excellence isn’t a personal accomplishment, but a gift from God, belonging to all mankind as a demonstration of man’s potential. That’s why you were strong and remained so through the event. That gift needs to be respected and defended at all costs. I’m very proud of you, Ryan.

Just as you said, athletes do express gratitude, inner awe, and awareness that their performance wasn’t merely the result of an individual effort – that maximum personal effort brought them to the breakthrough point from which they were than transported by a power greater than that of the himself. Always keep that higher motivation toward excellence because it will give you access to the realm of grace and power.

True athletic power is characterized by grace, sensitivity, inner quite, and paradoxically, gentleness in the noncompetitive lives of even fierce competitors. We celebrate the champion because we recognize that he has overcome personal ambition through sacrifice and dedication to higher principles. A great athlete becomes legendary when he teaches by example. Always set that example for others to follow. It isn’t what you have, or what you do, but what you become that inspires all of mankind, and that’s what we honor in you.

An athlete must hold in his mind the honor of his God, his country, or his sport; the dedication of his performance to someone he loves; or even the sheer joy of maximum effort for the sake of excellence; if he is to be powerfully strong and excel. You did this, and did it well.

You, as an athlete of the highest caliber, have a powerful influence on all of mankind, literally the power to lift the world on your shoulders. The nurturing of excellence and recognition of its value is the responsibility of all men, because the quest for excellence in any area of human endeavor inspires us all toward the actualization of every form of man’s yet unrealized greatness!

Thanks for being you!

With love and respect,
Mom