Strong Enough?

I know that I alone am not strong enough to run 145+ miles in a 24 hour period this weekend. I also know that I alone am not strong enough to do and deal with a lot of what happens to me each and every day. But it is so uplifting to know that I don't need to be.

There is a song by Matthew West that is currently on my playlist (because my loving wife Christina found it) called Strong Enough. The song has a great bible verse in it that I often use a mantra during my long runs: "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13)

I will set a new record at this weekend's race but not because I am an amazing athlete or because I am any different from anyone else. It will be because of God's grace and hopefully it will stand as an example that anything is possible.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

The following are other prayers/verses that I have often though about before, during, and after I have placed a huge challenge or goal in front of me:

DEAR JESUS, help me to spread Thy fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Thy spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Thy presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others. (Mother Teresa)

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind & straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philp.3:13b-14)

Let us run w/ PERSEVERANCE the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus…so that you WILL NOT GROW WEARY & lose heart. (Heb.12:1b)

Be strong & courageous & do the work. Do not be afraid or DISCOURAGED, for the LORD God, my God, IS WITH YOU. HE WILL NOT FAIL YOU or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished. (1Ch.20)

Have I not commanded you? Be STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. Do not be terrified or DISCOURAGED, for the LORD your God WILL BE W/ YOU WHEREVER YOU GO! (John 1:9)

Twitter Link for 24 Hour Race Labor Day Weekend

The following link will take you to the twitter feed that we will be updating from 8 AM Central Saturday, September 3 until 8 AM Central Sunday, September 4 as I attempt to run over 145 miles in 24 hours:

http://twitter.com/dexterpunisher

Again, I will not be attempting this race alone and have a great crew coming to support me each and every 400 meter lap around a high school track in Germantown, Wisconsin (outside of Milwaukee).

The image below was taken at the end of the 24 hour race last year. You can see a lot of my crew in the background - it was a long day for all of us. We will be attempting to run 20 more miles this year in the same amount of time. Please pray for us and send us tweets during the event. My crew leader Demah will pass each and everyone on to me. I will greatly appreciate the extra motivation - especially during the night Saturday.

What's Next Run Wise

I wanted to send a quick update on my next running race.

My next goal is to try and get on the 2012 US National 24 hour Ultrarunning team. The qualifying standard is 135 miles. I am going to attempt this at the Badgerland 24 hour race in Milwaukee, WI September 3rd (Labor Day weekend). I was only able to run 125 miles there last year – but I think 145 miles is doable and that will be the goal to try and secure a spot on the team (there are only 6 spots). I currently have the 12 hour record at this race as well (78.78 miles from back in 2006).

www.badgerlandstriders.org/home/Races/Badgerland24126HourRun.htm

We will again be updating via Twitter during the race.