This here is my schedule for the next three weeks.   As I complete each day’s task – I will change the text color from black to red.   What I hope to accomplish in such a short time is to bring my 5K time down by at least 27 seconds, making it about 25 minutes and 30 seconds.  In addition to my practice – I will seek to watch my weight.  Just dropping 5 pounds in these next three weeks could assist my speed.   

Today was 60 degrees and cloudy.   I ran a 3.1 distance setting a new personal record by 6 seconds (25 minutes, and 57 seconds, pace=8:23).   What is amazing to me was not the 6 seconds, but that I forgot to take my asthma medicine and had difficulty breathing.   I was contempating stopping several times – but pushed through, wanting to prove I can do it even with asthma (the Army did not allow me to join, because of my asthma). 

The Map showing today’s course – this is the course which me and Monique are registered to run on April 18th in Denville, NJ.   

 

Today’s Stats:

 My heart rate by Distance/Time

Now that my 1/2 marathon goal has been completed – I need a new goal.   So I registered for the Corporate Challenge which will be held in Central Park, NYC on June 11th.    The distance is 3.5 miles and I’m hoping to do it in less then 29 minutes.   Here’s a schedule I’m going to start using next week.   I’ll have to add to it because it only goes out 5 weeks. 

INTERMEDIATE PLAN KEY
Weekly mileage: Except where noted, all weekly mileage should be run at a perceived effort of 6 out of 10, with 10 being your maximum effort.
Strides: After completing the designated mileage for the day, find a flat, preferably grassy area to perform the strides: Run hard for 20 seconds and recover with easy jogging or walking for 45 seconds.
Core workout: Do a series of basic exercises to strengthen core muscles and improve running posture. For a sample core workout routine, go to runnersworld.com/core.
SS intensity: Intervals at Steady State Intensity should be run at a perceived effort of 7 or 8 out of 10. Do 5 minutes of easy running between SS intensity intervals.

*Chart modified from a Running World Magazine online article.

The other day it was reported by The Associated Press, that “….births to unwed mothers reached an all-time high of about 40 percent, continuing a trend begun years ago.”

The stigma of have a child outside of wedlock is all but gone.  Talk Radio is the only place you hear anything negative about this tread.  You won’t hear much in the way of God’s law, but you will only hear that this is not ideal for the child, because poverty is likely for these families.   This is not only ‘not ideal’ but it is the fruits of a nation which has abandoned God and His moral law.   Over several generations we have created a culture which calls evil – good and good evil.  Fornication is not lovemaking – it’s sin. 

God very clearly wrote in the Ten Commandments..”Thou shalt not commit adultery.”  And if you are unchurched – you may need to have it spelled out for you. This means any unchaste thoughts, words, or actions dealing with sex or lust, outside of wedlock is a violation of that commandment.   Jesus showed the extent of the commandment when he indicated that even unclean thoughts were considered violations of the seventh commandment.  

It is time  that people get called to task for violating this commandment.   Not just the men and women which do the act of fornication - but also all those in society which encourage, condone and glorify this sin.   Whether music, movies, tv, art, books, or magazines.  This means reading, listening, watching or creating filthy communications is the breaking of this commandment.  Finding pleasure watching others on TV or movies which enjoy themselves breaking this commandment is the breaking of this commandment.  Going to a pubic beach or swimming area where people are inappropriately dressed so people are ogling – each other is the breaking of this commandment.  

Christians need to get away from talking about a single solution – and talk about a complete change in attitude.
The funding of quasi-secular programs like abstinence education is not going to do it.  As a solution, it’s too little, too late.  Kids are emersed in this sex crazed society which promotes sex at every corner - and then then have a class which they are advised to wait to have children – because it’s economically sound!   Huh!…. This nation does not need a tuneup -  they need a complete overhaul.   They need their eyes opened to the truth, needs to repent and call on God for deliverance.  All of society needs to get off the fornication train and get on the God train!

I woke up at 4:30 am and arrived at the D.C. Armory at 5:30 am.   Which was earlier then I needed to be there.   It was so cold, it was in my bones.  The race began at 7 am, and just moving helped warm me up.   The run was enjoyable – in that there was an excitement in the air, which continued through out the run.    There was a couple women one which had “Birthday Girl” and the date of her birthday on the back of her shirt.   So the lot of us sang happy birthday to them while we ran.   

All types of people came out to encourage us on.   One fellow was standing there in his PJs with a cup of coffee in his hand – as he rooted us on.   Many people created posters to cheer on their friends and family and others were just there to root on everyone.  About a dozen people thanked me for having Isaiah 40:31 written on the back of my shirt.   “…they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary”.  

When I came across the finish line there was so much excitement in the crowd. The crowd was really cheering and the TV cameras were rolling – but not for me..you see, the winner of the full marathon came in just 30 seconds before I did.   Wow it’s amazing that a person can run so fast – to lap me doing 13.1 miles!  Humbling really. 

There is so much more I could write….anyway to keep it short.    I completed the run – in 2 hours and 15 minutes.   This was my first 1/2 marathon so just the fact that I completed the run was wonderful in itself. 


In the beginning of the run  – going around a small park.


Running down Constitution Avenue.  Washington Monument on left.


Me running over the finish line. 


After finishing the run – taking part in the celebration. 

Got to Washington D.C. at about 11 am today, and went for a long walk.  Not a good idea considering I have a long run tomorrow.   Any way the weather was nice and I enjoyed walking around the national mall.   For dinner I went to an restaurant for a plate of pasta and took a cab back to the hotel.   Now I am going to rest the reminder of the day and get to bed early.   


Michelle Obama was working with some children on the front yard off to the right.  


In front of the capital building.

In front of the Supreme Court

In front of the court – where the justices meet.

In front of the library of congress

The washington monument in the distance


Cherry blossoms in the national mall.

The Washington Monument

I can’t believe this is the week!   Lord willing I’ll be going down to Washington D.C. on Friday – I plan on viewing some of the D.C. sights and then go to the armory to pickup my number and electronic chip.  Then it’ll will be a big spaghetti dinner.

The race is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. Saturday morning.   
 
For the race I need to pack:
1. My asthma medicine
2. Running Shorts, Shirt, Shoes
3. Belt with holder for camera, and cell
4. Cell phone, and camera
5. GPS Watch w/ heart monitor

  
 

It looks all down hill after mile eight.  

   
Megan and me dressed for the parade.  

Well this morning has been busy.   First we (Jennifer, Elizabeth, Megan and I) got in the car to drive to the Morristown 5K run.   On the way there we had a flat tire.   We thought this was going to be a problem where we would  not be able to enter the race.  However the AAA roadside service was there quickly and changed the tire (I would have changed it – but I did not had the lug wrench).    Anyway we got to the race with time to spare (sorry..corny joke).    As we were waiting for the 1 mile kid run – Megan started to do her Irish dancing while she was waiting.   A number of people started to watch her with delight.   

Anyway some lady asked us if Megan was entered in the 1 mile run and we answered in the affirmative.    She told us the kids are about the run, so we followed her to the starting line – only to be informed that they already left (opps..).   So without a big start – Jennifer and Megan took off for the 1 mile kid run.   I am happy to report that they did the run in a little less then 14 minutes.  Also I should note that this mile run was the first time Jennifer ever ran a mile!  Way to go Jennifer!

I then went over to the starting line for the 5k race.    The line was packed and I ended up squeezing in 30-40 people back from the starting line.   The start was the worst part of the race, because of the number of people running (about 1,500) and street was quite narrow, we ended up tripping on each other, and there was no way to pass anyone.    

A number of people passed me by at the 1 mile marker – but I did not push hard, because I knew that after the 1.5 mile marker – there is a long steep incline.   When we had the steep hill I then pushed hard and regained on a number of people that passed me earlier.   Hill are often looked on as something horrible – but hills can be turned around as an opportunity, to get ahead.   Anyway I finished the race in 26 minutes and 03 seconds [pace=8:24] – which is a personal record for me (1 minute, 50 seconds better) in a race.   Here’s the map and stats:

 

After the race – we went to the Morristown parade because my bag pipe band and Megan’s Irish dancing class were marching.   My band lead the parade – so when we walked the parade route, I was able to walk back and watch Megan march in her first parade.   They did their dance routine in front of a crowd of cheering people, in the Morristown Square, and when done – Megan starts to throw kisses to everyone (what a ham).   She really seemed to have a really good time, as did Jennifer and Elizabeth.


Megan step dancing in the Parade

All this Irish culture makes we hungry for Corned Beef & Cabbage, and Irish Soda Bread.  I believe we are going to have our annual special Irish meal on Wednesday.  (I have no class on Wednesday because it’s spring break.) 

One Weeks to Go Before Washington D.C.  1/2 Marathon! (click here)

Yep… the man that is known for pushing the earth – when doing a push up – would consider being President of Texas.  

In this article Chuck Norris suggests that if the nation continues on this course – Texas may need to declare their independence.     This is not the first movement in modern times for such a thing.   Unknown to many people – Texas never officially voted to join the United States – and would have one of the best argument (compared to other states) to secede from the Union.  

http://www.newsobserver.com/1573/story/1437578.html

One think which I have said over the years – is that the Democrats are like a train going a hundred miles an hour over a deadly cliff – the Republicans on the other hand are more like a 50 mile hour train running over the same cliff.   The article quotes Norris as stating the same thought; “the Republicans are taking the nation the same direction as the Democrats, ‘just slower.’”   He’s preaching to the choir!

Well if Texas wants to secede – I know where I am moving.   ; )

I wrote in my last post how the church situation in America is not quite as dismal as indicated by those which did the highlights on the Trinity College survey.  However it is true that the evangelical church has been slowly bleeding over many generations and secular society has been increasingly leaning towards Sodom.    This leads to a question as to “is the Church on the right path?” and “what can be done to correct our course?”  Unlike those in the media – I am writng on this not to depress the church – but to point the way, so that the church may be strengthened.   

How the World Often Infiltrates a Church:
As mentioned by me in the survey highlights – liberal mainline churches are disappearing around the United States – which tells us that going liberal will lead a church down a destructive path.   There is an illusion that if we become more like the world, without compromising on the bigger issues the world will love us.   So churches have changed their music, add new activities in their worship – to accomplish this.  The negative effects are not often seen immediately and sometimes take the next generation to emerge.   This next generation also will be infected by the philosophy of compromise and begin to make their own.    The thought is “it’s only worship” and “we need to appeal to the youth and this culture.”     Big mistake!  Appealing to God should be the highest concern regarding worship!   Once a church goes down the path whereby man is central, instead of God – it’s all down hill.  It’s like dominoes.   Once doctrines dealing with worship go down the next stop will be the doctrines regarding salvation.   

Let us look at Malachi, chapter one, it records God displeasure at second rate worship.  

“And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.”

You see God is the best and deserves our best in worship.   Satan seek to corrupt such worship, because he knows that this is a willing entrance into corrupting the whole of the church. 

How the World Often Infiltrates the Church’s Message:
The message of the Church is as simple as Jesus preached.   “Repent and Believe”.   This has been watered down by many which seek to be liked by the world, by saying “join with us”  – be apart of our club or “merely Believe”.   That’s not what Jesus was teaching.  

Have you ever planted seeds, without tilling the ground?   That is the point of preaching repentance.   Jesus explained repentance – by explaining the width and depth of the law of God – which lead the disciples to wonder, who then can be saved.    The law is presented for two reasons.  First the law are God’s real standards and we should seek to live by it.   Second it is a standards whereby we can never measure up to because of our fallen state.   All of this leads up to the gospel – where in Christ is presented as the only savior which can save us from our sins and the wrath to come.   The demains of God - (the message of the law and the good news) need to be pressed upon the hearts of the people.   They should be called upon to respond and to get right with God.  ”Join us evangelicals” is just not the gospel!   After two thousand years the gospel is the same;  “Repent and Believe”.  

How the World (Marketing Ideas) Often Infiltrates the Church’s Life:
I have heard many churches press upon people to spread the gospel in their daily lives.  They are hammered Sunday by Sunday by messages to get out there into the battle and tell people the good news.   While well meaning –  I take issue with this.   The Bible says we are to have an answer for those which ask us for the reason for the hope which is within us.    Meaning that people first are to see our lives – and are prompted to ask why.   You see people will not be impressed with talk.  Everyone talks.   We are not just to talk about the good news we are to first live our new lives.  Lives which should provoke a response and make people sit up and notice.  The necessity of leading such lives are often not highlighted when discussing getting the message out to our neighbors.   Until we change this we will only have the effect of a poorly done Coke commercial.  

How the World (Faithlessness) Comes into the Church:
Often people in the church want to appear reasonable and thereby want to entertain compromises to supernational  events in the Bible. By seeming to be reasonable they believe they will be more respected.  They start to cave-in by saying the world was not created in 6 literal days, that Noah’s flood wasn’t worldwide, etc… – This is the beginning of unbelief which will swallow the church whole.   Once you begin to place science over scripture you are undercutting the authority of scripture and will be a mere a step away from denying other supernatural events like the virgin birth and the resurrection.   Again these so-called small issues are doorways to larger problems and eventually falling away from the faith. 

To many Christians scratch their heads and wonder why the world doesn’t like them.  Just like many people in the world they are tempted to bridge this gap.   The problem is Jesus warned that the world would not like you – that if they did not like Him they will not like the faithful Christian.    The world has a secular world view which is man centered and only see God as a means to an ends (feeling good about yourself).   A Christian world view is God centered – whereby we are created to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.    There is no bridging this gap without compromising the truth.     

I therefore ask you reader to contend for the truth which was once delivered to the saints.   We have a banner over head which is Christ’s banner of victory.    Just like the battles recorded in the Old Testament - as they marched into battle God asks only one thing which is faithfulness.   Not sales gimicks…not compromising, just faithfulness.