It's a marathon not a sprint

It’s the eve of the London marathon, the day when I feel justified lazing around, drinking lots of water perhaps going for a short walk after lunch. Up to now it’s been extremely challenging fitting in the long runs on a Saturday morning. I remember one such morning in February going out in the dark running along the river between Windsor and Eton with the mist rising off the water wondering what on earth I am trying to achieve. Immediately my mind would take me to race day when if you’ve been able to commit to a good training programme and all has gone well you can find out what you are capable of.  We often say that the biggest challenge is getting to the starting line, because we all know what it takes to get there.  It would be easy to give up drop out in the face of the many challenges, but persistence, perseverance and the desire to stretch ourselves for a cause dear to our hearts all plays a part in the final outcome.  

I met up with an old friend yesterday, and although we have kept in touch by telephone and facebook, we’ve not seen each other since 2004. A lot has happened in that time and as we caught up I realised how reliant human beings are on each other. She is an Oncologist (blood specialist) and I enjoyed exchanging experiences and drew on her wisdom and insight dealing with difficult situations, which we all face from time to time.  One of the things we shared was the need to be open and committed to hold fast to our Christian values especially when the alternative could be to walk away and pretend all is well.

I found it helpful to have the support of other runners, because even though we compete everyone is willing to exchange ideas with an openness that include giving and sharing advice and tips to improve performance. I think it’s quite obvious that anyone unwilling to buy into this level of openness quite quickly fall away. I run for health, fitness, stress relief, and pure enjoyment. When I have a bad day or am really stressed out about something, putting on my running shoes allows me to clear my head and de-stress. I do some of my best thinking and come up with some of my best ideas when I am running.

So tomorrow when we line up for the biggest challenge we will face as runners it’s the mental agility and the ability to believe in ourselves and what we are capable of achieving that will make a difference. For me, running is so much more about the journey rather than the end result, much like the christian journey is a marathon not a sprint. I have learned so much about myself good, bad, and otherwise through training. I’ve realised training is truly the accomplishment because you never know what is going to happen on race day. Which is why the eve of a marathon means so much to me, it’s time for quiet reflection which I find humbling.

 I would say to anyone starting out forget about times, races, gadgets, training plans, or the other “stuff.” First and first most run because you love it and you will find out a lot about yourself that will not just surprise you but strengthen you to achieve much more than you ever thought possible.

A Time to Pray

Last Saturday we saw the Oxford and Cambridge boat race dramatically disrupted when a protester swam across the River Thames. The incident raises security questions ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer. After the race was restarted there was fresh chaos when the two crews clashed and one of Oxford's oars snapped off.  The team's desperate efforts to recover caused one of their rowers to collapse as they crossed the finish line. The team’s president blamed the protester for Oxford's defeat, saying in a Twitter message: "My team went through seven months of hell, this was the culmination of our careers and you took it from us."

Just last week at the Reading Half Marathon a race I ran a man died after collapsing at the finish line. Fortunately these are not stories we hear often after any sporting event but the point is none of us know what is around the corner.  How then do we cope with the uncertainties that life throws our way? In Matthew 5 Jesus tells us not to worry about things but this is easier said than done. How do we prepare ourselves for the unknown in such a way that ultimately allows us to stretch ourselves and achieve what we believe to be God’s purpose for our lives?

This Saturday churches in the Oxford Diocese gather to pray for all aspects of the 2012 Games. But although some of us will go to church to pray, some will be praying whilst walking, cycling, running and even swimming.  It occurs to me that this is something that many will not quite understand. After all prayer is about getting on our knees either at bed time or perhaps in church when mostly some else prays while we listen and say amen at the end. But there is no limit to the ways in which we can communicate our thoughts, concerns and longings to God

As a runner I am used to praying whilst on the move it may be through words said out loud,  listening to music or the bible on my IPOD, or just giving my thoughts to God as I run. I remember a few years ago whilst I was at St Paul’s church in Slough we organised a prayer walk to bless our local community which was quite simply walking from one area of Slough to another stopping and praying for the people we see around us, and places as we walk by.  This proved to be a very engaging and satisfying way to pray as well as an opportunity to spend time with each other.

Expressing our selves in prayer creatively using our whole being has to be at least illuminating and fulfilling as after all God created us in his image with the ability to express ourselves in different ways. So if at times we struggle to find the right words in prayer perhaps God is saying how about using your creativity, it’s ok. I do hope that Saturday’s prayer day is not a one off but that people will be encouraged to make a habit of walking and blessing the places where they live and work. Perhaps  adopting a place, to walk it at least once a week and to keep speaking blessing over it. Wouldn’t it be amazing if the 2012 Games are recognised as not just the games that changed the nation’s fortune financially but spiritually.

 

 

The God of Surprises

Come and Play in Herschel Park
On Saturday I helped out at Slough Borough Council's Come and Play event in Herschel Park which turned out to be a very rewarding experience. Spending time with families in these beautiful surrounding was both relaxing and inspiring. Herschel Park is indeed a hidden gem very close to the centre of Slough surrounded by the imposing Upton Park estate, sadly at present it is little known to the rest of the borough.

Thanks to £2.7million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, support from the Friends of Herschel Park and more than 500 days of volunteering activities, Slough Borough Council has restored the park to its former Victorian glory.  It wasn't just the fun activities  i enjoyed I learnt a lot too, just in case it never crossed your mind who is behind keeping the park tidy, I spent time with some of the volunteers who, in their own words take care of anything and everything from planting, weeding to looking after the wild life. All in all a very productive afternoon in an environment of creativity enjoying God’s creation at it’s very best.

Reading Half Marathon

It was six years ago that I first ran the London marathon and as part of my preparation ran the Bath Half marathon, back then I was fairly competitive and achieved a personal best of 1.32.50 I was elated and went on to run the London marathon in 3hrs 18 mins. When I lined up in Reading yesterday I had thoughts of achieveing a time of around 1 hour 35 minutes, which would have been an improvement on last years time of 1hr 37mins. As I set off I felt relaxed and was running well I decided to abandon my race plan which was to start slow increasing to a 7.15 minute mile pace a bit faster as the race progresses. It certainly paid off I finished the race in 1.32.52, of course I'm over the moon. Now in my final week of full training next week the tapering process begins as I start to get ready for the 26.2 miles challenge. Running through the streets of Reading yesterday Palm Sunday, no one could tell me this wasn’t where I should be worshipping God, spending time in fellowship is important but we don’t always have to worship God singing hymns and saying prayers in church. I feel blessed indeed to be able to feel God’s presence amongst my fellow runners. Please sponsor me here http://www.justgiving.com/RevJanetBinns

Hit 2012 Kneeling

Training on Thursday involved a 7 mile run with the Datchet Dashers, everyone set out at such a pace that rather than a training run it felt more like a race. I decided to keep a comfortable pace and see how I felt later on. It paid off towards the end whilst a few were slowing down I felt reasonably good and was able to sprint the final 200 meters or so. It reminded me of Bishop Stephen Cottrell's book on leadership ‘hit the ground kneeling, in which he says “leadership is the ability to let things happen at the right pace”. Since the start of 2012 for me the opposite is true, in terms of work life balance things feel more like a non-stop tread mill. I am excited though because 2012 is one amazing year packed with so much potential. But like a marathon I need to pace myself and so do you.

There is no doubt that 2012 is a big year for UK, so it’s important to schedule our events well, and pace ourselves through the year. Putting key dates in the church diary now will allow those who are keen to make the most of the opportunities to have time for their holidays as well as fit in with what the church is doing. This will ensure a sustained programme of community engagement becomes manageable.

We all know that there are times when church life can indeed feel like a marathon but it’s not meant to be that way. In 1 Corinthians 9 24 -27 the Apostle Paul talks of the need for the self-discipline when he writes “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize"

One way to do this is ‘Don’t re-invent the wheel’ I know this goes against what Bishop Stephen says in his book  but there are times when I believe it’s justified. And it’s good news for all of us, because it will save us valuable time and effort.

There are a lot of help and resources out there to help churches with their quest to get involved. For example More than Gold  www.morethangold.org.uk and Traidcraft have produced a very helpful guide that will help with your plans. But every parish is different, and amongst all the activities we need to remember to pace ourselves.

Even in the midst of competition one thing athletes are good at is providing support for each other, perhaps that’s key to the churches approach to mission too.

Below are the key dates for your diary

11th February             200 days to Paralympics opening cenremony
14th April                   A day of prayer around Dorney Lake
18^th April                    100 days to go to the Olympic Games

18^th May                     Olympic Flame arrives

19   May                     Olympic Torch Relay begins

21^st May                     100 days to go to the Paralympic Games

1 st June                     57 days to go

21June                        London 2012 Festival begins

  9^th July                      Olympic Torch Relay Oxford…

 10^th July                     Olympic Torch Relay Reading…

27^th  July                     Olympic Opening Night

4^th August                   Super Saturday

27th August                Paralympic Flame Festival

29^th August                 Paralympic Opening Night

9^th September             Last Day of the Games

Get ready to run

Welcome to Brooklyn

The day after the NYC Marathon I received an email from New York Road runners congratulating me on completing the Marathon on Sunday. It said this “You are incredible—a champion in your own right! Then it goes on to say “we hope the moment of pure elation will stay with you forever”. A week later I must admit it has stayed with me in many ways. Running a marathon is not just about completing the race, there is so much more to learn about oneself. There is a sense of achievement coupled with the ability to overcome adversity,  so deeply rewarding

Running the NYC Marathon was a truly amazing experience and as I think back to the start of the race when we stood waiting for the gun, I remember talking to a very nervous young man for whom this was his first marathon, I reassured him that having done the training all he needed to do was pace himself.  I learnt that he was born and bred in Brooklyn and for him it was a lifelong ambition to join the thousands he had watched as he grew up. The marathon he said had changed the lives of many Brooklyners. I realise that Brooklyn is a big part of the New York culture, the food, the music, the fashion it has become a very popular place to hangout for people across the social spectrum. It took two miles across  the Verrazona Narrows Bridge before we saw the welcome to Brooklyn sign and with that  the support of the crowd was immense, my name on my top people showed their support by shouting words such as go girl, looking good, doing well this continued into Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx back to Manhattan for the Finish. I felt as though I had made a huge number of friends along the way, so humbling to see people supporting one another from different walks of life. I won’t forget miles 22-24 when fatigue set in and as struggled to keep pace, a gentleman in the crowd looked at me and shouted dig deep Janet.

I wonder how well the Christian journey reflects the kind of love for humanity through the eyes of Jesus Christ for people we know let alone those we don’t know. In his book Everything Belongs the author Richard Rohr says “The ability to respect the outsider is probably the litmus test of true seeing. Everything becomes enchanting with true sight. One God, one world, one truth, one suffering and one love. All we can do is participate”.  

The email from New York road runners a first for me was well received but I am very conscious of the fact that grace covers a multitude of human sin and it’s the only reason why anyone could call us incredible, a champion because in God’s eyes whatever we do and whoever we are, we are all incredible and champions in his sight.

The countdown begins

It’s not normal to get down on one’s knees to start a marathon that’s usually reserved for the sprinters among us of which I am not one. But even before lining up at the start I want to thank God for the opportunity to be amongst 47,000 people  who will gather from around the globe each of varying abilities to start a journey of discovery together. I think it’s not until you are well outside your comfort zone that you begin to appreciate God’s faithfulness and for each of us this happens at different times and in different circumstances. On Sunday when we set off from Staten Island with 26.2 miles ahead of us we will all be willing each other to have a good race and finish well.  Each person taking part whether a professional or a fun runner will each have their own story to tell. The Kenyan Tegla Loroupe the first African woman to win the race says this “ I went through a lot of hardship growing up in Kenya and running was my way out.  At first I competed just to beat my brothers and prove that girls can run, but soon I realised that running could open doors

As the runners gather in the athletes’ village with hours before the start of race no doubt we will share our stories and in some cases friendships will be formed.  It will no doubt be a time of anticipation, anxiety and excitement but the training is complete and all we can do is trust in God.
My race number 13-174, start time 9.40am (see route below)  With just 24hours to go the race is indeed before us

NYC Marathon start

NYC Marathon Finish

New York marathon….the race is on

With just one week to go to the New York marathon the clock is ticking and although the prospect feels somewhat daunting I am very excited. It’s good to know the training is complete and all I have to do now is rest, eat well and keep myself ticking over with a few short runs. I am eternally grateful to God to have got me this far as at one point I didn’t think it was going to be possible. My training started in May but in June it all seemed to be going wrong when I picked up a calf injury and soon after Achilles tendonitis. I now know the literal meaning of the term Achilles heal, as every athlete knows that even a small tear of the Achilles tendon takes months to repair. I am grateful to Bob Fudge at Windsor Slough Eton and Hounslow (WSEH) athletic club who after a series of intensive massages and physio, got me running again.

It was the middle of August before I was able to get back to serious training and thankfully although not fully recovered the injury didn’t get any worse and actually seemed better after a long run.

After a very slow painful 10 mile run on the 20^th August, painful because I was tired after a week at Soul survivor  I devised a training plan that I hoped would get me back on track which included a series of weekly runs totalling 45 – 55miles increasing weekly. This included two half marathons a month apart. I kept on track and was able to run my final run of 22.5 miles on the 15th October. This was an amazing feat as at 12 miles I was joined by Steve and Mike fellow runners at the Datchet Dashers running club, who provided me with the support I needed to complete the final 10 miles. Wow!! Isn’t God good, somehow at all the points when I needed encouragement the help was there in so many ways?

As I trained Matt Redman’s new album 10,000 reasons including my favourite track ‘Never once’ learnt at Soul Survivor was ringing in my ear another source of huge encouragement.

So here goes New York in a week’s time and believe or not i am looking forward to it.