Oct

4

Runners and God

October 4, 2008 |

When I’m running in my neighborhood, I pass this home with a statue of Mary in the front yard.  I say a quick Ave Maria and invite Mary on my run with me.  When I’m struggling in a long run, I tend to start praying; exhorting the Holy Spirit to fill me with the motivation to push through.  I’ve said many times that God has blessed me with this wonderful gift of running.  I run for him, through him, and with him.

A couple of months ago, I wrote about Ryan Hall; America’s top young marathon athlete.  He finished 10th in the Olympics and should wear the gold some day.  He is such an inspiring figure because he runs for Christ, through Christ, and with Christ.  His running is part of his faith.

So, I almost laughed when I picked up my November issue of Runner’s World.  The September issue had a great article about Ryan’s running and his faith.  This issue had the letters responding to this article.

Two of the three letters were very positive about the article.

Then I came to this third letter; from Guy Marjerrison of Toronto.

“I thought this magazine was about running, not God and religion.  Ryan Hall is a great runner, and his dedication to his training should be the thing that awes and inspires us, not where he sits on Sundays.”

Wow!

What Guy doesn’t realize is that Ryan’s faith and his running are tied together.  He is a 24/7 Christian.  Everything he does, he does for Christ.  He doesn’t take and leave his faith in the pew on Sunday; he takes it on the road with him; through all of the miles and races; all around the world.

“His dedication to his training” is only made possible by his faith and his belief that this was what he was wonderfully made to do.

And I think most runners understand this divine purpose of our passion.  On the next page of this Runner’s World issue is a pie chart summarizing the comments about the Ryan Hall article (I guess they had an unusally high number of comments).

Of those commenting: 37% found “inspiration in a runner who puts religion first;” 19% drew “strength to run from their faith:” 17% were “glad that the story didn’t make Ryan Hall look like a Jesus freak:” 13% hoped “the magazine devoted as much space to other religions;” 8% wished “everyone knew the joy of running with God;” and 6% “don’t believe in God but believe in Ryan Hall.”

I’m assuming that Guy is a great runner, because I don’t know too many runners who aren’t invoking their God every step of the last few miles of a long race.  And, I don’t know many runners who don’t feel that incredible surge during a race; that surge that can only come from the Holy Spirit.

Now, if only I could think of a patron saint for runners.  But then, Mary seems to not have a problem keeping up with me.


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