Today was my final day of training for this weekend's triathlon in Wake Forest. I'm always seeking to improve my swim times, which means the more upper body strength you have, the faster you should be able to swim.
Speaking of training, I've added two more races to my schedule prior to the Milwaukee Marathon on Oct. 2. They are:
- The Ashland Half Marathon in Ashland, VA, on Aug. 27.
- The Virginia 10 Miler in Lynchburg, VA, on Sept. 24.
The Ashland Half (as you can see below) runs along the town's famous railroad tracks before moving out into the picturesque fields and rolling hills of the countryside. I've completed this half marathon twice before and I'm hoping for a course PR this time around.
Whenever I think about training for a race, I think about General Norman Schwarzkopf who said, "The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war." His quote is a perfect explanation of why training is so vital in the life of a runner. Once you get to the race, it's too late to prepare.
Students of mine: You are NOT wasting your time memorizing paradigms and long lists of vocabulary words. This is all necessary preparation for a lifetime of teaching God's word. I would rather be prepared and never called than called and not prepared. The Christian life is not a vacation but a vocation. God is not putting on a show for our entertainment. Don't shortcut your preparation for ministry.
*Sermon over.*