Post by marathondude on May 21, 2009 9:30:16 GMT -5
Mind, Body and Soul
So often runners have trouble getting motivated to train or race, get stuck in a ‘funk’ where they are just going through the motions, have ‘ups and downs’ from day to day or lose their desire to hit the roads or trails for their regular running or other exercise. Sometimes it isn’t due to the physical part of running but is related to the connection of mind, body and soul.
Have you ever noticed the connection between different aspects in your life and how they affect seemingly dissimilar parts of your daily events? If you get a good grade on a test in school you feel great and have more energy for your afternoon run. A compliment from your boss at the office suddenly has you peppy for that evening’s track session. The message from a sermon in church touches you and you can’t wait to get out for a trail run. That special someone in your life says, “You look great in that outfit,” and your energy level goes up two notches.
Yes, there is a connection between mind, body and soul that can take us down or bring us up. If we realize this we can work to increase the positives and decrease negative forces so that we are moving mostly in a positive direction. Today I was the Meet Announcer for the Florida Elite Track and Field Classic which was held at Osceola High School in Kissimmee, Florida. There were hundreds of children mostly from the ages of six to fourteen from all over the state of Florida. In addition to the host team there were teams with names such as the Young Achievers, Lightning Bolt, Running Force, Trailblazers and Undisputed Truth. The Atlanta Gazelles even made the seven hour trip from Georgia’s state capital city.
There were many things that stood out as I watched the youngsters run for about eight hours. No matter what their ability, the boys and girls all did their best. The coaches, parents and fans were very well behaved and only encouragement was heard for the young athletes. This was not a diverse group as at least 90% of the competitors were African American. As I announced each race and supported the runners myself, I smiled inside about what was transpiring before my eyes. A group of largely inner city kids was involved in such a positive environment. This is in such stark contrast to what we see on the local news reports night after night. The public has such a thirst for bad news that very little that is uplifting gets reported.
The Trailblazers team t-shirts sported by the children and their parents had a bible verse on the back from Proverbs 22:6 which says, “Train a child up in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it.” This struck me so much that I had to share it with the 1,500 or so people attending the track and field meet. When there were a few minutes without racing I announced, “The Trailblazers’ team has a slogan on their shirts which goes as follows.” Then I read the bible verse. I followed up with, “Your children are training their minds at school, their bodies here today and their souls in church. I commend all of you coaches and parents for helping to mold these children with positives in their lives so they can become the adult leaders of tomorrow.”
I didn’t know what the response would be and was happy when considerable applause was heard in the stadium. The effect on me was to make my day better, to give me a smile and to encourage me to keep announcing my best even when I was tired, hot and my voice hoarse. This is just one example of the effect that good things in our life have on us. Each day do your best to pour positive thoughts on others and to interact with those who send good vibes your way. If you do your entire mind, body and soul connection will be on the upswing.
MarathonDude's website, www.garycohenrunning.com , features monthly interviews with running personalities such as Greg Meyer, Keith Brantly, Amby Burfoot and Jenny Barringer. It also includes dozens of “All in a Day’s Run” essays like this on a variety of running and fitness topics.
So often runners have trouble getting motivated to train or race, get stuck in a ‘funk’ where they are just going through the motions, have ‘ups and downs’ from day to day or lose their desire to hit the roads or trails for their regular running or other exercise. Sometimes it isn’t due to the physical part of running but is related to the connection of mind, body and soul.
Have you ever noticed the connection between different aspects in your life and how they affect seemingly dissimilar parts of your daily events? If you get a good grade on a test in school you feel great and have more energy for your afternoon run. A compliment from your boss at the office suddenly has you peppy for that evening’s track session. The message from a sermon in church touches you and you can’t wait to get out for a trail run. That special someone in your life says, “You look great in that outfit,” and your energy level goes up two notches.
Yes, there is a connection between mind, body and soul that can take us down or bring us up. If we realize this we can work to increase the positives and decrease negative forces so that we are moving mostly in a positive direction. Today I was the Meet Announcer for the Florida Elite Track and Field Classic which was held at Osceola High School in Kissimmee, Florida. There were hundreds of children mostly from the ages of six to fourteen from all over the state of Florida. In addition to the host team there were teams with names such as the Young Achievers, Lightning Bolt, Running Force, Trailblazers and Undisputed Truth. The Atlanta Gazelles even made the seven hour trip from Georgia’s state capital city.
There were many things that stood out as I watched the youngsters run for about eight hours. No matter what their ability, the boys and girls all did their best. The coaches, parents and fans were very well behaved and only encouragement was heard for the young athletes. This was not a diverse group as at least 90% of the competitors were African American. As I announced each race and supported the runners myself, I smiled inside about what was transpiring before my eyes. A group of largely inner city kids was involved in such a positive environment. This is in such stark contrast to what we see on the local news reports night after night. The public has such a thirst for bad news that very little that is uplifting gets reported.
The Trailblazers team t-shirts sported by the children and their parents had a bible verse on the back from Proverbs 22:6 which says, “Train a child up in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it.” This struck me so much that I had to share it with the 1,500 or so people attending the track and field meet. When there were a few minutes without racing I announced, “The Trailblazers’ team has a slogan on their shirts which goes as follows.” Then I read the bible verse. I followed up with, “Your children are training their minds at school, their bodies here today and their souls in church. I commend all of you coaches and parents for helping to mold these children with positives in their lives so they can become the adult leaders of tomorrow.”
I didn’t know what the response would be and was happy when considerable applause was heard in the stadium. The effect on me was to make my day better, to give me a smile and to encourage me to keep announcing my best even when I was tired, hot and my voice hoarse. This is just one example of the effect that good things in our life have on us. Each day do your best to pour positive thoughts on others and to interact with those who send good vibes your way. If you do your entire mind, body and soul connection will be on the upswing.
MarathonDude's website, www.garycohenrunning.com , features monthly interviews with running personalities such as Greg Meyer, Keith Brantly, Amby Burfoot and Jenny Barringer. It also includes dozens of “All in a Day’s Run” essays like this on a variety of running and fitness topics.