Run The Race

How do you live in the present? What is mindful running? Is worrying about the past or future healthy? We answer these questions and more in this shorter episode we call "Friday Food 4 Thought." When you subscribe to RUN THE RACE, you get great faith and fitness insight like this, especially from weekly guests who have inspiring stories and lessons you can apply to your life.

I'll tell you the story of an ultrarunning friend who doesn't want to know his pace, instead listening to his body. That powerful mindset of being IN THE MOMENT can be applied to a lot of things in our lives.

We also dive into the techniques of being mindful when you exercise, and how embracing the struggle instead of pushing away from the suffering can have major benefits. What about negative thoughts and positive self-talk?

I also did some research, found some expert tips on how to live in the present: really observing what's around you, focusing on 1 thing at a time, being grateful, acceptance of life's circumstances, surrounding yourself with positive people, deep breathing. There are also "process goals" versus outcome ones that you don't have 100% control over.

Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast! Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

A pastor in West Georgia is getting real and raw about a number of topics and how they relate to our Christian faith: helping others in need without seeking rewards or credit, bridging racial divides and unity, how to share Jesus with people.

(2:22) Pastor Chuck Odum, the Pastor of The Verge Church in Columbus GA, is a former juvenile corrections counselor and is also the Muscogee County Clergy Association President. He addresses "come as you are" vs. perceptions of the church.

(9:13) We also dig deep into how to have a unified body of Christ, across racial lines and other differences, which he was motivated to do even more after George Floyd's death. Pastor Chuck says it comes down to relationships - and Jesus. How does he motivate or help others get out of their comfort zone?

(19:44) Having worked with teenagers in juvenile lockup, he liked how they weren't fake about church. (22:57) Chuck also ran for almost a decade from his call to preach the Gospel. He eventually landed as an employee at Teen Challenge.

(25:45) Most Christians are intimidated about sharing Jesus with people. Chuck says remember, Jesus and the Holy Spirit save people, not us...so the pressure is off, just tell your story! His advice: "Love on Jesus in front of people, and let Him do the rest."

How about this question: (29:10) Do churches have a responsibility to respond to and help fight crime? Pastor Chuck says we can't fix it, but we are better together and can start with powerful prayer (he says not a cop out). (34:01) We talk about his blended family after a 2nd marriage and how a grandfather's funeral helped him become a now 4th generation Pastor.

There are also specific things you can get involved in or help with. (39:25) The Verge Church leads the 28 & Below homeless ministry in Columbus GA, when it gets that cold. And there's a special event starting tonight (when this podcast comes out) called "Tent The City" with 48 hours of continuous prayer and worship from October 14-16, a way to unify and lift up God and stay connected to the Father. (52:04) Pastor Chuck closes us out in prayer too.

Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast, which you should subscribe to! Share it with your friends. Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info and listen to any previous episodes, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

Minnesota was the 20th state where I've run a marathon (26.2 miles) so far. Subscribe to "Run The Race" for more fitness and faith content like this.

Here's my recap of the Twin Cities Marathon, that went from Minneapolis to Saint Paul. I talk about food before/during/after the race, support from 30,000 cheering spectators and 4,000 volunteers, funny signs on the course, where #TwinCitiesMarathon ranks in top 5-10 favorite marathons I've run, touring Minneapolis after the #marathon, and how I got free transportation & lodging.

Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast! Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

This 86-year-old (who turns 87 in December) just retired from doing triathlons after 130 races! He happens to be my uncle from Houston TX, and Jim Rosborough is this week's guest on the "Run The Race" podcast. He competed in the World Championships Triathlon in both Chicago and Cozumel. Later this week, don't miss my Friday podcast episode, recapping my latest marathon ran, in my 20th state.

(3:01) We first talked about how Jim stays in great shape for his age, being in his 80s. He talks about the consistent training - running, swimming, and/or biking - he's done since the 1970's. Where and how does he find his motivation to just do it? He tells the story of how he (7:01) started running at age 35, thanks to a book about aerobics by an Air Force doctor. Fitness felt good to him! He moved on to marathons, running more than 25 of those, and enjoying the social aspects of running.

(10:20) Tired of running so much? He was, and that was part of Uncle Jim's transition to triathlons. He breaks down the 3 distances: Ironman, half ironman, and Sprint. His favorite of the triathlon events is swimming, especially being in the water so much growing up in Aruba, where he also was a spear fisherman. But why retire now from triathlons?

We also talk about (16:28) his training routine or weekly exercise rituals. Jim also discusses being mentally strong, through not only fitness challenges but surviving cancer. (22:08) Sharing the fitness journey with his wife is vital too. And he's got fans, including a standing ovation at the Triathlon Nationals.

When he's now in the pool or on a bike, (26:05) my Uncle Jim mentors young boys, a rewarding thing he wish he had as a young man overseas. He did have an influential coach in Aruba.

(33:50) He closes out the pod chat with a few favorite race stories like his rivalry with another 80-something competitor Boris at the World Championship, and missing a big turn at his final triathlon. After, i do some triathlon talk in "Food for Thought," some unique inspiration in "Parting Gift," and my closing prayer.

Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast, which you should subscribe to! Share it with your friends. Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info and listen to any previous episodes, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

You need to hear this powerful story from a man who lost his wife to suicide more than a decade ago, a day that still haunts him. He now is spreading kindness and his passion for cycling around Georgia and beyond. He also finds symbolism for life in the extreme sports he jumps into. make sure to subscribe to the "Run The Race" podcast.

(4:15) Bike shop owner Jason McKenzie - who's been in charge of "Ride on Bikes" in Columbus GA since 2009 - is a motivated man. In fact, right now, he's in the middle of the "75 Hard" challenge, so here's what he's doing daily until mid-November: https://andyfrisella.com/pages/75hard-info. We talk about that and how he wakes up at 5am to work out and finds balance as a busy business owner.

(9:31) Jason tells his love story with Natalie. Earlier this week would've been their 12th wedding anniversary, then (13:25) he is vulnerable in talking about her taking her own life nearly 11 years ago...from his last encounter with her...to a frantic car ride back home...to being a suspect....and coping with the loss a decade later. Jason know he can't go back and fix it, be wants to do better now.

(23:08) After his wife's suicide, Jason was mad at God, couldn't be in church anymore, but had an important chat with a pastor who gave him permission to go to God in anger. This bike shop owner says we need to be more open about suicide, forgive ourselves, and be kind to others! That's his main message in a viral video he put out, telling the story of his tragic loss: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQh27SVzDVI.

Jason tells an inspiring story for the first time about a friend and business party that stole a lot of money from him, then how a fight turned into a hug, thanks to a vision involved his wife who was gone. It's about giving grace to yourself and others, a Christian principle.

(32:08) His love for dirt bikes started at an early age, and since then, he's added skydiving, motorcycles, flying planes, motorbike races. He said the key to these extreme sports is you have to be ALL IN or it's dangerous, so in the now and hyper focused you're not thinking about anything else. Jason, who now realizes depression is real, also talks about how exercise can improve your mental health.

His true passion is helping people with their cycling needs, whether they're new on a bike or very experienced. And there are a lot of different kinds of bikes. His shop rents, sells, services them. (41:40) Serving the community is also a priority, as Jason gives a lot to charity and builds special needs bikes. They see the bike shop as a vehicle for changing lives.

(47:01) Speaking of sports, Jason ran his first full ironman in 2015, thanks to losing a bet. He argues anyone can do an Ironman, if it's an important enough goal to you.

(51:41) Our chat closes with what you can do to help prevent suicides, because he had no warning with Natalie, Jason, who's now on the board for "Love Like Lexi" in East Alabama, says we all have negative thoughts and we all need to work on ourselves. (59:21) "Food for Thought" is about the health benefits of cycling. My "Parting Gift" is a lesson on kindness from the Bible, then my closing Prayer.

Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast! Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

With the NFL season just kicking off, this week's guest is Otis Sistrunk, defensive lineman for the Oakland Raiders during their glory days in the 1970s. He just got a street named after him and his high school jersey retired in his hometown of Columbus, GA.

The former player known as the "Man from Mars" sat down with me to talk about the changing NFL...his 7 years in the league, including what it was like to play for Coach John Madden...injuries and fitness routine then and now...racism and sports, since he was part of the "salt & pepper" duo...the influence of faith in God on his life and football...and his message for kids dreaming big.

Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast, which you should subscribe to! Share it with your friends. Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info and listen to any previous episodes, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

College football season is here! And a couple who works on the campus of the reigning national champions, the University of Georgia, join me on the “Run The Race” podcast – which if you’re not subscribed to, what are you waiting for? This husband and wife also went viral several years ago, with haters helping them gain some fame on national TV.

(2:27) Chris and Ashley Reed, who met at Columbus State University, are both on staff at Chi Alpha campus ministry at UGA – that is Greek, by the way, for “Christ ambassadors.” They give us a quick take of what the national organization is all about, essentially helping students find their faith and community.

(5:11) People may also know this couple from a selfie picture at a cousin’s wedding in 2015, while they were dating, that a friend also shared on social media, getting 1.4 million views overnight and half a million comments – a lot of mean ones about the “mismatched couple” and Chris being overweight and rumors about disability because he was making a funny face. She responded to the haters in a new post online, which also got tons of views. All of this got them on CNN and Good Morning America, where they had an opportunity to share their faith and forgive the people who made mean comments, like Jesus would.

They both feel like they’ve been called (13:55) to do ministry on UGA’s campus, where there are 30+ faith-based groups for 45,000 students. It’s been a step of faith for Chris and Ashley…but they know what it’s like to be scared going to college, party temptations, facing newfound freedom vs. Christian “rules” so they want to make following God cool - from scavenger hunts to trivia to Georgia traditions. The Bible also talks about the early church doing life together!

(24:01) Go Dawgs! As the reigning NCAA football champs, can football be a platform for sharing faith and getting more exposure for groups like Chi Alpha? This couple describes how they also get attention through giving out lots of free stuff and “tabling” random questions, which also causes some backlash and rejection.

(29:55) Married almost 6 years, Chris and Ashley are open about balancing their marriage with ministry and working together. They also get to model love for each other – and Jesus – for today’s college students who may be looking for Mr/Mrs. Right. (35:25) A sense of humor is also what the opposite sex is looking for. These too laugh at each other and at life, even when it gets hard. Gotta have fun!

Finally, we discussed (40:20) if things are back to “normal” now on campus. Ashley moved to Athens and started working at UGA just 2 weeks before the COVID pandemic hit. They also raise their own money as missionaries on this Georgia campus, saying God provides! If you’d like to help them, go to: https://www.globalstudentinc.com/reed?fbclid=IwAR3PwJWatxgicmlORXlHVhASG6B3tXmkK6HqbPHO6tp4HGqqTiwfWTuDaAg.

Chris and Ashley closed the episode in prayer, followed by my “Parting Gift” from the Bible. Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast! Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

Ever heard of the program RUN FOR GOD? I spoke to a group at a local church. It is part Bible study and part running tips, having expanded to 49 states now. Learn more about it on this quick episode of "Run The Race."

I also offer some insight on what's better than bling you get at finish lines of races, plus some running advice I recently offered up to the "Run For God" group, whether you are aiming for a 5K or marathon,

Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast, which you should subscribe to! Share it with your friends. Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info and listen to any previous episodes, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

We met as teammates on a more-than-year-long virtual running challenge during the COVID pandemic. Before than, Chris Short lost 125 pounds in 9 months. Just recently, he completed the epic challenge of running 8 marathons in 8 days, or 212 miles for a cause bigger than himself. He's my guest this week on the "Run The Race" podcast, which hopefully you'll want to subscribe to.

(2:10) Chris Short of PA, over the summer, did an 8-day segment in the MS Run the US Relay, which is overall is 3200 miles across America. He and 19 other runners have already raised $200,000 for people affected by multiple sclerosis. Why do this epic running challenge? Hear his answer, plus a breakdown of that challenging week, being injured at times, running past huge Iowa cornfields. Chris also talks about sleep, food, crew in RV during that relay.

(20:48) Running has brought him transformation, which includes losing 125 pounds , a team effort with his wife to be disciplined with food and exercise. As he ran more, a nutritionist even told him to eat more! Gotta fuel properly, it's not just about the number on the scale. (28:38) Why does Chris run so much and how does he keep his passion for it? Here's part of how he describes it: ubplugging, solving problems while running, a mental reset, and burning off energy. He also has advice for you: when Motivation fails, that's when Discipline comes in.

(33:34) Chris and I were also on a virtual relay team together in 2020-2021 for the Circumpolar Race Around the World (CRAW). Together, we completed 31,000 miles of running/walking or 50,000 km in 16 months! Chris was tops on our team with 4600 miles - that's 9+ miles a day during those nearly 500 days.

He also has a (40:20) bond with his wife Melody through running, which gives them time together, unique goals, traveling. Chris finally got a BQ and ran the Boston Marathon this year, which he calls a "tricky race." (47:20) This avid runner also has some very sound advice for when the going gets tough, and staying positive to push through. He says break challenges into chunks...keep trying to do the right things daily...don't get overwhelmed...and celebrate victories. (52:22) This week's "Parting Gift" is an inspiring quote from an MS patient, then my closing Prayer.

Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast! Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

Friday Food 4 Thought is back! On this one, I bring in some personal perspective on dropping our son off at the University of Georgia and saying goodbye, which included some tears for yours truly. It's tough but necessary to let go and trust God for our children.

Make sure to subscribe to this "Run The Race" podcast for weekly insight and guests talking sharing extraordinary stories and wisdom related to fitness and faith!

And on this shorter episode, we have some survival tips from experts for moms and dads saying goodbye to kids at school close or far away. In the Bible, David too looked past his fears and doubts to proclaim his trust in God, knowing that would be the only way he'd defeat his enemies. What we are up against, at times, is our own emotions. Our closing prayer is along the same lines.

Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast! Share it with your friends. Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info and listen to any previous episodes, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.