Now there are only 14 weeks to go until the marathon. Last week's training went to plan although my 13 mile long run turned out to be 13.7 miles - and I felt better after that than after last week's 10 miles. Wednesday's run was planned to included a middle 3 miles in 21 minutes - I did it in 21 minutes and 15 seconds. After the time off due to illness over Christmas/New Year I was pleased with this - and a little surprised to get so close to 21 minutes. Overall I did a total of just under 34 miles in 5 sessions.
This week's plan is another 5 sessions covering a total of between 34-35 miles, with a long run of 14 miles.
The biggest worry for this coming week is the prospect of snow. No snow here please. The snow is not the main problem - it is the icy pavements that follow over the next few days - which make running impossible.
I may have mentioned that I am running the marathon for Christian Aid and aiming to raise £2000. If you would like to sponsor me you can do so by visiting www.virginmoneygiving.com/keithtarring
This short video gives a brief introduction to their work.
Monday, 14 January 2013
Thursday, 10 January 2013
Let your light shine
This is the third Christmas present we looked at on Sunday.It's a small clip-on light designed to clip to the sleeve of a running top. The light can be set to constant or flash and ensures that when you're running in the dark you are visible - particularly to motorists.
In Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus says that his disciples are the light of the world - their good deeds will be visible - and will bring glory to God.
Some people would want us to believe that faith is something that is private. A person is free to believe what they want as long as it stays behind closed doors. But Jesus tells us that faith is something that is visible - because faith affects absolutely everything. Our beliefs affect what we do and what we say, and why we do it. So to say that faith is to be confined to being behind closed doors shows a total lack of understanding of faith and belief.
So, as we go into a new year, let us determine that we will be the light of the world. That our faith will be visible. And that the glory will go to God.
Wednesday, 9 January 2013
Have your tool-kit at the ready
Here is the second of my Christmas presents that we looked at on Sunday.
It's a 17 piece multi-tool designed for cyclists. It's small enough to fit into a pocket and means that if your chain breaks or your brakes fail you are able to make some running repairs that will enable you to get home.
In life, things break. Things don't always go to plan. So what do we do when things go wrong? What about those situations that arise which have no answers, no solutions, no fix? If we don't know what is just around the corner how can we prepare for it?
We need to make sure that we have our tool kit at hand - and that we know how to use it. So what are the sort of tools that we need to hand? What are the sorts of disciplines that we need to be developing in the good times so that they are in place when things get tough.
Prayer, reading and memorising the Bible. When the storm strikes it is important to know the truth. And then in the storm we remind ourselves and hold on to these truths - e.g. Psalm 46:1-3; and we ask God to help us believe.
It's a 17 piece multi-tool designed for cyclists. It's small enough to fit into a pocket and means that if your chain breaks or your brakes fail you are able to make some running repairs that will enable you to get home.
In life, things break. Things don't always go to plan. So what do we do when things go wrong? What about those situations that arise which have no answers, no solutions, no fix? If we don't know what is just around the corner how can we prepare for it?
We need to make sure that we have our tool kit at hand - and that we know how to use it. So what are the sort of tools that we need to hand? What are the sorts of disciplines that we need to be developing in the good times so that they are in place when things get tough.
Prayer, reading and memorising the Bible. When the storm strikes it is important to know the truth. And then in the storm we remind ourselves and hold on to these truths - e.g. Psalm 46:1-3; and we ask God to help us believe.
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
Leave no stone unturned
On Sunday we thought about how we often miss the things that God has done because we go round with our eyes closed.
Geocaches are hidden in such a way that they should not be seen or found by accident by members of the public. But once you have the co-ordinates and the clue it will only take a few minutes for you to locate the cache.
In Matthew 13 the disciples ask Jesus why he is always speaking in parables. They knew that parables were stories that had a point - but it wasn't always easy to work out what the point was - wouldn't it be easier if Jesus just told them the point and forgot about the nice story?
Jesus was speaking to the crowds and to the disciples. One of the things that distinguished the disciples from the crowds was that the crowds were content with the story - the disciples wanted to know the point - and then they wanted to obey and apply it.
When we read the Bible we are not just reading an ordinary book. As Christians we believe it is the word of God and that it is a living and active book - a book that has the power to transform our lives. It is a book that is full of hidden treasures. When we know the treasure is there we will look for it. When you're looking for a geocache and you know that a cache is in the area where you are you literally leave no stone or log unturned in your search for the prize.
As we read the Bible this year let's pray that God will reveal himself to us in the pages of the Bible. Let's not be content just to dip into the Bible every now and again. But instead let's get serious. Let's read it regularly and prayerfully. Let's make sure that we are part of a church or a study group that wants to read, to understand and apply the Bible to our lives.
Geocaches are hidden in such a way that they should not be seen or found by accident by members of the public. But once you have the co-ordinates and the clue it will only take a few minutes for you to locate the cache.
In Matthew 13 the disciples ask Jesus why he is always speaking in parables. They knew that parables were stories that had a point - but it wasn't always easy to work out what the point was - wouldn't it be easier if Jesus just told them the point and forgot about the nice story?
Jesus was speaking to the crowds and to the disciples. One of the things that distinguished the disciples from the crowds was that the crowds were content with the story - the disciples wanted to know the point - and then they wanted to obey and apply it.
When we read the Bible we are not just reading an ordinary book. As Christians we believe it is the word of God and that it is a living and active book - a book that has the power to transform our lives. It is a book that is full of hidden treasures. When we know the treasure is there we will look for it. When you're looking for a geocache and you know that a cache is in the area where you are you literally leave no stone or log unturned in your search for the prize.
As we read the Bible this year let's pray that God will reveal himself to us in the pages of the Bible. Let's not be content just to dip into the Bible every now and again. But instead let's get serious. Let's read it regularly and prayerfully. Let's make sure that we are part of a church or a study group that wants to read, to understand and apply the Bible to our lives.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)