Last week I gave you ten ways you can hate running both physically and spiritually.  I kept it short and simple because we were not created to dwell on the negative – whatever we focus on that is what we end up doing.  So today I wanted to share 10 ways I have found that help me love running and go a little more in depth for each.  This is not an exhaustive list by any means but it is some of my top tactics that I use personally.

Want to Love Running?

1. Run at your own pace.  Don’t compare your workouts to others. Their body and circumstances are never the same as yours so it’s not comparable anyway.
2. Fuel your workouts properly so you have energy to push when it’s time.  Learn what works for your body and stick to it.  And never try anything new at a race or the days leading up to it unless you are prepared to deal with the consequences.
3. Schedule your runs as if they are meetings.  This will keep your momentum going and always make sure you have time to get out there.
4. Have something to look forward to in training, find what you like and use it (i.e. sign up for races or group runs to stay motivated). 
5. Know why you run.  Thank God that you can run.  Keeping your perspective right and your mind from going in a down-spiral will do wonders for you during tough times.
6. Always warm up and cool down so you can avoid injuries and recover properly.  Again, find what works for you and stick to it because there are so many different ways to do it.
7. Let your body heal before you get an injury.  Take care of niggles before they get worse. Focus on cross-training, stretching, strength training fueling, etc. and get your body back on track.  It’s better to take a few days off rather than a few months in order to heal from a stress fracture or pulled muscle.
8. Wear good shoes that work for your body.  This is again individualized depending on how you run, where you run, what type of running you do, and how often you run.  Find a shoe that works for you and stick to it.
9. Listen to music, sermons, podcasts, audio bible, etc. for tough workouts.  Though at some point we need to create mental toughness, sometimes a speed workout is much more enjoyable with headphones in.
10. Listen to your body!!  Go hard on days your body feels good, go slow on days your body feels tired, give your body the nutrition/hydration it needs, and rest when your body needs rest.

Want to Love the Christian Life?

1. Die to yourself.  Surrender your life to Christ and be a vessel meet for the masters use.
   • Galatians 2:20
   • James 4:7
   • 2 Timothy 2:21
2. Pray every chance you get by practicing the presence of God and acknowledging Him in everything.  Run with Him every second of the day.
   • 1 Thessalonians 5:17
   • Proverbs 3:6
   • Micah 6:8
3. Make your bible your own and read it daily and asking Him to teach or show you something
   • Psalm 119:105
   • Luke 24:45
   • James 1:5
4. Make your life your own.  Don’t compare yourself to others. God made you unique and different from anyone else in the world.  There was and will be no one exactly like you in all of history.
   • Proverbs 27:4
   • Jeremiah 1:5
5. Obey God no matter what others say
   • Galatians 1:10
   • Acts 5:29
6. Thank God for everything.  If you struggle with sin rather than thanking Him for the sin, thank Him for an opportunity to draw closer to Him.
   • 1 Thessalonians 5:18
7. Give God glory and don’t seek the glory for yourself.
   • Matthew 5:16
   • Jeremiah 9:23-24
8. Discipleship is the way to go.  Have godly mentors over you that you can ask for prayer, advice, and encouragement and have others you mentor as well.
   • Proverbs 27:17
   • Matthew 28:19-20
9. Meditate on truth as much as possible so as not to be swayed by the world.
   • Romans 12:2
10. Pray for others, bless them, and love them.  You are not their judge, the law is.  Vengeance is of the Lord, let Him take care of it.
    • 1 Timothy 2:1-2
    • Romans 12:19

Workout Time!

If possible I would recommend you sit down and make a list for yourself.  Write down what helps you love running and what makes you hate it.  Determine to choose the right way over the wrong and enjoy what God has called you to do… Run with Him!!!

Hope you are having a wonderful Christmas season and I’ll see you again soon,

Happy Running Ya’ll!