Treasures on Earth vs. Heaven

This was a very good triathlon season. I placed really well and received several awards this year. At the same time my youngest son asked to move back in with me from California. Which caused me to have to move all my awards out of the extra bedroom. It was during this period of time I was faced with trying to find a place to put all these awards. I had worked very hard this year and my hard work had paid off. I had made a plan, evaluated my previous season and worked on my weakness. In the end I had ran 6 triathlons and received 6 awards.  Not bad for a second triathlon season. 

I have been trying to see things how Jesus would have me to look at things.  What I mean is that I want to try and see things from a more heavenly position. I want to see things from Gods view point. (Isa. 55:6-9)  So I was hanging up my rewards from my labors of training and healthy living. One of the teachings of Jesus came to me. Jesus said, "Lay not up yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasures is, there will your heart be also".(Matt.6:19-21KJV) So with this thought in my mind and while hanging my dust catching objects on my wall. I started to think about what I am doing and how I should be viewing my service for God.

I have really worked really hard this year on becoming a better triathlete. I really focused on my weakness. For this last season I determined to boost my running. I did a run focus off season training while most of my friends focused on their cycling skills.  What I did find that while I focused on my running, my cycling came up as well. I think that was due to my increasing endurance. I also studied the races I was planning for the season and researched those results as well. This I did so I could know what to shoot for as far as times and paces. So as you can see I put alot of work into having a successful season, and I received my rewards.

You know just as hard as I work on my triathlon skills, I really need to work on my servant skills. Jesus said, "to lay up our treasures in heaven." You know most times we read these verses and we automatically think of money but rewards come in various ways as well. Jesus talked about prayer (in Matt 6:5-6) and referred to the hypocrite's prayer as his reward because of what the people who heard him pray thought. If we do anything for Jesus we must do it with the right attitude. If we give, serve, or anything we do in the name of Jesus and we seek mans praise we did it for the wrong reasons and our reward is just that mans praise. I know that when I do the sound for the Church that I attend. Sometimes people will come to me and say good job. While I sometimes get the occasional good job today Ric. I always think to myself oh no you just blew it. I feel like my reward is slipping from heaven. I do like to hear the occasional good job but what I really want is to hear is Jesus say, "Ric good job in serving Me."  That is the reward I seek. I want God's  praise not mans praise. When I give I really do not like getting letters or any type of thank you for my support. Again I know this sounds silly but just hear me out. I don't give because some man or preacher says I should. I give to Honor God with all he gives me. I do not want man to say thank you. I desire for God to say Thank you.

I want to say that while I have these desires does not mean that I am super spiritual. I do fail, even in this area of my life. Trust me I do have pride Issues. I love hearing I do a good job. I love when people say I am good at something. It makes me feel like I belong somewhere. While I do struggle with this issue. I also want to put things in their proper place. It is my desire that I put my earthly endeavors and my heavenly endeavors in there proper place. I want and will always love hearing how good I did in a Triathlon. While I know it is God who gives me the strength and the health to do these things I do get my rewards on earth. Likewise when I serve and do what I do for Jesus I do not what the praise from man. What I desire is for God to be glorified and His praise. (Romans 11:33-36)

So as I continue to walk through this life as a Christian triathlete I will always have the Bible as my guide, and as I follow those silly lines in training. It is my prayer that you will follow me as I continue to, Stare at Lines.

Slacker? Triathlete/Christian

While recovering from my ankle injury I have been reflecting on a triathlon I did last year. The Galena Triathlon and Dualathlon. As I have said once before hind sight seems to be 20/20. So some of my thoughts of this race are different today then they were when I was in Galena. God has been working in my life in a great way. I now see things in a new light, then I did a year ago. I have told my Galena story several times, but I never saw it the way I see it today.

Galena was my 2nd triathlon and being new I was very eager to learn as much as I could about this sport. so as I was setting up my transition area. There was an older man giving this young lady some advice. it was obvious to me that the girl was doing her first triathlon. He was telling her how to set up her transition area and what she could expect through out the day. Then the young lady said, "oh you've done allot of these have you"? He then replied with,"nope, I am what you call a SLACKER TRIATHLETE. I just like doing triathlons, but really do not like to do all the work to be good at it. I just do enough to just get by".  I was kinda shocked by his comment. When you are as competitive as I am that just did not set well with me. How can you do just enough to get by? I decided I did not want to learn anymore from this guy.

So I went out and struggled to get through my fist open water swim and did my bike ride then off on the run. Galena was a very hard course for a newbie. While on the run, I came to the final hill which started with about a 200 yard down hill run with a 200 yard climb. As I arrived to the bottom there was another man sitting on the guard rail. He was cheering people on. "Keep it up, your almost done. Keep your head down and just get up that hill", were some of the useful advice he was giving. I just felt to ask, "so are you done?" To which he replied, "nope I am still working on it". So I powered through and finished strong. After talking to a few of the other racers I had met. I was curious and looked down the hill and the guy was still there. Still cheering and yes, still working on it. I don't even know if he ever finished the race.

Wow, what a combination of lessons we can learn from these two events. How many times do we as Christians do just enough to get by. Just enough to be called a Christian. Just go to church, just give a little bit, and speak just enough about Jesus to fit the bill. The Christian life is not about doing just enough.  God did not just do enough by giving us His Son as a living sacrifice. Jesus did not just do enough to give His life for out sins. Jesus came to give us Life and Life more abundantly. (Jn. 10:10)  The Christian life is to be a lifestyle. Just like my triathlon lifestyle is a my healthy way of life. So should my Christian lifestyle needs to be my spiritual lifestyle. It demands me to be diligent to the things of God. Just as I work hard to be successful as a triathlete. So much more I should be ever so determined to work at Christian life as well.

Which leads me to the next thing. Why am I so content on, "just working on it"? Why do I get so comfortable in my Christian life that when an obstacle that is bigger than my comfort zone. I would rather sit on the sideline and cheer my brother and sisters on. Why am I so content on just giving Spiritual advice. While I sit and try to decide if I really want to face my next challenge. Why do we as Christians think we can offer good advice if we cannot live it ourselves?

I am starting to believe that we as Christians have lost our perspective of who and what God really is. I think we view God based on what He can do for us, and not what we should be doing for Him and His Glory.(Isaiah 55:6-9)  If you are asking God for things that benefit self and not the Glory of God. Is he your lucky rabbit's foot? Have you ever listen to yourself pray? Have you listen to what you ask God to do? Are your request that which brings glory to God? Are they plea's for God's will be done? I think this is the true test of how you view God. You might want to re-evaluate how you view God.

As I have said before God is working in my life. I HAVE NOT ARRIVED, but I am working on it. Not from the sidelines, but on the front line. I will make a diligent decision to work on my Christian life as hard as I am on my tri-life. (Philippians 3:13-15)  I will face that which God has put before me, not for my glory but for His glory. I will encourage my brother and sisters not with my words but with my life. Most of all I will constantly evaluate how I view Jesus. I will strive to put God in His Proper place. Finally will continue to follow the Spiritual Lines that God has place before me. As I Journey through life, Staring at Lines.

Focus, Focus, Focus

Now that my season is over I have decided to work on my running again for the next few months. Trying to build a good running base. It is my hope to do some longer races this next season and I want to have a good distance base. I am hoping to do at least one 1/2 marathon and a 1/2 Ironman as well. After some research I have decided to do the Heart-rate running system. So I have been working the system. One of the things you do in the heart-rate system is you take your max heart rate and your resting heart rate and calculate the two numbers to get your heart rate zones. I know this sounds complicated but really this is very easy. I have a web site that I visit to get these numbers and zones.

So while I was enjoying a beautiful morning run this last week. I was trying to do a max heart rate test. I was attempting to dial in my heart rate for my heart rate running training. So the plan was to do a 15 min warm-up and then a 1/2 mile sprint with a 1 min rest then a 2nd 1/2 mile sprint. What ever your heart rate is at the end of the 2nd sprint is what your max heart rate. So I set off on my warm up feeling fine. pretty much staying in zone 1 just trying to stay loose. So as I started my first 1/2 mile sprint. I held a a comfortable pace and was now kicking it up for the finish. I then hit my lap counter to get my time and then flipped to get my heart-rate but the lap screen stayed up. So now I am staring at my watch I didn't see the pot hole in the middle of the running path. Yep, that's right I twisted my ankle and I dropped like a ton of bricks. I walked it off for about 5 minutes and then finished with my 2nd sprint. Although I did have 2 good 1/2 mile runs of 6:45mile avg and 6:58 mile avg. I unfortunately I did not  get an accurate heart-rate, but what I did get was a very sore ankle. I have been nursing this sore ankle for about 5 days now. I don't think I will be running for about 10 days. All because I was not watching where I was going.

You know in the Christian life this is true as well. God gives us a basic running path. He tells us to keep our eyes on Him. He has admonished us to, trust in Him and he will direct our path. Provb. 3:5-6. We sometimes get sidetracked. We take our eyes of of Jesus and look to self, or the things of this world.  Although we Love God and want to please him we get distracted by life and we try to go it alone. I don't think we plan it or realize we are doing it until we step in a pot hole of life. Now we are struggling to get back on our feet. I just Praise God that He is an all loving and forgiving God. I thank Jesus that he not only died for my sins, but all of my sins (past, present and future). The thank the Lord that he gave me 1Jn1:9 to forgive me of my sins and that for the most part it does not hurt like my ankle has for the last 5 days.

So now that I have God's little reminder to keep my eyes on focused Him. I will trust in Philp. 3:13-14. Last but not least I will always REMEMBER: to keep my eyes on the right path by Staring at Lines.

NOTE: This web site is the best site I have found for heart-rate training. http://www.best-running-tips.com/index.html
This is the link to the Karvonen Heart rate calculator (http://www.best-running-tips.com/heart-rate-monitor-training-karvonen-calculator.html)

How my Tri-journey is changing.

As I conclude my WyldTri '10 season review. I come to the last race of the season. I hope as you have read these series of blogs that you see the progression of how my Tri-journey has been changing. It has been my desire over these past few weeks to show how I have arrived to where I am now. I hope that I have fully shown how I have went from having an awareness of God in my athletic lifestyle to allowing Jesus to move through me while I race. I also want to show how I have gone from racing to give God the glory in my results to racing for His glory with my actions. While most of my blogs have been in hindsight. This last race was what made me want to look back and see how God was leading me to the point I am at now.

The last race of the WyldTri '10 season was the Great Illini Challenge. It was held on the campus of the University of Illinois in Urbana,IL. This was not on my original last race of the season. I was planning on doing a Half Ironman instead. Due to a family issue again I had to cancel this race and decide to do the Illini race instead. I wanted to help a friend and teammate. My Friend Tony was doing his very first Triathlon. Tony had been training all summer, loosing weight and getting control of his life. Me I just wanted to do just one more triathlon. So my plan was to do my race and then run the run portion with Tony. Who would have known what was about to happen that day. This race changed the direction my Tri-journey.

The morning started with rain. Yes, wonderful ran and trying to set up your transition area in this condition as well. As I went to the swim area. The swim was in a 50 meter inside pool. (6 Links, 300 meters) During my warm up time I felt good and ready to roll. I then started the swim and the first 75 meters went well. It was after the 75 meters I felt like I was drowning. I had to go from freestyle and then on to the breath stroke back to freestyle and back again. I struggled and could not get my swim together. Then out of the water and off to the transition area. Again my helmet ear piece fell off and then my Garmin fell of my bike after I fixed both items it was off on the bike. I has a set pace and was holding it well.  My bike portion was almost flawless. As I was coming back in I saw what I thought was a cyclist that was hit by a car. As I approached the intersection my Garmin fell off again and I had to stop. As quick as I could stop someone handed me my Garmin. I shouted to the cyclist to see if he was okay. He replied he had a flat. I asked if he had a Tube and he stated no. I then asked if he had air and an Air chuck and again he said no. So I gave him a tube, air cartridge, and gave him my air chuck. and I went off to finish my bike ride. Transition was a breeze and off on the run. I had one of the best Runs ever and finished well despite the mishaps.

As I waited for Tony to come by on the run I decided to check my results. I counted off my age-group finishers and found out I finished 4th. (They only awarded top 3) Just missed placing, but for some strange reason I felt at peace with it. I was not upset or mad because of what I did (stopping to give a helping hand). Just then Tony came by and we were off on the run. Tony was a big guy and was more or less doing the run/walk method. My job to keep him focused and push him along. I must confess it was the most fun 5k I have ever ran. I laughed, joked and just talked about life with Tony. I was so proud of him. He was doing it. I even talked to him about how I had helped that guy and how I had finished 4th in my age-group. Tony told me he was proud of me and I did the right thing.  As we rounded the corner Tony's family was in full force. When he finished his family was so proud of him. I was also very proud of him as well.

Tony Finishing His First Triathlon

While I was waiting I heard my name called over the P.A. to report to a booth that was set up at the race. When I got to the booth a man introduced himself to me as Chris Lansford. he was the guy I had helped. He handed me my air chuck and air cartridge and said, "thanks I thought my day was over". I told him, "thanks". He said, "I guess..." I said, " Look, God has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams. You don't owe me a thing. I just want to be a blessing to someone else".  After we talked a while he and I parted ways. Someone came up to me and said, "you might want to check the board, there was a scoring error".  I found out the scoring error allowed me to go from 4th to 3rd in the age-group and 17th overall. I have said this over and over  again in this blog. You cannot out bless God. I went to be a blessing to my friend Tony and received more blessings than I can count.

Chris Lansford and myself enjoying our Rewards

Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan. How the most Religious of men just passed by and traveled on the opposite side of the road. The one person who was willing to help was in the minds of the Jews the most lowly of people. He not helped the man he put him up and paid for the care of the man as well.  As I was waiting for the award ceremony. I was standing there with my friends Tony, Nick, and my girlfriend Julie. I heard the name of Chris Lansford. I turned to my friends and said, "hey that is the guy I had helped". Chris had just got 3rd place in his age-group.  I went up to him and congratulated him and he said it again, "I thought my day was ruined until you came along". I smiled and thought hey I had a part in that. So if you run the totals for the day you will find. I finished 17th overall, 3rd in my age-group, helped my buddy finish his 1st triathlon. Finally, I acted like a good Samaritan, Honored God with my actions (not my results) and He finished 3rd in his age-group and me I received a blessings of knowing I did what Jesus wanted me to do. I think sometimes we use the saying, "what would Jesus do?" I think what Jesus meant when he said, ..."Go, and do likewise. (Lk. 10:37)  We are to do the will of the Father, and be open to opportunities that would allow us to serve Jesus. By doing something as simple as stopping and giving someone a tube, air cartridge, and an air-chuck. I was doing the will of the Father. There are opportunities to serve Jesus we just have to look for them.

As we were leaving the race that day. Julie (my girlfriend) said to me I think your Tri-journey just changed. I said I think you are right. I hope to find as many ways to serve Jesus as I continue to Staring at Lines.

That Guy

As I was preparing for the Lakeland Tri-Bi Triathlon in Canton,IL. I was at the Gym talking to a friend of mine named Parish. Parish and I train at the same gym. While were talking about the Canton race when someone came up to us and said, "hey aren't you guys the Tri-guys"? The Tri-guys describes us right. When we are at the gym that is pretty much what we talk about. We talk about how we are training what races we are doing and what our goals will be.

I guess you can say I am a man of many hats. To my kids I am dad, and to my grandsons (x2) I am called grandpa. To my loving girlfriend I am her man/boyfriend. To my Tri-Team and Tri-friends I am known as the Wyldchyld. I work at a Maximum Security Prison as a Correctional Officer. To the Inmates I am known as Simms or C/O (short for correctional officer), and they probably know me by other names that I cannot mention here or would I repeat.

In the Bible people were know for various reasons. In the Gospels Jesus was known as the Christ! In Acts the people of the Church in Antioch were 1st called Christians. Also in Acts the Demons knew who Jesus and Paul were but questioned who was trying to cast them out of someone they possessed. James and John were brothers and they were known as the Sons of Thunder. David was a man after God's own heart. Solomon was the wises man in the world. Elijah and Moses are known as the Prophets.

I think it should be the goal of every Christian to be known as a Child of God, man/woman of God, and Christian. In Mt.26:69-75, Mk. 14:66-72, Lk.22:55-62,and Jn. 18:25-27 all tell the story of Peter denying Christ three times. What I also see is that the people knew who Peter was. No matter what Peter said or did at that moment they all knew. They all knew that Peter was a follower of Jesus Christ. How much more we should desire this kind of attention. I know not everyone looks upon Christians with a good view point. That is OK I would rather wear the badge and be frown upon than to not wear the Badge at all! I also know some of us wear this badge and bring it shame. I am not sure why we sometimes choose to live a life of mediocrity instead of Living a Christ filled life. I know as for me I will stay focused and hope and pray that people see me as a Christ follower. I want to be known as a Christian as I continue to Stare at Lines.

Focus, Focus, Focus

But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with the waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit: and they cried out of fear. But  straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And He said, Come. And when peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.  Mt. 15:24-32 (KJV)

At times even as athletes, we tend to loose focus from time to time. Just like Peter we see the waves of adversities and we allow other things to take away our focus. We use excuses like an pain of a previous injury, heat , nutrition, or I just wasn't feeling it. Sometimes we use personal issues to keep us from training. These issues will do alot to distract you and make you loose your focus. This is exactly what happened to me in early July.

The Tremont Triathlon was such a highpoint of my year so far. After the race I boarded a plane for Florida for a nice week long vacation in Sunny Florida. Since this was suppose to be a vacation I should have taken the week off to heal. I did do a sprint triathlon and also did the run course 2 additional times as well. I did not do this. I instead ran during the week thinking I was keeping my fitness up. What did happen was it allowed my inner thigh injury to flair up leaving me with 2 weeks left and having to use the elliptical, and training indoors. With the injury and just returning from vacation left me with little desire to train. I had to force myself to train for those last 2 weeks, and it was like pulling teeth. I fought myself tooth and nail everyday to get up and go. I tried everything to get focused. Still no focus!!!

My last resort was prayer. I hate the sound of this, but it is true. I now think and believe that God should be my first option not my last resort. I must say if Tremont was the beginning of God starting to really work on my life then The Evergreen Classic was the first lesson. As I went to God in prayer, and begged Him for his help. I knew there was no way I could do this on my own. The Monday before the race after praying I felt God's peace and that He would in fact be with me. My focus was rough at best but I knew that the Lord would have my back.

On the day of the race the water was to warm for a wet suit. This was OK because I had an open water swim plan. As our wave was getting staged in the water. I had decided to start on the outside front. my thinking was I am a good swimmer at best and did not want to get caught up in the fight this year, but just before the start there was a snake in our staging area. I am terrified of snakes. some brave soul did catch the snake and threw it out of the swim area. The whistle blows and we were off. the swim went well. out of the water into transition and off on the bike.  I am still doing well. As I get out on the bike I feel really comfortable and rode really well. I just knew I was gonna have a great run. Into the transition and off on the run. My run was starting out good but not great. My inner thigh started to hurt and the heat was heating up.  I got to about 2.3 miles into the run and I just could not go, and I started to walk and run. It was at this point I was starting to loose focus and was getting frustrated. The heat was pushing the 90 degrees. I did see  some of my fellow age-groupers pass me. It was during this point I really wanted to quit but something told me to just keep going. My focus was all but gone now. I was so upset with myself and I really wanted to quit. Despite all of my desire to quit I kept pushing on. I think if it had been a loop I would have quit. I then just told myself the sooner I do this the sooner I can pack up and go home. Down the stretch I saw my Girlfriend (Julie) and my fellow teammates cheering me on.

Finally I was done and I consumed 2 bottles of water and grabbed a third one to drink. I then went to pack my gear. I was done and I knew it. As I was packing my gear, Julie asked me how I felt and I told her how my thigh was hurting. after I pack up I went to my car and placed my gear in the car. Julie convinced me to just go see how I did and get something eat. Food at a Triathlon is sometimes the best part of the race. As I went to see the results, I was amazed to find out that I placed 5th in my age-group and qualified for Nationals. For my efforts I received a cow bell trophy and a t-shirt that said, "I qualified for the USAT Nationals".

As I had said earlier, I had prayed about this race and felt like God had my back and he did. Despite loosing my focus. I had looked at the the waves of pain, I felt the waves of heat,and I felt the wave of exhaustion. I fell in the Sea of Pity. Despite it all God pulled me out of the waters of self pity. he put me on a Rock (Jesus) and delivered me from the storm. When God says, "He has your back".You just have to believe it to be so.

We as Christians know that the Lord will never leave us or forsake us. He feeds us in the presence of our enemies.  God is Faithful. Like in this race God was with me despite the stormy waves. He is with us on our walk with Him. I will at times see the waves of adversity. We will go through waves of temptations. Be bounced around in the storms of self pity, but God wants us to be stead fast on Him. I need to remember to keep my eyes on Jesus and not on the waves around me. So as we continue in my Journey of Life, please follow along with me as I try to stay focused. By Staring at Lines.

Being a blessing and getting blessed instead.

As I have stated in a past blog (9-27-10) that my Triathlon Journey through life is changing.I believe the change started around the time of the Tremont Triathlon. I believe this due to 2 changes in my life at this time. The first is; I was mentoring 2 more people in various phases in their Triathlon Journey, and the other thing is I started running the sound board at the church I attend. Up to this point I still believed that hard work, good results equaled God's blessings. Although I was giving God the credit for my success, now in hind sight I am starting to see the much bigger picture.

I met Joe around April of 2010. Joe is a big guy at about 6ft and 300+lbs. He had a goal as well, he wanted to do his 1st Triathlon in under 2 hours. He also joined Tremont Team T3, which is the Tri team that I belong to. Joe would log his workouts on Beginner Triathlete.com and we all watched with amazement as he worked really hard toward his goal of doing his first triathlon. I started to notice a pattern in his workouts. He was progressing well in the swim and on the bike, but due to his size his run was a struggle. So I offered my help on his running and found him a couch to 5k plan, this helped increase his running. So now Joe was armed with a running plan and access to me via the world wide web. Joe was back on track for his goal of under 2 hours for a sprint triathlon.

I met Amanda at 5 Points Gym. I was introduced to her by Sonny. (the guy from my post on 10-04-2010) Amanda also was wanting to do a Triathlon. Her goal was to do a triathlon and not finish looking like she was dying. Amanda was a runner who was training for a 1/2 marathon when I met her. I told her to do her 1/2 marathon and then come talk to me. She was in constant contact via e-mail letting me know where she was at in her running quest. So after her 1/2 marathon (which she finished strong I may add) we agreed to meet and discuss a training plan. What was so surprising about Amanda was that she is proud to be a Christian. Although she was confidant in her faith she lacked confidence in herself. I would  have to remind her she could do this. I also reminded her that if she put her faith in God, He would carry her though her quest. She was a good swimmer and a good runner so we just had to work on her cycling. so we set up a plan. We would meet once a week to train. We would swim or run most times. We would talk about Jesus and what He was doing in our lives. So with her plan in place we were moving toward her goal as well.

On race day we developed a plan so that I could run with Amanda and Joe. First we all set up our transitions within the same area. Then based on our swim times (this race was a pool swim) I would be starting considerably ahead of them that I could do my race then meet up with Amanda first and run with her. Then run with Joe last. So immediately after I finished my race I went back to the transition area and waited for Amanda. Then out we went, Amanda and I. Now it was my job to keep Amanda focused. I talked to her about her swim and her bike ride. I also discussed how she was feeling and reminded her that she was about 30 minutes away from her goal.   We discussed how proud I was of her and that her daughter would be very proud of her finishing. As we rounded the corner, I told her this is your moment enjoy it and make your kid proud. As she finished my heart flooded with emotions I never felt so proud  of Amanda. So after a congratulation hug and, "I am proud of you" off I went to find Joe.

As I went out to find Joe I found out he had already went out on the run. I had to make a slight short cut to find him. when I found him I greeted him with, "did you really think I would not be here?" We laughed and went on with our run/walk. Joe had a stopwatch on and he kept me posted on the time. My job was simple keep Joe motivated and running with out him killing myself. Joe and I would run 1 pole to the next pole then walk 2 poles. The pressure was on and time was running down. I had run the course twice already so I had a good ideal where we were and how much time we needed.  We kept the flow going and we were close. again when Joe and I rounded the corner I told Joe this is your moment give it all you got. Joe took off and well the rest is history. Joe reached his goal of 1:59:39. Just under two hours just as he planned.

What a day at the Tremont Triathlon. I had the honor to help 2 people finish and reach their goals of becoming triathletes. As for me well I finished 7th overall and 2nd in my age-group. My results alone were worth getting excited about, but I walked the journey with two people. I thought they would be so over joyed and I found myself feeling like I stole the Joy. I was so overjoyed and happy to be a part of their quest. I have a 2nd place Trophy but the real rewards are the joy on the faces of 2 people who met their goals and they will be stored in the trophy case of my heart.

In hindsight I have thought about Tremont and also my Service for the Lord as well. I am amazed how that a living God does not need me, but He wants to use me to do His work. I think it is awesome that no matter how hard I try to be a blessing. To try to out bless God. It seems like the flood gate of blessings come back. The rewards are more satisfying than all the hard work you put into it. To see the faces of Joe and Amanda after they finished their goals was just priceless. To hear all the thank-yous and the joy in the voices is something I  cannot explain. The same goes when I run the sound in church. To be the person who is in charge of making sure that the sounds they hear can make or break someones worship experience. To hear the voices lifted singing praises to God. Once again to have that feeling knowing that God is using me to Praise the Living God.  Nothing is more satisfying than knowing that God can use me for His Glory. No words of praise, or trophies can replace the feeling I get when I see and hear the voices of God's children singing the praises of God.

So as always continue to follow me as we travel through life, Staring at Lines.

The Power of the Wind

The Sullivan Triathlon is known for its windy race conditions. The winds have been so bad that they  changed there logo to a cloud blowing severe winds on a group of cyclist. This was the location of the 2nd race of the WyldTri 2010 Season. While preparing for the race (the Sullivan Triathlon) I read several race reports and they all had one common thread. Great race but that wind is brutal.  This year was no exception the winds were up to 20mph with 30mph gusts. It was so bad that the rain felt like sleet hitting my face. 

The wind does not bother me all that much anymore. There was a day that I would get so angry with the wind. Even to the point I would get so angry that I would yell at the wind. Just try and picture this crazy guy on his bicycle yelling at the wind. I can remember saying, are you ever gonna stop. Can I get just one easy day. I know as I write this I am finding this kinda comical in hindsight. I was so frustrated that I asked my friend and fellow triathlete Chris, "how do you cut through the wind like you do?" He then suggested that I re-route my bike rides so that when I am on my way back, the wind is at my back. I then asked why do you do it that way and he replied, "so when I am riding into the wind I just think about the reward of turning around and have the wind blowing on my back." I did do this for a while and it did work, but now I just ride my route and deal with it as it comes. Besides I agree with Chris on this, the wind only makes you stronger.

The Christian life is like this as well. When the winds of trials and tribulations come, it is God's way of making us stronger. You don't become a bodybuilder or even a triathlete without working out. It does not come over night, but by hard work. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (James. 1:3) God allows the winds to come and the storms to build, but hang on the rewards come at the end. Knowing that when we come out of that wind we will be a stronger person from it. Just like me riding in the wind makes me a better, faster, and stronger cyclist so does God's trials in our lives makes us a better Christian. I can look back at my Christian life and I see my victories and my failures but how it has changed me is what makes me who I am. Now I don't think so much about where I am going with my journey of faith, but more of where I have been. To see the Great work God has created in me. The lessons I have learned and the failures, and rewards have taught me even more than I could imagine. 

So as you ride in to the figurative storms of life and the winds are blowing all around us. You might be only going 10mph. Even though you feel like that crazy cyclist riding in the wind yelling or asking God, "When will this all end"?  Sometimes it gets so unbearable you just don't think you can make it. Hold on because the turn around is coming and so will the reward.  Now we feel like the Disciples in the boat with the storm around them, but we rely on the Lord. We ask God to deliver us from this storm.(Mt. 8:23-27) Now we stand fast waiting for Jesus to deliver us, and calm the storm. Then we hit the turn around and  it is time to go. Now the storm is gone and the wind is at your back. Look now your going 15,16,17,18 and now your pushing 20mph. the wind at your back and the breeze in your face. You feel like your flying and Superman has nothing on you. I know the feeling when those days that I am journeying through life and the wind is blowing right at me, and then other days when I feel like Jesus is literally carrying me. I doesn't get any better that this.

So keep hanging in there and I hope you are enjoying my journey through life as a Christan Triathlete as we Stare at Lines.

A Father, Son Moment

The 2010 WyldTri Season started out this year with me returning to the place of my 1st Triathlon. It was the 2009 Pioneer Sprint Triathlon in Pettersburg,IL. Last year as a newbie I was just looking to finish my 1st triathlon, but managed to do a 1:08. for a top 20 and a 2nd place Age-group finish. So heading into my 2nd season I had only 3 goals for this race. First was to set a new Personal Record (PR). To beat the guy that beat me by :58 seconds last year and to beat last years champion in the 45-49 age-group (since I moved up in age-group this year). I am glad to report to you I was successful in all 3 goals. I finished with a time of 1:04.1 for a 9th overall finish and 1st place finish in the 45-49 age-group, and was able to beat the guy who beat me last year as well.

What was really cool though was that I had a father/son moment with my friend Sonny. A father/son moment is when your child participates in an activity, and in the middle of the activity the child stops what they are doing and starts waving. While the activity continues to play around them. It was at this race that I had this kinda moment with Sonny. He is a Personal Trainer at the gym I train at. I met him through a friend who also trains for triathlons as well. Sonny was looking to train people for triathlons but had never done one. He wanted my help in finishing his first triathlon. We discussed various races and the dates of these races. It was decided the he would do the Pioneer Sprint Triathlon.

(This is me running left, Sonny below)

We got together and set-up a training plan. I helped him come up with a swimming plan and then advised him to use the RPM (spin) class through the winter months since he had no trainer for his bicycle. he had a good run base so I left his run up to him to do. He followed the plan loosely at best. Sometimes life just gets in the way, and Sonny has 4 children to deal with. Sonny just seemed to struggle to get the workouts done. With 2 weeks before the race Sonny made the comment that he had not even taken the child seat off his bike yet. So I went out and borrowed a friends Cannondale for him to use. Then with a week left we met so we could go through my transitions drill, so he could be prepared for the transitions. Sonny felt he was ready.

We headed out that morning to our race destination, in Pettersburg,IL. When we arrived I walked Sonny through registration/check-in. Then off to set up the transition. We then did a walk through of the swim to the bike, and the run. So now he was ready to do his first triathlon. It was now time for the race meeting. After the meeting I turned to Sonny and said, "Have fun and enjoy it because your never gonna forget it."

I went to my starting area and I was off. I didn't see Sonny out on the bike course, but I did see him out on the run. I was heading in from the run and Sonny was going out. I yelled at him a couple of times, but he did not hear me (he had his ipod on). As I reached the top of the hill I heard Sonny yelling,"Ric, Ric, Go Ric". After I had finished I greeted some of my triathlon teammates in as I waited for Sonny to come in. Then here comes Sonny around the corner, and he was all smiles. He looked up and saw me and just like a child waving at his parents Sonny was yelling, "Ric, did you see me? I saw you out on the run. Did you see me?"  He was about 100 yards from the finish and I said, "your almost done, just go Sonny Go!!! After he finished he asked me."so how did I do?" I said, "you finished." Then he replied, "I know that but how did I do?" I responded,"you did just fine Sonny, Good Job. I am so proud of you dude!"

I have thought about this moment a few times and just laughed. As of late though I have found myself having these same moments. When I am doing a long swim or a long bike ride, find myself saying, "OK, Lord it is me again. I have this problem", or I will say something like, "Lord, thanks for such a nice day." Also when I am mixing the sound at church and I get frustrated I will stop and say, "Lord, I cant do this. I need help." Even when it is going well I will say, "Thanks Lord for just helping me." I Guess lately I find myself having these moments and I think about Sonny finishing. Maybe like a child I just want my Heavenly Father to see me waving at Him. I just hope that when I cross that final finish line of life I can say," Father how did I do?"

So please continue to follow with me on my Journey through life, while we Stare at Lines.

My Tri Journey is Changing.

The WyldTri season of 2010 has come to an exciting end. It was not the way I saw it ending. With this being my second season in this crazy world of triathlons, I had a few lofty goals. Two of which were to qualify for the 70.3 Worlds in Clearwater, Fl. and to complete a Sprint Triathlon in under an hour. Neither of which I achieved, but what I achieved was so much more.

I was able to compete in 6 triathlons, 5 of them were Sprints and 1 was an Olympic triathlon. Over the next 6 weeks I will recap my season race by race, and what God has taught me as well in each event. In these events I was able to achieve: 2 Age-group wins, a Second place Age-group finish, a Third place Age-group finish and 2 Fifth place Age-group finishes. Also I managed 3 top 10 overall finishes and a top 20 overall finish as well. (Not bad for a 44 year old man.) I also qualified for the USAT Age-group Nationals. I think the most wonderful and rewarding accomplishment was that I was able to train/mentor 2 people in finishing their goal of completing a Triathlon. I also was able to do the run with 3 people while they were completing a Triathlon for the first time, as well. What an honor it was to have a front row seat to watching people complete their quest of becoming a Triathlete.

I started my season with the plan of competing in the 70.3 in New Orleans. However, due to an upper thigh injury I  realized that I would just be finishing and not Qualifying. I set my sights on a few other races instead. It was during this period God started working on me. I had thought by going out and smashing each race. I would somehow honor God. by giving him the glory for my efforts. While I did just that, something started to happen. God was changing me.

While I was getting faster, stronger and more confident. I was also reading God's word, praying, and starting to act different. I realized that during training sessions I found myself talking to God. I was asking Him for the strength to do the workouts. I found myself asking God to guide my life and my training sessions as well. During my training sessions I found myself praying, not only for strength in my training but for others as well as myself. I found myself saying, "not by my strength, but by your Power God!" I started to have a desire to serve God not only in the Church I attend, but also in my public life as well. I found that I must show the people I work with my new found love for the Lord. I actually told a co-worker one time that I honestly believed that God wants to work through me, but I did not know how just yet. That is when I started, Staring at Lines. Although I do not believe this is all he wants me to do, I believe there is more to come.

You may be wondering what caused this new change? It was really simple. I found a new church that fits me. A church where I feel at home. A place where people do not judge you, they encourage you  to live right. It is a place where it is easy to get motivated about living for Jesus. It is also without a doubt the Funnest Place on Earth. A place where you can hear the Greatest Message on Earth, JESUS. It is the reason that I look forward to Sunday, just so I can go to church. To worship God in song and be fed the Word of God. Don't get me wrong it was not the building that brought this great change, but the people who helped bring this great change. It was being around people who loved Jesus, and were excited to see what He was doing in each and everyone else's lives.(Matthew 18:19-20)

I find it interesting that the early Church was the same way. They were excited about what God was doing in their lives. They were so united that when they met to pray the walls shook.(Acts 4:31)  People were added to the church daily, and people were being healed. How could you not be excited about Jesus? The Early church had the fire of the Holy Spirit, and they met with each other daily to praise the Living God.(Acts 2:42:-47)   It is knowing that Jesus is with us by the power of the Holy Spirit. I have realized one thing, it is not me holding on to Jesus, but it is God who is holding onto me. That has carried me this far.

So continue to follow me and although my Journey may have changed, my message is still the same.(I Corrinthians 9:23-27)  Please follow me as I share my races and faith experiences with you. Please walk with me as we continue...Staring at Lines.