It's Been A Long Time

Moving Forward in this Journey

I haven't posted a blog in over a year because I spend most of my time writing GRACE-WORDS each morning. However, because of the happenings of the past few weeks, I will be posting GRACERUNNER JOURNAL on a regular basis from this day forward.

My wife, Kiki, and I made a decision just prior to June 1 -- We committed our life's work to TEAM 413 - GRACERUNNER MINISTRIES. After founding the ministry back in 2003, it has grown to be the largest ministry for endurance athletes in the world with an estimated 80,000 people running under the name of TEAM 413. We had directed the ministry as volunteers in our "spare" time for 11 years and it just couldn't go on like that any longer. The ministry needed and will now receive my full attention from a work perspective.

We stepped out in faith after much prayer, consultation with folks much wiser than me, investigating all options, and with all the facts at our disposal. We moved to Seacrest, Florida where we own a small vacation cottage and has now become our home and the headquarters of TEAM 413. This is where we'll be from this day forward as we do the work and run life's race that God has placed before us.

I ask that you pray for us as we move along this path. Please pray for guidance, wisdom, and discernment as we make the decisions that will chart the direction of this very visible and viable ministry within the endurance athlete community. We will be very busy in short order! So, please pray for uncommon strength for us in the days ahead.

Our first project is a major fundraising campaign that will help us enhance the ministry and allow us to attend more events each year. To be directed to our fundraising page, click HERE.

I thank God each day for allowing me to be His servant and to lead TEAM 413. I am humbled and honored by His faithfulness, goodness, and grace! I also thank Him for all of you -- those who make TEAM 413 go by simply sharing your faith along your journey! Stay the course! We have much work to do!

Under HIS Grace...

Chris

ONE Nation Under GOD...

OVER THE START LINE OF TEAM 413'S "GET THERE & SHARE" Half Marathon
4-13-13

Those who know me well, know that I don't give up easily. I've looked at the picture above that was taken by one of the runners in our inaugural TEAM 413 "GET THERE & SHARE" Half Marathon on 4-13-13. It's a picture of the sky above the start line. We notice the cross and we notice the flag. The words keep coming back to me .... "ONE nation under GOD..."

The unthinkable horror of an act of cowardly terrorism in Boston this past Monday cannot be allowed to stand. I, along with all of you, will stand in the gap with our runners as they complete their life dreams. I will stand with them as they move toward the finish line and experience that moment when training, guts, grit, and dreams collide to become reality in their lives. I, like you, will not run from the terror of this world but will run to glorify God.

My new goal is to have prayer and for runners to recite the pledge of allegiance at every start line of every race in this country. We need to pray for victims of terror or victims of wounds of the heart in their daily lives. We need to pray for God's mercy and grace over our people. AND we need to pledge our allegiance to the greatest country in the world.

The country that you and I know is filled with heroes -- it's filled with patriotism -- it's filled with the things that made this country great. It's time that we take it back!

I'm on a mission! Join me!

Under HIS Grace...

Chris

What a Difference a Year Makes!

GRACERUNNER JOURNEY 2011

What a difference a year makes! On this last day of 2012 I reflect on how my running over the past year compares to 2011. In 2011 I ran 2756 miles -- an average of 53 miles per week in my 53rd year which I completed on December 31, 2011.  In addition to my many training miles in 2011, I completed 15 half marathons, 3 full marathons, and 6 runs which were greater than marathon distance during my 10 day GRACERUNNER JOURNEY. Fast forward to 2012 --- Because of a major hip injury I had to cut back drastically and will end the year with a total of approximately 1,300 miles -- completing 9 half marathons and 2 full marathons. 

Back in August, after several months of much pain and eventually reaching the point that I could not run, sit, drive, or sleep without pain, I met with one of the top orthopedic surgeons in the country who specializes in hip surgery. He told me what I didn't want to hear. My hip joint needed repair --- a resurfacing procedure instead of a total hip replacement. After this surgery and much rehabilitation it is our desire that I will feel much better. The surgeon told me that we could do the procedure in October. I declined. He told me that we could have the surgery before the end of the year. Once again, I declined. He was puzzled. I explained that I had unfinished business for our TEAM 413 ministry. I planned to run the Chicago Marathon on October 7 and then complete the Goofy Challenge (run both the half and full marathons) at the Walt Disney Marathon Weekend in January 2013. He had no problem with this, but warned me that I would have significant pain. My response was that I thought that I could deal with the pain. He agreed to allow me to carry on if I thought that it was what I needed to do.

2012 CHICAGO MARATHON

I completed the Chicago Marathon on October 7 and my surgeon was right! I had a lot of pain. Nevertheless, I completed the event albeit very slow! October, November, and December would prove my doc right again. Pain would be my constant companion as I continued forward. 

Now, comes one of the greatest physical challenges of my life. January will be a month filled with much effort, agony, joy, guts, grit, and pain. On January 12 I will line up for the Walt Disney World Half Marathon and then on the 13th I'll once again go to the starting line in order to complete the Walt Disney World Full Marathon -- This will be my 4th Goofy Challenge at the WDW Marathon Weekend. My only desire is to finish the event to the glory of God and to be a witness to someone along my journey.

On January 14 Kiki and I will drive from Orlando, Florida to Columbia, South Carolina. On January 15 I will finish preliminary testing prior to my surgery and then on January 16 I will undergo hip surgery, the structures will be resurfaced, and I'll stay in the hospital for a few days. What follows is still bit of a mystery to me. I'll be out of running for at least 6 months. I'll go through a rehabilitation program with a goal of returning to running at whatever pace God allows me to achieve. There is a race that I'm aiming for as my return event in 2013, but I'll keep that to myself for now.

Many folks have asked if I will still travel to represent TEAM 413 at marathon expos and at speaking engagements while I'm physically out of commission. The answer is, YES! I plan to be at a couple of events in February and then go to all of our scheduled events from March throughout the spring and summer prior to return to running. I'll probably sit down a bit more in our booth space and will have more volunteers to help us, but I'll be out there with my wonderful wife and partner, Kiki, sharing with whoever will listen. And, I'll be planning for our April 12-13 Race Weekend in Alabama.

This journey is going to be a challenge. It will be a test of my will, mental toughness, physical stamina, and trust in God's promise that HE is THERE! It will be a testimony to God working in my life! I'm looking forward to it with great anticipation! As always, Kiki will be right there by my side encouraging me, pushing me, loving me, and sharing our story.

Call me crazy! I'll just say that I am still on a relentless pursuit to allow God to draw strength from the depths of my soul that I didn't know that I had any longer!

God is good --- He is faithful -- and I am blessed!

Under HIS Grace...

Chris

Fall Marathon Season

Dick Beardsley, TEAM 413 Ambassador Steve Wilson, Me, and Frank Shorter
at The Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Fitness Festival Marathon Weekend where
I was a speaker along with Dick and Frank. Great event in Springfield, Missouri!

It's November 6 and we are in the midst of fall marathon season. This fall has been a very busy time for TEAM 413. In October we attended events in Chicago, St. Louis, Des Moines, and Washington, DC.  As we've entered November our schedule has already included Savannah and Springfield. We go to San Antonio this coming weekend prior to a two week break for a little rest and then we'll be off to Las Vegas to start the month of December....8 race expos in 9 weekends! It's a daunting schedule for all of us, but we wouldn't have it any other way! Kiki and I along with all of our ambassadors and volunteers cherish the time that we spend with folks from all over the country.

Keep checking our schedule at www.team413.org. We'll be coming to a city near you soon. 2013 promises to be the busiest year in our history and we look forward to what God is going to do as we follow His calling to "GET THERE AND SHARE!"

This is our calling - it is our duty - God is faithful - we are blessed!

Under HIS Grace...

Chris

Not My Race...It is HIS!

It's been a very hard decision, but I have decided what I am going to do. I have mixed emotions. I am honestly not sure that I can complete the task at hand. For almost a year I've had significant hip pain. Yet, I have been able to run and finish races albeit at a much slower pace than usual.

Last April I was a speaker at the Illinois Marathon Speaker Series and decided to run the half marathon while I was there representing TEAM 413. The race was difficult for me and on the way home I starting having more than "normal" pain in my right hip. I dismissed it. I tried to forget about it. I took time off and then I tried to run again. I couldn't.

So, all my running plans seemed to be placed on the shelf for awhile. I missed running at Grandma's, Hospital Hill, the Chicago Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, and other events throughout the summer. Finally I had to make a decision and in early August I saw one of the top hip surgeons in the country. Having already seen my MRI and X-Rays, I knew that his advice would not be what I wanted to hear. He told me that I needed either a hip replacement or hip resurfacing. We discussed the validity, complications, and success of both procedures. We concluded that I was a candidate for a hip resurfacing rather than replacement simply because I am so active with TEAM 413. I want to return to running as soon as possible after the surgery.

My surgery was scheduled for January 16, 2013. Then, I asked a lot of questions. "If I can stand the pain, can I run/walk until then? Will I cause any additional harm? Will activity compromise the success of the upcoming surgery?" The answers were fairly simple...."the damage is done. If you can tolerate the pain, you can do whatever you wish."  So I asked more, "How about running the Chicago Marathon in October and finishing the Goofy Challenge at the Disney World Marathon in January?" The doctor answered, "Not a problem if you can do it....chances are you won't be able to go through the pain." Although it was not a challenge, I took it as one!

So, here I am just three days from the start of the Chicago Marathon, one of the greatest marathons in the world. I registered a very long time ago. I have a race number. I have a corral assignment. We have a place to stay. Everything says, "GO!" except my hip. I've delayed or altered long runs because of pain. Instead, my long runs became long weekends....4 miles on Friday, 8 miles on Saturday, and 12 or more miles on Sunday. Unconventional? Yes! Will this training get me to the finish line in Chicago? I have no idea, but I hope to give it a shot!

After much prayer, I have made the decision to go to Chicago, I will line up at the start line on Sunday morning, October 7, with a very supportive wife cheering me on. My start corral is far back in the crowd so, I will have more time to "warm up." My race goal is to beat the time limit for the event, but if I can't, to keep moving forward and get to the finish nevertheless.

No matter what happens on race day I will still plan on going the "GOOFY DISTANCE" on January 12-13. After that, I'll check in at the hospital and turn my hip over to the surgeon for resurfacing on January 16. 

Crazy? Maybe.

Blessed? For sure. 

Goal to glorify God? Exactly!

Say a prayer for us as we continue this path that God has planned for us. While some folks may not understand why I feel the need to carry on, all I can say is that it is my calling, it is my duty, God is faithful , and I am blessed!

Under HIS Grace...

Chris

Penny For Your Thoughts...

A few weeks ago Kiki and I had the privilege of traveling to Waynesville, Missouri to speak at Westside Baptist Church. I've had the opportunity to speak all over the country, but I've never spoken in three consecutive services. To say the least, it's taxing physically, emotionally, and spiritually and to say that I was totally unprepared for the events of Sunday, August 12, would be an understatement. 

The title of my message was "The Last Mile." At the end of the services I asked everyone in the congregation to write their "last mile" -- the thing that they hold on to and have not given over to God -- on one side of that card. I'm certain many wrote of relationship issues, pride, intolerance, patience, an addiction, faith, and so much more. On the other side of the card, I asked them to simply write their first or last initial.  

Then, I challenged every individual to walk down the isles of the auditorium and place their "last mile" on the alter as a symbolic and public way of saying, "I give this over to God!" In those services the isles were full of folks who took me up on my challenge -- they laid it down -- they gave it up -- they were brave enough to do it publicly. After the services we asked everyone to pick up one of those cards and to specifically pray for the person identified only by an initial. It was powerful! It was one of the most significant faith moments of my life.

After the service I was standing in the commons area of the church where Kiki had set up a display with TEAM 413 shirts, literature, and other gear. Lots of people crowded around to pick up something for themselves or a friend and to make donations to our ministry.  

As I stood near the display I felt someone touch my hand. When I turned to see who it was, I had to look down into the gleaming blue eyes of a small boy -- most likely 5 or 6 years old. He wore a big smile and he reached out and placed a shiny new penny in my hand. He said, "This is for you." Before I could do anything, he smiled again and ran off into the crowd most likely to find his parents so he wouldn't get in trouble for running away from them.  

Time stood still. I was amazed at what God taught me through that child. He gave up his shiny new penny which was probably all the money he had simply because something made him do it. I'll always believe that it happened because God was teaching me a lesson. I realized how hard we have worked to grow TEAM 413 in order to share the good news of Jesus Christ with endurance athletes from all over the world. I was reminded of the words of my pastor that we just want to "get there and share so that others will run up on the gospel on the roads of this country." I looked back over the years and pondered what would make this child give his single penny yet, we still have such a hard time raising funds for TEAM 413 - GRACERUNNER MINISTRIES.

Many people want to be a part of TEAM 413, but very few go to a level of giving to the ministry financially. It is hard to find sponsors because we are faith based. Many don't understand that we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit ministry that uses 100% of our donations to help us stay on the roads as we "get there and share."  I've prayed for guidance about how to ask for contributions. I've begged God for wisdom and clarity regarding how to approach people and explain. Yet, He has chosen to go about it in a different way -- making promises to me through a few people who are steadfast and true with their financial support and through that little boy with his shiny new penny.

God has taught me so many priceless lessons of His grace at the very point of my greatest need through the unexpected, simplicity of a moment in time.

Penny for your thoughts? Keep your mind and heart open.....you might be blessed just like me when you expect it the least.

Under HIS Grace...

Chris

You can make a contribution to TEAM 413 at the following link:
http://active.com/donate/team413

Ordinary People

When ordinary people come together for a common cause they can accomplish extraordinary things! And, so it is with TEAM 413 - GRACERUNNER MINISTRIES!

For almost 10 years thousands of ordinary, everyday people have given of themselves to help this ministry accomplish the extraordinary! These folks have become part of the single largest ministry for endurance athletes in the world -- one person at a time -- one heart at a time!  

We've witnessed hundreds of individuals come to the Lord in the most unlikely of places -- in the middle of a marathon, at the finish line of a race, at a water station, and over the telephone. We've seen the change in thousands of lives and experienced the endurance community accept us into their world. We've been a part of knocking down the barriers of church affiliations and taking worship to the streets! It has been an unbelievable journey -- a glorious ride!!!

I am so thrilled to be a part of this God ordained ministry! It humbles me more than anything I've ever been a part of for God has allowed the extraordinary to happen through the ordinary. We are so blessed to see what God has done and look forward with great anticipation to what He will do in the days to come.

Join us as we continue our journey.

God bless ordinary, everyday people!

Under HIS Extraordinary Grace...

Chris