Sensations - Out of the Comfort Zone!

There are times in life when you simply can't understand what is going on within your heart or all around you. At those times God is working in a special way to create a sensation of responsiveness that we would not have if we had slipped into a comfort zone.

In my 56 years I have felt this sensation on several occasions that are far too complex to write about in a short blog. However, recently this sensation has been within me because of the uncharted road that lies ahead. By "uncharted" I mean it doesn't show up on my "human" GPS, but it certainly is planned and ordained by God. This hightened sensation of the things around me, I suppose, is God's way of keeping me intune, to provide me with the opportunity to NOT miss anything along my path, and to look to Him for guidance along this journey.

We all fall in a routine at some point in our lives. The alarm clock sounds, we jump in the shower, get dressed, hop in the car, drive to work, walk into an office, interact with people, end our day, go home, have dinner, and turn in for the night only to have it happen again day after day. We put ourselves in a "rut" of complacency that we don't want anyone to disrupt. If our "rut" is affected, we don't know what to do. It's just the way we live.

I believe God will pull you out of the comfort zone rut in order to challenge you to be more, do more, and feel more of His presence. 

Here I am out of my comfort zone, on the edge of my rut looking down at it, and feeling a little uneasy because complacency is gone. Yet, it feels good! I am closer to God as I travel throughout my day. I feel no sense of urgency to do the things of this world that man wants me to do, instead I feel a timely patience to wait on God and see what He has in store.

It's a good place.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the one who will keep you on track. Proverbs 3:5-6 The Message

Under HIS Grace...

Chris

SIDE by SIDE!

Side by Side -- Wouldn't have it any other way!

It never gets easier. It is always hard. I simply cannot get over it.

I married Kiki in 2005 and when we are apart, I am not whole. She truly completes me in so many ways and every time we are separated, it gets harder and harder. 

Kiki and I worked the Grandma's Marathon expo together in Duluth, Minnesota last weekend -- sort of an escape from the harsh heat of the south as it was in the 40's and 50's for the duration of our stay there. Still, it was so great to work an event together. Working side by side -- that's the way it should be.

Our return flight arrived in Atlanta late on Sunday evening. Upon our arrival, we quickly claimed the TEAM 413 gear at baggage claim and made our way to the offsite shuttle area. The problem? Kiki got on one shuttle to go retrieve her SUV and drive through the night to our new home in Seacrest, Florida. I waited to board another shuttle for a two hour ride back to our previous home in Athens, Georgia. I had to go back to Athens in order to tie up loose ends, pack some things, and prepare to for a trip to Indianapolis for the National Athletic Trainers' Association Annual Symposium where I speak this week.

Kiki had to be back to her new job at the Rosemary Beach Trading Company by Monday morning and I was off in a different direction. I have been among packed boxes, Goodwill donation items, and bare walls in Athens for three days and as I write this post, I sit in a hotel room in downtown Indy after a 10 hour drive today. They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder -- well, it also makes one a little sad!

After my last presentation this coming Saturday, Kiki and I will meet back in Athens, pack the rest of our belongings, load a rental truck, and drive back to Florida. I calculated the mileage that we will have traveled since we left to go to Duluth, Minnesota last Wednesday until we settle in Florida some time next Tuesday night -- the grand total will be more than 8,200 miles! That's a lot of miles!

This adjustment of moving to full-time status with TEAM 413 has not been easy. To be honest, it has been much more difficult than I ever imagined. However, both of us would have it no other way because we know that the end result will be that we are reunited again soon, enjoying each other's company as we grow old together serving the Lord! OK.... as I grow old....Kiki never ages!

I claim and cling to this promise tonight .... and I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord! My plans are not to harm you, but to give you hope and a future -- The Chris Gillespie paraphrase of Jeremiah 29:11.

We are looking forward to a great future -- side by side!

Join us on this great adventure!

Under HIS Grace...

Chris

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