So, about 7 months or so ago now I picked up running (partly out of necessity). A value as a family we’ve wanted to get across to our kids has been stewardship of your body; that moving and keeping active will help. It’s been further beat down by mentors who are in their 50′s and active and hitting the importance of your late 30′s being the tipping point for health.

So, I took up running. I have to say it’s been fabulous so far. Melissa and I are training for a half-marathon in May and it’s getting to be crunch time with that.

It’s been beneficial for me on a few levels to run. First, health. I’ve found that I can blow through about 400-1000 calories per run (est.). Dealing with my late 30′s it’s important, no critical to exercise and I’m loving the hour investment returns.

Spiritually, the benefits have been there as well. The particular music I listen to lends itself to worship or meditation on the truths of God and being out for an hour pushing myself to not stop  is a strong allegory and can help me think through how God sees me, the benefits of being patient and the long game that God plays. It’s too easy for me to get impatient and to look for an answer to a prayer or to being in a situation and running has helped negate that because the benefits to being out aren’t immediate, but the pain is.

Technically, I have to say I love running in 39 degree weather the best. The geek in me has loved figuring out layering and details related to a long run. The clothing technology and how your body overheats a bit has really been interesting to. Being out for a short run and getting into it and not paying attention to the cold is really fun.

Finally, music. I’m a fan. Can’t say much more, so putting together a running playlist over the past 5 months has been a blast. Figuring out which songs do well where and what they communicate is awesome. It’s given me an excuse to listen to a few genre’s of music (rap, I’m looking at you) that work well for running.

So this week for me is big for a few reasons, least of which is the longest run I’ve ever done is Saturday – 7 miles. It’s going to be nuts.