The Parable of the Stumbling Runner

Have you ever had the experience of being a few miles into a run when all of a sudden your brain seems to wake up as if for the first time? Twenty minutes before the world seemed foggy and confused. Now you can see with crystal clarity.

It usually happens at the point where you're warmed up enough that you no longer having to concentrate on how to put one foot in front of the other, but you've not gone so far that you are distracted by some phantom ankle pain or the burning sensation in your lungs as you approach a modest gradient. It's in that fleeting moment between stiffness and exhaustion that the lights appear to switch on and all of a sudden everything seems to make sense in life. Or is it just me? I swear, for at least half a mile I become some sort of sweaty, northern Einstein.

"sweaty, northern Einstein"

According to science (research from West Michigan University), there is a reason for it. Running quickly for half an hour improves the cortical flicker frequency threshold which boosts your ability to process information, tune out distractions and solve problems. There are lots of similar studies that show how running can boost your mental capacity. But we don't need lab experiments to know that lacing up your shoes and heading out on the road or trail is a great way to process the day and get your thoughts together. That's a big reason we do it, right?

"I'm thinking about God & he's helping me make sense of the world we live in"

I'm a christian and faith in Jesus is central to who I am. When I run I think about all sorts of things, and nothing, but in those moments of profound clarity I find that I am most often thinking about God. I'm thinking about God and he's helping me make sense of the world we live in. It's like running has become an extended prayer, an ongoing conversation with God where I'm encouraged, challenged and inspired by God and the things he reveals as I plod along. I talk back, expressing my gratitude, frustrations and longings.

But there's more. It's not just that the running provides time and space for this conversation to take place; God also speaks to me through the act of running itself. Running is somehow becoming a lived parable through which God speaks profound truth to the soul. You've heard of the Parable of the Lost Sheep, the Parable of the Good Samaritan? How about the Parable of the Stumbling Runner?

Trexology is going to explore this beautiful interaction between running and thinking about God (theology).

I have so many questions to explore. Does God like it when we run? Does God care if I'm fast? Is this what God had in mind when he created legs? Why are runners such friendly people? Why do we like to run to the top of hills? Is this worship? Where is the line between healthy passion and destructive obsession? Is God pleased or displeased when I pass someone just before the finish line? Will there ever be a man born who can swim faster than a shark?

So that's it. A blog exploring the collision between running and theology. I'm excited to explore and it would be great to have you along for the journey. Subscribe, comment share etc etc etc...

Ok, that's the warm up.

Everyone's watches ready?

Let's go.