A Higher Purpose in Exercise {guest post by Jenn}
A few years ago the Archdiocese of Cincinnati started an endeavor known as “Run for the Call” as a way to fundraise and support the young men entering college seminary for the archdiocese. Runners and walkers agreed to train and finish a particular distance in the Flying Pig races in early May and it would help our young seminarians by supporting their formation financially. Training with Run for the Call was a key experience that helped me understand how the spiritual life can help motivate a fit lifestyle.
I’d trained and run one half marathon prior to signing up for the Flying Pig Half Marathon with Run for the Call. However, my previous training had started in August and stretched into fall – meaning I could avoid any cold weather training. It had also been an entirely flat course, making it that much more achievable. Neither is true with the Flying Pig races. Training starts in February and the course is known in the running community for its hills and difficulties.
With these obstacles in mind at the start, training could easily have been overwhelming. Below freezing temps, ice, dark morning hours, plain old tiredness – I could think of a myriad of reasons to avoid that 5am wake up call. What got me through those 5am training runs in the below freezing temps was the spiritual link to those seminarians. I would begin to complain about the cold or the early hours, or both, and gently the Holy Spirit would remind me why I was training and it would push me up that next hill or out the door into the cold or rain.
My small sacrifice to train and fundraise seems a pittance in comparison to the sacrifices the seminarians will make in their vocation to the Priesthood someday. So I trained hard – running hills, cross training, and nourishing my body well, while purposefully offering my pain and discomforts for those men.
And I’d like to think it paid off. Temporally, I had a PR by shaving 9 minutes off my previous race time (on a much more difficult course!). Even more important, I trust God blessed those men in their formation because of the efforts and prayers of all the runners and walkers who trained.
By intentionally making my workout into a sacrifice, I not only have a physical good for my body, but also offer a spiritual good for another.
Now, a year and a half later, I still find myself connecting workouts to a particular prayer intention and sacrificing for others thanks to those 10 weeks when every run was motivated by our young men and their vocations. I may not remember to do it every day, but it brings a higher purpose to working out when I do – and for that, I’m grateful.
Author: Jenn at SoulMeetsBodyFitness
Blogger and Beachbody coach at SoulMeetsBodyFitness. I want to share with you my journey of fitness and faith as I discover how intimately the soul and body are connected. It’s my hope that what I’m learning can encourage and spur you on in your own journey to a healthier life – body and soul!
Thanks for having me over to post today Gina!
So glad you shared your experience with us, Jenn!
This is great, Jenn. Offering up a workout would be a great perspective change for me. I’m hoping to get into a better routine once my back is a little better. When I do, I will definitely remember this. Thank you 🙂
Getting into a new routine is tough work Amanda, but I’m sure you can do it! If I can be of any help to support you, please let me know! It would be my pleasure to journey with you.
You are beautiful inside and out!
You are so sweet Michele! thank you!
LOVE this post. I have loved this entire series — did I mention I bought a kettle bell the other day? Offering up my exercise (which I HATE to do) — yes!
That is so awesome! I have yet to get a kettlebell, but I am really interested.
I do love the idea of offering up our exercise.
Thanks Pam! Way to go! How do you like the kettle ball? I’ve never done a kettle ball routine.
I ran the Disney 1/2 marathon maybe 7 years ago (wow it seems like yesterday), anyway – I trained pretty hard, and was so motivated and driven – but shortly after found I’d lost my passion (and my running partner to returning to work lol). I have NEVER been able to muster back up that love for running -and the 20+ lbs I’ve found is certainly not healthy. I love your idea of offering it as a sacrifice – though I am not good at getting started. Any suggestions for what gets you off the couch and out the door??
Hey Allison, what got me off the couch and out the door again was starting in a Beachbody Challenge group. The accountability of journeying with others made all the difference for me sticking with a new routine and over 18 months later exercise is still a big part of my morning routine. But it all started with an online accountability group and the community of women supporting me. I have a new group starting soon if you would be interested in learning more.
I like to think of getting out the door as part of my time for myself, to recharge, be in silence, and just be doing something. I’ll probably never run a 1/2, maybe not even a 10K, but I can enjoy a few miles and push myself if I really want. Make an appointment with yourself, even for 30 minutes of running, and see what happens! 😉
A great reminder that we can always turn a chore/sacrifice into an offering to God.