Book Project – Learning To Release / A Call For Your Help

Last week, I posted on the blog asking people to Help Me Pick A Book Cover Design.  Traffic spiked on this day as people responded with their thoughts, encouragement, and criticism.  I’m discovering courage is required when launching book ideas into the public.  I received so many comments.  Mostly, I received encouragement.  Some readers offered constructive feedback on how the designs could be better.  And I even had a couple of people submit their own design ideas.

Honestly, I wasn’t prepared for the deluge of feedback.  I’m glad I put it out there for the “world” to see.  And I’m thankful everyone responded.  It was so helpful, but I just wasn’t quite ready for the variety of responses.  I’m naturally a people-pleaser, so I am cursed with wanting to make everyone happy.  I don’t think this is possible.  Everyone has their own perspective and preferences.

I’m starting to realize the importance of writing and publishing for me first and then for everyone else.  Obviously, I want my writing to challenge people and even be well received, but this won’t always happen.

I am getting ready to launch my first book project.  If all goes well, On Track – Life Lessons From The Track & Field will be released by the end of the month.  There’s a natural tendency to hold onto it until it’s perfect, but I’m learning I need to let go and release it; otherwise, I will fall into the trap of failing to ship.

On Track takes a spectator’s perspective from the athletic field to the classroom of life.  Each chapter takes a look at a certain aspect of the track and field world and translates it to everyday life.  From the practice field and the starting blocks to the finish line, we can all learn important lessons from the track for living and running the best race possible.

Here’s where I could use your help:

1. Pray for me.  I’d really appreciate your prayers.  I want my writing to glorify God.  Pray I’d stay focused on finishing up this project.  Pray I’d release it.  Pray that it would stretch people.
2. I’m looking for some people to read and review the book.  You don’t have to be a track athlete to get something out of this book.  I think it has something for everyone.  At this time, I’m looking for the reviews to be posted on March 31st.  If you’re interested in reading and reviewing the book, leave a comment, send me an e-mail at jon@jonstolpe.com, or fill out the contact form below, so we can connect.  If you are up for this opportunity, I’ll send you an advance copy a week ahead of time.

[contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Website’ type=’url’/][contact-field label=’How will you help promote On Track?’ type=’text’/][/contact-form]

These two things will push me to the finish.  I appreciate your help!

What keeps you on track towards finishing a goal or project?  What project are you working on now?  How can I encourage you to keep going?

Special thanks to John Noonan of True Blue Media for the incredible cover design.  I’m looking for an editor who can read over the manuscript prior to release.  If you can help, let me know.

 

Help Me Pick A Book Cover Design

I’m working on finalizing an eBook which I hope to release later this month.  I’d love to get your help in selecting a cover for the book.  I’ve put together four designs for your consideration.  The book is called On Track – Life Lessons From The Track & Field.  Could you do me a HUGE favor and vote on the design you most like?  Also, in the comments let me know what you think.  Should I go back to the drawing board?  Am I on the right “track”?  What do you like about the design you selected?  What would you change?

Number 1

 

 

Number 2

Number 3

Number 4

5 Suggestions For Handling Disruptions To Your Routine (#2 Is My Favorite)

I’ve been challenged this week to keep up with my routines.  Coming back from a weekend away where sleep came at a premium, I have been somewhat slow in getting back to my exercise routine.  The past several weeks (since well before Christmas), I have run 30 miles per week.  This requires me to run 4-6 days per week.  So far, I haven’t made it to the gym or to the trail this week.  If all goes well, I’ll be back at the gym on the treadmill early this morning.  It will certainly be a challenge to meet my weekly mileage target this week.  And I’m okay with it.

Do you know why I’m okay with missing my mileage goal this week?

I need a break.

From time to time, we need to take a break.  Our goals cannot become our idols.  As a very disciplined, goal-oriented person, it’s easy for me to let my targets or resolutions become a god.  I want to accomplish the things I said I was going to accomplish.  I want to achieve – or even over achieve.  But sometimes, I need to stop.  I need to take time to rest, to re-evaluate, and to be restored.

So how do I get back on track with my reaching my targets?

Here are 5 suggestions for handling disruptions to your routine.

5 Suggestions For Handling Disruptions To Your Routine

1. Recognize the disruption to your routine.  In my case, a youth conference (PCTC) interrupted my routine.  This was an important event in my weekend plans.  I didn’t plan to have my routine disrupted, but it happened.  When the wheels come off of your routine, it’s important to understand why.  It could be any number of reasons – a family emergency, a surprise visit from a friend, a big project deadline.  Understanding the why of your routine disruption is critical to accepting the disruption.
2. Embrace the disruption to your routine.  I’ve been going strong for several weeks without a break.  I probably needed a break from my running routine.  A disruption in our routine can provide rest and a new outlook on things.  Learn to embrace the disruption and to enjoy the time away from your routine.
3. Reevaluate your routines.  I intend on getting back on track with my running routine next week.  I have running goals for the year.  Besides this, I believe my running helps provide balance for thriving and coping with the rest of my life.  If your routine has been disrupted, I recommend using the time of disruption to analyze your priorities.  Does this routine need to be altered somewhat to be more realistic?  Or does it need to be erased all together?  Why is this routine important to keep?  Should you be focusing on something else instead?  These are all questions worth considering when your routine is disrupted.
4. Get back on the horse as soon as possible.  For me a few days off from running has been healthy, but I’m ready to get going again.  The sooner I get back on track, the sooner the other parts of my life will feel balanced.  Honestly, I’ve missed running the past four or five days.  Running gives me an opportunity to think and to be active.  If you have healthy, balanced routines, it’s important to get back into the swing of things as soon as you can.  The longer you wait to get back into your routine, the harder it will be to get moving again.
5. Give yourself grace.  Sometimes it takes a little while to settle back into a routine.  Maybe you need to start slowly and add more things back into the routine as the days unfold.  There’s a tendency to want to get right back to where you left off.  For me, it would be easy for me to try to get 9 or 10 miles in this morning.  While this is possible, I must recognize the importance of returning to my routine gradually.  A gradual increase in mileage back up to my regular running regimen will prevent me from growing tired or getting injured.  It will also ensure I get back to my weekly target as quickly as possible.

How do you handle disruptions to your routines?  How are you doing with your New Year’s goals?

5 Tips For Handling Life Stopping Experiences

As we wrap up the year, I’m taking some time to reflect on the top posts written this year.  Today’s post is great to review.  As the weather has turned colder again, I’ve been logging more mileage on the treadmill.  I hope today’s post will STRETCH you again.  (This post was originally posted in February 2013.)

When The Treadmill Stops Suddenly – 5 Tips For Handling Life Stopping Experiences

I’ve been logging running mileage again, and it feels great.  Most of my miles these days are happening on the treadmill at the gym thanks to the cold weather and early morning darkness that blankets our area at this time of the year.

The other day, I was up early running a quick 4.5 miles at our local YMCA.  I had the treadmill ramped up to 7.8 miles per hour (which for me is a pretty decent pace).  While I’m on the treadmill, I listen to podcasts and glance up at the televisions to see the latest sports highlights and news updates.  About a mile into my run as I was lost in my own world, the treadmill suddenly stopped.

Imagine driving your car at 65 miles an hour and it suddenly stops completely.  Or imagine riding your bicycle at 15 miles an hour when someone jams a stick in your spokes.

This is how it felt when the treadmill stopped for me.  I somehow managed to catch myself before a complete catastrophe occurred.  The guy running next to me commented, “Wow!  Nice catch.”  I tried to get the treadmill back up and running, but it wouldn’t power up and restart.  I switched treadmills and continued my workout.

Sometimes life is like this.  We are coasting along when something happens in our lives that brings things to a screeching halt.  It’s happened in my life a few times – like the time I crashed my car two weeks before my wedding, like when my wife was rushed to the hospital shortly after our son was born, and like the moment I learned that my grandfather had passed away six years ago.

I certainly don’t have all the answers, but I’ve learned a few things through life events like these.

5 Tips For Handling Life Stopping Experiences

1. Hang on.  Sometimes this is all we can do.  When we don’t understand, when we don’t know the plan, we can trust God and hang on to His hand.  I remember asking during these times, “Why?”  Even in the toughest moments, we must remember that He will never leave us.
   

   “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Joshua 1:5

2. Trust God.  In times like this, I’ve gone back to Proverbs 3:5-6 as a promise that God will make my paths straight even when life doesn’t make sense.
   

   Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6

3. Lean into family and friends.  I can’t tell you how much family and friends have meant to our family when life’s train seems to have derailed.  It helps to know that someone is praying for me, is willing to talk or listen as I wrestle through the challenges of life, and is willing to be there when I can’t fully focus on my daily needs.  If you’re missing this in your own life, I’d encourage and challenge you to seek out this kind of friendship.  Our church small group experience has provided many of these types of friendships.
4. Consider a change.  Sometimes a life stopping experience can be the catalyst to positive change in our lives.  This week, I switched treadmills.  Maybe these experiences are a call to change direction.
   

   “See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”  Isaiah 43:19

5. Learn and grow.  Life halting experiences can be life altering experiences if we take time to learn and grow.  This is why I recommend a journal or even a blog as a way to record life’s happenings.  I have learned so much through the major speed bumps of life and the blog and my journal have become great places to record and process these experiences.

I returned to the gym this morning to run more on the treadmill.  I’m sure I was a bit more cautious, but I’m ready to keep going.  I’m thankful for the reminder that a simple treadmill experience can provide.  I have no idea what the rest of the day holds, but I look ahead with confidence knowing that it will be okay no matter what transpires.

What have you learned from a life stopping experience?  What other tips do you have for handling these kinds of times?

Thank You – #5

Thank You No. 5

Today, I’m thankful for running.

Last night on my way home from work, I stopped at a local park to run a few miles.  There is something refreshing and mind-clearing about a crisp November run as the sun goes down.  Running has become a source of renewal for me.  This year, I’ve run 1,169.33 miles so far which puts me on track for 1,385 miles for the year.  Each of these miles represents an opportunity to stretch.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:12-14

Why are you thankful today?

The Results – District 1 AAA Cross Country

Here’s a rare weekend post to give you the results of Hannah’s cross-country meet.

As I mentioned Friday, Hannah ran in the District 1 AAA Girls Varsity Cross Country Championships on Friday morning.  I took the day off of work to enjoy the day of racing and festivities.  And I can’t wait to return next year.

A few people of asked me how Hannah did in the race, so I thought I’d share the results along with some pictures.

District 1 is this biggest district in the state of Pennsylvania, and AAA is the grouping of the larger schools in the district.  The starting line is like a scene out of Braveheart as the runners race across a big open field to get onto the more narrow section of the course.  Hannah finished 149th out of 330 (and 5th on her team).  She beat her previous 5K PR (personal record) by over 30 seconds running a time of 20:34.  She was a little disappointed, because she wanted to break 20 minutes.  Otherwise, she was pretty happy with her performance.  As a dad, I couldn’t have been more proud.  She did a great job!

She has a great base to work from for indoor and outdoor track, and she should be running with the top girls on the team next year.  I, on the other hand, don’t know how much longer I can keep up with her.  While at Lehigh University (where the District Championship was held), I enjoyed a nice five-mile run over most of the college cross-country course.  The rest of the day was spent enjoying the other races and the team tailgate.

Hope you’re having a great weekend!

Ice Breaker – Athletic Claim To Fame

Today, Hannah is running at the district cross-country meet being held at Lehigh University.  Tuesday, I mentioned about her year of cross-country and her positive attitude.  Today’s Stretched Ice Breaker is inspired by her accomplishments this season.

Question:  What is your athletic claim to fame?  What accomplishment from your athletic past brings you the most pride?

My Answer:  For a while, I would say dunking a basketball was my biggest athletic accomplishment.  My answer has changed over the past several years.  I’ve run 3 marathons in the past 10 years.  The first one in Philadelphia was tough, because I didn’t really know what to expect.  The last one in the Bronx was different taking place on a narrow trail in a park in the city on Thanksgiving Day.  My second marathon in Baltimore was my slowest marathon thanks to a strained IT Band and a hilly course, but it’s the one I’m most proud of completing.  Around 13 miles into the race, my IT Band acted up leaving me to struggle with walking and running the next 13 miles of the race.  There was a part of me that wanted to give up, but there was also part of me that wanted to finish what I started.  I kept telling myself to find a way to run across the finish line, so my kids could see me finishing strong despite the pain of my injury.  I saw my kids about 300 yards from the finish line.  They were holding signs and cheering for me as loud as they could.  As I crossed the finish line, I remember tearing up.  I was proud of my accomplishment, and I was emotional with the uncertainty that I would ever be able to do this again.  If you’ve ever run a marathon before, you know it takes a great deal of training time and effort to prepare for running this type of race.

Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.) And keep STRETCHING!

Also don’t forget to sign up for the weekly Stretched newsletter.  Check out this post to find out how to sign up.

The Power of A Positive Attitude

My daughter, Hannah, has been running cross-country this season for our local high school.  This is her second season running at the high school level.  Last year, she was probably running 13th – 17th on a very deep team.  The season was a great opportunity to learn her capabilities, to meet her coaches, and to become more comfortable with the girls on the team.  She started the year out somewhat slow, but she showed improvement as the season went along.

This year, she entered the season with higher expectations.  She ran over 250 miles during the summer in preparation for the season.  She definitely came in with higher goals of running faster and being ranked higher on the team.  One of her goals was to run under 21:30 (for 5K or 3.1 miles), and another goal was to crack the varsity line-up.  Each week, Hannah has shown improvement, and it was obvious she would meet the first goal before the end of the season.  She has been close on the second goal, but this goal seemed to be just out of reach.

In a typical meet, varsity is made up of the top 7 runners.  A couple of weeks ago, she was scheduled to run with the varsity runners for the Paul Short Invitational at Lehigh University.  This race allows 10 runners from each team to run varsity.  Unfortunately, this race was cancelled due to unseasonable heat which caused many runners to go to the hospital in earlier races.  Hannah was disappointed, but she kept going.

The next week, she had her last dual meet of the season.  Before the race, we talked about her goals for the race, and she hinted about cracking the top 7, but she knew it would be tough.  She ran very well, and ended up finishing 7th on the team (and 8th overall).  She was so happy.

This left the coaches with a tough decision heading into the conference championships.  Should they go with the runners who had performed best throughout the entire season?  Should they give Hannah a chance to run on the varsity squad based on her last race?  I’m sure it wasn’t an easy decision especially since our team had a chance to win the event given a combination of great races by our best runners.

The race was Thursday, and we were waiting for word from the coaches as to which race Hannah would run – the Varsity race or the Junior Varsity race.  Obviously, Hannah was hoping to run with the Varsity team, and she kept an optimistic outlook heading into the decision.  On Wednesday afternoon, I received a text from Hannah, “Jv-so plan 2 win the race!”

What a positive attitude!  I know I would have been disappointed, but she kept her chin up with the decision.

Thursday afternoon arrived, and she kept smiling.  She definitely knew she had a chance to win the race, and she also realized her performance at the conference meet could still win her a spot on the Varsity team for the district meet later this week.  The coaches seemed to think Hannah had a chance to win the race as well.  They were excited for this possibility when they spoke to Leanne and I before the race.

The race started and Hannah moved towards the front of the pack in the first kilometer.  She kept the lead and even extended the lead as the race continued.  It was so exciting to watch Hannah throughout the race.  She ran with grit and determination the whole race.  When she broke the tape at the finish line, she was grinning from ear to ear.  Her time of 21:08 beat the closed JV competitor by nearly 30 seconds, and it also would have been strong enough to medal in the Varsity race.

She did such a great job maintaining a positive attitude.  She could have sulked and complained when the coaches made their decision to keep her at JV.  She could have hung her shoulders in defeat.  But she didn’t!

When the race finished, the coaches mentioned she would most likely be running with the Varsity team for the district meet on Friday.  Obviously, Hannah’s running ability and hard work had a lot to do with this turn of events, and I think her positive attitude was a huge reason she reached this goal.  I can’t wait for Friday!

How has a positive attitude helped you succeed in reaching a goal?

How To Prevent Being Startled

Yesterday at 5AM, I left my house and headed to the Perkiomen Trail for a 6 mile run.  It was a little dark (as it typically is at this time of the morning) as I headed down my street to get to the trail which is exactly a half mile from my garage door.  I was listening to the Daily Audio Bible podcast while I was getting into the rhythm of my run.  Halfway down my street I was in the zone when I suddenly heard a rustling in the brush just 6 feet from the road.  The sudden sound startled me.

Looking to my left, I quickly saw the source of the sound – a deer.  The deer quickly turned to run into the brush as I continued down the street toward the trail.  I think the deer was just as startled as I.

Spending many early, dark mornings on the trail, I’ve become accustomed to creatures crossing my path.  So I’m typically prepared for such a startle as I experienced yesterday.  My eyes adjust to the breaking dawn, my ears listen to the sounds around me, and my steps shorten just a bit to make sure I land safely.  I run prepared even in the dark.

The Bible talks about the importance of being prepared.  In Matthew 24:36-44, Jesus tells us to keep watch because no one knows the hour when Christ will return.  In I Peter 3:15, Peter reminds us to be prepared to give an answer for the hope we profess.  And in 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul reminds us to be prepared to rebuke, correct, and encourage with patience and careful instruction.

So how can we prevent being startled?  How can we prepare ourselves?

Here are 5 Things You Can Do To Prevent Being Startled:

1. Read God’s Word.  When we read and know God’s Word, we will be better prepared to understand and share God’s Word.
2. Share God’s Word.  In words and in actions, we prepare ourselves by practicing the teaching found in God’s Word.
3. Pray for wisdom and confidence.  Let’s face it.  We won’t have all the answers on our own.  We need to look to God for wisdom.  And we need to remember to have confidence in God and His protective hand.
4. Be alert.  We must be looking for opportunities to share and to practice.  We must also be aware of distractions that pull us away from God and His plan for our lives.
5. Trust God.  We cannot predict the future.  There will be hard things and scary things that come across our paths.  We must remember that God will keep us safe, and He will work through the challenges of life.  We’re not guaranteed an easy life, but we can trust that God will make our paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

And so this morning, I hit the trails again.  I don’t know what will come my way, but I’m ready!

When was the last time you were startled?  What could you add to the list above?

Track & Field: 4 Lessons From The Relay Race

From a spectators standpoint, a track meet can seem like organized chaos.  There are athletes running on the track, walking in the stands, warming up in the parking lot, jumping, throwing, and socializing with other athletes.  If you attend enough meets, you begin to realize that there is a method and organization to the entire meet.

As a father, my favorite events are the one in which my kids are competing.  There nothing quite like cheering on your own kids.  Besides that, I especially love watching the relay races.  It’s fun to watch teammates cheering each other on, running as fast as possible, and passing the baton to their teammate.  A well polished relay team is so amazing to watch as the baton flows around the track from one athlete to the next to the next.

For those of you unfamiliar with relay racing at a typical track meet, the race is made of four legs each run by a different runner on the same team.  At the high school level, the typical relay races are the 4 x 100 (each runner runs one-quarter of the track), the 4 x 800 (each runner runs two laps of the track), and the 4 x 400 (each runner runs one lap of the track).

As I watched the relay races from the season, it was obvious which teams at practiced together and which teams needed a lot of work.  If I looked more closely at the relay race, I came up with 4 Lessons From The Relay Race that we can apply to everyday life:

1. It takes a team effort.  It’s highly unlikely that one runner running the whole race could beat a team of four who have fresh legs.  Runners have to work together.  Each person on the team plays a key role in the effort and success of the whole.  In life, it is somewhat similar.  You play an important role in the body of Christ.  The body will not operate properly without YOU!  Paul talks about this in his first letter to the Corinthians:  The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.  I Corinthians 12:21-26
2. The baton pass is critical.  Races are won and lost based on the pass of the baton.  There is a transfer of momentum from one runner to the next.  If a runner drops the baton, the race is over.  Each runner must run all the way through the transfer zone in order to make the most of each exchange.  In life, we will have opportunities to receive the baton from those who run before us, and we will eventually have the opportunity to pass the baton to those coming behind us.  In family life, my parents and grandparents have done an incredible job passing the baton to me at appropriate times, and it’s my responsibility to do the same for my kids (and eventually grandkids).  At work, it’s the same.  And in our spiritual lives, it’s important to have mentors in our lives along with people who we can mentor.
3. Teammates cheer each other on.  Especially at the 4 x 400 relay race which typically ends each meet, the track is lined with teammates cheering as loud as they can for their fellow athletes.  The encouragement makes an incredible difference in the outcome of the race.  In life, we need to surround ourselves with others who can cheer us on.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Hebrews 10:24  We were not meant to run the race of life in isolation.  We were meant for community.
4. We need an anchor.  The 4th (and last) runner of each relay team is called the anchor.  This runner is typically the strongest, fastest runner on the team.  He is sometimes called upon to make up any difference left by the previous three runners.  It’s his job to leave it all on the track and to find any way possible to win.  We have an anchor – Jesus Christ.  He would go to any lengths to see us to the finish.  (In fact, He did this on the cross.)  Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:1-8

What lessons could you add to the list above?  How have you experienced these relay lessons in your own life?  What baton are you currently carrying?  How are you preparing to pass the baton?