Run The Race

It's taken more than a decade for me to finish 26.2 mile races in 44 states so far. The latest trip took me out West to the Plains and Big Sky country. What's it like running 3 marathons in 3 days in 3 different states? I recap that triple fitness challenge, plus seeing sights like Mount Rushmore and the geographical "Center of the Nation." This latest episode of "Run the Race" takes you inside those races in South Dakota, North Dakota and Montana...training that included an injury...plane travel...friendly faces from "mainly marathons"...food I ate before/during/after these 3 marathons...in-race challenges like winds and hills and loop repeats ans fatigue...music to entertain me/others...repping my home city and a military nonprofit...cold/hot recovery...plus, and most important, God giving me strength to do all this. I also mention some real Montana moments on my way home, along with a pit stop before home in Alabama to see 2 co-workers run their very first full marathons...closing out the pod ep in prayer. Thanks for listening to "Run The Race." Follow, like, subscribe to the show! Tell others about it. Write a review on Apple Podcasts. Be safe and happy running!

She took on one of the toughest footraces in the world this summer and was the 10th woman to cross the finish line at the Badwater 135 in the very hot Death Valley. Along with being an ultrarunner - who's done 100 marathons and almost that many ultras - Vanessa Kline is also a race director, entrepreneur, and single mom. I've had the honor of being one of her pacers at a race, since she's been the owner of best Pacing for almost 14 years now. (5:05) Why and How do we get out of our comfort zone and do hard things? She talks about preparation/training, pain tolerance and experience, and having fun while working hard. (13:10) A few months ago, Vanessa finished the Badwater 135 in a little more than 35 hours! We dive into hard difficult it is to get into that race (her application included a 500 K) and how an injury changed her training for the epic race. (21:07) Taking us inside the legendary Badwater 135, we chat about the extreme heat (and preparing for that) and wearing ice...food and salt during that race...naps or sleep...and what it was like crossing the finish line. (36:00) How important are official pacers in races of all distances, whether you're a fast runner or in the back of the pack? As the founder and director of Beast Pacing, Vanessa talks about helping people push their limits and what those pacers do besides running those miles. (43:11) And we close out our chat with how she balances jobs/companies, training and running races, being a mom of three. In part, it involves spreadsheets and making time for things she cares most about. Thanks for listening to the "Run The Race" podcast, which I always wrap up with a prayer. Share it with others and subscribe/follow, as we continue to talk about fitness and faith!     

Check out this powerful conversation about mental health and the church with a pastor who grew up in the Dominican Republic but has been serving churches in East Alabama for the last few years, helping now to lead a new 5K race that's focused on suicide prevention. (3:06) We start with how Seventh Day Adventist Pastor Omar Montilla was called by God into ministry starting with a dream at 8 years old. Later, there was no plan B. What do Adventists believed, compared to Protestants like Baptist churches? Same belief of Jesus as savior, but Sabbath is observed on Saturday and very focused on Bible prophecies. (11:49) Being from the DR and having worked as a pastor in Panama, Omar also talks about the differences between foreign countries and the USA for churches, worship, culture and how socio-economic status can prompt a different passion for God. (18:12) Not too late to sign up for the You Matter 5K happening this Sunday morning September 20 in downtown Columbus GA, to promote mental health awareness on suicide prevention month, with proceeds benefiting a Pastor Institute HOPE fund for those that may need help paying for counseling services. Pastor Omar sees exercise as a vital tool for mental health, especially in a military community. What does "You Matter" means? He says it's lies from the devil vs. God's Word showing you are very Valuable to Him. Register for the event soon: You Matter 5K: Sponsored by the SDA Church. (27:21) We also dive into the church's role in mental health, how that's changed as at-times judgmental and weaponizing Scriptures...to being authentic, showing grace, helping lead peeople to professional therapists if there's a clinical issue beyond the scope of a pastor. he reminds us, the Lord is not done with you! (37:37) Our chat also goes into diversity inside and outside the church, reaching people with hope in both English and Spanish. (47:21) Pastor Omar also ran his first marathon earlier this year. He has advice for training plus explains his philosophy in life of "training to get old" by pacing ourselves and enjoying the journey. (51:05) This Dominican friend also delivers the closing prayer for this episode in both English and Spanish. Thanks for listening to "Run The Race." Make sure to subscribe/follow the show and share it with others, as we continue sharing inspiring content on fitness and faith. 

On this 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks on America, we dive into the faith behind the suffering as we never forget...prayers for the loved ones of those lost + our first responders and military...and memories from two retired top Army leaders who deployed to war multiple times after 9/11. (5:25) You'll also hear a poem I wrote on 9/12/2001, as a TV news reporter putting emotions into words a quarter century ago. (12:02) Retired Generals Patrick Donahoe and Andy Hilmes in Columbus GA - who rose to be Commanding General and Garrison Commander on Fort Benning - talk about what they were doing in Kuwait and Georgia on the tragic September 11...the mission of defending the homeland...going to the Middle East on combat deployments for years...how 9/11 changed the US Army...and what we can focus on during this solemn anniversary. Thanks for listening to the "Run The Race" podcast. Tell others about it. Make sure you subscribe to the weekly show via Apple or Spotify.

Dedicating his life to service and community building, this week's podcast guest has spent close to 17 years working for nonprofits and 4 years in law enforcement in Columbus GA, including the day he was shot. We talk about that scary ordeal...what it means to live a life of service to others...the tremendous mission of the organization House of Heroes where he's executive director...and a fun annual fundraiser that you can attend this month. (3:30) Josh McQuien recounts what it was like being shot by a suspect in a house back in October 2016. It involves a bulletproof vest, God intervening, following protocols and hunches with fellow officers, burn marks from the bullet, prayers even before it happened. (16:55) His walk with God was also impacted by his experience in law enforcement, a job that was a dream come true, but the real wakeup call came 2 months after being shot. He explains why he had to give up the badge and hit rock bottom, then refocused on the Lord. Josh is open with his messy testimony and encourages other men to do the same. That includes forgiveness for the man who shot him a decade ago. (28:50) As a former police officer, Josh now leads a nonprofit that's focused on providing needed safety renovations for the homes of former first responders and military veterans. He talks about what they do, who they're helping, and how. It also costs money for all the supplies that volunteers work with to do home improvements. And House of Heroes of the Chattahoochee Valley is hosting their annual "Bids and Bubbly" on Thursday night September 17 with unlimited champagne and exciting auction items. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available: House of Heroes Bids and Bubbly 2026 | House of Heroes Chattahoochee Valley. (39:41) We close out our chat talking about serving people, donating your time and/or money, and the benefits of plugging in to the community. Ending the pod episode in prayer, i appreciate you listening! Tell others about "Run The Race" and make sure you follow/subscribe to the podcast.