tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post5172771020128523418..comments2024-03-10T10:54:59.776-07:00Comments on Ben Witherington: The Long Day's Journey-- My Boston Marathon ExperienceBen Witheringtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06017701050859255865noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-71013867105852870652007-07-20T23:30:00.000-07:002007-07-20T23:30:00.000-07:00i have to say, i never thought of the community as...i have to say, i never thought of the community aspect of running a marathon. i had written the idea off as individualistic "showboating," of trying to simply gain praise for oneself; this sheds an entirely new light on the concept of community and helping those around you, in a subject i am surprised to see it. thanks.matthiashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03481316641732318336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-22664426141328502082007-07-19T22:27:00.000-07:002007-07-19T22:27:00.000-07:00Thank you for the excellent reminder that we need ...Thank you for the excellent reminder that we need each other. I'm sure that, just like your marathon experience, we don't even realize how much we depend on others to get by. <BR/><BR/>May we cheer one another on!<BR/><BR/>You really captured the power of community, struggle, and perseverence in this post. It was a joy to read. <BR/><BR/>Reading your poem "Maze" after this post makes me wonder if it didn't somehow prompt these thoughts. They really dovetail into one another.Clayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15839961373029876401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-82590938590427026022007-07-19T10:09:00.000-07:002007-07-19T10:09:00.000-07:00Tyrone:There have been times when I was running th...Tyrone:<BR/>There have been times when I was running that I felt I should be preparing another lecture or writing another chapter, but mostly I don't. Mostly I know I need the exercise, and being in shape is both a good witness to an increasingly obese culture, and it allows me to have the health and energy to do the other ministry things I do-- so there are numerous benefits. Keep lifting!<BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/>Ben W.Ben Witheringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06017701050859255865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-81795102327773021412007-07-19T08:23:00.000-07:002007-07-19T08:23:00.000-07:00Hey BenThank you for sharing your story. It was w...Hey Ben<BR/><BR/>Thank you for sharing your story. It was wonderful. I personally prefer weight lifting over running. Although I sometimes feel guilty like I'm neglecting the Lord and spiritual things. Do you or any of your readers who train ever feel this guilt I'm talking about.<BR/>Perhaps, I need to remember that Jesus is there with me on that bench press as he was with you running that marathon.<BR/><BR/>Thanks<BR/>TyroneTyronehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07390447667226245938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-52063592916540058342007-07-19T07:15:00.000-07:002007-07-19T07:15:00.000-07:00Hi Ben:That's an interesting story with an even mo...Hi Ben:<BR/><BR/>That's an interesting story with an even more intriuiging application. I used to play college football. During those days i used to train and train hard. Since then, I've lost the desire to use my body as a work force, and am just recently starting to run and exercise again. I've even thought about training for a marathon. Your story, Ben, has inspired me to do so. Maybe by the time I graduate from Emory's MTS program, I'll be in good enough shape to do so.<BR/><BR/>Lord's Blessings on you,<BR/>LanceLawrence Mileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11374245611101221033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-44794038806194762882007-07-19T07:01:00.000-07:002007-07-19T07:01:00.000-07:00Great post - it is far too easy to forget that gre...Great post - it is far too easy to forget that great cloud of witnesses and the power they have to pull us long at the end of the race when we have given everything. <BR/><BR/>Like you I believe there is an intersection where we see/experience God in a different way when we are at the physical limit of what we can endure. As a scientist and Christian I find the junction fascinating to study. Sadly, most people never get remotely close to this limit and must wait for a severe emotional trauma (loss of a loved one) before they can "see" God in this way. <BR/><BR/>Keep running!<BR/><BR/>BJWBurton Webbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10229164946521307841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-64212946329374236542007-07-19T00:13:00.000-07:002007-07-19T00:13:00.000-07:00Ben,Great post. I could really relate as I did my...Ben,<BR/><BR/>Great post. I could really relate as I did my first marathon in November 2006 - the Marshall University Marathon. This year I'm planning on doing the Portland Marathon and the Marshall one again. They are four weeks apart and will be quite a challenge. I'm blogging on my training.<BR/><BR/>All through my training last fall, I was reminded of the spiritual aspects as I disciplined my body for the long haul. Marathon running is much like our journey from earth to glory. I actually preached a message on my return to Oregon on the spiritual lessons I learned running my first marathon.<BR/><BR/>Keep pressing toward the finish line!<BR/><BR/>gajGreg Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03553811487994404494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-41285146378144258612007-07-18T19:26:00.000-07:002007-07-18T19:26:00.000-07:00Go get em Jeff-- you da man. Watch out for slippe...Go get em Jeff-- you da man. Watch out for slippery streets, especially the painted lines etc.<BR/><BR/>BW3Ben Witheringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06017701050859255865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11840313.post-87342676177169241562007-07-18T19:04:00.000-07:002007-07-18T19:04:00.000-07:00Great post!I'm planning (and training) to run the ...Great post!<BR/><BR/>I'm <I>planning</I> (and training) to run the Detroit Marathon this October. It will be my first.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the inspiration.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16542363125498349029noreply@blogger.com