Embedded Files
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an
opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.
-Attributed to Archbishop Oscar Romero
Sometimes it can feel like the goal is insurmountable.
On an afternoon in December of 2016 I registered for the Baltimore Marathon. I had recently competed in the Hokie Half and, as the saying goes, I had the bug. I ran my first marathon in the Fall of 2010 with a goal to "not walk." I can say that I was successful in completing the 2010 Baltimore Marathon in a time just under 4 and a half hours - truth be told, though, I would strongly recommend actually training. Intent on running a more successful race and completing a successful training regimen, I set a 3 and a half hour mark for the race.
That Spring, I watched the Boston and, enamored by the event, I looked up how to qualify. Thinking that 3:30 was a respectable time, I was shocked to see that the standard for my age group was 3:05, a 7:02 per mile pace. (It has since be lowered to 3:00, a 6:52/mile pace.) My shock quickly turned to anger. I was actually angry at the Boston Athletic Association for their "ridiculously high" standards of entry.
This is typically the part in your standard literary set-up where, after I establish what seems to be an impossibly difficult task I reveal how, digging deep down I was able to overcome the odds and achieve my goal. As of today, my marathon PR sits at a respectable, yet still not qualifying, 3:05:56.
At first glance, hitting a BQ (or Boston Qualifier) seemed impossible and, while I still haven't earned the standard, what I have gained is the confidence that I will achieve my goal.
This week, we commemorated the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and protested the passing of Roe V. Wade with the annual March for Life. If we had to specify the goals of such occasions one could say: the eradication of both racism and abortion from our society. It is tempting to say though, that like a difficult marathon standard, achievement of such goals is beyond our capability.
But we keep at it. We keep putting on our shoes. To march. To walk. To run. Our goals are difficult, no doubt. But they are not impossible. With patience, with hard work, and ultimately through the Grace of God we will overcome.
Quick Thoughts
A few quick thoughts on happenings in the world of running and the Church
Vaporfly Investigation
Do the Nike Vaporfly racing shoes give athletes an unfair advantage over their competitors? If you haven't heard this yet, get ready because it is going to be the question guiding debates that will quickly move from casual long run conversations to courtrooms. Of course, the courts move significantly slower than any runner equipped with the carbon fiber shoes so don't expect a ruling any time soon.
Team News
Upcoming events, prayer intentions and other items of note
#Geaux-ls
That's goals. Friends, last week Frassati Running athlete Thomas crushed his half marathon with a time of 1:53:57 at the Louisiana Half. After weeks of hard work and determination Thomas capped off an incredible training cycle with a result telling of the work he put in. The exclamation point of the day came when he dropped his fastest split during his closing mile, close to a full minute under his overall pace. Well done Thomas.
10k, Half and Full Marathon Training Group
Our group is off and running but it's not too late to join.
Beyond the weekly training plan that you'll receive, every athlete will also have access to a set of suggested prayers, weekly challenges and our team Slack page. If you're not familiar with Slack, this is an online messaging platform that allows teams to organize conversations into "channels" to help collaborate and build towards a common goal. This will be our go-to hub for questions and ideas surrounding shoes, nutrition, strength training but will also be a great spot to share graces received, offer prayer intentions and further build this great community.
Cost is just $7/month!
Upcoming Saints
A Saint, Memorial, or Feast of the Week
January 28
St. Thomas Aquinas
What is there to say that hasn't already been said? St. Thomas Aquinas, the great Angelic Doctor of the Church laid forth in meticulous detail questions, objections, and answers to innumerable ideas found in the Church. The Summa Theologiae, his greatest, yet unfinished, work asked and answered every question any thinking person might pose concerning God and the Church. While his responses to such questions are rooted in both scripture and natural reason and explained in a manner telling of his great intellect it is his objections to the very questions he sought to answer that are, perhaps, most impressive. It is often said that Thomas understood the counterarguments better than those who actually believed them.
His work in detailing the natural order of creation, the intricate and simple Truths of the Church, and the depth of the metaphysical world is matched only by his profound love of Christ.
It is said that, after spending some time before the Lord in the Eucharist, St. Thomas had a vision in which Christ spoke to him: You have spoken well of me, Thomas, what would you have from me?
St. Thomas said in response, Non nisi te Domine. Nothing, if not you Lord.
May we all have the same devotion to Christ that Thomas had. May we seek to give God glory so much so that, in our directing our efforts to Him, we would give him our absolute best.
St. Thomas Aquinas, pray for us.
Prayer
A prayer or habit to take with you this week.
Non nisi te Domine.
Nothing if not you, Lord.
Thomas Aquinas desired nothing if not the Lord. This week, perhaps we can try to develop this same desire. In our employment, our actions, our working toward whatever goals we have, may we be so trusting and humble as to desire nothing if not the presence of the Lord.
That's all for this week friends. Good luck to everyone beginning their training!
Verso l'alto,
Patrick
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