Tag: Half-Marathon

Right Where I Ought To Be

Published on by drpaulsem1 Comment

Over time, we find out where we belong.  We find our niche.  We get comfortable where we are.  This is true with the places we go, the friends we seek, and activities we participate in. And so much more.

This isn’t to say that we shouldn’t try new things, or visit new places, or look for new experiences, but, by and large, we find our comfort zones and we often stay in those places.

This is true of so many things in life.  

For me, it also seems very true of my marathon times.  It seems I have found my comfort zone.  

Continue reading “Right Where I Ought To Be” →

NYC Marathon Sermon 2024

Published on by drpaulsem1 Comment

Each year, at the start of the TCS Marathon, I serve as one of the chaplains who run the Non-Denominational Christian Service for the runners in the Start Village.

The following is the sermon I delivered this year before the big race:

Marathon Sermon 2024

I am going to begin this year’s message with a passage from 1 Corinthians, Chapter 9:

“You know that many runners enter a race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win!”

Continue reading “NYC Marathon Sermon 2024” →

Just Be You

Published on by drpaulsemLeave a comment

I used to run a lot of 5K races.  I never won any, but I enjoyed running as fast as I could for just over the three miles that those races cover.  I’d race against other runners, but in actuality, I would really be racing against myself.  

A few weeks ago, I ran my first true 5K race in six years. 

Continue reading “Just Be You” →

28,433 (When Is Enough… Enough?)

Published on by drpaulsemLeave a comment

I Love running.

I run, a lot.

I have been running for decades.

I have completed 25 marathons. This fall I’ll be running the New York City Marathon (for the 11th time) and then, in January, I’ll do the Dopey Challenge at Disney World.

Tomorrow, I turn 56-years-old.

I still play baseball as a pitcher. I exercise every single day, usually twice a day. This (of course) includes a lot of running.

I run, a lot.

Continue reading “28,433 (When Is Enough… Enough?)” →

Half Way Is A Start

Published on by drpaulsemLeave a comment

I began my Labor Day weekend by pushing through the pain and self-doubt that accompanies any great effort and ran a half-marathon on my treadmill.

It took 2 hours, 17 minutes, and 32 seconds.  

It’s not a marathon, but half way is a great place to be.

Most often, it’s not about the end result, it’s more about the efforts one takes to get there.