NYC Marathon Sermon 2024

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!”

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Just Be You

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. 

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Uncomfortable

I don’t want to do this. I am dreading doing this.

The NYC Marathon is 8 weeks away and my training has not gone well. I did 12.3 miles earlier today. That might sound nice, but I should be up to 15 or more miles by now.

I’m struggling with the long runs. I just don’t have the endurance.

I’m also running out of time. 8 weeks isn’t a lot of time.

My body is sore and tired. My legs are heavy.

I do not want to do this.

But, I’m going out for a run. I need to get a few more miles under my belt.

If I’m going to comple the NYC Marathon, I need to get comfortable being uncomfortable.

I wish there was another way…

28,433 (When Is Enough… Enough?)

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.

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My Book: 365.2 – Featured on the WOFC Podcast

Here is the Podcast link: https://ksje.podbean.com/e/write-on-four-corners-with-delsheree-gladden-interview-with-paul-semendinger-1719863217/

Click on the image below for link to purchase the book:

From the Write On Four Corners Podcast:

“Dr. Paul Semendinger returns to the show this week to discuss his newest book, “365.2: Going the Distance: A Runner’s Journey,” which details his effort to run every day for an entire year. He talks about the challenges he faced on his quest to achieve his goal and how he motivated himself to keep moving forward. “

Life…Is Good!

It’s been a busy few weeks.

It’s been a busy few months.

It’s always busy.

And that’s a good thing.

Life is good!

And I’m saving the best news until the end of this article…

***

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Never Accept, “Good Enough.”

You can achieve more than you ever thought possible.

Set a goal.
Achieve the goal.
Set the next goal.
Never stop reaching.
Never stop dreaming.

In 272 days, I’ll be running the Dopey Challenge in Walt Disney World.

Never Quit.
Never Stop.

DREAM BIG…. and ACHIEVE!

365.2: A Runner’s Journey – RELEASED TODAY!!!

It’s easy to make a New Year’s resolution. It’s much more difficult to fulfill it.

Dr. Paul Semendinger, a 53-year-old father of three, an average runner (who runs about one marathon a year), an author, and a school principal, decided to run every single day for an entire year. That was his New Year’s Resolution. This is the story of his quest to do what, for him, seemed to be the impossible. There were no off-days, no chances to take it easy. He made a promise to himself to run every day in 2022. He worked to achieve that goal as one of the biggest parts of his life changed radically. This is his tale of running. It’s also the story of a year in his life.

Join Dr. Sem as he pushes ever forward. This is a story of motivation, of drive, of success, and even failure. The insights, the humor, the reflection, and the emotion that is part of this true tale is one that should motivate and inspire others to set their own goals for themselves and find ways to achieve them letting nothing get in the way of reaching a goal, no matter how unreasonable it might seem to others.

We all have goals, this book will help you reach yours!

Get the book HERE!

Now Available: 365.2: Going the Distance, A Runner’s Journey

My newest book, 365.2: Going the Distance, A Runner’s Journey is now available for pre-order:

“It’s easy to make a New Year’s resolution. It’s much more difficult to fulfill it. Dr. Paul Semendinger, a 53-year-old father of three, an average runner (who runs about one marathon a year), an author, and a school principal, decided to run every single day for an entire year. That was his New Year’s Resolution. This is the story of his quest to do what, for him, seemed to be the impossible. There were no off-days, no chances to take it easy. He made a promise to himself to run every day in 2022. He worked to achieve that goal as one of the biggest parts of his life changed radically. This is his tale of running. It’s also the story of a year in his life.

Join Dr. Sem as he pushes ever forward. This is a story of motivation, of drive, of success, and even failure. The insights, the humor, the reflection, and the emotion that is part of this true tale is one that should motivate and inspire others to set their own goals for themselves and find ways to achieve them letting nothing get in the way of reaching a goal, no matter how unreasonable it might seem to others.

We all have goals, this book will help you reach yours!”

That’s A Wrap!

With an easy three-miler today, I reached 100 miles run in December. That concluded my second consecutive year of running 100 or more miles every single month. I’m happy with that.

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