Run The Race

<p>Having now run a marathon in 39 states, here's a recap of my latest one: Derby Festival race in Louisville KY, alongside cheering TV friends and others running across America. Thanks for listening to the "Run the Race" podcast.</p> <p>The course included the iconic Churchill Downs, a week before the recent dramatic Kentucky Derby race.&nbsp;I gives the ins and outs of the race, plus the ups and downs of my new run walk strategy.</p> <p>Have you ever been to Louisville? I have some insight on key places to go...involving horse races, KY bourbon, and baseball - how those famous Louisville Sluggers are made.</p> <p>The 2nd half of this solo episode is focused on a flashback to my very first marathon, a decade ago, almost to the day, in Nashville TN with my inspiring friend/coach - what it was like preparing for those 26.2 miles, farther than I'd ever run before.</p> <p>You can do hard things. There are some steps involved in that. One is prayer, which I close out the podcast with. Make sure to follow "Run The Race" and tell others about it.</p>

<p>The largest selling comedy-recording artist ever, Jeff Foxworthy, joins the "Run The Race" podcast, days before he performs in Columbus GA - to talk about clean comedy, Georgia roots, his faith walk and new/old parts of his standup routine.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>(4:14) Foxworthy, who mostly lives in Atlanta, also has a farm in Pine Mountain where he loves to mow/plow. He talks about the pros of performing close to home THIS Friday night May 1 at the RiverCenter in Columbus.</p> <p>(8:21) The multiple Grammy Award nominee and best selling author of 25+ books has been doing standup comedy more than 41 years! Jeff gives his take on the growing popularity of "clean comedy" (he'll follow the dirtiest comedian) and why he didn't go the route of "Christian comedian." We also dive into his family and church background, wanting to encourage others with laughter being a "release valve" for struggles.</p> <p>(17:10) Along with stories about being from Georgia and poor as a new comedian and married for 40+ years... (21:27) we close our chat with the status of his faith walk - longtime small group - and standup comedy, having just filmed his final special with the first new Redneck jokes in two decades.</p> <p>(28:17) I close out the episode in prayer. Thanks for listening! Subscribe/follow "Run The Race" and let others know about it. And go laugh, it'll do you some good.</p>

<p>He's back home in East Alabama and West Georgia now as the President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Columbus with 3 locations. And it's a good time to get in shape before summer!</p> <p>(2:22) Scott Balkcum talks about getting into shape in this Spring season, (8:16) how he got started in the "Y" business and life after sports like basketball (he got college scholarships), (13:28) also competition between health clubs or "gyms" and how it gets busier in certain seasons.</p> <p>(19:20) Scott has worked for YMCAs in Alabama, Georgia, SC for 15 years. What has he found that helps push or motivate people to exercise? He uses swim classes for little kids as an example. And he loves the variety of people pockets that work out at different times.</p> <p>(26:43) We talk about all the details of upcoming Summer Camps at the Y and (30:51) and him as a volunteer coach for little kids playing flag football.</p> <p>(32:20) There's also a faith side of the YMCA, which has been around in Columbus GA almost 170 years! Scott touches on the changes to the lingo, logo but not moving away from the Christian principles they've always stood on and the mission to help with spirit, body and mind. That includes Bible studies and baptisms at the Y pool. (37:48) There are also special deals for some members and financial help for others.</p> <p>After giving some highlights from the Boston Marathon, (52:00) I close out the episode in prayer. Thanks for listening to "Run the Race." Share it with your friends! Subscribe or follow the show for regular, inspiring content on fitness and faith!</p>

<p>The Boston Marathon is this Monday! 30,000 people will run it - most of them having to run a fast time or BQ to get there. Why is the race such a big deal? What's the history behind it? What are the options for getting into Boston? And who are some of the "celebrities" running it this time?</p> <p>We have some answers about the legendary sporting event. And you'll hear from 8 previous "Run The Race" podcast guests who have some stories, opinions about The Boston Marathon after running it, including one marathon queen who crossed the finish line just minutes before the 2013 bombing there.</p>

<p>Winning on and off the field, Head Baseball Coach Tim Fanning has led the Glenwood Gators in East Alabama to 11 State HS Championships in his 22 years at the helm. He's also been the Athletic Director more than 2 decades. We talk about his love for the game...playing college and pro baseball...using the sport as a vehicle to point people to Jesus...the foundations for his coaching...a different kind of winning...tangible things he does through nonprofit that takes mission trips overseas...and his recent cancer battle that changed his perspective on life and faith.</p> <p>(3:30) Tim - who was raised by a single mom and played 3B, pitcher - sees baseball as romantic because it's so difficult, a game where there's a lot of failure which can be the greatest teacher. What else has baseball taught him about life?</p> <p>(10:22) He talks about playing baseball at different universities (that led to him playing pickup basketball with Coach Billy Donovan and future superstar Randy Moss in WV), then to the Frontier League, (16:20) transitioning out of baseball than back in to be a Coach. He has advice for current and future coaches, also explaining the 4 pillars that are non-negotiable for him. "Can't be half pregnant."&nbsp;And winning (his record is 768-190) is lower on the priority list than you may think, especially vs. helping people get to Jesus.</p> <p>(26:08) Hall of Fame Coach Fanning is unapologetic about sharing his faith, including devotionals with his Glenwood team. His goal is to give them tools to be the best man, husband, father they can be. And Tim really saw some players changes when they went on mission trips to much poorer countries. He's had adventures in 21 countries, taking groups to places like Africa, Panama, Costa Rica, and Taiwan.</p> <p>(35:14) As founder of the "Serve to Lead" nonprofit, he explains what that name means and why taking action to serve others is so important in ministry. He's also written a few books by the same name: <a href="https://servetolead2.com/">https://servetolead2.com/</a></p> <p>(40:49) A few years ago, Tim battled Stage 4 Colon Cancer, isolated for chemo treatments during the Covid pandemic. Getting emotional, he talks about God healing his heart (and cancer). He's been cancer free for about 3 years! You'll want to hear how it's impacted his push for God's kingdom, his baseball players, and fellow coaches. (46:11) And the coach closes us out in prayer.</p> <p>Thanks for listening to "Run The Race." Subscribe and follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify and more. Share it with others! We talk on here about fitness and/or faith on a mostly weekly basis,&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>