Preparation

The tough workout had finally ended, the 10 X 1000 meter runs with an average pace of 2:48 (equivalent of a 4:30 mile) were challenging; physically and mentally. Have you had days this like this, either in your personal or professional life? The dirt trails around Cotton Mill Lake outside of Kearney, Nebraska added as dash of tranquility to the mild September afternoon. Our cool down run included running back to the UNK (University Nebraska – Kearney) Coliseum, after we gathered a few additional miles in maintaining the weekly mileage of 70 to 80.

Before entering the Coliseum, the cross country runners met across the street on the grass field to the West. On the grass, we completed various drills; seemingly having little to do with running cross country; at least to the untrained eye. Coach Claussen instructed us to move our legs in all directions as we bound, skipped, and trotted across the grass infield along U.S. Highway 30. Do ever wonder why God allows you to endure situations that seemingly have nothing to do with what you have asked God to bless you? A sign two miles West on Highway 30 indicates the half waypoint from Boston to San Francisco, 1733 miles to either coastal city. Do you ever feel as if you are in the middle of nowhere?

I was not a member of this team, rather a local agronomist who started my workday early to allow joining the cross country team for their daily practices. I knew this group of runners were good, however in September they were getting beat by the teams ranked in the nation’s top five. The guys were training and racing intelligently and intently; yet they were unable to overcome the traditional National powerhouses. Would you agree we all have those moments when fall just short of elevating our performance to compete with the best?

Snow began falling near Halloween; ice covered the streets as the UNK cross country team continued training outside. The cold, slippery environment was less than desirable. Why are they unable to train on the new indoor track? Why are we unable stay comfortable environments, physically, emotionally, and spiritually?

The NCAA Div-II championships finally arrived the Saturday before Thanksgiving 1991. The seven varsity runners and Coach Claussen flew to St. Louis; several other team members, a graduate assistant, and I rode in a van to Edwardsville, Illinois. The race began around noon. Coach Claussen and I left the hotel early Saturday morning to run the national course for our morning run. The hills were long, even steep in places; the corners were often hairpin turns. Numerous times the runners came down a long hill, turning immediately 180 degrees to run up another hill forty or fifty yards from the previous hill. This course was tough! The training run tested ones fortitude.

Finally, race time arrived! Light snow filled the air, not enough to accumulate on the ground. The teams from the East and West coast were complaining of the weather. The UNK runners had trained to endure, they knew the weather was the same for every runner on the course. The starting gun sounded, nearly 200 runners were off, many sprinting down the initial down hill. Shortly after the start Tom S. stumbled over a competitors feet; his teammates grabbed him in preventing him going down. Tom’s strong legs enable immediate continuation of the pace.

As the 10K (6.1 mile race) across the hilly rough grass course developed, the men in white over blue, with “Kearney” written across their singlet; gradually moved up in the pack. All of those seemingly useless drills of bounding, skipping, and trotting were paying off; this tortuous course mandated leg agility and strength. Bob, Tom M., Derek, and Tom S. all earned individual All-America finishing in the top 27; Joe missed it by a couple of spots after overcoming a mid-season hamstring injury. The UNK men’s cross country team finished as 1991 NCAA Div-II National Runner-Up; shocking the cross country world. The UNK men beat runners and teams whom had previously defeated them easily. These runners were not ‘blue chippers’; many had to work to earn their way through school.

Coach Lyle Claussen spent the season preparing these men for the National meet. He knew the workouts and drills would payoff, even when they made little sense to the runners.

Our life coach, Jesus, is preparing us for great achievements. He gives us workouts and drills that often seem worthless, useless, a waste of time to us. You, like them, may not be the most talented in your endeavor. When we follow, the 1991 UNK men’s cross country team’s example of discipline and obedience we too will enjoy success beyond our beliefs. You too will shock the world with your achievements in Christ Jesus.

Make it a Great Day in Christ!
Rick