Phil the Alien comes from a very religious planet called, Runners World. A large majority of the aliens that inhabit the planet practice the religion of long distance running. Phil is a part of this large majority and considers himself a devout follower of the faith. Long distance running is a polytheistic religion. They believe in a group of gods called the running gods. Each god is responsible for controlling their running pace, stride length, breathing, the weather on race days, and many other factors that runners face. Phil and the rest of the followers of long distance running believe that their running gods sent two prophets to Earth to show the human race how the religion worked. These two prophets were Steve Prefontaine and Galen Rupp. Steve Prefontaine, or “Pre”, as most humans knew him as, was a charismatic runner during …show more content…
After the death of the first prophet, long distance running began to see a decline in popularity. The running gods sent Rupp to pick up where Pre had left off. Breaking many of Pre’s records, Rupp has been able to bring popularity back to the religion in America. Long distance running doesn’t have a centralized meeting place or churches. Instead, hundreds and sometimes even thousands of people gather to run races to honor the running gods. At races, they do not pray, they simply run. Running, stretching, working out, or doing anything to become a better runner is how they honor their gods. The long distance runners also have a holy book. Their holy book is called Once A Runner. It is not written by a running god or a prophet, just a follower of the faith. The book tells a story of a follower of the religion and what he goes through to become a better runner. The followers don’t take the words in the book literally. They know it is a fiction story about another follower of the religion, but they feel like many aspects of it can be applied to becoming a better follower of the
In the book Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, young Louie Zamperini is the troublemaker of Torrance, California. After his life had taken a mischievous turn, his older brother, Pete, managed to convert his love of running away, into a passion for running on the track. At first, Louie’s old habit of smoking gets the best of him, and it is very hard for him to compare to the other track athletes. After a few months of training, coached by Pete, Louie begins to break high school records, and became the fastest high school miler in 1934. After much more hard work, goes to the Olympic Games in Berlin in 1936 but is no match for the Finnish runners. He trains hard for the next Olympic Games, and hopes to beat the four minute
They race against themselves: to conquer their wills, to transcend their weaknesses, to beat back their nightmares" (603). This quotation shows that running is not always competition, but it helps runners overcome their
On top of running with his athletes he has competed in numerous running events such as the monument 10k, the Henrico festival dash, Suffolk celebration community 5K run/1 mile walk, and the New Year's Day Resolution 10-K, 5-K, or 1-mile trail run. He runs these events to either help for the cause for example donating to the poor, people with cancer, or people with diseases or he just runs just to have fun. Even at 36 years old he is still competing at track meets just recently he just finished competing at the real deal track and field classic at Boo Williams in Suffolk Virginia. He ran the 200-meter dash and he gathered his all-American team from 1999 and ran the four by 200-meter relay one last time. They all had fun reuniting with each other to run again and they won the adult section of the four by 200-meter relay even if they all ran as slow as a week in jail. After he finishes his running he always comes back to the school to help fundraise for the track and field team.
...wenty years after his tragic death, he continues to inspire distance runners across the nation with his impressive times, great quotes, and unique running ability.
Hunt, J. (2011). We Can Raise American Distance Runners To Gold Medal Levels. Track Coach, (196), 6239-6247.
Runner’ is ‘Fear always wins’. The reader knows this through the characters thoughts and actions toward Hassan's rape, The Taliban and Farzana's beating.
Eric Liddell did not compete in his heat at the Olympics on the Sunday which led up to the major running event because he placed God before his sport and God’s rule was that the Sabbath was to be a day of rest.
Its not quite easy to be a successful track runner. You have to be devoted enough to observe your eating habits, be able to weightlift, and constantly practice plyometric drills. Plyometrics are exercises used to strengthen leg muscles; which can include regular
The “seeker sensitive” movement is one that is very controversial in our present time. It is the idea that the church should appeal to seeking unbelievers, and meet their felt needs. The question is whether or not this “seeker friendly” idea is biblical, and should church pastors lead in this way. According to the Bible, which should be the ultimate authority for all church leaders, it is completely unbiblical. It could be said that it is unethical, from a biblical perspective, for a pastor to lead in “seeker friendly” manor. They absolutely must get real with their audience, and reveal the critical truths of the Bible. The fact is that this movement is one that must be crushed by the truth that can only be found in the Word of God. There are two main reasons that this seemingly good idea is only a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Back in my high school, one day out of the month was dedicated to student-led clubs. On these so-called club days, most kids will go to any club just to get out of class. Some exclusive clubs, such as the Chess club, would look down on this. These groups would happily kick some kids, but there was one club happy to see everyone who came: the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The little exposure to Christianity found at this club was all that some kids would get and the moderators of my school’s club knew this. Little by little, this is FCA’s nation-wide goal: to change the world into knowing Jesus Christ. This non-profit organization is responsible for everything from small club meetings in middle schools, high schools, and colleges, to massive summer camps. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes’s website lists the group’s mission which is to present the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church to athletes and coaches and all whom they influence (FCA). No matter whether on the court or in a group-led bible study, FCA focuses on this mission.
Religion has an important impact on everyday life. Society uses religion to express themselves through faith, God and worshiping. Sports are also a type of religion in today’s society. People worship their teams at games and pray before every game. Sports and religion tie directly into people’s lives every day.
Although Allyson Felix began her successful athletic career very early in life, she did not let that get in the way of her faith. Felix became a Christian as a young girl and was raised in a Christian family (biography.com). Felix comments, “Track doesn’t define me. My faith defines me. I’m running because I have been blessed with a gift.” She also remarks, “When I run my prayer is not to win. My desire is that no matter the outcome of my race, that I glorify God with the talent He has blessed me with. I pray that my integrity and character are always a representation of my Saviour”
I believe the question posed by Prebish asking whether sport is a parallel to religion or identical means that sport is very closely related to the same principles. It is an organized institution dealing with faith, discipline, tradition, rituals, and has devout followers, as does the religious institution. When a sport can bring its followers to an experience of the ultimate plateau of complete focus, oneness, devotion, and the quest for salvation, I believe this is identical to religion.
Run Baby Run is the autobiography of an inspiring Christian, Nicky Cruz, who wasn't always serving the Lord. Nicky grew up in Puerto Rico, where his mother and father were spiritualists. His childhood was hard and lonely and he was convinced no one loved him. Nicky felt alone in the world at a young age and this made a deep hatred begin to grow inside him.
The miles increased each week and before I knew it, the last long run before the marathon was only twenty miles. Then came the marathon, 26.2 miles of runners’ high, pain, agony, and unstable weather.