Richard Karampatsos' Blog Across 50 States

I just read, for the second time, a great book: Running with God: A personal journal with the maker of the universe (Berry Simpson, XULON). I encourage you to get a copy!
      The chapter, ‘I FINALLY GOT TO USE MY I.D’, is funny and at the same time, has a solid message. His story caused me to think further about what spiritual lessons could be learned from his story. Read the rest of this entry »

It was another Sunday morning like many others. Our pastor was greeting us in his special loving way to help us feel at ease before he began his sermon. With pen in hand, my notepad ready, along with my Bible, and prayed up for our Lord to speak through him, I sat alert and hungry for the Word to be opened.
     Turning to Psalm 46, as requested, I wondered what we would be drawing from within this psalm. I was familiar with the first verse: “God is our refuge and strength, an even-present help in trouble.”  I had no idea that within the period of time of this message I would be able to draw strength and courage for the upcoming 100 mile race (The Graveyard 100) that I was concerned about doing. It will to be my first of that distance and one of extra importance: money to be raised to help people in remote villages’ access clean water, for free, in Africa. Read the rest of this entry »

A number of years ago when my four sons were teenagers, the family took an unexpected trip from our home in the Boston, MA area to Pittsburg, PA.  It came about because my son Jason (a die hard Braves baseball fan) found tickets for the 7th game in the playoffs. I promised that if he got the tickets, I would drive.  The promise was kept and this unexpected adventure became part of our family store of memories. I will cut right to one of the ‘highlights of the story’ and be as brief as I can without leaving out the important facts. Our Volkswagen van was old and had already transported us to a few other ballparks in a very short period of time (two in Canada!). However, this trip would find us on the side of the road with a broken tie rod – in the middle of the night miles away from any city! Read the rest of this entry »

As I laced up my shoes
For my morning run,
I suddenly felt His presence
Envelope me…
Something like the sun.

Hi God, I know it’s been a while…
“Hey friend, I know you’ve been busy.
Can I join you for a mile!”

We set off down the track.
Talked about this, talked about that,
After a while, as I picked up my pace,
I felt that he was hanging back.

“Hey God, you mind if I run ahead?”
I wanted to maintain my P.R-
For me it’s better your best,
Or just stay in bed.

He said ‘go ahead – hope you don’t mind, But I lightened up your load,”
And as I looked back, he was picking up my sins, troubles, and burdens
From the road.

I was so touched
That I began to cry
I felt HIS warm embrace
And all the fear in me died.

‘You keep running
I’ll take care of you
And remember in all things…
To thine own self be true.’

Now I always run with HIM
And through thick and thin
He always carries my load
And I always win!

-unknown

Picture an Oreo cookie. I am sure that it will be easy to do and even cause most of you to desire to have one – and to add to the pleasure – a glass of milk or maybe a cup of coffee! Now hold on to that picture in your heart’s mind as I share with you two courses (running and spiritual) of thoughts. Read the rest of this entry »

“Lord, I want to do more with my life serving You. Sharing about the joy of being a Christian and the need to be born again to runners that I get a chance to meet at races is no longer enough. Writing about it in articles, e-mails, on Facebook and in my last book still leaves me wanting to do more. I am not satisfied where I am spiritually. I need a challenge to grow as a Christian. Bottom line Lord – I want to do more for You.” Read the rest of this entry »

Rrrick’s story tells how faith helps us approach many finish lines in life. He speaks of the
effort, expense, and pain expended for marathons and goes the extra mile to compare that
to preparing for the ‘final finish line.’

Read the rest of this entry »

(from the beginning)
Within my heart’s mind I always try to see the finish line before I step up to the starting line of any race – in fact – I visualize it when I’m doing my training runs from the easy days to the ‘go for the gold’ training miles.
This control over my thoughts has blessed me to train better in body, mind and spirit, as well as being able to give my best during the past years of being a part of this great sport of running. The sport has been kind to me being able (as of this date) to have logged in over 24,000 miles since I first started doing so with the Salisbury Rowan Runners Club in 2001. That period of time, for those reading who may not know, was filled with many races from 5ks to marathons (66 so far) and three ultras. I am also blessed to have been able to run (and share the GOOD NEWS) in every state (and in DC) at least once! Yes, at 67 I can enjoy my memories and continue to add more of them! Read the rest of this entry »

As I was doing my daily miles along the local Walden Lakes trail ( neat place! A pleasant two mile paved loop with just enough inclines to add a little extra effort, that has many trees for shade and the trail wines along Walden Lake and beautiful homes now and then) I ‘ran into’ someone from my past.
This person is not a friend or could ever be one -but I will have to admit that I have grown a better person because of the pain in my physical life, as well as the emotional and spiritual challenges that have come and gone in my life because of ‘this someone’. Read the rest of this entry »

Men working late each night

with total gross sales in sight,

hoping and praying so

the weeks receipt aren’t low –

‘Christmas is in the air’.

People running around

for new gifts to be found,

that they have to but send

to many a true friend –

‘Christmas is in the air.’

Schoolchildren from their books

look off with cheerful looks;

for they all remember

‘Days off in December’ –

‘Christmas is in the air’.

Storeowners have their green;

people relaxing seen;

schoolchildren have their say

of their wild holiday –

‘Christmas was in the air’.

-Rrrick Karampatsos