CoachDen

12/02/2026

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/111/php.4.13.NIV

This is quite a favourite verse with sports people, it gives us a positive thought that we will perform well and God has got our back but what happens when it all goes wrong?

Does it mean it hasn’t worked or it’s untrue?

Not at all, even though things might appear to be going wrong, God will give us strength to endure it, to get through it and although we may not feel it at the time, we will learn, get stronger…. be closer to God.

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

10/02/2026

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.5.3-4.NIV

Ok, so this is probably talking about involuntary suffering giving us encouragement when all we see is pain but actually as athletes we can read more into this and use it as an instruction to help, to give hope to our goals! In training we suffer voluntarily to achieve our aims we practice suffering so that come race day we can suffer well. It gives us the endurance to persevere, to not quit because it has formed our character to know that we can get through it and the hope of glory at the end which may be a PB, a win or that satisfaction of completion.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

01/08/2025

This is going to take some comeback….. longest time off in 35 years!

North Cotswold Tri and Run Club
Christians in Sport

04/01/2025

Still clinging on to some respectability! 🤣

12/11/2024

One barrier to running Is that it is too hard or at least perceive to be for those who don’t run or are new to running.
If you think about something you are good at and look back at when you started, was it easy then? Maybe if you were gifted but most people have to work at things till you become good at it.

Running is just the same, it doesn’t come easy straight away , and maybe one has to adjust one’s expectations but to not try or to give up is defeatist.
Of course, you have to want to do it but dabbling in it or inconsistency will only fuel your belief that it is too hard and make you think that it is not for you.
Patience and perseverance is what is required but most of all …… MORE RUNNING!

To add…. In a controlled and structured way!

“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

08/09/2024

This is what Sunday morning looks like… all before church of course!

Christians in Sport
North Cotswold Tri and Run Club
Dennis Walmsley
Snowdonia Marathon Eryri 2024

13/08/2024

When we train we put ourselves through suffering, we do this to get fitter, faster and be mentally stronger for the race to come. We still suffer in the race but we are able to deal with it better and the reward is to complete, PB or win.

In the passage below we see a similar thing only the difference is, it isn’t necessarily voluntary!
The race to come is life and our journey with God. The joy is not the suffering but how it makes us stronger and wiser and the ability to percervere.

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.1.2-3.NLT

Christian Runners UK
Christians in Sport
Dennis Walmsley

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

27/06/2024

The more I question and read the Bible, the more God’s words and truths are revealed and the stronger my faith becomes.

Just reading the Bible by yourself without an understanding can sometimes be difficult and maybe has little meaning but by reading together, going to church or a home group, the Bible can come to life, be relevant, strengthen your knowledge, belief and give you wisdom.

Just as I was writing this, my daily verse popped up on my phone and like so often, it is so appropriate for the moment!

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (‭‭‭John‬ ‭8‬‬:‭32‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

26/04/2024

This verse popped up this morning on my daily readings. We used it at our wedding and has always been our guide.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

01/04/2024

This morning I had just commented on a friend’s Strava about having the confidence and knowledge of being well armed after he had completed 22 miles in preparation for a marathon when up popped my daily Bible verse of the day;

“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.6.11.NLT

To put on God’s armour we need to believe in Him, listen to and act upon what He has to say. This doesn’t mean things won’t go wrong, we still mess up and God knows that but we will be stronger, more confident in the knowledge that The Holy Spirit is within us and be prepared.

Christians in Sport
Christian Runners UK

30/03/2024

https://chng.it/LPxpWDsw9n

Jasmin Paris should be on the Shortlist for BBC Sports Personality of the Year