Faith and Miles: Devotions and Reflections for a Runner's Soul Blog Series
"The Glory of God is man fully alive"
-St. Irenaeus
Acknowledgements
Coaches have been monumental in shaping my life, second only to my parents' impact. I am deeply grateful for their unwavering support and guidance. Each of these remarkable individuals recognized potential in me that I struggled to see for myself.
A heartfelt thank you to Ken Springer, Dennis McDonald, Steve Dobosz, Bill Collins, Brian Anderson, John Buck, Marshall Clark, and Steve McConkey. Your mentorship has been the cornerstone of my journey, igniting my passion to help others discover their own God-given potential. The lessons you've taught me have left an indelible mark that continues to guide me.
In my 30s, I was privileged to cross paths with Ross Perot. His willingness to share his time and insights while I worked alongside him in the Paralympic Movement was nothing short of inspirational. I learned immensely just by listening and engaging in thoughtful discussions during our meetings. His faith in our team to spearhead positive change within the Paralympic community led to remarkable advancements for individuals with disabilities, and I remain thankful for the wisdom he shared.
As a young man, I had the fortune of learning from author James Galen, whose insights into project and business leadership were transformative. His mentorship was pivotal in my growth, empowering me to uplift those around me and become a leader myself.
I later had the privilege of learning from some truly remarkable individuals, including Dr. Jack Daniels, Peter Thompson, Brother Colm O’Connell, and Dr. Joe Vigil. Each of their unique insights and training philosophies has profoundly shaped my coaching career in ways I never imagined possible.
I'm also deeply grateful to the dedicated team of Diana Roberts, Anna Brooks-Thomas, Rich Brown, Lucas Graham, my wonderful wife Julie Weber, and the Human Body Works crew. Your unwavering commitment to strength training, athletic training, and injury prevention has been instrumental in helping our student-athletes excel and stay safe. Together, we’ve built a foundation for success that goes beyond the ordinary.
I want to take a moment to celebrate my lifelong friend, Bryan Hoddle. Your steadfast friendship since our teenage years has been a rock for me.
We've navigated countless challenges together, and I cherish every moment of our journey. Despite our contrasting personalities, we balance one another well—a true embodiment of the saying "iron sharpens iron." As two state champions who pushed each other during high school practices, we forged a lifelong bond that continues to inspire us as we tackle the final legs of our life's race.
To my high school teammates, my band of brothers from the University of Montana, Club Northwest, Athletes-in-Action, and the Reebok-Evergreen Harrier team, thank you for the camaraderie and unforgettable memories we created during our running careers. Those experiences have shaped who I am today.
Above all, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for my incredible wife, Julie. Your unwavering love and support have been my anchor through all of life’s highs and lows. You’ve stood by my side, cheering me on through every challenge and triumph in my coaching journey. I am endlessly grateful to have you with me today and always.
Why I’m Writing This Series
Life can often feel like a blur, and many of us rush through it without pausing to reflect on the lessons we've learned along the way. I used to be one of those people until a few years back, when friends encouraged me to share my stories.
Recording our experiences might feel daunting, and we may wonder if they hold any value to others. But I’ve felt God's redemptive touch in my life, and with that motivation, I decided to pen down some of the insights I've gathered throughout my journey. If my experiences can resonate with just one person and inspire change, then every moment spent writing this book will be absolutely worthwhile.
While I can't capture every valuable insight, I want to highlight those pivotal moments and profound truths that have significantly shaped my life—moments that could only have been orchestrated by a loving God. Looking back, I clearly see the threads of mercy and grace woven through each of my experiences.
A significant part of my lifelong learning stems from my journey as both a runner and a coach. Running has been an incredible teacher, and I’ve been blessed to have coaches who selflessly provided invaluable guidance, often without the recognition they deserve. I aim to change that by sharing their impact on my life. These mentors saw me not just as an athlete but as a whole person, supporting my journey while gently nudging me toward growth.
As I embarked on my own coaching journey, I absorbed countless lessons and insights from my running career. One of the most liberating ideas I embraced was that “Jump, and God’s net will appear.” This mantra pushed me to take risks and explore unconventional paths. I quickly learned that true fulfillment comes not from conforming to societal expectations but from chasing the unique story that God has placed in our hearts.
From an early age, I felt a pull to challenge the status quo—not out of arrogance, but from a sincere desire to serve and uplift others. I’ve never measured success by wealth or material gain. There have been moments when I turned down enticing opportunities because I believed that I could create a more positive impact simply by loving and serving others.
Throughout my journey, I strive to develop solutions that uplift lives, even without the so-called "qualifications" society often prizes. Following the less-traveled path has been a choice driven by a vision to help others in ways that resonate deeply within the journey God placed on my heart.
This blog series encourages you to reflect on your own journey over the coming year and to embrace the unique path and potential God has planted within you. Don’t let the end of your life come with the regret of living someone else’s story. Your unique experiences and gifts are more critical than you might realize and far more valuable than you can imagine.
Each small decision we make contributes to meaningful change in the world. Before we leave this earth, let’s commit to understanding our lives more deeply, supporting one another, and growing with every step.
The "Faith and Miles: Devotions for the Runner’s Soul" series unfolds in roughly chronological order, but each story and devotion stand alone, waiting to possibly help you in your own journey.
Discovering What Makes This Book and Blog Series Different
In the upcoming chapters, I am excited to share how running has enriched my career, deepened my spiritual life, and strengthened my relationships. I will provide a brief outline of each powerful lesson in one of the early chapters and illustrate them with real-world examples that have had a significant impact on my life in the rest of the book.
I am pursuing this approach because I have not yet encountered an author who fully conveys how running has transformed their life throughout their lifetime. It is essential to acknowledge the profound impact of our sport in a manner that has not been fully explored.
I hope that by helping people better understand the benefits of running, we can grow our sport, as individuals gain much more than just the fleeting moments of running in their youth; they gain insights and experiences that enrich their lives over a lifetime.
This focus on the benefits of running over a lifetime, as explained in this book, sets this book and blog series apart from others.
Experience Jesus
As you read each chapter, pause to reflect on what you have read. Not taking the time for reflection to think about your reading is a disease of the Internet generation.
Simple sound-bytes and practical information won’t suffice. Stop, pray, reflect, and think deeply about how what I am saying might help you or others; otherwise, my time is wasted.
Move beyond just intellectual belief and embrace what God has in store for you.
Said another way, cultivate a moment-to-moment relationship with Christ as you read with a childlike faith and trust that there is a reason why you are reading the blog series.
Tune out the typical distractions of the digital age and reflect on what God has for you in your life. Put the phone down.
As Saint Augustine said, “Silence is the rest of the soul, and God speaks in the silence."
This embodies Augustine's belief that in moments of quiet contemplation, one can genuinely hear and encounter the presence of God. His writings consistently emphasize the importance of distancing oneself from worldly distractions to pursue divine wisdom.
Blessings to you all,
Coach Weber
Philippians 4:13
The Entire Series is Copyrighted Worldwide, 2025
Reflections and Writings by Others
"I couldn't begin to find the right words to describe Larry Weber's impact on me and countless numbers of teams, individuals, and organizations. Whatever Larry puts his hands to, success follows. His drive in every aspect of his life is unparalleled. Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will succeed." Whatever Larry sets out to do, he does so with all the enthusiasm and commitment one could have. Personally, Larry has been a huge blessing to me. He gave me the support that I needed during some challenging times of my life. For that, I will be forever grateful. Larry has blessed many people with the talents that God has given him. It has been an honor knowing Larry for the past 40-plus years."
Rick Becker
World Master’s 5000 and 10,000 Meter Champion
United States Track and Field Masters Hall of Fame
Author of One Step Back, Two Strides Forward, and Driven.
Story by Amy Castillo
I recently connected with coach and runner Larry Weber and was inspired by his story. Thought I would share his inspiration that I believe we all can learn from -- whether we are an athlete or simply aspiring to be better in our lives. Enjoy!
𝗥𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲
Most athletes chase victory. Larry Weber found something greater when he knew a special person was cheering him on in the stands.
Weber was already a force in American track and field, collecting medals and coaching others to Olympic trial qualifications. After competing against the nation’s elite 1500-meter runners at the 1983 US Track and Field Championship in Indianapolis and suffering an injury while training to qualify for the 1984 Olympic trials, he decided to make one final statement in the sport he loved.
Facing five brutal races in a single day, he truly understood his God-given purpose when he knew a young woman with Cystic Fibrosis was cheering him on in the crowd at the 1985 Ultimate Runner Competition.
His chosen challenge was almost superhuman: the Original Ultimate Runner Competition demanded athletes complete a 10K, 400 meters, 100 meters, a mile, and a marathon – all in a single day. But Weber wasn’t just running for himself anymore.
“She came specifically to watch me run and was excited to be there that day,” Weber said. “She was very proud of me for whatever reason and wanted to show her support.”
Knowing she was watching – someone who could never experience the thrill of such competition – gave Weber his deeper “why.”
That day, Weber didn’t just win the competition – he found his true calling. This experience shaped his coaching philosophy: success comes from finding your authentic motivation, one that resonates deeply and drives you to impact others positively.
His journey in running began at age 10, sparked by an encouraging elementary school coach. Four decades later, his impact became legendary. His journey in running began at age 10, sparked by an encouraging elementary school coach. His coaching sparkles with high school state championships and nationally ranked small high school cross-country teams, Olympic trial qualifiers, and work with elite Kenyan runners. Most notably, he guided Paralympic athlete Tony Volpentest to two Gold Medals and a world record at the International Sports Organization for the Disabled World Championships in Barcelona.
The discipline and purpose-driven mindset he developed fueled successful careers in executive leadership and education, including service as a superintendent in a Christian private school. Under his guidance, Washington State high school teams claimed 12 Cross-Country Championships – nine for girls and three for boys. His girls’ team particularly dominated, securing four consecutive state titles between 2019 and 2023 (interrupted only by the pandemic in 2020).
“Running helped me have that confidence to try new things and push through hard things,” he said. “My running career helped me in my other careers.”
But more than the accolades, his legacy lives in coaching others that when you discover your genuine “why” and let it guide you, you don’t just transform yourself – you inspire everyone around you to find their own higher purpose.
Amy's Bio
Amy J. Castillo is a freelance writer, and after working in corporate communications and marketing, she spent several years as an English as a Second Language teacher. Despite growing up in a family filled with public school teachers, Amy and her husband Wilberto recently moved their children to private education. In 2024, she self-published her first book, 18 Houses: A Daughter’s Memoir, A Story of War, Hope, Forgiveness & Loss. She and her husband are both business owners and enjoy international travel and going off the beaten path to discover new adventures with their two teens.
You can connect with Amy on Facebook: @AmyJCastillo.author
You can also access Amy’s latest book below.
Amazon.com: 18 Houses: A Story of Love, Hope, War & Forgiveness eBook : Castillo, Amy J: Books
“I genuinely believe that Larry Weber is the most excellent high school runner ever in the State of Washington with all my heart. His 1:51 800 meters in high school in 1975 was ahead of its time. I could see him winning the 100, 200, 400, and 800 meters at the state meet in today's track and field. He was that talented!! Now, he’s taken his superior athletic talent and devoted himself to helping other runners achieve greatness. Whether assisting an individual athlete or team, he’s achieved phenomenal results. With him, though, it’s not just about running great. He fosters the mental, physical, and spiritual side that every person needs. The measure of his coaching success is the life successes of his athletes. I believe that many people have found success through Larry’s mentorship. Great people learn from other great people. I highly recommend Larry’s blog posts and upcoming devotions book, Faith and Miles: Devotions and Reflections for the Runner's Soul.
Bryan E. Hoddle
2004 Head Coach – Head USA Paralympic Track and Field Team In Athens, Greece
The Soldiers Coach and “Runner’s World Magazine” person of the year
34 Year teacher and coach
