Running to Share the Gospel

When Dakota left on his mission we wondered how he would adjust without his usual running regimen. Not only is being fit an important family tenet but running is a big part of the Cobler household. We believe being physically fit not only gives you energy but investing in physical health gives you a sense of empowerment and accomplishment that supports emotional and spiritual wellbeing and an overall higher quality of life. So not being sure how Dakota would be able to continue making this investment gave us some concern. Soon it became clear that running would play a new role in his life for the next two years.

Starting with 30 minutes of exercise every day, Elder Cobler was determined to continue his workouts and training. He learned to adapt based on his companions and his location. Often he runs while his companion bikes next to him, sometimes they will run with him, or his focus is on building core and jump rope. And he savors those rare times when he can find a track on P-day and his companion is willing to go watch and time him. 

Setting Goals

Another one of our family tenets has always been to set goals and work toward them. Elder Cobler has often shared in his letters his gratitude for learning how to set goals and how integral it is to how he operates now. It has been a big benefit on his mission. Not long into his mission he wrote home and told us of a new goal.

He had received permission to run a 5K race. His 5K was in Fitzgerald on Mar 21, 2015. He ran the race in his white shirt, tie, badge and shorts. There were many questions and he of course was all too willing to talk about the church, his mission, and the gospel.

No Such Thing as DNF

Elder L. Tom Perry said “There is a real satisfaction that comes from finishing a task, especially when it is the best work we know how to do”.  This is one of the things we have talked about a lot at our house. For us there is no such thing as a DNF (Did not finish). Depending on the day there can be all kinds of definitions for finishing. The key is when you cross the finish line, as Elder Perry says, was it the best work you knew how to do?  

Of course for elite racers or professionals a DNF may be a wise choice but when growing up, learning, or working through every day challenges it became clear to us there were many lessons to be learned in finishing and seeing things through to the end. Some of our best lessons have come from our worst races and finishes. Dakota has used the lessons he has learned from this principle throughout his mission.

Where there is a will there is a way and Dakota is persistent so we loved this picture of him and his companion dragging this treadmill they found in a dumpster back to their apartment. Elder Cobler was going to stick to training and finishing no matter what it takes. He was training for a half marathon he had been given permission to run.

Running With Your Torch Still Lit

The half marathon proved to be much harder to train for with 30 minutes a day and P-days for long runs. Elder Cobler was indeed grateful for a supportive companion and knew this race may not be about winning but rather it would be about running to share the gospel and finishing with his torch still lit, as in the October 2015 Ensign's First Presidency Message from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

President Uchtdorf referenced the lampadedromia, a relay race originating in ancient Greece. This is where runners held a torch while running and the award was given to the first team to finish with their torch still lit. President Uchtdorf says, “There is a profound lesson here, one taught by prophets ancient and modern; while it is important to start the race, it is even more important that we finish with our torch still lit”.






Elder Cobler finished the half marathon in first with his shirt, tie, and badge on. He carried the torch of the gospel to the finish and shared his message as a disciple of Jesus Christ. He was able to share some of the discussions while waiting for the awards and his picture was put in the local newspaper.

Consistency is King

When Elder Cobler was transferred to Aiken it was his first experience of being in a large ward on his mission. He loved having so many members and a bigger support system. It didn’t take long before the members soon learned of his love of running and sharing the gospel through running. The members looked for a race he could run, came to watch and the kids even started to run. This was great for Elder Cobler. He was able to share some other important lessons he learned from running like consistency is King. In all we do in life whether it is living gospel teachings or training for a race committing daily is essential. In running if you are consistent in training you are less prone to getting injuries just like in spiritual training. When you commit to your spiritual growth and development every day you are less prone to injury.

You will often hear “It’s a slippery slope” quoted at our house when someone talks about letting a workout slide or not following the training plan for a day because something else has come up. Taking one day off can make it easier to take the next day, then the next, the next and before you know it you can end up off track and having lost some of your base fitness. That’s not to say you can’t get it back, but it makes it harder and increases your chances of not being ready on race day. Elder Cobler is committed to sharing the gospel every day!

Now Dakota is in Phenix City, Alabama and just recently was able to run another 5K. He has been on his mission for 16 months and is coming to the final stretch. This brings me to another favorite family tenet, front end loading. Front End loading is something Elder Cobler applies in training and in Missionary work. The concept is basically the same principle taught by many leadership and life coaches – “Do the hard stuff first” or in the case of running get as many miles as you can early in the week to cushion you in case unexpected obstacles come up as the week goes on.

Elder Cobler’s determination and discipline have become life skills he now uses every day. As he “Toes the line” on race day and every day of his mission, he uses his physical fitness and the sense of accomplishment it gives him, to finish strong in sharing the gospel with his torch still lit. We are so happy and blessed Elder Cobler has been able to share his gifts and strengths in such a unique and meaningful way.

3 Nephi 12: 15-16

15 Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house;16 Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.