Uh, this is odd. Writing about myself. But they forced me. After all, that is what a blog is, isn't it? A weB LOG of your own thoughts/dreams/rantings and ravings?
First of all: with me in the picture on the left is Jerry Johncock, a GR running hero. This pic is after he spanked me by like 20 minutes in the GR Marathon in October 2008. And he is 84 years old. Yea, do the math. He is such a great witness of Jesus - has a "Run with Jesus" shirt that he wears at every race. He is the fastest runner in his age category in the nation! I just love this guy.
I took on the "tribe" leadership last December when I realized how much fun it would be to take five other guys on this incredible adventure and journey with me (after completing this event twice before w another team from Cornerstone Church). Three of the team members ran the GR Marathon with me and it was easy to find two more willing (insane?) members to create the new team.
So here we are, all the months of training comes down to the next 24 hours of testing our endurance and athletic prowess. Because after all, it is about endurance, not speed, in an event like this. Most of the 125 teams competing have 12 members. Only 13 teams have 6 members (making us an ULTRA team). I started running when I turned 40 and my doctor said "your cholesterol is out of whack, start doing something aerobic" so, since running seemed to be in my genes (I have siblings that have been runners for years) that's what I decided to try. One time around the block and I was hooked. So with a few marathons, countless pairs of shoes, gallons of gatorade, too many 5K's to count and two of these 200 mile relays behind me, this is not just one more medal to display. It is a chance to "count on God" again for strength, peace, protection. Running is spiritual. I talk to God and do my best to listen to God as well. I love Psalm 18:33 - "He makes my feet like the feet of a deer" - that is my prayer for all of us as we run today and tomorrow. Thank God I have a wife and kids that put up with all of this craziness...
Now it's off to the store to load up on bananas, granola bars, drinkable yogurts, water...all that great post run grub. Stay tuned for more...let the race begin!
1 comment:
Okay, Tom, I just read through your entire blog! (See, I told you I had more time you could fill with project work! :) )
Seriously, what a fun and exciting adventure! I find myself personally challenged as I quickly approach 40. And after 4 babies, I have a lot of getting in shape to do.
Can't wait to read about how this adventure play out! Thanks for sharing.
Londa
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