Identity

A couple weekends ago I went down to Huntington, WV to watch my oldest daughter perform in a show choir competition and stayed just down the street from the campus of Marshall University. Being a big sports fan, I love to watch movies that are about sports and in particular I love watching true stories about real events in history.

The movie We Are Marshall is a story about a day in November of 1970 when the football team of Marshall University was coming back to Huntington from Greenville North Carolina when the charter jet they were flying in crashed, killing all who were on board.

The few players and coaches that were not on board took on the task of rebuilding the program and struggled mightily with losing all of the members of their football family. One of the biggest things they struggled with was their identity! They knew that they went to Marshall but they struggled trying to understand why they were spared from death. In the end they realized that it was not something they could control and they began to chant 'We are Marshall'!

Since I was in Huntington and I was only about a mile from the campus, I thought what a cool place to take a morning run! As I took off, the movie was playing in my head and I was wondering things like, did they film the movie here? I wonder what the area was like back when the tragedy hit? I wonder how the University remembers this group of people. Quickly I came up to the football stadium and ran across the athletic facility. On the side of the wall is painted 'We Are Marshall.' The rest of that run I pondered the meaning of this phrase...

What does it mean? Why did it resonate with the people of the time? Why is it so known and understood now? I came back to my room and posted the pictures on my Facebook page and wondered how long it would take for someone to comment with the 'We are Marshall' phrase.

I uploaded them at 8:35AM and at 8:50AM I had already had one 'We are Marshall' comment. So what was God teaching me on this run? I think I figured it out on my way home on Sunday. He was telling me it is not about me! It was not about those that were killed! It was not about those that survived! It was not about a movie or a city! It is all about our identity.

I think one of the biggest things that I get out of a long run is a true understanding of who I am and what powers me. When I set out on a long run, I plan to run out so far and then run back. On the way out all seems good as I am fresh and still excited about running. The way back is a different story. Many times I am truly humbled and begin to cry out to God for help on my journey. With no other way to get back home, I have to rely on my legs to get me there!

Paul tells us in the book of Romans that if we are truly believers of Christ that we have died with Christ and He now lives in us. So what does that mean to me when I run or do anything? It means that it is not me that is running but Christ's spirit running in me!

So to me if God is good, powerful, strong, wise, and never fails or fades, then I can depend on Him to get me through anything that He puts on my heart. Notice the subtle difference here! I did not say that He would get me through anything I want to accomplish, He will get me through anything HE wants to accomplish through me. Further, He states in His word that He has begun a work in me and He will see it through to an end! Praise Him!

Excitement Builds!

As I take a break this week from my bland diet and live a bit, I am filled with excitement for the next step in my journey. I am not sure if any of you have ever set out to accomplish a goal that seems a bit out there, but for me to run a marathon seems a bit much. I am confident, however, that I will not only complete it but I will run it strong. With that being said ,I am excited to go and do it now!

Slow down, Matt! You are not ready today to go out and run 26.2 miles strong! But that is what I want to happen - I just want to show up and complete the task. Maybe some could go and do a 5K or 10K that way, but running a marathon that way is not very smart. See, I feel this is the way we all look at a task. We see something that we want to do, we explore all about it, we realize and visualize the euphoric feeling after completing the task, but we often glance over the pain and hard work that leads to the end results.

Last year when preparing for the Akron Half Marathon, I ran 275 miles in a 11 week period. I also did somewhere between 3-4 hours of swimming and I maintained a 2 day a week weight lifting program pretty much right up until a week or two before the race. I can honestly say that I felt like I was ready for that race, but as I reflect on the work I am amazed at what my body went through and at times I am on the verge of tears and overwhelmed by the blessing that God put into my hands.

What will that mean for this year's journey? I am plotting out the 16 weeks leading up to the race and I am enjoying doing it. Putting the journey down on paper helps me to make sure I do not look too far ahead. It helps me to keep my eye on the prize, which is to glorify Christ with every step on race day. It helps me to be accountable to my training! (note: I will be posting my workouts on my blog in the upper right hand corner to share with you all and to hold me accountable for the training)

In the meantime I will begin to build a base of mileage and strength for the next 16 weeks leading up to the week of June 1st when countdown begins. Will that mean 500+ miles, 8-10 hours of swimming, and weight training? I will let you all know, but one thing is for sure - I plan to enjoy it and work intensely in the process. Besides, what else can I do for a few hours to glorify the one who poured out His blood for me?

45,000 of My Friends and Me!

Well, today I took a big step forward in my future goals. After much consideration and prayer I have signed up for the Chicago Marathon on 10-10-10! What a better place to complete my 1st full marathon than in Chicago. It is the location of my first ever business trip, and I love the city! In particular if you ever get to visit Wrigley Field it is a must!

I am excited and again nervous, to run 26.2 miles in 4 hours is a rather large task! However I will not be alone, my two brother-in-laws will be with me as well as my newphew Jeremy, and a couple friends. Along with them will be 45,000 total participants! Yes, that is the right number and I am sure it will be complete chaos!

Another goal I set for this year was to return to the Akron Marathon and complete the 1/2 marathon again. This will always be a special place for me. Not only is Akron my hometown, but the organization of this marathon is second to none! It is easy to register, the health and fitness exhibition is awesome, and the start and finish are incredible. Finishing inside Canal Park is special as the stadium has great seating for all who are there to cheer the runners on and you are not funneled into a narrow finishing area (Columbus). To top it off, the race director shakes each finisher's hand as he or she comes across the finishline.

The course is challenging as well as historic and beautiful. The full marathon takes the runners through the city down the Towpath and through the gardens at Stan Hywett and to Canal Park. The half marathon goes through the city, the University of Akron and then to Canal Park. Anyone looking for a goal, the 1/2 Marathon at Akron is a must. Plenty of people walk/run this event too, so do not think you have to run it in a speedy time.

As I embark on this year's journey I am confident it will be fun, challenging, satisfying, and glorifying of God. I am still nervous, but it is the good nervous - you know when you are excited to do something! I am excited I have such a good group of people for accountablility and for encouragement! Can't wait to see my wife and daughters at the finishline in their Team Dudones shirts and give them a big hug!

Every week my church and I say a benediction from the book of Ephensians. It is, "Now to Him who is able to do more than we can ask or imagine with His power at work within us. To Him be the Glory forever and ever Amen!" This is who I will depend on 10-10-10 to carry me for the full 26.2 mile journey! Thank you, Jesus!