My True Inspiration!

The eve before the Akron Marathon. One year ago this same day I was wondering if I could make it 13.1 miles and finish this one goal that I thought would never be possible for me. Sure enough, when I put my focus on the right things and put all my heart into it, 13.1 proved to be no problem. This year as I started to train for a full marathon (which I will run in Chicago 10-10-10), I made sure that a trip to the Akron Marathon was able to be made. Once again in the morning I will set out to journey the 1/2 marathon.

As I set out, my mindset is much different from last year. This year I am running this race for the fun of it! Last year I ran it to prove I could do it. This year I am running this race because my hometown has put its heart and soul into making this marathon one of the best in the nation. This year I am running to be a part of the joy and happiness of the event. This year I am running in celebration of the event anniversary that changed the way I look at what is possible.

As 10-10-10 is fast approaching , the funny thing is that I find myself feeling the same doubts and thoughts I was thinking last year preparing for the Akron Half. In fact, 13.1 miles is a long way - just think about getting in your car and driving from Wedgewood Drive (in Ellet) at Route 91 all the way up 91 to route 303 in Hudson. That is 13.1 miles! How about running 52 and 1/3rd laps around a standard 400 meter high school track. (For my brother Jim, this is like going from your house to the 271/480 split on your way to work.)

All I need to do is simply double that distance on 10-10-10 (Jim - you are still not at work yet!) Simple enough, right? Wrong! Although I have had 4 training runs that went 20+ miles and I completed all of them feeling pretty good, 26.2 miles is a bit of a daunting task. How do you prepare for this type of journey?

In my training runs I have played many games. For instance, when I first start out and I am fresh I pray, not only do I pray for the run but I pray for many of you reading this post. I pray for your health, joy, peace, happiness, encouragement, etc... I also pray for those I pass on my journey. As time goes on and mentally I am not all there, I recite scripture, sing, and play silly games.

One of the silly games I play is Dora, Dora! Yes, for those with kids that have watched Nickolodeon you are correct - this is Dora the Explorer. I break down the run into segments and recite them in my head. For example on my run on the Stow Hike and Bike Trail it would be "Stow Road, Hudson Drive, Route 8!" Once I get to Route 8 I call out three more points. Along the way I pretend that I come across Swiper and the grumpy old troll. It is stupid but it keeps me focused on not getting too far ahead of myself.

One last thing I am going to use for the first time when I go to Chicago is visual motivation. I am going to take my favorite race day running tech shirt, the one I am wearing in my blog picture at the top of the screen, and I am going to do something special with it. Anyone that has encouraged me along this journey, anyone that has sacrificed something for me to obtain this goal will be named on the shirt. For those (my wife, kids, mother, and brother) closest to me, I am asking them to write a note of encouragment on the shirt.

When I am getting to the tough moments of the race I will look at these names and remember all the ways others have sacrificed for me. I will remember the words of encouragement, the words of joy, the words of humor, and most of all I will remember that I am not running for my glory. I am running because others have sacrificed for me. I am running because I can and because (to steal a line from Eric Little) when I run I feel the glory of God.

My hope in this blog post is that all of you reading (and then some) will see that your every step, every word, and every action has an impact in this world. Whether it encourages me or it helps someone else to just get up and walk down the street, it means something. Even the simplest of words like hello or goodbye make an impact. A simple note of thanks means so much! Purely your presence in a room or event can impact others, so choose your words and actions carefully. Enjoy your life, live in peace, joy, and happiness. Do not let troubles, anxiety, or fear rule your thoughts. Focus on all that is positive and keep up the great work you are doing! Thank you for your encouragement and I will report the results from both Akron and Chicago!