Well, it is two days before my first fitness test of the new year. On Saturday at 7:30 AM the Hall of Fame to Notre Dame 1/2 Marathon will start and I will be at the starting line. So what will go through my mind prior to the race on Saturday?
A few days before I am starting to think about the goal I set and it is scary thinking about how I will get there. My first goal is always to glorify God with every step. The second goal is to finish the race. Lastly, I have a time goal which is to maintain 8:00/mile pace for all 13.1 miles. This will have me finishing in 1:44:52.
The first two goals seem easy enough, however, the first goal will help me obtain the last 2 goals. As I have gone on my final training runs the last few days, I have been truly humbled and I hope that is because God is trying to show me how much I need Him to finish this race.
Sunday I did a 5 Mile run, but I had to stop about 3 miles into it to get a drink and cool off. On Tuesday, I did my last 6 miler at race pace and I must say when I was done I was spent! It took everything I had to run 6 miles at 8:00/mile pace! This morning I ran 5.6 miles at slightly over race pace as my final tune up.
So for a guy who leading up to this ran 10 mile runs like they were easy, you can only imagine that this week has been a bit worrying and humbling. This is not the first time I have felt this way and I can truly say that I feel good about this feeling. You know the feeling...like you are going to fall short or, better yet, like you are not going to finish at all.
Why do I feel good about that you may ask? My answer may trouble some ,but I can only speak from my heart here. I am not a true runner. I have never been much into running in the past, for that matter I have always been average in my athletic endeavors. I can hold my own in sports but when the going gets tough or the competition gets better, I am separated quickly as it is obvious I do not belong.
With this all in mind, I have set my sights on running a marathon. According to one source, last year 464,923 people in the USA finished marathons. This does not mean 464,923 different people but finishers. For instance, one of my friends ran and finished 2 last year. The US population as of 2009 was approximately 305 million, so less than 1% of Americans have finished a marathon. So, either I am a great athlete or I am accomplishing this with someone else's power.
If I were a great athlete I sure would be making more money than I am today and I would be playing a game everyday. Obviously you can see that is not true because I am not an athlete but a regular, everyday business man. That only leaves one way I can accomplish this goal. It is with the power of Jesus Christ in me. Ephesians 3:20 says, "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us" as you read this, note that it says His power is at work within us! That is pretty cool!
So for me to be humbled shows me that 'I' cannot do anything, but if I let God's power work through me He can accomplish far more than I can ask or imagine!
In the end, what will be my thoughts on race morning? I will begin the day in prayer on my knees asking for His help, His power, and His presence in my run. I will begin focusing on God and will try to lessen my aniexty by putting all my goals on His shoulders. This way I cannot lose! I will be able to run free with a clear mind and a joyful heart. Please say a prayer for me!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Just Do It!
Many of you have seen me post things on Facebook and in my blog about running longer distances. Typical weeks lately have me running 50+ miles in the week and typically I run them from a 7:50 to 8:30 per mile pace. However it has not always been that way and I would even say that it is not typical for most people to put in this many miles in a week.
The past couple of weeks, one theme has been coming to the forefront when I am talking with others that are struggling with health and fitness. Many of those that are struggling with fitness take a look at the workouts I am doing and they get discouraged. So as I thought about this I wanted share with you all a story about me getting started in running and where I came from. I hope to encourage you to just get started and work your way to a comfortable level of fitness for you.
Back a few years ago I struggled with how I could get some excercise in my life. I am not an early bird so the morning wasn't something I could do consistently. I worked during the day so during the day was out. I had two young girls at home and Julie needed my help with them so evenings were out. After the kids went to bed I was taking classes so I would do homework then. In the end the only thing I could see me being able to do consistently was spending my lunchtime on the track.
As it was, Chagrin Falls High School was right up the street from my office and it is open to the public for use. I decided one day that I would go to CFHS three days a week and run/walk a mile each time. So the first Monday morning came and I went up to the track.
For those that do not know, a typical track is 400 meters or 440 yards long. Four laps on a track equals 1 mile, so I set out to go four laps around the track. I started the first day just walking the mile. As a competitor I cannot do anything without challenging myself, so I set out walking and trying to keep a fairly brisk walk pace. The goal in the end was for me to finish the mile without stopping. Long term the goal was to run one full mile without stopping and to do it in less than 10 minutes.
As I took off I thought "This is easy!" and I went at it very briskly. Eventually after only 1/2 a lap I started to feel that this was going to be harder than I thought. My calves were burning fiercly and I was having trouble just taking each step. Remembering my goal to finish without stopping, I kept pushing forward.
I struggled through the rest of lap 1 and lap 2. By lap 3 I was hurting really badly; I was down to a shuffle of my feet and my calves started to feel like they were going to cramp up. I thought to myself, "How did I get to this point? How could I let myself get this far out of shape that merely walking 1 mile was beyond my reach?" I finished lap 3 and I had to stop for a moment. At that point I sat down on a bleacher that was on the track and looked up to heaven and asked God WHY? I was at a crisis of faith and I needed to make a decision!
That decision was whether I wanted to get up and finish this mile and work my way through the pain ,or did I want to accept that I was made to be fat and out of shape. As I looked up to heaven contemplating what direction I should go, I decided that God made me for more than I thought I was made for. When you are fat and out of shape you do not have very high self esteem; you tend to work in the here and now and not look to the future and how our decisions today affect what happens tomorrow. That Ho Ho tastes so good right now ,but in the long term it contributes to our long term health.
So I decided to get up and finish the mile - one last lap! I cried pretty much the whole last lap. Partially because of my emotional state but mostly because of the pain that I was having. In the end I finished the first mile in just under 20 minutes.
After this first time I started to add some running into the mile by adding a half a lap a week until I was running the full mile without stopping. Once the full mile was achieved I wanted to add another mile to my run and the goal was to run 2 miles without stopping in a 10 minute pace. I wanted to do double the amount of distance in the time that I finished the first mile.
Can I encourage each of you to not look at what I or any others are doing for their fitness, but to look at what you can do to improve your own? For me it was humbling to know that I could not walk one mile! But I did not look to others' workouts and think if I cannot do that then I will not do anything.
Too many times we focus on the here and now! We want things to happen overnight and we are a "results now" society! Remember these words I wrote in an earlier blog post, "You did not put it on in a day and it will not come off in a day." The same can be said for cardio fitness; it will not happen overnight but as I have found out if you stick with it and you want to go further you will do so in a short period of time. All you need to do is make up your mind that you want to be in better shape and have better health!
The past couple of weeks, one theme has been coming to the forefront when I am talking with others that are struggling with health and fitness. Many of those that are struggling with fitness take a look at the workouts I am doing and they get discouraged. So as I thought about this I wanted share with you all a story about me getting started in running and where I came from. I hope to encourage you to just get started and work your way to a comfortable level of fitness for you.
Back a few years ago I struggled with how I could get some excercise in my life. I am not an early bird so the morning wasn't something I could do consistently. I worked during the day so during the day was out. I had two young girls at home and Julie needed my help with them so evenings were out. After the kids went to bed I was taking classes so I would do homework then. In the end the only thing I could see me being able to do consistently was spending my lunchtime on the track.
As it was, Chagrin Falls High School was right up the street from my office and it is open to the public for use. I decided one day that I would go to CFHS three days a week and run/walk a mile each time. So the first Monday morning came and I went up to the track.
For those that do not know, a typical track is 400 meters or 440 yards long. Four laps on a track equals 1 mile, so I set out to go four laps around the track. I started the first day just walking the mile. As a competitor I cannot do anything without challenging myself, so I set out walking and trying to keep a fairly brisk walk pace. The goal in the end was for me to finish the mile without stopping. Long term the goal was to run one full mile without stopping and to do it in less than 10 minutes.
As I took off I thought "This is easy!" and I went at it very briskly. Eventually after only 1/2 a lap I started to feel that this was going to be harder than I thought. My calves were burning fiercly and I was having trouble just taking each step. Remembering my goal to finish without stopping, I kept pushing forward.
I struggled through the rest of lap 1 and lap 2. By lap 3 I was hurting really badly; I was down to a shuffle of my feet and my calves started to feel like they were going to cramp up. I thought to myself, "How did I get to this point? How could I let myself get this far out of shape that merely walking 1 mile was beyond my reach?" I finished lap 3 and I had to stop for a moment. At that point I sat down on a bleacher that was on the track and looked up to heaven and asked God WHY? I was at a crisis of faith and I needed to make a decision!
That decision was whether I wanted to get up and finish this mile and work my way through the pain ,or did I want to accept that I was made to be fat and out of shape. As I looked up to heaven contemplating what direction I should go, I decided that God made me for more than I thought I was made for. When you are fat and out of shape you do not have very high self esteem; you tend to work in the here and now and not look to the future and how our decisions today affect what happens tomorrow. That Ho Ho tastes so good right now ,but in the long term it contributes to our long term health.
So I decided to get up and finish the mile - one last lap! I cried pretty much the whole last lap. Partially because of my emotional state but mostly because of the pain that I was having. In the end I finished the first mile in just under 20 minutes.
After this first time I started to add some running into the mile by adding a half a lap a week until I was running the full mile without stopping. Once the full mile was achieved I wanted to add another mile to my run and the goal was to run 2 miles without stopping in a 10 minute pace. I wanted to do double the amount of distance in the time that I finished the first mile.
Can I encourage each of you to not look at what I or any others are doing for their fitness, but to look at what you can do to improve your own? For me it was humbling to know that I could not walk one mile! But I did not look to others' workouts and think if I cannot do that then I will not do anything.
Too many times we focus on the here and now! We want things to happen overnight and we are a "results now" society! Remember these words I wrote in an earlier blog post, "You did not put it on in a day and it will not come off in a day." The same can be said for cardio fitness; it will not happen overnight but as I have found out if you stick with it and you want to go further you will do so in a short period of time. All you need to do is make up your mind that you want to be in better shape and have better health!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Hall of Fame to Notre Dame Inspiration!
Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! or Matty! Matty! Matty! One of the most historical stadiums in all of college football is Notre Dame Stadium. Knute Rockne, Joe Montana, Jerome Bettis, Lou Holtz, Ara Paseghian, Paul Hornung, The Four Horsemen, and the list goes on and on. All of these people played for the Irish and all played on this historic field. One of the most known people to play at Notre Dame was a player that was not all that talented but is the last person ever carried off the field at Notre Dame. Rudy Ruettiger is best known for the movie about him called 'Rudy.' He played on the Irish practice squad for two years and in his final game his senior year he got the opportunity to dress for a game against Georgia Tech. At the end of the game the crowd was chanting Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! and he got the opportunity to get in the game and close the game with a sack of the quarterback.
The past few weeks I have been planning out my training plan for the Chicago Marathon on 10-10-10. In the process I have been thinking about running a longer race to test my fitness and to help me determine my final goal time for Chicago. The Cleveland Marathon was sold out so I went looking for something to fit into my schedule. I finally came across the Hall of Fame to Notre Dame Marathon and 1/2 Marathon. When I read that the finish is at the 50 yard line of the stadium, I gave serious consideration to going to South Bend.
I am not a Gold Domer, or even a Catholic, but the thought of visiting this historic site and better yet running into the stadium is extremely exciting. I have always been one to enjoy seeing the sites where history took place. The most exciting thing to me is to run through the tunnel on to the field that Rudy was carried off.
I happen to love the movie 'Rudy' and I think it is because Rudy would not accept what others were telling him. What better story to think about when running long distances than to think about the story of a 5'6", 165 pound kid who jumped through hoops to play for the 3rd winningest team in NCAA history. A person who overcame dyxlexia to get a college degree from a prestigious university. When they told him he did not have a chance to make the team, he gave it all he had and did so for the next 2 years in order to make the team better.
I often tell my daughters that you can be terrible at something. You can be terrible at singing, dancing, sports, school work, etc... I myself will be fine with that as long as you can look me straight in the eye and tell me you gave it all that you had. If you give all that you have, then you can rest knowing that you have nothing else to give. If you do not give all that you have, you will be stirred up inside thinking, "What if?"
Rudy's story is one that inspires me, and what drew out his passion and effort was the heritage and history of Notre Dame. I, too, am driven by history and others who have inspired greatness in people. I am inspired by those who are given little but use that little to be great. It is not talent that makes a champion; it is heart and effort that makes a champion.
The other night I bit the bullet and signed up for the 1/2 Marathon. The date of this event is June 5, 2010 and the start is at 7:30 AM. I can already hear it as I turn onto Moose Krause Circle and start toward the tunnel to enter the stadium Matty! Matty! Matty! only for me it will not be the crowd but the Lord leading the way and cheering me to completion! Pray for me please!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
What do you believe?
I am sure this posting will fume many people and it may strike a passionate response from others. I will just simply state my opinion, one I hope is grounded in common sense, so here it goes.
As many of you may know, I grew up in a lower income class family. I was taught that the Republican was a rich person who does not care about anyone but themselves, and that a Democrat was a compassionate person who is all about caring for the poor. I also have been and still am very critical of the former Republican administration (Bush). With this all being said, this will be the most that you will hear about my views on politics. Hopefully the rest of this blog will be focused on the way I see the world.
In the last four years of Bush's presidency, he panicked and started to spend money like a hungry man who had not eaten for days and was given $100 to spend on food. If he received a bill that was about spending he signed it and moved forward. When it came to stimulus he was right up front in supporting the bill. The deficit grew under his watch tremendously and the people in this world could not stand him. They hated him to a point that the Republicans would not even use him during the election year to endorse their canidate. (I do realize that this was not the only policy that the people hated him for.)
As we look forward, during his election campaign President Obama ran on change and on hope. He promised to withdraw our troops and correct our financial system. However, with that being said, he has continued the same policy of Bush's presidency. If a bill comes through with spending on it, he signs it. The deficit is projected and has already grown tremendously in his first year in office. Some people hate him so much that Democrats are picking and choosing when and where to have him campaign for the party.
Does this sound similar? I would make the argument that Obama and Bush are very similar in their policies. Bush was for spending and so is Obama. Bush was for the war and Obama, through getting into office and realizing that our security was at stake, has changed his tune and become more supportive of the war. Sure they have their differences in foreign policy, entitlement programs, etc... But on the issues that are of most importance to Americans today they have not changed a bit.
With all this being said, I want to bring a recent Facebook page to light. Recently a page has been brought out that is titled the following: "Dear Lord, This year you took my favorite actor Patrick Swayzie, my favorite actress Farah Fawcett, and my favorite singer Michael Jackson. I just wanted to let you know that my favorite President is Barack Obama. Amen!"
When this was first brought to my attention I thought to myself, "This is funny." Not because it was Barack Obama, it could have been George Bush (either one), Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, etc... What I thought was funny was the cleverness of the statement. However I feel as if I am in the minority on this issue. I also feel as if the world is full of hypocracy.
In the past 20 years of my life, no matter who has been the President, many people have taken humorous shots at the big guy! Bush's presidency was the fodder of tons of jokes, many of them being brought on by comments and actions of Bush himself. I laughed extremely hard at these jokes for the way the writer used his/her cleverness to bring a funny perspective to the Presidency.
I did not nor would I hope that any of you would think that Bush was as dumb as the comedy portrayed. Whether you think senior got junior Bush into Yale or not, he still had to take the tests in order to pass through. If you think he is dumb, then I would challenge you to think about how dumb that makes the American people. Why? Because he was elected twice!
With this being said my simple question is, why is it different when Barack Obama is the brunt of jokes like the one from Facebook? Do you really think that the vast majority of praying people (of any religion that believes in God) want Obama dead? There will always be a fringe group that believes that is a product of this fallen world.
As this came out the other day I said to my wife and some others that this will be construed in the media as being over the top. CNN (a group that the vast majority of typical Americans think is neutral) has reported on this as if to say that this is hate speech. The page has received greater than 600,000 members according to the article linked here http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/04/21/obama.facebook.prayer/index.html. Where were CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC, and others when jokes were being made about George W. Bush in the same manner?
I believe the biggest issue in this world is not about politics or policies, it is about knowing what you believe in! It is not about talking points or regurgitating what your favorite source has to say. It is about forming your own opinion! This is what has made America great! You are free to think and believe as you please (obviously I am not referring to hurting others ). The question you must ask yourself today is, "What do I believe?"
I am not here to take a side but I am saying that you need to formulate your own opinion. Don't base your opinion on hearsay but base it on how you view the facts. Don't base your opinion on whether a Republican says it or a Democrat says it! Base it on what you know to be true and stay consistent! If you see a joke as a joke, don't change your tune 4 years later when the joke is about another person in the same position.
If you think that this world is a bad place and evil reigns you are correct. So do you just join in because you cannot do anything about it, or do you fight the good fight? Step out today and dare to be different, dare to take a stance on subjects and don't stand on another's view point. Instead, stand on your opinion and the facts that back them up.
As many of you may know, I grew up in a lower income class family. I was taught that the Republican was a rich person who does not care about anyone but themselves, and that a Democrat was a compassionate person who is all about caring for the poor. I also have been and still am very critical of the former Republican administration (Bush). With this all being said, this will be the most that you will hear about my views on politics. Hopefully the rest of this blog will be focused on the way I see the world.
In the last four years of Bush's presidency, he panicked and started to spend money like a hungry man who had not eaten for days and was given $100 to spend on food. If he received a bill that was about spending he signed it and moved forward. When it came to stimulus he was right up front in supporting the bill. The deficit grew under his watch tremendously and the people in this world could not stand him. They hated him to a point that the Republicans would not even use him during the election year to endorse their canidate. (I do realize that this was not the only policy that the people hated him for.)
As we look forward, during his election campaign President Obama ran on change and on hope. He promised to withdraw our troops and correct our financial system. However, with that being said, he has continued the same policy of Bush's presidency. If a bill comes through with spending on it, he signs it. The deficit is projected and has already grown tremendously in his first year in office. Some people hate him so much that Democrats are picking and choosing when and where to have him campaign for the party.
Does this sound similar? I would make the argument that Obama and Bush are very similar in their policies. Bush was for spending and so is Obama. Bush was for the war and Obama, through getting into office and realizing that our security was at stake, has changed his tune and become more supportive of the war. Sure they have their differences in foreign policy, entitlement programs, etc... But on the issues that are of most importance to Americans today they have not changed a bit.
With all this being said, I want to bring a recent Facebook page to light. Recently a page has been brought out that is titled the following: "Dear Lord, This year you took my favorite actor Patrick Swayzie, my favorite actress Farah Fawcett, and my favorite singer Michael Jackson. I just wanted to let you know that my favorite President is Barack Obama. Amen!"
When this was first brought to my attention I thought to myself, "This is funny." Not because it was Barack Obama, it could have been George Bush (either one), Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, etc... What I thought was funny was the cleverness of the statement. However I feel as if I am in the minority on this issue. I also feel as if the world is full of hypocracy.
In the past 20 years of my life, no matter who has been the President, many people have taken humorous shots at the big guy! Bush's presidency was the fodder of tons of jokes, many of them being brought on by comments and actions of Bush himself. I laughed extremely hard at these jokes for the way the writer used his/her cleverness to bring a funny perspective to the Presidency.
I did not nor would I hope that any of you would think that Bush was as dumb as the comedy portrayed. Whether you think senior got junior Bush into Yale or not, he still had to take the tests in order to pass through. If you think he is dumb, then I would challenge you to think about how dumb that makes the American people. Why? Because he was elected twice!
With this being said my simple question is, why is it different when Barack Obama is the brunt of jokes like the one from Facebook? Do you really think that the vast majority of praying people (of any religion that believes in God) want Obama dead? There will always be a fringe group that believes that is a product of this fallen world.
As this came out the other day I said to my wife and some others that this will be construed in the media as being over the top. CNN (a group that the vast majority of typical Americans think is neutral) has reported on this as if to say that this is hate speech. The page has received greater than 600,000 members according to the article linked here http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/04/21/obama.facebook.prayer/index.html. Where were CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC, and others when jokes were being made about George W. Bush in the same manner?
I believe the biggest issue in this world is not about politics or policies, it is about knowing what you believe in! It is not about talking points or regurgitating what your favorite source has to say. It is about forming your own opinion! This is what has made America great! You are free to think and believe as you please (obviously I am not referring to hurting others ). The question you must ask yourself today is, "What do I believe?"
I am not here to take a side but I am saying that you need to formulate your own opinion. Don't base your opinion on hearsay but base it on how you view the facts. Don't base your opinion on whether a Republican says it or a Democrat says it! Base it on what you know to be true and stay consistent! If you see a joke as a joke, don't change your tune 4 years later when the joke is about another person in the same position.
If you think that this world is a bad place and evil reigns you are correct. So do you just join in because you cannot do anything about it, or do you fight the good fight? Step out today and dare to be different, dare to take a stance on subjects and don't stand on another's view point. Instead, stand on your opinion and the facts that back them up.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Running up a mountain!
It has been a while since I last wrote. However, God has not stopped working! This past week I spent time in Los Angelos and San Diego. I set out Palm Sunday on a long run of about 12-13 miles. I went out of the hotel thinking of just running up a hill on the city street and running around a few neighborhoods, but God had a different plan in mind for me on that run. As I got toward the top of that hill, I stopped to take a picture of the mountains in front of me. I was taking the picture to text to a friend to make him jealous of my view on my run. I even thought how cool it would be to run to the peak of that mountain.
Well, God surely knows the heart's true desire and thus about 1/2 half mile up the road from that point was an entrance into a national park full of trails. I was a bit scared to enter as I knew nothing about the trails or where they took you, but I did enter with hesitation thinking of just running on the main trail for a while.
Not very long into the run I came up to a few runners out on a morning run. I asked them where they were from, and they were locals so I said, "Where does this trail lead?" One of the guys I met was Scott and he was the director of the San Deigo 100 mile race; he told me that one of the trails led to the peak of the the mountain. Immediately I recalled my thought about a mile back when I was taking the picture. I thought, "WOW that would be cool!" Scott told me to follow them as they were on that same route. I texted Julie to tell her I would be longer than I thought but that I had an opportunity to go to the top of a mountain.
With that in mind I started up the mountainside. The trail was a switchback trail used to keep the incline to a minimum, and as I started I had my road runner's mentality and tried to keep up an 8-9 minute mile pace. That was short lived as I soon realized that with the increase in elevation keeping a steady and slower pace was in order!
As I continued to climb higher and higher I stopped periodically and admired the view. How beautiful and perfect the world looked from that perspective! I would look out over the land and I could see for miles around me. From that perspective I felt really, really small and I got a better perspective of just how truly big God is! Suddenly I realized that everything in the world was under God's control and truly a rather large burden seemed to be lifted off my shoulders. I realized at that moment that all I had to do was be myself and give my best and God would take care of the rest.
I reached the first plateau of the mountain where there was a lake called Lake Poway. Instantly I thought of Psalm 104 where the Psalmist writes that God held the waters above the mountains and at His rebuke released them to flow down the mountains into their place. I was in the middle of the mountains, none of them were above 5000 feet so no snow was there to keep the lake full - only rain and God's right hand!
I said to myself, "Self, how great is our God?" And my self replied, "Too Great!"
As I continued from that point I noticed a ton more hikers and runners on the trails, all of them admiring the beauty and awesomeness of this incredible creation. I thought, "I wonder who these people think created all of this? Do they believe that God is the creator of all things or do they believe that all this happened by accident?" These are questions that baffle me and to many that may read this, I am sure you will give me your scientific proof (that is not complete), however, I choose to believe that God is the creator.
Coming from Ohio it is not typical that you get an opportunity to run in the mountains and I wanted to take in this whole experience. I stopped many times, one to rest but more often the stop would be to take in the view and spend a few momments with God in prayer. My prayers were for so many things. I prayed for friends and their family members, I prayed for my wife, my kids, my dad, I prayed for all those that do not know or cannot give their heart, mind, and soul to God. From my perspective nothing seemed impossible for God, so my prayers were BIG! It was not the "blessed be with" prayers. You know the ones where you ask God to bless Bobby and be with Joey? No, my prayers were for things to change and to happen!
I find that being in these situations helps me take God out of the box I tend to put Him in and helps me see Him for who He is! The creator, provider, healer, and friend.
As you can imagine my prayers that day were a bit large and right away He answered one of them by getting me to the top of the mountain without injurying myself. As I reach this point I took a moment to let it all soak in and a tear came to my eye. I was filled with awe and wonder just thinking about the place I came from: 311 pounds, high blood pressure, on the verge of a heart attack, and yet this day God made it possible for me to climb this mountian! Why? Did I do anything to deserve His favor? Am I not a sinner? Nope, I did nothing He blessed me and hopefully I will glorify Him! That to me is amazing grace!
As I came down the mountain I fully started to realize the height from which I was coming down. It was hard to keep running as my body was being thrust down the mountain side and at times I thought I was going to trip! I kept saying to myself, "Pick up your feet..." As I started to get to the bottom, I once again worried about getting out of the trail area without getting lost. I ran into a fork in the road and was a bit confused, but within a few seconds a group of hikers came by and steered me in the right direction (another indication that God was with me.) As I exited the park and ran back down the hill to the hotel, I was moved to tears once again just thinking about how this run started off. I just wanted to get in 12-13 miles on the road. I ended up with 16 miles and a trip to the top of the mountain!
Well, God surely knows the heart's true desire and thus about 1/2 half mile up the road from that point was an entrance into a national park full of trails. I was a bit scared to enter as I knew nothing about the trails or where they took you, but I did enter with hesitation thinking of just running on the main trail for a while.
Not very long into the run I came up to a few runners out on a morning run. I asked them where they were from, and they were locals so I said, "Where does this trail lead?" One of the guys I met was Scott and he was the director of the San Deigo 100 mile race; he told me that one of the trails led to the peak of the the mountain. Immediately I recalled my thought about a mile back when I was taking the picture. I thought, "WOW that would be cool!" Scott told me to follow them as they were on that same route. I texted Julie to tell her I would be longer than I thought but that I had an opportunity to go to the top of a mountain.
With that in mind I started up the mountainside. The trail was a switchback trail used to keep the incline to a minimum, and as I started I had my road runner's mentality and tried to keep up an 8-9 minute mile pace. That was short lived as I soon realized that with the increase in elevation keeping a steady and slower pace was in order!
As I continued to climb higher and higher I stopped periodically and admired the view. How beautiful and perfect the world looked from that perspective! I would look out over the land and I could see for miles around me. From that perspective I felt really, really small and I got a better perspective of just how truly big God is! Suddenly I realized that everything in the world was under God's control and truly a rather large burden seemed to be lifted off my shoulders. I realized at that moment that all I had to do was be myself and give my best and God would take care of the rest.
I reached the first plateau of the mountain where there was a lake called Lake Poway. Instantly I thought of Psalm 104 where the Psalmist writes that God held the waters above the mountains and at His rebuke released them to flow down the mountains into their place. I was in the middle of the mountains, none of them were above 5000 feet so no snow was there to keep the lake full - only rain and God's right hand!
I said to myself, "Self, how great is our God?" And my self replied, "Too Great!"
As I continued from that point I noticed a ton more hikers and runners on the trails, all of them admiring the beauty and awesomeness of this incredible creation. I thought, "I wonder who these people think created all of this? Do they believe that God is the creator of all things or do they believe that all this happened by accident?" These are questions that baffle me and to many that may read this, I am sure you will give me your scientific proof (that is not complete), however, I choose to believe that God is the creator.
Coming from Ohio it is not typical that you get an opportunity to run in the mountains and I wanted to take in this whole experience. I stopped many times, one to rest but more often the stop would be to take in the view and spend a few momments with God in prayer. My prayers were for so many things. I prayed for friends and their family members, I prayed for my wife, my kids, my dad, I prayed for all those that do not know or cannot give their heart, mind, and soul to God. From my perspective nothing seemed impossible for God, so my prayers were BIG! It was not the "blessed be with" prayers. You know the ones where you ask God to bless Bobby and be with Joey? No, my prayers were for things to change and to happen!
I find that being in these situations helps me take God out of the box I tend to put Him in and helps me see Him for who He is! The creator, provider, healer, and friend.
As you can imagine my prayers that day were a bit large and right away He answered one of them by getting me to the top of the mountain without injurying myself. As I reach this point I took a moment to let it all soak in and a tear came to my eye. I was filled with awe and wonder just thinking about the place I came from: 311 pounds, high blood pressure, on the verge of a heart attack, and yet this day God made it possible for me to climb this mountian! Why? Did I do anything to deserve His favor? Am I not a sinner? Nope, I did nothing He blessed me and hopefully I will glorify Him! That to me is amazing grace!
As I came down the mountain I fully started to realize the height from which I was coming down. It was hard to keep running as my body was being thrust down the mountain side and at times I thought I was going to trip! I kept saying to myself, "Pick up your feet..." As I started to get to the bottom, I once again worried about getting out of the trail area without getting lost. I ran into a fork in the road and was a bit confused, but within a few seconds a group of hikers came by and steered me in the right direction (another indication that God was with me.) As I exited the park and ran back down the hill to the hotel, I was moved to tears once again just thinking about how this run started off. I just wanted to get in 12-13 miles on the road. I ended up with 16 miles and a trip to the top of the mountain!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Truly Humbled
Well as I wrote last week I finished my crash diet and started my first week of the rest of my life. Maintaining my weight is going to be a challenge, and as I found out last week it can be truly frightening. Along with the last day I was able to take an "after" picture at the gym, and I am honored that they have made up the flyer below. 
My thought going into this journey was not about the impact the end result would have but on getting myself healthier. In the process I am finding that my story is like so many others out there. Unlike some of our athletic heroes today, I want to come straight out and let everyone know that my results are completely NATURAL. I did not take any drugs and did not have any surgeries.
What is the true key to my success? When I asked for help I listened and did what the person I asked told me to do. I am not saying follow someone blindly, but once you ask and the person gives you solid advice you have no other excuse but to just do it. What is the saying..."Anything worth having is going to cost you something"? Why is this any different?
My thought going into this journey was not about the impact the end result would have but on getting myself healthier. In the process I am finding that my story is like so many others out there. Unlike some of our athletic heroes today, I want to come straight out and let everyone know that my results are completely NATURAL. I did not take any drugs and did not have any surgeries.I tell you all this because I have heard so many people who are desperate and talking about surgery as an option. Although I am not a doctor and cannot speak to the dangers or complications from a surgery, I can say that everyone can do this without surgery. It takes faith, trust, and plenty of listening skills.
What is the true key to my success? When I asked for help I listened and did what the person I asked told me to do. I am not saying follow someone blindly, but once you ask and the person gives you solid advice you have no other excuse but to just do it. What is the saying..."Anything worth having is going to cost you something"? Why is this any different?
Many say, "How can you give up so much or how did you do this?" My response is that I wanted to feel better about myself, I wanted to be the Father, Husband, Brother, Uncle, and Friend that God designed me to be. I was tired of turning down my daughter when she wanted to play. I was tired of not helping my wife around the house, I was tired of telling my friends I would love to do that but I am tired. I was plain tired of letting down the people around me.
To me it is not about me at all! If God wants to take me to Heaven, I say let's go! He has me on this earth for a purpose and that purpose is giving myself to bring Him praise. If that means being the best I can be, then I have to give it a shot.
In the end I set out to do something for others and somehow God is using it to encourage, inspire, and challenge others! That, my friends, is Truly Humbling!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Perspective
Well, today is the beginning of the rest of my life. Back in December of 2008 I started with this crazy idea that I would change my lifestyle and become more fit and healthy. As of this afternoon I am officially done with the losing weight portion of this program. I have lost 102 pounds and only have 14.2% body fat. That is a far ways away from the 311 pound start with 35% body fat.
To me it was a lot like climbing a mountain. Mount Everest sits at 29,000 feet high, and if you stood at the base of that mountain you could not even see the peak. When I started on this journey I stood at the base and went after something I could not see or touch. I merely set out to be healthier. In the process I would climb bits of the mountain day by day. Some days would be good days and I would make it further up the mountain than others. Some days I would hit some loose slate and slip down a little bit. But like any good climber I would reset myself and start back up the mountain. Well, this past week I stood at the point in the mountain where I could see the peak. Today I am on top of the mountain looking at all of creation!
What does the view look like? It is very scary! At the peak of mountain you get very volatile weather and things can change in a moment's notice. I am reminded that a lot of mountains shut down during the peak winter period due to the danger of being at the top then. For me it is scary because I have spent the last 20 years trying to lose weight! Now I move into a period of my life where I can go into maintenance mode. And in case you are not keeping track, the last time I was in maintenance mode things got out of hand and I ballooned up 100+ pounds!
As I was on the treadmill the other day I was looking down from the peak and noticed many people that are in the position I was once in. Now I look at them and want to encourage them! They can and you can do it, you just need to take the mountain one step at a time. I am reminded of one of my favorite followers' words a few years back, "You did not put it on in a day and it will not come off in a day." I wonder as I move forward, how will God use me to help others struggling to be the person that they were made to be?
From the peak I am also encouraged and excited. As I look down I can see so much more that I can do. I have set some lofty goals that for the first time I believe I can and will achieve. I will be running the Chicago Marathon in the fall. I am planning on training for an Ironman Triathlon for sometime in 2011 or 2012. I am able to play sports at the highest level in my life (including High School and College).
From the peak I see perhaps the most important thing that I can see. I see that God can do more than all I can ask or imagine! I know many that are reading this do not understand what I mean here, but all of this was not done by me. You say, what does that mean? Are you telling me you did not do the work? Are you saying that you did not run the miles? Are you saying you did not lift the weights? My answer? Yep, that is what I am telling you. The key, I believe, is my last blog posting on identity. Who are you? I am a Christ follower and with that I have died unto myself and now He lives in me! So, yep, the Christ that lives in me did all the work and gained all the results. I was just the passenger that got to watch it all happen and what a ride it was!
I cannot tell you how many mornings I woke up and went to the gym wondering how I was going to get the energy to workout that day. When I finished I knew that all God needed me to do was to show up and He would take care of the rest. Energy flowed through me during the workout and He accomplished all that He intended on those mornings.
The peak of the mountain is a cool place. It is a place not many people make it to and those that do can get knocked off pretty easily. So I will keep my head down and continue to humble myself! I want to encourage you all to climb a mountain that you see is too high or too tough to climb. Whether it is losing weight, running a marathon, getting your PHD, or something of that ilk, pray about it! Ask God if this is what He would want to accomplish through you! Wait for Him to confirm the answer, then pursue it with passion! Trust that if God gives you a direction He will see you through the process. All you need to do is show up and get in the passenger seat - the ride will be awesome. And the view? Well, it is breathtaking to say the least!
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