Well, my parents didn't want me to write this but I feel as if I had to. But, don't worry. I'm not going to do what everybody thinks I'm going to do in go off in a profanity raid, or have a pity party of what is going on in my life right now. That is just what I'm telling you. I'm dealing with some real personal struggles right now. A little bit of it has been effectiving my running, and don't want it to effect my work, spiritual, or social life. On, Sunday after doing some thinking, drinking, eating Five Guys Burgers and Fries and things I feel ashamed of I realize I don't like the person that my mind or devil is forcing me to become.
Don't get me wrong on Sunday I enjoyed seeing the faces of people down at the 26 mile mark cheering on those about to finish their marathon and the encouragement everyone gave or even those finishing the half marathon as well. It makes me happy and blessed to be in this sport. However, I felt sad that I could have been a part of it. If I wasn't running it may be a different story because I would still go down and watch and cheer everybody. So for everybody that I didn't congragulate or seemed a little fake in the tone of my voice when I did congragulate, I sincerly apologize. A lot of you are trying to give me some encouragement, hugs, and prayers and for that I thank you. Talking to those I've been close to and realizing what I do have and focusing realizing what I DON'T have has made me realize I'm a very selfish human being. I mean we all are at times. I guess for my male testosterones that get in the way and I try to be aggressive or set myself high in everything I try to do. Because I don't want to fail or let anybody down.
However, after talking to a friend in my church this week I should remember it's not what I want for myself or what everybody wants for me or even themselves, it's about what God wants for us. I believe he does want good things for me and wants me to achieve my goals in running but especially those goals I have for myself outside of it as well. I think that he is trying to tell me something that maybe I should still be patient and trust him. I mean it took me years and hard work to get where I'm at in running and also right here in Columbus. It just may be the same for everything else. I just need to be patient and he'll let me know when I find what I'm looking for. We are all guilty of forgetting what we got and become selfish to try to satisfy our needs one way or another.
Although, I may have been physically able to finish that race on Sunday I defintely wasn't able to finish it mentally with what has been on my heart, recovering from sore hips and still unsure of my physical fitness. I've lost a little bit of confidence after I ran pretty gutsy at Boston this past Spring and I'm just trying to find my way back. Maybe, this could be a blessing. We can't be on top of our game all the time. I still have goals for myself in running and need to use it as a reliever and try to not let everything else get in the way. It becomes a safety net sometimes and there are times where things may not go as planned.
To conclude, I'm tired of bitching and feeling sorry for myself. I appreciate all of your encouragement and I hope you all know I would do the same for you all too. I want to move forward and run with the same passion but be patient, mindful, and trust what God plans are for me in all areas and just let go. I mean I not the only one with problems and the best way to go is to look up. :)
Well, everyone this is the week. Columbus Marathon week. Whenever you are running the Full 26.2 Mile Marathon or running the 13.1 Half of it you all know that you have prepared weeks in advance to get yourself pumped up, running the miles, the stretching, and especially maintaining your focus up to this point. Mental Focus, that is 1/2 the battle of it like they say in those G.I. Joe public service things after the fighting is done in every episode. I know myself firsthand the instances where it has been hard maintaining that focus whenever you run the full or the half.
So I try to come up with a way as if a wrestler would do it with a wrestling promo before a big match. Many of you know I was a huge pro wrestling fan in the past and I kind of pay attention to it today. Thanks to the power of YouTube I usually in my leisure time like to be entertained by watching Pro Wrestling Clips from the 80's, 90's and the last decades. Now this promo blog isn't going to be like what type of promo say Macho Man Randy Savage would give. But you can watch for a good laugh.
Or Defintely not an Ultimate Warrior type of Promo
Though both of them are funny. I tend this blog to be more of a Terry Funk or Dusty Rhodes related. A little bit from the heart and not from a script.
Terry Funk Promo
Another favorite promo of mine is from Dusty Rhodes talking about hard times and coming back from his injury and how it relates to everyone trying to make it through rough times.
Many of you haven't watched pro wrestling like I have but Terry Funk and Dusty Rhodes are speaking of the tough times they had to go through in order to become World Champion. Dusty Rhodes related his promo to hard times that everyday people who are unemployed or underpaid go through. The job I may have may not be the best but I feel good in the work that I do and I know with the experience I could move up.
Dusty's promo makes me think that the injuries I have may not seem so major compared to others whom wished they could run or those who are disabled who can't get the chance sadly. I feel fortunate for that. My Aunt Debbie has had MS for quite sometime I can remember but she is defintely one the most sweetest people I know. I don't see her that often because she lives out in Colorado, but she's always encouraging me in my running. She also great at making jewerly and she gave me a multi-color necklace. I like to wear it in honor for those whom suffer from MS. Like I said I feel very blessed to be out there running and there are those who can't
Terry Funk's promo spoke about wanting to win the world title for his father who never got to see him win his first world title 2 years after his father died. Which he did win and helped ECW at the time get off the ground in the late 90's. I tend to want to run this race for everyone that has supported me still especially for my high school coach, Paul Gibson, who sadly passed away this past summer and mentioned in one of my blogs.
It is those people my family, friends, and teammates that help me maintain that balance whenever life gets crazy in a certain type of way.
I run with my CRC peeps on Mondays and Saturdays or whenever I can because at least almost everyone of them in the groups is training for a Marathon or Half whenever it be in Columbus this weekend or elsewhere sometime this fall. Even enjoying their company as the time passes. I guess we all just try to feed off each others' motivation and energy to get through our runs or races together.
Also, with the people from my church and small group I look forward to seeing them whenever it be in service or in small group. They have become a great support for me during this past summer and fall whenever I was slowly trying to whip myself back into racing shape thinking to myself that my body was giving up after having a terrible muscle strain in my hips. I've gotten to know almost all of them much better this past summer thanks to going to "Breathe" the summer retreat, hanging out with them and making me yearn not only to be a good Christian but a better person as well.
My family has been very helpful maintaining that focus. I think that no matter what I do or what place I finish as long as it has been with class and dignity they are proud of me no matter what. I hope that it puts a smile to their faces that they know I'm doing something that I love which is what any parent wants their children to do. They have been my biggest fans since I have competed in distance running in high school.
But, I believe no matter what this Sunday PR or not I want to go out there and bust one to the best of my ability that day in the half. The Columbus Marathon has been one of my most favorite races whenever I have competed in it or not the last 6 years. Just hearing the stories and seeing different types of people cheer you on or others that they know is what it's all about.
Runners who are running this sunday this kind of sums up what Terry Funk said in his promo, "This Sunday we are going to race hard and finish OUR WAY!! This Sunday it's going to be our day no matter what. Cause there is no better feeling when you're out there racing having the city cheer you on whenever it be to a PR, Qualify for Boston, or just saying that you did it. Getting that medal afterwards is worth the months of preparation. Who knows you might want to plan your next one.
But, I'll leave you with this be smart, excited, positive and especially patient. I quote 2 Timothy "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." So runners keep the faith, and go for your own personal victory.
With the C-bus marathon coming up I'll post my pre race blog sometime tomorrow. It'll be funny and good. But, now since it being marathon season here are some stories from around the world that involved running a marathon. Both good and bad.
First, the bad one. After a marathon in the country of the U.K a man was D.Q after getting 3rd in the Kielder Marathon when it was found out that he ran only 20 and got on a bus within the crowd, hid his jersey which was transporting people to see the finish and was able to finish the race somehow. What an idiot. Read on
Now, a badass type of story involving a woman finishing the Chicago Marathon, but hours later giving birth to her child. I defintely give my congrats to my CRC peeps for racing up in Chicago this past weekend of course. My hat is always off to you guys but maybe this women might have you all beat. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, fellow blog readers for the last almost month I have decided to stop shaving just for the heck of it and this is what I've grown it into now.
Yep something isn't it. However, it seems I almost can't even recognize my own face. You ask why have I decided not to shave and grow it out for a bit. Well, there are a couple of reasons.
One, I just turned 30 almost a month ago and I think since people think that I always look much younger than what my age really is I just wanted to see how I would look if I grew one. Hopefully, having this beard grown would make people take me a little bit more seriously and think I'm not just a boy but a man and by seeing me have one it would do so.
Another reason is the fact that by turning 30 being a milestone in my life I feel as if I haven't accomplished anything yet in when I came to this age. I'm not married, engaged, or even seeing anybody right now :( also I'm still renting instead of owning, and I feel as if I want to earn a little more in my work. Pretty much not a whole lot of motivation right now except for running the half marathon in C-bus as part of the Full in less than 2 weeks. Since I also am not dating anyone that would tell me to shave so why not grow the beard. I dunno since growing the beard I would like ladies to know I am confident in how I look for a bit and not a chicken to let them know how I feel. Specially when it comes to this clip from Arrested Development.
(Great show by the way and its coming back with 10 episodes that will lead to a movie if you haven't heard.)
But, back to the blog. One more reason for the beard may be the fact I'm trying to grow it in to get ready for my Halloween Costume. Many of you know I know a lot about Professional Wrestling as embrassing as it is. Don't watch it as much as I did when I was a kid and a teenager but pay attention a little bit now. Since I went as The Ultimate Warrior last year I now want to try to go as a different Professional Wrestler almost every year for Halloween. I figure it be the closest thing to being one. As since this year in honor of his tragic death I am going as "Macho Man" Randy Savage.
OOOOOOO YEAH!!!! That's what he say.
But, trying to be a little more taking risk and maybe showing some maturity is a good way that I am growing the beard. I'll probably shave it off before the half marathon in less than 2 weeks and grow it slightly back for my Halloween Costume. Who knows maybe I'll keep it for the winter. Kind of like what Rocky did in Rocky IV when he fought the Russian.
So growing the beard and training is my way of preparing for a race it seems. I'll let you know when I decide to shave it. I'm D-Money that's my two cents and I'll leave you all with some famous people with beards
Jim Jurevich (Co-Owner of Columbus Running Company)
Jesus (Our Lord and Savior)
Abraham Lincoln
Zach Galifiankis
Chuck Norris (of course)
Tom Hanks in Castaway
Conan O'Brian
Brad Pitt
Brian Wilson (closer for the SF Giants)
Billy Mays
Grizzly Adams
Gandolf from Lord of the Rings
Jim Morrison (Lead singer of the Doors)
Joaquin Phoenix
Santa Claus
Jack Black
MMA Figher Kimbo Slice
Willie Nelson
Chaz Bono
ZZ Top
And Last but defintely not least........................
This past week I celebrated turning 30 years old in this world. Yes, it's hard to believe to others that don't know me very well that I look like I'm thirty years old. Yes, 30. A tiny life milestone if you say. The last couple of weeks though I tended to look back in my life on the last 30 years of what I've done, how far I've come, what I've learned, and what I can do to make my next 30 years much more memorable.
Like anyone who sees that they are getting older you either embrass it or dread it depending on the age in which you are turning. The weeks leading up to turning 30 I was kind of dreading it. Not the fact that I was getting older but as if I felt I haven't accomplished what I wanted out of life. Now your thinking of me in running terms, well trust me as hard as I had work in distance running I feel pretty much satisfied with what I accomplish on the Cross Country Course, the Track, Tri's, and especially on the roads. I mentioned it has taken me places I never been to and allowed me to compete with some great people whom I call my friends. Over the years, it has made me whom I am but developed my character. If I decide to quit running competitively and just run with the groups and bike a lot I would be very much satisfied with it. But, I still have a couple more competitive years and I'm not done yet. So your asking what is it that makes you dread 30?
Well, a little bit of it is work. The job I'm in some days feels like I can do better that this. I mean I'm not getting cheap pay it's that I know I can do a grade level or two better than my job title but could still make a contribution to my country while working for the federal government in the Department of Defense. Yet, I feel at my age with the experience I'm getting and the education I've had that I can have a chance to move up. Trust me I don't want to be one of those people with a GS-14 or GS-15 those are the higher ups. You make a lot of money but you constantly have no life. Believe me I want to work hard, serve the government, but like many people I have a life outside DSCC (Defense Supply Center Columbus). I think there are those that take there job too seriously and those that don't somehow still work for the government. I can try to go into detail about how much money federal government spends on useless items but I won't. My point in my work life is I'm very happy I have a job when many people don't so far in this economy and I have an opportunity to rise up, learn on the job, and be satisfied so I have to be a little patient with that.
I think the one thing that has turning 30 seem to stress me out more than anything is the bad luck in relationship mostly with the opposite sex. I've seem to have really bad luck in this department. I really don't know what women want from me. I feel as if I'm too nice of a guy for women to date that or they think with work and running I won't have time for them. I dunno, maybe I'm going overboard and not being too patient or trying to hard. However, I have learned to loosen up over the years or maybe God thinks it not my time yet.
Hope you laughed at that one. But, still this has hit me now that I'm 30 not married nor dating anyone consistently right now and I feel for a guy my biological clock is ticking. A little bit of a reason why I got a little more to drink last Saturday besides watching the Buckeyes lose. Maybe I'm going a little overboard with it. I've dated a little bit more the last couple of years but haven't struck gold you way say. It's like I'm trying to find a needle in a haystack but its in a barn filled with more than one haystack.
Yet, last week I've been getting some real good advice from a special woman in my life, my mom of course, that is to keep trusting God and look at the positives and not to focus to much on the negatives.
I also got advice from Catherine my massage therapist, who was a big help in me writing in my Pre Boston Blog.
She thinks I shouldn't worry, but still be more confident in myself and that I'm more than just a runner to everyone.
That's what I've come to realize after celebrating my 30th birthday this past week. With everyone sending me wishes by text or facebook post, or attending my Buckeye Birthday Bash this past weekend, I've come to lean on those people whom I've lean towards the past couple of years. This also ties into the sermon and small group message I've heard as well. From Acts 2 verses 42-47.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
This verse occured after the apostles were converting new Christian believers and how these new believers lived out there lives for God. In a sense I feel I'm surrounded by a great community of different people. People I go to church with and also in my small group we have some interests but a few differences but we all connect together. This is also true for those in my running groups with CRC and the C Bus Pacers. I had gotten to know everyone of them throughout the years and I too rely on their friendship and advice.
So, with these great community of friends I've have developed in Columbus over the years plus the support of my family I know they will be able to have confidence to develop and learn more as a human being. I'll learn to have more fun, be smarter, and enjoy life much better now that I'm a little older. I still keep thinking of this Tim McGraw songs which sums me up!!
This weekend marks the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. It was a day that lived in infamy. When our country was attacked by terrorists. Two airline passenger planes were forced by terrorists and crashed into the 2 twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York. Over an hour or so later both of them collasped and fell to the ground killing thousands. Another plane hijacked by terrorists crashed into the Pentagon in Washington D.C. Another flight, United Airlines Flight 93 was hijack but the passengers attempted to regain control of the flight before the terrorists could crash into Washington D.C and it was crashed somewhere in Pennsylvania. Over 3000 people total died in the attacks the majority of them in New York when the 2 twin towers fell. As, we look back I bet we all could remember where we where when we first heard or saw the coverage on TV. I was coming back from a tuesday morning study session with a tutor from a class when I heard the guys on my floor tell me that 2 planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers. It was very shocking watching everything unfold on television. Classes were cancelled and so were a couple of weekend sporting events. It makes you wonder what else has happened since then in the War on Terror and how our country pulled itself back. I think the best way to honor those who have died in the attacks and those military men and women who have served overseas on the War on Terror and still do all over the world. Tell a military member thanks for their service to our country because Freedom is not free. We should feel so blessed to live in a nation to have the privilages many other nations don't. And we can feel free to worship Jesus and God in this nation because many Christian who live in missions in certain parts of the world worship in dangerous parts that can be non-christian. Freedom of Religion is great in this country because you can't be able to worship who you want in other nations. Also Freedom of speech is great because in other nations you could be put in jail for saying wrong things about the government. We often poke fun at our government but the best thing is that dispite the econominc and job troubles in the country right now we have the freedom to vote for new officials who could try to restore or help.
So, I say remember those who have died but celebrate by living the American Dream because that's what they would want us to do. I'm D-Money, that's my two cents and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
Well, last time I gave you predictions for SEC and the Big Ten now here are the rest
Big 12ConfOverall
Oklahoma 9-0 12-0
Texas A&M 8-1 11-1
Missouri 6-3 8-4
Texas 6-3 8-4
Okla State 5-4 8-4
Texas Tech 4-5 7-5
Kansas St. 4-5 6-6
Baylor 2-7 4-8
Iowa St 1-8 2-10
Kansas 0-9 2-10
ACC Atlantic DivisionConfOverall
Florida State 8-0 12-1
Clemson 5-3 8-4
NC State 5-3 8-4
Boston College 3-5 6-6
Maryland 2-6 4-8
Wake Forest 2-6 4-8
Coastal DivisionConfOverall
Virginia Tech 6-2 10-3
Miami (Fla) 5-3 8-4
Georgia Tech 5-3 8-4
Virginia 4-4 8-4
North Carolina 3-5 7-5
Duke 0-8 3-9
ACC CHAMPS: Florida State
- Here is a bold prediction. The winner of the Oklahoma at Florida State game will be the one going to the National Championship Game. I guarantee it.
Big EastConfOverall
West Virginia 6-1 10-2
Pittsburgh 6-1 9-3
Cincinnati 5-2 9-3
South Florida 5-2 8-4
Connecticut 3-4 8-4
Rutgers 2-5 6-6
Louisville 1-6 4-8
Syracuse 0-7 4-8
- Note: W Virginia will beat Pitt head to head making them having the BCS bid for the Big East.
Pac-12 North DivisionConfOverall
Stanford 9-1 12-1
Oregon 7-2 9-3
Oregon St 5-4 7-5
Washington 5-4 7-5
California 4-5 7-5
Washington St 0-9 2-10
Mountain WestConfOverall
Boise State 7-0 11-1
Air Force 6-1 10-2
TCU 5-2 9-3
San Diego State 4-3 7-5
Colorado State 3-4 7-5
Wyoming 2-5 4-8
New Mexico 1-6 3-9
UNLV 0-7 1-11
And sense I don't care too much for the rest here is who's going win their conferences
Conference USA: Houston Western Athletic: Nevada Mid American: Ohio Sun Belt: Troy
IndependentsOverall
Notre Dame 11-1
BYU 10-3
Navy 8-4
Army 5-7
And here whose is going to the Bowls: Well I don't want to bore you so I'll give you to see whose is going to the BCS Bowl Games
Rose Bowl: Ohio State vs Stanford Sugar Bowl: LSU vs Texas A&M Fiesta Bowl: Notre Dame vs West Virginia Orange Bowl: Florida State vs Nebraska BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: Oklahoma vs Alabama
Well those are my predictions and I'm sticking to them. The Rose Bowl and BCS National Championship games would be correct the rest of the At large teams I put in there could switch but still interesting matchups to say the least.
I can't wait for tomorrow night and this Saturday. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!
I'm D-Money and .......................... GO BUCKEYES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
