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........................
