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• » 2007 Banco Popular Chicago Half Marathon
• » Jamie Harrison

Jamie Harrison

Palatine, IL
Total Raised: $9,515.13

1. Tell us about yourself and your family?
Ann, my wife of 11 years, and I are blessed with four children 8,6,4,2 and live in Palatine. I have been working at Just Rite Acoustics for 14 years.

2. Have you ever done a half or full marathon before?
I really don’t call myself a runner and haven’t done any before so pledges with me have a strong chance of not having to be paid.

3. What are your biggest challenges for this race and what is your goal?
Overcoming the long distances and the physical fatigue will be my biggest challenge. My goal would be to get my weight down and start living more healthy along with finishing the half.

4. How did you know Mitch?
Mitch was my first cousin once removed. I was able to see or hear about Mitch growing up. I started attending the same church as Mitch and his family 16 years ago so we would sometimes do Sunday lunch together. I stayed with Mitch occasionally when his parents were away during his teens. Do I have some stories about those days. After high school, Mitch came to work at Just Rite with the rest of us. That is the time I was able to see Mitch grow into a young, Godly, responsible and crazy young man.

5. Why are you doing this race for MSF?
As a supporter and a board member of the MSF, I am 100% behind the projects that we have taken on. I count it a privilege to work on projects that have as large of impacts as these.

Journal

October Update  •  Monday, October 01, 2007

1. Would you or are you planning on running this distance again?
Yes, certainly!  I was on track to run until I hurt my back but I would be very interested in running a long distance race at some point and time.  I think there are a lot of good things that come out of not only the race itself but also in the training part of it:  Dedication, Discipline, Hard Work, Fortitude, Perseverance, Commitment etc.

2. Lastly please write something to each of your sponsors, it can be a thank you, you can let them know we met our goal; share a verse, something from your heart.

Paul & Julie:  Thanks for supporting me and more importantly supporting the overall cause of the Mitchell Swaback Foundation.  I look forward to seeing you in the new year!

Lori, Gabe & Macy:  I LOVE YOU!  Thanks for putting up with me throughout these past few months.

Mom & Dad Tacheny:  You’re always so eager to support us and our causes.  Thanks for being apart of a bigger mission!

Joe & Joy Stowell:  I appreciate your efforts in this event.  Not only running the full Marathon but supporting people like myself in the overall goal of this event.  Sorry I couldn’t run, I really tried to make it happen.  But thank you for your support of the Mitchell Swaback Foundation.

Molle & Ara Kabodian:  You all have been such a huge support in whatever we have done.  Thank you so much for your support not only in the half marathon but in all of life.  You are truly an encouragement to all of us.  Ara, you have completed many marathons, you should run I this event next year!!

Tim & Wendy Hood:  So, I ended up not running.  This was not my choice but the doctors string suggestion.  I am very happy someone ran in my place though.  And I am even more joyful that I had the opportunity to raise a little money for this great organization.  Thanks for being apart of that.  We really appreciate your support and your friendship.  Thank you!!!!

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

October Update  •  Monday, October 01, 2007

1. Would you or are you planning on running this distance again?
I would run the 13 again after I get healed up and build a fitness base that the rest of the runners already have from their lifetime of commitment to physical activity.  I would also consider running the full 26 if my body would let me and there would be a good cause to get behind.

2. Lastly please write something to each of your sponsors, it can be a thank you, you can let them know we met our goal; share a verse, something from your heart.
Thank you is not enough to my sponsors to verbalize what this did for me.  Through this I have lost over 35 pounds and have gained a new appreciation for the time I have left on Earth and the people in my life that I get to spend it with.  In my time in the Word this morning I was reading where Christ spoke about the meek.  Even though I feel I raised my personal value somewhat, the scriptures taught me that without Christ I am nothing.  In Christ, I am everything.  It is ONLY because of Him and not myself.

September Update  •  Wednesday, August 29, 2007

1. Share with us your workout schedule for August?
Tapering the running mileage down since the race is in 9 days but keeping the bike mileage up to work on cardio.

2. How are you holding up physically and mentally?
I am falling apart!  If you have seen me walk it is not a pretty picture.  Knees, hips, glutes and everything else.  What was I thinking??  I am not in my twenties anymore.  I have already told myself that that day could be torture but there is no option to not complete it.

3. Athlete’s Journal:  Please make this your journal for the month of August and share with us everything and anything you would like?
This has been one of the biggest life lessons for me.  Talking to some of the other runners has taught me that I was on the sidelines too long.  They have kept up on their physical health along with the other parts of their life.  I use to think, “I am in fine shape.”  What a joke!  Lord willing, I want to continue pouring into my health as well as my families’ so that we can serve Christ as long as he wants us here. 

August Update  •  Monday, July 30, 2007

1. What makes you keep going on a day when you just aren’t having a good run or training day?
The commitment to the goal, to my sponsors, to the foundation, to HBC, to my coach and to myself.  Every training day is a good training day.  Sitting and watching TV is a bad training day.

2. What things are you doing to prepare physically and mentally for the marathon?
Run, bike, and lift.  I have easy recovery days and I have miserable growing days.  Hopefully, I will have fatigued myself more than the race I will run so it can only be easier.

3. In what ways are your family or friends helping support you while training?
Giving me time by watching the kids while I am out, encouraging words, and correction when I need it.

4. Is there anyone in particular that helps motivate you?
My sister and coach:  Jeri Lou.  She gives up hours of her time to give me long daily emails, many many phone calls, weekly schedule preparation, and smart eating ideas.

July Update  •  Monday, July 02, 2007

1. With three months remaining before your race what’s going through your mind?
How will my legs ever do that many miles?  It seems impossible at times but I cannot let my sponsors, MSF, HBC and especially myself down.

2. What is your training schedule for the month of July?
Alternating Bike and Run – cross-train to save my knees and expand my breathing.  Hope to get the long run up to 12.

3. What is your long run up to?
I just did 8 miles this morning and still hurting but feeling so encouraged because I never felt this was a possibility.

4. Athletes Journal:
Time is such a precious resource.  God has allotted me so many days here and only so many waking hours in each day.  Cramming in workouts where there were none before has really pushed my limits and made me questions my priorities.  God, Family, Work, Fun (or working out) is the order I must keep.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  Matthew 6:33

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