Seth Kleeberger
Peoria, AZ
Total Raised: $700.00
1. Tell us about yourself and your family?
My name is Seth Kleeberger. I am a Worship Pastor for Harvest Bible Chapel of North Phoenix. I have a wife by the name of Lori and two children: Gabriel (4years old) and Macy (2 years old)
2. Have you ever done a half or full marathon before?
I have not. I’ve thought about it but it has remained only a thought until now : )
3. What are your biggest challenges for the race and what is your goal?
Um!! TO COMPLETE IT!! On a more serious note, to complete it in a decent time and to drop 20 pounds before actually doing the race. I would also like to raise some money for the MITCHELL SWABACK FOUNDATION!!!
4. How did you know Mitch?
I did not have the opportunity to ever know Mitch but I have had the privilege of becoming close with his parents, Bob and Gaye, and working along side them in the planting of Harvest Bible Chapel of North Phoenix.
5. Why are you doing this race for MSF?
Because MSF is committed to making a difference in the lives of people for the glory of God. Because their mission is to be moved into action. Because I have a tremendous amount of respect for the Swaback family. Because Bob asked me to run with him.
Journal
September Update • Thursday, August 30, 2007
1. Share with us your workout schedule for August?
Sporadic!!! I have pinched a nerve in my back so it’s been hard to train regularly
2. How are you holding up physically and mentally?
Physically, I’m holding up barely. But mentally, I’m THERE!! You know what they say, You get your mind right and your body will follow.
3. Athlete’s Journal: Please make this your journal for the month of August and share with us everything and anything you would like?
The second part of my training took a turn for the worse and it seems to have taken longer then I expected to recover. I still deal with a lot of pain when I run but it seems to ease up a little after I get out and run for awhile. I guess I’m learning perserverance. Since hurting my back, it’s been difficult to say the least but I really want to run in this race and I really believe in what the Mitchell Swaback Foundation is trying to accomplish.
I am eager for October 7 to finally get here!
August Update • Friday, July 27, 2007
1. What makes you keep going on a day when you just aren’t having a good run or training day?
A call to commitment…I’ve committed to run a half marathon, not walk but run!!!
2. What things are you doing to prepare physically and mentally for the marathon?
Consistency, running early to beat the heat, changing my routine regularly…
3. In what ways are your family or friends helping support you while training?
Giving me time to run, supporting me financially, encouraging me.
Is there anyone in particular that helps motivate you?
I have been able to train somewhat consistently with Bob Swaback. That has been a great help and an encouragement. Also, my wife Lori…she was all for me going to Chicago to run a half marathon, even if that meant leaving her in AZ for 4 days with our two kids…what a trooper!!!! :-)
4. Athletes Journal:
Guess what? I hurt my back last week…so bad that I had to stop training. This is a bummer because my long run was up to 8 miles. Because of this setback, I have been forced to take a break from my training efforts. Not all is lost though; I have been able to reflect on some questions that have been running through my mind, “what if this injury keeps me from training? Worse yet, “what if this injury keeps me from running the race?” I have also been able to reflect a bit on the answer these questions. I could sum my reflections up with one word…COMITTMENT! I have committed to do a half marathon and will get it done even if I have to walk.
Here’s the thing about commitment, it’s not for the weak-hearted that’s for sure. Why? Because commitment requires 100%. It’s difficult. It demands perseverance. It involves sacrifice. Recently I read the account in Luke 14 of Jesus addressing the multitudes to follow Him. In this passage, He mentions these very things and as a result many walked away. The reason being, there was too much of a cost involved. It’s not any different today then it was 2000 years ago. People are drawn to Christ for many reasons. Some want their needs met, some want their faults forgiven, some, their thirst quenched. But still others are content to be just a spectator, wanting nothing more than a front row seat and a first hand look.
Here’s the thing; most will follow as long as there’s no price to pay, no hardship to handle, no effort to exert, no battle to fight, no covenant to keep, and no standard to uphold. Jesus calls us to follow Him but warns us that it will require nothing less than 100% commitment (which involves denying yourself, taking up your cross and following Him). Good intentions aren’t good enough. Almost is still just almost.
Just like my relationship with Jesus Christ, I’m committed to finish this half marathon race, I’m committed to fight the good fight even if I have to walk or crawl…Of course in His strength alone!!! :)
July Update • Monday, July 02, 2007
1. With three months remaining before your race what’s going through your mind?
“You Can Do It!!!”
2. What is your training schedule for the month of July?
I will run 3x/week, one long run and two shorter runs. I will also do two different aerobic activities weekly such as climbing camelback mountain and biking.
3. What is your long run up to?
Right now my long run is up to 8 miles
4. Athletes Journal:
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 really has resonated with me lately…
”Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, 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.”
These words are built around athletic imagery – a race. This was a familiar thing to these believers in Corinth. Every three years the Isthmian Games (very much like the Olympic Games we are familiar with, which were also held in Greece), were held right outside the city. Paul is using this figure of speech, because, to him, life is a race like that.
These Corinthians knew that every athlete who participated in the races had to take an oath that they had been training for 10 months, and that they had given up certain delightful foods in their diet to enable them to endure the race. They had subjected themselves to rather rigorous discipline in order to win. Paul says all that they are winning is just a fading, pine wreath, but, in the race we are running, the prize, the wreath, is an imperishable one. He used this illustration to make a point…the Christian life takes hard work, self denial and grueling prep work.
The race we’re running in September will be over in 2,3, maybe 4 hours…it will eventually fade away, but it’s really made me evaluate the RACE that counts. Am I being consistent in practicing the godly disciplines of the Christian life? Am I equipping myself through prayer, Bible study and worship to run the race with drive and determination? Or am I merely observing from the stands? Point: Train diligently!!!! Our progress depends on it.
Sponsors
Julie & Paul Hansen • $50.00
We love you Seth and know you will do great!Tim & Wendy Hood • $75.00
Seth, there's a cherry pie waiting for you when you run over to Wisconsin! Have a blast!Gabe & Macy Kleeberger • $100.00
GO DAD!!! We love you...Josh Hall • $150.00
Joe and Joy Stowell • $100.00
C'mon Seth! You can do this bro.Ara Kabodian • $200.00
We are praying for you and the rest of the group in support of this worth cause. God Bless Brother....!John and Patricia Tacheny • $25.00
Thank you for your support. Mitchell Swaback Charities is a non-profit organization, exempt from federal income under section 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Service code.
IRS Letter of Determination (.pdf, 393Kb)
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