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• » Bob Swaback

Bob Swaback

Phoenix, AZ
Total Raised: $24,615.00

1. Tell us about yourself and your family?
My name is Bob Swaback I’m 50 years old and I live in Phoenix, Arizona with my wife Gaye. We have two children, Nicolee and Mitch a son-in-law Paul and grandson Alijah.

2. Have you ever done a half or full marathon before?
No I have run in several 5k and 10k races this will be a new experience for me.

3. What are your biggest challenges for this race and what is your goal?
That my body will hold up to the physical challenge.  I’ve been training and will be ready to go but there’s that unknown when you hit that 20 mile marker.

4. How did you know Mitch?
Mitch was my son

5. Why are you doing this race for MSF?
John Smith from Harvest Bible Chapel is the one that got all of this started.  He mentioned that he wanted to run the Chicago Marathon but also wanted to support a cause for his effort.  He wanted to support Mitch’s foundation.  When I heard that John was running for the foundation I had to join him.  My hope would also be that we can draw more attention to what Mitch’s Foundation is doing and the lives that are being impacted.  Lord willing maybe we can have a larger group running next year.

Journal

November Update  •  Thursday, November 01, 2007

1. Would you or are you planning on running this distance again?
I’m not quite sure!  How’s that for an answer.  The only reason I would like to run it again would be to improve on my time.  Given the conditions we ran in I know I could do better.

2. Explain what it was like to run on the hottest day in the Chicago Marathon 30 year history?
It was surreal!  At about the five mile mark I knew it was going to be a rough day. By the ten mile mark the heat really started hitting me.  By mile 17 I was walking and running my calves kept cramping up and that’s something that never happened to me before.  The last 7 miles I really don’t remember too much.  What I do remember is people going down all around me which always gets you thinking could that happen to me?  Praise the Lord I finished on my feet.  Through all of this I still cannot get over the million plus individuals that lined the entire race course.  I constantly heard people cheering, you can do it!  Looking good! Great job! Many times I wanted to stop but there was no way that was going to happen.

3. Lastly please write something to each of your sponsors, it can be a thank you, share a verse, something from your heart.
There are no words that I can say that could explain the gratitude I have for each individual that not only sponsored me but the other runners as well.  Because of the generosity of these individuals we have met and exceeded our goal.  As I write these words I think about Mitch and how everyone came together because of his life and how proud he would have been with each one of you.  In total over 400 individuals came together to truly make a difference in many lives for years to come.

October Update  •  Monday, October 01, 2007

1. Please tell us how many months you have been training for this race and if you have your training totals please share.  (include running & biking mileage and any other cross training you have done)
I run most of the year but shorter distances.  My official training for the marathon started on Memorial Day.  I have log 436 miles running, 450 miles biking and 3 hours per week lifting weights.

2. Tell us what you’ll be doing the Saturday before the race?
I plan on being downtown taking it easy.  I will go for a three mile run to loosen up.  Go out with my wife for an early pasta dinner.

3. The race is almost here, please share your thoughts about the endless hours of training, your sacrifices and what this has done to impact or even change your life?
I have always worked out and tried to stay in decent shape most of my life, but training for the marathon has given me a new meaning and respect for this race and the individuals that compete in it.  Physically and mentally this has challenge me to a new level.  I’m tired, in pain and look forward to finishing this race so I can take some time off.  I’ve had the opportunity to meet some amazing individuals that I will be running with on Sunday.  To say this journey has impacted my life would be an understatement.  My wife and I are truly humbled by the love and support we have felt for our family and most of all for Mitch, because of this young man, his servant heart and his love for Christ MSF exists.  Because of each one of you MSF will continue to make a difference in many lives.

This Sunday’s race I’m dedicating to my son Mitch whom has taught me what it means to finish strong.

To God be the Glory!

September Update  •  Wednesday, August 29, 2007

1. Share with us your workout schedule for August?
I’ve been running three days a week my long run is up to 19 miles, 10-12 mid week run and then about 6 miles of speed work.  In-between about 50 miles of biking and weights.  The next two weeks I will start to taper to get ready for the half marathon and reduce my mileage quite a bit.

2. How are you holding up physically and mentally?
Right now I’m not at the top of my game.  Physically my knee and lower back are giving me problems.  Mentally I can’t stand my long runs it’s so hard to get motivated to do them.  In Arizona even at 4:15 am the temp is 85 and 50% humidity.  Last week I just couldn’t do it so I did my long run inside on the treadmill 18 miles.

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 is a month of please let’s get these races here and get on with my life.  For the last four months my workouts have consumed me and change my everyday life.  In less than two weeks I have the half marathon to prepare for and until that race is over I’m trying to block out the marathon in October.  This month has also been such a blessing to see how so many individuals have stepped up to supported each athlete.  Donations have been coming in at a steady pace and reading the comments make it that much better.  I think about the other athletes training for these events 17 in total and how each one of them is going through something like me.  It seems like the same story times 17.  I thank the Lord each day for my family and friends that have supported me along the way.

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?
The commitment that I made to MSF and now all the individuals that are sponsoring me.

2. What things are you doing to prepare physically and mentally for the marathon?
Physically I’m training 5-6 days a week put in the mileage in running and biking and adding weight workouts 2-3 days a week.  Mentally is has been a challenged especially now that my long runs are hitting some serious distances.  It’s like as soon as I start to run my mind starts to tell me today’s not your day why are you doing this to your body?  I have to constantly talk to myself, I pray for strength and then I think about Mitch and how he would have been in my face calling me names and laughing the entire time.

3. In what ways are your family or friends helping support you while training?
My wife may think I’m a little nuts but she has supported me through this entire experience.  I’ve just started to send out some support letters and the response has been a blessing to me.

Is there anyone in particular that helps motivate you?
Every individual that MSF has impacted.  The kids at the orphanage in Lima Peru, the kids at the day care center in Manchay, Peru that have a safe place for a few hours a day where they come to learn and are loved, the battered women and there children at the Tabitha House that long for a better life for there children and themselves, the kids and adults that will benefit from the new Mitchell Swaback Athletic Center.  To me this is what it’s all about, it’s not about just raising money, it’s what we’re doing with it.  It’s about helping others and making a difference in their lives not just for one day but a life time.

4. Athletes Journal:
This month has been hard on me with my training.  I’ve been training hard 5-6 days a week but when you live in Arizona the heat makes it hard.  On my long runs I start around 4:15 am at that time is about 90 degrees with high humidity.  This is totally draining on the body.  I’ve seen my average mile speed drop quite a bit and feel like I’m going in the wrong direction.  Hopefully soon this will change.  This has been a discipline for me and I know through all this God is teaching me something.

Last week my coach Jeri Lou Zike which was going to run with me in both the half marathon and full marathon broke her leg in a triathlon.  Jeri Lou is the most competitive person I know and this injury has changed her life from a summer of weekly competitions to surgery, a cast and two months of recovery.  Through all of this Jeri Lou knows this was God’s plan for her and has chosen to focus on what God wants her to do.  She has been a constant encouragement to me and has been working with me daily to make sure I’m prepared for these races.  Thank you Jeri Lou you are in my prayers daily.

July Update  •  Monday, July 02, 2007

1. With three months remaining before your race what's going through your mind?
I guess I still can't believe I'm doing this. Can I actually finish this race?

2. What is your training schedule for the month of July?
My week looks like this – 45-60 minutes of weights two to three days, at least three days of running with my mileage starting to increase and two days of long bike rides between 25 – 40 miles. The workouts are getting longer and if you don’t start at 4:30 am in Arizona your toast.

3. What is your long run up to?
14 the distance is getting very interesting and scary. Just think add 12 more miles and you have a marathon!

4. Athletes Journal:
Many things have been going through my mind especially during my long runs. The first two miles are the worst it's so hard to get moving, then at two miles the switch turns on and I'm okay. The morning of my long run almost feels like I'm getting ready for a race. There seems to be the feeling of the unknown with distances I haven't tried before. When I finish the feeling for me is victory it's the best part of the run. During my run I listen to my iPod but I also think about many things. My thoughts always go back to what the purpose of this intense training is for. I thank the Lord for the life he has given me, my family and friends. I also thank the Lord for Mitch his life the time that we had with him and the many individuals that are being impacted because of the heart he had to serve. I don't know personally each athlete that's running in this marathon but I feel blessed beyond words that so many individuals are willing to support Mitch's foundation. I only hope that I can repay each person with the same kind of love they are showing. A verse that always comes to my mind that Mitch has actually accomplished. II Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. At twenty-three Mitch finished strong he got it and now he has his crown in Heaven. I want to be like Mitch!

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