2. Have you ever done a half or full marathon before?
This is my second time running a marathon, but it feels like my first.  My first marathon was in 1990 (when I was 19 years old) and now I’m forty pounds on the pudgier side.  This is truly a challenge for me, but a good challenge at the same time.  The last four years I have run the Indy ½ marathon, but I have been hesitant to try a whole marathon.  With Camille’s encouragement I decided in April to register for the Chicago Marathon.  And 24 hours later all 40,000 spots for runners had been claimed.

I am eager to run the Chicago Marathon this year for a couple of reasons:
- After turning 36 years old in May, I realized my body is closer to being 50 years old than 20 years old.  My legs ain’t getting any younger.

- I actually enjoy running as it give me time to process things and pray.  Having a goal like this helps me in stay disciplined.

- My two brothers are running the Chicago Marathon, too.  Even though my pace is slower than them, we’ll see each other at the start and finish line.  In addition to my brothers, there are about ten others from Harvest running the marathon – including some other pastors and some from my student ministry staff team.

- Rather than just running for pleasure (because it will be a painful experience), I am choosing to run in support of the Mitchell Swaback Foundation.  Mitch was a Harvest student who died tragically a few years ago when he was 23 years old.  His parents started a foundation in his memory that supports many of the ministries that Mitch was passionately active in serving.  The current projects include building an orphanage in Peru, supporting the ongoing ministry of Tabitha House in Chicago (a shelter for homeless women and children), and the Mitchell Swaback Athletic Center at Harvest.

3. What are your biggest challenges for race and what is your goal?
See #2. Seriously. Running 26.2 is a long way. In May I ran the Indy 13.1 and a 10 mile Fox Trot (Elgin, IL). I need to be disciplined with my running and diet in the months ahead if I am going to shed a necessary 20 pounds and be prepared for 26.2. It's tough to training while being a husband, dad, and student ministry pastor.

4.How did you know Mitch?
I didn't know Mitch, but have heard wonderful things about his short life - primarily about his love for God and heart for people.

5. Why are you doing this race for MSF?
I want to run 26.2 for more than the cause of just completing the run. I want to partner with the MSF to raise fund for the HCA gym in Elgin.

Journal

November Update  •  Thursday, November 01, 2007

1. Would you or are you planning on running this distance again?
I ran in 1990 and 2007.  Maybe I should run again in 2024 - in another 17 years.  Actually I do want to run again ... maybe in 2008.  But for now, I'm enjoying waking up at 7:30 am on Saturdays - instead of 5:30 am.

2. Explain what it was like to run on the hottest day in the Chicago Marathon 30 year history?
The conditions were brutal - not only was it hot, there was little shade relief from the sun.  But by God's grace I finished all 26.2 miles.  It was a memorable experience that will not soon be forgotten.  It was a joy to start and end with my brothers and friends - and to run step for step for the first 13 miles with my younger brother, Keith.

3. Lastly please write something to each of your sponsors, it can be a thank you, share a verse, something from your heart.
Thank you for all who cheered me on and supported the MSF.  A special thanks to Jonathan's 1st grade classmates and families.  It was an honor to represent you as I ran.  I thought of my sponsors often - especially late in the race when the miles seemed tougher and tougher.  Thanks for praying me to the finish line.

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 have been training since I registered for the marathon in April.  I have logged over 480 miles on my running chart (including four 20-mile runs in August & September).  And I am only a few pounds away from my desired 25 lbs weight loss by race day.

2. Tell us what you’ll be doing the Saturday before the race?
The day before the marathon will be a crazy day.  It will begin with spending time with my boys at the “Home Depot Kids Workshop” in the morning (after Jonathan’s karate practice).  Then, it’s off to our church all-staff & families picnic on Saturday afternoon.  In the evening there is a dedication service for our new Elgin campus worship center at 7:00 pm.  In the midst of all of this I will be loading up on pasta, drinking lots of water, and taking a Tylenol PM to ensure some sleep before waking up @ 4:30 am on race day.

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 am grateful to God for my sustained health and energy during these training months.

It is an honor to raise money for the Mitchell Swaback Foundation through this marathon and to represent my son, Jonathan, and his first grade classmates at HCA.  I am grateful to all who are supporting me and cheering me on.  Each will be a source of inspiration to persevere during the race.

I am now eager for October 7 to arrive.  One of my training commitments was to sacrifice minimal family time in preparation for the marathon.  This has required that I get up very early on Saturdays to run a couple hours in order to be home to wake up the kids at 7:30 am.  I look forward to giving my schedule (and my body) a break after the marathon is done.

Thanks for praying me to the finish line!

September Update  •  Thursday, August 30, 2007

1. Share with us your workout schedule for August?
My training for the marathon includes lots of running and a focus on weight loss.  Running:  My weekly running routine is a long run on the weekends and two 4-8 mile runs during the week.  I set out with the goal of trying to get three 20-mile runs in during August.  I was able to do two.  My first was tough as my speed dropped noticeably over the last 6 miles.  My second was a very encouraging run.  I ran my 4 mile loop five times (without stopping or walking!) and my lap splits were consistent (36:00, 38:00, 37:00, 37:00, 37:00).  Because I ran in the rain, I didn’t see one human being - only lots rabbits and frogs.  This run gave me great encouragement and confidence.  If I could keep the same pace on marathon day for 6.2 more miles, I would finish around 4:05.  However, the following week I had a lousy run.  I share more about that below.  Weight loss: I have trimmed off 15 lbs – most of loss has come since returning from Camp Harvest on August 4.  I’m trying to still shed 10 more lbs in the next 5 weeks.  Passing on sweets, soda, and late night snacking is tough.  However, my body is feeling the benefits of being healthy.  I’m finding it’s a lot harder for me to be disciplined in eating than it is to be disciplined in running.

2. How are you holding up physically and mentally?
My most encouraging run (above) was shortly followed by my toughest training to date.   Isn’t that the way life often works?  Before being proud for long, something comes to humble you.  My regular loop was washed out from the massive August storms and I couldn’t find my running rhythm on a new course.  My whole body was lethargic.  It was a painful and discouraging run.  “What if I run like this on marathon day?” – is a thought that plagued my mind for days.  But I cannot let my past hold me captive.  This is such a great lesson in life and our spiritual journey.  I need to press on and place the future in God’s hands.  On the physical side of things, I am pushing my body in ways that it hasn’t been pushed since my teen years.  I have an inconsistent sharp pain in my knee – at times I walk with a limp, sometimes I feel it when run, yet other times I don’t feel it at all even when running lots of miles without an issue.  If anyone knows what my might be going on in my left knee, please let me know.

3. Athlete’s Journal: Please make this your journal for the month of August and share with us everything and anything you would like?
Okay … here’s a cool fact (at least to me): Since registering for the marathon in mid-April, I have run 392 miles.  I added up my running log just a few days ago.  This is like the distance between my house and Omaha, Nebraska or Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  This is an impressive number for a novice like me.  Another way to look at it, I’ve been averaging nearly 100 miles a month (or 25 miles a week) for four months.

I keep reminding myself when I get up on Saturday mornings at 5:25 am that I am training for several reasons: 1) I don’t want to blow out on race day; 2) I want to raise money for the MSF & don’t want to disappoint those supporting me; 3) My body isn’t getting any younger and God has blessed my with health.

The Mitchell Swaback Athletic Complex is sweet.  I had a chance to tour it a few weeks ago.  It’s still in a rough form, but the hardwood floors and equipment will start to go in soon.  I think about how my own Jonathan, Micah, and Hannah will benefit from this gym in the years to come through Harvest Christian Academy.  Someday I will proudly sit in the bleachers and cheer on students for our ministry.  And the gym will be used for outreach into our Elgin community through The Harvest House with my brother, Kent, and Brit.  I am so motivated to help raise funds for this project.

Although I run mostly by myself, it has been a huge joy to train with my brothers and friends.  We swap stories.  Share in each other’s progress.  Encourage each other in tough days.  I’m truly blessed to be in community with Kent, Keith, Joe, Jeff and John and be sharing this experience together.

“Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:7-8

August Update  •  Wednesday, August 15, 2007

1. What makes you keep going on a day when you just aren’t having a good run or training day?
What keeps me going when I’m not having a good run?  Is that really the question?  Is there such a thing as a good run?  Running is tough for me.  But I am motivated by the challenge to both run a marathon and to raise money for a worthy cause.  I know this answer sounds canned – but it’s not.  I am guy who needs goals.  Without this goal, I would not have been motivated with my exercise this summer.  And when I have a goal, I am all in.  Over the past couple of years I have competed in a few triathlons, half-marathons, and a 100 mile bike race.  I have yet to register for an event and not complete it.  And if you know me, each of these was a major challenge … but nothing like the challenge of running 26.2 miles.  And I love the fact that my training can benefit the Mitch Swaback Foundation.  I hope some family and friends will join my wife in supporting this cause.  With God’s strength and by His grace I hope to cross the finish line on October 7.  These are a few things that keep me waking up at 5:25 am on Saturdays.

2. What things are you doing to prepare physically and mentally for the marathon?
Running, running, and more running.  I have my own weekly routine since I am a running novice who is busy.  I run three early mornings a week – two mid-week runs of 4-8 miles and a long weekend run.  Over the past 16 weeks (dating back to mid-April) I have run 10+ miles 17 times.  I have not missed a 10+ mile week since mid-May.  I even got to my 20-mile mark on August 12.  It is painful to think that I still need to add another 6.2 miles for the marathon.  Preparing physically involves seeking to be careful with my diet.  I have lost 10 lbs, but I need to lose 12-15 more lbs in the next 7 weeks.  I am naturally a snack-er.  Therefore, I have committed to: no pop, no sugar cereals, no late night snacking, and drinking lots of water.

3. In what ways are your family or friends helping support you while training?  Is there anyone in particular that helps motivate you?
Camille has been a huge support.  When I suggested to her back in April that this might actually be the year that I run a marathon, she encouraged me to go for it without any hesitation.  She believed I could do it more than I believe I could.  She is my “running partner” even if she doesn’t run.  I couldn’t do my runs if she didn’t partner with me in caring for the kids, adjusting her schedule, and cheering me on.

In addition to Camille, it has been great to have both my brothers and a bunch of friends striving for the same goal.  I see Kent (my older brother) a lot and he is always encouraging of me.  And I love swapping stories of training misery with Kent, Joe, Jeff, John … and of course, Colette.  I hope to do some long training runs with Joe, Jeff, and John if we can coordinate schedules.

July Update  •  Monday, July 02, 2007

1. With three months remaining before your race what's going through your mind?
I'm glad there is still 3 months remaining.  26.2 miles is a long way to go and I have to shed some unnecessary weight. 

2. What is your training schedule for the month of July?
My July running schedule will be inconsistent with responsibilities at Camp Harvest.  But I'm hoping to get at least one long run in a week.

3. What is your long run up to?
I did 16 miles on June 23 ... but there is no way I could have added 10.2 miles to that run.

4. Athletes Journal:
Although running is really grueling at times, I am finding it to a wonderful time to process life.  Most often, I run by myself and without an iPod.  I find my mind jumping all over the place at times, but touching on things that are important.  I often think about things that I probably would have otherwise because of the activeness of life.  Running has been a good time for me to talk with God as I think about what is going on in my life at home and church.

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