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• » Steve Ely

Steve Ely

Queen Creek, AZ
Total Raised: $1,981.00

1. Tell us about yourself and your family?
I am 45 years old, married for 22 years and the father of four boys. We moved in 2005 from Barrie, Ontario, Canada in part to plant a Harvest Bible Chapel in North Phoenix. We are a family that has realized the joy that comes from being followers of Christ. Our home verse is Joshua 24:15 and we declare that all who enter our house. I believe that there is a God who created us to worship Him. Our lives are an opportunity to do just that. His gift to us is that life, and our gift back to Him what we do with it. I am a doctor and now find myself working on behalf of the GREAT PHYSICIAN to eliminate pain and suffering for eternity. The greatest thing I can do is spend my life for the sake of others.

2. Have you ever done a half or full marathon before?
I ran the 2007 Lost Dutchman Half Marathon (Apache Junction) in February. This was the first long distance run for me and as fortune would have it, our lead cyclist took us on a wrong turn. We ended up running an extra two miles to get back on course. I finished the race and ended up amazed that I finished. I am curious how God is going to get me through 26.2 miles.

3. What are your biggest challenges for this race and what is your goal?
My biggest challenge for the Chicago Marathon is going to be training through the summer in temperatures that on a good day will still be over 100 degrees. My goal is to finish the race, have a time that is under a ten minute mile pace and have four hours of feeling the pleasure of the Lord (Eric Liddell).

4. How did you know Mitch?
I remember hearing James MacDonald mention in a sermon the circumstances around Mitch’s passing and the witness that was the lives of the Swabacks. I didn’t know Mitch personally, but only through the representation of the foundation. I now know his parents through the North Phoenix plant of Harvest Bible Chapel. I have been inspired by this family’s passion for mission work and being sold out Christ followers.

5. Why are you doing this race for MSF?
I agree with the mission and intention of the foundation. I believe it is a work of the Lord and I am dedicated to being a servant on His team. This is a service of worship to me. Frankly, I am an old Canadian hockey player and was not designed to be a long distance runner. The ONLY way this will happen is if the Lord carries me through it. I am willing to offer my bones for the journey and experience His Grace and Blessing. I intend to try to raise as much money as I can to benefit the work of the Foundation.

Journal

November Update  •  Thursday, November 01, 2007

1. Would you or are you planning on running this distance again?
After 2 days of rest, I was thinking that I would like to do it again. I am scheduled to run the half marathon in January in Phoenix and I thought it would be great to change my registration to the Full. Upon announcing this thought to my bride, I was reminded that to do this would represent imbalance in my life right now. I need time to heal my body and to focus some attention (and energy) around my home and family. After about a day of thinking on that I agreed and am sticking with the half for now. I will run another 26 some time, but am not sure when.

2. Explain what it was like to run on the hottest day in the Chicago Marathon 30 year history?

The summer of training in Arizona made all the difference for me. While I did experience the wall at about 21 miles, I was able to finish because of my training and a few other key things:

a.) I was running for a purpose (Mitchell Swaback Foundation) that was bigger than me. To quit because of emotion or fatigue would have been easier if I was the only one at stake. By committing myself to the MSF Team, I committed to the goal of finishing if at all physically possible! THAT concept kept me going.

b.) My Sponsors and Supporters were behind me pushing me on. I had so many people who have been encouraged by this effort, that to not finish because I didn’t WANT to, would have seemed dishonoring to those who helped me get to the race in the first place. Specifically, my bride, Kim, and my four boys were huge encouragements to me and it is an indescribable what that meant to me when it got tough. I Have often talked about what I would do for my family in the event of crises and in this race I met crises (physical pain) and did what I said I would do.

c.) My faith and dependency on God to do what I could not do for myself. I realize that the sum total of my life is as a result of the many blessings I have received. Everything I have is because it was given to me. My health, marriage, family, career, friends, stuff and ability to run 26.2 miles in 4:39:06 are all gifts that without a Creator to make it all happen, the creation would soon be a mess. True, I needed to do in order to have, but as I do in a way that gives honor and praise to the Giver, I am able to do some pretty cool things. In the last few miles I recited Phillipians 4:13, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” many times and continued to have personal time with the Lord. The results are now posted.

3. Lastly please write something to each of your sponsors, it can be a thank you, share a verse, something from your heart.
I cannot ever come up with the words to adequately express my gratitude for the support I received in my training for this race. Thank you to ALL who supported me. All of you have participated in an event that will leave a mark for years to come. You will never know all the lives you have touched by playing with us on the MSF Team. Be assured that because of you, the world has received some much needed light.

The race itself was the period on the end of a sentence that completes a story. The story is simply this – every person has a life to use and how we spend that life is our contribution to the direction the society is headed. Consider for yourself how you will use the days you have left, no matter what your age of physical ability. I am living proof that your life will change for the better.

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 started training for this race right after I ran the Lost Dutchman half marathon in February of this year.  I was amazed that I was able to run that race (especially considering that our lead cyclist took us off course and added two miles to the distance).I did not stop running after that an have been consistently running through the summer here in Arizona.  I ramped up my training until it got really hot in July, but by then I was already at a comfortable 12 – 13 mile long runs.  Through the summer I probably averaged 25 miles per week running and 20 miles riding a bike.

2. Tell us what you’ll be doing the Saturday before the race?
I’ll be thinking about Mitch and all the sponsors who are supporting me. There is a plan to eat lots of carbs and tour (by car) Chicagoland.  I miss lots about Chicago, having lived there in the early years of our marriage.  Kim & I plan to visit some friends and eat some pasta.  I hope that we will be able to spend some time with the running team.  I also would like to get to the new Harvest Bible Chapel facility in Elgin for church.  Seeing the new gym named in honor of Mitch Swaback would be very cool too. Ok, it’ll be a busy 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 feel like I am in the best shape of my life.  As a doctor, I am blessed to be in this position to lead the people of my community to better health.  My belief about what is possible has been expanded and I now know what dedication is capable of.  I feel somewhat overwhelmed to be part of such a group of dedicated people who are on this team.  I have read their monthly logs and I cannot believe I am among them.

I have spent many hundreds of hours alone, training and spending time with God.  Running has allowed me to think on some important issues. I have pushed my body to its limits, like I have not done in many years.  I have come to realize that my life and health are gifts and what I do with them are up to me.  I want to use them to inspire, benefit and serve others.

September Update  •  Wednesday, August 29, 2007

1. Share with us your workout schedule for August?
Due to the extreme heat once the sun is up, AND my reluctance to run after only 5 – 6 hours of sleep, I have been using the week to do a long run (now 19 miles) and two shorter runs (12 miles and 6 miles). The long run is on the weekend and the others are on the Tuesday and Thursday mornings when I don’t start work until the afternoon. On Fridays I have been biking to work (20 miles round trip) which makes for an interesting end to the day when it is still 105 degrees out.

2. How are you holding up physically and mentally?
I have never been better.  I just had a medical physical and my doctor says I’m probably one of the healthiest patients he has.  All systems are go.  Now if I can just get used to getting out of the house and on the road by 4:30 in the morning, I’ll be a lot better mentally.

3. Athlete’s Journal:  Please make this your journal for the month of August and share with us everything and anything you would like?
I am starting to get a sense that crunch time is here.  In the last month of intense training I want to focus on some speed work and figuring out a good route that has me cycling a loop to have access to enough water.  Running in the desert in these temperatures will definitely give me a boost in Chicago, but getting there is the trick.  I have lost about 11 pounds and 5% body fat since committing to do the run.  My family is a real encouragement to me.  Bob Swaback is as well and we check in with each other regularly to hear how the other is doing.

My focus lately has been to improve my technique of running and try to reduce weight without sacrificing muscle.  Nutrition and supplementation are keys to my final preparations.

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?
There are some days that I don’t train when I had planned too - mostly because it is dangerous to train when the thermometer reads over 100 degrees.  I mean, my bride Kim gets in my face and says that if the heat doesn’t get me, she will if I try to sneak out when it’s 100+. Actually, I like the searing heat and running.  It reduces my distance I can go, but with enough water and electrolytes, I can still get 5 – 8 mile runs in when its 112.  I am also motivated by the changes I notice in my physiology and capacity to do other tasks.  I am getting stronger, generally, as I train.

2. What things are you doing to prepare physically and mentally for the marathon?
I have told many people, especially patients that I am training for this.  Mentally, I need to step up and do what I said I would do – that is very important to me.  I like to watch movies occasionally, especially ones that depict an ‘against the odds’ struggle and the perseverance the hero had to manifest to get the job done.  Recently, I have reflected on the life of the apostle Paul and what he went through to do what he was doing.  His efforts directed the course of history.  In a small way, maybe I can help in being part of our Lord’s majestic plan for His people.  My physical training includes road running (of course) 4 days a week, road biking (22 miles roundtrip to work and back) twice a week, and sprints or mountain trail climbing once a week.

3. In what ways are your family or friends helping support you while training?
My two youngest sons, Christian (9) and Gavin (8) will go on “Run N Rides” with me.  They ride their bikes while I run with them.  They can take me out on 6 – 8 mile rides and the best part is that they carry my water for me.  They tend to keep my pace up also, since they have lots of room to ride where we go.  They forget that I’m behind them and they sometimes get way ahead of me and I have to catch up to order instructions.  My bride has this little thing she does with her foot to my backside when my alarm goes off and I don’t get out of bed – that’s real helpful too!

Is there anyone in particular that helps motivate you?
Don’t tell him I said so, but, Bob Swaback is simply, an amazing man to me. He is an example for me in more ways than he knows.  Bob is purpose driven – he gets a noble idea and brings it to life. He is generous and gracious – the Mitchell Swaback Foundation is run by people lead by Bob and his time is valuable to the organization. Bob Swaback lives for the kingdom and has a special appointment coming some day and those in that kind of walk are always good people to have as your example.  To do this with him is a privileged and a joy. While I won ‘t be able to keep up with his pace as he runs in October, I will see him at the finish and celebrate the fact that we worked together on this worthy cause.

4. Athletes Journal:
I just recently, set a new personal record for distance by running 16 miles. I think the keys to this milestone are the cooler temperatures lately, my hydration and nutritional supplementation before, during and after my run.  Over three days, I ran 7 miles, 8 miles and then the 16 miler for a total of 31 miles. With a days rest and replenishing the carbs, I’ll add the bike and a mountain hike between this weeks runs and look to do another 16 miler this coming weekend.  This should keep me on track for doing an 18 mile run by the 18th of August. My goal is to run a 20 mile trainer by labor day weekend. There I am again, publicly setting out plans for milestones and praying that I do them.

July Update  •  Monday, July 02, 2007

1. With three months remaining before your race what’s going through your mind?
I’m starting to feel the effects of running in temperatures that are consistently above 90 degrees.  I was just commenting the other day that I do not know what would be worse: having to trudge through a winter tundra or walk through a summer desert.  The amount of water needed to run each mile when the temp is above 100 makes the gas mileage I get on my ’95 Mitsubishi Diamonte look like a bargain.  I guess this is why much of Arizona starts their days in the middle of the nite.

2. What is your training schedule for the month of July?
I’ll be doing long runs of 10 miles and logging 21 to 30 miles in the week.  I am using a heart monitoring approach to training which tries to keep my beats per minutes to about 85% of my max heart rate.  Part of the strategy is to stay in a fat burning zone and reduce % Body fat to the low teens and maintain muscle mass. Cross training includes bike rides and soccer field sprints. My current % of body fat is 17 and I weigh 213 lbs.  6 months ago I was 20% and 225 lbs.

3. What is your long run up to?
So far, my long run has been 12 miles, but I did do a 15 miler about 5 weeks ago before I took a break from training.  The need to carry water in a backpack has changed my cadence. Two litres of water adds a little extra weight and shifts the balance and requires that I suck it up just a little more.

4. Athletes Journal:
ne of the great things I get from this training is that it forces me to stop what other distractions I have in life and get alone with God.  Sometimes I listen to worship music or a sermon, but most of the time it is just me, my thoughts and an ongoing conversation with the Lord. 
One of the routes I take brings me by a National Cemetery. This past week as I was running and the desert was heating up and I could see the flags blowing in the dusty breeze up ahead.  As I approached, I noticed the rows and rows of burial plots, most all of them with a little flag or flowers, left by those who remember them.  I thought of the great sacrifice that they gave to this country (my adopted country) and that through their work, we have the freedom to worship the one true God.  I thought about the sacrifice of Paul on his missionary journeys and how they might have been as hot, dry and tired in some parts as I was feeling at that time.  I couldn’t help but feel that while running in 100+ degree temperatures is challenging, the cause is worth persevering for: to live a life worthy of the calling I have received and pour my life out for others.

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