The Race

It's been nearly a week since the Kiawah Island Marathon, and I'm still unsure how to write this update. So I'll just fire away and see what happens…

The days leading up to the race…frankly, I was tired of well-intentioned folks asking if I was nervous/excited/petrified/choose your own adjective. At that point I was thinking only of our travel day, going through my packing routine (triple- and quadruple-checking my gear), and getting there. In fact, I didn't think about the actual race until we went to the conference center to check in and pick up our bib numbers (and sherbet-colored tech shirts). Then it hit me: Marathon. Pheidippides. "I'll never run a marathon." 26.2 miles?!

I was surprisingly relaxed (at least I thought so) and slept fairly well Friday night. Skip ahead (5:30 a.m. alarm for the 8:o'clock race. Shower. Dress. Pre-race pictures. Pacing. Antsy-ness. Let's go.)

I've done a bit of reading about running and the mental side of covering long distances. While I was sure I had physically prepared for this (remember all those training miles?), the late-mile mental battle was an unknown. To combat mental fatigue I generated a sort of psychological cache, containing people, events, milestones, even an odd mantra of sorts; however, I didn't know when this would come in handy. During the first half of the race I caught this cache bubbling to the surface, so I stifled it, sometimes saying aloud, "Not yet."

Miles seem to fly by. I run down Bufflehead Road (which I adopted as my running mantra…because it's fun to say). There's house number zero. Hey, was that Tom Selleck? Around mile nine I cross paths my wife, my sister, and their friend running the half marathon. "I feel great and figure I'll take another lap when I get back." (It was a double loop marathon.) It's hard to believe that one hour, fifty-three minutes could seem like nothing, but that was my split…a little fast going out for my first full marathon; and as I turned for the second loop, "Lonely Boy" by Akron's own The Black Keys plays on my iPod. Three thousand runners, only 850 of those doing the full 26.2. It got lonely.

At mile eighteen I opened some of my mental cache, saying each of your names, thanking God for your support and encouragement. The race started to get tough; and when I crossed the twenty mile marker, I triumphantly smacked it and said, "10k!" Around mile twenty-two I encountered the ugly mug of my brother-in-law who has essentially lived vicariously through me and been my running Yoda throughout this experience. He was sitting atop his bicycle (I won't describe it, as you should have the freedom to imagine it as you please…even if it's a purple, banana-seated piece with streamers coming from the handlebars) and pulled alongside me. "How are you feeling?" Instinctively: "Like S#@%." Apologies to the mother and her child on the side of the course…she laughed and forgave my indiscretion. "What do you need?" "The finish line." Over those last four miles I know we talked about a few things: What not to say to people running a marathon ("Almost there!"); Walking would be bad, as you might cramp when you try to run again; Potential adrenalin rush at mile 25 (It came a mile later.); Flat courses being awfully difficult because your muscles make the same motion for 4 hours (running onto a curb was a struggle). I can't accurately recount those last miles, so here's the finish…

Where I had turned right more than two hours ago, I now could turn left and head for the finish line. I wanted to see what I had remaining in me, so I forced myself to run faster (Thanks, adrenalin!). I see the finish chute and the banner welcoming, congratulating, and taunting all at once. I think I hear my wife, possibly my sister, so I struggle forward, staring straight ahead and giving weak thumb's-ups to the rowdy bunch on my left side. About 100 yards to go I hear some feral shouting and notice that it's coming from me, so I throw my hands into the air and scream louder because I'm going to finish. Congratulations from the folks handing out medals and large sheets of foil that are supposed to keep you warm. "How do you feel?" "Terrible, but I did it."

And I'll do it again.

RB

P.S. The donor site will remain open until December 31, 2011. Please consider passing this along to others who might be interested in contributing to the worthy mission of Mentor Leaders. Running a marathon was the most difficult physical feat I've ever accomplished, so thank you dearly for partnering with me. And all praises to the Almighty for seeing me through it.

Seven years ago we went through a string of deaths. (Isn't that some way to start off a weekly update? Stick with me here.) Over the course of six months, three people who were near and dear to us died: one, my grandmother, never awoke from surgery; another, one of my earthly heroes, lost an eight-month battle with colon cancer when he was two years younger than I am now; the third, a young woman who had given birth to her third little girl only six weeks before, never reaching her thirtieth birthday. Cheery and uplifting, right?

I was reminded of the fragility of life earlier this week when I learned that a former student of mine died rather suddenly. So each of my taper runs this week was consumed with thoughts of mortality. And this all comes together when I consider the work of organizations like Mentor Leaders (www.mentorleaders.org). And so I want to share another way you can help the villagers of Gbentchal, Togo: sponsor a child.

You can change the life of a child by providing clean water, a safe place to live, two meals a day (recently increased from one meal per day), an education…all for only $35 a month. The money you have sacrificed in order to sponsor me in this marathon endeavor is outstanding; please consider having more immediate and direct change in the life of another human being. Have a look at www.mentorleaders.org/get-involved/sponsor-a-child/ and think about contacting the director, Aimee, at aimee@mentorleaders.org. I hope you will.

For the record, at the composition of this update, the active.com campaign (http://active.com/donate/rb4runwater) stands at $3115 of the $3500 goal. If you're passionate about changing lives, pass along information about Mentor Leaders.

Monday, 11/28: 4.25 miles; 8:30/mile

Wednesday, 11/30: 5.21 miles; 7:32/mile

Thursday, 12/1: 3.01 miles; 8:40/mile

Saturday, 12/3: 8.26 miles; 8:20/mile

November totals: 133.02 miles; 18:49:56 of running; 8:30/mile

The next time you hear from me (unless I see you or talk to you on a regular basis), I will be a marathoner.

And an early Merry Christmas.

26 November 2011: Beginning to Taper

A couple weeks ago I went to a concert with two of my friends. When I arrived at the meeting place, my friend posed an interesting question which I'll now paraphrase: Why am I more excited about driving an hour and a half with two guys to pay money to get into some club where the lights will be low, people will smell of various stenches, and some guy will stand on a stage for less time than we'll spend in the car tonight, only to get home late (while I still have to work in the morning) than I am about driving five minutes down the road to hear a guy preach and maybe sing some songs I know? (Yeah, that's a long question, but it's pretty close to what he asked.) There's no simple answer, but the question reminded me of a popular word in the church today: community.

In 2005, my wife and I met some friends at a small Christian college in Pennsylvania to see this musician named Jeff Tweedy participate in conference on faith and pop culture. During his set, Tweedy, an out-spoken opponent to any organized religion, said part of the reason he doesn't step foot inside a church is that he experiences more authentic connections with people at rock concerts. As a professing Christian (and regular churchgoer) and music fan (and regular concert-goer), I concur. (Note: Plenty of criticisms have been lobbied against the church, and I won't offer them here. I agree with Mr. Tweedy because there's a willing brokenness at rock concerts, both from the audience and from the artist.)

What does all this have to do with a marathon training update? Authentic community is one of the reasons I'm addicted to running in general and races in particular. I have said several times that participating in a race is what church should look like: admitted brokenness (cramping, bleeding nipples, weeping) surrounded by folks experiencing the same thing, while everyone there is striving for the same goal. Heck, even the spectators have sacrificed for this all to happen. I try to remember and pray for each of you during my long runs because I know you've sacrificed in order to partner with me during this process. So here's to the community of runners! And, for kicks, here's a list of folks (however incomplete) with whom I've run over the last two years, whether during a race, training run, or just for fun:

Jean, DanO, JasonK, JasonS, Molly, Greg, Tim, Angelo, Dave, Eric, Brad, Jon, Ronnie, Melissa, Erica, Aaron, Kim, Adrian, DanR, Brandi, TammyL, TammyO.

And now for this week's training runs:

Monday, 11/21: 4.05 miles; 8:45/mile

Wednesday, 11/23: 8.54 miles; 7:59/mile

Thursday, 11/24: 3.62 miles; 8:40/mile

Saturday, 11/26: 12.34 miles; 8:13/mile

And now for some goofy video links…

Jeff Tweedy singing "I Gotta Feelin"

Marathon Thoughts

As always, please consider spreading the word about Mentor Leaders (www.mentorleaders.org) and the donation campaign through my first marathon (www.active.com/donate/rb4runwater). If you'd like to see past training updates, you can read them here: http://runningwithrb.blogspot.com/

Next week, information on more ways to help the people of Gbentchal.

RB

19 November 2011

I started running because I was unhealthy and headed down a dangerous road. I had a physical, and when I stepped on the scale, as my friend Will says, I hit a "personal best." It was a little daunting. We have a treadmill; my wife was training for her first half marathon; I figured I could be a bit more disciplined. It was torture.

I had always believed that runners were crazy (they are). I saw guys like Dean Karnazes, Ryan Hall, and bare footers and was certain that these people were certifiable. But I needed to do something. I hated it. For nearly six months. I'm not sure what clicked, but, as some of you can attest, I'm now nearly obsessed with this sport.

But I have to offer a confession: while I have noted in the past that running can be terribly selfish, it's still a temptation for me to focus on myself. Even with this fantastic fundraising campaign, one that benefits a mission I truly believe in and support. As you may remember from a previous update, you helped achieve the original $1000 goal in less than three days. Amazing. But what happened was I got distracted by that little green bar graph at the bottom of the donor page (www.active.com/donate/rb4runwater). In fact, I'll confess that when some of you sent checks for Mentor Leaders (www.mentorleaders.org) rather that giving on the donor site, I was disappointed. Frankly, that's baloney! I'm embarrassed to admit that, but it's true. I lost sight of the real goal of raising this money: changing the lives of the people of Gbentchal, Togo.

Before I get to this week's workouts, a note about the photos. The first is the bar graph as it appeared before I began this email. $2865 that you raised for RUNWATER. That's 115% of the $2500 goal. Thank you. I am sincerely honored and humbled by your response, and I love you all dearly for it. The second is as it appears now: 82% of a $3500 goal. I dare you to spread the word this week.

Monday, 11/14: 5.48 miles; 8:18/mile
Wednesday, 11/16: 5.26 miles; 7:36/mile
Thursday, 11/17: 5 miles; 8:10/mile
Saturday, 11/19: 22.25 miles; 8:54/mile (personal best for distance!)

With deepest gratitude,
RB

Fundraising Update

I'm excited to announce, dear donors, that as of today, you have raised $2865 for RUNWATER! I am humbled and honored by your support. Most importantly, that money will be used to save lives in Gbentchal, Togo. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

12 November 2011

About a year ago I read Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It's a well-written book about an isolated tribe that lives in the Copper Canyons in Mexico. Well, that's oversimplifying things a bit, but as I learned in my literature classes, no good book can be easily summarized. I mention it here because of the way Western civilization (for which I am thankful, by the way) has complicated something as simple as running. In the book, McDougall describes the Tarahumara people as running in kilt-like clothing, ornate linen shirts, and leather sandals. During my run today, I wore running tights (it was 40 degrees when I started), socks designed to diminish between-toe blisters, moisture-wicking shorts and shirt, and a lightweight running jacket. And I haven't even discussed my shoes, iPod, RoadID, or cold weather running hat. So today's update, I suppose, is about the myriad products that exist to make our lives easier. And so is this week's picture. It's the shirt our friend's husband wore to complete the 2011 Columbus Marathon (he qualified for the Boston Marathon!). And it's why I choose NipGuards.

As you look around you, having read this email on a computer, mobile phone, or some other device, be thankful for the clean water you have. Take a drink; take a shower; wash your clothes and dishes. Then tell someone about Mentor Leaders (www.mentorleaders.org), help RUNWATER celebrate its first birthday (http://mentorleaders.org/run-water-birthday/), and consider sharing the donor site (www.active.com/donate/rb4runwater).

Thank you so very much, not simply for supporting me in this endeavor, but for investing in the lives of the villagers of Gbentchal, Togo. They love you for it.

Here's a recap of this week, which was a recovery week:

Monday, 11/7: 7.03 miles; 8:47/mile

Wednesday, 11/9: 7.05 miles; 9:12/mile

Friday, 11/11 (Veterans' Day, Nigel Tufnel Day, and Corduroy Appreciation Day:

7.36 miles; 8:09/mile

Saturday, 11/12: 7.37 miles; 8:48/mile

Until next week.

RB

5 November 2011

I ran my first half marathon on October 17, 2010, my wife's birthday (She ran, too, in a tiara and bedazzled shirt which read "Birthday Girl"). While I trained for that race, I came to a point where I hated running, when I literally considered throwing away my sneakers. Like most of us, I have someone I could turn to for advice. My kids call him "Uncle Bungo," and Uncle Bungo told me, "Run through it." So I did, and it got better. In fact, I ran that first half marathon nearly nine minutes faster than my goal time.

About a week ago I arrived at this point in training for the Kiawah Island Marathon. I started to loathe one of the things that brings me joy. Running was only fun while I ran. I dreaded making the time, getting adorned in my running gear, tying my shoes (no matter how funky they are…see last week's photo), getting to the trail, sweating, showering. It was all drudgery. But I remembered Uncle Bungo's advice. I kept my eyes on the prize, so to speak, and ran through it. Yesterday's run was the first time in ten days or so that it was a joy again.

So what does all this mean? I'm not sure yet; I'm still working it out. But one thing I take from it is that setting a goal and aiming to achieve it isn't simply about myself. I couldn't prepare for and then run this marathon without the support of several people, y'all included. My wife is a tremendous support, carving out several hours on Saturday so I can punish my body, only to come home and generally be wiped out for another hour or so. While my kids don't tend to know the difference, they, too, are a support for me. And on today's run my good friend Angelo joined me for the first seven miles, encouraging me (sometimes through friendly insults) along the way. Thanks.

Here is the recap of this week's running workouts:

Monday, 10/31: 6.02 miles; 7:59/mile
Wednesday, 11/2: 7.03 miles; 8:06/mile
Friday, 11/4: 5.15 miles; 8:06/mile
Saturday, 11/5: 16.03 miles; 8:57/mile

For the month of October, I covered 158.38 miles, with an average pace of 8:29 per mile.

Please remember to spread the word about the fundraising campaign (www.active.com/donate/rb4runwater) and, more importantly, the mission of Mentor Leaders (www.mentorleaders.org)

And for fun, check out this youtube link to see and hear Angelo and me on a local television program: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdn49zHpST0&feature=player_detailpage#t=1417s

Until next week.
RB

29 October 2011

The solitude of running is one of my favorite things about this hobby. I can spend hours lost in thought, focused on music, or in awe at the Creation around me. (Don't worry, running buddies, I still like group runs.) Like many American recreational runners, I usually listen to music, originally to inspire through rhythm (regardless of the subject matter), but any more the music is there to pass the time. Today my run was bookended with the song "Circuital" by the band My Morning Jacket. Frankly, there's not some deep philosophical connection tying together the song, running, and the greater good. I thought maybe I'd turn some of you onto this band.

The last couple updates I have included some photos. This weeks' photo is my left leg, sporting what will likely cover the 26.2 miles laid out by the good folks at Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Since the race is just a couple weeks before Christmas, I thought I'd get festive with the sock/shoe combination. Surely these will go well with the RUNWATER jersey I'll be drenching with sweat (but hopefully no blood…see next week's photo).

Here are my workouts for the week:

Monday, 10/24: 3.21 miles, 7:32/mile

Wednesday, 10/26: 8.04 miles, 7:56/mile

Thursday, 10/27: 3.25 miles, 8:14/mile

Saturday, 10/29: 20/28 miles, 8:46/mile

Next week I'll include the totals for the month of October. Additionally, I'm excited to participate in the recreational event tomorrow, the Crack a 40 5k. Those 3.1 miles will be with a group of folks to celebrate the 40th birthday of our friend, Aaron. When he reaches the finish line, Aaron will have completed 300 miles in 2011!

As always, please consider sharing information about Mentor Leaders (www.mentorleaders.org) and the donor site (www.active.com/donate/rb4runwater) with anyone who may be interested.

Until next week,

RB

22 October 2011

Because of Sunday's Columbus Marathon and a cold that has worked its way through my house, I ran only three times this week. I am pleased to note, though, that as of today, you have helped me raise $1840 for Mentor Leaders (www.mentorleaders.org). Thanks for that.

Wednesday, 10/19: 10.07 miles; 8:14/mile
Thursday, 10/20: 5.02 miles; 8:28/mile
Saturday, 10/22: 16.06 miles; 8:36/mile

I also discovered the wonders of increased mileage this week, as seen in the attached picture. Thank you again for your support, and, as always, fee free to share information about Mentor Leaders and the fundraising campaign with your friends and family (www.active.com/donate/rb4runwater).

RB

17 October 2011

Here is the weekly update on my training for December 10's Kiawah Island Marathon:

Monday, 10/10: 5.14 miles, 8:55 pace (with my friend, Tim)
Wednesday, 10/12: 5.26 miles, 8:41 pace (with my friend, Tim)
Thursday, 10/13: 7.27 miles, 8:39 pace (with my friends Tim, Greg, and Adrian)
Sunday, 10/16: 13.40 miles, 8:00 pace (with 17,000 friends at the Columbus Marathon…I started my iPod a little early)

My friend, Dan, ran his first full marathon in Columbus yesterday. After finishing, and struggling through many leg cramps, he encouraged me to ask Kiawah for a refund. I was surprised that this neither shocked nor scared me as I enter the last seven weeks of training. Thanks again for your thoughts, prayers, and donations to Mentor Leaders. Please feel free to pass along information about Mentor Leaders (www.mentorleaders.org) and the Active donor site (www.active.com/donate/rb4runwater).

RB

P.S. Attached is a photo of my bride and me after we completed the Columbus Half Marathon, where she posted a personal best! By the way, today (10/17) is her birthday.

8 October 2011

As of right now, we're 58% to the $2500 goal, with $1440 in donations. Thank you again for that. Please consider spreading the word about {Run}Water and Mentor Leaders (www.mentorleaders.org), and feel free to share the donor website (www.active.com/donate/rb4runwater) with anyone who might be interested.

Here's are my running workouts for this week:

Monday, 10/3: 3.5 miles, 7:35 pace

Wednesday, 10/5: 7.38 miles, 7:41 pace

Thursday, 10/6: 3.12 miles, 8:30 pace

Saturday, 10/8: 20.12 miles, 8:57 pace (This was my first 20-miler ever! I'm tired.)

Next week's update will seem a bit paltry, primarily because I'm running the Columbus Half Marathon (www.columbusmarathon.com) on Sunday, October 16, which means I have only three runs over the next seven days. Because of that, your weekly update will be late.

For fun, here's a self-portrait I took a few minutes after crossing the 20 miles threshold today. Thanks again for your support.

RB

P.S. Please let me know if you would like to opt out of these updates. I won't be offended, but I'll force some sort of ostracism on you akin to Hester Prynne's.

1 October 2011

The fundraiser has been active for a little over a week, and thanks to your generosity, we're already more than halfway to the $2500 goal! I thank you for that. I thought, in order to keep me accountable, I would send you weekly updates regarding my training. (If you'd rather not receive these, please let me know.)

Monday, 9/26: 4.07 miles, 7:53 pace
Tuesday, 9/27: Rest
Wednesday, 9/28: 7.05, 7:41 pace
Thursday, 9/29: 3.01, 7:21 pace
Friday, 9/30: Rest
Saturday, 10/1: 18.24, 8:57 pace

Weekly total: 32.37 miles, 4:31:41, with an average pace of 8:24/mile

For September: 112.07 miles, 15:22:04, average pace of 8:14/mile

Thanks again for your support. Please visit www.mentorleaders.org and share the donor website (www.active.com/donate/rb4runwater) with your friends and family.

26 September 2011

I am excited to announce that in less than a week your generosity has exceeded my hopes. We have already reached the $1000 goal. Because of that, I have raised the goal amount to $2500. Even if you are unable to give, please become informed about Mentor Leaders and Run{water} by visitingwww.mentorleaders.org and let your friends and family know about it. Thank you.

23 September 2011

This December I will run my first marathon at Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Over the last couple of years I have discovered and appreciated the isolation and, at times, selfishness that comes with being a runner. A few weeks into training for this race I realized that this race should be about more than what God has enabled me to do. And so I ask you to visit mentorleaders.org and read about the passions of this organization; consider your own creature comforts; and, if you can, please help me raise funds and awareness for Mentor Leaders and their satellite organization, Run{Water} as they aim to change lives by providing safe, clean water to thousands of Togolese children. You can do so by going towww.active.com/donate/rb4runwater and giving whatever denomination of your choosing.

I hope to raise $1000, although it costs $20,000 to provide a well. If you'd like, I can send you weekly updates regarding my training, so that you can help keep me accountable. As a fun aside, the suggested giving levels are named after mustache styles. That being the case, if anyone donates $1000, he or she will have a stake in the race by choosing my race day facial hair.

Please feel free to forward this to anyone you think might help.

Thank you dearly for your time and consideration.

The Letter

Let’s make one thing clear: This is, indeed, a solicitation letter. If you can live with yourself, stop reading now and recycle this thing. Seriously, I could hardly blame you, but I’d appreciate a little more of your time.

Thanks for sticking around. One of the major distinctions between the developed and third worlds is water, whether it be for sanitation or consumption. More than likely, the water pumped into your home is completely free from disease. However, approximately twenty-five percent of people on the continent of Africa have little or no access to clean drinking water, relying instead on contaminated water sources. To combat this, Mentor Leaders (www.mentorleaders.org) has partnered with the village of Gbentchal, Togo, in order to provide the villagers with safe water.

On December 10, 2011, I will run the Kiawah Island Marathon (www.kiawahislandmarathon.com), my first full marathon. I began training for this race on August 22, 2011, and, to date, I’ve covered over 300 miles. In preparing for the marathon, I decided to partner with Mentor Leaders and its sister organization Run Water to raise support for their mission of providing “basic education, fresh water wells, sanitation, and create economic stability, all while maintaining the dignity of the culture.” You can help by going to www.active.com/donate/rb4runwater and helping me achieve the goal of a $2500 donation to Mentor Leaders. If you are uncomfortable with online transactions, you can send a check (written to “Mentor Leaders”) to me or directly to Mentor Leaders (whose contact information I will provide below).

I hope you consider sponsoring me by donating to Mentor Leaders.

Mentor Leaders

P.O. Box 1441

Crawfordville, FL 32326