Updates
There will be a total of 131 runs, starting Independence Day, July 4th, 2007
and continuing for the next 131 days, until Veterans Day, November 11, 2007
Runs 51 thru 100
run 100 10/11/07
The return to Iroquois. I will never forget the
wonderful people and kind words I received this
afternoon at Iroquois Park. Marking a century of
marathons for injured Marines will always be one
of the most important chapters of my life. It
was one of those days of trying to remember
everyones' names and feeling like I couldn't
thank anyone enough. It was great seeing old
friends and new faces. Cheryl Hart's sports
psychology class was in attendance for a pre-run
talk along with lots of my old buddies from the park.
After the early festivities ended, the run began
with the sound of many footsteps which was music
to my ears. I'm not even sure how many of us there
were, I just know we sounded like a pack of wild
horses running through the hills. Each time around
the front, there was another group of people quick
with a handshake or a smile. Before it was over,
a large group of runners from Butler Traditional
High School jumped in and we all just had a good
ole time talking about the Marines, running and
what it all means. We even got a little silly and
sprinted downhill like kangaroos towards the finish.
I never felt better immediately following a run.
I also received a letter from Dr. John Ellis who
replaced my ACL in the mid 90's and was regrettably
unable to attend the 100th marathon celebration. He
stated in the letter, "I'm sure your determination
and ability to persevere all the physical and
climatic elements have made you stronger, mentally
and physically! I hope the knee is doing well and
wish you the best of luck in the future!" Those
words mean a great deal to me coming from someone
who knows where I'm coming from. Just before
leaving, I noticed a man standing alone on the side
of the road. I walked over to the gentleman and
shook his hand as he said, "You are doing a great
thing." I thanked him and nearly walked on when he
regripped my hand tightly and repeated his compliment
with much authority. I understood at that point, he
was not referring to the ability to run marathons,
he was referring to the fact that the goal is to help
an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:14:41
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run 99 10/10/07
I always thought that cooler air would speed things
up, but run 99 had an increase in time and a
decrease in temperature. Upper 50's, cloud cover,
and a strong breeze also made it the first marathon
with long sleeves and a pair of pants. Just by
chance, I also met a really cool fella this morning
from Massachusetts. It was Greg's first time in
Kentucky and he hit the first few miles with me.
Since last year, he's lost over 65 pounds and is
keeping it off by training for a 5k (3.1 miles).
That's something to be proud of. Keep it up Greg!
After he cut back and I continued on, my legs
began slowing down. It then occurred to me, this
afternoon is the first time in many runs that I did
not apply water to my legs for relief. That could
have been a big reason why I just couldn't get
things moving smoothly. Sort of like the tin man
in the Wizard of Oz without his oil. As the miles
slowly passed, I also noticed not a lot of people
were out enjoying the 25 degree drop from yesterday.
Of course, there are some runners, walkers, and
cyclists that you'll see at the park everyday no
matter what. During my last mile, I came across
one older gentleman who had just fallen into the
creek, smashing his expensive camera lens to pieces.
He's a serious bird watcher and a tough old bird
himself. I think it hurt his pride and pocket book
the most. After changing lenses, he headed right
back to the same spot for that special shot. I
hope he got it. As I got closer to the end, I
started thinking of how I used to pray for this
type of weather. I'll bet I didn't even drink
2 full liters of water for the entire marathon.
Wow! We sure have come a long way to help an
injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:24:49
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run 98 10/09/07
Another short warm up and a long first mile. I met
a fella this morning who started out with me, sore
foot and all. With him favoring his left and me
not running right, we both looked like a couple of
guys just hobbling along. After a few more miles,
I felt great for the rest of the day. Temps in the
80's and an autumn breeze improved things even more.
Everyday, at least a few new people briefly ask me,
"Are you the marathon man?" I always gladly say,
"Yes, I am.", even though that's a nickname I never
expected. This afternoon, a nice lady asked, "Are
you the Marines' marathon man?" Now that makes a
little more sense to me. Something that didn't make
a lot of sense was all of the chipmunks climbing
trees. Each time I passed this one particular patch
of woods, a number of chipmunks were going crazy
eating whatever it was on the ends of some very
flimsy branches. Whenever I would suddenly appear,
they tried their best to retreat, but never could
travel the twigs as fast as they were moving. I've
never seen those little guys anywhere but on the
ground. My buddy Tom also hit the ground running
several miles with me. He said his kids are in their
mid 20's, but he runs better than most 25 year olds
that I know. A few runs ago, I couldn't even catch
up to him as he pushed his 3 year old nephew uphill
in a cart! I always love to see that. Kids belong
outdoors having fun. Tom and I also ran across 3
of Louisville's finest riding their mountain bikes
while on patrol. That's always another welcomed
sight to see those guys out and about. Louisville
is a wonderful place to meet, greet and live. It's
also a wonderful place to help an injured Marine
today.
Run Time: 4:04:12
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run 97 10/08/07
Could this possibly be the last marathon in the 90's?
We broke another record this afternoon at 93 degrees
and almost became the hottest spot in the country!
The heat combined with a lack of sleep and a short
warm up made for a long run time. I like to give
myself an hour to loosen up before running 26.2,
but that rarely happens due to a tight schedule.
When the clock strikes 11:30 and my run starts at
12, it might as well be 5 minutes till. A good
warm up is so important, otherwise I lose a lot of
time slugging out those first couple of miles.
In spite of all that, I still felt very good about
things during run 97. I met some great new people
and talked to some of Louisville's finest, who I'm
also getting to know pretty well these days. The
LMPD does a wonderful job here at Seneca/Cherokee.
Just a small number of short conversations really
helps me get through what is now becoming more of a
mental game everyday. No matter what, I know I'll be
running about 4 hours each time out and I just accept
that fact and keep moving until it's done. There's
no way to rush through it and each endeavor takes
strength that comes from a strong will. My body
usually hurts about the same, but the need for mental
toughness grows stronger as the end gets nearer.
There are so many different elements that could cut
this operation short. A common cold, the flu, or a
pulled hamstring just to name a few. But I feel
surrounded by so much positive energy that the overall
purpose will guide me to the completion of this
mission. Many have expressed their concern for me and
some worry that my methods may influence others to
hurt themselves. I'm not here to suggest for anyone
to run a marathon everyday. I am here to try and
inspire everyone to help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:18:29
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run 96 10/07/07
Run 96 was a good day in a couple of ways. Richard
Jones and Bob Poston stopped in to start things
off. Richard completed the first half marathon
with us after running 17 miles just yesterday. Bob
finished the full distance and is the first person
to do that with me for this entire operation! He's
always been up to date on the latest technology and
runs with a device that keeps track of every step.
Sure enough, we had to cut off a piece of my regular
route to equal exactly 26.2 miles. I guess that's
what I get for mapping out my courses with a car.
Oh well, I'd rather be a little over than a little
under. This is the second time that Bob has
completed the full distance of a marathon and he did
so in preparations for the Marine Corps Marathon
later this month. The guy is a great runner and I
hope he reaches his goal time. I think we also hit
a record high of 92 degrees this afternoon. Man,
summer just won't fall. Maybe we can kick those 90's
by run 100 coming up this Thursday. Come on out to
Iroquois Park at 11:00 AM to help kick things off.
The run starts at 12:00 PM and will consist of 8 laps
around the bottom loop. Whether you'd like to run or
just have some fun, I'd love to see you there. A
special thanks goes out to Cheryl Hart for helping to
organize the event. Just think, run 131 is just 35
runs away. Wouldn't it be great if we could raise
131,000 dollars to help an injured Marine today?
Run Time: 3:59:11
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run 95 10/06/07
Will summer stay or go away in this autumn time
of year? With so much heat beneath our feet it's
hard sometimes to cheer. After what we've had
it's not too bad even though we've had enough.
When friends stop by for that runner's high then
things don't seem so tough. I give my best so I
can rest and know that good was done. A little
pain is worth the gain and I feel so blessed to
run. The journey's end and time to mend is just
right down the road. I see the light and keep
the fight to stay in running mode. To learn
things new helps get me through as the steps
sometimes must change. We must adapt to the
course we've mapped and sometimes rearrange.
There's nothing wrong with struggling strong to
reach our personal goals. But when we run to
help someone we'll gladly pay the tolls. Think
in advance don't miss your chance to help someone
someway. You might just find it's in your mind
to help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:04:07
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run 94 10/05/07
Summer heat on an autumn afternoon. The morning
began with enough rain to wet the road and raise
the humidity. After that, it was lots of sunshine
and brilliant colors. The reflecting puddles were
perfectly still and falling leaves were blocking
the view. The running was in the upper 80's which
brought back a greater thirst for water. Moisture
on the ground followed by sunshine always equals
a good number of snakes and turtles venturing out
and about. At one point, I nearly stepped on a
snake that was large enough for me to hear it
slithering away in the grass. Even with the
summer like conditions, everyones' mood was really
upbeat. I also finally got to meet Sherry on the
run who completes 6 to 10 miles everyday. She's
47 and wants to complete the Louisville Ironman
next year. I told her there is no doubt in my
mind that she can do it. Good luck Sherry! As I
ran back into Cherokee Park during the last mile, a
large hawk flew just a few feet above the road for
some distance right along side of me. It then went
straight up, landed on a tree branch, and waited for
me to pass underneath. I took it as a good sign at
the end of a strong run. I can't think of a better
way to spend my free time than to keep running for
those who keep us flying free. Support for this
event is soaring to help an injured Marine today.
Run time: 3:56:43
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run 93 10/04/07
Run 93 had shouts of support coming from all
directions. The weather was a little warmer and
the running was a little slower. Things are still
feeling a lot better thanks to a few small changes
in the diet. Hopefully, that trend can continue.
This afternoon, I heard people yelling "good luck"
while they were riding the trails and I couldn't
even see them. I think the girl said, "You should
be finishing up right about now shouldn't you?"
It was getting close to 4:00 PM. I love it when
people who run or ride by ask me what day or mile
I'm on. Many times it's someone I've never met
and I just tell them, "If you see me out there,
just look at your watch and that's how long I've
been running." That's always a neat thing about
starting at 12:00 PM. When it's 3:55 PM, I've been
running for 3 hours and 55 minutes. When I stop,
I just record the time of day as the run time.
Completing the distance of 93 marathons in 93 days
has been really tough and is a good accomplishment,
but it can be dwarfed in the mind's eye by that
number 131. When setting a lofty goal, we run the
risk of not meeting it and then feeling let down.
You may hear people say to under promise and over
deliver. I guess maybe we did that with the amount
of money raised. I originally hoped to raise at
least 10,000 dollars and we have far surpassed that.
But promising big and delivering big can also be a
good way to go. We may not always achieve exactly
what we want in life, but we'll never find out how
far we can go unless we try as hard as we possibly
can. Reach for the stars and capture their hearts.
Thank them 131 times and help an injured Marine
today.
Run Time: 4:12:47
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run 92 10/03/07
Feeling good and less than 40 to go. Linda Burry
and Cheryl Hart helped start run 92 with a visit
and some encouraging words. Cheryl ran the first
8 and a half miles with me and set a pace 7 to 8
minutes faster than my average. Linda came back
around with her playful weimaraner dog and a few
friends to cheer us on as we came round the bend.
After that, it was much easier to stay ahead of
the clock. The run was only partly sunny and the
air was a cool 82. Warmer weather is promised for
the next 4 outings or so. Make sure to enjoy what
is certain to be some of the nicest days of the
year over the course of the next several weeks. I
know I will. That's always been one of the great
things about running. It keeps us outdoors and
lets us see and feel the world as we move through
it. A little bit of running truly does take us
such a long way. I remember backpacking and hiking
for years knowing that was the only way to visit
certain places. I can't wait to return to those
trails as a runner and rediscover. Perhaps after
the Louisville Marathon in a few weeks we could add
a trail marathon to this event. That would be a
nice change of scenery and a challenge to help an
injured Marine today.
Run Time: 3:52:55
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run 91 10/02/07
Warming back up to the mid 80's and the 90's could
stop in for a visit in a few days. Run 91 was
filled with people, places, and animals. The road
was sparkling clean and the tunnel of trees never
ceases to reward me. Everyone was so friendly
whether walking, running or riding along side.
Mountain bikers were out in force taking their
daily trips to Big Rock and beyond and the moon
also made a daytime appearance as the big rock of
the sky. Ducks and squirrels, chipmunks and birds
were all scrambling about doing their part. Teams
of park workers were upkeeping the woods while
crowds of picnickers enjoyed the land. Traffic
cruising by, golfers teeing off, and planes flying
in are always signals of Seneca/Cherokee. The
unforgiving sun shined too bright for a stare,
but the defined shadows became easy to focus on.
The rolling hills are always a challenge and the
overall mileage remains the ultimate task. Fast
run times are less important than completion.
Although, I did push towards the end to keep things
under 4 hours. There is little rain in the
forecast and those 50's and 60's are still a dream
or two away. Thank you to all of those who woke
up this morning to help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:05:00
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run 90 10/01/07
Ninety marathons in ninety days and a happy October
1st. The first hour of running was complete
overcast and a strong breeze. The second hour
watched the sun clear away every cloud in the sky.
It was so perfectly blue, it almost just didn't look
real. The creek water is crystal clear again and
without the fish that were recently whisked away.
The grass is green as if it were spring and leaves
by the hundreds were flying across the road. That
shuffling sound beneath my feet and the golden
colors made the presence of autumn known. The
cicadas' sound has long been gone and the wind has
taken its place. It's hard to hear the traffic flow
through one gust after another. Things warm up later
in the afternoon, but that doesn't last for long this
time of year. Enjoy these best moments while they
last and help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:12:16
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run 89 9/30/07
July, August, and September are now only to remember.
Just six weeks left to go and it just might rain or
even snow. Many friends have yet to run and a
completed mission will mean we've won. Sacrificing
time along with some pain will lead to reward and not
be in vain. Helping someone can lead to self worth so
as not to waste our time here on Earth. Fulfilling
a dream to meet heroes' needs will be an achievement
of many good deeds. Miles and miles of memories and
thanks all for our finest of all different ranks.
They do a job that many won't do no matter how hard
it is even half the way through. Remember the injured
and their families as well and you will be inspired
of a message to tell. They fought for us all whether
loved or not and now for some we're all they've got.
Reach deep in your heart and touch another thinking
of them as a long lost brother. Life is so hard and
that goes for us all but the defenders of freedom
will stand the most tall. I run for Marines because
I am able and I hope you too will be always faithful.
When adding the numbers of your next pay give what
you can to help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:01:53
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run 88 9/29/07
Another marathon with perfect weather! The park
was filled with cyclists, runners, walkers, and
dog walkers. Run 88 was the best feeling run in
two weeks thanks to a fella I met last week.
Jim Ball, who is the race director for the
Louisville Marathon, suggested I drop refined
sugar and white flour from my diet as much as
possible. Wow! The result has been tremendous!
I feel guilty that not having practiced this
since the beginning may have been slowing me down
and adding some pain, but I'm very encouraged to
know there is room for improvement. Thanks for
the tip, Jim. Another great surprise was my friend
Bob Poston jumping in this afternoon. Bob and I
worked on a few projects years ago and I hadn't
seen him in so long, I had to ask if he had any kids
yet. The scary thing is, he has become an
incredible athlete and I never knew him to run even
a step. He rode over 55 miles on his bike and then
ran 18 miles with me and wasn't winded in the least.
We kept a conversation and a nice pace going the
whole way. He will run the Marine Corps Marathon
on October 28th. Good luck Bob! I love seeing old
friends turn into new runners. The season for
running is upon us and I just can't wait to see who
else might drop in to help me help an injured Marine
today.
Run Time: 3:51:47
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run 87 9/28/07
What an awesome Friday! I wouldn't have changed
a thing. The sky was bluer than blue, the tiny
clouds were far and few, and the slightly cool
breeze was pleasant too. It's times like these
when I remember I am here and they are over there.
We often want to share special moments with our
loved ones and many of us know that will just have
to wait. Patience and solitude must sometimes go
hand in hand. Even with beautiful surroundings,
freedom to roam, and people to talk to, it's just
not the same knowing who we may care about the
most is so far away. Running can be a lonely
business, but not as lonesome as an injured Marine
waiting to see his or her family. There are so
many wonderful stories of triumphs over tragedies
involving our beloved Marines. Many of them will
come back to enjoy the freedom and places they've
helped to protect. Some will feel as if their
lives are starting all over again while relearning
old tasks and meeting new friends. The more we
give and the more we pray, the more we help an
injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:11:23
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run 86 9/27/07
Echoes from Iroquois to Seneca/Cherokee. Run 86
began with rain cooled air and swollen creeks.
The humidity was low and 75 degrees for the high.
In the first mile, Jeff from Metro Parks drove
beside me for a three quarters of a mile talk.
We used to discuss ways to improve the parks on
a weekly bases when I was at Iroquois. He's one
of the many people I haven't seen since making
the switch to Seneca 25 marathons ago. After
reaching the top of the second hill, I heard a
familiar chant,"Way to go marathon way to go!
Way to go marathon way to go!" I don't even have
to look to see that it's my friend Mike from
Iroquois, only minus the goatee and headphones.
He was just smiling on a rock and wishing me well.
I wish him well. A few more hours of running and
nice weather went by when I noticed a familiar
locomotion up ahead. It was Dan from Iroquois
running with his energy saving style that can be
recognized a mile away. We hit a few miles and
talked the entire way. During the last two miles,
I ran across a fella and his furry friend who took
a purposeful plunge into a deep puddle just as I
went to shake Travis's hand. He remembered seeing
me at Iroquois and asked how to make a donation.
That made me feel great and I decided to take it
easy for the last several minutes. It's been a
rough week, but rather than give in, I'll listen to
those echoes of encouragement to help an injured
Marine today.
Run Time: 4:01:33
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run 85 9/26/07
Feeling a little better and getting a whole lot
wetter as the rain just started down with such
delight. The roads looked like a mirror and
thunder kept sounding nearer, other runners going
by were so polite. Crickets communicating and
grass that's patiently waiting accepted with glee
what nature had in store. With such a beautiful
rain and a little bit better pain, I asked the
Lord cry His tears and let it pour. Wooly worms
walked so briskly on a journey that's so risky,
trying to get from one side to the other. Ducks
were quacking and splashing while fruits fell
quietly smashing and a fawn stood so still next
to its mother. A good friend came rolling by
mostly to just stop and say hi as the weather then
became somewhat brighter. Running a little longer
as my heart kept growing stronger, my load then
seemed to get a little lighter. Green leaves were
turning yellow as I looked across the meadow and
then a carload drove by waving hurrah. The mission
is not complete and I will not accept defeat running
to help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:12:32
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run 84 9/25/07
Worn down to a frazzle and looking up at the sky.
This morning my energy level was so low I had to
stop and rest during the warm up. While counting
the seconds to the start, I had no idea how I was
going to finish the first mile, much less the
entire marathon. After 20 minutes, I was still a
mile from where I should have been and could hardly
find the strength to lift my feet up off the road.
I literally suffered through the run as best as I
could. With about 10 miles to go, a couple of
runners asked me how to find the Scenic Loop. I
gave the same fellas directions to the loop 2 weeks
ago, but on this afternoon I sent them to the other
side of the park. After realizing my mistake, I
figured they knew I was lost in my own mind and
probably got the correct information from someone
else. Gavin seems like too nice of a guy to hold it
against me. A while later, the sweetest young lady
stopped to encourage me and said she reads the
updates every night. That did make me feel better,
even though I know the quality of my writing can
decline along with my running at times. During the
last couple of miles, a soothing rain poured for
about 20 minutes with the sun shining as bright as
it could be. Looking up, it was hard to understand
why with so much blue in between the puffy white
clouds. Two miles after that, it was a man's
blue heeler running wild and nipping at every
runner that went by. Now that did wake me up a bit.
Although, the finish was not far away and there was
nothing but relief waiting for me there. I couldn't
help but wonder if I've somehow damaged my body's
ability to benefit from rest. When I'm running, I
just want to sleep. When I lie down, I have such a
hard time getting to sleep. This unchartered
territory seems to grow more difficult each week. I
may have stopped a long time ago were it not for my
goal to help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:48:52
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run 83 9/24/07
Still tired and a still air of 95 degrees. Run 83
saw a few clouds roll in from time to time which
did help things for a moment or two, but the
drooping yellow leaves told the story. Not many
runners or even cyclists braved the conditions this
afternoon, although there were a few. I did get a
chance to meet some great new people during their
workouts. Just a couple of short conversations
really added a little pep to my step. Even though
the running wasn't much faster, things felt much
better than yesterday. Tomorrow promises to be
just as hot and more humid and Wednesday could be
a pretty wet marathon. I've always expected that
temperatures in the 90's would be gone by run 90.
Looks like we may cut that one very close. With
seven weeks left to go, we will experience some
weather changes that should do a body good. Another
change or two in the diet and sleep patterns should
also keep things running smoothly to help an injured
Marine today.
Run Time: 4:15:05
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run 82 9/23/07
The first day of fall and I'm lucky to be standing.
Another exhausting 93 degree run and the same is
expected for tomorrow. I met so many new and
wonderful people this afternoon thanking me and
asking how they can make a donation. We are
currently at the 14,000 dollar mark and I'm hoping
to double that amount very soon. Thank you so
much to everyone that has given money to benefit
the IMSFF. It does help my motivation as I'm
currently going through what I call a full body
depression. The miles seem to take forever and I
can't stop craving rest. Sometimes I feel like a
robot overheating on a low battery. Hopefully, this
heat wave will soon just wave good-bye and we can say
hello to smoother sailing. Thanks again for your
efforts and prayers to help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:24:15
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run 81 9/22/07
Summer is officially over, but a few hot marathons
are still to come. Run 81 was one of those so slow
Saturdays. In a twisted kind of way, it's somewhat
of a relief that only 50 runs remain. Although,
ever since run 70, I've had a hard time shaking a
certain kind of pain. I've grown tired enough to
worry if I'll ever feel completely rested. It's
easy now for me to see how great it would be to
have a team of people surrounding this type of
effort. There's also some reward in going it alone.
Things take much longer and can be much harder, but
much more will have been accomplished by the end.
Resting can sometimes be a bit too active of a
process, so please forgive me as I address that
situation and cut things short tonight to help an
injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:27:49
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run 80 9/21/07
Eighty marathons in eighty days or eighty 26 plus
mile runs in eighty days, which ever way you want
to look at it. Definitely not a record, but 2,096
miles is the most I've ever run in 11 and a half
weeks. The air was bad for run 80 and the temps
were back up over 90. Other than that, things
went ok. It seems like after having 3 or 4 bad
days in a row, I usually feel pretty good for
the next few. It's kind of back and forth in that
regard. That's probably mostly caused from a lack
of rest. The weather man says the current heat
wave will break this Tuesday, which also is the next
best chance for rain. Only 2 or 3 of these 80 runs
have had significant rainfall and even those only
lasted up to an hour or so. I'm still expecting
a few torrential marathons before it's all over.
My feet can run into some serious problems in a
long rain and if it's really cold, all kinds of
crazy stuff can happen. Proper gear is a must
in cold and wet conditions. That reminds me, I
need to find a good black jacket here soon. Someone
asked me why I'm wearing only black for all 131
runs. Actually, I'll be switching to a red shirt
for the flag run on Veterans Day. I wear black to
match the shadow on the cover page. If you look
closely, you may notice I took that picture with a
disposable camera hidden in my right hand. That
was a really fun evening. It took two rolls of
film to come up with that one shot of the running
shadow. The shadow symbolizes a person with no
proven track record as a runner. In fact, I'm not
even comfortable with the term "ultra runner". I
feel that is more for people that have stood the
test of time and competed in ultra events much
longer than a marathon. I'm just a fella from
Fern Creek with a passion for running and helping
people. Sure, I do have some dreams of running
hundreds of miles at a time, but I first must
complete the next 1336 to help an injured Marine
today.
Run Time: 3:58:38
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run 79 9/20/07
Summer's back both bright and mighty with the
temperature rising right back up to 90. Sunlit
reflections from the water to the trees and an
early fall is waiting in the dried lime green
leaves. Many people laughing who slowly walk along
while birds giving thanks sing a bright and cheerful
song. Fish barely moving where the creek water's
deep and life's constant signals that the best
things are cheap. Seeing runners leaping and
having so much fun makes me somewhat long for a
shorter distance run. Parents teaching children
how to balance on their bikes and groups of
happy campers taking playful day long hikes.
Mountain bikers bolting from the entrance to the
trails and different colored dogs all talking
with their tails. Cross country teams dodging
traffic left and right and three little boys all
flying the same big kite. The miles don't come easy
as the hours travel by, although that is easy to
understand exactly why. Just when I am thinking
motivation's gone away, I remember that I'm here
to help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:15:55
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run 78 9/19/07
One slow feeling day to the next. Still always
moving forward, but the leg anxiety is building.
The temperature has also climbed back to about
90 degrees for the rest of the week. Just when
you think things are getting easier they can get
busier. I thought in the beginning that after
about 30 marathons or so, things would level out.
Boy, was I ever wrong about that. Surviving to
this point has put me in a strange place. My
leg muscles have responded to the abuse and
become stronger, but at times the pain now
goes much deeper. I find myself having to push
away that urge to get pulled down to the road by
finding a zone where continuing is the most
important thing no matter what ache or strain
may be calling. "Listen to your body" is not bad
advice. Forcing your body to listen to you is
much harder to do. To think of resting at the
end can make you sleepy halfway through. This
afternoon a fella rode by and simply said
"Semper Fi" and then gently rolled out of view.
That's all he had to say to remember those that are
always faithful and help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:07:55
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run 77 9/18/07
The amount of sleep we need is directly related to
how much we've already had. For run 77, I just
wanted to take a nap from mile 1 to 26. That
feeling of running in a dream just wouldn't go
away, which usually means a heavier sleep for the
next couple of days. These are the times when the
mental pushes the physical. Thinking your way
through a marathon is an art of its own. Your
thoughts can beat you down or lift you up. Dwelling
on rest can slow things to a snails pace. Keeping
your thoughts positive and active can push things
forward a bit. When none of that is working for
me, I straighten up, lean my head back, and shut my
eyes for a few seconds at a time. It's almost like
run resting. Sometimes after a couple of minutes
I feel slightly energized as if having just woken
up from a dream. Even if the tiredness never goes
away, I'm rarely tired just moments after the run
is over. Knowing that always helps to keep me
running for the finish. Once in a blue moon I'll
take a nap, but there's always too much to be done.
If you feel like you're on the other side of the
coin and getting a little too much rest, then maybe
you need to help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:08:23
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run 76 9/17/07
Is there such a thing as a routine marathon? I would
say the answer is yes, but it never feels routine.
Run 76 felt a lot like the last two, and apparently
that 3:55 range is the new inner clock. The backs
of my legs hurt a bit during each run, but I
always enjoy the last 6 or 7 miles the most. Every
single day I meet someone new with some encouraging
words which always helps me get through. The
cooler weather has been a plus, but the 90's are
back this week. That's a far cry from the tears
of August. Someone asked me why I would possibly
want to do something like this on my own free time.
The answer is exactly that, free time. I'm so
thankful for it, I want to use it thanking those
that provide it. I do look forward to the end of
this event, but rather than rush things, I simply
mark each box off the calendar one day at a time.
When the month is filled, I slowly turn the page
and view the next part of the adventure. It has
been so much more than just running the distance
of a marathon 7 days a week. Reaching out to many
makes us one with our cause. When people see me,
they may think of an injured Marine. When I see
people, I think of how they can help an injured
Marine today.
Run Time: 3:54:11
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run 75 9/16/07
Run 75 was another smiling Sunday. A fella asked
me if I ever think I won't complete the distance
of a marathon before even getting started. As long
as I'm able to drive myself to the park, I'm always
confident I'll finish no matter how I'm feeling. I
do say a little prayer each morning while finding
my parking space and that is, "Lord be with me". I
don't ask for special favors or strength, just simply
for Him to be with me so that no matter where the
road may lead, I'm never lost. My buddy Terry found
me this afternoon and jumped in for about 40 minutes.
I virtually talked his head off, but he still got a
few words in edgewise. After that, things warmed up
to a cool 75 degrees and the sky was as blue as it
could be. With about 8 miles to go, a group of 10
runners came around the corner right towards me.
The smallest of the pack shouted out, "I'm grateful
for what you are doing!" That comment took me by
surprise and after thanking him, I nearly broke down
in tears on the next turn. We always want to reach
the young people with a positive message. I'm here
for the injured Marines, but if I do inspire someone
to run, my hope is they will want to run for someone.
Runners often have a natural motivation and don't
necessarily need another runner to inspire them.
Although, I do want them to know how rewarding it is
becoming a runner to help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 3:58:05
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run 74 9/15/07
Autumn is a week away, although she was certainly
on our doorstep today. Flocks of birds flying in
a frenzy, temperatures in the upper 60's, and the
first marathon with long sleeves. Still a bit
sore from the run before and always looking forward
to the next new mile. A run done in 4 liters or
less and a weight gain of a few pounds or more.
Deer straying from the path into open view and
cyclists whizzing by in their ultraman suits. Less
ice in the cooler and more cars in the spaces.
Everyone walking their dogs, both big, little and
the kind of small. Like last year, the cooler
weather means warmer air is also very near. It's
such a perfect time to be alive and running, helping
others getting back to their own lives. We owe it
to ourselves and each other to generatively give and
share our knowledge, allowing our good efforts to
double. Finding purpose and pledging commitment will
strengthen our hearts and the people around us. Hard
work and soft landings make for a well balanced life.
Be grateful for the opportunity to accomplish great
things and at the beginning of the night, ask yourself
this one thing. "What have I done to help an injured
Marine today?"
Run Time: 3:55:12
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run 73 9/14/07
Marathon number 2 on the Scenic Loop. Another day
of laps, hills, and a post 4 hour pace. Eleven
trips around the 2.3 mile loop at Cherokee isn't
easy, but I really enjoyed it this afternoon. I
met Molly the math teacher during the first few
miles and we both just talked away. Man, that lady
can run. She just started back after a battle with
Planter Fasciitis. A lot of runners have been
plagued with that, myself included. Aside from
messaging the heel, I found that flexing the ankle
from within and holding it open for a few seconds
at a time gave me the best results. I'm not sure
if it's the extra blood that gets to the heel or the
widening of the foot that does the job, I just know
it works for me. After 14 miles, I met up with
Linda Burry and her sports psychology class from
U of L. I'm so happy they came out to say hello.
After a few brief words, some of them jumped in for
a run. Chris had on a heavy, hooded jacket and made
it twice around the loop. Manuel, who is also a
swimmer, ran 3 times around the loop and has a goal
of completing an Ironman in 2009. They asked so many
great questions, I learned a few things myself.
Running the full 26.2 on this hillier course was a
reason for me to focus on leading with the hips to
the point of twisting my body just enough to extend
the legs and put less stress on the muscles. Sometimes,
good form can mean using your frame and adding strength
as it's needed. To create a lighter impact and a
faster lift off of the road, I land flat footed with
every step, never on my heels even once. I think as if
I'm running on a thin layer of ice and trying not to
break through. It's not a technique I can teach to
anyone, but it certainly has helped me to help an
injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:17:35
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run 72 9/13/07
I wonder if they keep records for the days with the
most beautiful weather? Run 72 was just the way I
like it, sunny and slightly warm. The first 13 miles
went a little faster than usual and the second 13 was
average. It didn't take much added speed to make
both feet and ankles a bit sore. I remember in the
first 4 weeks of this operation, I would just take off
like a rocket not worrying about the consequences.
That attitude did lead to faster run times, but it was
also probably one of the main contributors to my shin
splint which had me in such pain for about 15
marathons or so. These days, I have to be more
patient to avoid a serious sports injury or I may put
the mission in jeopardy again. To say I feel stronger
everyday would be inaccurate. I do hope to be stronger
when it's over than I was before it began. Scott from
up north e-mailed me a suggestion to include the
Louisville Marathon on run 110. The more I think about
it, that's not a bad idea! Hopefully, I won't be too
stiff that morning. I believe it's on October 21st
if you would like to join in. It's been a long time
since I ran by the riverside. Of course, the
Louisville Marathon is still 38 marathons away to
help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 3:50:35
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run 71 9/12/07
What a wonderful Wednesday. Driving into the park
this morning I just said to myself, "I get to run
all of this today!" The air was good, the sun was
gleaming, and the people were friendly. I did have
a couple of dogs wanting a bite of my honey bun, but
that's ok. Those little guys are always hungry. If
you ever want to see a bunch of happy dogs, Cherokee
is definitely the place. I'm starting to get used
to the few miles of flat road out here, but the
slanted stuff has my right foot hurting a bit. It
could also be from the design of shoe that I wear.
Speaking of shoes, I started out with 20 pair and it
now looks like I may need another 10 to 15 before the
finish. I hope they're still making them. It seems
as soon as I find a shoe that barely works for me
they stop producing them. Sometimes you just have
to make do with what you got. Something I've had
plenty of lately is appreciation from others for the
injured Marines. Every thank you I get is focused
on who I'm running for. That's exactly how I wished
for this story to unfold. The picture in last
Saturday's Courier-Journal article says it all. The
Marines standing out front and me in the background
with my hand on my heart. A special thanks goes to
Sergeant Nelson and Major Hall for standing so tall
to help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 3:55:53
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run 70 9/11/07
Seventy marathons in seventy days, and a temperature in
the 70's to boot. Brian Poynter jumped in for about
14 miles this afternoon which really kept a good pace
going for me. The cool weather didn't hurt a bit
either. Any cooler and I might need a jacket! I also
finally kicked that stiff leg rut I was in. That
should mean a good rest of the week. After run 70, I
booked over to the Gaslight Festival and watched Jamie
Weedman run the annual 5K. He finished in 23:07 .
Jamie is visually impaired and is beginning training
for his 2nd half marathon this spring. Try running
with your eyes closed for several steps and you can
imagine just how amazing this 22 year old inspiration
really is. He's a wonderful person to look up to.
Minutes before his run began, everyone bowed their
heads in a moment of silence to remember what happened
on September 11th, six years ago. When I think of that
day, one particular image always comes to mind. A
friend of mine was spending time at home with her son
who had recently become a Marine. After noticing the
television screen, she quickly turned up the volume,
hanging on every word the reporter was saying. Her son
disappeared from the room only to reappear moments later
in full uniform with his bag packed and ready. They
both huddled on the couch together as the events
unfolded. When the 2nd tower fell the young man looked
to his mother and said, "Mom, I'm going." At that
moment, he became a Marine in mourning. Not just for
the people who lost their lives going about their daily
business, but also for his country which he was now
waiting to defend. Since that fateful day, many
Americans just like that young man have served their
country defending its freedom. The United States will
take up any good cause no matter how big or small. It's
simply the American way to help an injured Marine
today.
Run Time: 3:57:27
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run 69 9/10/07
I have two speeds. Out of breath and plenty of breath.
To run a marathon in under 4 hours, I pretty much just
need to work hard enough to be a little out of breath
for the entire run. The problem is, some days my legs
are too stiff to challenge my respiratory system.
Hopefully, tomorrow we'll be rested up and ready to
gasp for air. After a full week at Seneca/Cherokee,
I realize now it may take more time to get broken in.
Once again, it was great receiving well wishes from
perfect strangers this afternoon. The weather is also
getting nicer, but without the proper rest, the running
won't get any faster. I've had one person come out to
run a few miles with me so far. I think a group of 20
or 30 people is coming to join in this weekend. For
that, we'll probably keep the whole marathon on the
Scenic Loop. I'm planning a return to Iroquois Park
for the 100th marathon on October 11th. There is 31
days between now and then, and 31 days from then till
the end. My dream would be to have at least 100
people participate in run 100. Contact me from the
course page if your able to attend. The run will
start at twelve and there is still a month to test out
the road. It's important for us to always focus on
one day at a time, while at the same time looking into
the horizon at a point of light. I keep envisioning
that glorious run on Veterans Day for injured Marines
with a huge American Flag flying over my shoulder.
That is when I'll truly be coming home. Nineteen weeks
of marathons is no picnic, but it's not the desert
either. So many of our Marines will spend years
performing a daily task with the constant thoughts of
being reunited with their families and friends. Too
many will come home early due to the dangers of the
job. You are helping all Marines when you help an
injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:15:46
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run 68 9/09/07
If you never spend time in the rain, you'll never be
there when it stops. Just before the start, two
walkers and a few runners came by wishing me luck and
thanking me for the effort. That's always nice,
especially when I'm still a little sore from the day
before. The first hour went well in the rain and
then things did slow down a bit. It's funny how
different the sights and sounds are when everything
is wet. Birds singing that you may not hear on a
dry day, nickel sized turtles climbing onto the road
to dry off, and a few deer walking in the field,
peeking around the tree trunks as they graze. Not a
peep out of the cicadas until the very moment the sun
pops out, then they're all just chattering away.
Even with the extra traffic of peoples' busy lives
traveling through Seneca/Cherokee, there is still
plenty of wildlife to enjoy. The adjustment this
past week has not been easy. I could always use a few
extra hours for the nightly update, dinner, and sleep.
Ah, sleep. I keep telling myself there will be time for
sleep in November. Of course, it's going to take a lot
of rest to get us there. As you turn out your lights
tonight, think of how tomorrow you can help an injured
Marine today.
Run Time: 4:27:16
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run 67 9/08/07
Well, I just couldn't resist. Run 67 was eleven laps
around the 2.3 Cherokee Scenic Loop and a half mile
out and back at the finish. Right before the start,
a woman running by said, "Thank you. My husband is a
Marine." I replied, "Thank you and thank him for me."
Those few kind words had a positive effect on me as
I took on a marathon that proved to be much tougher
than I thought it would be. It takes a 20 minute pace
per lap to complete it in under 4 hours. I did that for
the first half, but the second half, not so fast.
Aside from about a mile of flat surface, the loop
offers 2 pretty good uphill's and a couple of sharp
downhill's as well. That means 14 miles of the hilly
stuff for the full 26.2 . My cooler is always just a
few miles away which is nice, but I'm still not sure
if I can hit this one in under 4 hours. I may try it
once a week while running the other 6.6 mile loop
over to Seneca on the other six days. The Scenic loop
is definitely a more difficult marathon. We often have
the luxury of changing the road we're on, unlike many
Marines working in the same area for a long period of
time. Unfortunately, the roads they must travel are
not as safe as the ones they're protecting here at home.
Reach out to a volunteer on the road to return and help
an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:24:22
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run 66 9/07/07
Thank you to all Marines. What a wonderful ceremony
it was this morning recognizing efforts to benefit
the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. There are so many
people to thank, I just don't have space for all the
names, so thank you to everyone who attended,
organized, and reported on the halfway point of
Operation Run 131. We are now closer to the finish
than the start and picking up steam as we go. More
people are wanting to run, weather changes are
coming, and donations are pouring. It's hard to see
through the excitement how far we will go. Big
hearts and caring minds will take us there. The
injured and their families will benefit from our
generosity. Continue giving, continue caring,
continue running to help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 3:57:58
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run 65 9/06/07
The first half has been completed and the second half
is not a second chance. What's done is done and if
I had it to do over again, I would just try to do it
better. The first run seems so long ago and the last
so far away. A change of season is still ahead along
with surprises and solitude. Behind me is a chapter
in my life I may never match again. Creating this
challenge has been extremely healthy and rewarding.
Having a worthy cause to believe in created a drive
I can't quite explain. There is strength in numbers,
but as I run the road alone, my thoughts of those
dedicated groups gives me strength to continue.
Thinking of the responsibility and risk of the Marines
astounds me. The marathons are important, but not
as important as what they can do for someone injured
doing a job many of us would not want, but all of us
benefit from greatly. My journey is a simple one
compared to those that may wish they were halfway
home. Keep them in your hearts and minds and you will
be in theirs when you help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 3:56:02
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run 64 9/05/07
Well, the third time is the charm. It's taking some
time, but the course is becoming more familiar each
day. Those little time markers that let me know where
to be when in order to run at a sub 4 hour pace are
popping up more and more. Just like the last course,
I'm probably running a little more than a full
marathon, but I'd rather be over than under. Whenever
someone measured out the track at Iroquois for me, it
usually came out to about 27.5 miles. Here at Seneca,
I'm also dealing with more slanted roads and a sharper
incline, but the flat stuff is one of the hardest
things to get used to. The best way to deal with that
is, yes, you guessed it, an altered running style.
Of course, any style can be tough in this heat. The
weatherman says it was over 98 degrees out there this
afternoon. It sure didn't feel like it because I was
dousing my entire body with soothing cool water on every
turn. There does come a point where a decision must be
made whether to drink or splash that last swig in the
bottle. Actually, not only does the water seep into
your skin alleviating numerous aches and pains, but you
may also drink less when your dripping wet for every
mile. A slight breeze on top of that can really cool
you down. Run 64 was one of those marathons I enjoyed
from beginning to end. Early on, my buddy Terry found
me and talked for a few miles. Then later, it was Mike
from Metro Parks who let me know they'd be keeping an
eye out for the second half of the operation. That was
great news to hear. I also met a veteran named Larry
who really admires the people I'm trying to help. I
thanked him for his service and he politely shrugged it
off by saying, "Back in my day, we had to go. The
people you're helping, asked to go." He's right. There
is so much pride and honor when involving yourself in a
task because you chose to. That's one of the things on
my mind during every marathon. I've volunteered to help
the volunteers. It's not the first time and, God willing,
it won't be the last. So even if you gave of yourself
before and then again, make the third time the charm to
help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 3:59:05
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run 63 9/04/07
The 2nd day at the 2nd course. Seneca/Cherokee was
beaming once again with her smile so bold. It's been
said that Labor day weekend is the psychological end
of summer. Don't tell that to the park goers I've
seen here sweating it out in the 90's. There's two
really good runners I've met so far and both of these
girls can leave you sitting while they take off up the
hills. During run 63, a fella came cruising by on his
roller blades and stayed with me for a bit. We had a
great conversation which opened up by discussing the
benefit of a hand break for his skates. After talking
and speeding up for just a few minutes, the discomfort
I've been experiencing in my right calf the past 3 days
just up and went away. Whenever I remember, I'm also
trying to keep my legs wet with cool water which seems
to be working pretty well. The course has been fine
tuned to a 6.6 mile loop repeated 4 times with 2 tenths
cut off of the end. I can't wait for some people to run
it with me. A little company adds a lot of fun. A
special thanks goes out to Terry Meiners for mentioning
the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund on his radio show
again this afternoon. Now that Terry's already run the
old course with us, we'll have to get him out here at the
new one. I'm sure as things cool down we'll have lots
of friends more eager to join in. For now, things are
still heating up and the second light can be seen at the
end of the tunnel. The weatherman says it's almost
over, as he's said before. I don't blame him though.
They say if you want to be a good meteorologist to get
your start in Louisville. If you can predict the weather
here, you can work anywhere. Rest assured, no matter
what comes our way, we'll keep working to help an
injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:10:26
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run 62 9/03/07
The return to Seneca/Cherokee. It's funny how coming
back to a place where you spent time as a youngster
can be a spiritual experience returning as a runner.
This Labor Day was filled with thousands of cyclists
riding through the park on the Mayor's annual "Hike
and Bike", and hundreds of runners and walkers from one
side to the other. Temperatures in the mid 90's with
low humidity gave the open, sunlit terrain more of a
dry heat than the first course. Even my eyelids
became sunburned. Now with less shade, the hat is
coming back. There were several friendly faces from
Iroquois out here that helped me to feel right at home.
Mike, Herb, Jackie and some others shouted over to me
as they rode by. Sometimes I could grab a bottle of
water that way, which I really could have used today.
The new 7 and a half mile loop had me drinking 2 liters
in a row at one point. There's a few steep hills, some
slow inclines, and flat spots as well. A little bit of
everything. Traffic is more abundant and so is the
amount of water running through the creeks. The
different sounds from the birds played background to the
cicadas scratching their chattering, hard shells. A few
people I met slowed down their workouts to talk for a
while. That's always a good sign when coming to a new
place. I'm still in the same country as before and the
little shining park on a hill is where I will continue
to help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:11:50
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run 61 9/02/07
Let's hear it for Iroquois Park, a fabulous place with
fantastic memories! Sixty-one marathons for the
injured Marines and we raised well over 14,000 dollars.
The heat challenge was paramount and the warmth from
the park goers was even greater. I will always hold
Iroquois dear to my heart and come back to visit with
friends and hit the road running. Run 61 itself was a
reminder of how tough of a course it has been. The air
was hot again and a strange discomfort had developed at
the top of my right calf. Operation Run 131 stormed in
like a lion and leaves with a slight limp. That only
seems appropriate, considering the battle it has been.
This unexpected change to continue at Seneca/Cherokee
feels right in so many ways. I drove the 2nd course
tonight and it brought back memories from attending
school nearby. My running store is just down the street
and the landscape is open and inviting. Beginning this
next chapter is so exciting and I hope to see some of
my friends drop in, as well as make some new ones. This
week will be in the 90's until Friday. It just wouldn't
be right to change venues and not experience a little
summer. This will be a time of transition, but I truly
believe we can make wonderful waves in a sea of
generosity. The mission remains the same to help an
injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:36:28
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run 60 9/01/07
Sixty marathons in sixty days and a holiday weekend at
that. The weather was great and the running could have
been a little better. Brian Poynter stopped in for his
Saturday workout and stayed with me for 14 miles. We
basically talked the whole way about different running
techniques and I probably wore myself out a little
going into demonstration mode. The last several miles
of run 60 did have my legs throbbing a bit. Still, the
low humidity and high sunshine made for a very pleasant
afternoon. Unfortunately, a slight security problem did
arise on this first day of September. Please be patient
and stay with me as there could be a change of venue.
Run 61 may very well be the last marathon of run 131 to
take place at Iroquois Park. Due to situations out of my
control, the streak will most likely continue at Seneca/
Cherokee Park. Originally, it was my plan to finish all of
the runs at Iroquois, but there are those that would like to
flex their influence to keep that from happening. I've
always been one to move quickly when it comes to making
changes and that will most likely be the case by Monday.
I do want to invite everyone to Iroquois Park for a short
ceremony next Friday at 10:30 AM. Several elected officials,
Marines, and other military personnel will be meeting
underneath the American Flag at the new playground to
present a resolution, honoring the halfway mark of Operation
Run 131. Sixty-five marathons will have been completed
and Wave 3 will also be there to document the occasion.
It has always been my intention to complete this mission
no matter what circumstances arise. That has not changed.
Although, some things may have to change to see this
mission through. Sometimes, it is necessary to adapt and
overcome when we help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:19:34
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run 59 8/31/07
August is gone, but its' effects remain. The heat of
this month reigns King in our citys' history book of
weather. It was deadly serious and will not be missed
by many. It's hard to tell what changes it may have
brought to Operation Run 131. I hope it only added
strength to the continuation of this battle as we
approach the second half. Run 59 was a sign of things
to come. A temperature in the low 80's, low humidity,
and a breeze that nearly gave me chills in the shadows.
The young fawns have grown and the sound of the fading
cicadas are being replaced by the crickets. I love to
run in September for so many reasons. It was this time
last year when I completed my first marathon at Iroquois
Park. Urban running was mostly what I had practiced up
to the point of rediscovering this little gem off New cut
Road. It's funny how my perspective on life has grown
so much since coming to this place. I never dreamed of
spending this much time here until deciding to help fulfill
the dreams of someone else. Sure, I miss things like
running at night, hitting the trails, and taking days off,
but those are trivial matters compared to the complicated
demands of a United States Marine. They need us to stand
by them, just as they have stood tall for us. As we roll
through these next few weeks, there will be special dates to
remember and heroes to honor. Please make September the
month that you help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 3:58:02
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run 58 8/30/07
Still a warm run in the upper 80's, but cool enough for
a sub 4 hour pace. To do that, I just make sure to run
the first 7 miles in under an hour, then each of the
next 4 laps around the bottom loop in under 30 minutes,
which sets me up to complete the last 6 miles in under
another hour. It's the same concept for a 3:30 pace,
only with 5 minutes shaved off of each one of those
short time goals. Right from the start of run 58, I
heard all of my buddies, and some new friends as well,
shouting good things about the television coverage on
WLKY 32 News yesterday. One fella said he saw it again
this afternoon. That's great. Every time something
like that happens we get a bounce in donations for the
IMSFF. The excitement definitely gave me some positive
energy and the running felt good all the way through.
There was a time a few years ago when I became ill on
the majority of my 20 mile training runs. Many runners
battle a shrinking stomach filled with acid trying to
digest food that isn't there. When our stomachs finally
push in too far, it forces a highly concentrated amount
of acid to the top and then we get ourselves into trouble.
Before every marathon, I eat Cheerios with bananas and
drink some coffee. During each run, I have a way of
forcing enough water into my system by giving the bottle
a little squeeze each time I swallow. This allows 3
times the amount of water to go down even if I don't
feel like drinking. I also eat a honey bun, sometimes
two, at about halfway through and breathing from the
diaphragm is also key in helping food and large amounts
of fluids to settle comfortably. There's a few other
little tricks, but these are the basics that have kept
me from getting sick even once since February of 2005.
Of course, a lot of hard training always goes with
trying to overcome obstacles along the way. It may
hurt a little, but it will sure feel good to help an
injured Marine today.
Run Time: 3:56:54
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run 57 8/29/07
The heat wave continues and Operation Run 131 is making
some waves of its own. A special thanks goes out to
WLKY 32 News for giving this event its first television
appearance. Vicki Dortch mentioned the Injured Marine
Semper Fi Fund and the web-site with a video of me
running like a robot in the background. At one point,
the camera man held his camera at street level and ran
behind me at a pretty good clip. I can't thank Channel
32 enough for coming out to the park today. I would
also like to congratulate WLKY news reporter, John Boel,
for completing his 2nd Ironman last Sunday which
Louisville will host for the next 4 years. The
triathlons look like a lot of fun. As far as the task
at hand, run 57 was tough and slow going. The first 10
miles went well, but then that hot, tired feeling set in
till the end. Although, I did meet some new faces during
the run. Glenn rode his bike up next to me and said
thanks for the series of marathons. After telling me of
his son's current service in Iraq, I extended my thanks
to both of them. I could see the pride in his eyes and
it's great to have his support. I've met so many
outstanding people that same way and hear so many heart
warming stories right when I need a little inspiration.
With run 131 still 74 marathons away, there's still plenty
of time to come out for a run and help an injured Marine
today.
Run Time: 4:24:54
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run 56 8/28/07
A dry heat in the upper 90's. You might as well have
hung me out to dry because I was Alsop-N-wet. Before
going any further, I'd like to wish Cheryl Hart a
happy birthday and thank her for being such a great
cheerleader to this event. She is a Mother, a marathon
runner, and a motivator. Keep going Cheryl, I'll catch
up to you someday. Today also marks the 50th day at
90 degrees or above and the 13th day of 98 degrees or
more just for August alone. The weather man says only
48 hours and the 80's are back. I'm hoping the same
thing. Iroquois Park, in its own way, is like a tropical
island in the middle of the city and towns. The amount
of trees and moisture in the ground sometimes gives that
winding road a thicker air than on the outside of the
park. That will change as the temperature drops. I can
hardly imagine what it will be like to round Krupp's Point
and feel nothing but cool air. That will be a dream come
true. For now, we still have an air quality alert to
contend with and mother nature taking her own sweet time
to change. This summer has taken its toll on the trees
and certain areas of the park have so many dried leaves
on the road you would think it was a fall picture. The
chance of mishaps involving fallen dead wood increases in
these drought-like conditions. I've had a few close calls
so far. The course itself is pretty tough. I don't expect
to have an easy marathon out here no matter what the
weather. However, the toughest runs could still be those
with a constant rain from beginning to end, which are bound
to happen sooner or later. Not for run 56 though, just a
lot of hot, rigorous running. I felt like I was pulling a
chariot out there this afternoon. The last few miles were
very tiresome and I was very pleased to reach the end.
That's when I hop into my car and hit the freeway where
the real competition begins. I do want to give a drive
by thank you to all those that have shown interest and
donated to this effort. I'm overwhelmed by the generosity
and I keep hearing about good people spreading the news of
how to help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:18:07
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run 55 8/27/07
Another cool day in the low 90's. They're calling for 95
the next couple of days, but I'm still a little excited
about this being the last week of August. Those 70's
coming up in September are just looking too good right
now. So close, but yet still about 15 marathons away.
Run 55 felt a lot like early July. I thought there
would be a little soreness, considering yesterday was the
first sub 3:40 since run 25, but everything is feeling
better than ever. I'm also meeting more people each day
before, during, and after the marathons. This morning I
met a very nice couple in which the man told me he was
getting a drink from the water fountain last week and
someone asked if he was the guy running for the injured
Marines. We both laughed and I ultimately told him that
was a big compliment for me. They both walked on and I
caught up with them in the first mile. Here lately, I've
been working a lot on picturing a constant running motion
in my mind. Thinking about taking steps and swinging my
arms is what keeps me taking steps and swinging my arms.
Reminding myself of the activity I'm doing helps me to do
more of it. Although, I do seem to also learn something
new everyday about how to be a better runner. Keeping an
open mind can be what keeps our bodies moving down that
open road. To stay healthy, we should all take more
advantage of the places we're able to roam. It's often
been said that fighting a war is no walk in the park. I
understand were it not for the extreme efforts of others
there would be no park to walk in. I'm always reminded
when running through the park that I'm exercising my
freedom to help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 3:52:12
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run 54 8/26/07
Sometimes a little change can make the biggest difference
in the world. Yes, there's plenty of summer to go, but it
looks like happy Sundays are here again. Run 54 was in
the mid 80's and the humidity was low. My spirits were
lifted right away seeing the return of Sergeant Lutz.
We hit the first few miles at a good clip and just talked
the entire time. After taking a trip around the top, I
was at a 3:50 pace. A few miles after that, I thought
about pushing the limits just a little bit. Both legs felt
the best they have since before run 31. You really have
to pay close attention to your feet as well on consecutive
day running. I wear shoes one size too big for the extra
toe room. I also apply Skin Shield to would be problem
areas to prevent blisters from forming. I'm then able to
add Body Glide over that to prevent abrasion even further.
Cutting the nails can also be a good way to create some
problems. After cutting, filing down the fresh edges and
corners is always a good idea. Ultimately, the more miles
you have on your feet the tougher they can be. Sometimes
it's those small adjustments we need to give more attention
to or we may pay for it later. When it comes to giving
more attention to those that are making major adjustments
in their lives, please remember, donating even a little
change can make the biggest difference in the world and
help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 3:39:36
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run 53 8/25/07
Today was a mixture of clouds, sun, a nice breeze, and
temperatures in the low 90's. Brian Poynter stopped in
after a 10 mile bike ride and ran about another ten miles
before calling it a day. Early on in the marathon, a
gentleman I'd never met before gave me a high five and
said, "You're looking good, I just sent my check in this
morning, keep it going." That really gave me a boost of
confidence for the rest of the run. The next time I ran
around the loop, I caught his name. I'm very glad Pat
came out to support Run 131. That's one way I always like
meeting people, donations first and first names second. I
got the chance to meet a few other new faces as the park
was filled with people. The brand new 1.4 million dollar
playground was packed with the water park spraying in every
direction. I also noticed a brand new flag pole with Old
Glory flying proud high above. I said to my buddy Bill,
"Alright, now we can have a ceremony right there under the
flag sometime soon." The mood stayed upbeat all the way
to the end and the last 3 miles were some of the best yet.
I felt a good pace coming back right from the start and
tomorrow promises to be the nicest day of August thus far.
I can't wait. As I've said before, beginning each marathon
at 12:00 PM during the hottest month in our city's history
was no mistake. It was a gesture done to experience on a
smaller scale what heat challenges our Marines must face on
a daily bases working in the deserts overseas. I'm grateful
attention was brought to that aspect of this event by way of
our local broadcast radio and newspaper print. There is no
question that running these hot marathons through the hills
of Iroquois Park is by far the most difficult thing I've ever
done. I hope it has been a unique effort for the Marines as
part of an elite group of people connected to this event. The
Marines are and always have been the best supporters of
Operation Run 131. I've long lived with the guilt of not
having volunteered to serve. That is why I'm so humbled, and
that is why I've decided to help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 3:58:49
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run 52 8/24/07
Yes, the heat index was 100 degrees, and the running was a
lot like yesterday. Rather than sound like a broken record
showcasing the record breaking temperatures again, I would
like to change the format just this once. The following
was originally written as an attempt to win some shoes in
a 50 word essay contest about what running means to you.
Of course, I didn't win the 7 pairs of shoes, but I did
find somewhat of a short explanation of what running is to
me. For better or for worse, here is:
"Loving Running"
by
Brad Alsop
I'm starting, darting, timing, climbing, stomping, romping,
finding, winding, feeling, healing, learning, yearning,
seething, breathing, burning, turning, steaming, dreaming,
dipping, dripping, sensing, wincing, zipping, skipping,
venting, squinting, winking, blinking, flinching, clinching,
thinking, drinking, racing, pacing, meeting, greeting,
waving, craving, heating, fleeting, hearing, nearing,
humming, numbing, giving, living, and loving running.
Just for fun, I sometimes used this as an exercise, taking
one deep breath and reciting the poem as many times as
possible in one exhale. Give it a shot, but before reading
your breath away, please remember to help an injured Marine
today.
Run Time: 4:11:50
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run 51 8/23/07
Enough of the record breaking heat already. Run 51 had an
index over 103 and the air was not good. Even on the first
trip to the top, I could feel the menacing humidity trying
to hold me back. Both legs felt fine, but I still watched
minutes add to each loop as my body fought the temperatures.
Many runners like to picture snow or a swimming pool in
their mind during these types of conditions. I can't do
that. Instead, I visualize more intense heat surrounding
me, such as burning coal or lava. If I think the opposite
of the current elements I'm trying to fight, I begin to loose
my edge. If I think of resting or coming to a stop, sure
enough, my body will want to do just that. I focus more on
the fact there remains a distance to be covered and lots of
steps to be taken, which encourages me to continue putting
one foot in front of the other. As the end draws closer on
a hot run, the urge to walk becomes greater and greater. It
hurts just as much for me to walk, so I'd rather run, but
scorching heat can bring me to a standstill once in a while,
only for me to start moving forward once again. I remember a
story of a pilot saving an injured soldier with a helicopter
that needed saving itself. The radiator was busted and the
pilot could only fly the wounded man a few miles at a time
before over-heating the engine and landing again. It took
several days of making themselves an open target before
reaching back to base. The human body is an amazing thing,
but what individuals can do to assist someone in desperate
need is what elevates the human spirit inside of us. A man
can lack physically what he can make up for with his mind by
thinking with his heart. We are all here to accomplish great
things, one of which is to help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:17:00
