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 101 thru 131
run 131 11/11/07
Is it really over? This long endeavor was just a
dream that became a reality. What does it take to
accomplish a long term goal? In a word, it takes
honor. The things we remember and respect are the
qualities that help us appreciate life and overcome
our greatest fears. Why should we make sacrifices
for others? It's in our blood to support life and
either we engage in it or wither from the vine.
How can we make an impact with our efforts? Come
from the heart, do good things, and look up rather
than give up. It's a simple concept and the amount
of success is up to you. It is hard for me to
accept that this long journey has come to an end,
but it's easy for me to see how we are a nation of
families and friends. Run 131 was filled with running,
colors, and thankfulness. The passing patriots were
cheering, honking, and snapping pictures of Old Glory
waving high. The sound of the rippling wind through
the stripes would turn someone's head and the sight
of the stars would have children running from one
side of their yard to the other yelling, "Mom! Look!"
Dogs were barking, cars were parking, and at some
intersections the traffic was stopping. People were
shouting, sirens were sounding, and the time was also
flying by. It was Veterans Day and a few were
thanking me as I was trying my best to thank all of
them. I'll never do this again and it was so easy
compared to what our injured Marines have done for us
to win. Thank you so much to our veterans and thank
you to all of those who support a charity. Participate
in the human race and help an injured Marine always.
Show Time: 4:58:00
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run 130 11/10/07
It is the end of an evening and the eve of an ending.
Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps,
year number 232. What an epic time to mark only one
Veterans' run salute still yet to come. Tomorrow is
Veterans Day and we should all remember the many
sacrifices made by our sons and daughters, mothers
and fathers, friends and neighbors, and volunteers.
Have we ever thanked that old man while waiting in
the line? Or that girl who started teaching kids
after her service time. Or maybe he's that mailman
bringing letters home to you. He could also be that
homeless guy who volunteered for America too. You
know there are many good deeds to remember and a
lot of hard work and blood and sweat and tears.
They left behind their mothers and worldly splendor
and many of them did not come home for years. Often
times, I look around and it's quite evident to me.
We've got an awful lot of people who keep thinking
freedom's free. But when I think of all the souls
who've served their country well, I can't help but
think of the wartime stories that they will never
tell. The fighting, the crying providing freedom's
dreams. And thank God they asked to join a few good
Marines! Thank you heroes! Yes, you all deserve our
praises. Thank you heroes! You're the men and women
of the bravest. Thank you heroes! You know that
freedom has a cost. Thank you heroes! Without you
freedom is lost. Yes, we've got it best, I really
love the U.S.A. . It's a mighty fine place to live
your life and freedom paves the way. Without our
veterans' caring hearts, our lives would surely go.
So grab Old Glory, fly it high, and let the veterans
know. I'm so thankful for the freedom to live the
life I really love, that I'll run until the mission's
done and keep them in memory of. I'll care for them
and cry for them and run for them and say, "Will you
smile upon your sister, brother and help an injured
Marine today?"
Run Time: 4:22:44
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run 129 11/09/07
Good-bye Friday and good-bye Seneca/Cherokee.
This was the final run at a land rich with history
and life. The green hills, the falling fruits, and
the busy smiles along the routes. The running water
and vacant fields, the towering trees of golden
leaves. The flying birds and swift moving bodies,
the runners and walkers and babies and cyclists.
The beautiful doggies and a few little rabbits,
the quick ground hogs and the squirrels and their
habits. The slow moving carp and the fast rolling
cars, the workers of the woods and the pleasant cool
breeze. The Scenic Loop and neighbors nearby, the
attractive golf courses and trails to hide. A
charming sky and the screeching hawks, the daytime
glow and the owls who talk. Discovery of self on
high rock shelves, the schools next door and their
teams of sports. Baseball diamonds and tennis courts,
skateboard riding and a small airport. Lots of friends
and even more faces, a fresh paved road and open green
spaces. Games to be played and victories to live, a
traveled freeway of sharing to give. Times to remember
and memories to make, generosity given for others to
take. Puffy white clouds staring back at me and that
whispering wind blowing through Cherokee. I will always
come back to this place I once grew and returned as a
man to a place I once knew. A place to create and a
place to rhyme, a place to dream of a life sublime.
I've waited so long and now I must go, just like the
fall which soon will turn cold. From out of the
shadow and into the light, I've stayed always faithful
and kept the good fight. To run through the world and
look up to pray that you will too help an injured
Marine today.
Run Time: 4:16:39
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run 128 11/08/07
Good-bye Thursday. Three days to go and we can
retire that red, white, and blue. Sunday will
be a special day. This afternoon was cool again
and I enjoyed most of the run to myself. I met
Tim after a while and was able to drag him off
course for a few miles. He ran with me pretty
good and helped set a pace which eventually shaved
several minutes off my run time. He said he would
make a donation and then turned back to go pick up
his kids. I remember when my brother and I were
about 6 and 7 years old, my Dad would come home from
work only to be ambushed by the both of us. We didn't
care if he just worked a 12 hour day or had a bad knee,
we just knew he was strong enough to handle anything.
Each of us would grab an arm and drag him up to the
steepest part of the acre. After calling out, "On
your marks, get set, go!", we all three would go
flying down the hill, into the front yard and giving it
our best. My brother and I were likely to be barefoot
while Dad would be sporting his work clothes and heavy
boots. I remember that long stride and loud sound his
feet made as they kept hitting the ground. At the time
we couldn't catch him, which changed with age. It was
a true victory to ever beat Dad at anything. He's still
working as always and still putting up with his knees.
Tonight, my Mother and her 3 sisters along with my
brother and sister, all celebrated my father's 70th
birthday. Uncle Paul, the Marine Dad and Uncle Art,
the Vietnam Veteran were also stationed at the far ends
of the tables. My Dad said, "I'm turning 70, but I look
like I'm 85." I replied, "But you've looked 85 since
you were 60 and haven't aged since then." He's still
playing that game of life and that's something I'll
never beat him at. Happy Birthday, Dad! It's funny
how I'm now the age of that strong man I used to race.
I'll bet he never thought he'd be the father of that
guy who ran till the Veterans' Birthday to help an
injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:06:23
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run 127 11/07/07
Good-bye Wednesday. Imagine that. Run 127, and
I thought 27 was something. Still 4 more days.
I think when only 3 remain is when I'll start
getting butterflies. Who knows? I may even have
to switch from black to red a few days early just
to signify coming in to the home stretch. The air
was again cold on my face this afternoon and lots
of other runners were enjoying it. My fellow shin
splint friend, Troy, scanned the loop to turn
around and run with me one last time before Sunday.
We've talked about tons of different remedies, but
I still don't have a sure fire way of getting rid
of a shin splint, I just tough it out. Using ice
doesn't seem to work, massaging hurts, and laying
down can also be very painful. I've always hoped
I'm just going through with them so I won't get
them anymore. The left leg is done and the right
has a few weeks to heal. One splint per shin per
lifetime. That's what I'm hoping for. As I ran
alone with 4 to go I did try to taper a bit. A
4:15 was on my mind right from the start. It really
helped my feet to run slower. Heather made it 13
straight before having to answer to her own busy
schedule. There's no doubt her ability could
accommodate many more. I'm sure you'll hear about
this girl running around the world some day. Best
of luck to her in whatever record she decides to
break. Some people have asked me,"Is 131 some kind
of record?" I'm sure it's far from it. There's
bound to have been someone somewhere that has done
twice as much or more. It's who I did it for and
how that makes it a story worth sharing. If you
really believe in something and grip it with all
your heart, it becomes very easy to talk and write
about. You don't have to make up a thing. If you
would like to be part of a story worth writing home
about, then help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:17:44
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run 126 11/06/07
Good-bye Tuesday. Not only was it Election Day, but
Mother Nature also ushered in the coldest marathon
of the year. Temperatures in the 40's and a pretty
strong wind definitely changed the dynamic. I really
should have worn my head cover, but I accidentally
left that at Iroquois the other day. The inside of
my left ear feels slightly sore from the cold. If
I'm running slow, I like to cover up. If I'm going
fast, I can wear much less. For run 126, I wore too
much and ran too fast. Heather was there running
out in front at her own pace until the end when I
sometimes like to kick in a little speed. I admit,
it's always fun to play beat the clock when the sub
4 hour is in play. I don't know how many times I've
ran the same run time down to the second or at least
within the same minute. I still can't help but wonder
how fast I might be able to run a marathon after a
good long taper. The best way to find out is to go run
a marathon after a good long taper. The training
would involve taxing out the lungs quite a bit. What
I'm currently doing tolerates a lot of pounding on
the feet and legs and doesn't really work the
respiratory system all that hard. I do plan on some
speed work coming up, but I'm also looking forward to
hitting those peaceful trails. Getting off road and
away from the traffic for a while will be nice. I
love wearing a backpack and carrying all of my own
supplies on long training runs. It lets me know I
can get up and go with what I need to get there.
Before I start dreaming too much, there is still 5
marathons left to go. That's exactly 131 miles. Wow!
Have we really come that far? Just think how much
easier it will be to run these last 131 miles compared
to the full 131 marathons. Although, it is still
about 20 hours of running and will be taken very
seriously. I have some donors to this cause that have
expressed some concern to the possible long-term effects
of what has taken place here. I do appreciate that
school of thought and I understand the logic behind it.
However, I also believe that if I were to stop running
right now forever, I would still remain healthier for
the rest of my life as a result of this wonderful
journey to help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 3:49:44
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run 125 11/05/07
Good-bye Monday. Six more days to run and 7 more
days till rest. Run 125 was part sun, part clouds,
and part rain. Heather and I both sort of went at
our own pace and Joe, Dan, and his son Mark
intersected on an 8 mile run. The thunder was
clapping and the lightning got a little scary. I
must of cried out "Dear God!" about 6 or 7 times.
I run in many different types of weather, but
electrical storms are my least favorite. I remember
running through Charlie Vettiner Park a few years
ago when lightning struck a warehouse just as I was
passing by. Yikes! That's as close as I ever want
to get. So far, the weather forecast looks like a
chance of rain for Veterans Day. Even a light rain
could make that marathon very difficult. The 5x8
foot American flag can get heavy in a hurry and I
don't even want to talk about an electrical storm
with a 10 foot steel pole over my shoulder. You can
get an early visual of what it will look like this
Sunday by going to the links page and clicking onto
Veterans Day 2005. The Courier-Journal has 3
pictures on display from a 2005 metro cover story.
This year, everyone is invited to the Fern Creek
Community Center at Bardstown and Fern Creek Road
for a fund-raiser where the final flag run will end.
Supporters will start arriving at 4:30 PM for good
measure. The run itself will be a race to beat the
sun setting over my high school. There's still 6
more to go, but it's just like Reid Olson said this
afternoon, "Just think Brad, on this day next week,
you'll be sleeping." He's right! Although I bet
when I wake up, I'll still find a way to help an
injured Marine today.
Run Time: 3:58:35
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run 124 11/04/07
Is there really just one week to go? Someone
asked me, "How does it feel to be so close to the
end?" Honestly, I feel like I'm holding my breath
to reach the other side of a lake. Now, each day
is the last of its kind for this 19 week event.
Good-bye Monday, good-bye Tuesday, is what I
will say as each day goes away. My body still
aches and then feels fine, which I've grown to
expect and accept. Just when I'm wanting to calm
things down, they ratchet back up again to the
nature of things. For runners are risk takers and
the world is our stage, it's hard to run easy when
the charity's so great. If we all had one wish,
many would differ, but I would wish for more time
to help others. The hours come slowly and sometimes
feel the same, but looking back the first run seems
like yesterday. Running and serving has made my
life long and I wouldn't change a thing if it meant
lessening the sacrifice. I've been given a new body
and a more patient mind, and for that I owe the
heroes that America holds so dear. They can easily be
forgotten as we live so free, but they're put in the
spotlight by the time of my watch. I see them, hear
them, and pray for them in my thoughts, and sometimes
while running I may even shed a tear. It's so easy
to forget them and not lift a finger, and that's why
I keep lifting my feet off of the ground. I've never
been good at personal gain, so I choose to let others
benefit from my most difficult achievements in life.
I have found no greater inspiration than gratitude
and a thankful attitude for our men and women and
how they volunteered. I love America and what it
stands for and I love all of those who help keep that
dream alive for all of us. Do you have a heart? Are
you thankful for your place in the world? If so,
then why wait another hour? Pick yourself up and
lift someone up with you. Devote some time and even
more effort to strengthen those that keep freedom
strong. They have enlisted for us and faced untold
dangers from afar. Now, they are back home where we
are and we just simply need to reach for them. It's a
strange thing, a mind that focuses only on personal
gain. Have you ever given anything to help an injured
Marine today?
Run Time: 3:57:13
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run 123 11/03/07
Sometimes, I do wish it was as easy as 1,2,3.
It was a little rough getting up the stairs
this morning, but it's amazing how much better
my leg can feel after the pre-run rituals. We
had perfect weather, the tenth day for Heather,
and a total of six all running together. The
pace was never really slow, although easy enough
to talk as much as we ran. The sun was off and on,
the golf course was packed, the roads were busy,
and the airplanes were soaring overhead. We even
felt the shortest, lightest sprinkle of rain in
history. Me, Heather, and Richard Jones all
finished the full distance at the same time. The
running felt great for each of us, but none of us
really felt like kicking it in at the end. Everyday
now someone is calling out to us, "Just 8 more to
go!" or just a simple, "Good job!" Runners,
walkers, and cyclists alike are pledging their
support for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. You
can rest assured that your donations are in good
hands. I love to see all of the excitement
surrounding the IMSFF. There are events all across
the nation being used to benefit the fund. Bob Poston,
who ran a 3:16 in the Marine Corps Marathon last
Sunday, said there were many people wearing shirts
with the IMSFF logo on them. I very much wanted to
add that run to 131, but the schedule was too tough.
Keith Aubrey, who offered me a ticket after they sold
out, knew I couldn't make it and felt compelled to
wear my name on his back along with his number. So at
least I felt like I was there in spirit. He finished
in 3:55 and I was at 3:57 that day. Thanks Keith.
There's six days left at Seneca/Cherokee and then one
last run at Iroquois before Veterans Day. No matter
which way you look at it, 8 marathons is still 8
marathons. However, after setting the clocks back
tonight I do get an extra hour of sleep to help an
injured Marine today!
Run Time: 3:46:46
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run 122 11/02/07
Well, I think a friendly competition between man
and woman was born this Friday afternoon. Heather
returned for the ninth straight day and it was
obvious from her warm up alone that she came ready
to run. She'd been holding back for most of the
marathons and was armed with a healthy bounce in
her step. We started right at 12:00 and never
slowed down. Running side by side and talking a
little, we hit the hills, flats, and curves with
an equal amount of speed. Each time around to
our 4 wheeled aid stations we gathered more than
enough water and food and then it was back up the
road. We had settled on a sub 3:50 pace by mile
10 and ran the first 13 miles in 1:51. Then,
somehow the conversation became more silent as the
footsteps increased in number. We began to change
leads over and over again. Me beating her on the
uphills and her then passing me on the straightaway.
Back and forth, back and forth we just kept going
faster and faster. Rather than slow up on the down
hills, we ran through them with a confident forward
motion the whole way down. Now it was obvious our
pace was based solely on the other persons' efforts.
At the beginning of the fourth loop, we quickly
spoke of a sub 3:40 and quickly ran our fastest few
miles. Dashing by the soccer field, briskly climbing
the windy hill, conquering the descending turn, and
high stepping up to the fountain. On the other side,
we commanded the steepest twists of the course and
were still trading our position out in front over and
over again. Both of us were swinging the arms and
upper body to borrow as much force as possible from
our motion. We even started yelling every once in a
while. At one point, we passed our buddy Sherrie
who runs 8 to 9 minute miles everyday and she said,
"What are you guys doing? You left me in the dust!"
Even the usual cyclists were smiling as they saw and
heard Heather and me running like gazelles to the
finish line. I was raising my voice and calling out
the time as Heather was shouting at herself to keep
the pace strong all the way till the end. We completed
the mileage within seconds of each other and for a
girl who didn't train to run 9 marathons in 9 days,
a sub 3:30 isn't bad. Heather's ability to continue
running without taking breaks for even a minor
adjustment is astounding. That's why I believe she
will someday achieve her lofty goal of running over
300 consecutive miles. Tell me there's a girl like
that in your neighborhood who ran to help an injured
Marine today.
Run Time: 3:28:12
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run 121 11/01/07
July, August, September, and October are gone and
November is on. Just 10 more days and I'll finally
be going home. In the months leading up to this
operation, I had friends ask me, "How will you be
able to run a marathon everyday?" Honestly, my entire
strategy was to train as hard as possible with the
time that I had. July came and introduced me to an
incredible feeling of being alive and running. The
watch was watched closely and those weeks were the
fastest of this event. It was like feeling so much
younger all over again. When August came and the
100 degree shin splints reigned, friends would ask,
"Are you trying to kill yourself?" The truth is,
I would not stop no matter what the weather or pain
because others were hurting much more than I after
staring down death and danger. The heat runs were
brutal, but still no match for the warmth in my heart.
The month of September brought healing and the need
for sleep. Adjustments were made, improvements were
learned, and the weather began to break. My friends
would ask, "Do you think you can hold on till the end?"
I've always thought I could, but it was a question as
to how much pain would hold on to me. If it hurt, I
just ran hurt. If I was tired, I just ran tired.
When October came, so did the rain and patience. A few
new aches and pains and a different mind frame made
for holding on to get through the day. Friends would
say, "I wonder what will happen when he's done. Will
he fall apart or just not know what to do?" I don't
plan on falling apart, and there is no doubt this event
will have made me stronger and more ready to serve. I
won't miss running a marathon everyday and I have some
dreams just as big as ever waiting to be fulfilled. As
long as I am able, I intend to travel through the world
with my feet on the ground and my hand on my heart.
November is now here, and I must stay focused on the
goal of completion. Another young pain in my shin has
yet to mature and the anxious thoughts sometimes run my
mind. "Just a few more days" they say, but the miles
come slowly as the sky turns dark earlier each night.
It's never easy and there's always some mystery on this
rewarding adventure to help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:13:30
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run 120 10/31/07
Wow! Number one twenty. I remember thinking on run
12, "What if I could just add a zero to that?", and
here we are. The running today was more of a trick
than a treat. Heather had some general soreness, which
is to be expected by day 7. I had a right leg that
disappointed me with a scary level of pain. My
running style turned into a limp favoring the left
leg and my right ankle is swelling a bit more each
day. At this point, I'm skipping the top two eyelets
of my right running shoe to accommodate the inflammation.
The skin is red and it hurts with a simple touch. If I
didn't have Heather to run with, run 120 would have
easily exceeded a 4:15 pace. She likes to keep moving,
so rather than stop and wait for me, she just turns
around and jogs back and we both continue on together.
I'm lucky to have such a bright and smiling face
running with me during some dark days of the operation.
I was a man of very few words during the last hour and
my smile looked more like a spooky Halloween mask.
Heather stayed strong and happy till the end and I
can't thank her enough for that. Linda Burry stopped
by with her amber eyed doggy and left us some special
bread from the Great Harvest Bread Company on
Hurstbourne Parkway. That also helped to lift my
spirits. Roger and his daughter caught a few miles
with us too this afternoon. He pushes that cart faster
than I can run at times and he makes it look like so
much fun. Any parent with small children should be
out there if they're able, working out while letting
their babies experience the great outdoors. Roger is
a perfect example of what it means to be a loving dad.
His little Madison is so cute, and even though she
might sleep for many of the miles, she loves to keep
on rollin'. He also has a friend in Spain that keeps
up with our web-site. That's great! It's wonderful
to know that support comes from around the world to
help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:06:07
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run 119 10/30/07
Nice weather and some not so nice pain. It's never
a good time to be hurting, but this is really not a
good time to be hurt. The lower right leg was at
an all time low and a sharp pain hit my upper right
leg to kick things off. Heather is still dealing
with her right knee and managed to encourage me
most of the way. I'm always having to make an
adjustment or two and she'll slow down a bit. We're
not wanting to take a lot of risks at this point. I
guess that rules out a trail marathon. Maybe next
time. I'm mostly worried about a good taper for the
flag run on Veterans Day. If my right leg gets any
worse, run 131 could be a long one. At least I've
got some company for now and we run pretty well
together. However, on November 11th, I'll run alone.
My buddy Bill will drive the main chase vehicle and
Heather will run the mobile aid station. The training
is done, but I still hope I am able. At the same
time I'll be taking careful steps for the next 11
days, I would also like to see my new partner reach
her goal of 17 in a row. Already, people are driving
by and yelling, "Go Heather! You're doing great!"
She's proud to be running for the injured and it's so
exciting to see people inspired when we run past them.
I was having a tough time the week of the shipwreck
marathon and when I washed ashore, Heather was there
to pick me up. We never know where help is going to
come from. We struggle with so many things and often
shut down and shut people out. Stay open to the others
around you. Let them know if you need a hand and
return the favor ten fold. If we all did that, the
world would be a better place. It's also easy to
forget the people helping us when we don't even
bother to look. We have a wonderful life in America
and its' heart travels far beyond our borders. Offer
what you can to the men and women giving us their
precious time and help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:01:47
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run 118 10/29/07
Nearly 17 weeks down and less than 2 weeks to travel.
Even though we're getting close to the end, things
are still tough each day as we get going. My right
shin can't quite kick into high gear and Heather's
right knee felt funny before the strange pain
jumped over to her left knee at mid run. She talked
a little less than usual until we ran into healthy
heart Joe and hill runner Dan with about 10 miles to
go. I love that extra energy fresh runners bring,
but I hate having to slow everybody down so they can
stay with us. Joe doesn't mind at all. At one point,
he had a quick conversation with someone going the
other way and turned around to catch back up to us in
no time. Dan is really good about it too. He ran
with me on some of those extremely hot days and has
seen me many times have to make a complete stop for a
few seconds before taking off again. It's those types
of days that a good talk helps keep me going. I told
Dan, "I don't talk much after running past 35 miles or
so." Dan said, "I can't imagine that!" Eventually,
our company went on up the road as Heather and I
turned back for the final few miles. We both kind of
let that sub 4 hour gently slip away and just tried
to maintain our legs. She's made it 5 marathons in a
row now and wants to keep going until the Marine Corps
birthday on November 10th, when we will once again
return to Iroquois Park. Seventeen days is a lofty
goal, especially when she didn't even train for it
specifically. I hope she makes it and I'm not about
to tell her she should quit. We should all be inspired
to act even at a moments notice. If you've been
thinking of taking a special journey, but don't think
you're ready, think again. We'll never know what we
can do until we go beyond dreaming about it. Pack
your supplies, mark your quest on a map, and complete
that passage from beginning to end and you'll be glad
you did. Don't wait to quit smoking or start eating
right and remove that doubt from your mind that you're
not fit enough to begin. Just get out there and get
started. Pretty soon, you'll be asking yourself, "Why
isn't everybody doing this?" Improve your life, see
your world, and share your story. There is a hero in
each one of us waiting to rise to the occasion. Don't
regret, be there and be alive. Who knows, you may
decide to hike from border to border to help an injured
Marine today.
Run Time: 4:05:21
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run 117 10/28/07
Four runs for Heather and 4 friends running.
Brother Ryan caught up to us shortly after the
start and in no time, he was jogging backwards.
He does that off and on even while racing in
marathons to help his leg muscles finish strong.
Richard Jones hit about 20 miles with us after
having a bit of a medical scare last Sunday which
kept him from running a marathon in Ohio. We
wish him the best and he looked great and finished
strong this perfect Sunday. My buddy Joe, who is
working on a healthier heart, jumped in and extended
his workout. I think we may have caught him on the
way home, but we made him turn around and run
another 6 miles or so with us. We all just talked
about so many different things, I'm not sure what
subjects were left out. Joe is a man of fewer words
while running the turns, but it's funny how he can
set me straight on an issue with just a sentence or
two. He's looking better all the time and as he
headed home he looked to be finishing strong. In the
final miles, Richard paced Heather in to the end.
She's been holding back for me each day and just
needed to break away and finish strong. I'm simply
amazed by her ability. Someone's going to discover
this young runner someday. As they took off, I
couldn't help but try and catch up, but my right
shin and general leg pain would rein me in. I can't
always finish strong, but that's the moment I pray
the strength that is gone went to help someone.
All of us will have struggles and pains to endure.
How we react and progress from them can be up to
us. Make a decision to overcome obstacles and you
will encourage others to do the same. Stay strong
for those who have lended us their strength and
help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 3:57:05
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run 116 10/27/07
The 3rd run's the charm. Heather returns for her
3rd day in a row and Brian Poynter also completed
his 2nd marathon distance. This marks the first
time that two people actually put up with me for
the full 26.2 and I'm glad they did. The afternoon
was gloomy and cool, but the charming people of
Cherokee helped brighten the day. Brother Ryan
stopped in to say hello with his 4 legged friend
Moses and Ron ran a lap with us just when he was
ready to hang it up for the day. We all kind of
took it easy and of course talked away like kids
in a school cafeteria. Food was also a big part
of the run as each one of us had a little something
more than once. Brian was determined to not have
a repeat of last week when he finished the distance,
but had to wait an hour or so before feeling good
enough to drive home. This time, nothing but smooth
sailing. He looked great and felt great! He said
taking in more calories and slowing down just a bit
did the trick. It looks like he could run a marathon
every week now if he wanted to and I'll bet he might
just run two in a row with me before it's all over.
Heather, has turned out to be one of the most durable
athletes I've ever seen. There is no doubt in my
mind that she could become one of the world's great
runners if she sets her mind to it. My guess would
be, she'll complete her first 100 mile training run
sometime early next year. She is strong and driven
and no matter how far she runs you can always hear
that ever present golden giggle. It's great to be
around great runners with great attitudes. We owe
it to each other to try and make the world a happier
place and running certainly has a way of doing that.
I have a feeling that a few more friends than usual
will be joining in for a run over the next 2 weeks.
Good luck to Bob Poston and many others that will be
running in the Marine Corps Marathon Sunday morning.
I'm sure there will be an inspiring number of runners
completing the distance to help an injured Marine
today.
Run Time: 4:03:11
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run 115 10/26/07
One fifteen down and 15 to go until the final flag
run on day 131. The rain still came for run 115
and the right shin splint is still more of a worry
than a serious damper. Heather was on hand once
again, completing her 2nd marathon in two days!
Now she wants to see how many more can follow. Still
working and barely sleeping, I'll bet she makes it
with me all the way to the end. I'm not even sure
if she's ever run over 100 miles in a week and here
she is cranking it up to over 183 without notice.
Tell me there's a girl like that in your neighborhood.
Also stopping by this afternoon was Reid Olson, the
cool cameraman from Wave 3 TV News. He's been
capturing video footage periodically for a documentary
of the Operation to be shown in November. Reid is a
real pro and I can't wait to see what he comes up
with. Hopefully, the post event coverage will help
the donations to keep on rolling in long after the
marathons have ran out. I can't tell you how much
fun it's been working with our local media. It all
started with Terry Meiners of 84 WHAS radio on day
number 8. We talked again on the air after run 31
and laughed about the idea of there being only 100
left to go. "How is that possible?" Terry asked.
Honestly, I knew it was possible, but I didn't know
what road blocks may be lying ahead. I chose the
extreme conditions and tough courses, but the sports
injuries and negative reactions were quite a surprise.
I was told by some local experts,"You can't do it." or
"You'll never make it." And when I was running hurt
they would say,"You're crazy! Even if you finish, you
will never walk again when you're done!" And I thought
I was extreme. Luckily, I've been very fortunate that
the overwhelming number of voices have been more than
supportive. It was the regular Joe that would read
about me in the paper or hear something on the radio
and simply ride by with their head hanging out the
window and yelling,"You are an amazing man! Keep going!"
I've met so many down to Earth people that think what
I'm doing is out of this world and that's what keeps me
going. People like Bob who came looking for me to
weep and share the story of loosing his brother in
Vietnam. Or Jamie Weedman who is blind and ran with me
in part to inspire injured Marines who may have become
visually impaired. There are others like Major Bill
Carroll and his wife Cathy who assured me the efforts
to bring attention to the injured would be appreciated
by all Marines. Whether it's someone paying me a
morning visit at the park or sending me a simple e-mail
late at night from afar, I have been truly blessed to
have met so many new friends that helped hold me
together. I do like to run alone, but I never could
have done this by myself. To know the Marines have
been watching from the desert or a hospital bed, and to
know there is an outcry of support for those same
Americans fills my heart with determination. At times,
the odds have been stacked against me, but I've refused
to believe it. Until God has me taking my very last
step, I will complete this mission to help an injured
Marine today.
Run Time: 3:54:58
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run 114 10/25/07
The second return to Iroquois and the 3rd marathon
companion. Heather, who I met a few weeks ago on
the run, completed the full distance of a marathon
with me this afternoon at Iroquois Park. It was
grand feeling that familiar road and seeing those
friendly faces once again. The 3 dog man with his
Sadie, Sassy, and Summer. The safari man who has
virtually walked the world. And of course, my
good buddies Bill and Jack. Even the running felt
like old times. Heather normally doesn't talk a
lot on the run, but when people run with me, they
often have to slow down and we just start talking
away. Back and forth, back and forth, we talked
about ways to run and places to run the whole time.
Somewhere in the middle, Matt and Dan jumped in for
several miles, and Chris and Daniel from Butler were
warming up at the starting line. Mike was on hand
singing his marathon man song and I found some other
supporters walking the loop wearing their Run 131
runner's caps. Both of my legs were feeling good
and having someone to run every mile with was even
better. Heather will tackle her first ever 2
marathons 2 days in a row tomorrow! I'll bet she
could run 100 of them if she wanted to. She races
all over town and regularly places in the top 3 of
her competitions. We both have a goal of hitting a
sub 3 hour marathon next year. We're going to share
some techniques and see what happens. I think I may
have a ways to go before catching up to her speed.
It was also nice to see Wes and Dave again who ran
with me during my shin splint days and the extreme
heat. And I can't forget Kevin who is still walking
the loop in his sandals. I just wanted to stay there
forever and never come home, but I know there's many
miles ahead. You would think by now I could just
taste the success of a completed mission, but in my
mind, victory is still a tough 17 days away. Heather
said, "If you can run 114 marathons in as many days,
then surely you can run 17." She went on to say,"it's
just like when someone has already run 33 miles of a
50 mile race and they have 17 to go. If you can run
33, then you can run 17." That's a refreshing way
for me to look at things. Just like, if you've
helped an injured Marine before, then it should be
even more rewarding to again help an injured Marine
today.
Run Time: 4:14:32
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run 113 10/24/07
Three days of rain and much closer to home. Run 113
sailed to a place once known as Chenoweth in search
of dry land. Charlie Vettiner Park is a simple spot
with a nice view in all directions. To many of us
that have lived in the area for over 30 years, it
will always be known as Chenoweth. The name can be
changed, but the history remains the same. It's the
corner of the world where I caught my first catfish
as a kid and ran my first marathon at age 34. The
sunset is often picturesque and the wind seems to
be ever present. I remember coming here everyday
the week of September 11th to just look at the
clouds and the blue behind them. All air traffic
had been ordered to a halt and I took advantage of
the first opportunity to see the true sky with not a
jet stream in sight. The property has changed since
then. A frisbee golf course has been carved out, a
new dog run just opened, but running on this short
little road can be as unforgiving as ever. No sun,
50 degrees, cold wind, and some leftover pain was
the order of the day. The rain was of the lighter
variety, but my body never felt so much aching
during a marathon. The effects of yesterday ran all
up and down my legs and lower back. That sensation
in my front right ankle has graduated to a shin
splint and caused a great deal of discomfort. It has
the potential of becoming a real nightmare, but I'm
hoping it will peak out as just a bad dream. The
running felt like slow motion and to even bend over
and adjust my shoe was an extreme task. I slowly
counted each out and back while hoping the weather
and pain would stay the same and not worsen. My
appetite advanced, leading me to eat 4 times on the
run. Water consumption was minimal and at times I
was the only soul in the park. It was quite peaceful
to get a break from all the traffic. Now, I could
use a break from the weather. The second half felt
worse than the first, but it's amazing how good I
felt as soon as the run was over. I still need
more sleep, but that doesn't come easy these days
either. If parting with my own comfort leads to the
benefit of one injured Marine, then it's all been
worth it. Remember those in need of rest and help
an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 5:14:30
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run 112 10/23/07
Well, if run 32 was a train wreck then run 112 was a
shipwreck. The troubles started when I had trouble
just getting into the park. The intersections were
blocked off, so I parked at Big Rock with not a
minute to spare and the run was on. At first, it
didn't seem too bad coming to the same flooded road
I went through yesterday. Then I came to the field
where I might normally see a deer and it was a lake
filled with ducks. I thought, "Neat!" Then, I kept
running and realized there wouldn't be any traffic.
"Cool!" Next, I noticed where the road used to be
was now a river. "No way!" I should have turned
back, but I had it in my mind to complete the course.
I guess that's my creature of habit taking over. Now
I was the creature of the Cherokee lagoon trudging
through waste high murky water as fast as possible.
The rain was at a constant and the water was still
rising. Just when a creek overpass would rise above
the flood, the blacktop would sink back down again.
At one point, I considered swimming through the park
with the ducks. They were everywhere, as if to be
mapping out their new world. When I finally reached
the soccer field, I could see fish swimming against
the ripples in an inch of water, and crawl fish
gripping with all of their might under the rapid
flow. I eventually hit the 2 dry miles around the
Scenic Loop, but went right back down into the mess.
This time, it took a lot out of me to go against the
current. Ninety minutes already passed and I'd only
traveled 5 miles or so. By now, my legs were also
numb and the constant rain and 55 degree temperature
wasn't helping any. I wouldn't finish until 10 O'clock
if I didn't change course, so I headed over to the
tennis courts at Seneca Park and started running the
1.2 mile loop like crazy. Each time around, I had
to run in ankle deep water which kept my shoes heavy
and my feet and legs cold. The rain just wouldn't
stop and a pain started in the front of my right ankle.
I thought, "Could the day get any tougher?" Actually,
it didn't get tougher, it just stayed at the same
level of misery from beginning to end. The rain still
hasn't stopped, so I'll be setting sail and heading
for higher ground tomorrow. Remember those who served
in the rain and help an injured Marine today.
Slosh Time: 6:07:03
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run 111 10/22/07
Be careful what you wish for because it just might
rain forever. Today, mother nature gave me a seat
at the water table. Typically, October is
Louisville's driest month, but run 111 was the
wettest of all. It absolutely poured for every
single step. I held off on using any rain gear until
the second half when I felt my arms and legs getting
cold. The core temperature was next to drop, so I
suited up to avoid a shiver that's hard to shake.
The roads were flooded in a few spots leaving me to
slosh my way through each time around and the creeks
were also furiously filled to capacity. No lightning
or thunder, but the rain was quite heavy at times
adding weight to my shoes and minutes to the miles.
We need the rain so I can't complain. Truth be told,
I've always liked adding a little extra misery to
a run. It strengthens the sense of accomplishment
and helps condition the mind and body to endure. It's
always baffled me to see people making their workouts
as easy as possible. It shouldn't be easy at all. We
should make it the toughest part of our day so that
everything else will be easier when we're done. I saw
Roger out there this afternoon pushing his daughter
in a cart as always. This time, she was covered up
by the topper and loving every minute of the rain.
You could tell Roger liked battling the elements as
well. He runs 5-18 miles just about everyday while
pushing his little girl up and down the hills of
Seneca/Cherokee. He's just another one of those
tough guys that makes it look easy and runs with a
smile. It's funny how pushing ourselves can make us
happier. That's what earning reward is all about.
When we are not driven we simply become one of the
many that benefit from the efforts of a few. Remember
those that are proud to have gone beyond the call of
duty on our behalf. Rain or shine, it's always a
good time to help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:39:41
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run 110 10/21/07
One ten down and 21 coming up. What a great
experience it was to participate in the
Louisville Marathon this Sunday morning. It was a
victory of its own just to meet all of the wonderful
people, military officers, and volunteers that made
the day worth while. I found the course to be much
tougher than I expected and it was amazing to see
so many different running styles and techniques
battling to the finish. I took things a bit too
serious right from the start which did somewhat
remind me of why I prefer to kind of run free rather
than compete. Although, the decision to make the LM
part of Operation Run 131 was a good one and it won't
be my last organized event. After the race, I was
given a medal by a commanding officer which made me
very proud, but nothing made me more emotional than
watching the runners coming in beyond the 5 hour mark.
One woman was weeping with 50 yards to go and another
man was smiling big with his eyes and arms. To have a
crowd cheering for you is nice, but to be motivated by
one individual trying as hard as they can is paramount.
I will always remember seeing the pride in those faces
who refused to quit! Experienced runners will often
finish strong with energy to spare, but those who have
less to prove may have more to gain. They give all
they have and accomplish something to keep for the
rest of their lives. There was running, there was
walking, and there was crying, and the amount of heart
was awe inspiring. God bless all of those who gave it
their all. I would also like to thank everyone who
pledged their support for the injured Marines. Run 131
is truly in the final 5 mile stretch of a marathon.
Rather than just finish strong, I hope to give all I
have left to help an injured Marine today.
Chip Time: 3:26:24
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run 109 10/20/07
At age 43, Brian Poynter completed his first
marathon distance of 26.2 miles this afternoon!
He showed up without notice and armed with
determination. I first ran with Brian in July
and remember him setting a goal to complete a
half marathon. He has now doubled that distance
in just a few months of training. Towards the
finish, I was shouting to every roller bladder,
cyclist, or walker passing by, "See that guy?
That's Brian Poynter and he's finishing his first
marathon!" They would respond, "Good job!" He has
dealt with knee pain, hot weather, and that not so
good feeling we sometimes get after a long run,
but he still found a way to make it happen. Believe
it or not, after 109 days of this, I too feel as
if I'm just now learning how to run a marathon.
Setting a consecutive day goal with a number is one
thing, but completing it with a number of people in
your heart is another. I'm often asked, "Are you a
Marine?" That's a logical question and I don't fault
those people for asking. But I do believe that all
civilians like myself should in someway support our
military veterans. We must be thankful for the home
we have been given. I'm also thankful for the nice day
that's shaping up for tomorrow. Admittedly, I'm a bit
nervous about completing my first sanctioned event.
I did actually enter the Otter Creek Marathon in
December of 2004, but fell flat after about 20 miles.
It's simply amazing how far we can advance in just
a few short years. For now, it's rise and shine at
4:30 A.M., so wish me luck. Hopefully, the Louisville
Marathon will be another successful chapter in this
story to help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 3:48:28
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run 108 10/19/07
I would say this is my last longest run before the
Louisville Marathon two days from now, but there's
still one more to go before Sunday morning. So lets
say it was my last fastest marathon before the LM
thanks to a fella who ran with me this afternoon.
Ryan teaches Sunday school and moved here recently
from Ohio. He actually pays his rent once in a
while winning marathons. He could average about a
2:30 until getting blind sided by a speeding motorist
while he was cycling as a means of transportation. A
policeman just happened to witness the entire
incident. Ryan's neck and fingers were broken and
some damage was done to his back and right knee as
well. The doctors have marveled at his recovery when
both Ryan and I agreed right away that the running
helped him to heal. He also believes there is a
reason he's still around. He was at such a high
level and received such a setback. Now he wants to
use that as motivation to become even stronger than
he was before and share that inspiring story with
other people. He's also starting a Bible study group
which is basically the Word on the run. It's a class
that takes place while everyone is running. Now that's
pretty cool. Whatever it is we're called to do in
life will define who we are. The people we help and
encourage will indicate the difference we've made.
Remember that other names are more important than our
own. That's why I look up and reach out to help an
injured Marine today.
Run Time: 3:47:51
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run 107 10/18/07
Summer's falling and fall is standing as the road
is calling and my feet are landing. Thoughts are
drifting while running the maze as the weather is
shifting like 3 different days. Hawks are screaming
as the still air brings other flocks teaming and
floating with wings. The wind picks up and becomes
quite ferocious as nature's cup spills out her
hypnosis. I see all around bright red orange and
gold as the wind then dies down and becomes not so
bold. The sun comes out to be covered again as a
stray dog will pout only needing a friend. Tree
limbs are breaking and the sound can be heard as all
the leaves shaking drift down with a bird. The sky
becomes dark and my soul is driven as a calm in the
park is a gift to be given. These roads lead to
somewhere and they can for you too. It's the reason
I come here to just follow through. It's such a
great stage to help someone else and while turning
the page we may find ourself. The skies can be bright
or cloudy and gray. We must see the light to help
an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 3:57:13
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run 106 10/17/07
Very little pain and a whole lot of gain. I'm still
going bananas over bananas. That's right. I should
have payed much more attention to that simple yellow
fruit long ago. Simple changes can lead to technical
advances and I've never felt stronger. Run 106 was
an awesome 85 degrees and I literally had to convince
myself not to speed up. Even after the run, things
were better than good. This morning during the
warm-up, I met a woman who told me I was a big
inspiration to her 16 year old son. That's great!
Michael lives with diabetes and wonders what it takes
to be an everyday runner. One of the great things
about running is if we just put one foot in front of
the other faster than we can walk, we're there. I
have a diabetic friend who started running over 10
years ago. His doctor says he's healthier than many
patients the doc sees on a regular bases. My buddy
also often checks his blood sugar before and after a
run. He runs 3-6 miles 6-7 days a week and loves it.
He also loves to use the run to burn off a piece of
cake every once in a while. I guess we all want to live
a little. Running can be a healing experience and we
don't have to run across town to benefit from it. No
matter how slow we go, it can be a quick way to bring
some good into our lives. Not to mention, the tools it
gives us to help other people. So, Michael, understand
that you are an inspiration to me and I know you can
run like the wind! In the final miles this afternoon,
a couple of cable guys were working on the side of the
road. The one on the pole yelled down to the one on
the ground, "See that guy running right behind you?"
I then waved to both of them and as I kept going the
man continued, "That's the guy who runs a marathon
for injured Marines everyday!" I love it when they
don't know my name, but they know I'm here to help
an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 3:56:03
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run 105 10/16/07
The morning began with a still air and the remnants
of rain. Clouds hovered above letting the sun peak
out once in a while as a single leaf could be heard
hitting the road. A crane slowly taking flight, a
squirrel with its head in the ground, and the colors
of fall were all a joyful sight. The wind picked up
and whistled through the trees as the water rushed by
blending in with the breeze. A pack of mallards
waddled across the street while another crane in the
creek stood perfectly still, camouflaged by the
branches surrounding it. A brand-new pair of shoes
and a renewed attitude helped the running pass with
a pleasant mood. Things are looking up and storms
could be coming in. Somehow, I just don't see the
weather letting us coast to the end. Twenty-six
remain to help an injured Marine today.
Run Time: 3:58:51
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run 104 10/15/07
Well, I don't want to speak too soon, but I have to
stay in character somehow. Run 104 had no pain and
very little discomfort and I'm hoping that's the new
trend. I made another small change in the diet which
has things feeling great. The results are like magic.
Adding a few extra bananas to breakfast seems to
have also peeled away several minutes from the
run time. I knew it would be a good day the moment
I hopped out of the car. The energy level was high
and the legs never felt better. Three miles into the
run, a hawk left its perch and flew directly above
me casting a distinct shadow alongside of my own.
The sun gleamed as autumn did its best to visually
override the feeling of summer. Temperatures in the
80's felt much cooler and the air was excellent.
Each time passing under the acorn trees, it sounded
as if squirrels were dropping handfuls of marbles as
the falling acorns ricocheted off of the tree branches
delaying their landing. In the final mile, a single
acorn hit the road right in front of me, bouncing
3 feet up into the air as I caught it with my right
hand. It was very small due to such a low rainfall
this year. Much like the wooly worms that are
short enough to sit on your thumbnail. Life cries
for water as we pray for rain. Sometimes we wonder
how small changes can make such a big difference.
Maybe the answer is, when we think a small change
was made, it wasn't small at all. Have a big heart
and make a big decision to help an injured Marine
today.
Run Time: 3:53:46
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run 103 10/14/07
A little warmer, a bit faster, and feeling a lot
better. I've been dealing with some soreness all
week from a few fast miles last Sunday and Thursday.
Apparently, it takes me a couple of days to recover
from any type of speed training while marathoning.
Run 103 felt great from the start. I met up with
a friend during the first 10 miles who helped me
keep a decent pace. Joe is in his mid to latter
50's and runs like a champ. He's been working on
building a healthier heart and recently found a
doctor who is also an avid cyclist. The doc has him
dropping many of his prescriptions and picking up
the running. So far, Joe is feeling much better and
has regained a great deal of his physical capabilities.
Sometimes, we may feel down for the count when we are
really up for the challenge. I hope to see Joe
running in the Derby Festival Marathon with me this
spring. The Louisville Marathon is just one week
away and race director Jim Ball encouraged me to taper
as best I can. That is tough to do while running about
4 hours a day. Linda Burry, who ran a few miles with
me this afternoon, also pointed out that the LM starts
early and I will only have about 15 hours or so
between run 109 and 110. That is true, but I'll just
have to make the best of it. I know I'll be a little
slow, but I'm not out to see how long it can take me
either. I heard there may be a friendly competition
between military branches in the race as well. That
should be a lot of fun. Jim also saved me number 110
for the event to match my 110th marathon. I can't ask
for more than that. I've met some really great people
in Louisville's running world and they have been very
supportive of running marathons to help an injured
Marine today.
Run Time: 3:55:19
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run 102 10/13/07
I just can't stop counting. Whether it's the hours
passing by during every run or the marathons remaining
at the end of each day. Twenty-nine left to go with
about 121 hours of running, give or take a few.
Run 102 was pleasant with a little bit of pain. The
hips and lower back were feeling it, but that will
pass as it always does. Running everyday has slowed
me down for now and if I sprint a good ways, I'm
usually sore for a couple of days. I bumped into an
old friend this afternoon who quickly asked, "So, I
guess 50 just isn't good enough anymore, huh Brad?"
Actually, 50 is plenty. I'm just trying to connect
the dates of July 4th and Veterans Day. Another
person asked me to keep going after 131. Not on your
life. That number will be given to the injured
Marines, end of story. It has never been about seeing
how many marathons I can run in a row. It has always
been about creating an interesting and difficult
journey to draw attention and benefit to the Injured
Marine Semper Fi Fund. I love to run and inspire
someone. Running is such a big part of our culture
and society. It's in our songs, our movies, our
children and our dreams. People respond to it, relate
to it, and are sometimes in awe of it. Moving one's
body through the world on its own power has a certain
mystery and appeal. Some of us are running from, some
of us are running to, and some of us are running with
someone in our hearts. Remember those people who
have run for our freedom and help an injured Marine
today.
Run Time: 4:22:21
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
run 101 10/12/07
Marathoning 101. That's definitely a class I'd like
to be in. No matter how many miles we've run, there's
always something new to understand. I used run 101
as a chance to relax, reflect, and preserve my mind,
body, and spirit. There are 30 runs remaining, and
nothing can be taken for granted. I'm thankful for
each day and every mile. The end is in sight, but
many of us have fallen short at the goal line by not
following through. It's important to always learn
and apply new strategies while at the same time
keeping our will and physical abilities consistent.
It has been said that runners have a 10 year window
of improvement from the time they start. That's not
a bad school of thought. However, I believe there is
always room for improvement if we set a higher goal
each time we conquer the previous one. Limitations
are sometimes a box we put ourselves in by simply
accepting things the way they are. Don't let life just
happen to you. Make it happen in a way that fulfills
your dreams. If there is a setback, then find a way
to move forward. If you're feeling old, then find
something new. If you have questions, then ask them
and maybe you will find the answers yourself. If you
think little of yourself, then help someone else in a
big way. Be driven, be strong, be thankful and you
will be an inspiration. Take on a task that is worthy
and do not be afraid to fail. Do your best for someone
else and you will go farther than yourself. These are
the lessons I've learned on this quest to help an
injured Marine today.
Run Time: 4:16:54
