A few words from Katie

Recently I asked Katie if she would be willing to share a few words about our trip to Bangladesh. She wanted to communicate the following to you: 

Thank you so much for your support and prayers for my missions trip to Bangladesh! It was an amazing, life changing experience and I couldn’t have done it without your help. Not only was I able to demonstrate the love of God to the children at the orphanage, but God also used this trip to teach me and help me grow. The joy that it gave me to serve the people there was greater than I ever could have imagined. Just seeing the beautiful smiles on their faces was truly rewarding. God really gave me a love for the country of Bangladesh and the people there. One of the highlights from my trip was experiencing God’s healing when I woke up one morning with a terrible, swollen bug bite on my lip. After the children at the orphanage prayed for me, it was completely gone. Saying goodbye was very hard, but I am so grateful to have had this experience.   

Love, 

Katie

Number Five

On April 7, I went out and completed my fifth marathon. Despite the weather being a bit chilly, it turned out to be a great day and a great race.

I was really encouraged to have multiple people cheering me on. One can never fully voice how much encouragement you receive when there are people on the street cheering you on. The amount of energy that empowers your body when you hear voices you recognize, is tremendous. This particular race forced us to do a 13.1 mile loop twice, so it made it a bit easier for fans to find opportunities to see runners. Added to this, there quite a few switchbacks as we ran through the streets of a picturesque German town. There were multiple times where I ran past friends, and it was always a blessing. I never knew when I would see them, but could definitely hear their voices above those of the Germans, and appreciated their presence. Beside the cheering, the knowledge that people you know could appear around every corner, adds a sense of accountability. When the legs get tired and the body wants to stop, an extra ounce of motivation can be found through the thought, “I can’t stop. I don’t want them to see me walking!”

I have been training for this particular race since January 1. My entire training regimen has been far more relaxing than previous races, and I really came to enjoy that. The main aspect that made it more relaxing was my desired finishing time. Previously, I have always targeted a Boston Qualifying time (sub 3:10) this time from day 1 my goal was 3:30. Not too far from Boston, but significant enough that I didn’t feel as much pressure or stress to get my time down. Releasing myself from that pressure made me enjoy my training a bit more, and also made the actual run pretty fun. This race was all about getting another one under my belt, enjoying the experience, and of course… the freebies after the race!

My goal was to finish in 3 hours 30 minutes. I missed that by two minutes as I came across the line in 3:32. A huge part of me is absolutely fine with this. In the big picture of a mediocre marathon runner, two minutes slower than your goal is not bad at all. Unfortunately something inside of me is not entirely satisfied with my time. Perhaps I need to be less competitive. But, the main reason for my dissatisfaction is that I don’t feel as though my time accurately represents how well I actually ran. I realize a marathon is a full 26.2 miles, not 20. But, through my first twenty miles I was on pace to cross the line in 3:18 or 3:19. I had visions of setting a PR (3:17:24). But with about 6 miles to go, my body started shutting down. It wasn’t so much cramps in my legs, but exhaustion and an empty chest. My mind simply could not will my body to keep going at the pace I was carrying. Over my final 12km (little more than 6 miles) I averaged a full minute slower than I was averaging for the first 30km. (A marathon is 26.2 miles, or 42km…here in Europe distances are measured in km, sorry for bouncing back and forth). Finishing slower than I had been running for the overwhelming majority of the race, left a bitter taste in my mouth. I honestly felt like I ran better than a 3:32… but I have to keep reminding myself a marathon is 42km, not 30km. So, there is a bit of added motivation for when I start training for my next race. I haven’t picked one out yet, but have no doubts I will run at least one more in 2013.

All things considered, it was a great day. A great opportunity to get out there and do something I love.

Trip to Bangladesh

As some may know, I recently returned from a trip to Bangladesh. This is the trip that is referred to in the tab “Katie’s Trip” If you are interested in hearing more about the trip please head over to my other blog where I have been giving daily recaps of the trip: http://www.tommybfa.blogspot.com 

Katie will also post something on this blog in the coming weeks to give you an update on her trip and her experience. 

Not alone

Yesterday morning the clock said 6:15 and the temperature said it was 33 degrees out. Due to a busy schedule during the day, it was the only opportunity I would have to get in my miles. Still not completely awake I emerged from my warm covers, and was soon out the door for a run. As I was walking to my starting point I was overcome with a bizarre sense of discouragement. Things were flooding my mind and I was trying to process through them all – but one thought kept coming back, “You are alone in your training.” I didn’t want to believe it, because I have enjoyed company on a number of runs, but something inside me was struggling to shrug it off as a completely false statement. With this battle raging in my mind and heart I began my run feeling lonely and alone. 

Thankfully that feeling did not last for too long. As I began jogging down what has become my usual trail, I could see three other people on the path. From a distance I could not identify who it was, or exactly what they were doing (it’s still not completely light at 6:15). Yet as I got closer and closer to them, I could tell that they too were running. Then, as I was coming up behind them, I realized it was three of my colleagues. We exchanged a brief “good morning” and continued on our separate ways. It was a brief encounter, but it was such a refreshing one. 

I was not the only one who awoke early to get a run in. I was not the only one forced to run in the cold temperatures. I was not the only one training for a race on April 7. I was no longer alone. I was no longer feeling lonely. We didn’t really talk as we passed, and I haven’t seen any of them since. Yet, their training inspired me and filled me with encouragement. Their dedication and commitment spurred me on. Their presence reminded me that I am not alone. Which is a reminder my heart was in need of that morning. 

KC, MT, RB, thanks for the encouragement and reminder. 

PS. I did a longer run tonight and my trail brought me right to the doorstep of one of our school’s dorms. Knowing I was going to pass by, someone had put out a glass of water and this note. Another bit of encouragement that was greatly appreciated. 

Change it up

Within the past couple of days I have found myself in a few different conversations about running. That fact is not uncommon for me, and I generally enjoy the conversations. It wasn’t until after all the conversations that I realized each one, though with someone different, contained a common theme: the need for change from a routine. 

One of the ways I have found that helps keep me disciplined while training for a marathon is to find a schedule and routine that works. Knowing I will wake up at this time, and run that trail, and eat this cereal each and every morning, puts my mind at ease. I no longer worry about trying to figure out the best path to run, or what to eat to ensure proper nutrition. The schedule and routine eliminates some of the variables. Yet, at the same time it can also make everything turn bland and dull. The excitement for running is not quite as high as it once was. The freedom experienced on the trail morphs into dread of the one long hill. What once was seen as a challenge is now viewed as an excuse to not run. The key? Change it up. 

Recently I have pretty drastically changed my running patterns, and it has been absolutely exhilarating. For weeks I would run the same path because it was moderately challenging, had easy access and easy to navigate. But it quickly became dull. I haven’t traveled down that path for two weeks now. It’s great. I habitually listened to a playlist carefully crafted for runs. But the songs lost their motivational power. Rather than igniting a spark to push harder, I was counting the seconds until the song (and the run) was over. Change it up. A new playlist. Maybe, no music at all. 

Changing my routine by altering a few minor things has helped bring a new positive step to the marathon training regimen. If you are struggling with motivation, feeling apathetic toward training…change it up. 

Encouraged

This morning I had another shipment of books arrive in my office which created a lot of excitement for me. I have been in communication with a group and they have agreed to purchase 70 copies of the book. With this sale, and a few others that have recently come in I have eclipsed the 200 mark. The excitement I have for this is beyond what I ever thought possible. My original goal was to sell 100 copies, and within the first three months I have not only reached my goal, I have doubled my goal.

I am very humbled and excited to have reached this point. I am grateful for your investment in this project, and I hope you are not disappointed.

Thank you for all of your emails and notes. They have touched me and brought me great encouragement. Thank you for continuing to keep an eye on this blog as I strive to update it and generate some followers.

- Tommy

Worth Every Penny

Lately in Germany the weather has been pretty terrible for running. It has hovered right around freezing meaning it’s either snowing, raining, or some odd combination of the two. It hasn’t been cold enough for the snow to accumulate that much on the road, but enough that the roads are slippery in spots and wet enough that puddles form (and if you step in the puddles as I did tonight…they are filled with COLD water!)

This past Christmas I anticipated having to run in some frigid temperatures so I purchased a pair of running pants similar to the ones pictured above. All I can say is that they were worth every penny. They are quite comfortable, but above all they keep my legs warm. I feel like my legs are the warmest part of my body and I rarely feel any cold on my legs. I realize they may be a little goofy looking for some, but I don’t really care what I look like as long as I am warm. 

So if you are trying to get some runs in during the cold winter months, I highly encourage you to invest in some great running pants. You won’t regret it.