Thursday, September 22, 2011

Here is what I'm thinking

I'm not very good at keeping my thoughts to myself.  At least not very good when I'm trying to make an impact.  I really want to make an impact.  I can't say why that is except that I want to make a difference in a lot of lives, especially the life of my wife.

So, here is what I'm proposing.  I'm going to lift a million pounds.  Of course, not all at once.  I know that some may not see that as a big deal, but I am not a weight lifter, not by a long shot.  But I'm motivated.  Not only is this a fundraising endeavor for a devastating illness, but my son has asked me to start lifting with him so that he can meet his wellness goal for high school.  How can someone resist those influences?  I've got to say I'm glad I can't.

Anyway, the lifting isn't the only part of the endeavor.  In fact, it may prove to be the easiest to complete.  I'm also going to bicycle 1500 miles.  I know, if you were to look at the time from October 1, through May 19, which is when I think the JDRF walk will be, it only amounts to 6.5 miles a day.  I ask only that you might remember that it will be winter most of the time, that I don't ride very often, and that it is for a good cause.

Oh yeah, there is more.  I am also going to run 750 miles in those 231 days.  I'm planning on the last 100 being during the last 24 hours ending with the JDRF walk at Medlar Field.

I want my effort to be worthy of the discomfort, of the neuropathy, heart disease, blindness, and amputations that diabetics deal with all the time.

Please help.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Off and Running


I had a couple of great conversations this evening.  First, I went to a meeting of People Centre'd on Diabetes.  It is a local group dedicated to informing people about diabetes.  I contacted them through their website and they invited me to their September meeting to share a bit about what I've done and how I would like to work with them.  I presented myself to them as a tool to be used to help those with diabetes be motivated to work for good control and healthy lifestyles (to minimize complications) as well as to help  make people aware of risks and available diagnosis tools.  They had several ideas that I hope we are able t put into motion soon.

The second conversation was with Ray Zahab.  I had asked him to work his brain about the project for this year's JDRF fundraiser.  Coincidently, his idea about the effort tied nicely into some of the ideas the folks at PCoD had proposed.  I am always a bit nervous calling Ray, though he is very gracious and seems to enjoy our conversations.  It is just that he has done some pretty awesome things.  Whether it is realistic or not, accurate or not, even deserved or not, I feel as though we are similar in some ways.  I hope that it is not being proud or conceited to think that I may have had an influence on people the way he has.  

It is motivating to me to think about doing good.  I don't believe that I get "extra points" for doing good works, but the joy of being blessed makes me want to do so.  

“NOT BY WORKS of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5)

May God bless you, reader.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

It's Raining Again

It has been raining pretty much nonstop since Sunday.  Here in the State College area, we've gotten just under 10 inches.  It looks as though the next wave of rain has missed us, so that should give the streams a little chance to drop before more rain comes down.
I have to say that I am glad to not live so close to the river anymore.  In 1996, we lost our house in the January flood.  Strange thing is that I am certain it was a God thing because it allowed us to move to this great neighborhood and encouraged me to change my job.  It has been wonderful.

It feels great to be running consistently and the run in the rain last night was awesome.  The next several days look to be the same as the past couple and that is just fine.  Don't tell the kids at school, but they are pretty calm when it is raining outside.  There isn't any huge desire to get out do other things.  The only bad part is that I can't get them out to learn tree identification.  Fortunately, one of the tech ed teachers, Bill, has been bringing me branches he is trimming from trees lining his driveway.  He has brought quite a collection and I've been able to let the kids do a fair amount of id work inside.

I finished Marshall Ulrich's book Running on Empty yesterday and it was a great read.  It tells of the trials and tribulations of running 3,000 miles in 52 days (No- I can't even imagine).  I'd recommend it to anyone looking for an inside view of ultra-ultra running, but it really gets to the heart of realizing the impact the loss of someone special has on us long-term.  Thanks, Marshall for sharing your experience with us.

I've been thinking about the result of the adventures I've been having and this verse seems to fit with how something silly like a physical  effort makes sense in the larger scheme.


Romans 5:3-4

New International Version
3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.