Thursday, October 30, 2008

God Gets The Last Word; Yes, He Does!

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.
In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen.

-1 Peter 5:6-11 NLT

"The Message" translates verse 11 this way: "He gets the last word; yes, he does."

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Run for Missions Update: 5 days away!

Thanks for your support of and interest in for the “Run for Missions”! Allen and I are excited, trained, and ready to tackle this challenge and fulfill our commitment for the pledges that so many individuals and churches have so generously made and sent.

The run starts on Monday, November 3rd at 6:30am, from the Ministry Center office at 2018 Maple in Wichita. Many have asked about the route. We’ll wind up to 21st street in Wichita and proceed west on 21st for almost 50 miles without making a single turn. We’ll wind through Kingman and Pratt counties staying north of 54 on country roads until we get to Pratt where we’ll run right through on 54 in the middle of the night. We’ll cover the final miles on the country roads between Pratt and Haviland and come in to Haviland on the county road from the North. The finish line crossing celebration will be 10:30 am on Tuesday morning, November 4th in front of Phillips Hall at Barclay College.

If you would like to join Allen and I for any portion of the journey on foot or bike, it would be a lot of fun so please contact me to make arrangements. You are also invited to the starting line send off on Monday or the finish line celebration at Barclay on Tuesday. Also, Allen’s wife Nancy will be driving a crew vehicle point to point to provide support (water and food) throughout the day and night and would love company.

The total in pledges as of today is $10,735! Actual income is about half of that so if you haven’t yet sent your gift, please do so by November 15th. If you have already sent your check, thank you! Of course, we’re still accepting pledges and donations so please share these attached flyers with others. A full report on the run will be sent as soon as possible after the run.

Adam Monaghan and Allen Smelser

Would you be willing to sponsor Allen and Adam at $1 per mile in a 100 mile run in November for Friends Mission Scholarships?

Since 2005, EFM-Mid America Missions Mobilizers have supervised a scholarship fund to grant scholarships to missions students. Their desire is to give affirmation and support to EFC-MAYM College and Graduate students responding to a “call” to missions, intending to serve on the Friends Mission Field.

In order to raise funds for this Scholarship, the EFM-Mid America Missions Mobilizers have sponsored a “Run For Missions”. Allen Smelser (Stanwood Friends) and Adam Monaghan will run 100 miles, from Wichita to Haviland, KS, on November 3rd! We hope to raise at least $10,000 to support this scholarship fund. We are seeking at least 100 supporters to give $100 dollars ($1 per mile) by November 15th. Over 100 people or churches have already committed $100 by the end of October. Will you please join them? Please contact Adam Monaghan at the Friends Ministry Center 316-267-0391
adam@efcmaym.org.

You can make your tax-deductible donation by writing a check to “EFC-MAYM”, memo: “Run for Missions”; send to 2018 Maple, Wichita, KS 67213 by November 15th.

Rock Creek 50K

Saturday it was back to Lake Perry and the Rock Creek Trail Series. The weather was just perfect, with a cold start and a warm 60 degrees at mid day with a light north breeze. The trail was extra beautiful with the leaves turning colors and falling to the ground. There was very little mud even though it had rained quite a bit in the week prior. I didn't hardly walk at all other than up the steep hills. It definitely felt like I ran just the right race. I had a fun pack of older (I hope they don't read this blog, but mid to late 40s isn't "old", just way older than me! and it must say something about my slow pace when I end up consistently running in multiple races with the same pack of masters women!) women following my pace from the beggining so we ran together with me as the lead guy. By the end, it was only Debbie Webster (48) from near Kansas City, who could keep up. Oh, and I met another guy named Roy, I think, who has run 256 marathons and ultras and had plans on running another 50K the next day just a couple hours away. Now that's crazy!

I finished the 50K (31 miles) in 6:29:27, which averages out to slightly less than 12:30 miles. I've heard that in ultrarunning, a 12 minute mile is fairly respectable (maybe the equivalent of a 9-minute road mile or something?), so I'm almost there. It was my PR for the 50K by 37 minutes (Flatrock 07, 7:06). I finished 20th out of 39 finishers and 3rd in my age division of 20-29. Well, okay, there were only three of us anyway.

Allen Smelser finished too in 7:25, so we both feel trained, ready, and pumped for Monday's 100 mile Run for Missions.

Check out these great pictures of the event, thanks to Gary Henry and ultrastory.com:
http://ultrastory.com/Rock_creek_08_photos.htm

Check out Ultrastory.com!

News about my Heartland 100 mile finish made it into fellow ultra-runner and new respected friend with three 100-mile finishes including Leadville, Gary Henry's website, ultrastory.com.

See story at: http://ultrastory.com/unews.htm

*note than my previous longest run was actually the 100k (62 mile) finish in April at Free State Trail Run at Clinton Lake, where Allen Smelser and I finished about several minutes ahead of Gary! We knew Gary was coming up out of the woods in the pitch dark because even before we could see the light from his headlamp, we could hear him whistling the tune to "Rocky" as he crossed the finish line!

Monday, October 27, 2008

Give Me Your Eyes

I really liked this new song we learned yesterday at Crossroads.

"Give Me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath
LISTEN/WATCH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTsYAZvHsEQ

Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight
Touched down on the cold black tile
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos
All those people going somewhere?
Why have I never cared?

Chorus:
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten
yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide whats underneath
Theres a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He's out of work
He's buying time
all those people going somewhere?
Why have I never cared?

Chorus
I've been there a million times
A couple of million eyes just move and pass me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
Well I want a second glance
So give me a second chance
To see the way you see the people all alone
Chorus (x2)

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Round Table 2008

Round Table October 17 - 21, 2008
Youth Pastors and Leaders from Friends Church Mid America gathered at Quaker Ridge Camp

The Aspen trees are great this time of the year in Colorado

Great friends David & Megan Frazier (Youth Pastor at Miami, OK)

View of Pikes Peak from New Life Church where we attended Sunday morning

View of Pikes Peak from Quaker Ridge Camp where we had Round Table

Pikes Peak view from the top of Soldier Mountain which I climbed with Manny & Jenna Lee Garcia (Youth Pastor, Pratt, KS)



I don't know!

Heartland 100 Pictures


Nearing the aid station at mile 35

Running with my new friend Christina, from Washington


Kansas is not flat! The Kansas Flint Hills are beautiful!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Heartland 100 Report

Heartland 100 Report
October 11-12, 2008

The anticipation and excitement for the Heartland “Spirit of the Prairie” 100 mile run was intense. After the heartbreak at Leadville, the desire to finish and finish well was up an extra notch. The anticipation in the days leading up to the race was comparable to how I felt before my first marathon. I was thinking what will it feel like beyond mile 62? How much is this going to hurt? Will I be able to finish?

I drove the Mullen mini-RV to Cassody on Friday evening in time to pick up my race packet and find a parking space at the city park before dark. I ate my picnic supper and visited with other runners before going to bed. When my alarm when off at 4:30, my first thought was wait a minute, why am I doing this again? 100 miles! Adam, you really must be crazy!

It was chilly and windy at the 6:00 am start line with the 109 other starters in the 50 and 100 mile race. But I knew that within just a few minutes I’d warm up and be just fine in my short sleeve shirt and running shorts. Someone (it was dark) said “go” and we ran about ¼ mile on the highway before turning left onto a the rocky back roads. It would be another 99 ½ miles before we saw that the ¼ of pavement again.

The first hour which consisted of at least 5 miles was all in the dark. I didn’t want to carry a head lamp for several hours in the day light so I just followed a few other runners who had lights. The road wasn’t exactly “dirt”. I’d describe it as a sharp, rocky road. Many sections are more like rocky trail (a few parts almost as bad as Flatrock) than dirt road. The time and the miles began to fly by as I locked into a good pace and chatted with other runners. Once the sun came up, I realized I was running about the same pace as Christina from Washington. She was a really nice 57 year old lady, if I remember right, who reminded me (in personality and friendliness and perspective on life) of Brockie (Harvey) Follette from Iowa. If those two ladies met, they’d both see my comparison as a high compliment. Christina was very nice, very talkative, and very interesting. She has been a runner for 20 years and has logged 100 ultras and 70 marathons! She ended up only making it 50 miles this time because of a toe problem, but that 50 miles makes this her 100th ultra! Wow! I ran with her pretty much from the beginning until mile 42.

The day became very warm, with the highs around 80 degrees and very sunny. I used a bandana under my hat to shield my face and neck from the heat and sun. I carried a camelback strapped to my waist with water (and ice mid day!) to stay hydrated and keep cool. The every 5 or 6 mile aid stations had water and food that I constantly consumed to keep my energy level high. Matt Macy, Cal Leslie and Lyle Shaffer from Crossroads met me on their motorcycles at mile 35 snapping pictures (coming soon…) and giving me high-fives and encouragement. That was a great boost!

The scenery of the run in the Flint Hills of Chase County, Kansas was superb! Kansas is not flat. We saw way more cows that we did people during the course.

Allen Smelser, my good friend and running partner, who is to blame for all my participation in ultra-marathons, joined me with fresh legs at mile 42 ½. Not a moment too soon! My first troubled spot was about mile 48 where my energy level and resolve dropped and all I could do was think about “52 more miles”. But the saying “It Never Always Gets Worse” proved true again and after some chicken noodle soup and the ½ sloppy joe sandwich, energy and vitality and excitement and resolve came back and we picked up the pace, running fairly well between mile 52 and 65. My mom and brother came to visit me and joined me for about ¼ of a mile around mile 58. Andrew made a sign that said “Go Adam” and on the back it said “You’re Almost There!” What a cruel, funny joke! Their visit was encouraging as well.

About mile 64, I almost ran into a snake. I yelled and ran quickly around it and on up the hill. Allen, who apparently is not afraid of snakes, reached over to pick it up and right before touching it realized it was a rattlesnake! Needless to say, every stick or branch or line in the road was a snake for the next several hours of darkness. I jumped several more times at all the “snakes” I saw. At mile 65 we ate some Power Pellets as Dave, the aid station manager called them (beans and chili with meat) and took off again. We reached mile 75 by 1:00 am and were very encouraged by the time. Mile 75 through 83 went fine, with a huge downhill running section. During this stretch, around 2:00 am we began to feel sleepy. My eyes were heavy and I wished I could sleep. But for Allen, it was much worse! At least twice we were running down the road side by side and Allen started veering off sharply to the left. I said, “Allen, are you awake?” His answer both times was a “No”! Allen says he was sleepy until the sun came up. My sleepy spell thankfully lasted only 30 minutes. When I realized what was happening (sleepiness), I picked up the pace a little bit and that helped to increase the heart-rate and the sleepiness went away.

Mile 83 to 92 was the worst stretch. For some reason (haha “some reason”!?), these 9 miles were the most physically challenging part of the whole course for me. The hills were intense during this section and the rocks seemed to be sharp and way more frequent than the first time I covered that section the previous morning. Allen was walking and I was running just to keep up with his walk. My back decided not to straighten out for a while so I leaned over with both hands on my back just limpwalking/jogging along trying just trying to get to the next aid station. After what seemed like forever, I arrived at the aid station at mile 92 before dawn. I ate several pancakes and started getting excited about the finish line!

The last 8 miles were really fun. Although my legs and body hurt (especially my feet) with every step, I picked up the pace more and more as I got closer to the finish. I would guess that the last couple miles were close to 8-9 minute mile pace. Once I returned to the ¼ mile of highway, I ran as fast as a could across the finish line. It wasn’t a sprint, but it was pretty fast. Crossing that finish line was such a rush of emotion and excitement. As ridiculous as this sounds, I actually had the feeling that I wanted to keep going. (See FAQ #5)

Sprinting to the finish line!

I finished 33 out of 53 finishers (out of 67 starters) in the 100 mile with the time of 26:38:20. To see race results: http://www.ksultrarunners.org/hlresults08.pdf. Another interesting factoid is that the total elevation change in the 100 mile is about 6,000 feet. Kansas is not flat!


Limping to the front to receive my finishers belt buckle at the awards ceremony!

Visiting with Allen and Christina just after crossing the finish line!


Sitting in the tent after it was over!


Frequently Asked Questions
What did you eat?
During the course of the race I drank lots of water, some Gatorade-type fluids, mountain dew and coca-cola (for caffeine and sugar to stay awake). I ate several pretzels, M & Ms, GU and Powerbar gels, Pringles, orange slices, several bananas, cookies, PB&J sandwiches, chili, watermelon, cantaloupe, several cups of chicken noodle and ramen noodle soups, pancakes, and even a ½ sloppy joe sandwich and much more! Good thing I don’t eat like that every day! I also consumed an electrolyte replacement pill about every hour during the heat of the day and every other hour throughout the night.

Did you walk?
Yes, of course! The general practice in an ultra (unless you are an elite, I guess) is to try to run all the flats and down hills and walk all the up hills. I ran a lot in the first 50 miles. I walked quite a bit in the last 50 miles but was surprised about how much I did run, though the running pace in the last half is quite slow. A good rule is “don’t miss a chance to walk in the first half” (to conserve energy for the second half), and then its corollary conclusion is “and don’t miss a chance to run in the second half” (because it’s exponentially harder on your body in the second half). I certainly ran most of this 100 miles!

Did you ever stop or sleep?
Not me. I never slept, of course, though Allen may have caught a few zzz’s while running. You stop long enough to fill your water pack and grab some food. During the middle of the night at a couple of the age stations, I did sit down for a couple minutes to eat my soup.

Was this your “Run for Missions” fundraiser?
No. While it does seem crazy to try to run 100 miles twice in the span of 3 weeks, Heartland and the “Run for Missions” are two separate events. The “Run for Missions” starts at 6:30 am on Monday, November 3rd. Allen Smelser and I plan to run all the way from the Friends Ministry Center in Wichita to the campus of Barclay College in Haviland to raise money for Friends Missionary student scholarships. We’ve received over $9,200 in pledges already and our goal is to get well over $10,000!

Are you crazy?
Well, maybe. But this 100 mile run was a whole lot of fun and I honestly can’t wait to do it again! I love running marathons so I figured, why not try to run four of them back to back all in one day!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

CHARLES W. SNYDER 1933–2008

Charles Snyder, was born on August 22, 1933 at Bentley, Kansas, the son of Berley E. and Roxie S. Pauley Snyder.
He retired from the Morton Salt Co. after 20 years and later worked for Reno Country Area Transit for four years. He was a driver for Roadrunner Driveaway at the time of Death. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, and attended the Union Valley Bible Church in Hutchinson.
He married Haruko "Tiny" Tanaka on August 15th, 1957 in Fukuoka, Japan; and to them one son was born Mark. Tiny died on August 4, 1996. Charlie later married Linda Folle on August 27th, 2008 in Hutchinson. She survives.

Other survivors are his son Mark and his wife Cindy of Hutchinson, a brother James Fuller of Hutchinson, and grandchildren, Adam, Alicia and Alexia Morales all of Hutchinson. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister Irene E. Paulson.

Monday, October 13, 2008

100 Miles!

I finished the Heartland 100 mile run Sunday morning in 26 hours and 28 minutes. What a fun, exhilarating, challenging, and awesome experience! A full report to come later...

Friday, October 10, 2008

"Strategery" For Tomorrow

Allen Smelser called early this morning as he has been doing the math, calculating 100 mile splits and estimated finish times and all that for tomorrow's run. He said,

"Adam, are you ready to listen to this old guy's advice, one who's completed successfully this 100 mile course before? Are you willing to be coached? Well, listen here young man/kid/young punk/sonny boy, if you want to finish this thing and finish well, then heed this advice.
Start out slow the first 50 miles. It's okay to average 14 minute miles running slowly on all the flats and walking all the inclines in the first half. If you have anything left after mile 60, we'll speed up! Remember, if you want to finish, take it slow the first half! See you at mile 44!"

So, yes, indeed, I will try to follow Allen's advice. I am also excited that he is joining me a mile 44 and plans to accompany me all the way to the end. Allen has told me before that the middle of the night, between 3:00 am and daylight is the hardest part and the best time to have good company.

The weather report is in: lows on Saturday morning and Sunday morning near 60, and highs on Saturday afternoon near 80, with around a 20 mph south wind. Chance of thunderstorms only 30% starting 3:00 am Sunday. This is a warm forecast for October and as it will be mostly sunny with a south wind, it will feel hot. Even 60 is above the ideal for running temperatures even for the low. I imagine the trick tommorrow will be staying hydrated and not getting sunburned which drains your energy.

No One Can Snatch Anyone Out Of My Hand

Isaiah 43:10-13 NLT

“But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the Lord.
"You are my servant.
You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God.
There is no other God—there never has been, and there never will be.
I, yes I, am the Lord, and there is no other Savior.
First I predicted your rescue, then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world.
No foreign god has ever done this.
You are witnesses that I am the only God,” says the Lord.
“From eternity to eternity I am God.
No one can snatch anyone out of my hand.
No one can undo what I have done.”

Charles Snyder Obit; Praying for Linda

My aunt Linda's husband of one month and life companion of 5+ years died in a vehicle accident on September 23rd.

Please pray for Linda's as she greives and figures out her next steps in life including all living and life arrangements.

See Obituary for Charlie who is known, loved, and respected by all in my family as a good man. We are thankful for his care and love to Linda during the past years.

http://www.elliottmortuary.com/index.cfm

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Trying To Follow Jesus

From Pastor Rob Bell:

As a Christian, I am simply trying to orient myself around living a particular kind of way, the kind of way that Jesus taught is possible. And I think that the way of Jesus is the best possible way to live. This isn't irrational or primitive or blind faith. It is merely being honest that we are all livin ga 'way'. I'm convinced being generous is a better way to live... I'm convinced compassion is a better way to live. I'm convinced pursuing peace in every situation is a better way to live. ... This way of thinking isn't weird or strange; it is simply acknowledging that everybody follows somebody and I'm trying to follow Jesus."

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Tired of the Election? Spoof It!

This is just great!

Saturday Night Live's spoof of the Vice-Presidential debate:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/04/tina-fey-as-sarah-palin-i_n_131964.html

Friday, October 3, 2008

Run for Missions Update: One Month Away!

The dates for the "Run for Missons" have been set for (changed to) Monday, November 3rd leaving from Wichita, from the Friends Ministry Center and arriving at Barclay College on Tuesday morning, November 4th mid- morning, with a ceremonial finishing time of 10:30 am on Barclay's campus.

The Latest "Run for Missions" Flyer:
http://efcmaym.org/Run%20for%20Missions%20Oct%2008%20flyer%20_2_.pdf

Information on the Current Recipients of this Scholarship: http://efcmaym.org/ScholarshipRecepientBios.pdf

To See the Planned Route/Course: http://www.mapquest.com/mq/9-eRaw
[The final planned course is actually 103.53 miles (to avoid all major highways, etc.)]

Creating Community

Creating Community: 5 Keys to Building a Small Group Culture
by Andy Stanley and Bill Willits

The only numeric goal we have ever set for our ministry was in the area of small-group participation. Why? We really do believe that life change happens within the context of intentional relationships. And since our mission as a church centers on life change, we decided to lean the entire relationship in the direction of groups. P14

Groups don’t really impact a local church until they become part of a church’s culture. And that begins with senior leadership. P14

The kind of connections we need are more than casual. Casual connections aren’t life-giving. They can’t provide what Jesus dreams for and what He died for. They can’t provide the kind of oneness with God or oneness with each other that makes the world take notice. The kind that God uses in the hearts of people. The kind that transforms lives. Only the church in community can display that kind of relational oneness…That is what God has called the church to be about: creation environments where authentic community can take place. Building relational, transforming communities where people are experiencing oneness with God and oneness with one another. Communities that are so satisfying, so unique, and so compelling that they create thirst in the watching world. P45

Answering the question Where do you want people to go? allows you to clarify the “win” for your organization. Regrettably, many churches are not clear on what a win looks like for them, so they don’t know how to go about achieving the win. P72

Becoming crystal clear on what you are trying to do is critical for any group or organization. Without clarity an organization becomes pointless. Getting clear begins when we answer three important questions:
What do we want people to become?
What do we want them to do?
Where do we want them to go?
Answering these questions is vital for gaining clarity of mission and strategy. These are issues all leaders need to be clear on. Crystal clear. P78

Andy Stanley and Bill Willits answer the question: Why Groups at North Point?
1. Groups support our evangelism strategy
-our small-group approach supports, rather than competes with, our “invest and invite” evangelism strategy. We encourage our attendees to invest in the lives of unbelievers and then invite them to a relevant ministry environment.
-some want to belong before they are willing to believe
-people are naturally cared for best by those who know them best
-as we involve more people in leadership, this enables us to utilize a broader range of spiritual gifts

2. Groups enable more people to serve
-groups strategy has freed up adult attendees from choosing whether to serve on Sunday morning or attend a class

3. Groups help develop authentic community
-small groups are most effective place for people to experience authentic community
-home environment is more warm and inviting than sterile classroom setting

4. Groups offer maximum-flexibility
-groups can schedule around their own personal schedules
-flexibility of both when and where and they can rotate among homes

5. Groups allow us to be better stewards
-groups strategy requires fewer church-owned and maintained facilities which frees up money for other areas
-not spending millions on space that stays empty most of the week

6. Groups remove the primary limits to growth
-such as space and parking
P94-98

100 Reasons to Taper

A week from Saturday at 6:00 am I'll depart on my second attempt at a successful 100-mile ultra-marathon run finish. The race is called "Heartland: Spirit of the Prarie". The race starts near Cassody in the Flint Hills of Kansas.

Here is a link to an inspiring promotional video all about the race: http://www.upinthere.com/movies/heartland.htm

Thankfully, Allen Smelser will be meeting me with fresh legs to pace me for the second half of the race and all throughout the night.

I guess I have at least 100 reasons to take it easy, rest, and taper for the next week! I am very pumped!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Flatrock 2008

Last Saturday September 27th, I ran the Flatrock 50-kilometer trail run. Flatrock race director, Eric Steele, advertises his race as the “the first, toughest and best trail ultra in the state of Kansas”! It is certainly the toughest course of all the ultra-trail courses I’ve run during this last year.

In the pre-race briefing, Eric Steele asks runners not to come back to him after crossing the finish line whining about how tough it is. He says: "If you whine you will be openly scorned and ridiculed. If you need to whine call your mom or call someone who cares."

This is my second year in a row to run Flatrock. In 2007, Flatrock was my first ultra-marathon distance ever. This year it was equally fun but perhaps doubly hard (even though the course was in much better shape this year than last) – but I really don’t know why. I finished over an hour faster last year although I believe I am in even better shape this year. Some suggest it was because of my mileage lately and the fact that I ran two races last weekend – caaaaan’t be! Nothing went wrong, nothing was hurting, just lacked the drive to push harder so I basically took it easy in the second half of the event.

The Flatrock course consists of lots and lots of rocks underfoot. I lost track at the number of times I tripped or stubbed my toes at like 30 (in the first half of the course). The course is an out an back of 15 and ½ miles each way. Somehow it appears that more rocks and hills appear on the way back. I even saw a 2 1/2 ft brown snake on the trail and let out a frozen, frightened, yelp!

Allen Smelser finished 30 minutes faster than me (go figure!?) for the second year in a row. As is apparently now a tradition, Jesse and a couple of his students from Northridge accompanied us on the trip. I was also joined for the Friday/Saturday weekend by Eric Linville, Pastor at Ramona Friends Church which is in Oklahoma just south of the Elk City Resorvoir/Lake where the race is held. Eric joined me for the last four miles. Eric was my roommate at Barclay my senior year and is a good friend. Jesse was responsible to bring the tent. He brought it and it is a very nice big tent. He forgot the poles. So we slept on instead of in the tent on the gravel driveway to the tent camping site. Sleeping on rocks is not really a feasible solution to a night’s rest – just to set the record straight.

There is something about Flatrock that while it at first beats you up, after you heal you are so much stronger. I look forward to a good fall of running because Flatrock beat me up this year.

Flatrock 08 results: http://flatrock50.org/results/2008results.php

I don’t have any clue why but I’ve already registered for Flatrock 09. Okay, now I admit I am nuts!

Today Is Not That Day

I have a new inspiring mantra (found in October's "Runner's World") for running:

There will come a day when I cannot do this. Today is not that day!

So get out there and run! Moreover, you can't find perfecter weather than this. Warm or cool, not too hot or cold, dry and pleasant. Go, go, go!