Merry Christmas 2015!

The Monaghan Christmas letter can be found here: http://www.bentleyfarm.org/2015/12/greetings-from-sarah-angell-monaghan.html

3rd Annual KUS 6/12/24 Hour Run || Race Director's Report

3rd Annual KUS 6/12/24 Hour Run

Race Director's Report

Timed events are weird and unusual. Seems like they are making a sort of a comeback in the last few years with new races popping up. The mental challenge seems to be the hardest part, especially for those attempting 24 hours and 100 miles. As a race director the logistics of a timed event on a 1.35 mile loop course couldn’t get any easier. But surprisingly there is still plenty to do all year to pull of a successful event, which I believe this year’s event was indeed!

The 3^rd annual Kansas Ultrarunners’ Society 6/12/24 Hour Run was held Saturday, November 14 at Chapin Park in south Wichita, Kansas. The city park has a 1.35 mile loop of mostly gravel and dirt on top of an old city landfill. The weather this year was similar to 2013, warm and windy during the day. The night temperatures were chilly and windy but moderately nice for the time of year.

We had registrants from 9 states and Canada. 25 buckles were awarded altogether including 6 in the 24 hour which is the most ever by far! The highest mileage this year was 109 miles. A great blog report from the 100-Mile Finisher from Nebraska, Jeff Gregg: bostonbounddad.blogspot.com/2015/11/kus-24-hour-100-mile-run.html. Full results from 2015 Race: ozendurance.net/race-results/3rd-annual-kus-61224-hour-run-wichita-ks/. 

Of course my favorite part of the race is the runners. People who show up to a timed loop course event like this are the best of the best that the ultrarunning world has to offer, in my opinion. They are gracious, grateful, fun and a little crazy too. We had plenty of excellent volunteers help out this year and Sherri Rider once again captained the aid station for the whole 24 hours!

Dates for the 4^th annual race have been tentatively set for Saturday, November 14^th. The location will be determined later. A few changes to 2016 include quarter zip jackets for all entrants (instead of long sleeve shirt) and participant awards for everyone who at least completes a 50K. The same great buckle will be at the finish line for 50K, 50 mile and 100 mile. I hope to be able to return the race to Buffalo Park but don’t know yet what the new condition of the park and trail will be after the new construction there is complete. Hopefully we will know by early next year.

Pictures from 2015 and periodic updates for 2016 available on our Facebook page:  facebook.com/61224HourRunKUS.

Linda Sue Folle Snyder

My sister Linda was 48 years old when she died. For 40 of those years she was very independent. She went where she wanted with whom she wanted and for whatever reason she chose. She wasn't afraid to go to new places or experience new things. She was more bold than I ever was in going to class reunions and being in the center of a party. The last eight years of her life, after her husband died, she was a little less mobile and that's when our relationship began to grow. She depended more on others to get around and we were often called into service. There were times I didn't want to make the drive to Hutch to help out but I was always glad I did. I came to love her in a way I didn't think possible. I loved how she thought I had hung the moon and how she depended on me, especially in times medical things were happening. 

She thought I knew everything about everything. :-) She was childlike and adult like all at the same time. She watched the news and often called to give us her spin on it (usually it was about half fact and the rest she just filled in on her own). She kept us abreast of current weather conditions, both here and in New York where Adam's wife Sarah has family. There really was never a dull moment. Her voicemails left us in fits of laughter at times...she went from chastising us for not returning her phone calls to dispensing advice gleaned from the Dr, Oz show all in the same day.

My sister also loved funerals. I'm not sure why but something about death and dying intrigued her. She went to many funerals and probably weaseled her way into many a funeral dinner. Linda would have loved this celebration today...the songs, the flowers, the people gathered to celebrate her life. she would love that her sisters were loved and supported by others. 

It was a privilege being her big sister. I will definitely miss her and our family will miss her as well. But I do know she is in a better place and her childlike faith was surely welcomed when she met Jesus face to face.

-Jill Smith (Linda's older sister and my Mom)

Marathon/Ultramarathon Archive Update 2016

Up-to-date list. Goal: all 50 states before age 40.

Marathons

1. Wichita Marathon October 2003
2. Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon April 2004
3. Dallas White Rock Marathon December 2004
4. Chicago Marathon October 2005
5. New York City Marathon November 2006
6. Oklahoma Marathon (Tulsa) November 2006
7. Salt Lake City Marathon April 2007
8. Andy Payne Memorial Marathon (OKC) May 2007
9. Heart of America Marathon (Columbia, Missouri) September 2007
10. Marine Corps Marathon (Washington D.C.) October 2007
11. St. Jude Marathon (Memphis, Tennessee) December 2007
12. Olathe Marathon (KS) March 2008
13. Mountain Home Marathon (Arkansas) November 2008
14. Thunder Road Marathon (Charlotte, NC) December 2008
15. Salt Lake City Marathon April 2009
16. Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon April 2009
17. Los Angeles Marathon May 2009
18. Kansas City Marathon October 2009
19. Eisenhower (Abilene, KS) Marathon April 2010
20. Fargo Marathon May 2010
21. Rock Creek Night Marathon July 2010 Trail Marathon PR of 5:10
22. Kansas City Marathon PR 3:27 October 2010
23. Eisenhower Marathon April 2011
24. Oz Marathon (Olathe, KS) April 2011
25. Lincoln (NE) Marathon May 2011
26. Hawk Marathon (trails, Clinton Lake, Lawnrence, KS) May 2011
27. Grizzly Marathon (Choteau, MT) July 2011
28. Kansas City Marathon October 2011
29. Des Moines, IA Marathon October 2011 (back-to-back)
30. Eisenhower Marathon April 2012
31. Garmin Marathon (Olathe) April 2012
32. Andy Payne Memorial (OKC) May 2012
33. Old Farts Trail Marathon (Michigan) August 2012
34. Drake Well Marathon (Pennslyvania) August 2012
35. Self-Transcendence Marathon (New York) August 2012
36. Bob Ardrey Marathon (Salina, KS) September 2012
37. Kansas City Marathon October 2012
38. Eisenhower Marathon (Abilene, KS) April 2013
39. Garmin Marathon April 2013
40. Lincoln Marathon May 2013
41. Country Roads Marathon May 2013
42. Cove Island State Park (Connecticut) Marathon August 2013
43. Garmin Marathon April 2014
44. Storm the Dam Trail Marathon (El Dorado, KS) June 2014
45. Leading Ladies Marathon (Spearfish, SD; female only race) August 2014
46. New York City Marathon November 2014
47. Garmin Marathon April 2015
48. Orange County Marathon (CA) May 2015
49. Storm the Dam Trail Marathon June 2015
50. Mt. Sneffels Marathon (Ouray, CO) August 2015
51. Prairie Fire Marathon October 2015
52. Kansas City Marathon October 2015
53. Day of the Dead (Mainly Marathons) (New Mexico) November 2015
54. Revel Canyon City Marathon (Azusa, CA) November 2015
55. Route 66 Marathon (Tulsa, OK) November 2015
56. Honolulu Marathon (Hawaii) December 2015
57. Rockin' K Marathon April 2016
58. Garmin Marathon April 2016
59. Mainly Marathons New England Series - Massachusetts May 2016
60. Mainly Marathons New England Series - Rhode Island May 2016
61. Mainly Marathons Appalachian Series - South Carolina October 2016

Ultra-marathons

1. Flatrock September 50K 2007
2. Psycho-Wyco Ice-Version 50K Februrary 2008
3. Cross Timbers 50-Mile (Texas) February 2008
4. Rockin' K 50-Mile April 2008
5. Free State 100K April 2008
6. Psycho-Wyco Fire-Version 50K July 2008
7. Lunar Trek 40 Mile July 2008
   Leadville Trail 100 (DNF at 50 Mile) August 2008
8. Flatrock 50K September 2008
9. Heartland 100 Mile October 2008
10. Rock Creek 50K October 2008
11. Run for Missions 103.9 miles November 2008
12. One Hill at a Time 50K December 2008
13. Kansas Ultrarunners Society Members Only Flint Hills 50 mile March 2009                    Rockin' K April 2009 (DNF mile 36)
14. Free State 40 Mile April 2009
15. Lunar Trek 100K July 2009
    Leadville Trail 100 (DNF at 50Kish) August 2009
16. Flatrock 50K September 2009
17. Heartland 100 Mile October 2009
18. Rock Creek 50K October 2009
19. Run for Missions 104.2 miles November 2009
20. One Hill at a Time 50K November 2009
21. Rockin' K 50 mile April 2010
22. Free State 100K April 2010
23. Moonlight Madness 50 Miler July 2010
24. Patriots' Run (53 miles) September 2010
25. Flatrock 50K September 2010
26. Heartland 100 October 2010 (PR 22:22)
27. Run for Missions 104.2 miles November 2010
28. Grasslands 50 mile (trail PR of 10:52) March 2011
29. Rockin' K 50 mile April 2011
30. Free State 100K (13:01) April 2011
31. Lunar Trek 40 Miles July 2011
    Canadian Death Race 125K (DNF at about 45 miles) July 2011
32. Flatrock 50K September 2011
33. Heartland 100 October 2011
34. Run for Missions 104.2 October 2011
35. Cross Timbers Trail 50 (Lake Texoma, TX) February 2012
36. Brew to Brew 44 miles (KC to Lawrence) April 2012
37. Rockin' K 50 Mile Trail April 2012
38. Lake Perry Rocks 50K May 2012
39. Moonlight Madness 50 Miler (Tulsa) July 2012
40. Psycho Summer 50K July 2012
41. Flatrock 50K September 2012
    Heartland 100 (DNF at 75 miles) October 2012
42. Run for Missions 104.2 November 2012
Prairie Spirit 100 Mile Run (DNF at 71 miles)

43. Rockin' K 50 Miler April 2013
44. Flatrock 101K April 2013
45. Patriots Run 9:11 Run (39 Miles) September 2013
46. Flatrock 50K September 2013
47. Heartland 100 October 2013
48. Run for Missions 100 October 2013 (storm-shortened at 87 miles)
49. One Hill at a Time 50K November 2013
50. Free State Trail Ultras 40 Mile April 2014
51. Patriot's Run (46 miles) September 2014
52. Flatrock 50K September 2014
53. Heartland 100 October 2014
54. Run for Missions 100.2 November 2014
55. Kansas Ultrarunners' Society 6-hour run (32 miles) November 2014
56. Ultracentric 24 Hour run (50 miles) Grapevine, TX November 2014
57. Twisted Turkey 50K Indiana November 2014
58. TATURS 6 Hour Snake Run (34 miles) March 2015
59. Rockin' K 50 Miler April 2015
60. Flatrock 50K September 2015
61. Kansas Rails to Trails Fall Ultra Extravaganza 100 Mile (Epic Ultras) October 2015
62. Run for Missions 100 Mile Fundraiser Run November 2015 (23:08)
63. Psycho Wyco 50K February 2016
64. North Fork 50K (Colorado) June 2016
65. Minnesota Voyageur 50 Mile (Duluth, MN) August 2016
66. Patriots Run (40 Miles) September 2016
67. Flatrock 50K September 2016
68. Heartland 100 October 2016
69. Run for Missions 100 Mile Fundraiser Run October 2016
70. Kansas Ultrarunners' Society 6 Hour Run (32 miles)

61 marathons in 30 states 
70 ultramarathons 

131` Marathons & Ultramarathons as of 11/12/16

Heartland 100 DNF 2012

Heartland 100 DNF

It seems totally ridiculous to write a blog report about a race that was over three months ago, and especially one that I DNF’d at. Nevertheless, I have been faithful (I think) to blog about all my long ultras and I wanted to sit down and think about it to articulate and record what I could learn from it.

I have finished the Heartland 100 mile run four straight years, 2008-2011. I was (and still am) shooting for 10 finishes and the 1,000-mile buckle.  I was also endeavoring to be the first 1,000-mile buckler to do it in 10 consecutive years. Guess I have to start over!

The Heartland 100 is one of my favorite weekends of the year. It is one of about 3 “non-negotiable” race weekends that I block out on my calendar each year. Of course, I love it and I hate it but I mostly love it! J

I’ve had some decent finishes as well as at least one really slow finish there in past years but I’ve never had any significant reasons to worry about not finishing. It’s been really hot and its been really cold before and we’ve had a few little showers here and there in my years running Heartland, but 2012 was…a bit different.

All week leading up we saw the threat of severe weather right over the site of the 50 mile out and back course across the Flint Hill prairies of Kansas, including serious concerns of big hail and even tornadoes. Knowing this course, the thought of all of that makes me shudder a bit…nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.

Anyway, the run started at 6am with mild temps and we made it to almost the first 8-mile aid station before the rain and storms began…and then most of the next 42 miles consisted of heavy rain with lightning and thunder. Other than the fear of the lightning and just kind of the annoyance of being wet all day, the rain kept the temperature mild and I never put on a long sleeve or rain jacket shell until right about when darkness set in.

I ran with my new friend Thomas Stanley for most of the first 50 miles until I just couldn’t quite hold his pace once his freshly energized pacers showed up at Matfield Green. After finishing the first 50 in 10 hours, Thomas went on to finish in right at 21 hours, which is totally amazing. I left Eric Steele’s Lone Tree Aid Station at 10 hours and 10 minutes of elapsed time still feeling good. When I got back to Matfield Green…it was pouring rain…again. I was starting to feel demoralized from it but physically I was still feeling fine. I took my socks and shoes off for the 3^rd time to dry off my wrinkled and soggy skin, apply vasoline to my blisters that were forming slowly all day (from the friction from wet socks over 58 miles) and put on dry socks. At this point I still wasn’t worried about finishing as I my legs still felt fine.

I returned to Ridge Line (62 miles) still in good spirits. Ate some of Gary Henry’s protein bean soup and set out on the next stretch. My pace had slowed some and I was tired but it was still nothing out of the ordinary.

The out of ordinary began as I left Texaco Hill…something was really off under my left foot. I’ve had blisters before (not any for at least 3 years though) and they can hurt but overall they’ve never been a big deal for me. From Texaco Hill to Teterville this blister basically raised up and became a really big deal. It was about the size of a silver dollar and about a half inch thick and growing. Eventually it became non-weight bearing where I basically couldn’t stand on it, of course let alone run on it. This means for nearly 6 miles I limped, placing the weight of my body on that side on the outside of my foot. By the time I got to Teterville I was a wreck. My back and hips were tweaked from walking funny and my pace was pathetic, probably at one point down to 45 miles/mile as I limped/hobble-stepped into the aid station at 75 miles. I changed shoes and socks again but as my wife and mom looked at the foot, we couldn’t really see or feel the blister, due to the soggy soaked feet. We basically thought that maybe it had popped itself. I left from the aid station and walked (hobbled) down to the stop sign and realized that there was no way I was going to make it the last 25 miles in about 12 hours. I hate the feeling of a DNF. It’s discouraging and depressing and demoralizing. I still felt fine in my legs and believe that if it weren’t for the blister (s), I would have finished strong and well. Anyway, we drove home in a pathetic state.

The next day, my doctor friend lanced the blister and basically cut it off. It hurt worse for about 3 days. But it was healed on the 4^th day and I ran 3 miles to test it out…because on the 5^th day I was scheduled to run the KC Marathon as a pacer, 3:45 at that. I ran a perfect race in 3:45:02 and felt great...

What did I learn from this DNF? I’m not sure entirely to honest. Running all day in the rain isn’t fun? I guess I could put even more vasoline in potentially problematic areas of my feet and change my socks even more? I am open to advice about how to proactively deal with this in the future. I have business to attend to in 2013 at the Heartland 100 and another buckle and hoodie to earn!

2011 and prior Heartland 100 reports: http://www.adammonaghan.blogspot.com/2011/10/heartland-100-2011.html. 

BOOK REVIEW: Eat & Run by Scott Jurek

Eat & Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness

By Scott Jurek

 

I just finished yesterday the book Eat & Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness by Scott Jurek. I loved it! Once I got into the middle part I couldn’t put it down. And once I finished it, I went out to do, of course, a fast 5 miles in the cool Kansas air to let it all sink in.

I highly recommend this book to all my running, marathon, and especially ultramarathon friends. I add this to the list of my favorite ultramarathon autobiographies that I’ve read and among the most informative, reflective, and inspiring (though they are all inspiring).

As with any book, I don’t advocate everything his says, nor do I aspire to be just like Scott Jurek. But I respect the guy and his accomplishments and what he has learned about life and about himself because of and while running, competing and pushing himself.

I also am challenged in new ways about the use of food and how it affects the body. I don’t necessarily want to become a vegan like Scott Jurek, but I do want to take how I eat and what I put into my body at least half as seriously as how I burn it off.

 

Run for Missions 2012 Official Report

Run for Missions 5K, 10K, Half-Marathon

The 2012 Run for Missions events are all now successfully completed. The fundraising process will continue through the end of the year, but the biggest final push is in the next few days as the original goal was to have all pledges made by November 15^th! We are still boldly shooting for our goal of $25,000 to fund the Scholarship and Missions Support Fund. The deadline has been extended and we can receive those funds all the way through the end of the year (postmarked by December 31^st). If you want to support the Run for Missions with a gift per mile, please send a check payable to EFCMAYM, memo Run for Missions, 2018 W. Maple St., Wichita, KS 67213.

The 3^rd Annual 5K, 10K, and Half-Marathon Run for Missions events were held on a blustery cold Saturday, October 27 in Haviland. The temperature at the starting line was in the mid-20s with a light wind from the south. 144 runners lined up to participate in three events, first a half-marathon starting at 8am and then the 5K and 10K events starting at 9am. The races attracted runners from Haviland, Pratt, Wichita and other cities from around Kansas. The race was sponsored by area businesses including Origins Coffeehouse of Haviland, Traci Ballard’s Gymnastics and Dance Studio, Haviland Telephone Company, Farmer’s Cooperative Company, and GoRun Wichita running store. New in 2012 were finisher’s medals for all half-marathon finishers and ribbons for all 5K and 10K finishers. Also new this year was chip timing for all three events. Chip timing is a computer generated system that tracks each runner with a coded chip on their shoe as they cross the finish line for a very accurate finish time recorded. The timing services were contracted by TATUR (Tulsa Area Trail and Ultra Running) Timing. The finish line is under a large inflatable chute with a ten foot Run for Missions banner hanging over it.

A simple course change near the Mile 3 marker made this year go really smoothly. The runners in the 10K and Half-Marathon had to battle some soft sand on the country dirt roads but they got to enjoy the beautiful Kansas prairie scenery and hills. But first they were hosted by friendly volunteers holding encouraging signs and even playing the bagpipes!

Half-marathon finishers finished in a wide range from an hour and 16 minutes to just over 3 hours. An awards assembly was held at 10:45am sharp presenting awards to the top three males and females in each event. Then a random raffle was held to give away the remaining prizes. The race prizes (cookies, cakes, pies, brownies, and fresh homemade desserts!) and hospitality were provided by Friends Women missionary groups from Argonia, Derby, Haviland, Hutchinson, Northridge, Pratt, Rose Hill, University Friends.

A few 2012 t-shirts are left for purchase at cost.

We are already looking forward to the 2013 Run for Missions events and with the dates to be released soon.

Run for Missions 100 Mile Fundraiser Run

The 5^th Annual 100 Mile Fundraiser Run was held on a hot and windy November 9^th and into the morning of the 10^th. The temperatures hit the mid-80s during the heat of the day, producing record highs. The finish line was reached just after the sun came up on a cool breezy Saturday morning.

Mike Neifert and Adam Monaghan set out at 5am from 2018 W. Maple St, the Friends Ministry Center, with three pacers (Taylor Johnson, Jeff Kinniburgh, and Marc Compton) on the 104 mile quest to Haviland. We wound through the streets of Wichita, up to Central, over to Zoo Boulevard, and then headed west on 21^st straight west for 50 miles before turning south on a country dirt road. Mike was accompanied by his crew vehicle operated by Greg and Isaac Garrison. My crew vehicle was operated by my wife, Sarah.  The third crew vehicle was the church van driven by Frank Penna, assisted most of the day by Marc Compton, whose job was to take help the pacers find the runners and then find their cars after pacing.

The first 25 miles were uneventful other than the wind. Our early morning shift pacers dropped off after mile 10 and Mike and I ran alone most of the way until mile 50. We were joined for an hour by a young boy on a bike from my church, Ky Leslie.

Mile 25-50 was were the run got pretty intense with full sun exposure, the heat soaring into the 80s, and an intense wind that gusted up to 40-50 mph at times. The miles, pain, heat, sun, and dehydration took it’s toll on Mike and he had decided to end his run at 50 miles.

See Mike Neifert’s full report of his experience this year at the Run for Missions. Mike is a brave hero and dedicated runner and even more important, a champion for the cause of missions.
The conditions were taking a serious toll on me as well. It took me about 10 hours and 30 minutes to complete the first 50 miles, slightly longer than normal. Heat and dehydration usually leads to nausea. This day was no exception. By mile 63 I had to vomit. Ironically, this is the third year in a row (of 5 total years of completing the 100 mile run) where I have puked for missions! J And it always seems to happen somewhere around the 60-70 mile mark.

I was joined by a whole host of pacers from mile 55 – 80 including Tim Hawkins, Dan from Pratt on a mountain bike with a spotlight to light the way for all the runners, Nate Dipman, Ryan Kendall, Matthew Schafer, Andy Bowman, Gabe Hancock, Ellen Sigley, Dwight Smitherman, David Frietas, and Jake Spencer. Each running different sections provided encouragement, motivation and company.

After the long bout with nausea for nearly 15 miles, by mile 70 I was running consistently again. Our team clicked off mile after mile as we could see the lights of Pratt pulling us in. We arrived at Pratt Friends Church and used the facility as the final aid station, at mile 81, before heading into the country for the final 23 miles to Haviland. On the west side of Pratt we encountered a train that was stopped on the tracks. We waited 10 minutes but knew that we had to find a way around or we were going to freeze up and fall asleep. So we actually drove around the section to the other side of the tracks and ran from there. About 30 minutes later we heard the train start to move.

The final 23 miles are always some of the most challenging and most exhilarating times. On one hand you are so close but on the other hand even the smallest number of miles begins to feel so psychologically overwhelming when you’ve already put on 80/90 miles on your legs. I was joined by 4 individuals who all ran ultra of their own in pacing me to the finish: Gabe and Andy – 45 miles, David 30 miles, Ellen 35 miles. We were also rejoined by Mike Neifert who had thrown up, had a shower and something to eat and drink. He helped provide crew and support and driving all the way to the end!

About 2 miles from Haviland the sun came up on Saturday morning.  The sun seemed to give me that final boost of energy I needed to finish strong. We ran pretty well all the way from Pratt but those last few miles were pretty fast, comparatively speaking. Running into Haviland was again once a thrill. It never gets old. Finishing 104 miles takes so much determination and persistence. I was overjoyed to cross the finish line with the 4 other ultra-marathoners and 50 mile runner Mike Niefert. Our crew, and family and a few other friends and well-wishers were there to cheer us on. We quickly went to host homes to shower, eat and sleep.

The Finish Line: 103.9 Miles

The Sunrise on Saturday Morning

As I limped around weary and tired for the next 24 hours I was just overwhelmed with gratitude for all the support and prayers and, as always, most of all for the donors who sacrifice to give to this cause. 5 years of the Run for Missions down, and 5 years to go…that seems to be the way this whole thing is working out. Here’s to making 2013-2017 the best 5 yet. Until next year… J

 

Speaking of Jesus

"Speaking of Jesus: the Art of Non-Evangelism" by Carl Medearis is definitely one of my new favorite books of all time and definitely my favorite of 2012. A great call to make my life and ministry speak of Jesus, not about Jesus or anything else. Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book:

“Because we’re Christians, we unfortunately feel we have to own up to Christendom. We believe that we are responsible for the entire history of Christian faith and that it’s our job to explain everything.” 39

“In my experience, sharing Jesus is not all that difficult, even in a hostile environment. I don’t tell people that they’re sinning and that they’re going to go to hell unless they believe what I believe. I just talk about Jesus. If, on the other hand, we believe that the gospel is a systematic explanation of Christianity, we have to own up to all the faults and failures of Christian history, while convincing people that Christianity really is better than whatever they believe.” 46-47

“I believe that the gospel and the religion of Christianity can be two different messages. Even opposed on some points. When we preach Christianity, we have to own it. When we preach Jesus, we don’t have to own anything. Jesus owns us. We don’t have to defend Him. We don’t even have to explain Him. All we have to do is point with our fingers, like the blind man in the book of John, and say, “There is Jesus. All I know is that He touched me, and where I was once blind, now I see.” 47-48

“We have to open our eyes to the possibility that we’re preaching the wrong message. We’re busy trying to find the boundary line that separates the saved from the unsaved and trying to bring people across that boundary by convincing them to think like we do. Here in the West, reason is king. We have doctrines and apologetics and really nifty devices to solidify the right thoughts. If it doesn’t make sense, it’s not relevant.” 48

“I don’t want to redefine salvation. I don’t want to redefine the gospel or even Christianity on the whole. I suppose I want to undefined them. I want to strip away the thousands of years of graffiti painted onto the gospel, turning it into a reasonable code of doctrines. The gospel is not an idea. It is not a belief. It is not a favorite verse. The gospel does not live in your church, it cannot be written down in a simple message, and it is not the sinner’s prayer. The gospel is not a what. It is not a how. The gospel is a Who. The gospel is literally the good news of Jesus. Jesus is the gospel.” 48-49

“…The gospel lies in the person of Jesus, that he himself is the Good News, that my one task was to live and to present him. My task was simplified.” 55

“What if we were to take Jesus at His word --- “I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32 NKJV)? What if our complicated explanations are wrong, not because they are incorrect, but because they do not constitute the person of Jesus?” 55

“The gospel is not a debate or a list of things to believe. The gospel is a person. Jesus Christ is the gospel. He is the truth. He is the point. He embodies all of the salvation/redemption/forgiveness/freedom stuff Himself, and because He is a personality, He does not require doctrinal mastery to connect with an individual.” 56

When we stand inside the circle, trying to get people “into the kingdom,” we mistakenly do two things wrong. First, we try to “download” the right definitions, doctrines, and beliefs into the brains of people who don’t know the apostle Peter from Homer Simpson. By doing that, we communicate that having the right thoughts is the means of salvation. We’re telling them that it’s the stuff that happens between their ears that matters. When we focus on theology, we’re not touching thirsty hearts. Thirsty people don’t want to memorize theology any more than they want to learn a new language. 67

This is not a case of Paul versus Jesus. They’re not in any kind of doctrinal debate against each other. If Paul and you and I sat down today for a cup of coffee, Paul would talk about one thing above all. He would talk about Jesus. If Paul could make one exhortation to today’s church, he might simply plead with it to stick close to Jesus. 83

If you want to get to know Jesus, the actual person, then read the four Gospels. Read them until they become part of you. Eat and breathe them. 88

…The Word became flesh and lived with us. And now dwells in us. All of the Bible is helpful, but it is a signpost to the ultimate Word of God –Jesus the Christ. We do not follow the Bible. We don’t worship the Bible. We love it because it directs us toward the One who is everything. So while all the Bible is God’s  Word, it is not all equal in weight. 88

I don’t have to defend or understand everything in the Bible in order to share my faith. Jesus is the point of the Bible. It all points to Him. I don’t have to be the Bible’s defense attorney. All I have to do is speak of Jesus and He will draw people to Himself. 89 

We know Jesus by practicing acting like him. I’m not really that good at being like him, so I act like him. 91

If you don’t feel like you have to evangelize someone away from their team and onto yours, you can speak of Jesus much more freely, and thus, more effectively. 103

There is no score, or at least, we don’t know what the score is. There are sheep and goats, but we’ve admitted we sometimes confuse the two…This doesn’t mean they aren’t what they are, it just means we may not as good at knowing the difference as we once thought. 103

Relax. Enjoy your friends. Enjoy their company along with the company of Jesus. Point Him out, freely, without fear or intimidation. You’re not responsible to sell Him to them. You’re simply saying what you’ve seen. You’re not the judge. You’re the witness. 105

The ones who had ears to hear Jesus typically were the hurting, the broken, the desperate. 110

Jesus loved the humility of those who understood they needed help. 114

Where we go terribly off course is when we lead a conversation with doctrine rather than Jesus Himself. 115

The conservative movement here in the West often tries to embrace the moral code of Christianity without the self-sacrificial teachings of Jesus. 148

We in the West have often adopted what I call the “fortress mentality,” which says it’s okay to oppose other people out of self-preservation. If Jesus had done that, we’d be in trouble. 150

Marathon/Ultramarathon Archive Update 2013

Just like to keep my list up-to-date once a year. Still shooting for 100 Marathons & Ultras before age 32 and all 50 states perhaps sometime before 40.
Marathons

1. Wichita Marathon October 2003
2. Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon April 2004
3. Dallas White Rock Marathon December 2004
4. Chicago Marathon October 2005
5. New York City Marathon November 2006
6. Oklahoma Marathon (Tulsa) November 2006
7. Salt Lake City Marathon April 2007
8. Andy Payne Memorial Marathon (OKC) May 2007
9. Heart of America Marathon (Columbia, Missouri) September 2007
10. Marine Corps Marathon (Washington D.C.) October 2007
11. St. Jude Marathon (Memphis, Tennessee) December 2007
12. Olathe Marathon (KS) March 2008
13. Mountain Home Marathon (Arkansas) November 2008
14. Thunder Road Marathon (Charlotte, NC) December 2008
15. Rockin' K Marathon April 2009
16. Salt Lake City Marathon April 2009
17. Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon April 2009
18. Los Angeles Marathon May 2009
19. Kansas City Marathon October 2009
20. Eisenhower (Abilene, KS) Marathon April 2010
21. Fargo Marathon May 2010
22. Rock Creek Night Marathon July 2010 Trail Marathon PR of 5:10
23. Kansas City Marathon PR 3:27 October 2010
24. Eisenhower Marathon April 2011
25. Oz Marathon (Olathe, KS) April 2011
26. Lincoln (NE) Marathon May 2011
27. Hawk Marathon (trails, Clinton Lake, Lawnrence, KS) May 2011
28. Grizzly Marathon (Choteau, MT) July 2011
29. Kansas City Marathon October 2011
30. Des Moines, IA Marathon October 2011 (back-to-back)
31. Eisenhower Marathon April 2012
32. Garmin Marathon (Olathe) April 2012
33. Andy Payne Memorial (OKC) May 2012
34. Old Farts Trail Marathon (Michigan) August 2012
35. Drake Well Marathon (Pennslyvania) August 2012
36. Self-Transcendence Marathon (New York) August 2012
37. Bob Ardrey Marathon (Salina, KS) September 2012
38. Kansas City Marathon October 2012
39. Eisenhower Marathon April 2013
40. Garmin Marathon April 2013
41. Lincoln Marathon May 2013
42. Country Roads Marathon May 2013
43. Cove Island State Park (Connecticut) Marathon August 2013

43 marathons in 19 states as of 9/19/13

Ultra-marathons

1. Flatrock September 50K 2007
2. Psycho-Wyco Ice-Version 50K Februrary 2008
3. Cross Timbers 50-Mile (Texas) February 2008
4. Rockin' K 50-Mile April 2008
5. Free State 100K April 2008
6. Psycho-Wyco Fire-Version 50K July 2008
7. Lunar Trek 40 Mile July 2008
   Leadville Trail 100 (DNF at 50 Mile) August 2008
8. Flatrock 50K September 2008
9. Heartland 100 Mile October 2008
10. Rock Creek 50K October 2008
11. Run for Missions 103.9 miles November 2008
12. One Hill at a Time 50K December 2008
13. Kansas Ultrarunners Society Members Only Flint Hills 50 mile March 2009
14. Free State 40 Mile April 2009
15. Lunar Trek 100K July 2009
    Leadville Trail 100 (DNF at 50Kish) August 2009
16. Flatrock 50K September 2009
17. Heartland 100 Mile October 2009
18. Rock Creek 50K October 2009
19. Run for Missions 104.2 miles November 2009
20. One Hill at a Time 50K November 2009
21. Rockin' K 50 mile April 2010
22. Free State 100K April 2010
23. Moonlight Madness 50 Miler July 2010
24. Patriots' Run (53 miles) September 2010
25. Flatrock 50K September 2010
26. Heartland 100 October 2010 (PR 22:22)
27. Run for Missions 104.2 miles November 2010
28. Grasslands 50 mile (trail PR of 10:52) March 2011
29. Rockin' K 50 mile April 2011
30. Free State 100K (13:01) April 2011
31. Lunar Trek 40 Miles July 2011
    Canadian Death Race 125K (DNF at about 45 miles) July 2011
32. Flatrock 50K September 2011
33. Heartland 100 October 2011
34. Run for Missions 104.2 October 2011
35. Cross Timbers Trail 50 (Lake Texoma, TX) February 2012
36. Brew to Brew 44 miles (KC to Lawrence) April 2012
37. Rockin' K 50 Mile Trail April 2012
38. Lake Perry Rocks 50K May 2012
39. Moonlight Madness 50 Miler (Tulsa) July 2012
40. Psycho Summer 50K July 2012
41. Flatrock 50K September 2012
    Heartland 100 (DNF at 75 miles) October 2012
42. Run for Missions 104.2 November 2012
Prairie Spirit 100 Mile Run (DNF at 71 miles)

43. Rockin' K 50 Miler April 2013
44. Flatrock 101K April 2013
45. Patriots Run 9:11 Run (39 Miles) September 2013

45 ultramarathons as of 9/19/13

88 Marathons & Ultramarathons as of 9/19/13

Jesse & Abby Penna's Artic Wedding (10/6/12)