Cross Country Missions

For anyone reading this that doesn't know me, my name is Raymond Varner and I have 3 big passions, God, Running, and Missions. I am the director of a small organization called Cross Country Missions where I host races (Yeti Set Run is coming up in January) to raise money for mission work. I also run... ALOT.

I started this blog to record my efforts to raise money for missions as I trained for a 100 mile race in 2012. As part of my training for the 100 mile race I am running in the Run For the Ranch Marathon on Sunday the 18th. If anyone feels led to donate money, 100% of this money is going to be put towards the 2011-2012 mission of Joplin Relief!! The same thing applies for the Yeti Set Run races in January.

The Goal is to raise $5,000 for Joplin Relief by the end of 2012!!!

If you feel led to donate you can mail $$ to:
Cross Country Missions
1315 East Thoman Street
Springfield Mo 65803

OR use paypal at:
crosscountrymissions.org

Too Long

It has been far too long since my last blog entry. Over this time I have completed some very successful 20 and 10 mile training runs around Springfield. Each time choosing a different route even though before I started the run I had planned on running a certain route, I ended up changing that route with in the first few miles of the run. In the middle of November at about 12am I went out for a 20 mile run with nothing but my shoes, shorts and a water pack. It was beautiful weather and I wasn't hindered by any traffic due to every normal person being in bed. However, my next couple 20 milers were a bit more chilly. I ran along I-44 for awhile and that was a super chilly run! I couldn't find my running beanie so I took the only thing I could find (one of those knitted beanies with the strings that have fluff balls on the ends). At first the strings were under my pack so they weren't bouncing around but eventually they worked their way loose and I ended up tying them around my chin.

I went on a road trip with my amazing girlfriend to Columbia where we dressed up as Hillbillies for the XCX costume mud run at Truck Stop Missouri.


I ran the Springfield Turkey Trot 5k hoping to get in the 16's but I got way to excited at the start and went out at a 5 minute mile and suffered in the end. I didn't even get a PR on this run. I did place 24th out of about 8,000 people.

Idle Hands...

When I sit in front of the computer at work I always find my self searching the web for new and exciting races. When I started this blog I said I was beginning my training for the Ozark Trail 100 mile endurance run, however, after some recent information regarding this course I have decided against participating in this event (at least for my first 100 miler, maybe in the future I will give it a try).

So I began my search for a new 100 mile race that was around the same time that i could run in its place. I have been extremely satisfied with the Pumpkin Holler 100 in OK, though they have not set a specific date yet. This is my number one pick at the moment! BUT... my hands have been moving on the keyboard way too much and I have been searching down more and more races i want to do as well as thinking about how I would like to host an ultra-marathon in honor of Forrest Gump! haha.

24 Hours the Hardway

Pigtails Challenge

Leadville 100

Boulder 100

Arkansas Traveler

Because a lot of these are around the same time of the month, I am thinking that every year I will go try one. Essential go on a 100 mile run test drive of the courses and after i try out a few I can go back and do the ones I like again and again.

Bass Pro Conservation Marathon

November 6th 2011

Before the Race
For the first time all season I went to bed at a reasonable time.. and it felt very weird, so I decided to wake up a little early to help offset the weird feeling. The first alarm set on my phone went off at 4:00am followed soon after by the digital clock alarm I set for a back, and then third back alarm I set on my watch started going off. All three with different sounds... all three.. Very annoying. I shut off each of the alarms and pulled myself out of bed to begin my usual race morning rituals (bathroom, race outfit, double tie shoes, make sure time chip is affixed securely, bathroom). As I got into my truck at 4:40am my amazing girlfriend called me!

Normally I like to get to a race around 30 minutes before the race start, however, I really wanted to make sure I didn't have to hassle with parking, so I got there a little more than 2 hours early. Well, I definitely did not have to hassle.. because the only other people there when I arrived were the people in charge of the race. So I kicked back and chatted with Alexis on the phone waiting for the race to come.

RACE
The announcer called for the competitive runners to go ahead and line up, so I made my way to the start. The race started and I darted out a little too quick (I'm so used to racing 5ks) I tried to slow my pace to a more appropriate marathon pace, but I still went out way too fast. I ran the first mile in 6 minutes.. I was aiming for 7:15. I knew this would happen and I thought I had adjusted my pace accordingly.. but apparently even by the 3 mile I wasn't into my set pace, because i crossed the 3 mile 18:48... and again around 6 miles I was around 40 minutes. I have been warned time and time again about going out slow, and I knew I needed to go out slower than what I felt comfortable with, but for some reason i just couldn't get my body to slow down. By mile 9 (61 minutes)I was getting closer to the appropriate pace.

Around mile 5 I turned my ankle pretty badly but kept on going and it worked itself out fine. Around mile 8 I started to get very hungry! I greatly desired to sink my teeth into a big fat juicy burger! Unfortunately all I had to indulge my appetite with were sport beans and I grabbed a packet every time the aid station had one! I forget where I was but it was within the first 9 miles that I was startled by someone loudly shouting my name! My physiology professor was out in his front yard cheering me on! I was going to tell him that when he saw Brad he needed to tell him to catch up to me (but I didn't think to say it soon enough).

I hit a perfect half marathon time that was right on track to qualify me for Boston. 1.29.. The only problem was I could already feel the fatigue hitting me. So I put it in my head that I would run the race 2 miles at a time, I would forget about the rest of the race and focus on 2 miles at a time(every two miles was an aid station). So I ran 2 miles, walked a little bit so that I could actually drink the water or powerade (unlike the past aid stations were one resulted in me missing the cup completely and knocking it out of the volunteers hand, or splashing the water at my face which in return got about 9/10ths of the water on me and not in my mouth) and then started back up with the running.

As I approached mile 20 I became a little nervous (last and first marathon I ran, Mile 20 consisted of me having an entire leg cramp up suddenly sending my face first into the asphalt. Then walking, running, jogging the best i could for the last 6 miles, with muscle cramps every time i tried to run/jog). Mile 20 passed just fine, although my fatigue was getting worse and my butt was on the verge of cramping. Every now and then I would feel great and was able to move at a good pace, still within an attainable BQ (Boston qualifier).

I was still going fairly well till I reached mile 23! My foot and hamstring cramped and I ended up walking for probably 3/4ths of a mile. I am extremely ashamed of this!!! When I hit Mile 24 I grabbed an orange and then got my feet moving (slowly.. but moving). If I hadn't walked I probably would have been pretty close to a BQ. As I rounded the last corner I sprinted (probably not an actual sprint, but it felt like one to me).

I finished 4th in my age group (1st was only 6 minutes ahead of me! that is less than a mile!! Imagine if I hadn't walked that "less than a mile"... URG.) 3rd place was 3 minutes ahead of me. I placed 25th overall for the whole marathon with a time of 3.26.33 (16 minutes slower than my goal) So now it is time to start training for the Run for the Ranch Marathon and kick some butt!!!

MSU & Hustle!!

OCTOBER 29th

It was a slightly chilly morning as I waited outside the MSU student union at 6:30am. The MSU Homecoming 5k started at 7am but no one had any idea where the start line actually was. haha. The campus health center (one of my current jobs) was the main host for this race. When the race started at 7am it was still dark outside and a gentleman in bright yellow and a blinking red light on a bike led the race. I took off fast and tried to get into a good rhythm. I decided to wear gloves for this race (good choice).

As the race continued I was very glad I was in lead following the bike because I could not understand where I needed to turn at All! lol. At one point I passed a spot where someone cheered me on by name but I didn't see who it was. To be honest, I didn't feel like I was running very fast. But as I approached the finish line (lapping at least 20 people) the clock was reading low 17s! I don't know if they got my legitimate time or not because they came up and asked me if I timed myself and what I had got. I looked at my watch that I hit a little bit after finishing and took off one second. But from what I remember when I looked at the race clock it read faster than what I had on my watch by a few seconds... Regardless of all this, I ended up getting 17:13. Still getting faster every race this season.
I jogged over to one of my bosses/co-workers and asked if there were prizes and told them I had to leave to go run another 5k race. I won $75 and a big Trophy =)

I jogged to my truck and headed to Jordan Valley park to get ready for the Halloween Hustle 5k.. a costume race! All of my costume stuff is at my parents house but I did have a black mullet wig, white tutu, and a red cape.. sooo.... I put that on! The race course seemed fairly easy! But i stopped seeing arrows on the concrete eventually and turned around. Ended up getting lost and was followed by about 5 other runners =$ We tacked on about an extra half mile or so probably. By the time I got back to the right spot the 1st place person was starting on the second lap so I quickly jetted in front of him and continued on for the second lap. I ended up finishing first again.. however.. my time wasn't too good.

They handed out all of the awards.. but never called anything for the first place finisher. So I went up there and asked them if overall winner got anything and they said no... But they happened to have an extra gold medal so I still got a medal.. But that is just jank.. They medal 3 deep in age categories.. but didn't have anything for the overall winner.. WOW..
Oh well. It's all about having a good time, staying in shape, and praising the LORD!

Dogwood Canyon 25k 10/23

DOGWOOD CANYON 25k

As my alarm went off at 6:20am I remembered the awesome evening I had just had, ending roughly 4 hours earlier. Everyone tells me I should get more sleep before my races, this is true, and I'm sure I would have much faster times if I did get some decent sleep. But as I lay there thinking about my adventures, I would have been okay getting dead last if it meant spending time with that special someone! =)

Well... anyone who knows me and my running knows that the next part of my morning consisted of several bathroom visits, even when I'm not nervous it seems to hit me good. Plus, I need to make sure its all gone so I don't have issues during the race. None so far in my racing career, unfortunately not the same for training runs! haha.

God could not have blessed us with a more beautiful race day! It wasn't even chilly out. I could stand there in my shorts and race top with no worries, no bundling up till the last few seconds. A-Mazing! As I waited for the race to start I lined up in the front of the pack and danced it out to some "Who Let the Dogs Out".


The race horn went off and I went out in the lead (I knew I would not finish first in this race and I wouldn't be lead for very long, however, there was someone taking pictures and I figured I might as well try and get a good shot of me in the lead). lol. It wasn't long before Rono (the Kenyan) was along side of me, and for awhile I ran next to him. At most of the creek crossings I fell back a little and tried to find the lowest part possible to run through. The last time I ran the race I just went straight through the middle and actually ended up waist deep at one point, but not this year! I do enjoy running through these creeks, however, I wish they were at the end of the race... because when you get your shoes soaked in the first 3 miles and then have to run another 12.5... your feet suffer quite a bit.

As the race continued Matt (a 15k racer) joined us and we ran together until it reached a point where he had to go a different way, eventually wining the 15k race. It was at this point that Rono disappeared from my sights for the rest of the race. I don't know if it was just me... but the hills seemed much much steeper this year (the course was different).

When I reached the first aid station I splashed a little bit of water into my mouth and grabbed a a few sport beans. As the race progressed the 2nd place finisher slowly passed me, and eventually 3rd place caught up to me. I enjoyed running with him. We chatted it up a bit and I used him to keep me going strong! We eventually reached the part in the course where its basically a short cliff drop and then a quick climb up a 75 degree angle maybe. hahaha. I just a bit confused on where to go.. i tried to go towards the camera guy and was supposed to go away from him. I guess he made me nervous, just kiddin.

Eventually, the 3rd place finisher pulled away from me pretty dramatically (Honestly, I can not figure out what happened. It wasn't a gradual distancing, he straight left) At the second aid station I took a quick sip of water. Every time I reached a clearing where I was out of the woods I would look all around me and see God's wonderful creation! The sun was shining with a magnificent beauty over the gorgeous Ozark Mountain hills full of the amazing fall colors as far as I could see! I debated stopping so I could take it all in longer! Every now and then I would say a little prayer of thanks, or prayer for someone. And I had a song stuck in my head, "Our God" by Chris Tomlin. Thanks to last night from Lexi singing it to herself as we made our way through the haunted corn maze and haunted house. haha <3

The first place 50k runner slowly caught up to me... he wasn't stopping on a single hill. He pushed through every single one of them! Amazing!! The 4th place 25k finisher caught up to me and we ran together till we reached the 3rd aid station. According to the race details, there would be an aid station every 5 miles.. so as soon as I saw aid station 3 I kicked it into high gear! Passed 4th place who stopped at the station. I put my stride on and picked up the pace. I kept pushing and pushing... but the finish never came, eventually I came up on a turn where my parents were. A lady said it was a hard push up this hill, level out, and then all down hill from there.. But the top of the hill didn't come for a long time.. once it did come.. there was another aid station, by this point the 4th place guy passed me again. (I had exhausted basically all my fuel... way too early).

I ended up finishing in 2.09, approximately 4 minutes slower than my first time 2 years ago. I Finished 5th overall this year, and 7th overall last year. I placed 1st in my age group. The course was much tougher this year, aaaand I got little sleep so I am fairly happy with my time, especially when I look at the 1st place finisher for both years(same person) he ran about 20 minutes slower than the other time I ran. I got an awesome plaque and nice finishers fleece.




After the race I spent an awesome day with Alexis. Included a random awesome dance party!!!

Skeleton Scramble 10/22

Potter's House Skeleton Scramble 5k
Costume Extravaganza!



I hosted a fun costume race to benefit Potter's House on October 22nd at 8am. My plan was to wake up at 5am and head over to campus to chalk out the course, hang up some arrows and signs and the finish/start line banner. However, as I woke up that morning and looked at my phone... it read 7:03... My eyes jumped out of my head and I said a few words I shouldn't have as I jumped out of bed and grabbed the first items of clothing I could find (pair of jeans and a hoodie.. not even a shirt) I had told my volunteers to get there at 7am so I could show them where to stand.
I called my main helper Sarah and told her I overslept and she said non of the volunteers were even there yet. I got to Potter's House at 7:15 and frantically looked for the chalk. I quickly sprinted the course chalking it and got back at 7:30ish. (Luckily I designed a 1.5 mile loop around campus) I got back and dispersed the volunteers and welcomed our awesome runners with their costumes.


Everything went on without a hitch, and despite the short amount of time available to advertise and no tshirts... we still had 17 people show up, raising about $170 for the Potter's House non-profit Christian coffee house. Almost everyone got one of the prizes (coffee cups full of coupons and merch). Good fun good fun. I look forward to planning it next year with awesome shirts and more time to advertise!

Sassafras(Wildcat) 5k

I just now realized that I never actually published my post about the 5k in Logan Rogersville on the 15th.

It was slightly chilly out as I got out of my truck and went to pick up my race bib. As usual I lined up in the front of everyone and when the race started I darted out in the lead. It was just the right amount of cold that my arms were numb and just a short enough race that they didn't warm up before I finished. It was a nice out and back on a beautiful country road. Very enjoyable! There was also a duathlon going on at the same time and two guys slowly passed me before they reached their mile turn around point.

Today I decided to be MR. POSITIVE! and Encouraging. I said great job to everyone I passed and thanked the volunteers for their help as I ran by them. What a Beautiful morning!

I was able to pull out a 17:24, steadily getting faster and faster each race! My goal is to get in the 16:00's by the Turkey Trot in November. I also placed first overall winning me a nice medal and a nice blue hoodie. As soon as I finished I went and did the course again for a cool down making sure to encourage everyone still racing!

Something really neat about this race was a conversation I had with a guy after the race. I'm horrible with names, but I think it was Jeff. He had a pretty crazy awesome story! I picked up running a few years ago and qualified for Boston on his first try. The crazy thing was that he had a stroke in the middle of his sleep and didn't even know it. Woke up with his arm hurting a little bit and didn't think anything of it. He was born with a small hole in his heart but never knew about it till he started running so much. His heart was working so hard and pumping so much blood that the hole got bigger and eventually caused a stroke, and the fact that he was so healthy also basically saved his life. So interesting... But he was a great example of Christ and praised Him throughout his story.

St. Johns Sunshine Run 10K 10/8/11

So I have decided that due to my inability to post within a reasonable team frame I will stop numbering the days and highlight specific runs and races. Unfortanetly I have been waiting to post my reflactions over the races until I have photos from the race, which usually ends up being at the end of the week after the race, at which point I am ooober busy with school, my two jobs, and running. So.. here is what happened for ever ago with the Sunshine 10k!

St. Johns Sunshine Run 10K 10/8/11


I could not have asked for a more beautiful day to run!! Cool crisp Fall morning weather warmed by the sun slowly rising. The race started and I bolted out in front! (Until this season I have never been one to take the lead, but now every race I have started doing this) Something I think I forget to mention in the Kickin' Route 66 entry was a thought that came to me as I was running the half marathon. I have finally become.. "That Guy". "That guy" who when everyone lines up at the start you look at him and think he'll probably win. And "that guy" who you think, surely he went out to fast and is gonna slow his pace when he gets tired. "That Guy" that everybody slowly can't see any more because he is so far ahead. I've never been "THAT GUY"! I'm still not the fastest (despite my victory every weekend), I have alot to improve, but! I finanly know what it feels like to be "that guy", and if I keep up the training, I will remain "that guy".

Back to the 10k race. I'm out in front feeling great, strollin down Kimbrough. There were bicyclist leading the race and I joked around with them a little as I used them to keep my pace fast. Greeting the race volunteers from time to time. After I completed the neighborhood loop I was back on Kimbrough headed back to the stadium. It was here where I started hearing the guy close behind me! I have decided on a new strategy, and it's never look back (I refuse to look behind me to see how close or far away the next opponent is). This keeps me going strong, not knowing how close they might be, I will stay on pace and keep pushing. So, i could hear his footprints (but not right behind, there was some distance) and occasionally I could hear him breathing. I kept trying to get faster and faster so that his sounds would be too far behind me to hear. Eventually I turned the last corner taking me into the cardinals stadium and for some reason I didn't really sprint. I don't know why, it was the weirdest thing, I basically just coasted into the finish line at 36:34 for the 10k taking 1st place.
Here is an Article covering the race! I'm in it! I feel foolish that I didn't mention Cross Country Missions. I will get another chance soon and then I will talk it up all I can!

Day 118

Toughman Competition
Day 2

Got to bed around 1am after working at the Potters House. Woke up at 5am to head over to the Kum and Go to pick up my bib number for the Kickin Route 66 Mother Road Run Half Marathon! I met with Richard White (running the marathon) to hitch a ride to my start line 13.1 miles down the road in order to save some $$ that I would of had to pay to ride the bus. Unfortunately the race didn't start till 8am.. and I was dropped off at the start line at 6:30am. lol. So, out there in the middle of nowhere in the dark I waited for people to show up for the race.




It was kind of cold out there so I had a hoodie and pants on.. but I was 13.1 miles away from my truck, so I tried to think of how I was going to get my stuff bike to the finish line. luckily someone from my high school ran the race and his parents drove to the start line! The start line consisted of a small yard sign next to a junk yard with porta johns across the street that if you didn't hold onto the bar on the door in front of you.. you might fall off the seat. lol. =) Great start line!!

As soon as the sun popped up on the horizon I could feel the warmth! The race began and Iled the back again! I debated falling in behind someone to "draft" off them but good thing I didn't! I went out in a 6:30 mile pace. got a 18:30 5k.. my arms and hands were freezing for the first 4-5 miles. Yet again another perk of being in the front is somewhat being able to use the lead car to pace you. But it wasn't like the guy on the bike, the cop would be there one minute and then speed off and then after mile 4 he was gone for ever. lol.

I really enjoyed that the mile markers were counting down. I was able to keep my pace up really good for a majority of the race! (I wish I would have hit my lap button on each mile so I would have my splits b/c they were pretty good!) I didn't suffer from any muscle cramps! So that was a big plus! I only looked behind me twice, once to switch sides of the road, and once in the last mile to see if the 2nd place person was close or not. I was tempted to turn around and look but if they were far away I would have slowed down my pace (whether that was b/c I purposely did it, or subconsciously did it) Instead I kept pushing myself not knowing where he was!

When I reached 5 miles left to go I kicked it into high gear, and every time I passed a mile marker I would speed up! Good thing I did b/c if I hadn't... I may have been over taken. I ended up finishing with a personal best of 1:21!!!!! 1 place over all!!! =D

Day 117

Toughman Competition
3 Races in 1 weekend

Saturday October 1st

Wasn't sure what to expect for this morning... I really wanted to do the Panther 12k or 5k... but I ended up doing the 2 mile because the race was at 8:30 and the Pregnancy Care Center 5k was at 9am. I wasn't sure how much time I would have between the races and dealing with parking and traffic. However, if I would have known the 2 mile wasn't timed or awarding medals then i would have went ahead and did one of the others, which after I finished the 2 mile I realized I could have!

I picked up my packet for the Panther Run and then quickly went and got the packet for the PCC 5k. The Panther Run had a great atmosphere and I spoke with a guy at the start line about cross country missions b/c he saw my new jersey . He ended up winning the 5k.



I coasted into the finish line at 10:56. 2 seconds slower than my PR. I quickly left and went to Jordan Valley Park to start the 5k. I ended up having plenty of time between races. Next year(if its the same set up) I will do the 12k followed by the 5k.

PCC 5k

While waiting at the start line I saw loads of people I knew, including a guy from the SBU alumni race with some friends of his and then a guy I met at one of the other races who is an awesome Christian. We started the race and again, I led the race which I didn't want to do. However, I am beginning to realize that I will be doing this alot more. So.. I ran and ran and it was actually nice being the lead b/c I was able to pace off the bike (leading the race) a little!! Probably around the last 400 meters a really fast guy (who was only behind me because he was helping pace his friend) passed me. I had it in me to stay with him, but instead I just let him over take me. Shame on me. But, I still got 2nd overall and 1st in my age group. When I went to get my trophy I jumped over the big gap (the stage was positioned in the middle of a water fountain that was surrounded by water)

Day 103-116 Part Two

Sunday 18th
Branson Sprint Triathlon

I stayed up till about 3am watching movies with my parents and got up at about 5 am to head to Branson b/c the bike transition would close at 6:45. My race did not start till 8:30am so I had a loooong wait.. While i was putting air in my tires the guy nxt to me noticed my reeds spring jacket and we struck up a conversation that led to me finding out he ran with my older brother on the xc team in HS. Then while I was waiting for the start I ran into Aaron, a HS running mate from xc. He was lifegaurding for the race, and then later I saw Garrett who was also lifeguarding. While I am mentioning all these people I should say I saw Maggie at packet pick up also! ;) yay having friends!

We were lined up single file and went in 2 second intervals, when it came to be my turn I was dancing it up to the blaring music!! Boo Ya! The swim went pretty good, but my legs were very heavy when I got onto dry land. I did much better in my transition period than I have in the past and went pedal to the metal on the bike portion as best as I could. There were two interesting hills I experienced...

Hill #1 had a "Caution, Extreme Downhill" sign. I went flying down the hill and before I knew it my bike was shaking and was wobbling really badly. I slowly applied brakes as best as I could and started to let out some pretty intense yells. haha. I was just picturing myself crashing and tumbling down that hill. ooooh geez.

Hill #2 was an extreme sudden uphill, I tried my best to pedal up it, but I had to get off the bike and run the last couple feet. The run section treated me well and I pushed as hard as I could for the majority of it. I ended up getting 49th over all and 4th in my age division. Missed 3rd by 5 minutes to a guy who happened to go to MSU with me. lol.



There isn't any training worth mentioning except for the weekend when I went to Camp Galilee to help with a fall youth retreat. I woke up early morning when it was still dark outside and hit the road. I ran out to the highway and just kept on going and going. I was running into a BEAUTIFUL sunrise. The sky was just lit up with the most amazing colors of Gods Wonder! Eventually I had to turn around b/c I was worried I wouldn't be back in time (forgot my watch). But when I got back I still had a good half hour left, so I went out for a lap on the trails. It was very interesting how when I was running, it was still basically dark and then suddenly it became light. It wasn't gradual, it was just like Bam! Good Morning! haha

Later in the week I hit a few good distance runs, just trying to get into a good groove!

Day 103-113 Part one

September 17th
Americans Diabetes Association 5k!!




The night before I was at The Potter's House and shoot were we busy!!! I got home around 1 and went to bed around 2am. Jeremiah was sleeping on my couch when I got home (a friend from SBU) but when I woke up he was gone. Headed over to Panera where the race start was and awaited the start call. I lined up in the front of the crowd at the start line and awaited the Go. I led the pack for the first 200 meters or so (something I do not like to do, but in a race as short as a 5k I am not going to slow my start pace to not lead. I go out with what I got). Eventually an older guy slowly passed me and slowly but surely he widened the gap between us. I did not like this and I felt like I could have gone at a bit faster of a pace, yet he got away from me. There wasn't anyone close behind me at all so I just worked myself and tried not to let go of my pace. It was a very nice route through some side neighborhoods.

I ended up finishing 2nd overall and 1st in my age division with a 17:44. A much better time then my past couple 5ks. I would like to see that get down to a 17 flat or even better a 16:something by the end of the season!







I almost went onto to talk about the triathlon on the following day but then I remembered why I mentioned Jeremiah! Him and his fiance were at the race, I didn't even know he was gonna be there. Also, a girl from youth/camp was at the race as well, Hadley.

I left springfield in the afternoon to go pick up my packet for the triathlon on Sunday, but stopped for gas briefly. I left the keys in the ignition and thought to myself don't lock the door, yet out of habit I somehow ended up locking the door. So I stood looking at the locked truck door (a scene I have seen twice before) and was very worried, b/c if I had to call a locksmith or break into my truck I would be late to packet pick up and they did not have race day pick up! So I started looking in the bed of the truck for a wire hanger and by chance happened to find my extra set of keys that I specifically put back there the last time I locked myself out. Praise GOD!

Day 91-102

Monday the 5th

Coach White sent me a message asking me if I was going to run in a half marathon on saturday and I was greatly thinking about it! But... Monica text me asking if I wanted to go for a run on monday morning. And here is another good tip, if a pretty lady asks you to go on a run with her and you can... you should say yes. lol. Thus began the week of early early morning runs with her. She is a very enjoyable running partner and we always have lovely conversations as we run. I wish I could continue to run with her but after the first week my practicum started so I'm up by 7am and don't get off work till about 12 am.. So 5 or 6 am hour+ runs just don't work for me.

On Friday I had to run the mile in my measurements and evaluation class for my P.E major. I have not ran the mile on its own since the last day of practice in high school. My last day of track practice in HS I was helping Rusty train for state and we did a mile mock race. I had never gone faster than a 5:00 minutes mile before, and on that day at practice I ran a 4:54... That was crazy!! Since then I competed in the 800 at SBU and then 5k, 10k+, but never a mile again.
I calculated the splits I needed to get at least a 5 flat for the fitness test today and unfortanetly got off. I went 5 seconds too fast on my first lap which threw off the rest of my run, resulting in a 5:06 mile time.

Saturday the 10th

I had a 11 mile run that was a bit of a struggle to keep up a good pace. Every now and then I would realize I was going to slow so I would speed up again. It turned into one of those runs where I played the same song over and over again starting at about mile 6.. that song happened to be "Rawkfist" by Thousand Foot Krutch. something very strange happened on this run, my lips seemed to dry out? they filmed over with a white chrusty skin film. very strange.. I was going to look at my mouth in the mirror when I got back but I ended up getting stuck at a RR crossing for about 5 minutes around mile 10. So as I paced back on forth waiting I attempted to scrape it off my lips. very strange.

Fall

It is kind of neat to see how everything was slowing changing. Every time I turned onto my street there was progressively more and more brown leaves collecting along the street curbs. One day there is hardly anything, and then a few days later I can hear the crunch as I run on them. Due to the busyness of my schedule I have been left with two options.. Waking up early to run, or running after work around 12am-1am, I chose the latter. All through out this week I had lovely 12-2am runs which happened to be very cold. The weather suddenly decided to take a dive. On one of my night runs I got a little paranoid and actually looked behind me a couple of times. lol.

Day 89-90

10 mile out... XC meet... 10 miles back
9/3

I woke up at 6am to the sound of the annoying alarm that comes with my cell phone. The night before when I got home around 11 from the SBU race I packed a couple of breakfast bars and a shirt into a water backpack. I filled the water pack with some water and ice in the morning and slid my phone in next to the food. I made sure to use the bathroom because this would not be a good day to have to go while on the run. I had planned on using my ipod but I decided that I would like to enjoy the peacefulness of the run in the early morning, experience God's awesome creation. I somewhat regretted not bringing it later.
I threw my keys in my hiding spot (probably not the best of places to hide them.. but oh well. No, I won't tell you where!) strapped on the water pack and hit the road. I have never ran with a pack on before... In fact I hardly run with a shirt on let alone a pack, but I needed to have water with me on this trip, and a shirt for when I got to the meet. The pack's straps weren't very comfortable and were scratching right above my nipples, luckily it wasn't too bad or else I could have ended up with scabs. lol. But it was very useful to have the water with me.

It was such a peaceful run! Not very many cars out and I took Kearney street instead of I-44 so I was running along an "old country road". I got into a good rhythm and the 10 miles just flew by. Last year that there was a High School XC meet in Strafford I road my bike to watch my high school race. I used this route a couple more times to train for my Ironman and I remember a spot where I had to cross train tracks, and they were somewhere close to the beginning of the route. Somehow I had passed over them without realizing it and the rest of the run I was thinking when am I going to run over these tracks and they never showed up. As I was running I kept looking for the water tower because once I saw the water tower I knew I was about 2-3 miles away. As I was running a guy was parking his four-wheeler in his front yard and said goodmornin, how ya doin? I said, good. Then he asked me how far I was going, and I replied 10 miles. He then said, Good job, keep it up, and I said thanks. lol. I ran the first 10 miles in 1:12

As I arrived @ the school my high school was unloading the bus. It was great seeing everyone, and crazy how lots of them are growing up. I got to cheer on both Reeds Spring (my high school), and El Dorado Springs (the school in town where I work at camp Galilee) The junior high team ran first and coach had me keep an eye on this cute little kid b/c he was worried he might lose the path b/c he wasn't very fast. And sure enough he was walking a majority of the race, but I made sure he didnt get lost. I ran all over the course making sure I was able to cheer on everyone plenty of times! Junior high boys got 1st place, and high school boys got 2nd place with Eldo close behind. I wasn't able to get the girls results but they all did great too!

It was a very very hot morning and eventually it was time that I couldn't hang around anymore and needed to head home (i left around 11ish am). So i filled my pack with more water said my goodbyes and hit the road again. It started out kind of hard but I eventually got into a good groove which was very helpful (I have to comment on the fact that I spent about 5 minutes trying to find out how to properly spell which.. b/c all that came to my mind was witch...) It wasn't so much that I was tired (mentally or physically), it was more of the fact that it was so hot and I had no shade! the entire run home did not have a single patch of shade till i reached the last mile, and the water in my pack was at best... luke warm, not very refreshing.

I was at a bit of a "contradiction" (if thats what we can call it). The begining of the run was a straight path that went on for about 5-6 miles and was very tiresome b/c when I looked ahead all I saw was a long stretch of road and the sun was just barring down on me. So I was longing for the part of the run where it turned into the curvy run, however, that also meant hills. In the end... it was the heat that made the run so challenging. Not the fact I had raced the night before, or that it was 20 miles, no it was the heat! When I got home I drink lots of milk and stretched!!!! After I took a shower I passed out on the couch for an hour.

9/04
I big mistake I see lots of people do is to be inactive the day after a big workout. When you are sore from a hard workout you need to at least go for a short jog to get your muscles warm and stretch them out, it will actually help reduce the soreness. So I went out for about a 3-4 mile easy run and got a good stretch in.

Day 84-88

Almost back into the swing of school again.. Haven't found the best time to run yet. It's either in the morning before school or when I get home late after work at the end of the day.

9/2
Very exciting and fun day! Today I went to Bolivar to run on the SBU Alumni team. No.. I did not graduate from SBU, nor have I even graduated yet. However, the coach still invites me to come run in the collegiate meet every year. Last year the alumni team was a small number but this year it was much bigger! I ended up scoring points for the team coming in 4th on the team. We missed 3rd place by one point!! Which is funny b/c a majority of the Alumni team hasn't been running since they graduated and we went up against teams that have been training. Results:
http://www.sbubearcats.com/documents/2011/9/3/2011_twilight_men_results_2011_twilight_men_results.pdf?id=323

One of the alums that I met has been training for an Ironman and I had a great time talking to him about running.

Day 74-83

8/19
This was a loooong day! I went to work at Taylor Health and Wellness Center for about 5 hours and then it was opening night for the semester at The Potter's House! So from 5pm-1ish am I worked the kitchen making drinks. We had a never ending stream of students coming through, the line was all the way out to National. When I finally biked home I put on my running shoes and went out for a 1am 8 mile run. It was very interesting...

I have ran at all kinds of different hours of the day and usual have no pedestrian interaction. An occasional honked horn or scream/yell. However, at 1 am I had more interactions then I have ever experienced on a run, possibly even a race. My first encounter was as I passed a couple riding in a rickshaw, the girl offered me a ride. Later someone yelled Run Forrest Run!... How original man.. I had a group of college guys that saw me approaching and warned some of his friends that I might jump them and steal their wallet. So they quickly moved away from my path, I may have smelled alcohol as I passed them. lol. I had some gentlemen cheer me on saying good job, you're almost there! Keep it up! there were a few more but I dont remember them all.

8/20
This day was not as long, but still pretty busy. Yet another packed night at The Potter's House that didn't allow me to get home till about midnightish. When I finally arrived home I was too lazy to put on my shoes... so I just went for a barefoot run. I would have been a great run.. except the fact that I live in the city and don't have any dirt trails close by. So my feet could only handle so much. I tried to run in the grass as much as possible.

School started on Monday and I had a few good 6 milers through out the week. Nothing too exciting, swimming in the pool, biking back and forth bewteen home and school/work.

8/28
Bearcat 5k!! I went up to SBU in Bolivar to run in the cross country's 5k road race. It was so cold when I left in the morning that I had 3 layers on.. one layer being my racing outfit, 2nd street clothes, 3rd pants and pull over. However, by the time the race started at 8:15 it was hot! lol. The race started and Jeremy Glassmaker was automatically in front and I was close behind him trying my best not to go out too fast. There were two other guys right next to me that kept fighting to pass me for the first 800 meters-mile. Unfortunately, eventually one of them did pass me and slowly widened the gap between us. I came across the first mile at 5:30, the 2nd mile I forget but remember it being around 12ish.
Something the made me feel very foolish happened in the race... around 1.7 miles my shoe was feeling loose.. My shoe had come untied!! How foolish! So from then on my form was off and I had to run in such a way as to not lose my shoe. I should have pushed harder at the end, but I knew I would lose my shoe so I tried to push hard but not lose it at the same time... I ended up coming in at 3rd place over, 2nd in my age division with a time of 18.14... SHAME... I ran this same race 2 years ago and ran it in 17:10. I know the main reason for my loss of time, I do not do speed work outs. I focus all of my workouts on just running long distances at certain paces. I never take a day for speed work outs, for example I would normally have a dirty dozen @27 seconds (12x200 meters) or 5x800 meters @2:40, or maybe even mile repeats. Regardless of the distance I am training for I do need to get my speed workouts in, they still have an impact even if I'm running marathon.
Well I ended up getting the awesome tech shirt, a water bottle, a running beanie, and another awesome tech shirt. =) Yay

Yesterday(8/28)
I went for a lovely 8 mile run... the weird thing was my left foot/leg went extremely numb around mile 3... and then my right foot was getting to be that way too. I tried to shake it off with out stopping but it wouldn't show away. then God gave me a little break.lol As I was passing an intersection I saw a truck that looked very familiar and thought to myself, hey that looks just like the Travis's truck. And the next thing I know Trisha is poking her head out the window and I stop for a little chat. Travis and Trisha were there! Travis is one of my bosses at Camp Galilee. So I was able to let me feet un-numb!
Do you remember my tip about going behind cars at intersections if possible? Well on my run I approached an intersection and the car was just pulling up and stopping in front of me. They were looking directly at me, I didn't slow down one bit and I decided to go in front of them because it would have been difficult to run behind. But just as I was about to cross in front of them they began to pull out! So I quickly had to stop myself and dodge around the back end of their car.