Mission Accomplished!!! New 5k PR and 24 minute mark broken!

Tonight was the annual Caldwell Fireman's Festival 5k here in Caldwell.  I've had this date circled on my calendar for a couple of months.  Why?  Because I had a couple of goals for tonight:

• Set a new PR.  My previous was just about 7 months ago at the Zaney Reindeer 5k in Zanesville.  
• Break the 24 minute mark.  In my previous 5k effort, I fell 27 seconds short.  

Mission accomplished on both parts!

I set a new PR... 23 minutes, 25 seconds over the previous 24 minutes, 27 seconds!
I also broke the 24 minute mark that has been plaguing me for the past year. 

It felt good.  I ran hard.  I struggled with a bit of a cramp between the 2 mile and 2 1/2 mile mark.  But I managed to ignore it and keep rolling.  It felt really, really good. 

I also enjoyed running in my new Active Water jersey.  (Feel free to go HERE and donate for clean water for those who don't have it!) 

The next time I am scheduled to race will be the Air Force Marathon... in 49 days!

Jim


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Daily Read July 25, 2011

Luke 5:27-28

New International Version (NIV)

²⁷ After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, ²⁸ and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

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Middle School Summer in the Son picture video

Song: "Listen to the Sound" by Building 429


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Daily Read July 24, 2011

Luke 5:17-26

New International Version (NIV) 

¹⁷ One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. ¹⁸ Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. ¹⁹ When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

 ²⁰ When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
 ²¹ The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
 ²² Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? ²³ Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? ²⁴ But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” ²⁵ Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. ²⁶ Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

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Daily Read July 23, 2011

1 Chronicles 29:10-13

New International Version (NIV) 

¹⁰ David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, 

   “Praise be to you, LORD,
   the God of our father Israel,
   from everlasting to everlasting.
¹¹ Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power
   and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
   for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, LORD, is the kingdom;
   you are exalted as head over all.
¹² Wealth and honor come from you;
   you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
   to exalt and give strength to all.
¹³ Now, our God, we give you thanks,
   and praise your glorious name.

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Daily Read July 22, 2011

1 Chronicles 21:20-25

New International Version (NIV)

 ²⁰ While Araunah was threshing wheat, he turned and saw the angel; his four sons who were with him hid themselves. ²¹ Then David approached, and when Araunah looked and saw him, he left the threshing floor and bowed down before David with his face to the ground.
 ²² David said to him, “Let me have the site of your threshing floor so I can build an altar to the LORD, that the plague on the people may be stopped. Sell it to me at the full price.”
 ²³ Araunah said to David, “Take it! Let my lord the king do whatever pleases him. Look, I will give the oxen for the burnt offerings, the threshing sledges for the wood, and the wheat for the grain offering. I will give all this.”
 ²⁴ But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.”
 ²⁵ So David paid Araunah six hundred shekels of gold for the site.


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Daily Read July 21, 2011

1 Chronicles 16:23-26

New International Version (NIV)

 ²³ Sing to the LORD, all the earth;
   proclaim his salvation day after day.
²⁴ Declare his glory among the nations,
   his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
 ²⁵ For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
   he is to be feared above all gods.
²⁶ For all the gods of the nations are idols,
   but the LORD made the heavens.

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The Amazing Spiderman - Trailer 1 (HD)

AMAZING!!!! Can't wait!!!

Jim

Check it out HERE!


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Daily Read July 20, 2011

Mark 16:5-8

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
 ⁶ “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷ But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
 ⁸ Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

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Daily Read July 19, 2011

Mark 15:21-24

New International Version (NIV) 

²¹ A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. ²² They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). ²³ Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. ²⁴ And they crucified him. 

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New Racing Jersey!!!

In 1994, when I took off my football jersey for the last time, I thought I'd never officially put on another official jersey.  But that is going to happen next week. 

Next Friday night will be my first official run under the "Active Water" banner as I run the Caldwell Fireman's Festival 5k (and shoot for a new PR).  I blogged a couple of weeks ago about joining "Team Active Water" for the upcoming Air Force Marathon on September 17th.  Last week, while at Summer in the Son, I picked up a tech shirt to run in in support of Team Active Water.



I'm excited!
I'm also gonna be looking for a pair of grey shorts to go with it. 
I'm also looking for donations.



If you would like to donate to aide those around the world without clean, drinkable water, go HERE or put the donation in my hand and I will make sure that it gets donated for you. 

Help me help others as I run for clean water!

Jim

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Picture Video from High School SITS 2011

Here are some photos from High School week of Summer in the Son.  We used this video as a countdown on Sunday morning, July 10th.  The song is "Beautiful" by MercyMe!

Jim

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Daily Read July 6, 2011

Mark 4:3-9

New International Version (NIV)

³ “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”
 ⁹ Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”


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Daily Read July 5, 2011

Mark 2:17

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹⁷ On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”


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Running for ( Active ) Water

Saturday's run was rough. 

Officially, it was the first time that I have run 14 miles before.  I've gone 13.1 before... but never to 14.  Saturday, I did it!  (Here is the GARMIN DATA and RUNKEEPER DATA for the run... if you want to see a bit more detail.)

But it was hot. 
It was humid.
And towards the end, I was really struggling. 

But I made it. 
And I made it in part because of water.  First, I needed regular hydration in order to make a run that far.  Usually when I run shorter distances, I don't take water along... I can usually make it without it for runs in the 5-9 mile range.  But for 14... I certainly needed the water. 

Secondly, I made it because the water provided motivation for me.  I have hydration belt pack... but I don't really like carrying the weight... so I have begun to hide water bottles (partially frozen) near where I start my runs.  When I get back to the start (after either 4 or 5 miles), I have a drink.  Towards the end of my 14 mile run... I just wanted to get a drink... so I was working or those water bottles. 

It got me thinking about something. 

So far, all my running has been about me.  It's been about what I've accomplished... the medals that I have earned... the weight that I have lost... and what I have succeeded at.  Kinda seems a bit shallow. 

So I'm going to deepen it.



In training for my first full marathon and after a week at Summer in the Son, I have decided to partner with Active Water to raise funds and awareness for the millions around the world who do not have access to clean water.  Many millions of people around the world, especially those who live in third world countries, do not have access to clean water on a regular basis.  (HERE are some facts about clean water... I'd encourage you to check them out.)  Active Water came and presented the work that they are doing in Zambia and around the world last week at Summer in the Son and how they partner with athletes to make a difference in lives.  I was challenged and convicted to join the team. 

Active Water is a group of athletes who are helping to take on the world's water crisis one run... one race... one donation at a time. 

I have officially joined Team Active Water. 

I have set a fundraising goal that I plan to achieve before the Air Force Marathon in Dayton, Ohio on September 17th.  I am aiming to raise $1,020 for Active Water.  That will be enough money to provide 12 families in Africa with bio-sand filters in their homes that will provide them with clean, drinkable water for 20 years. 

Would you be willing to join me???

I have created a fundraising page so that you can join me... encourage me as I train... and spur me on to raising $1,020 before the Air Force Marathon on September 17th.  All donations above $1,020 will go to provide more bio-sand filters... or even help dig a well!!! (Wouldn't that be amazing!!!)

So... If you are interested and willing to help me fundraise for Active Water, VISIT MY FUNDRAISING PAGE HERE to donate.  It will only take a couple of moments and will change the world of those who do not have access to clean water.

Over the next couple of months... I'll do all the work...
            Active Water will get all the money...
            Families around the world will get clean water!!!

Won't you join me?

Jim



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God Has Blessed America

Happy 4th of July!

Check it out HERE!



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