Category: Motivation

A Smart Choice

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In 2022, I determined to run every single day for a calendar year. I set out on January 1 and I ran each and every day.

I set a lofty goal, and then, through perseverance, determination, tenacity, and will, I accomplished that goal.

I ran 1,700 miles last year, or an average of 4.65 miles each and every day. I am proud that I was able to do that.

I’m now writing a book of this experience which I hope will serve as motivation for other runners and goal-setters. We can all do more than we ever imagined. You just need to set a plan and get out there and do it.

We also can’t let failure get in the way of pressing forward. I had plenty of years when I thought about and/or tried to run each day and didn’t make it. I learned as I failed from each setback.

But last year, I accomplished my goal.

Then, on January 1, 2023, I went out and ran again. I only did three miles in a new running shoe I was trying out (the Saucony Tempus), but it was three miles and the running streak continued…

But then, on January 2, I made a very sound decision. I made a smart choice. Sanity prevailed.

I didn’t run.

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364 Means Just One More

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December 30, 2022

***

One day. Just one more day. One day to go…

For a long time, the better part of a decade (at least), I had entertained the idea of running every single day for an entire year. In most years, I rationalized that it was a bad idea. I figured it would become burdensome. I figured it would get in the way of everything else I was trying to accomplish.

Some years I thought the idea was just plain stupid.

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Pinch-Hitting for Christ

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On December 11, 2022, I delivered the following sermon at Grace United Methodist Church in Wyckoff, NJ

***

I’ll begin my sermon today by sharing some names that are out-of-date and out of season both in the holiday sense and in the sense of the sporting world.

I promise this will all come together…

Eventually.

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91.6

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Eleven twelfths.  

One to go.

91.6% through what seemed, at times, and often, like a never-ending task.

***

I once thought that it might be fun to run every single day for an entire calendar year.

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4:38:44

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It wasn’t quite as fast as I wanted.

I thought I might be able to hit 4:19:00, but don’t get me wrong.

It was a glorious day. It was a great day. It was wonderful.

My finish time was in the top 45% of all finishers, meaning I was faster than more than half of the people who ran the race yesterday. Not bad for a guy in his mid-50’s.

I had a great first half (just around two hours) but I didn’t feel as well in the second half and my pace slowed considerably.

The New York City Marathon is one of the highlights of the year for me.

I again wore a Superman shirt. It is awesome to have people yelling, “GO SUPERMAN!” to me as I run. They made me feel like a true superman.

The crowds yesterday were AMAZING. Start to finish, the spectators were so enthusiastic. It was awesome.

I LOVE THE NYC Marathon!

***

Since I am still running every single day this year, I did a slow 2.25 miles today. It felt good to be out there.

No… it felt GREAT!

TOMORROW!!!

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Tomorrow is the New York City Marathon.

I just completed my 16-week training period with a slow and easy 2.80 mile run. That run put me at 680 total miles for the 16 weeks. I averaged 42.5 miles a week for that entire period.

I’m in my mid-fifties, but those 680 miles were the most I ever ran in any training period. My previous high came way back in 2007 as I trained for the Marine Corps Marathon. I did 674 miles in training that year.

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Run In God’s Name

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October 30, 2022

Earlier today, I had the honor of delivering the sermon as the guest preacher at Grace United Methodist Church in Wyckoff, New Jersey.

I am always humbled when I have the opportunity to write and deliver a sermon at church.

Next week, I’ll share a version of this message at the Interfaith Service before the New York City Marathon.

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300 Days

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October 27, 2022

***

I wanted to make sure I was correct so I counted and recounted and counted again.

Yes. Today was the day. I had it marked on my calendar so I assumed it was, I was sure it was, but I needed to check and double-check, and triple-check just to make sure.

I had to be certain about this.

300.

300 consecutive days of running!

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September = 200 Miles!

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Well, I did it. And I did it in grand fashion today.

For the first time since 2009 (and that was a long time ago!), I reached 200 running miles in a single calendar month.

I woke up today at 195 miles. I knew I needed a five-miler to reach 200. I got ready and I set out, as I always do, to reach my goal that day. My plan was to run five comfortable miles.

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