Keep your head held high!

Hello Everyone,

I hope this message finds everyone doing extraordinaire! I did a 12 mile run yesterday on a treadmill at the gym. Yes, on a treadmill! It was raining pretty heavy all day so I decided to get my run in indoors. Now for those of you who say you CAN'T run on a treadmill; here is my thoughts....If you can find a good treadmill at a gym, with a good television and people around you to help motivate you, who are also exercising; running on a treadmill is not so bad!!!

I just got off the phone with my Dad. My Uncle Otie just passed away. Uncle Otie is a great, great man!!!! He taught me many things, but the most important was the power of laughter. I never once saw Uncle Otie in a bad mood! He had many sayings that I will always remember. He used to say when we were driving and needing directions, "You can't go wrong, if you make a right." He also taught me this saying when someone asked what we were having for lunch; he would say; "we are having ham, ram, lamb, sheep, mutton, buffalo and bear meat." Uncle Otie's wife Tillie would say; "Otis why did you have so many drinks at the party?" Uncle Otie's response would be, "I only had one glass, the darn fools kept filling it up!" The power of laughter and the power of a smile. How wonderful it is!

Everyone has hurdles in their life. Take it from my Uncle Otie; keep your head held high and always keep laughing. When your time on this earth ends, not only will you have had a wonderful fulfilled life, but you will have left a smile on the many, many people who love you who are left behind!

Always keep smiling!!
Kurt

Attitude is Everything! I can, I can, I can!!!

Hello fantastic people!

I completed my 20 mile run yesterday. Boy, it was a tough one! When I started it was raining and then the temperature dropped and the winds were at 20 mph. There were times I had to hold my hat from blowing off my head. I kept singing the song, "Running against the wind", in my mind. These long runs are the most challenging for me. I run by myself on a course by my house. I have a 5 mile course which in this case I ran 4 times. It is down a steep hill and up a steep hill. I keep telling myself that the hill is great training for any marathon I encounter. When I was running and the rain had stopped I looked up in the sky and told God thank you. He gave me sunshine and gave me this great ability to run. I could complain about how far I had to run but why? There are so many people that would love to be able to run but can't because of a disability. Today I feel great and a lot of it has to do with the accomplishment from the day before. I am thankful for what I am able to do. Running is not a privilege, it is a gift. Embrace it and let it be the inspiration that allows you to work harder, play more, love lots and live longer!

There is a quote my brother sent me from Charles Swindoll. I will share just a part of it. "I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes." So I will leave you with this until next time. Smile because you can, love because you can, get the most out of everyday...because you can!!!

Don't just dream it-Do it!

Kurt

Spring has Sprung...Time to get outdoors and enjoy!

Hello Everyone,

I just finished my 5 mile run today. What a beautiful day here in St. Louis. It's currently 55 degrees and the sun is shining. All the flowers and trees are blooming. A great day for a run!

Tomorrow I get to run 20 miles. This will be the only long run I will do before the marathon in California on May 3rd. In order for me to do these long runs I really have to psych myself up. Running 20 miles isn't easy and sometimes doing it all by yourself is challenging. I have a good friend who I admire who is a runner. When I ask, "how was your run", she always responds, "it was awesome!". She is truly an inspiration to me. She runs a lot faster so I train harder so one day I might beat her PR. :)

My brother and I like to take motivational quotes and use them periodically to remind us why we do what we do and also to keep us motivated when it feels like you're out there by yourself. I saw an adidas ad in Runners World today that read, "Because I don't have time for ordinary". This will go in our quotes that we use to stay jazzed about running and life in general. I run because it makes me feel great and because I can...

I have a softball game with my daughter today and soccer for my son. I love to watch them grow and sports is such an awesome way to see it happen in front of your very eyes as they progress throughout the years. Don't miss a second of your kids! They are completely innocent and easily one of Gods greatest gifts.

Enjoy the spring time everyone. Easter is right around the corner. A new beginning for us all!

Make everyday count!

Kurt

It's great to be able to run!!

Hello Everyone,

I just found out that business may take me to Newport Beach, CA the first week in May. I scanned the marathons for this time frame and was pleasantly surprised to find out that the Avia OC Marathon will be taking place on May 3rd! How bout that! I can accomplish a Marathon in California and do some business at the same time. I am very excited. I understand that the weather there is absolutely beautiful. I am looking very forward to experiencing the marathon and also the gorgeous geography.

I am in the 15th week of Hal Higdon's Intermediate 1 training schedule. I am proud of myself that I have been very diligent about getting in the daily runs. This weekend I get to do a big one; 20 miles!!! After this one I will start to taper my distances and rest my legs getting ready for the marathon. I love having goals to shoot for. I am very motivated when I have a purpose and I get very excited when the end result is in sight and you can see the figurative "finish line."

Happy trails runners!

Kurt

Resting for the next challenge!

Hello Everyone,

Four days post marathon and my legs are getting back to normal. It's amazing when you run 26 miles vs 20 miles the tole it takes on your body. Completely different. I guess that's why people hit the wall sometimes at mile 20. The additional 6 miles is a journey in and of itself. I have been doing my part in replentishing my body with some complex carbs such as potatoes and different energy drinks and energy bars. I have also managed to slip in a little ice cream! :)

My next marathon will be in Missoula Montana on July 12, 2009. I am really looking forward to this marathon because it is in such a beautiful part of the country. Perhaps I may be able to get in a little fly fishing while I am there. Experiencing different parts of the country and the people has been one of the exciting things about this 50 states journey. I am thrilled that I have many more places and people yet to experience.

I have been using Hal Higdon's Marathon Training Guide to train for each marathon. When I do multiple marathones I typically take a week to two off from running and do some weight training. I then start the 18 week marathon training schedule wherever I need to be to be on target with the program to finish it by the time of the marathon. I use the Intermediate 1 program and have been successful with doing the two 20 mile long runs in this program. The weekly mileage is certainly manageable with any job and the long runs just take some time management and some getting use to.

I have changed my philosphy for running. Instead of telling everyone I "have to run" xx miles everyday; I now say I "get to run" xx miles today. Not everyone can run. Some people are physically not capable. I am priviledged I have been given this gift and this ability. Thank God for this gift!!!

If you want to run faster, you need to run faster!!!

Have a superfantastic day!!!

Kurt

Little Rock Marathon

Hello Race Fans,

Made it back from Little Rock and I am happy to report that I have a new marathon personal record! It was a tough course with plenty of hills but the weather was outstanding. Averaged around 50 degrees. My brother Kyle and I ran most of the race together which was very awesome. I came in just a few minutes a head of him. My time was 4:49:06. I am not the speediest, but love to run, love the challenge and love to finish! I had 4 PowerBar PowerGel's to keep my blood sugar up along the run and ate a half of banana and a slice of orange along the way. I drank a mixture of water and Gatorade at the many water stations they had along the way.

My brother and I stayed at the Peabody Hotel. $125 a night! Can't beat it! The Expo was in this hotel and the start and finish line were in walking distance from the hotel. Very very nice set up.

I drove 5 1/2 hours to and from the race. Not a bad drive from St. Louis at all. All interstate. It went much quicker than I would have thought.

We ate twice at a restaurant called Big Whiskey's. I would highly recommend it. All types of food and very delicious. Also walking distance to the hotel.

This is now my 8th marathon and 7th state marathon I have run. Finishing the race is a new and awesome experience every time. The people that we met are just incredible. They motivate me to continue to push very hard. I met a lady who was 45 and this was her 38th marathon. We also met a couple who are travelling around the country and trying for 50 half marathons as well. Great people, great food and great experience! Run, run as fast as you can!

The Week Before The Big Race!

Hello Everyone! Very excited about my new blog...still learning so forgive me for my lack of entry. Five days before the Little Rock Marathon. I am very excited! My training has been going well despite a sore knee I have had for quite some time. I am going to shoot for a PR if everything goes well that day. It's safe to say, some days you're feeling it and some days your not. My brother Kyle who is six years younger will be running with me. He is a great motivator. You never want your little brother to beat you!!! The Little Rock Marathon has one of the biggest medals in North America. As a buddy of mine Jim McClear always says, "Its all about the hardware." Run, run fast!!!