Hello Everyone.
It has been too long since I have reported in! Many events have occurred and one recent event that I needed to share. I could use everyone’s prayers.
My son Trent awoke the other night at 2:30am. He had apparently been wetting the bed for awhile unbeknownced to me. I knew because of my own diagnosis and also because of the speaking I had recently done for the JDRF that wetting the bed is one of the main symptoms for children who are diagnosed with diabetes especially for a little boy who is 9 years old. I didn't think twice and went to my son’s bedside with my glucose monitor in hand. Hoping, praying and trying to convince myself that this couldn't’t be. That my precious little boy could not have this dreadful chronic disease that I have lived the last 8 years with. I took his finger gently in my hand and checked his blood sugar. Waiting what seemed like hours; when only it was seconds, for the results. The monitor read: 375! The unthinkable had just become a reality before our very eyes. My son Trent has type 1 diabetes. After a trip to St. Louis Children’s Hospital the diagnosis was confirmed. Trent had to spend a day in a half at the hospital and now will take on a challenge of a lifetime as he manages this disease throughout his entire life. Insulin shots, finger pricks, watching of diet, managing high and low blood sugar have already become part of an everyday regime. When anyone of us faces a challenge in our lives as this we wonder how the Lord could allow this to happen. I guess the first thing we must realize is that it is not in God’s hands but is part of life and the hurdles that come along with it. It is up to us to make the smart choices on how we will deal with these hurdles and set a good example and perhaps even become better people because of the hurdles we now have to climb over to live every day. It is with this recent news that I write the following prayer…
Please God watch over my little boy Trent. Give him the strength to deal with this new hurdle, this new challenge in his life. Allow this to make him stronger, give him more character and be an inspiration to others who have challenges in their life. Help his Mom and me and his sister to understand what he is going through everyday and give us the patience to deal with him just being a little boy and not perfect. Please allow him a long life and a very fruitful one. A life filled with more happy than sad and more love than he could ever imagine. Allow others to be patient and understanding and also to learn from the example and the challenge that he has been dealt. Give me the energy and the time and the understanding to give him the best life possible. Please God watch over my little boy Trent.
Please keep us in your prayers!
I run for many reasons and now I will add one very important one to the list; I run for my son Trent!
Life deals us the unexpected; expect it. Do the best you can to make lemons into lemonade!
Come run with me,
Kurt
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Why do you run?
Hello folks!
On my way back from Wyoming; a quick trip, but a very pleasant one! I have only great things to say about the Casper, WY marathon….Great Brook’s athletic shirt, awesome spinning medal, finish line that started and ended at hotel and they even match my bib number to the number of marathon I have run thus far; 21!!! A very nice touch!
I have said it before, but I have to repeat it again… I am humbled every time I run a marathon. Yesterday I met a man who has multiple sclerosis. He was running his 13th marathon this year! Wow! He is 47 years old and will try to complete 50 marathons in 50 states by age 50! Nothing keeping this man down!!! Also, met a lady who was doing her 50th marathon today in her 50th state and it happened to be her 50th B-day!!! Now that’s some awesome karma! J
The smaller marathons seem to attract a lot of the 50 stater’s and I am starting to get to know a lot of people I see on a regular basis at these races. There are many of us crazy folk out there trying to accomplish this goal. Some with hurdles trying to overcome things and many who just plane like to run!!! Why do you run! It certainly makes me feel good about myself and consistently reminds me that I can do anything I set my mind too. It gives you an awesome sense of accomplishment and it also allows me to eat ice cream every so often! J
Today is my daughter Katie’s 12th B-day. I am anxious to get home and spend some time with her before we have to call it a day! She had a sleep over last night with 9 girls! Wow, Dad is somewhat glad that I did not witness the decibel level going on there!!! Happy Birthday Sweetheart! I love you bunches and I am very proud of the young lady you have become!
Until we meet again, or until I run again! Do something nice for someone today! It will make you feel awesome!
Catch me if you can!
KB
On my way back from Wyoming; a quick trip, but a very pleasant one! I have only great things to say about the Casper, WY marathon….Great Brook’s athletic shirt, awesome spinning medal, finish line that started and ended at hotel and they even match my bib number to the number of marathon I have run thus far; 21!!! A very nice touch!
I have said it before, but I have to repeat it again… I am humbled every time I run a marathon. Yesterday I met a man who has multiple sclerosis. He was running his 13th marathon this year! Wow! He is 47 years old and will try to complete 50 marathons in 50 states by age 50! Nothing keeping this man down!!! Also, met a lady who was doing her 50th marathon today in her 50th state and it happened to be her 50th B-day!!! Now that’s some awesome karma! J
The smaller marathons seem to attract a lot of the 50 stater’s and I am starting to get to know a lot of people I see on a regular basis at these races. There are many of us crazy folk out there trying to accomplish this goal. Some with hurdles trying to overcome things and many who just plane like to run!!! Why do you run! It certainly makes me feel good about myself and consistently reminds me that I can do anything I set my mind too. It gives you an awesome sense of accomplishment and it also allows me to eat ice cream every so often! J
Today is my daughter Katie’s 12th B-day. I am anxious to get home and spend some time with her before we have to call it a day! She had a sleep over last night with 9 girls! Wow, Dad is somewhat glad that I did not witness the decibel level going on there!!! Happy Birthday Sweetheart! I love you bunches and I am very proud of the young lady you have become!
Until we meet again, or until I run again! Do something nice for someone today! It will make you feel awesome!
Catch me if you can!
KB
Friday, May 28, 2010
Getting ready for Wyoming! Giddy-up Cowboy!!!
Hello Guys and Gals,
Wishing everyone a happy and safe summer!!! Kids are getting out of school today and the games truly begin!
I have some very exciting runs coming up that I am looking forward to. My run in Wyoming is on June 6th. This is just the tip of the iceberg....Maybe literally?....In October I will meet my brother and some friend in Athens, Greece. We will run the original Marathon route form Marathon, Greece to Athens. At the 1908 Olympic Games in London, the marathon distance was changed to 26.2 miles to cover the ground from Windsor Castle to White City Stadium, with the 2.2 miles added on so the race could finish in front of royal family's viewing box. This added two miles to the course, and is the origin of the Marathon tradition of shouting "God save the Queen!" (or other words relating to the Queen) as mile post 24 is passed. The run in Greece will be an unbelievable trip and certainly a historic one particularly for someone who is a "Marathon Runner!"
Everyone keep that exercising up. You don't need to run marathons to stay healthy but try at least to do something 3-4 times a week that gets that blood pumping!
I also am looking forward to my run in Antarctica which will take place in 2011!! Who said that running isn't a lot of fun!! This trip will be a long one and much preparation will need to be done for the climate and the travel. I can't wait!
I hope to chat soon!
Come run with me!
Kurt
Wishing everyone a happy and safe summer!!! Kids are getting out of school today and the games truly begin!
I have some very exciting runs coming up that I am looking forward to. My run in Wyoming is on June 6th. This is just the tip of the iceberg....Maybe literally?....In October I will meet my brother and some friend in Athens, Greece. We will run the original Marathon route form Marathon, Greece to Athens. At the 1908 Olympic Games in London, the marathon distance was changed to 26.2 miles to cover the ground from Windsor Castle to White City Stadium, with the 2.2 miles added on so the race could finish in front of royal family's viewing box. This added two miles to the course, and is the origin of the Marathon tradition of shouting "God save the Queen!" (or other words relating to the Queen) as mile post 24 is passed. The run in Greece will be an unbelievable trip and certainly a historic one particularly for someone who is a "Marathon Runner!"
Everyone keep that exercising up. You don't need to run marathons to stay healthy but try at least to do something 3-4 times a week that gets that blood pumping!
I also am looking forward to my run in Antarctica which will take place in 2011!! Who said that running isn't a lot of fun!! This trip will be a long one and much preparation will need to be done for the climate and the travel. I can't wait!
I hope to chat soon!
Come run with me!
Kurt
Monday, March 8, 2010
New PR in GA!
Greetings to all!!!
Albany, GA treated me very well this weekend. My brother Kyle and I flew into Atlanta and drove 3 hours to Albany, GA. A very quaint little town that thrives off of the cotton industry, Snickers Plant and also the Miller/Coors Plant as well. The weather was absolutely perfect. At the start of the race it was a chilly 34 degrees but as we crossed the finish line it was 60 degrees and sunny! My kinda race.
We met some great people along the way and it goes without saying that the south is one of the most hospitable areas of the country. Some real nice folk.
I felt really good most of the race and kept the pressure on as my brother was in front of me for the whole race. I kept trying to catch him but never did. He finish 3 minutes ahead of me. As I was coming down the home stretch, 3 emergency vehicles pulled in front of me and I literally had to stop running and try to walk around them between a fence and the ambulance. I know it cut at least a minute off my time. As much as I wanted to beat my brother or shatter my own PR, I can't help but think at least it wasn't me in that ambulance. My prayers go out to whomever it was that they are okay.
Did I mention that the race was sponsored by SNICKERS!!! Really Satisfying...:) About every 5 miles we were treated with snickers, bananas, and oranges! These people know how to put on a race. At the end of the race; MillerCoors was giving out plenty of free beer!!! The sun was shining, I had a cold beer, a snickers and just had finish my 18th marathon with a new PR! A fantastic day!
I am very glad to see Spring right around the corner. Many new things and new happenings occur in the Spring. I personally look at this time of year as getting a fresh start on life and all the things I have been putting off; now is the time to get them done!
Enjoy the sunshine when you can. Work hard, play even harder!
Catch me if you can!
KB
Albany, GA treated me very well this weekend. My brother Kyle and I flew into Atlanta and drove 3 hours to Albany, GA. A very quaint little town that thrives off of the cotton industry, Snickers Plant and also the Miller/Coors Plant as well. The weather was absolutely perfect. At the start of the race it was a chilly 34 degrees but as we crossed the finish line it was 60 degrees and sunny! My kinda race.
We met some great people along the way and it goes without saying that the south is one of the most hospitable areas of the country. Some real nice folk.
I felt really good most of the race and kept the pressure on as my brother was in front of me for the whole race. I kept trying to catch him but never did. He finish 3 minutes ahead of me. As I was coming down the home stretch, 3 emergency vehicles pulled in front of me and I literally had to stop running and try to walk around them between a fence and the ambulance. I know it cut at least a minute off my time. As much as I wanted to beat my brother or shatter my own PR, I can't help but think at least it wasn't me in that ambulance. My prayers go out to whomever it was that they are okay.
Did I mention that the race was sponsored by SNICKERS!!! Really Satisfying...:) About every 5 miles we were treated with snickers, bananas, and oranges! These people know how to put on a race. At the end of the race; MillerCoors was giving out plenty of free beer!!! The sun was shining, I had a cold beer, a snickers and just had finish my 18th marathon with a new PR! A fantastic day!
I am very glad to see Spring right around the corner. Many new things and new happenings occur in the Spring. I personally look at this time of year as getting a fresh start on life and all the things I have been putting off; now is the time to get them done!
Enjoy the sunshine when you can. Work hard, play even harder!
Catch me if you can!
KB
Monday, March 1, 2010
Sweet Home Alabama!
Hello Ladies and Gent's!
My trip to Alabama was awesome! My brother and I decided to drive from Missouri and spend some quality brother time. It's not everyday you drive through Green Frog, TN and experience getting stopped by an Alabama policeman. Ouch! Fortunately we were told just to slow down a bit and we escaped getting an out-of-state ticket. Whew!
Hows this for some positive mojo...not only did we get out of a ticket, the run was on Valentines Day! February 14th right? The hotel room we stayed in was number 214 and my split time on the half marathon was....you guess it; 2:14. I had the best marathon time that I ever had scoring a new PR of 4:42! It was very surreal. Never used that word before, but now I think it is appropriate. I was starting the race and "Sweet Home Alabama" was playing on my iPod. I couldn't of written the script any better.
I am off to Albany, GA this weekend with my brother Kyle. Wish me luck as I prepare to complete my 18th marathon in my 17th state! Got some new sneaks and I am very excited to see if they make me any faster!
Keep running and keep smiling!
Catch me if you can!
KB
My trip to Alabama was awesome! My brother and I decided to drive from Missouri and spend some quality brother time. It's not everyday you drive through Green Frog, TN and experience getting stopped by an Alabama policeman. Ouch! Fortunately we were told just to slow down a bit and we escaped getting an out-of-state ticket. Whew!
Hows this for some positive mojo...not only did we get out of a ticket, the run was on Valentines Day! February 14th right? The hotel room we stayed in was number 214 and my split time on the half marathon was....you guess it; 2:14. I had the best marathon time that I ever had scoring a new PR of 4:42! It was very surreal. Never used that word before, but now I think it is appropriate. I was starting the race and "Sweet Home Alabama" was playing on my iPod. I couldn't of written the script any better.
I am off to Albany, GA this weekend with my brother Kyle. Wish me luck as I prepare to complete my 18th marathon in my 17th state! Got some new sneaks and I am very excited to see if they make me any faster!
Keep running and keep smiling!
Catch me if you can!
KB
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
The Goofy Challenge! Ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog!
Hello Friends!
Just returning from Orlando, Fl where I successfully completed the Goofy Challenge! 13.1 miles on Saturday and 26.2 on Sunday! I’m pooped! J We had unbelievable cold weather. There were record lows in Florida but somehow we got er’ done. Saturday was the half marathon. The temperature was in the low 30’s and we had ice pellets coming down for the start of the race. It is nothing short of amazing to see thousands of people who will brave the weather to accomplish their goal. One fan had a banner that helped me make it through the day; “Pain is temporary, pride will last forever!” The rain came down consistently throughout the day through the half marathon. We started the race at 5:40am. It was a benefit to all because we couldn’t actually see the rain coming down for most of the morning because we were running in the dark. We rain through all the Disney theme parks. How amazing it was! We started out at Epcot. The most favorite for me was running through the Disney Castle. All the characters were out and greeting us despite the bad weather. There were so many unbelievable things to see from the rides to the people to the landscape that it made the half marathon go by very quickly and the weather not very noticeable at all. Kudos to the volunteers who were there to support us donning winter coats and umbrellas. It had been awhile since I had run a half marathon. How enjoyable it was to be finished at 13.1 miles!!! I crossed the finish line and received my Donald Duck medal and high-fived Donald as I completed the run. Something one doesn’t get to do everyday!
On Sunday my brother Kyle joined me for the marathon. We awoke to 29 degrees and very windy. Not the kind of weather you expect when you are travelling to Florida. The good news was we were able to park at Epcot fairly close to the start line. We enjoyed the heat from inside the car until the last possible moment when we headed to the start. Never before have I seen people wearing heavy winter coats at the start, with scarves, blankets and garbage bags wrapped around them for warmth. Not only did they have them at the start, many of these people ran most of the race wrapped up like a pig in a blanket. It was really cold! Once we got running I was good at about mile 3. My extra sweatshirt came off and I got into my zone. I enjoyed the run thoroughly but had some blood sugar hurdles along the way. At about mile 22 the volunteers were giving out chocolate and raisins. I remember saying to myself that I didn’t care if my time suffered are not, I was stopping to partake in some of that chocolate!!! It was so much fun high-fiving the fans, especially the kids, as we ran through the Disney Parks. For those few minutes it made all the pain and suffering you were going through disappear! The final stretch of the marathon was exciting with thousands of fans cheering us on. Goofy was at the finish line to high-five you as you crossed the finish line. Once again, not something you get to do everyday. I received both my Mickey Mouse Medal and also the coveted Goofy Medal. It was awesome!! The fan was right. The pain had gone away for that moment and the feeling of pride came pouring thorough. The Goofy Challenge had been met and accomplished!!!
If there’s one thing I will leave you with today it is the suggestion not to pass up the opportunity to run the Walt Disney Marathon. It is truly a wonderful race that makes you smile despite any obstacles that may stand in your way. It is Magical! J
I received a phone call while in Florida from my little girl Katie. She had broken her thumb sleigh riding with her friend. It is her dominant hand which also presents an obstacle. Basketball season has just started and I could hear the sadness in her voice as she told me that she will miss playing basketball the rest of this year. Daddy too will miss very much watching my little tiger on the court take the ball away from the opponent. We all have our own little challenges every day, every year. I hope this challenge makes my little Katie stronger, braver and maybe even more talented in that she will have to find different ways to accomplish many things. I guess playing the piano will have to take a break too.
I am headed from Florida to California today for work. A long flight on the airplane but it has given me the opportunity to share some of my life with you for which I am very thankful. Once again, I am humbled by the people I have met and talked to who came to run the half marathon, the full marathon or the entire Goofy Challenge. My brother was running and had a couple in their sixties tell each other close to the end of the marathon, “We have come this far and we are going to complete this thing.” Determination. Our bodies are stronger than sometimes our minds will allow, but every marathon I witness people who have an incredible heart that will not allow them to give up or fail.
I wish all a great, super-fantastic 2010! Do something that scares you, you might just find out that it is the most fun you have ever had!!!
35 more states to go. Still running, still learning!
As Porky the pig says, “That’s all folks!!
KB
Just returning from Orlando, Fl where I successfully completed the Goofy Challenge! 13.1 miles on Saturday and 26.2 on Sunday! I’m pooped! J We had unbelievable cold weather. There were record lows in Florida but somehow we got er’ done. Saturday was the half marathon. The temperature was in the low 30’s and we had ice pellets coming down for the start of the race. It is nothing short of amazing to see thousands of people who will brave the weather to accomplish their goal. One fan had a banner that helped me make it through the day; “Pain is temporary, pride will last forever!” The rain came down consistently throughout the day through the half marathon. We started the race at 5:40am. It was a benefit to all because we couldn’t actually see the rain coming down for most of the morning because we were running in the dark. We rain through all the Disney theme parks. How amazing it was! We started out at Epcot. The most favorite for me was running through the Disney Castle. All the characters were out and greeting us despite the bad weather. There were so many unbelievable things to see from the rides to the people to the landscape that it made the half marathon go by very quickly and the weather not very noticeable at all. Kudos to the volunteers who were there to support us donning winter coats and umbrellas. It had been awhile since I had run a half marathon. How enjoyable it was to be finished at 13.1 miles!!! I crossed the finish line and received my Donald Duck medal and high-fived Donald as I completed the run. Something one doesn’t get to do everyday!
On Sunday my brother Kyle joined me for the marathon. We awoke to 29 degrees and very windy. Not the kind of weather you expect when you are travelling to Florida. The good news was we were able to park at Epcot fairly close to the start line. We enjoyed the heat from inside the car until the last possible moment when we headed to the start. Never before have I seen people wearing heavy winter coats at the start, with scarves, blankets and garbage bags wrapped around them for warmth. Not only did they have them at the start, many of these people ran most of the race wrapped up like a pig in a blanket. It was really cold! Once we got running I was good at about mile 3. My extra sweatshirt came off and I got into my zone. I enjoyed the run thoroughly but had some blood sugar hurdles along the way. At about mile 22 the volunteers were giving out chocolate and raisins. I remember saying to myself that I didn’t care if my time suffered are not, I was stopping to partake in some of that chocolate!!! It was so much fun high-fiving the fans, especially the kids, as we ran through the Disney Parks. For those few minutes it made all the pain and suffering you were going through disappear! The final stretch of the marathon was exciting with thousands of fans cheering us on. Goofy was at the finish line to high-five you as you crossed the finish line. Once again, not something you get to do everyday. I received both my Mickey Mouse Medal and also the coveted Goofy Medal. It was awesome!! The fan was right. The pain had gone away for that moment and the feeling of pride came pouring thorough. The Goofy Challenge had been met and accomplished!!!
If there’s one thing I will leave you with today it is the suggestion not to pass up the opportunity to run the Walt Disney Marathon. It is truly a wonderful race that makes you smile despite any obstacles that may stand in your way. It is Magical! J
I received a phone call while in Florida from my little girl Katie. She had broken her thumb sleigh riding with her friend. It is her dominant hand which also presents an obstacle. Basketball season has just started and I could hear the sadness in her voice as she told me that she will miss playing basketball the rest of this year. Daddy too will miss very much watching my little tiger on the court take the ball away from the opponent. We all have our own little challenges every day, every year. I hope this challenge makes my little Katie stronger, braver and maybe even more talented in that she will have to find different ways to accomplish many things. I guess playing the piano will have to take a break too.
I am headed from Florida to California today for work. A long flight on the airplane but it has given me the opportunity to share some of my life with you for which I am very thankful. Once again, I am humbled by the people I have met and talked to who came to run the half marathon, the full marathon or the entire Goofy Challenge. My brother was running and had a couple in their sixties tell each other close to the end of the marathon, “We have come this far and we are going to complete this thing.” Determination. Our bodies are stronger than sometimes our minds will allow, but every marathon I witness people who have an incredible heart that will not allow them to give up or fail.
I wish all a great, super-fantastic 2010! Do something that scares you, you might just find out that it is the most fun you have ever had!!!
35 more states to go. Still running, still learning!
As Porky the pig says, “That’s all folks!!
KB
Monday, December 21, 2009
Can you still hear the bell ring?
Happy Holidays! Happy Holidays! Happy Holidays! Sorry, I almost got caught up in a Christmas Carol! :)
In the movie the Polar Express, the people who believe in Christmas; the true meaning of Christmas, can still hear the reindeer bell that appears several times throughout the movie. Now you may not believe in flying reindeer or Santa coming down your chimney, but if you open your heart to the true meaning of Christmas, you will be fortunate to hear and see all the wonderful things that Christmas has to offer. The kindness, joy, love, consideration, compassion and worship that all is part of this wonderful season. Sometimes we all slip into a little Scrooge mode when something doesn't go quite our way. This Christmas I promise you if you open your heart to peace, love, honesty and kindness, you will find more enjoyment out of this holiday then you ever could have imagined. Open your heart to goodness!
Today was my day off from running but I did hit the weight room and worked on building that core. :) My brother Kyle who I run with a lot is coming in for the holidays. We usually get a run or two in while he is home. I can't let the little bro show me up! :) Three more weeks til the Disney Marathon. Sometimes the winter months can make it hard to train. It feels better to snuggle in a warm blanket with a bowl of popcorn and a good movie. Trust me, there is always time for that after you spend an hour or so a day doing your training. Here's a quote by an Olympian Emil Zatopek, "If one can stick to the training throughout the many long years, then willpower is no longer a problem. It's raining? That doesn't matter. I am tired? That's besides the point. It's simply that I just have to." Discipline is what builds champions. We don't have to all be Olympians, but if we want to reach our goals or achieve something great, we must do things; yes, even when we don't want to or it's not convenient.
Enjoy the holiday and especially the time with family and friends. No price tag can replace family and friends. I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and I hope that reindeer bell rings for you!!!
Run in the sun, the snow, the rain or even on the treadmill! :) Just run!
KB
In the movie the Polar Express, the people who believe in Christmas; the true meaning of Christmas, can still hear the reindeer bell that appears several times throughout the movie. Now you may not believe in flying reindeer or Santa coming down your chimney, but if you open your heart to the true meaning of Christmas, you will be fortunate to hear and see all the wonderful things that Christmas has to offer. The kindness, joy, love, consideration, compassion and worship that all is part of this wonderful season. Sometimes we all slip into a little Scrooge mode when something doesn't go quite our way. This Christmas I promise you if you open your heart to peace, love, honesty and kindness, you will find more enjoyment out of this holiday then you ever could have imagined. Open your heart to goodness!
Today was my day off from running but I did hit the weight room and worked on building that core. :) My brother Kyle who I run with a lot is coming in for the holidays. We usually get a run or two in while he is home. I can't let the little bro show me up! :) Three more weeks til the Disney Marathon. Sometimes the winter months can make it hard to train. It feels better to snuggle in a warm blanket with a bowl of popcorn and a good movie. Trust me, there is always time for that after you spend an hour or so a day doing your training. Here's a quote by an Olympian Emil Zatopek, "If one can stick to the training throughout the many long years, then willpower is no longer a problem. It's raining? That doesn't matter. I am tired? That's besides the point. It's simply that I just have to." Discipline is what builds champions. We don't have to all be Olympians, but if we want to reach our goals or achieve something great, we must do things; yes, even when we don't want to or it's not convenient.
Enjoy the holiday and especially the time with family and friends. No price tag can replace family and friends. I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and I hope that reindeer bell rings for you!!!
Run in the sun, the snow, the rain or even on the treadmill! :) Just run!
KB
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