Soar Like An Eagle!!!

Hello Everyone!

I am hopeful everyone is getting the most out of your summer! Whether it is swimming, white-water rafting, travelling, going to the zoo, visiting your relatives or just relaxing and enjoying your family; I want you to enjoy every ounce of your summer!!!!

I have a 5 mile run to put in today and I am excited about a new running group that I will join tomorrow for a 5 mile run. They meet every Saturday and run between 5 and 10 miles and then go to the local St. Louis Bread Company for some carbs and drinks. I am looking forward to this new adventure. I have usually ran alone, but joining a group can help motivate you to run, can increase your pace time and can also introduce you to people just like you who love to run!!!

I have recently read something that I found very inspirational. It is an explanation of how a mother eagle must have the courage to push her infants out of the nest to learn how to fly. This excerpt from a book I read can be interpreted many ways and motivate you to do different things. A quote from David McNally in the book called, "The Push"..."Until they learned how to soar they would fail to understand the privilege it was to have been born and eagle." Everyday day most of us are very fortunate to wake up with health, energy and God-given talent. We are privileged that we have all these glorious things the Lord has given us. It is up to us to use these talents to make our families, children, careers and our relationships flourish! Let us all try to remind ourselves everyday that we have the ability to SOAR!!! We all will face adversity in our lives. It's not a matter of if, but when. Reach down deep in to your soul and know that it will be scary, frightening and even very difficult. Know you have been born an "eagle" and you do have the ability and the right to SOAR!

David McNally writes, "Why does the thrill of soaring have to begin with the fear of falling?" Excellence comes with risk, caring, dreaming and expecting more than others think is wise. Today is your day!!! Know that you have the ability, the heart and the determination to live an extraordinary life!

I pray that all of you soar like an eagle!!!

KB

Did you let out the Monster today?!!!

Hello AMERICA!

I have dove back into my training and have only 5 weeks before the Mesa Falls Marathon in Ashton, IA. I have never done two marathons this close together so I am anxious to see how my body will perform! This past Sunday I ran Missoula, MT and by Wednesday this week I started out with 30 minutes on the elliptical trainer and 30 minutes of weight lifting. Today I put in a 3 mile run. I truly miss when I go several days without running. Exercise in general for most people gives us a great feeling of accomplishment and provides us with some extra energy along the way. My kids have a saying that they use when I run marathon's. They tell me when I get close to the finish line that I should, "Let the Monster out." They have seen me grit my teeth, clutch my fist and turn up the speed when I get close to the finish. They say I look like a monster coming across the finish line. The "letting out the monster" gives me that extra boost sometimes I need to cross the finish and perhaps pass a few runners who I have been behind the whole race! Everyday we get up, get dressed, eat breakfast, go to our jobs, come home, eat dinner, go to bed. I don't want to sound mundane, but we can let life become that way if we don't go after what we want ever day with passion and zest!!! My brother says to do something everyday that scares you. You know you are being challenged and taking risk if you do things that scare you. This is also how I found to build character and gain experience. If you do something you are scared to do, but you do it anyway and accomplish the tasks successfully; you have gain experience and more often then not, some character along the way. Make sure you are getting the most out of every day! The compilation of all the days end up to be....guess what? Your life!!! Get the most out of it!! Make sure sometime during the day you "Let out the Monster!" You want to get the most out of your day and certainly in the end the most out of your life!!!!

Love, trust, forgive and live!!!

KB

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