Showing posts with label exercise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label exercise. Show all posts

Friday, September 11, 2009

"God is great, beer is good and people are crazy!"

Hello Earthlings!

Some of you are too young to remember the sitcom "Mork and Mindy." This was a show that Robin Williams starred in as someone from outer space who came to earth in an egg and had special powers. He used to say, "Hello Earthlings!." Special powers? Do you have any? I think we all have unique special powers. That uniqueness is our personality. We all are different: think different, act different and react to situations different. It is our personality that makes up a lot of who we are. We all have faults and we all make mistakes. We also have the ability to do good and give more than we take. I am trying to remind myself more of this everyday. To give!!!

I ran 5 miles last night when it was getting dark. It's crazy as a diabetic sometimes having to get my blood sugar up high enough to go for a run. I feel like the energizer bunny sometimes. Once I eat the right amount of food I am all wound up and then I need to go for a run!!! On my way home from my run it was very dark. I do have a fluorescent running vest I wear to make sure cars can see me in plenty of time before they get close. When I got back to my subdivision there was no traffic and at one point no street lights. There was about a 25 yard stretch where it was pitch black and I could see nothing! I trusted that the sidewalk I was running on was straight and that there was nothing laying in my path. It was really kind of weird. I remember thinking how there is so many times in our life that we need to have faith and trust in God or in other people. So many times in our life the path is taken away from us or we are misguided on the wrong path by some choices we make or some external forces that pull us in different directions. We as a society or sometimes to proud to ask for help or assistance. Sometimes we just are to afraid to make the hard decisions to do the right thing. I have seen a lot of people with addictions in my life. Maybe at one point in my life I had a few myself. The crazy thing about addictions is that there are things that make us feel like we are on top of the world but that are very bad for us. It's the very bad for us that we have a hard time realizing and that's why we can't stop. Sometimes addictions ruin peoples lives. Not just their lives but many of the people around them. Don't be afraid to ask for help and don't be afraid to pray!!!

There is a song by Matt Maher, "Jesus, my everything." I strongly recommend to listen to this song and turn the volume up loud. Even if you are not a spiritual person I am confident this song will speak to your soul. We all could use a lift from time to time and this song will LIFT you up! I believe in God and I certainly could use his hand to pull me along sometimes and also to lift me up when I am feeling down. I also could use his help to give me direction when I "can't see the path." Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZU6x9pGUo If the link doesn't work, just google the title and the artist and I am sure you can find it. I promise this is the best medicine you can take today!!!

I have a 10 mile long run this weekend and then 2 more weeks until the Omaha Marathon! Go Corn Huskers!!! My younger brother Kyle will be running with me at this race. I know he has been training although he has been sandbagging and telling me he is not in good shape. We will see if the old bull or the young bull prevails in this race! :)

We all fall off of our "horse" in life from time to time. Don't be afraid to shake the dust off and get back on. Don't be afraid to ask for help to guide you down the right path!

Run strong, run long,

KB

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Touch Someone Today!!!

Hello Boys and Girls of all ages!!!

I am pumped up for my trip tomorrow to the great state of Idaho! My family gave me a potato today with 26.2 miles and a heart written on it. Not everyday you get a potato as a present! :)

I received an awesome e-mail today from a gentlemen in Montana. His nurse had seen a news story about me on television several weeks ago and he wanted to tell me his story. He also is a type 1 diabetic and had a heart attack several years ago. As it turns out he is a marathon runner as well and his running saved his life because of how strong his heart really was from running and the additional vascular channels it had built because of all his training. I am so glad he reached out and shared his story. Touching peoples lives in a positive way is what life is all about. We all have obstacles, we all face hurdles and it is through the inspiration of others that we are able to continue on and sometimes achieve great things.

People ask me why I run? I do it for many reasons but if I can inspire one person to live a better life than it is all worth it. Last week I spoke with a church group. Many members had diabetes and were looking for motivation to help them manage their health and thus their lives a little better. I tell everyone that you don't need to run marathons to be healthy, but exercise as a daily routine is difficult and takes motivation and is a crucial element in managing diabetes. The ADA states if you can exercise for 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week and eat healthy and maintain a good weight that you can prevent type 2 diabetes. When I ask people if they would do this to prevent type 2 diabetes; guess what the answer always is? YES!!! Now we just have to discipline and motivate ourselves to go out there and do it!

Touch someones life in a positive manner today. If not today; definitely tomorrow. Life is short. Make it count. I have found that you can't take back bad choices so think about what you do before you do it. You may not know it, but you could affect or change someones life forever.

I read an article in the paper today. A woman was looking for her soul mate. She said that she had loved with all her heart someone who did not love her and she has dated someone who loved her with all of their heart in which she did not love. She has dated her best friend and someone who has treated her like she was an angel. Now she wants all of those things at the same time!!! She said she is in no hurry because it is in the Lords hands. When I read this I couldn't help but pray that we all have this come true in our lives!!!!

From one potato head to another...tell the people you love that you love them. Some of us may think that we say "I love you and it becomes a habit." If we could only form more habits like this the world would be a much much better place. :)

Come run with me,

KB

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Don't Stop Running!

Hello Gals and Guys!

Everyday we are faced with challenges that can bring us down. Some of these are small, some of these are life changing. These challenges can sometimes alter the direction of our entire life. We must not give up!!! Ray Kroc; the founder of McDonald's, opened his first restaurant when he was 52 years old. My point; it's never to late to start over and you're never to old to accomplish great things!!!

Happiness. We all want to be happy, right? How do we measure happiness? Is it having a fulfilling career, having healthy children and watching them grow up? Is happiness being in love with someone and that person loving you back? Is happiness being financially comfortable and not having to want for anything? Being happy is defined differently for everyone. No matter how hard we try; we will never have EVERYTHING we want in life. There will always be hurdles and will always be challenges. When our journey ends here on earth, we can only wish to have spent as much time with the ones we love and have enjoyed as much as the world has to offer with these individuals. Life will throw you a curve ball. You may even get hit upside the head with a pitch. Don't stop going to the plate. You may even get traded to another team not by your choice. Eventually my friend; you will hit a home run!!!!

I am carbing up for a 5 mile run this evening. It has been a long day working and I don't really feel like running. I know if I get out there and start my run I will feel better that I did it. I will get rid of the days stress, and I will have a better outlook on the hurdles in my life no matter how big.

Don't stop running, not today, not any day. Life has a rewarding finishing line, don't give up no matter what hurdles are put in your way!

Love to all,
KB

Thursday, July 16, 2009

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

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Thank God for kids!

Happy 4th of July Everyone! Three cheers for the red, white and blue! Fireworks, barbecue, boating, swimming, picnics and vacation!! Fun, fun, fun!! What if we all took a little bit of the red, white and blue and what it signifies and used it in our everyday life? White-signifies purity and innocence, Red-hardiness & valour, and Blue -signifies vigilance, perseverance and justice. I don't know about anyone else...but I could certainly use a shot of red, white and blue in my life!!!

Someone reminded me the other day that we really only have about 17 years with our children and then they are off to college; out of the nest and starting down the road to their own life. Seems like a lot maybe, but then it seems like, not so much. My children or 9 and 11. That means I have 8 and 6 more years respectively. Like I was saying...not so much.

We all get caught up in our busy lives with work, travel and our own hobbies. Just remember those little snaggletooths at home and how much we mean to them and how precious the time is that we spend with them. Teach them everything we can, love them and take precious care of them and love them some more. There is an old Oak Ridge Boys Song "Thank God for Kids". If you have never heard it, listen to the words. It will make you hold your children tight and thank God for this wonderful blessing in your life. One of the lines in the song is this; "when I look down in those trusted eyes that look to me, I realize, its love that you can't buy...Thank God for kids." Remember the greatest gifts we can give to our children are time and love.

The next time you go for a run, or before or after your run; think about going for a short jog with your kids. Perhaps making a commitment to play with them each day for as much time as you spend running. They love you and support you when you run; make sure you do the same for them!!!

Get what you want out of life. You may have some tough challenges and decisions along the way, but be true to your heart and it will lead you down the right path.

Pop, bang, sizzle....Have fun with those fireworks!!!

KB

Monday, April 20, 2009

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

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

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