Never pass up an opportunity to be great!!!

Hello Runners, Friends, Family and All Star Fans!!!

Yesterday I completed my 10th marathon and my 9th state that I have run a marathon in. It is awesome to have hit double digits with marathons I have run! Missoula Montana puts on an awesome marathon. For those of you considering a great place to travel and a marathon well done; this is a great one to put on your list. From the moment I arrived, Missoula offers a lot to the average visitor. The airport was only 2 minutes away from my hotel. The hotel offers 24/7 shuttle service which I utilized several times during my trip. I would like to say a big THANK YOU to the folks at the Hawthorn Inn. Not only were they very nice and cordial, but anything you asked for it was delivered in a matter of minutes. The day of the race my brother and I left the hotel at 4:15am. The hotel had put together a bag with a bagel, yogurt, apple and orange juice for us to take with us. For those of you who don’t travel much, most hotels if you are not up before breakfast is served, you just simply miss breakfast. The Hawthorn definitely gets a 5 star for customer service! The temperature at the start of the race was around 55° F. Perfect for the start of a marathon. The course was very flat with the exception of one monster hill around mile 11. It could have been classified as a small mountain. Once we were able to master the mountain it was a battle of endurance to the finish. My brother and I were suppose to start the race together but do to a bathroom break I had to take I had forgotten to turn on my GPS watch. The gun went off and I stayed behind the start line for the satellite to load on my watch. My brother took off and thought I was seconds behind him. I only started the race a minute and half later. I caught up with my brother Kyle about mile 2 and ran with him until about mile 5. He then started running faster and I didn’t see him again until mile 22. He was about 100 yards in front of me. I knew if I kept him in my sites and did not fall more than 100yds behind, that I would beat his time because of my delayed start. Kyle unfortunately did not factor my late start in because unbeknownst to him I had waited over a minute to start the race. Kyle tried to keep me at bay and I did my very best to push myself although fatigue was setting in at an enormous level. I sprinted the last 100 yards and was only about 25 yards behind my brother when I crossed the finish line. I knew I had beaten his time. A few minutes later he was talking about how he was able to beat me in this race. I let him know about my late start and then the shock set in right then and there that I had beat him by approximately 1 minute. He couldn’t believe it. It was most definitely a, “you could have heard a pin drop” moment!! I am not very fast or do not ever brag about beating someone in a race. On this day, it was okay because it was my younger brother and I had just out foxed him in this 26.2 challenge of endurance! I love you bro! I smoked you, but I love ya!

Remember everyday to thank the people for the little things in your life. I thanked the race organizers, the hotel staff and the shuttle driver. Just giving your kids a call when you are away is an opportunity for you to do something great. It is not the “great” that you may think of, but it is the “great “ that allows you the opportunity to do something that is right there in front of you, and you just have to put forth that little effort to make a difference in someone’s life. Don’t pass up an opportunity to tell someone you love that you love them. Don’t pass up an opportunity to say thanks, hold a door open or make someone smile who might be having a rough day.

Good luck to the National League tomorrow in the All Star Game! Go Albert Puhols! You are an ambassador of good will and a wonderful role model for millions of children watching.

Go after the things you want in life no matter what it takes!! Make good choices, don’t be afraid of a challenge or obstacles in your way and love with all your heart!

After being in Montana for the weekend, I think it’s only appropriate that I use one of my old sayings….If you’re gonna be bear…Be a GRIZZLY!!!!

KB

Tortoise Or Hare; Winning is in the eye of the beholder!

Hello Friends!,

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. St. Louis has been a real pressure cooker recently but we are down in the 80's this week and the weather has been beautiful. Enjoy the outdoors; it is one of the greatest gifts God has bestowed upon us!

I am 12 days out from the Montana Marathon and getting very excited about visiting this beautiful state. It is one of the few states in North America that I haven't yet visited. I won't be able to stay long, but will try to soak up all that it has to offer in the time I am there.

Today I did a 5 mile run. No frills, just me, my sneakers and the great outdoors. While I was running I saw a turtle just starting to cross the highway. This is a 4 lane road and gets quite a bit of traffic. Part of me wanted to pick the turtle up and point him back towards the woods, but I left him do what he was intending to do. I thought to myself that he will probably never make it across the road. A lot went through my mind as I thought about that turtle as I continued to run. The turtle was going as fast as he could because he was for whatever reason determined to get to the other side. I don't know how smart turtles are; maybe he just didn't know any better. There he was; moving as fast as he could and I was hoping he would not get squished as he crossed the 4 lane highway. About a dozen cars went by as I continued on my run. On my lap back I looked for the turtle with anxiety that he would not be smashed on the road. To my delight there was no smashed turtle. He had made it to the other side. He had made it to his finish line! I thought to myself as I finished my run how many types of runners there are; some very fast, some very slow. Some turtles, some rabbits. Those of us who do not win races, medals, ribbons or who do not get recognized as elite athletes are still winners! We run the race, give it everything we got and cross that finish line! That turtle; no matter how slow, was determined to get to the other side. With a little luck, determination and persistence; he accomplished his goal. God watched out for him and made his journey a successful one.

Never give up! Run your own race and be very proud of yourself that you are doing what ever exercise it is that you do. Self discipline is the biggest factor of what turns ordinary people into extraordinary people. Do what you need to do. Even when you don't want to do it; do it anyway. Whether the tortoise or the hare, be very proud of your accomplishments. Getting to the finish line makes you a true hero; It doesn't matter how or when you arrive, just get there!!!

Live and Love with all your heart and never look back!!

KB