Wow. It's been way too long since I have updated this. It's been so long that I'm not even going to try to come up with an excuse. I'm sorry. I totally failed on this whole blog thing.
However, I do have some good news! This Tuesday night we are going to be meeting as a team to discuss severally difference fundraising ideas. We are planning everything from holding a garage sale to running a marathon on a treadmill! It's going to be great. We are going to work to find some of the best, most creative ways to truly make a difference through World Vision. Please check the blog in a couple days to see what we all come up with!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
It's hot. Really hot.
This Saturday's practice was a tough one. By the time we started at 7:00am, it was already 80 degrees with 90 percent humidity. Although six miles is normally not a big deal for our more experienced runners, the conditions made it tough for everybody. It was definitely not one of those practices that you walk away from feeling like you conquered the world.
To be honest, it was one of those runs that makes you question why you are doing this. You wonder if you are really cut out for this marathon stuff. You fear that the next 16 weeks are going to be just as miserable. You begin to think that signing up for the team might have been a bad idea.
I went through the same thing when I was training for my first marathon two years ago. I had completely failed at doing an 11-miler. It was so bad my dad, who had been riding his bike along side me, had to go ahead, get the truck, and pick me up. As I drove home I was on the verge of quitting.
However, through the engagement of my friends and family, I kept training. I pressed on. Did I still have bad runs? Oh yeah. Several of them. But I also had good ones and great ones. And that is what marathon training is all about.
It's about getting out there and moving forward - on good days and bad days. It's about determination. It's about dedication. And I can promise you there will come a time when it all seems worth it. For me,it was the moment I crossed the finish line, when a race volunteer placed the medal around my neck and said congratulations. At the moment, I knew exactly why I ran through the good days and the bad days.
I almost feel like there some type of analogy about life buried in all this, but who knows...
To be honest, it was one of those runs that makes you question why you are doing this. You wonder if you are really cut out for this marathon stuff. You fear that the next 16 weeks are going to be just as miserable. You begin to think that signing up for the team might have been a bad idea.
I went through the same thing when I was training for my first marathon two years ago. I had completely failed at doing an 11-miler. It was so bad my dad, who had been riding his bike along side me, had to go ahead, get the truck, and pick me up. As I drove home I was on the verge of quitting.
However, through the engagement of my friends and family, I kept training. I pressed on. Did I still have bad runs? Oh yeah. Several of them. But I also had good ones and great ones. And that is what marathon training is all about.
It's about getting out there and moving forward - on good days and bad days. It's about determination. It's about dedication. And I can promise you there will come a time when it all seems worth it. For me,it was the moment I crossed the finish line, when a race volunteer placed the medal around my neck and said congratulations. At the moment, I knew exactly why I ran through the good days and the bad days.
I almost feel like there some type of analogy about life buried in all this, but who knows...
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Our 2009 Season Has Officially Begun!
Wow. The past 24 hours have been awesome. Last night we had our Team World Vision Ozarks Kick-Off Dinner at Pasta Express and this morning we had our first team practice. Both were amazing!
We had about 30 people at the dinner last night with friends and family included. We started off introducing ourselves and telling the farthest we have ever run. It was neat to see the diversity of runners in the room. We had a couple who have never ran 5 miles and a couple who have ran multiple marathons. To me, that's what makes this team special. We are all at different experience levels but we are all motivated by the same cause. We are running to make a difference.
That was the theme last night. I spoke about a sermon I heard a couple weeks ago. The pastor was explaining that the real miracles are not the crazy things Jesus did in scripture. I mean, those are cool. Don't get me wrong! But at the same time, when you think about who Jesus is, is it really that outrageous for him to make a blind man see? Or a lame man walk? Or a dead man alive? I mean, he's God. He created the world and everything in it. Of course, he has the power to do those things! It would be like me running up to you and screaming about how Superman lifted a heavy box. Well, duh. He's Superman. That's what he does.
The pastor went on to explain that the greatest miracles take place when God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. When a single mom presses on and provides a good life for her children. That's a miracle. When a little old lady moves to India to serve lepers. That's a miracle. When a group of runners from Southwest Missouri help build a well in Central Africa. That's a miracle. No offense to anybody on our team, but we are not elite runners. We are quite ordinary, but we are beginning a journey of doing the extraordinary.
Well, I'm going to wrap this post up, but keep checking back for more updates about the team!
We had about 30 people at the dinner last night with friends and family included. We started off introducing ourselves and telling the farthest we have ever run. It was neat to see the diversity of runners in the room. We had a couple who have never ran 5 miles and a couple who have ran multiple marathons. To me, that's what makes this team special. We are all at different experience levels but we are all motivated by the same cause. We are running to make a difference.
That was the theme last night. I spoke about a sermon I heard a couple weeks ago. The pastor was explaining that the real miracles are not the crazy things Jesus did in scripture. I mean, those are cool. Don't get me wrong! But at the same time, when you think about who Jesus is, is it really that outrageous for him to make a blind man see? Or a lame man walk? Or a dead man alive? I mean, he's God. He created the world and everything in it. Of course, he has the power to do those things! It would be like me running up to you and screaming about how Superman lifted a heavy box. Well, duh. He's Superman. That's what he does.The pastor went on to explain that the greatest miracles take place when God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. When a single mom presses on and provides a good life for her children. That's a miracle. When a little old lady moves to India to serve lepers. That's a miracle. When a group of runners from Southwest Missouri help build a well in Central Africa. That's a miracle. No offense to anybody on our team, but we are not elite runners. We are quite ordinary, but we are beginning a journey of doing the extraordinary.
Well, I'm going to wrap this post up, but keep checking back for more updates about the team!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Quick Update
Just wanted to let everybody know that I'm not dead! Just been busy. I'll update soon. I promise. Until then, enjoy this awesome video...
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Well, it finally happened...
After weeks of me standing on the street corner, screaming that this day would come, the Chicago Marathon filled up. Registration is closed.
[Insert long awkward silence here.]
But there's hope! Team World Vision gets a certain number of reserved spots that can be used!
However, there is a catch ... kinda. Let me explain.
To get one of these reserved spots you will need to agree to raise a minimum of $500 for World Vision. Now, I know at first that seems like a huge commitment. Seriously though, don't let it scare you away. I often remind people that we are not raising money for ourselves. This isn't about sending us to space camp or being able to say we sold more cookies than everybody else. This is about saving lives in Africa. It's about feeding children. When people hear what you are doing and find out why you are doing it, they are usually more than happy to support you.
For example, when I decided to do this for the first time two years ago, I sent a letter out to my friends and family. Before it was all said and done, I had raised over $1500. I have no doubt in my mind that you could easily make that goal!
So yeah, I guess you could call it a catch. But when you really think about it, it's a good catch. It's a chance for you to make an amazing difference while accomplishing something amazing.
If you would be interested in one of these reversed spots, please email me ASAP! My address is chrismiller262@gmail.com.
[Insert long awkward silence here.]
But there's hope! Team World Vision gets a certain number of reserved spots that can be used!
However, there is a catch ... kinda. Let me explain.
To get one of these reserved spots you will need to agree to raise a minimum of $500 for World Vision. Now, I know at first that seems like a huge commitment. Seriously though, don't let it scare you away. I often remind people that we are not raising money for ourselves. This isn't about sending us to space camp or being able to say we sold more cookies than everybody else. This is about saving lives in Africa. It's about feeding children. When people hear what you are doing and find out why you are doing it, they are usually more than happy to support you.
For example, when I decided to do this for the first time two years ago, I sent a letter out to my friends and family. Before it was all said and done, I had raised over $1500. I have no doubt in my mind that you could easily make that goal!
So yeah, I guess you could call it a catch. But when you really think about it, it's a good catch. It's a chance for you to make an amazing difference while accomplishing something amazing.
If you would be interested in one of these reversed spots, please email me ASAP! My address is chrismiller262@gmail.com.
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