10-10-10

That convenient little date is exactly one month from today. Many organizations have tried to jump on that catchy set of numbers for their event. The Chicago Marathon and The Boston Athletic Association Half Marathon just to name a few.
Another organization, closer to my home jumped on it too. 10-10-10 will mark the date of the first ever Prairie Fire Marathon. Wichita retired it's 30 year old, "Heart of Wichita Marathon," last October. An obscure 26.2 mile run from the small town of Derby through the outskirts of Sedgwick county and finally a few tiny miles into an unaware part of Wichita. No one knew it was happening, except for the runners and their families. So, about 300-400 people total even knew about it. The paper didn't report on it. The 3 major news stations didn't mention a word. But you better believe all the news fronts are always front and center when the local animal shelter has an event in the park with dogs and their owners for a social gathering...... but I digress.

So a year ago, word was given to show up at the arena for a press conference regarding this "new" marathon that was supposedly in the works.

I attended and listened to all the buzz.

 It was actually exciting to be present for the start of a new season. Like so many of my fellow runners had mentioned, "Why not Wichita?" Cities similar to our size have huge success with their races. From the high particpation to to incredible support of the spectators. In less than 10 years, our neighbors to the south, Oklahoma City, turned their marathon into a top 10 "must run" race.

11-9-09, I look so serious and skeptical. I was just listening :)

 They announced that the new marathon would include a half marathon, a relay, and the Mayor's 5K Challenge. However, possibly the best announcement was that the course was brand new and get this, it's actually going to go through the city of Wichita!! How clever :)

Prairie Fire Marathon Press Conference 

 The map was introduced later and it's going to go right pass our neighborhood and through a lot of the area we already train at. It's going to tour the main hubs in the central part of the city. Some are upset about the amount of turns, but I honestly have no opinion, I just want to support my city's new race.

I'm sure there are things to complain about, but I'm just excited to hear a lot of people say they're going to run one of the events and most of them have new run before! That's a victory right there. Usually the only thing this city gets excited about is food, so this could be a new season.

My "Fire Starter" Shirt

Meet "Sparky," and yeah, I think he's got fire coming out his back end too!

 

So, I guess that's my official annoucement rgarding my fall marathon plans. I plan to run my heart out on 10-10-10. I plan to support my city's new marathon and once more be changed by putting my body, mind, and soul through such a challenge.
If you've never dared to take on the 26.2 monster, I implore you to be brave. It's worth it. Once you cross that finish line (whether running, walking, or crawling), for the rest of your life you'll know that anything is possible.


http://www.prairiefiremarathon.com/front_page

So Humbling

I've been working with the students at our church since 2000. Basically, I graduated high school and have been a "leader" since.

It's been challenging, rewarding, heart breaking, stressful, amazing, educational, fun, hilarious, and humbling.

Every winter the students go to a winter camp over the president's day holiday. They travel out to Colorado and come back new people.

Seriously, they're aged when the get back from the four day trip.

God speaks to them, takes them through an intense molding in such a short time.

Many go because they want to snow ski or snow board. As a bonus that is an option at winter camp. However, there's not much time for that. And as God often does, those going to get a cool ski trip out it, are often the ones who are caught off guard and changed. So many students leave for camp with their futures shaky. We have so many students at church who have very broken homes. Many face temptations, I could only imagine, and they do it on a daily basis. 

I've seen camp grab them and force them to choose a path no one would have predicted for them. It's amazing, so amazing.

It's hard to get our students there though, It's expensive. Many never even consider it, because there's no way they or their families could swing it.

I'm humbled to be a part of the worship band this year. It's a group of budding and seasoned talent. They asked me to sing with them this fall and it's been really great to be stretched. I've had to learn alot and hear my voice played back to me as I wince, all in an attempt to improve and make the experience of worship more effective for the congregation.

To add to the challenges, I've had to face the truth that I'm quite a bit older than most of the band members. It's been very humbling to say the least.

Next Saturday, we're playing a show to raise money for Winter Camp. A collection will be taken and all the money will go to buy down the cost of camp.

God is Always Good, he will be there next week, I hope you can be there too.