What Are Your Priorities?

Priorities...do you struggle with them each and everyday? Nothing is harder than to look in the mirror each day and see the mistakes you have made. If you are reading this then YOUR story is not complete, It is has not been fully written. Change is still possible and YOU can still take control of your priorities. To many of us live our daily lives seeking Fame, Fortune, Recognition, Rewards, Comfort, Material Things and Financial Security. On your deathbed are YOU going to invite others to come see your photo album with all your plaques that you have won over the years or tell them to go look for your trophies you have stuffed in a box in the garage. Nope, all of the sudden those things are not important. Instead, at the end of our lives we ask for family and friends to come see us. These are the same people who have been there all along but we were worried about other things.

I tell my Airmen all the time that even though we give 110% to defend this country each day and as great as it feels to be doing it, they should NEVER let their work come before their families. If they do I tell them they will regret it.  

We need to remember that we never know how long God will give us with the family and friends we love. It could be days or weeks. Sometimes it doesn't seem fair, but we need to remember not to take life and love for granted! We need to get our priorities straight. Is this your story? Is it time to shift the priorities? 

KC Marathon, Kansas City, MO

The weather was very cold, but I had planned for the 34 degree's at the start of the race. This marathon was different than any I had raced in the past.  Yes, I was part of relay for the first time, but I also ran the entire race. We had 5 relay teams from Whiteman AFB and my team was called The Big Bang Runners. Weeks prior to the race I was asked to be a Team Captain for one of the teams and said Yes. The plan originally was for me to run the 8 mile leg of the relay...after I thought about it though, I said Heck, I will just run the entire race and run with each of the Relay Teams, motivating, cheering-on and be the official photographer. What a treat...you see each team was made up of a Superhero. We had the Wonder Wives (Wonder Woman costume), B2 Batgirls (Batman), Flashettes (Flash Gordon), Super Spouses (Super Woman Costume) and then my team The Big Bang Runners (BAZINGA shirts and socks)..yep I was called Shelton at least 25 times throughout the race.

Let me back up a day...we visited the expo on Friday. It was small compared to others I have been too previously, they mostly promoted other races etc. They did have a few companies selling the typical running attire. After that it was time to head to the traditional night before the race pasta dinner. We had reservations at a great place. It was amazing, we ordered specific pasta choices (easier since we had about 20 of us eating) with bread and salad. Amazing! Then it was back to the hotel room for final preparations and early night sleep...well if 11:30pm is early.  

I was up at 5 am to eat as I always am. I had oatmeal and coffee. I made sure I had my energy gels (Jello type), music and headphones before we departed. It took us about 20 mins to get to the downtown area. It was easy to park and we had plenty of time before the start of the race. Pre-race ritual...yep the bathroom (normally a porta-john), timed it perfectly. Tiffany stayed at a different hotel so she was already with her friends on the bus taking them to their relay points.  

Now to the race, it started at 7:05 am. In the first couple of miles  I encountered not one but three big Hill incline's. I knew it was coming early in the race, but WOW I did not expect those inclines :). So I stuck with the strategy of going slow and saving energy...remember I wasn't running this race for time.  

Soon enough we reached the first Relay point (Mile 6). I took several pictures of everyone and high-fived the group and off I went with the next relay group. Next group was moving fast. I kept ahead of them so I could get pictures of them in action as they ran by. Enjoyed the excited company. I wasn't even thinking of the miles I had run. We reached the next Relay point (Mile 14). Again, high-fives and pictures for the the finishers, then off I went to catch the next group. The third group was even faster than the previous so it took me some time to catch them, get ahead and capture pictures. Again, more excited company. It was awesome to see these ladies just having a blast and being yelled at from the crowds...SUPERHEROs! We reached the next Relay point (Mile 18.2), this is when I reached my sweet wife. I stayed with her the first mile or so, but she speed ahead and I had to catch her. In the weeks prior to the race she was struggling with a knee issue. But, I was so PROUD of her...she pushed through and finished her leg of the Relay. We reached the last Relay point, I pushed forward and finished the race. The last group of ladies were so fast I never saw them :).

What an experience! As I said before it was not about the time, but about giving back to friends by motivating, helping and being a photographer!

Lastly, I ran this race to honor all those that have/are going through Breast Cancer!!  Let us find a cure to this horrible disease.

USAF Marathon #2 additional post

In my blog on my experiences during my second AF Marathon I mentioned that I would talk more on a friend we met almost three years ago. Tiffany flew to Dayton, Ohio to meet up with her friend Tracy Brooks. They met three years over Facebook when Tracy's husband Denny was in an accident that injured his leg. Denny fell while he was working and had an opened wound. The water he fell in was not clean and over time the injury to his leg developed an infection. The infection worsened to the point that a doctor had to perform surgery. Unfortunately, it did not turn out as planned and Denny had to endure 16 more surgeries in the next three years. Earlier this year, Denny decided that after much thought and prayer, it was time to have his leg removed. All the doctor consultations had said his leg would never heal properly and he would be in constant pain for the rest of his life. This injury also left him in a condition that he was unable to work. He said that after the surgery he would recover and a year later run a race with me. I was humbled and honored that my running would be an inspiration to him and his recovery.

Some of you might know that in 2013 I was going to take a pause from running marathons, but one evening I went running and I was overwhelmed thinking about Denny's situation and came home from the run and told Tiffany I was going to run the USAF Marathon in his honor. To truly honor him I was going to see Denny in the hospital and give him my finisher metal, with the deal that I would be back the next year to get it as we finished whatever length race during the USAF Marathon. I have posted a picture of Denny and I at the hospital with Denny wearing my finisher medal.

Denny get ready I am on my way back to Dayton Ohio on September 20, 2014 to get my medal and run to the finish line with you! You my friend will be able to take our medal down and replace it with one of your very own.

USAF Marathon #2

VAPOR

B-2 American Chopper

USAF Marathon experience #2!! The weather at the start was rainy but not freezing like last year. The night before it had been raining or should I say down pouring. It was a blessing to have it stop for the start of the race. No flyover this year at the beginning...budget cuts. If you have read my other blogs on my marathon experiences, I always include the funny costumes that people wear. Just like last year I only saw a few, but one in particular was a guy dressed as Godzilla. Believe or not he actually stayed up with me throughout the race. The race was well organized and aid stations were awesome with plenty of water and Gatorade. 

This year was unique. First, my wife Tiffany had flown into Dayton on Wednesday to be with a good friend of ours (Check back, I will have a separate blog for this). Second, when we moved to Whiteman AFB this past May, I heard they had a running club and decided to join. Months before the race we ran together at different locations each weekend. The base has an official varsity team and we had 23 people representing! On Thursday we traveled from Whiteman AFB to Dayton Ohio via a 15 pax van and my car. We arrived later in the day and I was able to hook up with Tiffany and we all went to eat at Giovannas in Fairborn, Ohio for dinner. Great food!  On Friday, it was expo time. But before we went we decided to visit to USAF Museum! Awesome!! I had seen it before when we were stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB, but alot had changed in 13 years. The expo was excellent and it was great to see other AF members. After getting my BIB and some extras I decided to go see the B-2 motorcycle. It was specifically made into a B-2 by American Chopper. Really cool!! They also had a Dodge car that can go 160+ MPH called Vapor.  After that it was time to head to the traditional night before the race pasta dinner. It was a all you can eat buffet of pasta, bread and salad. Oh and a bit of cheesecake was eaten...just sayin! Then it was back to the hotel room for final preparations and going to sleep early.  

Now to the race, it started at 7:30 am. I was up at 5 am to eat as I always am. I had oatmeal, english muffin, coffee and bagel. A bit more than my normal routine, but a little extra would not hurt considering I was getting ready to burn it all off in the coming hours. I made sure I had my energy gels (Jello type), music and headphones before we departed. It took us about 20 mins to get to the base, once there though it was a bumper to bumper mess, reminded me of my morning commutes in DC. UGH!! We were worried we would not make it to Start line in time so our driver for the morning actually pulled an awesome audible and pocked his head out to the traffic cop and told him he was a shuttle and needed to get these people dropped off. Classic! The cop let us pass and we were parked in minutes! I am going to have to think of that each time I go to these big events. Once parked and a bit of a walk it was time for the pre-race ritual...yep the porta-john. I had timed it perfectly. Tiffany had rode with friends of ours and was lucky to get parked right by the Finish line.  It was great to have her there and to see me after the finish. Hugging my best friend at the end is always refreshing!

Our Team had different goals for finishing the race, so we all split up into our specific corral locations. I started in the 3:45 group as did several of the other runners. The horn sounded and off we went. I really like how the USAF splits up the full and half-marathon runners. We started at 7:30 am and the half started at 8:30 am. This made the start much smoother and less crowded. Normally I have to run conservatively at the beginning with so many people around. This time I started out on the right stride just like lastyear. 

In the first 2 miles I encountered a 300ft hill incline. I knew it was coming early in the race, so my strategy was to go slow and save the energy for later in the race. With the 2 miles behind me, I quickly got on pace. The next 7 miles moved quickly and before I knew it I was at Mile 9. Mile 9-10 took us through downtown Fairborn. It was good to see the downtown area again and everyone cheering us on.

Soon enough we reached Mile 13...half-way home. I felt like I was on cruise-control and a bit ahead of the 3:45 pace group .I was also encountered by my teammates! I crossed the half-way marker in 1:51. Mile 13-20 went quickly, keeping pace. At Mile 20 I felt myself starting to slow down and I had to walk a bit but I kept going. Then, at Mile 21 the dreaded overpass had come. Last year, I reached the overpass and decided to walk for a little bit, which turned into a walk over the entire overpass. This year I was determined NOT to walk. I pushed through and continued running. At Mile 24 I still felt pretty strong, no walking just one foot in front of the other. I did feel my legs getting heavier but pushed. I was going to get under 4 hours!!  

As I reached the last few legs of the race I was on pace for under 4 hours. The 3:55 pacer had just passed me so I knew that if I continued on pace I was going to break it. As I reached the Mile 26 marker, I told myself...SELF lets GO. To my surprise the body responded. I was in an all out sprint to the finish.

Two personal bests for me, Overall 3:55 and Half-Way point: 1:51. 

Big shoutout to all my Whiteman Teammates! Without you I would have not reached this goal!

My first Marathon--Whiterock Marathon in Dallas TX

As I reflect on each of my marathons, I will start with the Whiterock Marathon in Dallas TX in Dec 2009. If you have read my blogs about my marathon experience's in the past, I always point out the crazy outfits and experiences. The Whiterock did not disappoint, there were many Elfs and Santa's. But, as I look back on this race, it was about finishing. I remember as I made it to Mile 16, I was thinking it would be possible. That was before the pair of hills to come at Mile 18-20. I was warned in advice of these hills, but pushed through and concurred both. I remember telling myself 6 miles left...let's do this! That was my mind of course and we all know that sometimes the mind can say GO but the body says NO! It was a struggle but I made it to the Finish. It was all about finishing and finishing is what I did! I think I made a fashion statement with my outfit that day!

Your Train

We have all seen the many trains of this world. Fast, slow, big, small, some to close to call, but have you ever thought "What train am I on and what is it's destination?" Or maybe even having no idea you had a specific train with your name on it. Well I am here to tell you, YES you have one...it is called Life.

When you have reached a certain stop and the conductor tells you this is your stop and he opens the door and you step out, where will you be?

What a question huh? Unfortunately, many of us are so caught up in how nice we can make the train. Make the bed more comfortable. The food as tasty as possible. Coffee, oh yes the coffee. In Luke 12, Jesus shows us just how foolish this way of thinking really is. He told a story of a man who had a great harvest, but he didn't have the space in his barns to hold it all. So what did he do, he built bigger barns and thought, now I have solved the problem. Telling himself he could rest easy for the remainder of his days. But, God interrupts the celebration and says "You Fool! You will die this very night, then who will get everything you worked for?" Jesus follows up by saying "Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."

Even if your train is made of all the luxuries, it’s worthless if the destination is Hell. You would be better off in a train made of trashcans that gets you to Heaven. So how do you make sure your train is heading to the right place? FAITH in Jesus. It is the ticket to board a Heaven-Bound train.

The choice is yours.