Mark runs ... through life
Adult on-set athlete,
Recovering human,
Imperfectionist,
Master of the obvious
It’s been a long time coming but it’s finally happened. My ability and motivation have converged; I’m ready to hit the road again! I was inspired by all of the healthy, happy, skinny, spirit-filled people I met at the Memphis Marathon Expo while working at the Team 413 booth over the weekend.
I have not run since May, 2009, when I was sidelined with a herniated disk in my back. I used to laugh at people who complained of back problems, but now they have my greatest respect and deepest empathy. This was followed by a ten month long persistent cough that I still haven’t quite shook but I’m ready to give it a go.
I tried to run a couple of times but was frustrated by my deteriorated fitness level, weight gain, and lack of speed (believe it or not I was placing in my age group, even won a couple of trophies, two years ago.) If anything, this has taught me that you have to beginning where you are, not where you were, where you expected, or where you want to be. I’ve already dropped twelve pounds, now at 220, and looking to get back to my pre-injury weight of 170 by this fall.
I want to thank my daughter Anna who has inspired me to get going. She started running last year and I am sooooo proud of what she has accomplished and the lifestyle changes she’s made.
I’m looking forward to working with Team 413 again. I’ve missed the fellowship of working the expo booth, seeing friends and making new ones. I’ve been blessed by the stories of how Christ has worked through the simple message on the back of a running shirt.
As of today, daughter Anna and I are planning on staffing the Team 413 booth and running (or in my case run/walk) in the Little Rock Half Marathon the first weekend in March, then possibly Knoxville and Nashville or Cincinnati.
It has been my blessing to be associated with Team 413 (Philippians 4:13) for the past five years. Team 413 is a Christian ministry for long distance runners and other endurance athletes. It is a nonprofit organization, funded by contributions and running shirt sales, spreading the good news of Christ running sided by side in long distance races across America. Please check it out at http://www.team413.org.
Team 413 founder and CEO Chris Gillespie will run 413 miles in ten days beginning May 12 in Birmingham, Alabama and finish May 21 in Fargo, North Dakota to raise funds for Team 413 ministries.
I have seen how God has touched lives through Team 413 and ask that you support Chris in his run by pledging whatever God places on your heart.
It’s time for dinner, Monday night football and some exercise.
Come run with me.
Before last week, in my most recent , 5K race I ran in 23:15. Last Saturday I ran a 5K in 42:39. Last year I was bench pressing my weight. Today, I struggled to do 6 push-ups. A year ago I weighed 173. This morning I got on the scale and registered 207. Two years ago I ran 3 marathons and 6 half marathons. Now, I haven’t ran in almost 10 months.
What happened?
Yes, I’ve been injured, but that’s no excuse. I could ride bike until I could run again. I’m involved in a Christian ministry for runners. What kind of example am I setting?
My ego’s writing checks my body can’t count. I’ve been living in the past. I had convinced myself that even though I haven’t been working out I was still in pretty good shape. After all, isn’t there a thing called muscle memory?
Good habits die easily. I was at the gym every day either running or lifting weights. If you miss a day, it’s easy to go back. Miss a week, you can tell yourself you’ll start back next week. It’s no big deal. Miss a month and you might as well give up your gym membership.
It’s diet and exercise. Not running and working out doesn’t give you an excuse to eat like a pig. To paraphrase Perry Noble, we tell our children to have self-control but can’t walk by the buffet without stuffing ourselves.
What’s next?
First, I’m going to stop beating up on myself. I’ve made some mistakes. What’s new? That’s just human. It’s time to repent and sin no more.
Second, I’m starting over. It’s going to be a while before I’m running fast (in my mind), but I’ll get there.
Third, It’s a new day with new habits. It’s time to lace up the shoes and hit the road. I’ll throw the gym bag in the car and stop by the Y on the way home.
Fourth, I’m giving myself some respect. My body is a temple. It’s time to clean house. No more ice cream for me (at least for a while).
Fifth, I’m setting the goal of running the Marine Marathon on October 31st. It will be a lot of work, but I need big motivation which requires a big goal.
Sixth, I’m going to make myself accountable to friends, family and you. I’m going to post it to my log and my blog.
My daughter Anna ran the same 5K I did last week (beating me by almost 10 minutes). She’s training for the Country Music Half Marathon and I told her I’ll run it with her. She’s doing great. I’m a proud papa!
You find time to do the things you want to do. I say I never have time to do the all the things I want to do. I can’t find the time to go to the gym, to work in that run, to volunteer for the things I say are important.
You spend your money on what’s important to you. I’ve prepared monthly budgets for years, but for the first time in a long time I’ve started tracking where my money goes. It forces me to admit things about myself that I really would rather not.
A month or so ago we discovered a leaky water pipe in our basement. Obviously, water didn’t go where we wanted it to go, and ended up somewhere we didn’t want it to go. When it comes to my time and money I have some leaks. To paraphrase someone much wiser than I, “I do the things I don’t want to do and don’t do the things I want to do.”
I only have a limited amount of time and money. When I plop in front of the TV or computer, or open my wallet for toys, I’ve made a statement of what’s important to me.
When I say I can’t find the money for church or charity, or time to help others, I’ve made a statement of what’s important to me.
Where are the leaks in your life?
For maximum effect all of these must be done in front of their friends:
Talk cool, as in “Why don’t you ask some of your homies over to our crib to chill?”
Go shopping with them, especially to cool stores. Suggest that you buy matching outfits.
Make them ride in the “family truckster” (see National Lampoon’s Vacation). Make sure the back bumper is plastered with numerous “I love my Honor Student, Cheerleader, Math Geek, etc.” stickers.
Talk about how things were when you were their age. Be sure and pull out your old high school yearbooks and let them see how neat you looked in your bell bottoms or mini skirts.
Sing the oldies at the top of your lungs.
Keep their baby pictures handy. Specially the naked ones doing cute things.
Public displays of affection are always a hits. Plenty of hugs, kisses, and “I love you“‘s when you drop them off at school.
Call their cellphone periodically just to let them know you care.
If you remember the old American Bandstand “Rate a Record”? (between 35 and 98 - “It’s got a great beat and you can dance to it.”) Then you’re at least in your late 40’s. I give this song “Human” by The Killers a 90. (I won’t embarrass myself by letting you see me dance.) A fun song and some interesting lyrics.
Hey, I know I’m behind the curve. This song’s been out for over a year, but if they don’t play it on “lite rock, less talk” I probably don’t hear it.
When I was a teenager, in the 70’s, you could seldom understand the lyrics. (Aside - Remember when MTV started? I was in love with Martha Quinn. You kids “google her”.) They could have been reading the Wall Street Journal at 110 beats a minute and it could still be in the top 40. Now I’ve got a higher appreciation for lyrics.
I was struck by this line -
“And I’m on my knees looking for the answer, are we human or are we dancer?”
On my knees…the best place to find the answer!
What do you think?
Come run with me!
What a woman wants. Let her know she’s a keeper with the gift of a chocolate fish!
Bruce!
I woke up this morning with the Bruce Springsteen song “No Surrender” in my head.
We made a promise we swore we’d remember
No retreat, believe me, no surrender
Like soldiers in the winter’s night with a vow to defend
No retreat, believe me, no surrender
I could probably preach a sermon on the lyrics. What do they mean to you?
Conan
Conan O’Brien gets $33 million dollars to quit his job…
I’m taking offers.
Daughter Anna
I’m so proud of my daughter Anna. We’re running together in the Country Music Half Marathon. I’ve got a lot of work to do so she won’t embarrass me. Check out her progress http://www.ageldridge.blogspot.com.
Haiti
I’m proud of Americans for stepping up and contributing to Haiti Earthquake Relief. I’m worried about that country’s infrastructure and their ability to help their own people after aid stops.
204.0
That’s what I weighted when I got on the scales this morning. On this day last year I weighted 172 pounds. I’ve been using the excuse of a herniated disk that’s kept me from running. The time for excuses is over. I can’t blame my back for the ice cream after supper and the snickers bars after lunch. I’ve pretty much recovered. It’s time to hit the road! I think I can get down to 180 by the Country Music Half Marathon. OK guys, hold me accountable. Drop me an email at markruns.eldridge@gmail.com.
You start a job, join a club, volunteer, or begin a hobby. Maybe you start slowly, but things go well. You begin to buy in to the vision. You start to see a future of what can be accomplished. You think you’ve found a place, a place where you can contribute, people you enjoy, a place where you can grow.
You buy in. You decide to make an investment. You give your time, your talent and your money. You begin to reap a return. There’s progress. You grow. You have fun. You see a bright future. You see the big payoff, the light at the end of the tunnel – I can make a difference!
But then… things happen. Progress slows. Enjoyment decreases. Your efforts aren’t rewarded. Road blocks go up. Maybe you’re not working hard enough. You work harder, you give more, but you’re stopped in your tracks. There’s clutter ahead. You’re side-tracked. Little things start to bother you. It all starts to add up. Your enthusiasm diminishes. The light at the end of the tunnel dims. Your vision of making a difference fades.
You start to ask questions. Is it me or is it them? Am I letting my pride get in the way? Are we having a difference in opinion or a difference in direction? Is it worth the frustration?
You’ve invested so much. You’re playing Texas Hold’em with your heart. You’ve gone “all in”. You can’t have an affair. It’s either marriage or divorce. You stay in or you jump out. Is it a detour or a dead end?
You have alternatives. Other things ask for your time, talents, and money. There are other satisfying places to give.
“But since you are lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!” - Revelations 3:16
How do you decide if it’s time to cut bait and run?
Come run with me!
This is serious stuff! Someone is trying to sabotage my diet and exercise plan!
They keep buying cookies and ice cream and then twist my arm and make me eat.
I don’t know how they do it, but in the morning when I want to get up and exercise they do something to make me go back to sleep.
In the evening when I would normally go to the YMCA and workout, they hijack my car and force me to go home and lie down on the bed.
If I every catch who’s responsible for this I’m going to let them have it.
I don’t know what real tragedy is.
Tragedy for me is when my car doesn’t start or maybe I have a disagreement at work. I get upset when my favorite team loses. I get jealous when someone has something I can’t have. Don’t I deserve the best?
Basically, tragedy is when I don’t get something I want.
I’ve never missed my daily bread. I’ve always had a warm, dry place to sleep. I’ve always had people around me who loved me and cared about me.
I’ve never seen someone die.
Maybe I’ve been desensitized by television. I’ve seen the real tragedy in Haiti this week. Sadly, it seems just another made-up television drama. I can change the channel and it goes away.
But it doesn’t go away. This time it’s real.
When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. Luke 12:48NLT
