#MyChicagoMarathon No. 13

Why Might YOU Care?

Recently, I was in the midst of a “long” run, which had me thinking about what to write for my next #MyChicagoMarathon post. I was thinking about my audience, primarily my Twitter followers (the platform where I share), a group of mainly educators.

Why do they care about me running the Chicago Marathon? What does that have to do with education?

That got me thinking. What is education? I think that, too often, we think about education in a vacuum. Education and school are NOT synonyms. School is just a noun; it's a place. Educate is a verb; it's something we do, it's synonymous with learn. Everything that we do, throughout our lives, has the potential to contribute to our education.

I've been listening to Range, the audio book, while running. Coincidentally, this morning, the author was talking about the importance of educating ourselves over the education of stuff. Agreed. And my commitment to and training for running a marathon is an education. I'm learning about persistence and preparation - two vital skills in life, across any discipline. I hope that this blog, my story can inspire at least one person, at least a little, to commit to and/or prepare for something. As educators, that's our job; to inspire.

As I've alluded, this October, I am running the Chicago Marathon. Leading up to the race, I'm using this space (my blog, this is post number thirteen!) to document my journey. Until next time, I'll close with a shameless plug to my fundraising page (linked); I encourage you to visit, and (if you are able/willing) donate. I hope that you'll follow me on this journey, and I hope you enjoy my story.

#MyChicagoMarathon No. 12

How much boredom can you tolerate?

I ask because I have started my training for the Chicago Marathon. I am in the second week of a 20-week training plan for a marathon that isn't happening until October. Five days a week, I'm running the (relatively) same routes. And, for now, I'm running distances that have become routine. It's a little monotonous; actually, it's kind of boring.

The process is boring. When viewed as isolated events they can surely seem insignificant. However, when looking at the big picture it is evident that the sum results from all of the parts. That's a potential hot take in our instant access, quick fix society.

Trust the process. Chop wood, carry water. Break the rock. I love what these cliches represent so bear with me if there is redundancy in my writing about them. I'm all in for the process (In fact, recently, I had the good fortune of writing a guest piece for Principal magazine - Reflective Principal: The Process Takes Time with an educator's lens regarding the process.).

Doing the simple things, the little things, the boring things - that's how you get better. Over time, consistency produces results. So can you tolerate boredom?

I can. And I will. I'll stick to my training plan. I'll trust that the process will prepare me to run the 26.2 miles necessary miles to finish the Chicago Marathon on October 13th.

As I've alluded, this October, I am running the Chicago Marathon. Leading up to the race, I'm using this space (my blog, this is post number twelve!) to document my journey. Until next time, I'll close with a shameless plug to my fundraising page (linked); I encourage you to visit, and (if you are able/willing) donate. I hope that you'll follow me on this journey, and I hope you enjoy my story.

Donate to My Chicago Marathon for Action for Healthy Kids (linked)

#MyChicagoMarathon No. 11

Last weekend was Mother's Day. I shared a post (pictured, below) to celebrate my wife, the mother of our children, but it didn't do her justice. She's more amazing than this post reveals.

Since January, I've been using this platform to share my journey leading up to #MyChicagoMarathon (October 2019). This post is my thanks to my wife, Amy, for her contributions along this journey.

Recently, Amy was out-of-town for five days on a work related trip. Ugh. I was a single parent for four nights. Hardest. Job. Ever.

Parenting requires sacrifice, but that sacrifice doesn't begin to compare with the amount needed when you're a single parent. Parenting requires organization, the organization that you need is on a whole different level when you're doing it solo. Parenting is exhausting; you don't even have time to be exhausted as a single parent.

Salute to all of the single parents

A minor sacrifice that I had to make with Amy gone was altering my running routine. I couldn't just go, whenever it was convenient for me. As a result, the time that I spent running was reduced.

Amy, for close to a decade, you've allowed me to run. Thank you. It's an activity that became a routine and has turned into a passion for me. It has required commitment from me, which also, at times, is accompanied with a sense of guilt when I go on my longer runs. As a result, it has required sacrifice from you (Amy).

• Thank you for allowing me the physical benefits that running provides me 
• Thank you for allowing me the mental benefits (which are even greater than the physical benefits) that running provides me
• Thank you for allowing me to pursue my personal goals

I just finished an eight-week training plan to get ready for my 20-week marathon training plan. This will be the most extensive training that I've ever done as I prepare to run my first ever marathon. I couldn't do this without you. When I cross the finish line in October, it will be our shared accomplishment.

You've never gotten in the way of my pursuit for my personal goals, Amy. Instead, you've been nothing but supportive along the way. And I can't thank you enough for that. You're an amazing person; you are the best, and I love you.

This October, I am running the Chicago Marathon. Leading up to the race, I'm using this space (my blog, this is post number eleven!) to document my journey. Until next time, I'll close with a shameless plug to my fundraising page (linked); I encourage you to visit, and (if you are able/willing) donate. I hope that you'll follow me on this journey, and I hope you enjoy my story.

Donate to My Chicago Marathon for Action for Healthy Kids (linked)