#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) 

#MyChicagoMarathon No. 10

Recently, while running, I've been listening to the audio version of Alex Hutchinson's book, Endure. It's a fascinating book about, as the cover (and title) states, Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance. The quote from the book that I'm sharing (below) stands-out to me for a variety of reasons, none more than my curiosity (and interest) in sports psychology.

“If I could go back in time to alter the course of my own running career, after a decade of writing about the latest research in endurance training, the single biggest piece of advice I would give to my doubt-filled younger self would be to pursue motivational self-talk training—with diligence and no snickering.”  

I'm preparing to run my first ever marathon. Currently, I'm in the middle of an eight-week training plan to build-up my endurance from three to six miles in preparation for beginning a 20-week training plan leading up to the marathon. I've followed many training plans, previously; I'm confident that my legs and my lungs will be ready for the 26.2 miles. 

But what about my mind? What am I doing to train my mind? I don't have the means to hire a sports psychologist. Nonetheless, this isn't something that can be neglected. I can't leave it up to chance; I have to be intentional to ensure that my mind will be able to endure all 26.2 miles on race day. So what am I doing?

• I think that the transparency of me blogging and sharing my marathon journey through these posts will no doubt hold me accountable. Because of this accountability, I will be willing to sacrifice more. 
• I am aware of the benefits that come with smiling. Wearing a smile: elevates our mood, relieves stress, and helps us stay positive. What do you think I'm trying to remember to do while I run? Actually, while I do anything...
• Personal development is a priority. I love learning about things that will make me a better person. As a result of being a better person, I am a better father, husband, principal, etc. So I read books, I listen to podcasts, I follow other people. I feed my mind with things that I believe will make me more positive, more optimistic, more resilient, more patient, etc.
• More than anything, though, is knowing that I want my kids - Ryne and Olivia - to witness it all. I want them to see me committed to preparing for something that is months away from happening. I want them to see me struggle and keep going. I want them to see me exhausted and satisfied at the same exact time. I want them to see me accomplish something that I've never done before. Thinking about this is helpful when it would becomes tempting to rest and/or stop.

Now I want to know what you are doing? We talk a lot about mental strength, but what are we doing to develop mental strength? Please share your ideas!

This October, I am running the Chicago Marathon. Leading up to the race, I'm using this space (my blog, this is post number ten!) 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) 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)