#MyChicagoMarathon No. 28

"The goal is not to run a marathon, the goal is to become a runner." 

- James Clear, Atomic Habits

That caused me to reflect. For over five months, I'd been super committed to running the Chicago Marathon and I did that. Then, two weekends later, I ran a local 10K. And I set a PR. That caused me to do some reflecting...

The race that you are preparing to run should not be the ultimate goal. The race that you are preparing to run is an outcome/results oriented goal. Setting outcome/results oriented goals can be problematic; they don't take into account all of the things that have to happen in-order for the goal to be accomplished. I am a steadfast believer that goals should be set with a focus on the process. Do the little things (the process) extremely well, and the big things (the results) have a way of working themselves out.

The goal should be centered around the training that you're doing.  Most of us are probably familiar with the Trust the Process cliche. Although less common, a frequently shared sentiment in running communities is to Trust your Training. Ideally, the race becomes an opportunity to show-off all of the hard work that you've done through your training.

I love running. And there are many reasons why I love running. The fitness and health benefits are obvious and they are certainly a factor for why I love running. But I also love the real life example it provides for how committing to the process enhances the results. When you commit to the process, there is no end; everything becomes preparation for what's next because there is always something that's coming next.

#MyChicagoMarathon No. 27

Last month, I ran the Chicago Marathon. Below are some photos from that weekend. And linked (via Wakelet) are all of the posts that I've written to document my journey of preparing for and running the Chicago Marathon. THANKS for following along; I am thankful for everyone's support.

Packet pick-up with Ryne.
The thought of running 26.2 miles when I was his age was incomprehensible.

Being fearless is a myth; being able to confront your fears is admirable.

Found a little time for Olivia to enjoy lunch at American Girl.

On the way to the starting line.

My Why.

My support crew.
Thankful that they were able to spot me (and I was able to spot them) around mile 13!

The other half of my support crew. 

I met my goal. Sub 4:00:00 marathon!

After the race; don't let the smile fool you. I'm struggling.

I didn't win. But I came in 14,818th place.
That's good for a finish in the top third of the field!

#MyChicagoMarathon No. 26

Tomorrow, I'm running the Chicago Marathon for charity. Specifically, I'm running the Chicago Marathon for Action for Healthy Kids. I've been reflecting and writing about my process for deciding to run a marathon, training for a marathon, etc. Linked is the Wakelet where all of my blogs are curated.

THANKS for following my journey; I am thankful for everyone's support.

I just wanted to use this platform to state my thanks to some specific people and groups of people for preparing me to complete this accomplishment of running 26.2 miles.

Thanks, Amy; I couldn't have done this without you. So I wrote an entire post, #MyChicagoMarathon No. 11, dedicated to my thanks for you.

Thanks, Ryne and Olivia; your my biggest inspiration for doing this.

Thanks, Mom and Dad; explicitly or in-explicitly, the way that each of you raised me has resulted in the character and the values that I exhibit as an adult and allowed me to take-on this challenge.

Thanks, West Branch Football; you, too, helped shape my character and my values...see #MyChicagoMarathon No. 15

Thanks, Mike Humpal; Humpal Chiropractic helped keep my back and my entire body feeling good and ready to go.

Thanks, Van Allen Elementary; the love that I felt from students, staff, and parents throughout this week was unimaginable. It was an amazing feeling to hear all of the words, see all of the signage around our school (see below), and the tunnel...it was great, too! I am thankful to be your leader.

Thanks, Garrett; you invited me to join you for the 'Thorsday' group runs around Lake Macbride. I felt like those runs have been a turning point in re. to my mindset for not just running the marathon, but how I want to run (and finish) the marathon.

Thanks, to my entire Personal Learning Network (PLN); through Voxer, and Twitter, and text, and an occasional face-to-face meeting, you inspire me do and be more. You inspire me to be a better leader, and a better person. You help me to be okay with taking care of myself, first, so that I can take care of others. #FitLeaders, #RunLAP, #BalanceLAP, #JoyfulLeaders, all of you!

Thanks, Action for Healthy Kids; you allowed me to gain entry into the Chicago Marathon, and I got to raise money for an amazing organization.

Thanks, everyone who donated to my cause; it was an amazing feeling to get an email notifying me that various people had made a donation. Knowing that you made an effort to help me is overwhelming in the best possible way. I'm blessed for all of the support that I received. Thank you.