WHY?!?

I haven't posted in quite some time. Mostly because of time constraints but also because I have had so much to think about in the last month that it has been hard enough just to process my thoughts. I know everything happens for a reason, and I am convinced God has a plan for me. I read a really good piece by Max Lucado yesterday. It was called "Trusting the Master". Lucado wrote about how his dog freaks out when he drives through the car wash, and how he always tries to calm the dog. "It's okay buddy" and "I do this all the time" and "Everything is going to be alright". Of course the dog doesn't understand any of that. The dog just hears the loud beating of water and soap against the car. I can relate to that dog right now. It seems as though I am caught up in a major whirlwind, I have no idea what's going on, and I'm starting to freak out a little bit.

To recap, as a first year head CC coach, I inherited a bedraggled team where 3 of last years top 5 either quit the team or transferred to other schools. When it was all said and done, my team became the first in 8 years not to qualify for the state meet. I don't want anybody else to tell me it's not my fault . . . . I know that. But that doesn't seem to make me feel any better. Since the end of the CC season just two weeks ago, one of my best friends has lost his job, I have practically been told I'm not a very good basketball coach, and yet I have been asked to coach both of the school's subvarsity teams. I might add that the two subvarsity teams are a combined 0-9 to start the season. Am I whining? Yes I am. Because just like that dog, I don't understand WHY any of this is happening to me.

I am far from being a perfect person, but I think I am a pretty good guy. I am a hard worker, I am loyal, kind and compassionate, I put others before myself, I do my job to the best of my ability and I always strive to do what is best for the kids. So, WHY?!?! I feel so crushed, humiliated, walked on, and overlooked. I am pouting, and I know it. This is not the time to be selfish, and I know it.

Car washes only last a few minutes, and I realize this time in my life will pass. I need to trust my master and have faith that he knows what he is doing. I need patience and prayers.

The Bubble

So much has happened in the last two weeks that I have not had a chance to post in several days. First, I must write about the Steamtown Marathon. I finished 2nd in 2:23:07 (a personal best by almost 2 minutes). I was pleased with my time, but I was actually disappointed in the overall performance. At the 19 mile mark, I took the lead and tried to pull away from the eventual winner. That decision turned out to be a critical mistake as I really bombed in the last 2 miles. Had I been more patient and waited to make my move, I think I would have had a better shot at winning and I believe my time would have been about 30 seconds faster. That "stupid" decision also cost me $1000. BUT, you live and learn. I think I am still learning a lot about the marathon, and I believe I am only going to get better.

Today, I ran a 5K in Fort Worth (The DO Dash). Although I think the course was a little short, I ran a personal best for 5K in 14:31. It was amazing--after doing all of my marathon training, racing a 5K seemed really short and easy. I came through the first 2 miles in 9:53 and felt awesome, so I really hammered in the last mile and ran a comfortable 4:37. With the way I have felt in the last few months of training and considering my recent races, I think I am really close to a major breakthrough. I feel as though I am right on the bubble of being in that arena of the truly elite.

Brian and Krista ran the 5K with me today, and after the race we cooked out hot dogs and watched the TTU/Kansas game. It was really fun getting to spend time with them. Although they do not live that far away from us, I feel like we rarely get to see them.

One last thing--My sweetheart, Stephanie turned 26 this week! I think she had a pretty good birthday. I love you Stephanie.

26 Things I love about the Marathon

1. The Challenge--training for 26.2 and racing it takes a lot of perserverance and determination. Few things in life are more challenging.

2. Seeing the U.S.--I have run marathons in 4 different states. Signing up for a race is a good excuse to travel.

3. Cheers from random spectators--At races like Steamtown and Boston, the local newspapers print your name and bib number so fans call you by name when you pass by.

4. Post-race pig out--I love eating lots of junk food after a race. When you run 26.2 miles, you can pretty much eat anything you want.

5. Early race rhythm--The early miles always feel so easy. I usually feel like I could run forever.

6. My wife's marathon shirt--Stephanie has a shirt she wore at Grandma' Marathon that says, "Keith Pierce Rocks".

7. Seeing my wife (and other family) at the finish--It is great to see loved ones at the finish line. In the last couple of miles that is the only thing I think about and I start looking for them on the sides of the road as I come down the final stretch.

8. Pre-race bathroom adventures--One of the funniest things you see at the start of a marathon is all the runners headed for the trees to get rid of all their excess fluids before the gun goes off.

9. Aide stations--Whether it's the boy scouts, cheerleaders, or the Red Cross, it is always nice to snag a cup of water from a friendly face.

10. Race course entertainment--It's amazing how many people come out to their lawns and play music. I've seen people with bagpipes, trumpets, guitars or just their radios turned up real loud. Some good music always makes you go a little faster.

11. Pre-race pasta--Nothing like eating a bowl full of carbs the night before the race.

12. Post-race pain--Nothing like the soreness you experience after racing 26.2. But every painful step reminds you of your accomplishment.

13. The halfway point--Even though you still have 13.1 miles to go when you get there, it is always reassuring to know that you have made it "HALFWAY".

14. Mid-race energy gels--These little packets of gu give me an added boost and help me get to the finish line.

15. Riding a bus to the start line--Marathons that are point-to-point (Steamtown and Boston) provide free transportation to the starting line. It is always fun to listen to all the die hard runners on the bus ride.

16. Short shorts--The marathon is one of the few places in the world where I can where my shortest (yet most comfortable) running shorts with no fear of sticking out like a sore thumb.

17. The marathon expo--Most big marathons have an expo the day before the race where they sell running gear and other health/sports related stuff.

18. The wall--You know you are going to hit it at some point. It is humbling and scary, but once you get through it, you feel as though you have conquered the world.

19. Marathon photos--Even though I rarely purchase these, I love looking at how my expressions change throughout the course of a marathon.

20. Prize money--Although I have never really won much money racing, I am glad money is being offered for the sport. It is a small reward for lots of hard work.

21. Prestige--Only a small percentage of Americans can say they have run a marathon. It is a great honor to be one of the few.

22. Marathon medals--Everybody gets one but it sure is fun to collect them.

23. Marathon bib numbers--My garage wall is covered with numbers from races throughout my career. I love adding a new one to the collection.

24. Post-race orange juice--Nothing tastes better to me after 26.2 than a bottle of OJ.

25. Race posters--All the good marathons print a commerative race poster. I hang these up in my classroom at school.

26. The finish line--There are a lot of things in this life that feel really good. One of the best feelings is crossing that line. . . . . AND WALKING.

GRE

I registered for the GRE Thursday. I will take the test on Sat. November 1st at 8:00 a.m. I have already started studying for it. I need to do a lot of math review, seeing as I haven't had a math course since I was a Junior in high school. I'm not sure what graduate degree I am going to pursue yet, but I have some ideas. More to come on that later.

I run Steamtown one week from today. Hopefully, I am in as good a shape as I think I am.

My dog is faster than your dog

I am two weeks out from the Steamtown Marathon, and after running 19 yesterday I took today off. So, I thought it would be fun to take Mercy (my dog) for a short little run. Just for grins, I started my watch to see how fast she could do it. We ran about a mile out away from the house, then turned around and came back. She bit at the leash a little at the beginning and I let her sit for about 10 seconds at the mile marker, but other than that she ran the whole way. Total time was 14:53. That is under 7:30 per mile pace! I thought that was really good for a 5 month old puppy. Hopefully, before long she will be able to run 3-4 miles with me. Once she gets going she is really good company. She also gets really excited when you say things like "Come on, girl" and "Good Girl Mercy". She always picks up her speed when I say stuff like that.

I am really getting excited about the marathon. I feel like I am better prepared for this race than any other I have run. Hopefully, I will be able to crack into the top 5 and earn some prize money. Winning it would be the ultimate goal as there is $2,000 prize for 1st. I need to stay rested, healthy and hydrated over the next two weeks so that I can compete at my best.

Rankings

Rankings really don't mean anything--I know that! I tell my CC kids that all the time. BUT, I have to admit, I always look to see if our name is in the top ten when The Cross Country Association of Texas (CCCAT) puts out its bi-weekly ranking. We started out as #7 and in the past two weeks have moved up to #5. The only thing that tells me is that someone thinks we are getting better. Someone has been keeping track of our progress throughout the season. For a young first-time head coach that is reassuring. Even though we started out a little short-handed and we are lacking in depth, I am excited about the potential of this team. I know we still have a lot of work to do to get to where we need to be and we are still early in the season, but it gives the kids and me some confidence to know that people consider us to be right in the thick of things. We run in Denton this Saturday against some very good competition--we really need to have a good race.

You can see the rankings here!

Second Chances

We have been studying the book of Jonah at church on Sundays. God asked Jonah to travel to Nineveh (a dark and sinful city) and deliver a message. Jonah was scared and did not want to go, so he ran away. The Bible tells us that he wanted to flee to Tarshish. Tarshish was in the opposite direction of Nineveh and was essentially at the ends of the known world (at least the trading world). Jonah thought he could run from God; that he could hide; that God would not know his heart. So, God had a giant fish swallow up good old Jonah, and made him spend a few days in its belly. It was in the darkness of the fish's stomach where Jonah came to terms with what he had done. He prayed, "From the depths of the grave, I called for help, and you listened to my cry." (Jonah 2:2) Jonah renewed his spirit and made a new vow to the Lord saying, "What I have vowed I will make good." (Jonah 2:9) And what did God do? Jonah 3:1-2 says, "Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time (empasis mine), 'Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim the message I give you.'" God gave Jonah a second chance and Jonah did what the Lord commanded.

I am thankful for second chances. God has granted me many of them.