07.31.11 - ALONG THE MILES AND TRIALS

Friend:

Over 360 miles down the road...

There were several aspects of compressing 61 half marathons into 20 weeks, mostly during the hottest weeks of the year, that I considered before undertaking this journey: prolonged physical fatigue, difficulty in balancing family/work, potential injury, difficulty in balancing family/work, loss of sleep, difficulty in balancing family/work (smile), etc. From my past experience with extended high altitude climbs and endurance runs, I know from first-hand experience that our mental state and physical state are intricately intertwined. The manner in which we think positively or negatively directly impacts our ability to take on any physical task... and eventually, our physical well-being will have an impact on our ability to remain positive.

Physical well-being aside for a moment, I would simply like to reflect on the significance of our mental state on our physical state. Since committing to this somewhat unique and zany goal, I have received varied responses from colleagues and friends; bewilderment, admiration, astonishment and mostly, the response, "You're nuts... I don't know how you're going to do it..." And in all honesty, as I set out on each of my half marathons, I utter a similar thought to myself, "How am I going to be able to do this?" And the one thing that pushes me to the end of each half marathon is that pinkish-grey matter between my ears; the simple belief in myself, my cause and my objective. Even if no one else were to believe in me or my cause, I do... and that's all the matters.

My friend, I'm no different from you. I am not an elite athlete in my later years; just a simple human being with dreams and ambitions and aches and pains as you. But a quote I read recently sums up the approach I've taken with my life in recent years: "It's never too late to be what you might have become."

We each have wonderful and powerful dreams of who we would like to become and passion for what we'd like to accomplish. These specific dreams and passion were placed within us for a very specific reason and only we can cultivate these dreams and passion better than anyone else. So what's holding us back? Most likely, our mental state: that voice inside us that reminds us the years behind us outweigh the probability for realizing our dream.

Since the beginning of June, I have shared my journey with a number of people, who in turn, have shared their goals and dreams and ambitions with me. What a glorious conversation this has been! The very energy of inspiring one another has been phenomenal! While we watch others reach for their dreams and ambitions, we slowly realize that we can do the very same in our own life.

If you truly believe it, you can become more involved in your community and school... and you will make a profound impact. If you truly believe it, your personal goal - from creating a new recipe for spare ribs to developing a healthier lifestyle to simply being a better parent/spouse - is within your grasp... and you will make a profound impact. Regardless of whether the world supports you or applauds you along your journey, if you believe in yourself and the dream, it is noble and worthy and it matters.

In that spirit, I invite and encourage you to address the calling within: "It's never too late to be what you might have become."

---------

Second, I am pleased to announce that as of July 30, I have completed 45% of my half marathon training runs/races of my overall 61-total goal. I have found that the last few 13.1-mile runs have been a little more difficult than the first 25; I'm sure much of it has to do with trying to balance this goal with summer family responsibilities and projects. But I am trying not to look ahead at the 34 half marathons remaining. I'm simply focusing on the next few miles in front of me... and trying to actually "rest" on my designated rest days. As well, each one of my half marathons, which has been and will be dedicated to a specific individual, family and cause, has provided me with extra motivation and focus. Do you have someone who may be in need of an extra prayer(s) and positive thoughts? Then please read my "Dedications Across The Distance" below. We are all in this journey together.

---------

And finally, allow me share a quote with you from Ella Wheeler Wilcox: “There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.”

I particularly enjoy the concept of "the firm resolve of a determined soul;" that inner spirit that continues to attempt to span the gap between what we often view as possible and impossible. Along these many miles this summer, my friend, I have come to reflect on how much of what we socially define as success, failure, possible, impossible, winning and losing is short-sighted and short-lived.

I have seen success redefined by an ordinary life who doesn't know he/she is suppose to entertain the possibility of failing.

I have seen situations that seem impossible recreated into possible potential by selfless groups of individuals who have no concern about who receives credit for the effort.

And I have seen some of the most profound winners sculpted and defined in some of the greatest fires of what we term "losing."

It is this thought I leave with you today: If you are among the many in our human race that is cultivating a "firm resolve of a determined soul," then you are enjoying success, realizing the impossible and winning on many levels. Look at your life and efforts from this lens for just a moment and celebrate that determined soul in all your efforts.

And somewhere along the miles and trials, we'll celebrate together.

Peace, Lee

Children's Hospital Boston is a 392-bed comprehensive center for pediatric health care. As one of the largest pediatric medical centers in the United States, Children's offers a complete range of health care services for children from birth through 21 years of age. Children's is also home to the world's largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center. Since 1869, their discoveries have benefited both children and adults.

MEDALS4METTLE

I will be donating all earned half-marathon medals to a Medals 4 Mettle; a non-profit organization that facilitates the gifting of marathon, half marathon, and triathlon finishers’ medals. Runners from around the world give their hard earned medals to Medals4Mettle. The organization's worldwide network of physicians and volunteers then awards these medals, attached to a Medals4Mettle ribbon, to children and adults fighting debilitating illnesses who might not be able to run a race, but are in a race of their own just to continue to live their life. PLEASE JOIN ME IN THIS JOURNEY WITH YOUR POSITIVE THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.