Colfax Half Marathon, Denver, Colorado, May 16, 2010

Race Number 35

THIS RACE WAS DEDICATED TO THE FAMILIES, STUDENTS, STAFF AND BOARD OF JEFFERSON ACADEMY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Since my last blog entry, there have been a lot of changes and personal stress points in my life. Training has been quite sporadic and has taken a back seat to life’s changes and events. I really was not that excited about writing about this race, (or running it, for that matter) because I was feeling a bit up and down. My last Colfax Half was a thirteen mile run honoring my boys. It was very emotional for me. This race was not much different.

So… with that in mind, I decided to link this blog entry with a letter I wrote to my Jefferson Academy families and staff. The letter will explain why I dedicated this entire race to my school…..the place where I have found more love, care, appreciation and honor than any person could possibly enjoy. It has been the most wonderful career experience anyone could ask for. I am confident the letter will explain……that is, IF you should decide to hit the link to the left of this post, right above Nurse Ratched's nicely starched cap.

The personal challenges over the last few of weeks (which I will not detail here) have worked their way into my psyche and I am doing my best to work through them. I have a lot ahead of me and I need to be prepared and fresh for the journey. I learned for the one thousandth time that ethics, integrity and honesty are critical elements of my character that those who I call my friends and colleagues have learned to accept of me. If they cannot, it does make it difficult to "commune" together. Occasionally the evangelist in me will push aside the impacted despair of a generation of trying to convey this, and I will just say, “By God, this is who I am…..I suppose we can blame God!” Yet, that does not always allow things to end as nicely as we would like....(deep sigh....with a few tears...). Today’s race found me running like hell to get the agony over with, externally and internally.

At times, running long distances mimics life. Life can have its episodes of minimal excitement and a majority of slog and drudge. Today’s race was a bit like that. Yet, I must say, most of my life and running experiences have been more excitement and blessing than slog and drudge. I hope your life and career is always full of lots of excitement and very little drudge. My sixteen years of association with Jefferson Academy has been very exciting. Thank you to all those who "ran" along side of me (or in most cases...ahead of me) and trusted me. Thank you for leading this poor soul through the maze. I am and will be forever grateful. WE have developed one of the finest schools in the state! I am so very proud to have been associated with this "ministry."

Time: 2:26:03 I was generally pleased with this time because my pace and cadence matched my conditioning. I actually felt strong throughout the race. Maybe I am starting to figure these races out after running 35 of them!

Prayer List: All thirteen miles, I prayed for "my" school. I prayed that it stays true to the mission and vision we established over 16 years ago which included rigorous academics but with extreme sensitivity to the children who do not learn like the majority. We did our best to serve EVERY child that came through our doors, no matter what their station was in their academic and developmental life. With that philosophy, we have still been in the TOP 15% (and better in most years) of ALL the 1,462 elementary schools in the state of Colorado. Want my spiritual opinion on it?..... I think we have always had God's covering and I think that has allowed us to succeed!

I am going to miss JA very much but I am very excited about my new challenge!