Colfax Half Marathon, Denver, Colorado, May 20, 2012

Number 50

What does a 62 year old man do after running fifty half marathons in five years and 262 days? He designs a graphic to screen onto his running shirts and a few bumper stickers (you know, like "My Child is an Honor Student at Game Stop" or "I am Proud of my Eagle Scout even though he is in LOCKUP" kind of bumper stickers...see my artistic mock up to the right)!!  Contrary to the 50 medals that I have received, yet do not wear in my travels each day, the proclamation will remind me of my accomplishment and I will be able to display my triumph during periodic visits to the beach, the gym and my Chippendale gigs, (before the shirt comes off, of course).  I had hoped to run 100 in ten years, but two back surgeries short-circuited the goal and probably kept me from having a TATTOO affixed to my forehead five years from now, as that really would have been something to brag about.

Today was my sixth running of the Colfax Half Marathon and it was fitting to run my 50th in Denver as a few of my friends and former staff came out to cheer me on.  Holly, Sandy, Melody, Nancy, Mona, Betsy, the Callas family, the James family... Thank you!!!! It was the fastest I have run since my 2nd back surgery in August of 2010.

It has been fun running these races and writing about them in this blog.  I think the most illuminating experience I have had while running and writing was that it really is the “human way” to exert oneself, every now and again, in eccentric enterprises.  The challenge to complete 50 half marathons in five years and write this blog certainly has been eccentric.  I admit, my blog entries have been a bit schizophrenic, waffling between silly, sarcastic, serious, and emotional.  I was not chagrined by e-mails from some of my readers who applauded (and took advantage of) my contingent concern for their attention and on the other hand heartened by reader e-mails who took pain to advise me that they found reading my self-absorbed accounts, well, somehow rewarding.

I have had some special moments and proved to myself I could accomplish a long-term physical goal.  But the pure reasons for even attempting this goal is still unknown, unknowable, and uninteresting.  It just kinda happened.

Before each of the 50 races, I asked the Lord’s blessing, felt better for having done so, and figured the Lord appreciated me doing so because He knew I would need His help.  It was a pleasure to pray for so many as I ran.  Your needs, troubles and despairs kept each trek in perspective as I knew my challenge was small compared to the challenges many of you have faced. 

I realized that the running photos supplanted in this blog were sometimes confusing too.  I suppose some of you never knew whether the expressions on my face were like those of Hamlet facing life’s tortured ambiguities, or merely reflected an internal biological dialectic on whether I had intestinal issues or just needed a sip of Gatorade.  Frankly, in most cases, it was both, along with some glorious pain.

What is next?  I am considering competing in a "few" more half marathons (75 a possible goal??), or some10K races (6.2 miles or Half of a Half Marathon) over the next five years.  The problem with the 10K races is there is never a finisher medal at the end and you KNOW that is why I run….. for the BLING!!!!  I have also thought I might try my hand at a handful of triathlons.  And, of course, I will probably always be on call for the Chippendale gigs which can be physically exhausting.  Bottom-line, the fear of boredom is a cognate aversion.

Finally, I thought it might be fun for you to assimilate some statistics that I have compiled over the five plus years. 

Miles run in training:  7,587 miles.  That is basically running from Los Angeles to New York, turning around and running from New York back to LA and turning around again, headed east to Memphis, Tennessee.  Hummmm, can you say, Forrest Gump?

Number of hours in training:  1,580 hours (avg 45 minutes a day) or 39.5 forty-hour work weeks or almost 66 twenty-four hour days.
Pairs of shoes purchased:  15 pairs.  I purchased new shoes after putting 400-500 miles on a set of shoes.  My primarily purchase has been the Asics Kayano, the best shoe I have ever run in.
Number of states I ran in:  10 states which included:  Colorado, California, Washington, Kansas, New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming and Oklahoma.
Calories burnt during 50 races:  110,000 calories or about 2,200 per race.  I consumed four gel packs during each race to replace only 400 calories.  Weight lost during a race…about four to five pounds of mostly sweat/water weight.
My most difficult hurdle:  You might think it was the two back surgeries. Nope.... it was the first 15 minutes of every training run or race. Getting your body in the mood to be pushed and abused is a challenge. Your body would prefer to be in a state of sloth, on the couch. (Munier's advise: Do not let that stop you. Once you get past the first 15 minutes, it is a piece of cake.... or maybe, sometimes, a lump of coal, yet it will be worth it.) 

Thank you for the encouragement over these years, especially as I faced the two back surgeries and did not know if I could complete my goal.  Without your help, I am not sure I would have had the vinous determination to finish this challenge.  So, the time has come to say good-bye, for a while. May you be richly blessed with wisdom, love and the simplicity of Forrest Gump.

Regards always,

Mikie

Final Prayer List:  I carried with me, the names of every person I have prayed for over the last five years.  Admittedly, my prayers were “blanket” prayers for the cadre of friends, family and acquaintances….. yet, still, heartfelt.

Prayer Request for me:  I am re-entering the principalship at Sky View Academy in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.  My two years at the League of Charter Schools has been fun, interesting, challenging and rewarding.  Yet, it is time for me to return to  the blessing of helping mold our future generations.  I have yet to absorb the word "retirement."