Bound by nothing...

The Victor

by: C. W. Longenecker

--

If you think you are beaten, you are.

If you think you dare not, you don't.

If you like to win but think you can't,

It's almost a cinch you won't.

If you think you'll lose, you're lost.

For out in the world we find

Success begins with a fellow's will.

It's all in the state of mind.

If you think you are out classed, you are.

You've got to think high to rise.

You've got to be sure of your-self before

You can ever win the prize.

Life's battles don't always go

To the stronger or faster man.

But sooner or later, the man who wins

Is the man who thinks he can.

You Can Be Whatever You Want To Be!

by: Donna Levine

--

There is inside youAll of the potential

To be whatever you want to be;

All of the energy

To do whatever you want to do.

Imagine yourself as you would like to be,

Doing what you want to do,

And each day, take one step

Towards your dream.

And though at times it may seem toodifficult to continue,

Hold on to your dream.

One morning you will awake to find

That you are the person you dreamed of,

Doing what you wanted to do,

Simply because you had the courage

To believe in your potential

And to hold on to your dream.

Dayton here I come...

This Saturday will mark one-year since a developed one horrible stress fracture as a result of poor training mistakes and poor racing decisions. I am extremely excited to return to the Air Force Marathon as a better, smarter runner.

Since being forced to take a full eight weeks off from walking much (let alone running), I have learned many lessons. But, no lesson was more profound than ‘patience.’ I’ve learned the patience to heal, patience to train, and the patience to rest. I’m excited to come full cycle this weekend.

Air Force Marathon is an AWESOME race in a great location. I was so impressed last year that I was determined to return this year and hopefully for many years to come. The Air Force runs a highly prepared and exciting race. I look forward to every step of this race. The relaxed start; the fog-filled first miles; the excited military families; and the amazing aircraft that line flank the finish line (and the hot dogs at the finish).

Not only am I excited for the race, I am also very excited to see my friends at the University of Dayton. Tom and Emily are in for a real treat – this will be their first real UD experience.

Rock and Roll ½ Marathon – Virginia Beach, VA

I’ve never been to VA beach, so this ½ marathon seemed like a good excuse. I wanted to run fast so I decided not to run the 18 miler on Saturday morning. Instead I spent Saturday morning helping my roommate move out and my new roommate move it. Then picked up Tom at the airport and drove directly through hell. It was a pleasant six hour drive, which should have only taken three. Oh well, we ended up making it to the expo, which was all that mattered.

Once we got down there, Liza had dinner ready so Tom and I pigged out then went for a quick run. Jasmine rented out a sweet beach house for everyone. 10 runners in all! It was a pretty cool beach experience. Definitely better than Tom and I sharing some broke-down hotel in the middle of nowhere.

The race was super flat and fast with a tail wind for most of the way. I felt like I started off a little slow, but then kicked it in around mile three. ½ Marathon was short enough to feel like I could sprint a little, so I had some fun with it and dug a little deeper than I would in a Marathon.

In the end, I ran a sweet 1:35.05 (7:18 per mile), which was good enough for 519 overall (17,009). So I was pretty happy and I get a whole separate medal for completing two rock n’ roll races. After all, the medal is all that matters anyway.

Now if only I can convert that time into a 3:10 at Chicago Marathon I will be all set. Next up is Air Force Marathon in Dayton, Ohio. Great race – Tom and I will be joined by a mystery traveler…