Lakefront Marathon

When I finished the Milwaukee Marathon yesterday, I felt two emotions:  first I was proud of my time, and second I was grateful for all my supporters.

Let me start with the latter.  I can say how thankful I was to have so many friends and family out on the course with me.  Yesterday was 48 degrees at the start of the race - and windy.  By the end it wasn't much warmer.  The breeze sure didn't go away.  Watching someone (like me) run 26 miles is quite and undertaking - it took me just under four hours, so there's some committment there.  And still other family members showed up towards the end when I needed encouragement the most.  I wish you all knew the energy I get when I see supporters on the side of the road there cheering me on.  In the challenge of my race you were pushing me to the end - thank you so much.

My other emotion after the race was pride in my training.  This was my second marathon of the season, and it was the first time I had this volume of training under my belt.  While I had the miles to run well, I hadn't worked on speed like I had hoped.  This time my training called for two 20-mile runs.  Mine went so well that they turned into 21 and 23 mile runs.  So I knew I had a chance at a good time.  Saturday night I wrote here about my goals:

Here's how I'm looking at tomorrow:

• 3:55 should be a lock
• 3:50 is my goal
• 3:45 is "things went perfect"

The start of the race was very cold - I couldn't even get myself to take off my long-sleeve, but I ditched the hat at mile 8.  The first 13 miles felt very clunky and I was actually worried that things wouldn't go well.  I knew from training that around 8-10 I would get into a rhythm, but when that came and went I started thinking this might not be my day.  At mile 13 I was three minutes behind where I wanted to be (1:50), but that just meant there was even less room for error.

And then I started thinking about the Madison Marathon five months earlier.  In that race I started off very strong and just barely held on to the finish.  Would today be the same or did I have more in the tank?

At mile 14-15 I started getting into a nice groove.  What a feeling!  I was blaming the weather and maybe my high ambitions started me too fast at the start.  But here I was feeling smooth and strong.  At mile 18 I was thinking back to my last few long training runs and glad that I had pushed to 21 and 23 miles.  I started to think of when I wanted to push the pace because I knew I had strong legs.

Mile 22 would be a little early to go for it.  Four miles doesn't seem that far, but at the end of a marathon it's too much for me.  I figured I had a little more than two good miles left so at mile 23.5 I left Ken who I was running with and increased my pace.

Those last 2.7 miles were very tough.  It's really hard to push yourself when there's not that much in the tank.  I knew I'd finish but I didn't know how fast I could go.  In previous races I would alternate walking and running around mile 21.  That didn't happen once yesterday!  I had picked up the pace but I was maxed out of muscle in my legs.  I don't know how many people I passed but I know that no a single person passed me after mile 21.  I'm very proud of that.

I finished Milwaukee Marathon in 3:46, bettering my personal best by 13 minutes.  The training had paid off.  The cheers and support were greatly appreciated.  Who knows what's next.  Right now I can be thankful and proud as I go into the winter and think of next season.  Katie and I have some thoughts about the future, but right now we're very excited to focus on family and Katie's health as she carries our second baby.  And I'm looking forward to cheering her on.

On the Record

I think goals are very important. And while I don't have time to get into success, failure, and accountability, let me say this: I have a desire to put myself out on the line and shoot for a lofty goal. I want to be the guy in the game, working hard, performing my best, and seeing if I have what it takes. Like I said, I can't get into this right now b/c it's 10 hours before I'm running my marathon and I need to rest.

I think it would be easy to say I want to run faster than my last marathon. That would be under 3:59, and I would honestly be proud of that. I haven't trained "fast" but I have trained more. So barring major set-backs 3:59 should be a lock. But if I'm honest with myself (and now my readers) I would say that wouldn't be enough. I've trained for back-to-back marathons now and I think that will be a significant increase in training and thus performance.

Here's how I'm looking at tomorrow:

• 3:55 should be a lock
• 3:50 is my goal
• 3:45 is "things went perfect"

So honesty if I don't finish before 3:50 I will be disappointed. If it happens did I fail? Yes, I guess I did -- but that would be ok. Because so often in life big things happen from failure. We come back stronger and never make that mistake again.

Too much for tonight. I'm really excited about running tomorrow. My strategy is 8:15 miles for the first half, and then 9:15 miles to the finish. You can see my updates on my Twitter Feed.

Race Week

I am very excited to be at the final training week for the Milwaukee Marathon this Sunday. It is my third marathon, my second this year. I did Madison Marathon for the first time in 2007 and finished in 4:04. Last May I did Madison again and met my goal of going under 4 hours - I finished in 3:59. And now I've completed my training for this marathon on the heels of my Madison marathon, so the two consecutive training programs is making me very excited to see "how fast" I can go on Sunday.

Training is so motivational for me. I've made many updates on Facebook and Twitter this summer as I've processed my runs and the training program. It's been great to see how much stronger my body has gotten from all the miles I've logged. Are you aware of the capabilities of the human body? I'm not saying everyone should run marathons. But what might it be for you? Your first 5K? A run/walk. A brisk bike ride around the lake? What could you train for that would require some time and effort, but you think is possible in 8 weeks of training?

So this week I'm resting and looking back on my first two marathons - how my splits were and what my heart rate was over the course of the run. My friend Tom Moore says that marathons start after mile 20 - and I agree. It's the last six miles that are really what you train for, especially after your first marathon. In May I basically ran two different runs - my first 18 miles were great and my last 8 went downhill. So I'm starting to develop strategy for having more in the tank at the end.

If you're interested in following me on Sunday, you can watch my Twitter feed which my sister will be updating.

Book Review: A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller

In sports it's called the sophomore slump. A player has a great first (freshman) year and then can't live up to expectations the next. Donald Miller fully admits that after a very successful experience with Blue Like Jazz, a New York Times bestseller for 40 weeks, he went under the radar and did little more than get off the couch. Through a series of events and conversations with his roommate, Miller realized that he wasn't living a good life; he wasn't writing a great story. An avid learner and critic, Miller begins studying story in the context of films. Why? Because he's been approached to adapt his memoir into a screenplay. He's writing his own feature film, staring himself.

Donald Miller gained a nationwide following with his memoir, Blue Like Jazz, in 2003. His style of writing was refreshingly honest, critical, and insightful. But his cynicism left readers with a void and a sense of a missing component. Should we question so much of the Christian life without pursuing answers? In A Million Miles Donald Miller shows us how he has matured from a critic to an editor. He's been charged with the task of making his story work. And the story is compelling. The backdrop is a movie - Miller's life being edited for a screenplay on the big screen. But when two professional movie makers tell Miller that his story lacks some excitement, he's forced to examine his life and see if there's a better story to tell.

I was captivated by Miller's context of examining story and how it translated to his personal life. The characters he encounters and pursues will keep you riveted also. This book will be an enjoyable narrative and a challenging reflection at the same time.

Social Media Revolution

There are certain things that I really get jazzed about that others could care less about.  Most people hate Favre - I'm still a fan.  Friends and family are still using Hotmail and Yahoo - Gmail is the best.  And U2 is still the best band on the planet.

While I'm aware that my personality leans towards passion and action, I know that not everyone gets as excited as I do about certain things in life.  But some things are worthy of more attention than people give me credit for.  My career choice is to be an exercise professional.  While you may not view it as important as I do, and though you may not talk about it as much as I do, you should still do something about it.  Your health, livelihood, and quality of life depend on it.  And that's independent from me - it's just a fact.

In the same way, I don't see too many of my friends and family getting excited about Social Media (blogs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube).  But that doesn't mean it doesn't affect them.  Because if it doesn't now, it sure will in the future.  Many of my friends have ditched email and now message each other through Facebook.  I've been able to keep friends and family informed with my life and being a husband and father through Facebook updates and photo albums that I can share.  You can't do that with email.  I've learned to not only find information from the web but share the relevant stuff publicly with Facebook, Twitter, and my blog.  News and information is so much more personal when it's shared this way.

As you can see I'm still trying to find my voice on this.  While I may not communicate it as effectively as I'd like, the beauty of computers and the internet is sometimes I don't have to.  I came across this YouTube video last week from a friend I follow on Twitter.

I'd be very curious to hear your thoughts about Social Media after watching this clip.  It goes fast, so you may want to keep your hand on the pause button.

Giveaway: NOOMA Whirlwind

I am happy to have another giveaway this week on my blog.  As a supporter of Flannel , which produces the Nooma series, we received two copies of the latest film, Whirlwind.  What a great opportunity to give one away.

Whirlwind is about the story of Job.  In this installment, Rob Bell challenges us to think outside of our circumstance, particularly ones that aren't going our way.  Actually it's when things are really bad that we must remember our place in history, HIStory.

• Who is the author?  
• Who is the character?  
• What is the dialogue?

You'll love this film.  But to get it, here's what you need to do:

1. Post a comment below telling me what your favorite Nooma was and why.  (Comments due Saturday 10pm)
   
2. Send an email to me with your address so that I can get it to you if you win. (my first name at uwalumni.com)
   
3. Check back on Monday morning to see who wins.
   

 

 

Flannel is an excellent organization and these films have reached a lot of people.  They've created Kingdom-centered stories.  Would you consider supporting their ministry ?  (They did not solicit this plug.)  When you purchase a film, they offer a free viewing to someone who can't afford to purchase a copy.

Make the comments insightful!  Haven't seen a Nooma film before?  Tell me why you should win this video.

Tweeting the NFL

I understand that not everyone is fully buying into the Social Media culture that is forming.  Forming...  it's established.  It's just a matter if you want to be a part of it.  Today I read an article talking about tv advertising being still relevant, but social media is taking "center stage".  I know plenty of my friends who shrugg this off, and that's fine.  Just remember that I mentioned it here, back on 9/22/09.

One of the most interesting developments for social media has been with Twitter and the NFL.  Players like OchoCinco have advertised their intent to Tweet during games.  The NFL has countered with adjusting their policy on Twitter and social media numerous times now. 

Where does free speech come in?  As an avid listener to sports radio, I'm hearing these stories more and more often.  And they're asking questions like this.  But what we need to remember is that the NFL is an employer.  These players are not independent contractors.  The NFL shouldn't have a problem telling players (employees) what policy will be when you're "on the clock." 

Now when a player is on their own time...  knock yourself out!  I'm a HUGE fan of behind the scenes action.  That's what makes Twitter so great.  We're getting a glimpse into certain celebrities' lives we've never seen before.  And as much as I'd love to hear sideline chats and thoughts from players during the game, during halftime, and before their interviews at their lockers, the NFL needs to stand firm in their social media policy - no Tweeting on our watch.

Benefits of Training

As I train for my third marathon, I've been able to focus less on the miles scheduled for the week and focus more on the structure of the program and it's purpose.  For those that don't know, when you're training to run 26.2 miles, you never actually run that far before the race.  One common training program (Hal Higdon) has you peak at "only" 20 miles.  And that's three weeks before the race! 

While I understood this concept in 2007 when I first did Madison Marathon, the years have allowed me to familiarize myself with the program, the design, and most importantly my body.  Having gone through the program three times now, I can confidently talk about training for a marathon with any novice runner.

Lately I've been reaping the benefits of training.  The human body is designed to be able to run 26.2 miles.  Not everyone can do this because too many of us let our bodies go.  But with proper training, I feel like I could get most people to complete a marathon.  And this is because of the power of training.  Think about training.  It's not something you figure out over night, in a week, or a month.  People take years to be properly trained on a piece of equipment or proficient at a job.

And training for a run is no different.  My marathon training program for the Lakefront (Milwaukee) Marathon on October 4th included two 20-mile runs.  This is an advanced workout that I was trying for the first time since I'm looking to improve on my run from this spring.  I'm happy to report that the first 20-miler was going so well that I extended it to 21 miles.  Then the second 20-miler was going well (training!) that I extended it to 23.5 miles.  If you haven't had the feeling of your body getting stronger, you're missing out.  

So after 17+ weeks of training, I'm tapering.  The program is set up such that your body decreases its workout load for the last two weeks of the training so that you're ready for maximal effort on race day.  I remember feeling this three days before my first marathon in 2007.  I came home from a short run and told Katie "I'm ready to go."  I could just feel my body's strength and even pent-up energy during my taper.  This was because I was used to so much higher mileage, my body was under-performing.  And that would change in three days when I would ask it to run 26.2.


When is the last time you trained for something?  It doesn't have to be a marathon.  It doesn't have to be athletic.  But when is the last time you felt yourself noticably get better or stronger in an area?

Exercise and Christianity

Since I became a fitness professional (as a personal trainer) I've made an intentional effort to practice what I preach.  It's not enough to have the knowledge to simply prescribe a workout routine for people and expect them to become healthier.  I firmly believe a good trainer needs to model a healthy lifestyle to be effective.

In addition to training, it has been my experience that I also need to have open discussions about health-related topics as a normal part of my days and relationships with people.  I want my fitness profession to be more than a job - I want it to be a significant component to my life.  So I approach relationship with the lens of "how can I be a resource and an encouragement to those with whom I interact?"

As these conversations have taken place, I've realized that my fitness profession and my Christianity have something in common.  It seems to me that these two aspects of my life can come across as over-zealous and even self-righteous.  Here's what I mean.

I admit that I don't talk about my faith as much as I should.  I've certainly had opportunities and relationships where I've been able to be more vocal, and I feel good when I can share my faith.  But the general consensus in this country and culture is that talking about Christianity comes off as 'better-than-thou.'  I hate that.  But it seems true.  Any discussion of Jesus, the Bible, my morals, or my views on family and society are interpreted as though I don't sin, I don't accept anyone else's lifestyles, I'm unforgiving, or no one lives up to my standards.  Have you ever felt unreasonably pegged and wanted to defend yourself?

Let's look at the excercise profession.  Since learning about physical and health education at the University of Wisconsin, I've realized how important health and fitness is to our culture.  Over 66% of the population is overweight - and almost half of that group is obese!  This has created a passion in me to see more individuals gain their health back and begin to feel better about themselves.  As noted above, I figure I'll be more effective if I practice what I preach, but to be honest I'd probably be doing this training even if my profession was unrelated.

But then comes my dilema.  I'm thin, I'm active, I eat very healthy (thanks to Katie) and I compete in marathons.  How does this look to those I'm trying to reach?  To some it's exactly what they'd expect.  But to others (usually the very-overweight ones) it just seems like they want to say, "Easy for you to say, Hans.  You're in great shape and I could never get to that point."  Maybe I'm reading into this or maybe I'm not bringing them along with me in the conversation.  But it sure feels like people hear me talk about fitness and just don't care or don't think it's attainable.

So my faith and my profession seem to have this in common:  when you're part of "the group" you're elite and so you must be looking down on those that aren't.  I guess at this point it's just an observation.  I don't have evidence of this and I don't have a solution.  But I believe God has called me to develop these aspects in my life and I also believe he's given me a voice and is allowing me to develop and grow that voice to work for His good.  So I'll keep pushing my agenda and practicing what I preach.

"How Could You Not?"

There are certain things you run across and say, "that's good."  This video from Donald Miller and the Mentoring Project does just that.  While I'm promoting this video, I don't mean to convey that I'm fully on board, because I'm not.  I can't right now.  But it's still an important message that needs to be heard so I'm trying to spread it.  If you like it, pass on a link to this post to someone who may sign up with the Mentoring Project.


Mentoring Spotlight - Ben and Dennis from The Mentoring Project on Vimeo.

And the free book goes TO.....

The first responder, Mr. Persistance, the reader and writer himself... Mr. Jaye Barbeau.  This guy hounded me on Facebook and recruited his friends to write on his behalf - well played, Sir.  It was difficult to turn down the web-man Jeff Miles because he's helping to update my blog and take it to the next level.  Crowning him winner would have been for selfish gain.  Nice try Miles - I guess I'll have to pay those consulting fees after all.  But today all the glory goes to Jaye Barbeau. 


Thanks to everyone who commented and participated in my give-away.  Please take a moment to see if my blogging material might interest you on a weekly basis.  My blog is focusing on family, leadership, fitness/exercise, social media, and a few stories about sports.  You can subscribe and get it right to your inbox for free.

And remember - there may or may not be a NOOMA video give-away in the weeks to come.  Thanks again.

Jaye - the book is on its way.

Book Giveaway - Donald Miller's "A Million Miles"

I have recently started reviewing books for Thomas Nelson as part of their book review bloggers program.  My second title will probably be an all-time favorite - Donald Miller's "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years."  Katie and I were sitting on the porch when the UPS man pulled up with a box that was bigger than expected... because there were TWO books included!!

The publisher (CEO Michael Hyatt) thought that the book was so good that he wanted us to give away a copy to a friend.  So I've decided to have a little fun with this.  I've teased this on Facebook and Twitter for the last week and here on my blog I'll be giving away the free copy.

Here's what will happen:

1. You post a comment at the bottom of this post telling me why you deserve the free copy.  Include your first name or an identifying title.  Get creative!!
   
2. You email me your full name and address in case I choose you as the winner. (Hans@uwalumni.com OR message me on Facebook)  IMPORTANT:  include "Donald Miller book" in the subject so I can sort through them.
3. I'll pick a winner on Wednesday night and post something on Thursday. 

If you're so inclined, please check out my blog and participate in some conversations.  Oh, did I mention I may or may not have some Nooma videos to give away later?  Shameless promotion, I know.

Book Review: Fearless by Max Lucado

Fear is simple: “I’m scared of…”  Fill in the blank.  But when we examine the dimensions of fear, we see that it can play a significant role in various aspects of our lives.  Max Lucado unpacks all the subtle places fear can attack us and what the Bible says about how we should respond.

Plain and simple: in America 2009 we have realized that things we take for granted are not as secure as we thought.  Our jobs, investments, and retirement accounts are not guaranteed anymore.  Fear slowly pushed its way in and now has hit many of us square in the jaw.  Personally I’ve never felt uncertainty (in the job market) like this season I’m in.  I’m glad for Max’s words to investigate and remember what Jesus had to say about trusting him.  In classic Lucado fashion, Fearless shows us how Christians should respond to different fears in our lives.  Do we ultimately bring all things to Jesus?  Of course we should... And what a reassuring message when so many practical aspects of our lives, from career to money to family to death, are infected with fear.

I've included a video of Max talking about Fearless.

For more books by Thomas Nelson Publishing, visit their website.

Reviewing Books

A few months back I stumbled upon a blog by Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing.  Somewhere in there I found out that they have a blogger review program.  The idea is that they ship you an advanced copy of a book in return for a book review that you post on your blog, their website, and at least one commercial site (such as Amazon).  Well I'm always a fan of free stuff and I figured it would be a good way to add some goals to my reading habit and challenge me in my writing hobby.

The first book I received was Fearless by Max Lucado.  I've read a few of Max's books, so I knew what to expect.  But what convinced me to choose this book was Hyatt's raving review of the book - that it was one of the most timely books written considering the state of our nation.  And did I mention it was free?  I'll be reviewing the book Tuesday morning, so please check out the review and post a comment of you're so inclined - the publishers will appreciate your feedback and attention.

I've already got the next book - it's by one of my favorite authors, Donald Miller.  His new book is entitled A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.  I'm so excited to read this because Katie has already stole my copy and is at page 190 in less than 48 hours!  Michael Hyatt liked the book so much that he included a second copy so that we could give one away, so I'll be giving away a free copy on my blog on Tuesday September 8th.  Stay tuned if you're interested!

Twitter: What Has Your Attention

I am a huge fan of Twitter.  But many people I talk to are still confused about what it is and why someone would do it.  Twitter originally (and probably still) asked users, "What are you doing?"  And this is why I get so much negative feedback about Twitter - because that's such a self-centered question.  People ask me, "Why are you so important that people want to know what you had for lunch today?"

That's their best response:  Who cares what you're eating right now or that you're at the gas station...

I agree!!  Who CARES!?!?!

Why Twitter?  When you give Twitter a couple weeks of your time, at only 5 minutes per day, you'll see how it can be so addicting.  Personally, I follow people interested in business, leadership, exercise, and social media.  These are all interests of mine and I can instantly get information that is relevant to my life.  You see, instead of using Twitter to answer the question "what are you doing", the people I follow are basically commenting on "what has your attention right now."  Do you see the difference?  The later question means we're sharing information about interests, not necessarily ME.

The other thing that non-Twitter users don't understand is how quickly we can filter through unnecessary tweets.  Especially on my iPod touch, I can page right through a handful of people's tweets depending on how much time I have at that particular moment.  I can also add tweets to my favorites so I can go back later when I have more time and read further.

Have I peaked your interest?  As with email, Facebook, and even talking to people on the phone, Twitter can be used as much or as little as you want.  I'm not a slave to Twitter - I use it as a tool.  And it can be a powerful tool for information, ideas, research, and relationships if use it right.

First 30 pages of Donald Miller's New Book

Currently I'm using my blog as an extension of my reading on Twitter and the blogs that I follow. Donald Miller is beginning to promote his new book, which I'll be reviewing for Nelson Publishing and posting here on the Game Plan.

Did you read Blue Like Jazz? Great memoir of Don's, a must-read. Are you excited for his next book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years? If so, here's the first 30 pages to get you started.


A Million Miles In A Thousand Years by Donald Miller

Donald Miller's Mentoring Project

There are a few people I really enjoy following, and one of them is Donald Miller. Earlier I posted a widget of his upcoming tour and new book (which has a free audio download!). Now I'm excited to help him promote the Mentoring Project - an organization that "exists to inspire and equip the faith community to provide positive male role models to boys between the ages of 7 and 14."

The Mentoring Project - Elephant Musth Cycle from The Mentoring Project on Vimeo.

Sorin's Dedication

dedicate: to set apart for a special purpose

Intentionality is tough these days. There are so many things fighting for our time and attention. And if you don't have priorities straight and maintain a disciplined lifestyle, the world can pull a person in many different (and bad) directions.

One element of a balance life for Katie and me is our relationship with Christ. To say "one element" isn't even fully accurate. We try daily to make that element the pivotal element of our lives. It's a difficult task and we're growing in that relationship as the years go on. But if we were to be defined by one aspect of our lives, it would be our faith in God.

In light of our Christian walks with God, Katie and I want to dedicate Sorin to the Lord. We want to commit ourselves to raising Sorin in the ways of the Lord. We want to be intentional without being demanding. Is that possible? We believe so.

Last Sunday (August 16) we had our dedication for Sorin. After weeks of planning, I had the ceremony planned and Katie had the food/party organized. We had about 38 people attending which was a big number. But as I was gathering the people to begin, I realized how appreciative I was that each and every person was there. I believe that it truly takes a village to raise a child, and we value our friends and family as they encourage us in the process.

I guess I can't say much more in this post. The whole weekend was very reflective for me, so stay tuned for more insight into our dedication.

Who Am I?

Sorry for those of you who may not get this inside joke.

Marathon Training

Well after Madison Marathon was completed at the end of May, Katie and I had a very busy few weeks. This is especially noteworthy because my training for the Lakefront Marathon was adversely affected. It was tough for me because I was really looking forward to seeing how the first marathon training would prep me for the second. I'm happy to report that I'm back on schedule with my training, and I don't think the time off hurt me. That's the thing with exercise: if you don't use it, you'll lose it. But if you re-train, you'll gain it back quicker than if you hadn't trained in the first place. Does that make sense?

One necessity of my training was a new pair of shoes. Over the winter I bought a new pair of Brooks that were a little more resistant to the elements. I'm happy with them - they certainly allowed me to get out and run in some compromising elements this winter and sloppy spring. But they're nothing like my Asics 2120s. Now they've been updated to the 2140s, which I just got in the mail last week:

(me smelling a new, fresh pair of shoes)


Marathon training is so good for me. Admittedly I'm not great at it yet. I still have so many days when I just don't want to get out and run. But when I get the weekly miles in, there's nothing like the feeling of training and being fit.

Are you working out? Do you exercise 3-5 days per week? As an ACSM personal trainer, I'm doing CEUs and I'm also studying for another certification - Exercise Specialist. All the material says that EVERYONE should be exercising for 30 minutes 4-5 days per week! I guess that soapbox is for another post, maybe even another blog in and of itself.

I've never done this before, but as it turns out it was easier than I expected...

I follow Donald Miller on with my Google Reader account, and a couple days ago this came across the screen. I heard Don talk about "Story" last fall and it was fantastic. His writing is very unique and I appreciate his honesty and candid words. You should check out his blog and get ready for his new book.

It Was All About Sam

For my birthday Steve and Sue got me two tickets to the Brewers Game for July 12. It was the last game of the first half of the season, we were playing the Dodgers - the best team in baseball. But the real story of the game was the National Anthem. Steve and Sue got tickets through a friend from their church how have a son, Sam, who has a brain tumor. He's had surgery once but they couldn't get it all out.

Sam signed up for Make-a-Wish and was accepted! His wish: to sing the National Anthem at a Brewers game.

I was so excited to go to this game!! Stories like this mean so much to me - I get emotionally involved so easily. When I first saw Sam, it was at the tailgate party. He was the 'man of the hour' and was with Cory Hart, the honorary chair of Make-a-Wish for the day. They were getting in the back of a club car to go to the Brewers' Club House. Camera crews were filming the whole thing - I heard it might be on Fox Sports.

Well the National Anthem came up pretty quickly. Those that know me well know that I take my patriotism very seriously. The Anthem is very important to me, and I've been at some events that have been very special. But when a six-year old boy with a brain tumor sings our National Anthem - missing a few words, slurring others, sometimes off pitch - it was the sweetest rendition I've ever heard. Most of it sounded great for a boy his age. That boy wanted to sing our National Anthem at a Brewers' game in front of 42,241 people -- and he did it.

Want to see Sam sing? I dare you to not shed a tear! The last 4 seconds are the best!!! Click here to see Sam singing on Sunday.

Family Camp at Fort Wilderness

Last week Katie and I took Sorin up to the Northwoods for Family Camp at Fort Wilderness – it was one of the best weeks of our marriage. Now we’ve only been married since November 2005, but only our trip to Europe in 2007 it can compare. Maybe it’s just my adventurous nature starting to find release. Maybe it was the fantastic food. Maybe it was having tons to do or nothing to do. Maybe it was having two sets of grandparents there to take Sorin (even for a night). Maybe it was meeting so many great people from across the Midwest. Maybe it was sleeping in a tent for the first time in Too Long.

While I’m tempted to describe a play-by-play, I’m pretty sure that’s unnecessary. (My two main followers were also my two main babysitters up at CampJ)

What’s it like to be at Fort? Each morning you wake up for breakfast at 8:15. Can I just interject here? (Is it possible to interject your own blog post?) I couldn’t believe how late people woke up at camp. Admittedly I’m a morning person. I love seeing the sun come up, especially in the middle of God’s creation – in the woods, over the lake. But at Camp no one was moving before 7:30/7:45. I couldn’t believe it. I thought people would be up at the coffee shop our out on the docks having devotionals or a quiet time. I guess it’s vacation for most people, so that means a little more sleep.

After breakfast it’s off to a gathering for worship and listening to a speaker who is there for the week. This was from about 9:00-10:15 (at the latest). Our speaker for the week was Mike Moran from Kettlebrook Church. He went through 1 Peter and did a great job. The only other scheduled events for the day are lunch and dinner. So there’s plenty of time for play. And play we did.

Katie and I went out on the kayaks one afternoon. Another afternoon I went with my mom. Steve and I water skied a few afternoons. I went on a walk to the Pointe with my parents. We did a lot of sitting around watching Sorin play. He likes splashing in the water. We went on a lazy Tube Float down the Wisconsin River for 2.5 hours. We had a few campfires with wonderful s’mores. We heard a great message by the Wrangler, Jonathan, as he compared the disciplines of God to the disciplines of training a horse. It was one of the best 30 minutes of the week. Fort is just a great place to vacation.

In summary, it was a great week at Fort because the food was great, my family was there, we met great people, we played a lot, laughed a lot, and had great conversations with old and new friends. Once again my lack of writing skills is diminishing this blog post. Still, you should consider a Family Camp at Fort Wilderness for a week’s vacation.

Birthday thoughts

It seems like in the past couple years I've found myself reflecting at birthday time. This year is no different. It's May 28, 2009 in Madison, WI. I won't attempt to update on all the things on my mind - who would read on?

To be brief, there's a few thoughts at the top of my mind:

1. I am blessed to have a relationship with the Lord. Even as I struggle establishing my marriage and career, through great frustration, I never think God has abandoned me. I certainly have been angry with Him, but I would still classify my relationship as strong.
2. I learn daily how to get back on my feet. I think I had a pretty good-sized ego about myself before I got married. I'm learning how selfish I am and how many ways I fall short around this house. But I'm learning what it means to be a man and take care of a family.
3. Katie is the hardest worker I've ever met. Ever.
4. I'm trying to "hurry" Sorin to age 4. But when age 18 is just around the corner, I catch myself and try to enjoy each daily adventure.

Life is extremely busy right now. We just got done training for full and half marathons. Another full marathon for me in the fall. The job search is a full time job. Tree work is exhausting and I feel like I could study and improve myself as a trainer endlessly. I love reading but there aren't enough hours in the day.

So Katie and I are working on being more disciplined. A disciplined person gets more done b/c he can say 'no' to things that distract him from the main goal.

Not a cohesive post, but I felt the need to write and check in.

March Madness: Badgers Win to finish off Round 1 !!!

March Madness: it's just a magical time of the year. My early memories are the fondest. In high school the brackets were passed around and mine was folded into my Sports Illustrated for the next three weeks. My sophomore year I went up to Madison with some upper classmen to watch the high school basketball tournament, but we still got our share of the NCAA games.

And the pools are still as fun as ever. Even as I seem to miss most of the Badgers' basketball season, the tournament brings me right back up to speed.

The Badgers this year don't even deserve to win their first round game, but #5 Florida State (fresh off a win over #1 UNC) couldn't put the Badgers away. The game Friday night went to overtime before Trevon Hughes and Bohannon pulled it out for Bucky! What an exciting night.

I hate to root against the Big Ten, but at the same time Sienna was playing Ohio State. My interest here is a side bet I have at work:

• over under (8): number of lower seeded teams that will beat higher seeded teams in the first two rounds

I took the over, and when Wisconsin won and Sienna took OSU to 2 overtimes and pulled it out, I had my 9 wins for under-seeded teams. Another victory for Hans.

What a great weekend so far. One of my favorite shows to listen to is Dan Patrick. He has an assistant named Paulie who made a veteran move this weekend to ensure maximum basketball exposure: He bought his wife and her friend manicures for Saturday afternoon so he could go watch the game. As he said it, she smiled and said "have fun at the bar with the guys" and his Saturday was set. He was still working on viewing strategy for the Sunday games.

What I'm Reading

Leaders are readers. I can't even begin to talk about how much I wish I had time to read. It really takes discipline. And like so many people I talk with, I'm into about six different books. But the best one I'm reading (my focus at the moment) is 7 Habits for Highly Effective People.

I was actually first introduced to the teen version of this when I was taking some high school health students through it. I was amazed at how practical and effective it was for this age group. And I'd always had a copy of the original, but never got around to reading it.

Currently I'm on the third habit:

• Habit 1: Be Proactive: Principles of Personal Choice
• Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind: Principles of Personal Vision
• Habit 3: Put First Things First: Principles of Integrity & Execution

It's always good to return to the basics - personal leadership and discipline.

Valentine's Day

When I married into the Robertson family, I soon came to realize a very special holiday - Valentine's Day. And it's not regarding the person you'd expect.

Katie's dad, Steve, has always made a big deal of the Hallmark holiday with cards and a gift - usually a shirt of some kind. This year he included Sorin in the gift giving. Here's the video we captured.

Katie loves her vest, Sorin will look great in his new onesie, and my shirt (by Ben Sherman) is my new favorite - it's got a great athletic cut to it. I've never had a shirt that fits like this.

Favre Retirement - Part 2

I'm in the minority on the Brett Favre story - I think he is the best thing to happen to the NFL in 20 years. I think he still should be treated as such. I wish he would have kept his legacy in Green Bay, but what can a guy do when he's not wanted anymore and dumbass front office people want to prepare for the future?

Was going to New York a mistake? Sure l0oks like it. I still can't blame the guy. Living in his shoes for 17 years, I guess he felt like he couldn't do wrong - so he goes for Year 18 as the gambling player that made him great. Boy, I still wish it was Green Bay for life for Brett. Once a Packer, always a Packer. Just too good to be true.





So this week he tells the Jets he's done. And so begins (for the Brett faithful) the nails-against-the-chalkboard sounds. It's a painful sound. It's a feeling in your gut that something isn't right. It's Brett Favre announcing his departure from the NFL - and we all say, "I heard that last year."

I realize Brett has brought this upon himself. Am I too forgiving? Am I too much a homer? The man became a starter in the NFL... and never sat down!! He NEVER sat down!!!!! He brought life to Green Bay and pride to the Packers that we won't see again in my lifetime. He drove you up a wall with ridiculous interceptions! But his attitude towards the game of football is a throw-back to when the game was fun and serious at the same time - but it wasn't about the individual. Do you see that anywhere else in the league? That attitude has left the NFL, maybe never to return.

Reunited with Blackberry; Marathon?

On Friday I had a client at Harbor in the morning. I had my Blackberry in my training vest and left it there, so I was without it all day. Boy, is that a naked feeling. I don't have email on there or anything, but I'm constantly setting alarms, tasks, and memos for myself. It was good to get it back Saturday morning. And in case you're wondering - I didn't miss any calls all day. So the Blackberry doesn't have to be a Crackberry for me - no addiction here.

This weekend I got two runs in and would like to announce my plans for the 2009 Mad City Marathon on May 24th. I ran in 2007 and feel bad it's taken this long to get back into a big race. The runs this weekend felt great. I really miss the workout for the lungs and legs on those longer runs. Katie and I got a new shuffle since mine got lost last summer. We got the red one which supports (RED) causes fighting AIDS.

Super Bowl Sunday

11:20am
I'm so happy Super Bowl Sunday is here. It's a little different today b/c Katie and I decided to stay home together with Sorin. And our decision is starting to really pan out b/c Katie and I are feeling a little under the weather today. Plus we're going to make all kinds of good (and bad) food today - it's the last day of football... it's Super Bowl Sunday.

So I'll be blogging all day. I'm really excited about the start of coverage. All morning I've been waiting for the TV coverage to start at noon so I could officially start eating. I was very hungry and relieved to see that "noon" was noon eastern, so 11:00 our time. So here we are ready to eat and watch the coverage.

Right now NBC is starting with a review of the NFL season with coverage from NFL Films - it doesn't get any better than that.

Sorin and I are ready for his first Super Bowl Sunday!






11:49am
NBC is doing it right - NFL films is the best b/c they have all the sound and the best footage. They're going through a lot of the teams, adn they just did the Ravens - my team for the playoffs b/c Jim Leonard (former Badger) plays safety for them. Jimmy was just featured in 4 straight big tackles for the team as they upset the Titans.

12:28pm
I just had to go to the car to get something and got to feel how warm it is today. We've had a very cold winter, and today it's supposed to get to 37 degrees - and no one will be going outside to enjoy it. Actually, I bet most people will enjoy the weather this afternoon and skip all the Super Bowl coverage I'm watching.

2:29pm
I just woke up from a little nap. Like I said, Katie and I are feeling a little sick, so I guess the rest is good. Coverage is still going strong. Kurt Warner just got to the stadium and is being interviewed by an attractive woman - he's standing so close he looks like he's about to kiss her.

We ate these wonderful personal pizzas for a snack at lunch. We got the idea from our cousin Amanda.

NBC just reported selling 69 commercials for a few billion dollars (I missed the number). The average is $100,000 per second. Get ready for Miller High Life's one-second commercial...





4:12pm
Katie and I just played the Great Game - Backgammon. She won 2 of 3. Barack Obama is on the NBC coverage in a live interview from the Map Room.

Food update: we've had cheese and sausage for a few hours now. We opened up the Dean's french onion dip with the Cape Cod chips. GAME DAY!

4:45pm
Katie and Sorin just got back from a little walk. I got some work done and cleaned up for the main event.

5:34pm
GO STEELERS!!

I have a little wager with my brother.

6:56pm
That was the most unbelievable play I've seen in a long time. The Steelers just threw an interception and then allowed the Cardinals to drive and Warner is perfect in the red zone this season. But he throws a pick and the defensive player of the year Harrison returns it 100 yards for the longest play in Super Bowl history! And now my point spread is looking better against my brother.

7:09pm
Two words - "the Boss"

9:55pm
And that's it. What a great second half. For a game that was supposed to not even be close, that was a great finish. Play after play. Pittsburgh was fantastic, and Warner and the Cardinals were very exciting. I had a great Super Bowl Sunday. I ate game food and didn't get out of my sweats all day. Feeling a little under the weather, but I was with family all day so I can't complain.

Another end to another football season. Katie's happy about that. Until I tell her that summer camp starts in a few months.

Presidential Transition

I can't say that I'm a history buff, but I do enjoy learning about certain aspects of our past. And I get sentimental about big changes of the guard. Yesterday I started reflecting on the last eight years and the leadership of President Bush. Reading some of his material and speeches is fascinating. I've found a few items that may be of interest. I highly encourage people to look over whitehouse.gov for other articles.

This is Bush's farewell address and added details (video).

Here you can selected speeches of Bush, including his first address to the White House staff in January 2001.

The following publications are also available:
A Charge Kept
Highlights of Accomplishments and Results of the Administration
100 Things Americans May Not Know About the Bush Administration


I was listening to NPR yesterday and they were talking about people in Wyoming who didn't necessarily like Bush. But they have begun to appreciate his leadership and respected him for his efforts. They also mentioned Oklahoma, and the fact that not one district voted for Obama. Yet they are beginning to stand behind him because he is our next President, and "that's just what you do - support your President."

I understand the need for our two political parties. And I'm don't believe compromise is always good - debate is great, and politically it helps define America. But the "way right" and the "way left" are very frustrating to me. I don't think the majority of Americans are on polarizing ends of the spectrum, so our leaders shouldn't be a reflection of such. Liberal, conservative, moderate - all Americans should stand behind their President and give him their full support. Disagree until the cows come home. Voice your opinion and write your Senator (something I'll do this year for the first time). Speak up and contribute to good, honest debate. At the end of the day, America is so privileged to have the freedoms it does - for that we thank our Armed Forces. And when we think about sitting behind the desk in the Oval Office, we can't begin to imagine the duty, responsibility, pressure, and intelligence it takes to make those decisions daily.

It's a day of Presidential transition. I conclude with a segment from President George W. Bush's final address to the nation:

Like all who have held this office before me, I have experienced setbacks. There are things I would do differently if given the chance. Yet I’ve always acted with the best interests of our country in mind. I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right. You may not agree with some of the tough decisions I have made. But I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions.
America is a young country, full of vitality, constantly growing and renewing itself. And even in the toughest times, we lift our eyes to the broad horizon ahead. I have confidence in the promise of America because I know the character of our people.
It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve as your President. There have been good days and tough days. But every day I have been inspired by the greatness of our country, and uplifted by the goodness of our people. I have been blessed to represent this nation we love. And I will always be honored to carry a title that means more to me than any other – citizen of the United States of America.

Gotta Love It When...

... she looks at the weather and she says, "Oh, good."

My last post revealed the "weather geek" in me. And this will also shed some light on my attitude towards weather and adventure. Katie has been flip-flopping all day on whether or not she wants to run outside today. It's cold. But the sun is out.

So Katie just came to me and asked for the weather. I looked it up online as she looked over my shoulder: "Temp. 2 degrees -- Feels like -2 degrees."

Her response: "Oh, good." That's it! She was relieved that it wasn't "too bad" outside. It makes me smile to know my wife doesn't think that -2 degrees is weather suitable for running.

Weather Geek

I love checking on the weather b/c of all the work I do outside. I just noticed that tonight calls for 100% chance of a "Blizzard." Nice.

Tonight
Jan 12

Blizzard

N/A
-1°

100%

Advent Conspiracy articles

Katie and I were very excited to participate in the Advent Conspiracy this Christmas season.  You can look at a previous post for some details - I think it's worth the read.  Blackhawk created a blog to provide a forum for people to share their stories and thoughts about how the AC was affecting your Christmas Season.  I was asked to contribute and you can find my post ("Sustainable Conspiracy") here.

I was also asked to be interviewed about our family experience with the Advent Conspiracy for Blackhawk's monthly newsletter - Life at Blackhawk.  Here's where you can find that interview.

Packers Game

How can you not love free tickets? I have to thank Kristi for her gift "from one Packers fan to another." Every time we get together we go on and on about the Packers and their season. But I have to be honest - the Detroit game worried me.












On this side of the win it seems a little odd to discuss. But playing a team that has lost all 15 games is a scary game - especially for a Packers team that has nothing to play for. Yet Tim and I went up to Green Bay and bundled ourselves up for the cold. I love that stadium. The last time I was there I was with Katie (again, thanks to Kristi) for the Bears game last season. It was 85 degrees and the Packers lost. I'm a cold weather guy - football is meant to be played when it's cold and the ground is really, really hard. So the Detroit game was perfect.


The sign says it all...









No fans are better than Packers fans. At the stadium everyone is cool. Everyone is nice. Everyone must be neighbors. That's were we parked - in a neighborhood a mile from Lambeau. It was great. I learned something on Sunday - I never imagined there were so many female snowmobilers in Wisconsin!

Merry Christmas

What a wonderful time of the year. We got Sorin a little chair for him to sit in, which he liked right away.











Katie and I spent the 23rd and 24th at my mom and dad's in McFarland. We decorated some Christmas cookies and ate really good food.










Christmas Eve we left for Cedarburg to see the Robertson side. Sorin was as big of a hit there as he was in McFarland. It's a lot of fun to have Sorin be so warmly welcomed. And he's changing every day. New expressions and new gestures - he's grabbing objects better now.

For me, it's fun to have new experiences with Katie. Getting Sorin ready is in a nice way very meaningful - it's our family now! Our discussions are different, our days are different. But it's all so good.

Christmas this year has been interesting b/c of our focus on the Advent Conspiracy (see Oct. 26th post). Blackhawk took an offering last week for AC in which the money went to three organizations for global, missional causes. We gathered $140,000!!!

And now the day is winding down. I know it's supposed to be a Christmas season, but it always ends around 7pm Christmas day. Kind of sad.

But we're still with family and I'm still thinking about Jesus coming to Earth - Christmas Spirit.

Snow Day!!

It was fun last night to go to bed knowing there was a good chance I'd be off work today. Normally it's no big deal, but on Tuesdays Katie stays home with Sorin - so we both had all day together.

It started off with sleeping in - 'til 6:30. I needed the sleep but I love my mornings, so I'm a little upset that I slept past 5:30. Nonetheless, the morning started off great with coffee and a good book. I'm reading two right now - Momentary Marriage by John Piper and How People Grow by Dr. Henry Cloud. Only two chapters into each, I have to recommend both. It feels good to get back into deeper books - and Piper gets deep! Katie and I are reading it together, so it will make for good discussion.

Days off can't be all about relaxation - it feels good to catch up on some housework. Being the model husband that I am (read: "husband in training") I did the floors and a load of laundry. Before returning to my book, I went outside to start shoveling and clearing off the cars.

Lunch: There was no question what was on the menu for lunch -- grilled cheese and tomato soup. It's been my favorite meal the last two winters. And as much as I wish I could claim Campbell's tomato soup, I'm going with Trader Joe's Roasted Red Pepper Tomato soup - dynamite.

The afternoon included a lively discussion about theology and the Holy Spirit as it relates to our church. I know - random. I continued in my chapter on Cloud's book. Then we went to the gym together. I kept a little cardio going in preparation for the Jingle Bell run this Saturday and also got to lift a little. I'm trying to reestablish a lifting routine with core exercises, too. I have a physical job, but the weights really add a nice element to my workouts.

For dinner we reheated Katie's wonderful spaghetti and watched an episode of West Wing - "Gone Quiet."

It was a good day. I wish snow days were 48 hours long. There's so much to do and I never get to it all. Back to reality...

Christkindl Market

Katie and I have a started a tradition of going to Chicago for Christkindl Market with our cousins, Matt and Amanda, Justin and Kelly. What is Christkindle Market?

It's a German festival at Daley plaza where they serve brats, potato pancakes, and Glühwein (a traditional hot spiced wine). Let me set the stage for you. First - Chicago. It's certainly called the Windy City for a reason. The elements are nothing to take lightly. I was decked out in my Mountain Hardwear coat and I had three sweaters on. On this particular year, the snow was in that frozen state on the top of some of the vendors' tents. But when the wind gusted, it ripped the snow off and blew it right over the top of the market.

At the market, lines are long for the food. We had six in our party - plus Sorin, but he wasn't standing in line. Matt went to get the brats: everyone was getting to the front of the line asking for one or two - Matt gets up there and asks for 7 regular and three with kraut. They had to give him a box to carry the load - $41 worth of sausage. Justin went for the potato pancakes. These are the hardest to fully describe - crusty on the outside and perfectly fluffy in the inside, a delicious component to the meal. We had 3 plates each with 3 cakes and applesauce on the side. Finally the Glühwein: Katie and Amanda went for the hot spiced wine and 2 hot chocolates. The best moment of Christkindl Market is that point where it feels like all your body heat has been sucked off your body and the cold air is inescapable. But the mug of Glühwein is on it's way over to the table and set before you. We toast to friends and drink back that first sip of the warm wine as it seeps down your throat and warms your insides.

Traditions are fun. Katie and I started this in 2006 with Matt and Amanda. In 2007 we invited Justin and Kelly. And this year we decided to bring Sorin which was a great experience. We had him completely bundled up in a snowsuit and then in the Snugli all day. We wrapped a blanket around his head to block some wind and he handled the elements as well as we did.