The Half Marathon Issue !!

Well on a hot May day, Katie and I (along with 2,600 other runners) finished our second half marathon. We started at 7:48 am and finished 13.1 miles later. It wasn't a great run for us; our training could have been better and our race-day prep wasn't up to par. But we're learning, and that is how life goes. My high school football coach always told us that life is a series of adjustments. Although our run was very stressful, we finished together and have already talked about what we need to do better for our next run (and there WILL be a next run - Chicago Marathon in October).

We didn't have any post-race pictures, but here's a couple shots before the run. We found our friend Kathy at the starting line, again - just like Crazy Legs. It was so awesome to see her and her husband John out there with us. Kathy - you rock!

In other news, I celebrated the start of my 29th year on earth Sunday afternoon. Katie put together a wonderful party with my family and hers, along with our cousins Matt and Amanda. And the day before, Katie gave me the best gift ever - an itinerary for our 3-day trip to Door County. I love traveling with maps, brochures, and reservations ready for my arrival - and Katie put it all together. That entry is coming up next... But for now, Katie and I have 2 half marathons under our belt. The training is about to jump a notch or two, so it will surely be a busy, hot summer of training. But we're excited for the challenge.

10 Miles Deserves a Picnic

As most of you know, Katie and I are training for our second half marathon, which takes place in Madison next Sunday, May 28. Today was our last "long run" in our training, 10 miles. The run took us through the beautiful UW Arboretum and down Monroe Street.

After the run, I put together a picnic basket for a lunch at McKee Park. We have to thank our cousins Chris and Erika for the wonderful basket. The picnic is part of a list of activities Katie and I have put together - our Summer of One - our first summer as husband and wife. You can expect to see constant updates of this Summer of One later here at the Game Plan.

So this week will be busy with work, really healthy eating, and hopefully lots of sleep. We're really excited for this Half Marathon. Please check back in 7 days for pictures and a brief on our run.

Crazylegs Classic

first timeWith the end of April comes the annual Crazy Legs Classic. Katie and I ran this last year for the together. This year we finished the 8K run in 46 minutes. Actually, I finished one second ahead of Katie, so I made up for last year's one second loss. We were joined this year by the wonderful Kathy Sauer (pictured in the white vest) and our cousins, Matt and Amanda Cranney.

Destin Vacation

I have to put the write-up of Death By Meeting on hold until I get back from vacation. We're with Katie's family in Destin, Florida. We drove down April 13 and are heading back.















Katie and Grant in the van.






















Steve and Katie at a gas station.

















Katie and I before we got any sun (more pictures to come).


Here's a typical day: a small breakfast, out to the beach mid-morning 'til 4 o'clock, a great dinner, and some activity in the evening. We are having a wonderful time. I'll get more pictures as they become available.

Been away? Bring it in !!

Hello...? Hello...? Seems quiet in here. I guess that's to be expected when no one has been here for over 40 days. Nonetheless, yours truely is back in the saddle. Since I last posted, I've been very busy. I have been reading books like Death by Meeting, Good to Great, and 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. I've been in meetings with our college ministry leadership concerning the next season in our journey. And Katie and I have been traveling, watching great movies (you must see Walk the Line), and growing closer together in ways I never could have imagined. I am so fortunate to have her in my life.

So here's the plan: I'm going to do a few posts in the near future here. I'm going to write about the books I'm reading and see where that goes. Do you read? You know, a man who doesn't read has no advantage over a man who can't read. Well I'm reading a lot lately, and I'm going to share some of it here at the Game Plan. Up first - Death by Meeting. See you soon.

Wild at Heart

One of my favorite books is Wild at Heart, by John Eldridge. He talks about how most men long for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue. Let men be men, don't raise them to be tame and nice - that man many need to protect and defend you someday. The book is a testosterone pumping experience; idealistic at times, but he gets the point across. And today I am reminded of the joy in adventure.

Yesterday Madison got some 8 inches of snow, whiteout conditions. We couldn't work yesterday and today our truck never would've made it up the hill where we were taking out 3 trees. So I had another work day planned at the coffee shop. This morning I told Katie I was going to walk to Barriques. Why? Because I can. Temperature: 8 degrees, but the wind says -3. Why? Because I have the gear, I always drive, and I miss the walk to class.

So I pulled out my Mountainsmith backpack, loaded my computer, books, and some apples, clipped on my coffee mug and Nalgene (essential for every trip), put the Rio in my ears and walked out the door. I walked a plowed path for most of the way, crossing a half dozen snow piles enroute, and almost fell twice on the slick surface. But 33 minutes later I was there.

Was I traversing through a valley, climbing small mountains or fighting for survival? No. But it was cold, the snow was deep, I didn't know if the sidewalk would end and I'd be blazing my own trail. I can't make it sound more glorious than it was, but that's not my intention. My point is that I got a glimpse of the joy in an adventure. And that feeling makes me want more.

An adventure to live. It's enough to get me out of bed every morning and see where the Lord is taking me today.

Valentine's Day

So when we were in pre-marital counceling, I was told that I'd be going to the School of Katie. Well let the learning begin. I've gained the knowledge of how important Valentine's Day is to my wife. I was actually a little shocked at how grand this day is in her mind. But then, when I start thinking about the things I can do for her, I start to get excited. Because I love taking care of my wife. I love buying her things. I love hearing her scream in excitement when she's surprised by something I've done for her. I love making my wife happy.

I might have raised the bar a little high this year, the first Valentine's Day of our marriage. But hey, she's worth it. I did the flowers, we're doing the dinner, we're doing the quality conversation time over coffee, and I did the diamonds. The Diamonds?!? Yeah, I raised the bar at this school, but I'm hot for teacher.

Perspective

For me to give you an accurate understanding of my Game Plan, you must understand my priorities, my outlook on life, my reference point. In 1998, I came to faith in God as I studied the Bible and learned about Christianity through Blackhawk church, here in Madison. As I learned about the life and teachings of Jesus, I believed everything I was reading in the Bible - that faith in Jesus as the Savior of the world is the only way to have eternal life. How can I reduce this to one blog entry? I can't. I'm not an eloquent writer and I don't have words to write that don't fall into that "Christian cliche" that bothers every Christian who tries to explain the realities in their life. So what I'm going to do is just go for it - I'm going to get my thoughts onto this blog and hope that my honesty can be felt from your seat. All I promise is honesty. What more can man deliver?

game plan pic 1 

Welcome to the Game Plan

I'm here. On the internet, that is. I've had this Game Plan in my head for years, but it's online for the first time ever (and welcome to it). It's changed quite often. It's been busier at times, it's been slower at times, it's had it's successes and failures. It's been the focus and it's been neglected. But in the end, I will always have a game plan. It's the athlete in me, it's the leader in me - to think, ponder, plan, and execute. To reflect and to critique, live and learn, so I become stronger. Not 'stronger' for the sake of me, but stronger for sake of my family and my mission. Who's my family and what's my mission? Glad you asked. Come back soon and check out the Game Plan!