It’s 10:44pm and I just got done running about 15 minutes ago, definitely not when I planned to run.  I actually had several things to do, one which included writing a blog I will post this weekend called “The Importance of Good Doctrine”, which I think you will enjoy!  Thus the late run.   So with that said, my “official” To Boston and Beyond Post will come tomorrow.  I am committed to posting on this journey weekly and  I really hope you join me.  I really feel like this will be an exciting time.  Not only is it already changing the way I eat, and the way I feel physically, but I really think the Lord has some principles for me to learn in this whole process, about running the race for that imperishable crown.  See you tomorrow.

It’s been a long day, but it all gets better, because I’m getting ready to head out the door, to go eat some Chinese!    After that I have a softball game, but don’t worry, I’m giving myself a couple of hours to digest before I play.  I think I’ve probably eaten at the same Chinese place almost twice a week for the past year.

I think I like being around really, really down to earth, chill people, because I’m not always that way, and they help even me out.  And when I say “chill”, I’m not talking about lazy people or people with no depth, I just mean “chill.”  So thanks to you.

What could be better at the moment? My lungs open wide to breath in the fresh country air. My skin thanks me as it soaks in the nutrients of the sun. I can’t help but enjoy myself, as I traverse the beautiful streets of Virginia, knowing I’m growing stronger and healthier with each swift step. In all reality, running isn’t always this enjoyable. For the most part it is, but on the days when the body aches, or the mind simply doesn’t want to push; the benefits of the run and the beckoning of the ultimate goal, make it all worthwhile.

I’m on my fourth week of training, and the first week of chronicling the journey here for you.  You might be wondering why I put “streets of Virginia” above.  Well when I wrote that, it was after a run while on vacation to Washington DC.  Things are going great. I’ve already had a few setbacks, but I’ve maneuvered those successfully and I’m seeing improvement in my speed and stamina. With running, and life in general, I think setbacks are to be expected. I got sick one week, and really still haven’t fully recovered. I also went on vacation. I did manage to run on vacation, but it certainly wasn’t my normal routine. i was in Minnesota and Washington DC. so I had to cut myself some slack in the diet department also. I mean how can you pass up Famous Dave’s?

For those of you that don’t know anything about qualifying for the Boston Marathon, let me fill you in a little. There are several age group categories for men and women. Each age group has a specific qualifying time, that must be met at another marathon, in order to qualify for the Boston Marathon. The time for my age group is 3 Hours 10 Minutes or less. To bring that into a better perspective, I will have to run roughly every mile for 26.2 miles at 7 minutes or less. Some days I feel like this is simply insane, and I’ll never make it. On other days I feel like it might be possible. So here we go on the journey, hope you come along for the ride.

I’ve got one post completely done, and several others in mind, the only problem has been finding time to type them out and post them for your reading pleasure.  My father and I just got back yesterday from Washington DC.  I spent most of yesterday afternoon until this morning, sleeping the trip off.  It was an awesome time.  I’ve never planned a whole trip by myself before.  It was a great experience putting together the plane trip, hotel and rental car reservations, and planning an itinerary in a city I didn’t know.  It was a bit stressful at times, but the whole thing was a success.  I’ll post some pictures and more details on here soon.

It’s been about three weeks since I’ve set a goal, that I’d like to let you in on.  I’ve started training to hopefully qualify for the Boston Marathon in 2009 or 2010.  I’m going to begin a weekly journal on Thursday’s, chronicling my journey.  I’ll post on training, races I enter, diet, and tie it all together with the main Journey I’m on called Following Jesus.  Honestly training for a marathon and living out the Gospel, have a lot more to do with each other than you might think.  It’s already been a lot of fun picking up nuggets of truth from running, in relation to walking with Jesus.  Hopefully at the end of the day, I will have raised my hands in triumph after running the hardest race of my life, and the  process will serve to encourage my heart and yours in the ultimate race.

I have just entered the world of digital photography!  I know I’m way late, but due to the fact that I’m taking a vacation with my dad, for the first time since I was a little boy;  I decided it was time to get a camera and capture some memories.  This is one of the first pictures I took with my new camera.  It’s not the best shot, it’s 1 in the morning after a drive from Iowa to Minnesota, and I’m holding the camera, but it’ll do.  I know I’ve just given you three run on sentences, but hey, what am I gonna do?  There will be many more pictures to come soon!

Howdy Partners.  I’m on my couch, on my tush, because I’m feeling a little ill.  So I’ve decided to get out on the information highway and let you all in on some inner ramblings.

I haven’t thought much about the whole oil/gas deal.  That is until I saw a nice new RV drive by today pulling a blazer.  All I could do was shake my head.  I knew in the amount of time it took for him to drive by me, a small country could’ve been bailed out of debt.  So I have officially thought about the gas/oil crisis and it’s ridiculous.  I’m not really worried about it, but it’s ridiculous.

I’m going to watch Chronicles of Narnia until I fall asleep.  It’s what you do when your sick, watch movies. (and type blogs)

I’m kicking back at home with a latte on my right, and text messaging a friend about our golf outing tomorrow. I got done doing my state taxes a couple of hours ago (this is the first year I’ve ever filed) and still have quite a few things I need to get done today. Honestly, I feel really blessed right now. The last 4 1/2 years of my life walking with Christ have been such an adventure, and even when it seems like I’m moving backwards or in slow motion, when I take a look around, I see that He’s up to something.

Anyways, I’m doing some realigning this weekend. I’m starting by switching my e-mail from yahoo to gmail. The reason I’m doing this is to get some organization.  I might as well start with my computer.   I’ve turned igoogle into my homepage and now when I turn on my computer, I can have most of what I use on internet, on one single page. I use google reader, which allows me to sync all of the blogs and newsletters I read, to one site. So i’ve got my calender(google calender), reader, the weather, and my favorite 2 news sites (NY Times and Business Week Online) all in one space along with my e-mail.

After this I’m planning on re-assessing what’s important to me in life and what I feel I’ve been called to. Honestly, I really want to have a global impact in my life and I’m longing right now for greatness and significance. I’m pretty sure most of us were made this way, but we either suppress this desire or try to obtain it in wrong ways. I just think that if I don’t have a clear picture of what’s important and what the vision is for my life, I’ll just end up filling time with lots of activities that aren’t leading to anything.

Just thought I’d let you all know

I don’t know about you, but I go through seasons in which a certain preacher or author really stands out to me.  Right now I’m really digging John Pipers teaching.  The dude has a really deep theological and devotional well, and breaks down the word into bite size pieces, and relates it to life in a way that builds hunger and confidence to own that reality.  But the thing I’m loving the most, is that he is simply genuinely excited about Jesus, and touching Him in the Word and I want stuff like that to rub off on me.