1% of The World’s Population

PDX Marathon Finisher

As of 10/10/10  1:33 p.m. Pacific Standard time, I am a marathoner. I have now joined 1% of the world’s population in completing a marathon! 26.2 grueling miles in 6hrs and 14min. I have to say this is probably one of the biggest accomplishments in my life. It’s finally hitting me a day later. Not just the pain and the aching but actually what I just put my mind and body through…
I’ve always been the guy to admire the amazing people who do marathons or triathlons. I never thought of myself as some body who would take on that kind of challenge. That is until my buddy John Chang planted the idea in my head. Over the past few months I have joked about cursing John Chang (aka Changsta) every time I put on my shoes to run, but honestly I am so thankful that he believed that I could do it. To read more about how and why this all started read my blog entry “Running Out Of Excuses”

Race Day Story
On race day I actually was able to get some sleep, I had eaten and drank well throughout  the week and felt ready to attack the big day. At 5 a.m I was up and grabbed a bite to eat while I stretched and got myself ready. Lisa took me downtown as I lamented the rain and the pooling puddles in the street. I got there and met up with John and Melissa my running mates from Missio. We had agreed we were going to run the race together and we would all finish together. As we joked around and got ready for the start I realized my iPod wouldn’t start, the rain must have shorted it out. How do you run with out music?

The Start

As the marathon began we were herded up the street like lambs going to get slaughtered. The pace began to quicken as we went through the starting gate. I was amped up and ready to run, but remembered that I had many miles ahead of me. The excitement and energy was amazing within the first few hundred yard we saw Lisa and Kaden cheering us on. The three of us stayed together but quickly realized our strategy of staying together probably wasn’t going to work because our paces where so different. I got antsy at mile 4 and started to pull away from John and Melissa. I felt bad, but my body had a lot of energy and it wanted to go.

A couple of miles down the road John caught up with me. He informed me Melissa told him she would be fine and he should go on. Our strategy was to run two minutes and walk a minute increasing and decreasing intervals as needed. The volunteers at the aid stations were amazing. Throughout the race I would here people call out “BigToe” (the name on my bib) it’s crazy how that kept me going. (If ever cheering for people at a race like this yell out the name on their bib it will mean a ton to them.) Who knew that my name would be so popular? We laughed every time someone yelled out BigToe or Changsta. Along the way different bands played music to encourage the runners, which was great since I was iPod-less.

Kristine & Lillian Cheering

At mile 11 we were greeted with cheers from great friends from our Missio community. The Changsta family, the Kans, and our good friend Blair were cheering so loud that I thought I could run another 15 miles. About a quarter mile later… Lisa and Kaden sat in the trunk of our Honda Fit yelling for us. That really gave me a boost of energy, but quickly the energy began to give way to pain a mile down the road. Our friends Vikki and Birch met us at the 12.5 mark and ran along side us before we hit highway 30.

John setting pace at mile 11

I am so glad I had John beside me pushing me the whole way. I’m not sure if I would have been able to keep any kind of pace without him. At times I was just going because I knew he wouldn’t go without me. By the time we got to the base of the St. Johns Bridge I was hurting, but knew that I already hit mile 16 and only had 10 more to go. We climbed the mountain of a hill then started to jog across the bridge. That’s when it happened… I hit the “WALL” my quads began to grip up on me, both legs began to start seizing and cramping.  I pulled over to the side of the bridge holding on to the rail to stretch. If you don’t know, I’m deathly afraid of heights so grabbing on to the rail of the St. Johns Bridge and actually looking over the side isn’t something I do. The pain was much greater then my fear.

Team Missio

The stretch helped enough to keep me moving and thankfully the next little run was down hill. The next station we came to had everything: gummy bears, orange wedges,pretzels, and liquid gold (that stuff is like thick globby teriyaki sauce.) I downed it all and felt another burst of energy and the cramping actually stopped for a bit. A block later there were spectators who had a table full of pastries out. I grabbed a part of a danish and some kind of berry bliss bar.  The only thing that was missing was water. All those sweets and I didn’t get any water? The next half mile all I could think about was getting some nice wet clean Oregon H2O. Miles 18 and 19 probably had the best cheering sections on the course. People at their front porches yelling encouragement to all the runners. Even people holding out buckets of licorice and candy corn (some of my least favorite candies.)

Changsta & Lills

At mile 20 we came across the biggest cheering section. It was like the whole universe had combined forces and come out to root for Changsta and BigToe! Our Missio crew was all there. I wish I wasn’t in so much pain I would have enjoyed it so much more. It meant the world to me that so many of my friends and family were there to encourage me and tell me they believed in me.

When looking at the map the last six miles seems like it should be the easiest. There is a huge down hill and some straight long stretches. This isn’t the case! The 20 miles prior had taken it’s toll. As much as my heart and mind wanted to run my legs would not allow it. They continued to cramp up in places I never realized could cramp up. While running down the hill on Interstate Avenue my toes began to cramp up. Yes, my toes! Imagine curling up your toes with a role of dimes wedged in between them… the crease where the toes bend down have muscles there and they can lock up on you. Who knew?

At mile 23 we entered the city and made a big decision. With my legs and feet cramping so badly I could barely jog more then fifty yards at a time. I told John that I wanted him to run ahead and finish. I wanted him to be able to run through the finish line and  enjoy the moment. Assuring him I would finish one way or another he sped off. Watching him zig zag through the rest of the runners he still had a lot of legs in him. It made me proud that he stuck by my side for so long. (Thank’s John Chang for being a fearless leader and supporting me through this journey.)

.2 more miles to go

The last three miles seemed endless minutes felt like hours… The final stretch was brutal, not like the first 25 weren’t but the finish line was so close I could taste it. Actually the taste in my mouth was nasty… residue from 19 stations of liquid gold, gummy bears, ultima sports drink, orange wedges, and pretzels felt like something went rancid in my mouth.

Zach, Mike, & Joe

With a quarter mile to go three images appeared to me, and it wasn’t the Father, Son and Holy Spirit calling me home. It was Zach, Mike, and Joe cheering for me. The Missio crew was there running along side me, on the corner jumping up and down, yelling on both sides of the last .2 miles. The tears wanted to well up inside me, but too dehydrated to cry. With every ounce of energy left I tried to run to the finish just because they were cheering so hard… the legs began to buckle and tighten my mind telling me, “don’t be that guy who falls ten yards short of the finish line.”

My eyes looked up as I took my last step across the finish line surprised to see Changsta standing there to greet me. He had waited for me and was the first person to congratulate me on completion. It was craziness as volunteers tossed a space blanket on me and put a medal around my neck… food was being pushed into my hands and people crying and cheering all around. The finish line was a party just like it was advertised.

BigTo & Changsta

John and I found our way back to our families and celebrated with them as we awaited Melissa’s  return. What a moment it was as she fought through leg cramps and a hip injury to the finish. Her mom stood on one side and her sister in-law the other side. We cheered and roared near her proud Pappa who could not hold back the tears as he watch his little girl finish 26.2 miles.

As I write this I am overwhelmed with emotion and have no idea why I am crying this very moment. It has now been two days my body still beaten and battle scared. My heart and mind stronger then ever. When talking about the experience I feel a swell of pride and confidence not just for my own accomplishment but for the community that journeyed with me.

My Community

Lisa, Kaden & Me

Lisa- my wife who supported me through the months of training pushing and encouraging me. Caring for Kaden so that I could get the extra runs in. Dragging the boy through the rain to meet me at the hardest points on the course. Kaden- my big boy who got excited every time I put on my shoes, “Dadda go running? Me too!” Thank you for being my running partner and inspiring me to be a better husband and father.

John Finishing

Changsta – thanks for challenging me and asking me to join you. Thanks for not quitting on me. Our relationship is now changed forever. You are my pastor, mentor, friend, fellow marathoner, and brother. I will follow you into battle any day of the week. Just wait until my legs recover, please.

Melissa finishes with mom and sister in-law

Melissa – So proud of you woman. The heart and determination you had from beginning to the end was a blessing. You are truly my strong sister.

My family of runners Craig, Christian & Vinh w/ family

My family – Thanks to my sisters, brother in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins. You guys rock and your encouraging words through the months helped me keep running and made me want to finish for you guys too…

Little Sis

Lori & Kyle – You guys are my favorites! (don’t tell anyone) Thanks for always being such big supporters of me, Lisa, and Kaden. You guys don’t know how much we love you and care for you.

Kyle & Me

Me & Zach

Amanda supplying me drugs

House Mates – Zach & Amanda of course you fall under family, but there is a special thanks to you guys for living with the madness. Thanks Zach for going on my first run with me, not sure if I would have endured that first three miles with out you. Amanda thanks for telling me you were proud of me every time I ran.

Jackson finishing hurt.

Jax – Dude, thanks for taking on the challenge with me. You have been there for some of the biggest moments in my life and I appreciate you greatly bro. I have a feeling that you’re going to take on some crazier things then this in the future. Recover well friend.

Team Missio

Missio Crew – What in the world have we put you guys through? Five marathoners in our midst and you were there to cheer us all on. The passion and the endurance that you guys had to chase us around the city, yell at the top of your lungs, jump up and down, run along side, take pictures, high five, blow kisses, and pray for us over the past 8 months will never be forgotten. I’m glad we do life together and I glad we are bringing life into the world.

Fellow Marathoners – Changsta, Melissa, Lindsay, Patrick, Jackson, Craig, Vinh, Christian, Nancy, Brandon, Marcy, and 10,000 others… Wow!

Final Thoughts

I didn’t want my acknowledgments to my community to sound like an acceptance speech or a cd cover, but some how I’m sure it did. Seeing how it ended up that way no good acceptance speech or cd cover is written with out thanking the”man upstairs” my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ!

I write this of course tongue and cheek, but you know my heart and soul. I am a passionate follower of Christ. A Christian. I believe that Jesus is the answer to my brokenness and for the worlds brokenness. When I gave my life to Christ years ago I believed that he would begin a new work in me, that my life would be transformed and changed. There are times in my life when it doesn’t seem that way. Where I feel far away from God. When My actions speak volumes of what a wreck I am. When I don’t have an answer for the hope I profess.

There are also times like today where I feel like Christ is transforming my life. When I take big risk trusting that my God is big enough to transform my weaknesses. When I know it really isn’t me sucking it up and gritting my teeth to get through a tough spot in life. It is seasons like this where I have leaned on my understanding of Jesus and his love for me. His desire for me to live and love life differently, causes me to change and grow. He causes me to look at life and live life different then I used to.

So yes, I do thank my Savior and Lord in heaven and on earth here in my life for constantly transforming me into a person that I would want to be around. A person who loves the fact that I finished a 26.2 mile race with friends and family all along the way.

Raising Daddy Tip of The Day

After running a marathon building and playing tunnel in the little ones bedroom is not a good idea.

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