Through Christ
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Through Christ
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The Big Swim with Humpback Whales February 2009 Back in
January I swam across the Sea of Cortez to Lands end in Cabo Mexico. It’s just
about 1.5 miles across. But at mid Sea, I encountered some of my Lords biggest
creatures on Earth. “Humpbacks" Accompanying me, It was not just 1 but 3
Humpback Whales that shadowed me for most of my Swim. The reality didn’t dawn
on me till later that night as I was walking back to our resort along the beach.
I asked my wife, why do you thing these enormous creatures would have been so
close to the shore? After all, its not a common thing they would have been there
with 3 ships docked outside the cove and many water sports of plenty going on at
that time of my swim. Her reply, “search your feelings and it will come to
you"
Henry's March 3/2/09 1st place in the age group 40-99 with a time of 20.36 OK so this wasn't my best time, but I was very happy to have come in 1st in such a wide age group and 1oth over all. Henry's Run happened at Stan State University. This was the second time I raced for such a worthy cause. Even though the winds where treacherous that morning and very cold, I still managed to finish with a decent time of 20.36 In 2008 I did the same run in 20.21 so this gives me some room for improvement for 2010. Some day, I will break 20 in a race. God willing, I will..
Run For Health April 18th 2009 3.3 Miles April has to be one of the best months to get outside and go for a walk, run & maybe even a skip. Tis was my second time entering this race. It the course was a bit different from the last time I ran it, but still a very nice race along Modesto’s dry creek. Over all I didn’t do to bad. My time was 20.45 and I placed 1st in the age group of 40-50 & 4th over all.
Oakdale Chocolate Festival 5K Run May 16th 2009
2nd Place with a time of 20.08 OK sure, so winning or placing is way cool in any competition. But for me, I think its much more important to be an example of what one can do if you put your mind to it. Honestly, the true winners in this event where everyone who came out and gave it a try. It don’t matter what age group your in or type of running shoes you sport. But what does matter is that you gave it a go for fitness and health. Truly you are the spirit of living a healthy lifestyle and a wonderful example for all of us. Congratulations to my friends in this photo below who placed in their age group and gave everyone a will to give it a try next time regardless of their age group. Glory to God in the Highest for Jesus is my King and I love him. 4th place over all 2nd Place in my age group 40-49 The Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon 09
Their was over 1800 of us Tri-athletes the jumped from the ship. The professionals jumped first and we all cheered them on. Then it was time for the Armatures. It was like a sea of paratroopers jumping into battle to conquer their fitness challenge. "The Escape from Alcatraz" The swim was a 1.5 mile swim with treacherous currants that took me off course of about 100 yards. But no matter, the folks in the safety boats got me back on courses and at one point, I stopped and took the advice of one of the Tri-Announcers at the Athletes meeting the day before. For brief moment, I stopped swimming and took in the awe of being in the San Francisco Bay. My body got overwhelmed with goose bumps. It wasn't from being cold, but for being able to appreciate the spot I was in. To my right of me was the Golden Gate Bridge, behind me was Alcatraz Island, to my left was the Bay Bridge and directly in front of me was the beautiful city of San Francisco. It was one of the biggest thrills of my life. 1.5 mile swim, 18 mile bike ride & an 8 mile run "Completed June 14th 2009" The Park Fete July 11th 2009 Busting out a 12.16 for a 2 mile run! IM not sure how I did it, but rumor has it that it might have had to do with my yellow sock. Regardless of what the word on the street is, I did bring it home for my Lord with a time of 12.16. & placing 2nd in my age group and 4th over all. I was neck & neck with this old dude next to me of 16 who beat me by a few seconds. But that's OK. He made me give it all I had & from what he told me, he is ranked 13th in the state. Impressive, he sure is.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Wharf to Wharf July 2009 I raced with the world champs & held my own!
Well, that is for the
first .25 miles. Smiles.. Regardless of not finishing with them, I did finish in
the top 200. The Wharf to Wharf sports over 15000 runners. Yes, I did say
fifteen thousand! I smashed my time form last years Wharf Race by over 3
minutes. It must have been my yellow socks. Giggles. Anyway, Every year
its the same thing. I work all day on Saturday, get home around midnight then
pack my bags to leave at around 3:30AM for Santa Cruz. When we arrived, I was
sleepy tired from the drive and tried to get some rest for an hour in the back
of the van before race time. At 7PM I got up and went immediately into
prayer. My only thought during this spiritual time was was that I finish
the race with out injury and in a decent time compared to other years I have ran
this race. G.A.P! God Answers Prayers! I not only finished this race with out injury, but I ran the fastest 6 miles in my life. I did it in 40.16! I was so happy, I actually celebrated it with a mile swim in the ocean right after like I did last year. I actually had to, some little kid on the beach double dogged dared me. Giggles.. I swam it in 32.45. not as fast compared to last year swim, but I just had to stop & hello say hello to Sammy the a seal around the 3rd bowie. It was Sept of 2005 when I first ran my 1st race. Back then it was long, hard and tough going. But coming in 3rd place that day changed my life. Back in 11/04 I was a heavy, a smoker, a drinker & abused my body eating anything & everything. Exercise, was not in my vocabulary. In 12/04 I decided to make a lifestyle change for myself & my family. I began walking & moved up quickly to a jog. By Sept of 05, I entered my 1st 5K & placed 3rd with a time of 24.07 I was ecstatic! After that, I once told myself, if I can just break 20 Then, it was like reaching for a star. Me, I didn’t care if it was 19.59 I just wanted to break 20 minutes for a 5K race. This September 5th 2009 I not only touched that star, I grabbed it. I beat my over all best time for a 5K of 20.3 with a 19.43.9
Thanks be to GOD!
Thanks be to my Wife for her support. She never gave up on me & always knew I could do it.. I love here! & I did it! What a great race, This years Run & Ride was not only a good race for me, but a great one. With every race that I do, I realizing that not every run is the same regardless if the course is the same. Me, I was reminded on this run that their is still a great deal for me to learn about running as well as running competitively. For one, never fallow the leader. IM such a dork! I made a wrong turn at the 2mile & 10K split. At first I was upset about it, but my wife had to remind me that it was the will of God and the path I took was his chosen one for me. Yes, God loves all the dizzy dorks too. Well, just the same. I was happy that I beat my personal best on this course by 3.03 min from 08 on this 10K Race.
41.48 a 10K Race 4th place I have done Sprint Triathlons before, but the ones I have entered where like .25 miles in the pool, 13 mile stationary bike ride & a 5K run. This one was much longer as well as the swim, well mostly all the tri-athletes compared it to an 800 yard swim verse 500 & the 16 mile bike ride was nice and hilly. This Sprint Triathlon took me 1hour 36min. I came in 7th in my age group as was thrilled to be part of such a cool event.
September 26th 2009 Halloween River Run October 31, 2009
20.39 2nd Place Its a yearly tradition for the Halloween month of October. It’s a hard trail run at Caswell State Park in Ripon. This years river run was extremely challenging. The first huge storm had just pass a few days ago and the trail was filled with mud, pot holes and fallen tress. At times, I felt as if I was in some kind of reality TV show trying to be the last survivor. Not sure if that help my time, but I did manage to place 2nd in my age group and have fun dressing up and giggling with everyone at this years Halloween River Race.
Directing the rest of the runner to the finish line. Ya, IM just silly.
Well, its Thanksgiving & I just finished running The Turkey Trot! That poor Turkey, he just couldn’t make It back. So, I had no choice but to bring him in. Once we got to the finish line, the chef was there waiting for him. Then, the Turkey looked over at me & said, Dude! you should have left me lost! Smiles Anyway, their was over 1,400 registered runners in Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot Race. This years race had the fastest runner of any Turkey Trot. In fact, some of the fastest runners in our country where there. Me, ½ mile into the race my hamstring started to act up. I had to pull back, prayed quickly focused my thoughts on prayer to finish the race. God answers prayers. Not only did I finish the race, I placed 3rd in my age group with a 20.06 & 37th over all. Incredible! Not for my Lord. He so loves me & placing in such a big race was beyond excitement! Phil 4:13
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