What a day! Never in my wildest imagination did I think I could run a half marathon. Until late January, I had never run over 3 miles in my life and that was almost 20 years ago.
While, at the time, I cursed his name during my training I’m very thankful Michael Hyatt emailed me back in January and challenged me to do this.
I made some great new friends along the way and had the opportunity to train and race with my wife, Brandi, which was an absolute blast. We had never done anything like this together and it was an experience we’ll never forget.
On top of all that, we’ve been able to raise some money for a great cause. It’s not too late for you guys to give. CLICK HERE if you would like to make a donation. I’d be honored for you to help sponsor our cause.
I was reminded of the power of running for a purpose today. Around mile 8 I passed a young lady I would assume was 20 or 21. She had a sign on of her back which said, “I’m running in memory of my Daddy.”
I was already pretty emotional, but after reading her sign and looking into her eyes I just lost it. The tears started flowing and I couldn’t stop crying. I started to play all kind of different scenarios in my mind.
Was her dad a big runner?
Had they ran together before he died?
Had he just passed away this year?
Was this her way of dealing with the pain of that loss?
It immediately focused me on my cause, my mission. To help celebrate and bring attention to the cause of reconciliation through education. There is so much power you can tap into when you get focused on a goal that is important to you.
Thanks to all of you who supported me via your prayers, your financial donations, your tweets, and your cheering along the sidelines. Will I run again next year? Too soon to tell. Right now I’m going to get some rest, pop a few more ibuprofen and pray I’m not to sore to walk up the steps of the stage tomorrow to preach.
Way to go! Sounds like a great experience, all around.
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Guest Post: Budget-Friendly Outdoor Fun =-.
you should probably eat something too.
great job today. hope my girls aren’t too sore in the morning to go to church and hear you talk about how sore you are…
I’ll be looking for them.
way to go Pete and Brandi!! Congratulations!
.-= Jan Owen´s last blog ..A constant fear….. =-.
Congratulations! That is such an accomplishment! Such a thrilling experience. I ran a half last year in memory of my mother. I had her favorite verse printed on a shirt. Isaiah 40:31
Maybe you should use a chair and teach from there tomorrow.
People were so uplifting and said such wonderful things that day. I hope the recovery isn’t too horrible
.-= Chelsea´s last blog ..Healing is in His Hands =-.
Congrats!
.-= susan´s last blog .. =-.
What makes you such a powerful leader for our church is the way you live what you believe and don’t just talk about it on Sundays. Congratulations, Pete.
.-= Jason´s last blog ..Help Africa Thrive =-.
Congrats, Pete!
.-= Jeff Goins´s last blog ..Does Marketing Work? (A Case Study) =-.
So proud of you guys… what a crazy huge accomplishment!
.-= gitz´s last blog ..We Are Responsible To Each Other =-.
I’m SO proud of you & Brandi! Great job!
.-= Jamie´s last blog ..April 21 =-.
Way to go, Pete and Brandi!
.-= Kim Harr´s last blog ..Friday Night Plans =-.
Congratulations Pete and Brandi. We are proud of you guys.
I worked the water station at the 10.3 mile marker (D1 station) and I loved seeing all the different organizations/reasons people were running for. My favorite part was definitely being able to tell all those runners they only had 3 to go. The joy, excitement, and sheer exhaustion on their faces was so rewarding for me to see.
I looked for you but you probably flew by all the water stations, didn’t you?
.-= Christina Ludwick´s last blog ..Acting like a 6 year old… =-.
Like lightning.
So proud of you and Brandi.
Congrats Pete!
.-= Kevin M.´s last blog ..Silly Saturday – Don’t judge too quickly =-.
Congrats on doing a half-marathon! And both doing it has to add to your marriage … yes, sometimes it might have added some sharp words, but overall I hope it added some depth and love.
Celebrate well!!
Congrats! That is a great accomplishment!
Have a blessed Sunday!
.-= Buddy Knight´s last blog ..Securing the iPad: A Step-By-Step Guide =-.
congrats on finishing the race! you WILL be sore tomorrow. eat lots of protein!
was that your first half?
.-= Rhoda´s last blog ..Rob Bell: Resurrection =-.
It was. Might be my last.
Pete, don’t make it your last! That’s what I thought after my first. But once that race shows up again next year, you’ll be so tempted to register for it again, and BEAT your last year’s record!!
you can totally do it!
.-= Rhoda´s last blog ..A Prayer =-.
Proud of ya’ll! You ran a good race
.-= Lindsey Nobles´s last blog ..Follow Friday – Catalyst West =-.
You did great as well Lindsey!
So proud of you and all the cross point people that made it through yesterday.
congrats on doing the half. it is a great experience and an impressive challenge to overcome. so my question is do you now have the bug? are you going to continue doing this? are you going to try a full marathon?
.-= robert´s last blog ..the week in tweets – 2010-04-25 =-.
I don’t think so Robert. Looking for a new challenge now.
Great Job!!
Congrats Pete (and Brandi, of course)! I can’t believe you did it.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Hell Hath No Fury =-.
Congrats! Way to go!
Good job, Pete and Brandi!!!!
.-= bluegoose´s last blog ..The Storehouse of God =-.
Way to go Pastor Pete and Brandi. That’s such a massive accomplishment!
Congrats on finishing the race! What a huge accomplishment! And a great thing to run for!
.-= Becky´s last blog ..My Doctor Apt =-.
Your Tennessee team has inspired several of us here in Texas to start training. We want to be in Nashville next year…
.-= Ronne´s last blog ..Type A and Plan B. =-.
What a great accomplishment! Congratulations to you, Pete, and Brandi! I hope the two of you are not that sore today
Great job, Pete! It’s a great feeling isn’t it? I know how hard you all must have worked to be able to do that. Glad the weather stayed away.
Unfortunately, we got yanked off the course at mile 20 because of the storms. My first marathon will have to wait.
.-= Robert´s last blog ..Jerry Rice Drops the Ball on the Nationwide Tour =-.
Sweet Gage prayed Friday night that either daddy or mommy would win first place, or that it would be a tie:) The sweet innocence of a child, there’s just nothing like it!
Congrats to you both – so great that you trained and ran together. Completing that distance is so empowering. Don’t quit now!
.-= Candy´s last blog ..Tasty Bites: Holy Guacamole! =-.
Congrats Pete. you and your wife has really inspired me to go and do something totally different and value life so much more. Take risk and enjoy life!!! So proud of yall. Hopefully next year me and my husband will do the same!
Great job on a very difficult course Peter. It was a great day the way the weather held off. Congratulations. I’m reading “Plan B” and very much enjoying it as well. Thanks Pete.
Pete and Brandi – Congrats on finishing the race! It’s wonderful you did it together
I love how God opens our eyes when we allow Him to show us all that is around us and the hearts of those who need Him. Praying for that young lady and her family!
God bless,
Jill
.-= Jill´s last blog ..I’m not the only one… =-.
Praise the Lord ! – because of Him you are (were) able ! Take care
Congratulations! My husband and I are planning on running a half next year–it’s been a dream of mine for about 4 years now.
CONGRATS!!!
.-= Maureen´s last blog ..At Last! =-.
I was in Atlanta all weekend and the focus everywhere was the weather…I’m so glad y’all were able to run the race before you so beautifully!!! Love the picture of both of you. HUGE congrats from the slightly jealous girl from down the road.
.-= Fran´s last blog .."It" happened. =-.
Pete, I’m so glad you had this experience. I remember well the first marathon I ran in and the emotional experience I had. I wrote about it here (http://randykinnick.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/lessons-from-a-marathon/). I hope to run the CCM half next April. Maybe I’ll see you there!!
BTW…your blog is a real encouragement to me.
.-= Randy Kinnick´s last blog ..Keeping My Judgmental Heart at Bay =-.
The correct link is…
http://randykinnick.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/lessons-from-a-marathon/
.-= Randy Kinnick´s last blog ..Keeping My Judgmental Heart at Bay =-.
You two are studs. So fun that yall ran it together. Colin and I can’t run together because we are both too competitive and end up in a massive fight.
.-= Melissa Fitzpatrick´s last blog ..Craving Normal =-.