Jerry Dove 5k

I fell of the training kick before I made it to the Jerry Dove.  However, I did go out and run today.  I finished in 24:59, 4 seconds faster than last time. Actually, I had a wonderful time and Caleb and Jack ran the Kids - K.  The Kids - K turned out to be about 40 feet.  Caleb was very disappointed.  He said he wanted to run at least run a football field.

Forever Young

I don't know how you find a song that is famous, but I found this last night in my Bob Dylan collection I gained in the Young - Miller merger.  I am still discovering Bob Dylan.  I know I am socially challenged, luckily Lorrie could see past all that. The song has a double meaning for us, being "Youngs".  But I hope the boys and Claire know what it means to be a Young. I have been pondering my heritage a lot lately.  Mostly, because I just finished a book entitled "Outliers" from Malcolm Gladwell.  It's more than a blog entry.  I want the kids to know their roots (Miller and Young) and understand the values of our family and faith.  I think its important. Mater on Cars says, "I don't have to know where I am going. I just gotta remember where I have been."  I think life is a little easier lived that way and I want to give that gift to them.  If you know who you are and where you have come from, you will be best qualified to decide where to go in the times that come to you.

I'll finish this post with the lyrics from "Forever Young".  The words are like a prayer for my children. Lorrie and I should have used this for our wedding dance.  Maybe we will at our 40th anniversary party.  Also, if I die, you can use it at my funeral.

"Forever Young"

May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

No Room for Maybe!

Here is a story I have told many times already.  It is one of my favorite Jack stories.  I walk up the steps to get Jack after a nap or in the morning.   He looks at me furrows his brow and says, "Dad, is it time to get up, Yes or No?"  Jack doesn't have time for small talk and he isn't interested in maybe.  He reminds me a lot of my dad.  If you are ever fortunate enough for my dad to ask you to go fishing on a particular Thursday, the correct response is yes or no.  It is not maybe.  You see Ron and Jack Aaron aren't interested in maybes.  While I can't speak for them, there are reasons I see wisdom in their thinking.  Here are some things "Maybe" implicates.

1. Wait.  I will get back to you when I can if I don't forget.
2. I would feel bad if I said "No", so maybe if I stall you won't ask me again.
3. Something might come up that I would rather do, so I would like to leave my options open while keeping you on the hook.
4. I don't want to give you an answer that I could be held accountable too. 

Confession Alert:  It is at this time, I would like to admit that I have a "Maybe" problem.  It is common for people pleasers like myself.  If you hear me say "Maybe", call me on it.  My yes should be yes and no should be no, and maybe should be used very sparingly.  If I can't give an answer at the moment, the better response would be, "Can I give you an answer at 3:00?"  or "I need to check with work to get the day off and I will get back to you by 4:00?  Then follow through on your commitment.  If at all possible, I will try to use just yes and no.  Yes and no are more efficient, more thoughtful, and more respectful.  Be patient, God's still working on me. Let me know if you have other good responses if you can't say yes or no at any particular moment.

Mentor Leader

I am very interested in Tony Dungy's new book Mentor Leader.  I haven't read it or any of his books yet.  I think a lot about how to teach sportsmanship, competitiveness, and leadership to my kids and coworkers.  It is a funny thing to think a lot about because the #1 teacher isn't what you say or what you teach but what you do.  Dungy endorses two sites allprodad.com and imom.com.  Both are good resources with parents who care about their kids.

Dungy and John Wooden are the two coaches on my reading list right now.  I have never read a book by either of them.  Although, I have Wooden's pyramid of success on my wall at the office.  It is awesome.  If you have never heard of it?  Go to this link. http://www.johnlutz.com/uplifting-quotes/john-wooden.htm

Final Race Story

Well, there won't be anymore details about the race except for this story. 

I basically followed Seth around for the first mile which he ran too fast for me. Then we agonized up a very long hill (about a mile long).  When we got to the top of the hill, he had created a nice separation from me.  I was hurting.  A friend who was following me, said he thought I may die.  Seth bounded back down the hill and took third place in our age group. ( Yeah Seth!)  He didn't know I was close to him at the halfway point.  My goal was 31 minutes.  Well, I came in at 25 minutes.  After completion and spending about 25 second face down on the pavement,  I looked for Seth quickly and couldn't find him.  I then walked (READ: stumbled and panted) back to see my family. After a quick goodbye, I returned to the finish line to find Seth. 

As I returned (approximately 31 minutes after we got started), Seth is looking for me and sees me walking (very slowly) across the bridge.  He says enthusiastically, "The finish is around the corner, come on."  I said, "Seth, I finished about five minutes ago."  Then he gave me a glare like I was crazy as he processed it all. 

That was the best feeling. Finishing well is a great feeling. Everyone should get that feeling more often. Set goals, do your best, and celebrate completion!  After all, the end of a race completed is better than the beginning.

Union Mission 5k

Today was my first official race.  I will write more later.  My goal was 29-32 minutes.  Well, I crushed that.  I am not sure what got into me.  I'll write more later, I finished in 25 minutes and some change.  I should remember what I ran, but to be honest I don't remember much after the 2M mark, other than seeing my beautiful family and the Mathesses at about the 3 Mile mark.  I beat all my goals from my first post. 

I will be working on setting new goals.

#1 Draft Choice

At homegroup, I am kind of known for my bad sports sayings. Here is one... "That's why she was my #1 Draft Choice." Of course, I could just say that is my lovely wife Lorrie and I am proud of her, but that isn't very original.

To go further down the rabbit hole of this line of thinking. Here is why Lorrie as it all over Sam Bradford and John Wall as a number 1 choice. Lorrie is the ultimate franchise player - she is an excellent wife and mother and has dedicated herself to building our home through her actions and words. I am always amazed at Caleb and Jack's knowledge of bible stories, how they are developing and how she has engaged their hearts. I am sure that Claire will follow shortly but you can already see that she is in love with her mom. Also, she is a good steward of our home and finances. Beauty may be fleeting, but she has an ample supply to spare. Her wit and depth makes both the conversation and laughter come easy.

She also has many "nice to have's". I once had a guy say, "How did you teach her to love football, basketball, WVU athletics and golf?" To that I say, "I didn't. Her dad did."

As far as finding a good #1 pick, I have two ideas. #1 Tommy Nelson says (paraphrase) you should run for God and do the things you love to do when you are single. Look around, and see who is running beside you. That is probably the best place to start looking for a wife. I saw my girl at church, WVU basketball games and the raquetball court. #2 Pick out special characteristics from women you respect (not your mom) then look for a person who reminds you of those women. For me, Lorrie is a culmination of characteristics of strong Godly women I knew growing up. But that is probably fodder for another post.