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Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Run for Missions 2009: December Update
Run for Missions 2009 DECEMBER UPDATE
-Special thanks to those who have sent a gift to support the Run for Missions!
-Total raised for 2009 in pledges and actual gifts as of 12/7/09 is $17,755. Our goal this year is $25,000. Please help us make our goal in the short time left in 2009.
-The 2008 and 2009 grand total amount raised is $30,752 with the Run for Missions!
-If you haven’t sent your gift, please send a check by December 31 (payable to EFC-MAYM, memo Run for Missions, 2018 Maple, Wichita, KS 67213).
-The 2009 Run for Missions was a great success! See the 2009 FULL REPORT with pictures from all the runners and other updates on the Run for Missions blog below.
Highlights of 2009 Run:
-Tim Marshall from Rose Hill Friends Church completes first Ultra-Marathon distance,
finishing the 103.9 mile course in 23 hours and 37 minutes!
-Allen Smelser’s oldest son, Mark, joins Allen for 40+ miles!
-20+ people from Wichita, Haviland and Barclay College, in addition to the three
100 mile runners, come out to run, pace and support, running a variety of distances from
a few miles to 20 and even 50 miles through all hours of the night!
-The Finish Line celebration at Barclay College was a very meaningful and special time.
-Excitement and enthusiasm for supporting missions through the Scholarship Fund is
growing!
-Plans for the Run for Missions 2010 are well underway including the first-ever Run for
Missions 5K, 10K, and Relay options. More details to be announced…
Thanks for all your support!
Adam Monaghan
-Special thanks to those who have sent a gift to support the Run for Missions!
-Total raised for 2009 in pledges and actual gifts as of 12/7/09 is $17,755. Our goal this year is $25,000. Please help us make our goal in the short time left in 2009.
-The 2008 and 2009 grand total amount raised is $30,752 with the Run for Missions!
-If you haven’t sent your gift, please send a check by December 31 (payable to EFC-MAYM, memo Run for Missions, 2018 Maple, Wichita, KS 67213).
-The 2009 Run for Missions was a great success! See the 2009 FULL REPORT with pictures from all the runners and other updates on the Run for Missions blog below.
Highlights of 2009 Run:
-Tim Marshall from Rose Hill Friends Church completes first Ultra-Marathon distance,
finishing the 103.9 mile course in 23 hours and 37 minutes!
-Allen Smelser’s oldest son, Mark, joins Allen for 40+ miles!
-20+ people from Wichita, Haviland and Barclay College, in addition to the three
100 mile runners, come out to run, pace and support, running a variety of distances from
a few miles to 20 and even 50 miles through all hours of the night!
-The Finish Line celebration at Barclay College was a very meaningful and special time.
-Excitement and enthusiasm for supporting missions through the Scholarship Fund is
growing!
-Plans for the Run for Missions 2010 are well underway including the first-ever Run for
Missions 5K, 10K, and Relay options. More details to be announced…
Thanks for all your support!
Adam Monaghan
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Run for Missions 2009: November Update
Run for Missions 2009: November Update
-Special thanks to those who have already made pledges and/or sent checks!
-Total raised for 2009 in pledges plus actual gifts as of 10/23/09 is $17,200. Remember our goal this year is $25,000.
-If you haven’t made your pledge please do so now and send a check by the end of the year(payable to EFC-MAYM, 2018 Maple, Wichita, KS 67213).
-Please help pass the word to others you know who may be interested in supporting the Run for Missions.
-Special thanks to those who have already made pledges and/or sent checks!
-Total raised for 2009 in pledges plus actual gifts as of 10/23/09 is $17,200. Remember our goal this year is $25,000.
-If you haven’t made your pledge please do so now and send a check by the end of the year(payable to EFC-MAYM, 2018 Maple, Wichita, KS 67213).
-Please help pass the word to others you know who may be interested in supporting the Run for Missions.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Run for Missions 2009 Report
Here you will find reports on the Run for Missions 2009 from each of the 100 Mile Participants in the Run as well as others.
TIM MARSHALL (age 25, Wichita, KS, Rose Hill Friends Church)
ADAM MONAGHAN
The second annual Run for Missions was a great success! The enthusiasm and support expressed by everyone involved has led to a growing excitement for next year’s run and a vision for our Church supporting missions like never before!
I ran together with Tim Marshall the first 85 miles and then was joined by several Barclay people to help me finish the last 19 miles. Tim and I ran together alone the first 21 and then were joined by Gabe Hancock, who ran with us through mile 71. With a slightly different strategy from last year, Allen Smelser got off to a 5:00 am early start, while Tim and I left at 6:30 am from the Starting Line/Friends Ministry Center Office at 2018 W. Maple in Wichita. We made it to the west edge of Wichita before the sun came up and finally warmed us up from the low in the high 30s. The day time temps were very comfortable of mid 50s with some sun. Around the 25 mile mark we ate chicken noodle soup and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on the run, of course. Sometime around mile 35 Tim and I caught up to Allen Smelser and stayed together for almost a couple hours or so before separating.
We made it almost all the way to mile 60 before the sun went down at around 7:00 pm. This is where the road turns from pavement to dirt. The next 20 miles from the Pratt county line into the city of Pratt are very dark, with lots of turns to follow the carefully pre-determined route. Tim and I actually made it to the edge of Pratt before 1:00 am (81 miles). I had almost no nausea this year and no real excuses to go too slowly. Our pacers and crew were awesome and so incredibly helpful and encouraging. The legs begin to get pretty achy and stiff around 75 miles or so but there is really nothing you can do about that. Miles 80 to 95 were probably the toughest part. I kept a pretty steady pace with my pacer Marc Compton on the dirt road between Pratt and Cullison as I would run 2-4 power poles then walk one. I kept that up until the Breakfast Burritos came and then I scarfed them down, fuel to finish the last 8 miles into town.
As I was running with my friend Josh Bunce, approaching the last few blocks into Haviland, I was overcome with emotion and cried as I ran, being physically spent 100% or more. Moreover, I was overwhelmed with gratefulness thinking of all those who help make the Run for Missions possible: the Crew, Pacers, other Runners, and most important of all the Donors (the “Great Cloud of Witnesses” Hebrews 12)! As of early November, we’ve raised $16,250 in donations and pledges and I really hope to bring in a lot more before the end of the year (remember our goal is $25,000).
We have asked that all the pledges and gifts be made by November 16th (which is still true!) but they will still be accepted through the end of the year! Technically, 32 less people have given this year than last but they’ve given over $3,000 more total this year than last year. I guess the Run for Missions is not over yet until the fundraising is done.
We all crossed the finish line together at 10:30 am on Tuesday morning to a great and friendly crowd of donors, supporters, friends, and college students. This Ceremonial finish line crossing is very helpful in the fundraising process!
Next year I am planning in addition to the Run for Missions 100+ mile run, to direct a Run for Missions 5K/10K right there in Haviland starting and ending at Barclay College. In addition, we are working on ideas for relay options to cover the 100 miles like 50 miles x 2, 25 x 4 or 10 x 10, etc. More details coming soon…
Adam finished the 103.9 mile run in 24 hours and 11 minutes and 40 seconds. His goal was sub 24 hours so he only finished 11 minutes off his goal. He hopes to finish in less than 23 hours in the Run for Missions in 2010. Adam accidentally started running about six years ago as a student at Barclay College and hasn’t been able to stop since!
ALLEN SMELSER Allen is an experienced Ultra-Marathon runner and 100 mile finisher. His wife Nancy is the key to Allen's running career and her secret recipe of "Power Cookies" that she makes to fuel the run.
GABE HANCOCK – 50 MILE RUNNER/PACER
I started the day not fully prepared to run with Adam Monaghan and Tim Marshall. I had just run a tough Marathon the previous weekend and was a little worn out on running. I just wasn’t feeling like a capable pacer for the guys. But I knew I had to do it because 1) I promised Adam I would run at least 31 miles and 2) I knew this would be a great opportunity to get to know Tim better (a member of the church I serve at). (Adam does the “number list-thing” a lot during our runs, ha ha!)
As soon as I started running at their mile-21, things completely changed. To see the smiles on their faces and a beautiful day to run, it became very enjoyable. I quickly forgot about all my responsibilities and started thinking of my purpose in Running for Missions. My goal was to ask how they were feeling every so often and do anything else to ease their run. I was able to carry Adam’s camel-pack for him for most of the run to ease his load.
After many miles, we started looking forward to seeing the “mobile aid station” – a white church van filled with all kinds of food and necessities commuted by Jesse Penna, Katie Marshall (Tim’s wife) and Matt Macy later in the day, and then Frank Penna from midnight to daylight. We realized that the day was like a big party for Missions! We talked, we ate as much food as we could, and people stopped by to see how we were doing, which was a great encouragement!
It was at Adam and Tim’s mile-50 when I knew it would be hard to leave them. Their attitudes were so positive because they were making such great time (about 10 hours and 30 minutes) and feeling so good at this halfway mark. I felt like I had some part in helping them get there feeling so well. So I stuck around and kept going with them. We fought off dogs, befriended “Lady” the German shepherd (when ran 6 miles for Missions with us), and kept putting down party food (Sloppy-joes was the funniest experience) to fuel our run.
Then it got dark and cold. I tried my best to stay positive because I was just the pacer guy. I hadn’t totaled 50 miles yet and they were almost a marathon ahead in mileage. During my last mile (My mile 50, their mile 71), I pushed ahead to finish strong and put in the guys’ requests at the Aid Station Van. I had a feeling of accomplishment when I finished, but I also felt incomplete too. Because it wasn’t about me, I felt unaccomplished until the guys could cross the finish line of 100+ miles.
I was so glad that I got to run as far as I did. It was hard to leave them that night, knowing that I would go to sleep and they would still be running (I slept worse than ever that night). The longer it has been since the run, the more I realize how cool the “Run for Missions” is (I tried to think of a better word to use than cool but couldn’t, maybe special, blessed, good?). I’m not sure I would have understood without running in it. I am so blessed to get to be apart of something that can one day soon impact the support to ultimately spread the Gospel.
Gabe finished 50 miles in less than 13 hours, running with Adam and Tim and others. His longest run ever prior to the Run for Missions was 26.2 miles.
TIM MARSHALL (age 25, Wichita, KS, Rose Hill Friends Church)
The reason why I ran is because I felt like the Lord was telling me to. I remember seeing the little pamphlet in church and thinking it would be challenging. Every Sunday it kept calling out to me, I felt like the Lord was calling me to do it. So I committed to doing it and said I'd go the whole way. My wife and I wanted to do something more for the church and be more involved and we have always felt like my running is a blessing and I have always wanted to do something with my running.
I thought it was going to be a lot easier than it actually was. The pace was slower than I was used to and the mileage was crazy high. It was cold, so right from the start my legs did not feel good. The first five miles my legs were freezing. I thought maybe eventually they will warm up and then everything will be fine but that wasn't the case. At first, I thought, ‘This pace is really easy this is going to be a piece of cake' and the first 20 miles were pretty comfortable. A little bit after that Gabe joined us and that was nice. It was good to see a new face and Gabe is the Associate Pastor at my church so I knew this was a perfect opportunity to get to know him more.
At this time my legs still were not warming up and I felt like they really needed to be stretched out. I was getting sore, but I still thought it would eventually go away. I didn't know what to think about pain 'cause this was my first time ever doing something like this. Everything was new to me. It was my first time running with chicken noodle soup, running eating cookies, and running drinking pop.
Around mile 45 my leg pain went up to a 6 on the pain scale. I still felt I needed to stretch them out. The pain went in and out. I asked Adam and he said, "you’re gonna have to get used to the pain"!
The pain kept up all the way to about mile 85 and by that time I went through about my 5th injury. Both of my thighs killed me, my Achilles hurt, the top of my right foot hurt, and I was started getting a shin splint in my right leg. Running on the pavement for 60 miles took all of the energy out of my legs and just killed me.
Around mile 50 I didn't know if I was going to make it the whole hundred miles. I could hardly walk. The pain was already a 10 on the pain scale.
At mile 68, everything started going down hill. I couldn't even step on my left foot it hurt so bad. I was in so much pain I couldn't even run a 12 minute mile pace and if I did I felt like I was sprinting. I didn't think I was going to finish but just deep down I knew I had to because I had already gone 68 miles and that is a long way not to go the whole hundred. I knew I wouldn't have this opportunity again—so I just kept pressing on trying to stay with the pack.
Around 70 miles I was so sore my legs would lock up to the point I couldn't bend my knees. I ran stiff legged and every time we stopped for a break or to walk a hill, the pain just grew. I stopped talking and tried to save my energy.
At 70-75 miles Adam told me to just keep on walking through the check stops because I was lagging and dropping off the pack. I said to myself, 'There's no way in the world I'm going to finish this, I'm under trained and my legs aren't capable’, but I just kept moving.
Reaching Pratt was the lowest part of my night. We were back on concrete and every single injury I had accrued during the run flared up at the same time. I had never felt that much pain in my life. It was a 15 on the 1-10 pain scale, and sometimes I just wanted to cry. I was in over my head. I knew I had to get through Pratt and back on dirt and hopefully the soft dirt would help me.
At this point I was so sore and tired that if the ground was a little unleveled I would almost fall over. Actually one of the pacers from Barclay thought he was going to have to catch me. If I would have fallen over I probably would have stopped running.
Once we got to the end of Pratt I knew at this point I was going to finish. I told my wife Katie, "If I have to crawl across the finish line I will finish. Once we got on the dirt I knew I had to open my stride I had felt that the whole time and I knew that was the only way my legs were going to feel better. At this point I stopped making the check points. I tried to pick up pace. It was really sore at first but then my legs started to feel better and I got so excited that my legs finally weren't hurting so I took off. With 14 miles left I started running faster and faster, sometimes too fast because I would get sore again then have to slow down. But it wasn't the same soreness and about a mile later I could go fast again.
I had one of the best pace setters ever who ran with me for the entire last 26 miles-Luke from Barclay College. He's about 5'2, 100 lbs and he would just float ahead of me. He is the only reason I went the pace I did toward the end. If he wasn't there I really feel like I wouldn't have finished so I’m really thankful for Luke, and all of Adam’s help and support, and all the pacers. We couldn't have done it without them! It was really amazing to see God working though everyone because some of these kids longest runs before might have been 2 miles and they ended up running 20 or more.
The last 14 miles was my strongest part of the whole hundred. Before that I struggled for about 85 miles of pure pain and I still do not know how I made it through. I just thank the Lord He’s the one that helped me make it through.
I absolutely hated my last 5 miles because I could see Haviland and the College and it was never coming too me. It was staying still. I was running my heart out and it felt like it was getting further away. The only thing that helped me out at this point was the breakfast burritos that Kay from Haviland brought out to us. They were so great! They helped me the rest of the way.
Some other parts that really helped me was my wife who ran next to me a couple miles and one of the miles she sang 'Eye of the Tiger' and that was right before I got my 4th wind and started taking off. I really don't know what we would have done with out her. I'm so glad she came because we would have been lost with out her.
I just loved every person that helped out with this and I just remember Jesse Penna always doing the Mexican yell out the window, and the first time I heard it and thought that's kind of weird, and then in at 1:00 am in Pratt when I heard it again, it just made me perk up, and I thought 'That is the best voice I've ever heard in my life', and 'I'm so glad he's back'!
Adam said 'This is a party -it just keeps getting bigger'. That was so true and I loved it. Another special point was when Jesse ran a mile with me and he and his dad, Frank, were so excited for me as I was feeling better after struggling so much. Their support took me home.
Katie always said I should find better friends and I agreed and I felt like I made a lot of great friendships during this run that will last. But I think next time I'm going to find an easier way to make friends!
After I finished the race I had no emotion. I was way too tired. It was way too much for me to handle so I just kind of went blank for about half an hour. I didn't start getting emotional until about 8 hours after finishing. I've been paralyzed waste down for about two days now after the run and that just tells me I was way under trained and maybe next year I will run more than 30 miles a week a month before the Run for Missions. But I'm definitely going to be a part of this next year and the rest of my life. Thanks for letting me be a part of this and I pray we raise all of the money and a little more. Thank you
Tim Marshall’s finishing time was 23 hours and 37 minutes, finishing at 6:03 am on Tuesday morning. Tim had never run more than 20 miles before the Run for Missions.
I thought it was going to be a lot easier than it actually was. The pace was slower than I was used to and the mileage was crazy high. It was cold, so right from the start my legs did not feel good. The first five miles my legs were freezing. I thought maybe eventually they will warm up and then everything will be fine but that wasn't the case. At first, I thought, ‘This pace is really easy this is going to be a piece of cake' and the first 20 miles were pretty comfortable. A little bit after that Gabe joined us and that was nice. It was good to see a new face and Gabe is the Associate Pastor at my church so I knew this was a perfect opportunity to get to know him more.
At this time my legs still were not warming up and I felt like they really needed to be stretched out. I was getting sore, but I still thought it would eventually go away. I didn't know what to think about pain 'cause this was my first time ever doing something like this. Everything was new to me. It was my first time running with chicken noodle soup, running eating cookies, and running drinking pop.
Around mile 45 my leg pain went up to a 6 on the pain scale. I still felt I needed to stretch them out. The pain went in and out. I asked Adam and he said, "you’re gonna have to get used to the pain"!
The pain kept up all the way to about mile 85 and by that time I went through about my 5th injury. Both of my thighs killed me, my Achilles hurt, the top of my right foot hurt, and I was started getting a shin splint in my right leg. Running on the pavement for 60 miles took all of the energy out of my legs and just killed me.
Around mile 50 I didn't know if I was going to make it the whole hundred miles. I could hardly walk. The pain was already a 10 on the pain scale.
At mile 68, everything started going down hill. I couldn't even step on my left foot it hurt so bad. I was in so much pain I couldn't even run a 12 minute mile pace and if I did I felt like I was sprinting. I didn't think I was going to finish but just deep down I knew I had to because I had already gone 68 miles and that is a long way not to go the whole hundred. I knew I wouldn't have this opportunity again—so I just kept pressing on trying to stay with the pack.
Around 70 miles I was so sore my legs would lock up to the point I couldn't bend my knees. I ran stiff legged and every time we stopped for a break or to walk a hill, the pain just grew. I stopped talking and tried to save my energy.
At 70-75 miles Adam told me to just keep on walking through the check stops because I was lagging and dropping off the pack. I said to myself, 'There's no way in the world I'm going to finish this, I'm under trained and my legs aren't capable’, but I just kept moving.
Reaching Pratt was the lowest part of my night. We were back on concrete and every single injury I had accrued during the run flared up at the same time. I had never felt that much pain in my life. It was a 15 on the 1-10 pain scale, and sometimes I just wanted to cry. I was in over my head. I knew I had to get through Pratt and back on dirt and hopefully the soft dirt would help me.
At this point I was so sore and tired that if the ground was a little unleveled I would almost fall over. Actually one of the pacers from Barclay thought he was going to have to catch me. If I would have fallen over I probably would have stopped running.
Once we got to the end of Pratt I knew at this point I was going to finish. I told my wife Katie, "If I have to crawl across the finish line I will finish. Once we got on the dirt I knew I had to open my stride I had felt that the whole time and I knew that was the only way my legs were going to feel better. At this point I stopped making the check points. I tried to pick up pace. It was really sore at first but then my legs started to feel better and I got so excited that my legs finally weren't hurting so I took off. With 14 miles left I started running faster and faster, sometimes too fast because I would get sore again then have to slow down. But it wasn't the same soreness and about a mile later I could go fast again.
I had one of the best pace setters ever who ran with me for the entire last 26 miles-Luke from Barclay College. He's about 5'2, 100 lbs and he would just float ahead of me. He is the only reason I went the pace I did toward the end. If he wasn't there I really feel like I wouldn't have finished so I’m really thankful for Luke, and all of Adam’s help and support, and all the pacers. We couldn't have done it without them! It was really amazing to see God working though everyone because some of these kids longest runs before might have been 2 miles and they ended up running 20 or more.
The last 14 miles was my strongest part of the whole hundred. Before that I struggled for about 85 miles of pure pain and I still do not know how I made it through. I just thank the Lord He’s the one that helped me make it through.
I absolutely hated my last 5 miles because I could see Haviland and the College and it was never coming too me. It was staying still. I was running my heart out and it felt like it was getting further away. The only thing that helped me out at this point was the breakfast burritos that Kay from Haviland brought out to us. They were so great! They helped me the rest of the way.
Some other parts that really helped me was my wife who ran next to me a couple miles and one of the miles she sang 'Eye of the Tiger' and that was right before I got my 4th wind and started taking off. I really don't know what we would have done with out her. I'm so glad she came because we would have been lost with out her.
I just loved every person that helped out with this and I just remember Jesse Penna always doing the Mexican yell out the window, and the first time I heard it and thought that's kind of weird, and then in at 1:00 am in Pratt when I heard it again, it just made me perk up, and I thought 'That is the best voice I've ever heard in my life', and 'I'm so glad he's back'!
Adam said 'This is a party -it just keeps getting bigger'. That was so true and I loved it. Another special point was when Jesse ran a mile with me and he and his dad, Frank, were so excited for me as I was feeling better after struggling so much. Their support took me home.
Katie always said I should find better friends and I agreed and I felt like I made a lot of great friendships during this run that will last. But I think next time I'm going to find an easier way to make friends!
After I finished the race I had no emotion. I was way too tired. It was way too much for me to handle so I just kind of went blank for about half an hour. I didn't start getting emotional until about 8 hours after finishing. I've been paralyzed waste down for about two days now after the run and that just tells me I was way under trained and maybe next year I will run more than 30 miles a week a month before the Run for Missions. But I'm definitely going to be a part of this next year and the rest of my life. Thanks for letting me be a part of this and I pray we raise all of the money and a little more. Thank you
Tim Marshall’s finishing time was 23 hours and 37 minutes, finishing at 6:03 am on Tuesday morning. Tim had never run more than 20 miles before the Run for Missions.
ADAM MONAGHAN
The second annual Run for Missions was a great success! The enthusiasm and support expressed by everyone involved has led to a growing excitement for next year’s run and a vision for our Church supporting missions like never before!
I ran together with Tim Marshall the first 85 miles and then was joined by several Barclay people to help me finish the last 19 miles. Tim and I ran together alone the first 21 and then were joined by Gabe Hancock, who ran with us through mile 71. With a slightly different strategy from last year, Allen Smelser got off to a 5:00 am early start, while Tim and I left at 6:30 am from the Starting Line/Friends Ministry Center Office at 2018 W. Maple in Wichita. We made it to the west edge of Wichita before the sun came up and finally warmed us up from the low in the high 30s. The day time temps were very comfortable of mid 50s with some sun. Around the 25 mile mark we ate chicken noodle soup and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on the run, of course. Sometime around mile 35 Tim and I caught up to Allen Smelser and stayed together for almost a couple hours or so before separating.
We made it almost all the way to mile 60 before the sun went down at around 7:00 pm. This is where the road turns from pavement to dirt. The next 20 miles from the Pratt county line into the city of Pratt are very dark, with lots of turns to follow the carefully pre-determined route. Tim and I actually made it to the edge of Pratt before 1:00 am (81 miles). I had almost no nausea this year and no real excuses to go too slowly. Our pacers and crew were awesome and so incredibly helpful and encouraging. The legs begin to get pretty achy and stiff around 75 miles or so but there is really nothing you can do about that. Miles 80 to 95 were probably the toughest part. I kept a pretty steady pace with my pacer Marc Compton on the dirt road between Pratt and Cullison as I would run 2-4 power poles then walk one. I kept that up until the Breakfast Burritos came and then I scarfed them down, fuel to finish the last 8 miles into town.
As I was running with my friend Josh Bunce, approaching the last few blocks into Haviland, I was overcome with emotion and cried as I ran, being physically spent 100% or more. Moreover, I was overwhelmed with gratefulness thinking of all those who help make the Run for Missions possible: the Crew, Pacers, other Runners, and most important of all the Donors (the “Great Cloud of Witnesses” Hebrews 12)! As of early November, we’ve raised $16,250 in donations and pledges and I really hope to bring in a lot more before the end of the year (remember our goal is $25,000).
We have asked that all the pledges and gifts be made by November 16th (which is still true!) but they will still be accepted through the end of the year! Technically, 32 less people have given this year than last but they’ve given over $3,000 more total this year than last year. I guess the Run for Missions is not over yet until the fundraising is done.
We all crossed the finish line together at 10:30 am on Tuesday morning to a great and friendly crowd of donors, supporters, friends, and college students. This Ceremonial finish line crossing is very helpful in the fundraising process!
Next year I am planning in addition to the Run for Missions 100+ mile run, to direct a Run for Missions 5K/10K right there in Haviland starting and ending at Barclay College. In addition, we are working on ideas for relay options to cover the 100 miles like 50 miles x 2, 25 x 4 or 10 x 10, etc. More details coming soon…
Adam finished the 103.9 mile run in 24 hours and 11 minutes and 40 seconds. His goal was sub 24 hours so he only finished 11 minutes off his goal. He hopes to finish in less than 23 hours in the Run for Missions in 2010. Adam accidentally started running about six years ago as a student at Barclay College and hasn’t been able to stop since!
ALLEN SMELSER Allen is an experienced Ultra-Marathon runner and 100 mile finisher. His wife Nancy is the key to Allen's running career and her secret recipe of "Power Cookies" that she makes to fuel the run.
GABE HANCOCK – 50 MILE RUNNER/PACER
I started the day not fully prepared to run with Adam Monaghan and Tim Marshall. I had just run a tough Marathon the previous weekend and was a little worn out on running. I just wasn’t feeling like a capable pacer for the guys. But I knew I had to do it because 1) I promised Adam I would run at least 31 miles and 2) I knew this would be a great opportunity to get to know Tim better (a member of the church I serve at). (Adam does the “number list-thing” a lot during our runs, ha ha!)
As soon as I started running at their mile-21, things completely changed. To see the smiles on their faces and a beautiful day to run, it became very enjoyable. I quickly forgot about all my responsibilities and started thinking of my purpose in Running for Missions. My goal was to ask how they were feeling every so often and do anything else to ease their run. I was able to carry Adam’s camel-pack for him for most of the run to ease his load.
After many miles, we started looking forward to seeing the “mobile aid station” – a white church van filled with all kinds of food and necessities commuted by Jesse Penna, Katie Marshall (Tim’s wife) and Matt Macy later in the day, and then Frank Penna from midnight to daylight. We realized that the day was like a big party for Missions! We talked, we ate as much food as we could, and people stopped by to see how we were doing, which was a great encouragement!
It was at Adam and Tim’s mile-50 when I knew it would be hard to leave them. Their attitudes were so positive because they were making such great time (about 10 hours and 30 minutes) and feeling so good at this halfway mark. I felt like I had some part in helping them get there feeling so well. So I stuck around and kept going with them. We fought off dogs, befriended “Lady” the German shepherd (when ran 6 miles for Missions with us), and kept putting down party food (Sloppy-joes was the funniest experience) to fuel our run.
Then it got dark and cold. I tried my best to stay positive because I was just the pacer guy. I hadn’t totaled 50 miles yet and they were almost a marathon ahead in mileage. During my last mile (My mile 50, their mile 71), I pushed ahead to finish strong and put in the guys’ requests at the Aid Station Van. I had a feeling of accomplishment when I finished, but I also felt incomplete too. Because it wasn’t about me, I felt unaccomplished until the guys could cross the finish line of 100+ miles.
I was so glad that I got to run as far as I did. It was hard to leave them that night, knowing that I would go to sleep and they would still be running (I slept worse than ever that night). The longer it has been since the run, the more I realize how cool the “Run for Missions” is (I tried to think of a better word to use than cool but couldn’t, maybe special, blessed, good?). I’m not sure I would have understood without running in it. I am so blessed to get to be apart of something that can one day soon impact the support to ultimately spread the Gospel.
Gabe finished 50 miles in less than 13 hours, running with Adam and Tim and others. His longest run ever prior to the Run for Missions was 26.2 miles.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Run For Missions 2009 Finished!
The run is over and everyone had a successful finish. Stories and reports by next week.
Run For Missions 2009 Results 103.9 Miles
Tim Marshall 23:37
Adam Monaghan 24:11
Allen Smelser/Mark Smelser Relay 29 Hours
50 Miles
Gabe Hancock
More Info/Results coming soon...
Run For Missions 2009 Results 103.9 Miles
Tim Marshall 23:37
Adam Monaghan 24:11
Allen Smelser/Mark Smelser Relay 29 Hours
50 Miles
Gabe Hancock
More Info/Results coming soon...
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Run for Missions 2009: October Update
Run for Missions 2009: October Update
-Special thanks to those who have already made pledges and/or sent checks!-Total raised for 2009 in pledges plus actual gifts as of 10/23/09 is $14,473.35. Remember our goal this year is $25,000. NOTE that that in 08 with 132 giving units we raised $13,000 but this year we are at almost $14,500 with only 87 giving units so far. This means the pledges and gifts have increased significantly from last year.
-If you haven’t made your pledge please do so now and send a check by November 16 (payable to EFC-MAYM, 2018 Maple, Wichita, KS 67213).
-Please help pass the word to others you know who may be interested in supporting the Run for Missions.
-The Run is coming up in just a few days, starting Monday morning, October 26th. A little different this year is that Allen will start at 4:30 am on Monday morning and Adam and Tim (see below) will start at 6:30 am. The finish line celebration will be at Barclay College in front of Phillips Hall at 10:30 am on Tuesday morning, October 27. All are invited!
Run for Missions 2009 T-Shirt display
Email Adam Monaghan adam@efcmaym.org if you want to purchase a Run for Missions 2009 t-shirt. Costs $10/shirt let me know what size you want.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
A Third Runner Added to Run For Missions 2009!
We are excited to announce that we will have three runners this year attempting the whole 100 mile distance for the Run for Missions. Tim Marshall, age 23, from Rose Hill Friends Church will join Adam and Allen for the whole distance! Tim is a runner, but usually a fast, speedy runner and ran for Lousiana Tech during college. Tim has never attempted the 100 mile distance.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Farmer Friends Challenge (Run For Missions Note from Allen Smelser)
Most of my working life here in Northeast Kansas the last 30 years has been in the sales and construction of buildings, many of them for farmers. I grew up helping grandpa farm with A and B Johnnypoppers. Quite honestly, I relate best to folks involved in producing food and fiber, and those in the construction and building trades.
Getting to my point, God has blessed our nation with a growing season this year nothing less than awesome. Driving country roads between corn fields has felt like going down a tunnel; soybeans are waist high and taller and covered with bursting pods; four or five cuttings of alfalfa and second cuttings of brome; pastures that won't quit growing! (and we're talking dry-land farming back here!) It's not just Jefferson Co., Ks., either; predictions are for the largest U.S.soybean harvest ever, and the second largest corn crop.
My challenge to you "Farming Friends" is this - to give an acre of production to our Lord through the Run For Missions. One acre of corn or beans from your best ground; two tons of good irrigated alfalfa hay; beef producers, a feeder steer just coming off summer pasture.
Jesus knows ag, and used many examples and illustrations from farming to reach people. Let's get behind the laborers called to full-time service on the foreign mission field; let's help them focus on preparing for ministry without being saddled with so much debt.
My young friend and I will soon be running (and walking?) across some magnificent farmland in Kingman, Pratt and Kiowa counties. Knowing you are teamed with us at 2am under the cold stars will truly be sweet.
God bless you richly, be safe and careful during the long days of harvest, and hopefully we'll see you along the way or in Haviland on Tuesday morning, October 27th.
-Allen Smelser 10-16-09
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Run for Missions 2009: September Update
September 2009 UPDATE Run for Missions 2009
-Special thanks to those who have already made pledges and/or sent checks!
-Total raised for 2009 in pledges plus actual gifts as of 9/30/09 is $10,983.35. Remember our goal this year is $25,000.
-If haven’t made your pledge please do so now and send a check by November 16.
-Please help pass the word to others you know who may be interested in supporting the Run for Missions.
Adam and Allen are both running and training in preparation for the Run for Missions. See Adam's recent report of a 50K (31 mile) trail race finish in Kansas: http://adammonaghan.blogspot.com/2009/09/flatrock-09.html.
-Special thanks to those who have already made pledges and/or sent checks!
-Total raised for 2009 in pledges plus actual gifts as of 9/30/09 is $10,983.35. Remember our goal this year is $25,000.
-If haven’t made your pledge please do so now and send a check by November 16.
-Please help pass the word to others you know who may be interested in supporting the Run for Missions.
Adam and Allen are both running and training in preparation for the Run for Missions. See Adam's recent report of a 50K (31 mile) trail race finish in Kansas: http://adammonaghan.blogspot.com/2009/09/flatrock-09.html.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Run For Missions 2009: August Update
August 31, 2009 UPDATE Run for Missions 2009
-Total raised in pledges or actual gifts as of 8/31/09 is $7,753.35. Remember our goal this year is $25,000 for 2009.
-Special thanks to those who have already made pledges and/or sent checks!
-If you haven’t made your pledge or sent a check, please do so by November 16th!
-Please help pass the word to others you know who may be interested in supporting the Run for Missions.
Allen and I both just recently returned home from Leadville, Colorado where we attempted unsuccessfully for the third and second time respectively a 100 mile race starting and finishing in Leadville, elevation 10,000 feet. But now we are training again in Kansas to complete our 2nd Run for Missions from Wichita to Kansas. We have planned lots of running, training, and several races in the next couple months (including an ulta-marathon of 31 miles!) to get us trained for the Run for Missions.
-Total raised in pledges or actual gifts as of 8/31/09 is $7,753.35. Remember our goal this year is $25,000 for 2009.
-Special thanks to those who have already made pledges and/or sent checks!
-If you haven’t made your pledge or sent a check, please do so by November 16th!
-Please help pass the word to others you know who may be interested in supporting the Run for Missions.
Allen and I both just recently returned home from Leadville, Colorado where we attempted unsuccessfully for the third and second time respectively a 100 mile race starting and finishing in Leadville, elevation 10,000 feet. But now we are training again in Kansas to complete our 2nd Run for Missions from Wichita to Kansas. We have planned lots of running, training, and several races in the next couple months (including an ulta-marathon of 31 miles!) to get us trained for the Run for Missions.
Allen and Adam a few minutes before the 4:00 am start at the
Leadville 100-mile trail run in Colorado, August 22nd, 2009.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Run For Missions 2009: July Update
RUN FOR MISSIONS Last year’s Run for Missions was a great success! Setting out to raise $10,000, we raised $12,997.65!
I am excited to announce the Second Annual Run for Missions that will be held October 26-27, 2009! This year our goal is to raise $25,000!
Since 2005, EFC-MAYM Mission Mobilizers have supervised a scholarship fund to grant limited scholarships to missions students. Their desire is to give affirmation and support to EFC-MAYM College and Graduate students responding to a “call” to missions, intending to serve on the Friends Mission Field.
The EFC-MAYM Mission Mobilizers' desire for this fund is that it grows substantially to become an endowment fund to relieve student loan debt for students headed to the Friends Missions field. Imagine a day when our church can take it to another level in supporting the work of missions, getting behind our missionaries in financial support, not just from the time they go to the field until they come home, but from the first day of their calling and throughout their schooling and education process! You can help make this a possibility.
In order to raise funds for this Scholarship, the EFC-MAYM Mission Mobilizers are sponsoring the second annual “Run For Missions”. Allen Smelser (Stanwood Friends) and Adam Monaghan will run 100 miles, from the Friends Ministry Center in Wichita to Barclay College in Haviland, KS, on October 26th! Our goal is to raise at least $25,000 this year to support this scholarship fund. We are seeking at least 125 supporters to give $100 dollars ($1 per mile) and we are praying that at least 10 generous supporters will give $1,000 by November 15, 2009.
Would you be willing to sponsor Allen and Adam at $1 per mile (or $10 per mile or more!) in a 100 mile run for Friends Mission Scholarships? Please contact Adam Monaghan at the Friends Ministry Center 316-267-0391 adam@efcmaym.org to make your pledge.
You can make your tax-deductible donation by writing a check to “EFC-MAYM”, memo: “Run for Missions”; send to 2018 Maple, Wichita, KS 67213 by November 16th.
Follow the Run for Missions Blog: http://run4missions.blogspot.com/
Run for Missions 2008 Report: http://run4missions.blogspot.com/2009/07/run-for-missions-2008-report.html
Run for Missions Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.’s): http://run4missions.blogspot.com/2009/07/run-for-missions-frequently-asked.html
Monday, July 6, 2009
Run for Missions: Frequently Asked Questions
F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions)
Run for Missions 2009
Do you run non-stop?
Yes, we do not stop to sleep, but instead keep going all day and all night, taking a little over 24 hours to complete the distance. We do, however, pause every 3-5 miles to fill up our water-bottles and grab a little food to eat along the way from our roving aid-station vehicle. See the Run for Missions 2008 report.
Do you run along highway 54?
No, in 2008 we went west out of Wichita on 21st which turns into county roads and continues west for about 60 miles. Then we set off on dirt roads, all north of 54 through Pratt County, winding our way down to Pratt. We cross through Pratt city limits on 54 and then take country roads north of 54 out of the west side of Pratt all the way to Haviland. A very similar if not identical course is being planned for 2009.
Who are the recipients of the scholarship?
The current recipients of this scholarship are EFC-MAYM college or graduate students intending to serve on a Friends Mission field after graduation. See 2008 recipients of scholarship: http://www.efcmaym.org/ScholarshipRecepientBios.pdf.
Can I give more or less than $100?
Yes, of course! Please give generously as you feel led, whether that is $10 or $10,000! Any amount is helpful and is greatly appreciated.
Can I run with you?
Yes, please do! 100 mile runs are challenging, long, and grueling and the more companionship and encouragement you receive along the way, the better. The most challenging times are between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am, so if anybody is up for some late/early night running, it would be greatly appreciated. Contact adam@efcmaym.org to make arrangements for running. More specific details will be worked out in the weeks leading up to October 26th. You can run any distance from one mile to 50 miles if you so choose with me. In fact, you can run the whole 100 miles if you will commit to helping with the fundraising process!
Submit another question to: adam@efcmaym.org
Run for Missions 2009
Do you run non-stop?
Yes, we do not stop to sleep, but instead keep going all day and all night, taking a little over 24 hours to complete the distance. We do, however, pause every 3-5 miles to fill up our water-bottles and grab a little food to eat along the way from our roving aid-station vehicle. See the Run for Missions 2008 report.
Do you run along highway 54?
No, in 2008 we went west out of Wichita on 21st which turns into county roads and continues west for about 60 miles. Then we set off on dirt roads, all north of 54 through Pratt County, winding our way down to Pratt. We cross through Pratt city limits on 54 and then take country roads north of 54 out of the west side of Pratt all the way to Haviland. A very similar if not identical course is being planned for 2009.
Who are the recipients of the scholarship?
The current recipients of this scholarship are EFC-MAYM college or graduate students intending to serve on a Friends Mission field after graduation. See 2008 recipients of scholarship: http://www.efcmaym.org/ScholarshipRecepientBios.pdf.
Can I give more or less than $100?
Yes, of course! Please give generously as you feel led, whether that is $10 or $10,000! Any amount is helpful and is greatly appreciated.
Can I run with you?
Yes, please do! 100 mile runs are challenging, long, and grueling and the more companionship and encouragement you receive along the way, the better. The most challenging times are between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am, so if anybody is up for some late/early night running, it would be greatly appreciated. Contact adam@efcmaym.org to make arrangements for running. More specific details will be worked out in the weeks leading up to October 26th. You can run any distance from one mile to 50 miles if you so choose with me. In fact, you can run the whole 100 miles if you will commit to helping with the fundraising process!
Submit another question to: adam@efcmaym.org
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Run For Missions 2008 Report
The run began promptly at 6:30 am Monday, November 3rd, at the Friends Ministry Center in Wichita. The morning was unseasonably warm and windy for early November. The send off was special as several friends and family joined us for prayer and cheering us on as we began. Allen and I sprinted down the first block just for fun and show, only to slow down into our pace of between 10 and 12 minutes/mile that we would sustain for the first many hours. We stopped at mile 5 at a gas station parking lot to meet Nancy and the Crew Van with our supplies. A couple minutes later with full water bottles and some brownies and bananas eaten, we took off again. We met Nancy at approximately every 5 miles through the first 35. In addition to foods already mentioned, we consumed Ramen Noodles, pretzels, yogurt, energy gels, Gatorade, Mt. Dew and Coke.
At about mile 30, we were running right next to Cheney Lake and Allen’s pace began to slow, so he decided that I should go ahead without him. I ran from mile 35ish to mile 48 alone, but picked up a lot of time because the sun was setting and the temperature dropping and I received a second wave of energy. Nancy had the challenge of crewing in two directions, but she always managed to meet us at just the right time.
In a one hundred mile run, the first 20 and last 20 miles are really exciting. The middle 60 are kind of tough, needless to say! Our selected route in this first ever “Run for Missions” went west out of Wichita on 21st street which turned into NE 50th once it crossed into Kingman County. The first 61 miles are all on paved roads, which makes a great running surface. Allen and I regularly referred to the reason we were running and the verse on the back of our special shirts, Hebrews 12:2 “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” So we were not running for ourselves, we were running for missions, specifically scholarships for students preparing for the Friends Church missions fields – a worthy investment!
Right at 6:00 pm, which was dusk, my brother Andrew found me at mile 48, strapped on my extra reflective vest and headlamp and set out with me on the journey. “For only a few miles”, he said. It was so good to have company and fresh legs to challenge me to maintain a good pace. It is also helpful at that stage in the run to have someone to carry your water-bottle and food as your arms get tired in addition to your legs. Andrew helped me sustain a steady pace for 12 miles! Mile 60, at about 9:15 was the first turn off the one road we’d been following over 55 miles. Andrew went back to run with Allen for a few miles as my friends from Barclay had arrived!
Brad and Chelsea Carpenter came “to watch for a few hours” around 9pm. As Allen and I got further and further apart it became harder and harder for Nancy to meet both of us regularly with the crew van. I saw her at 9:20 pm, then again at about 1:00 am, and that was the last time until after I crossed the finish line. Nathaniel Carlson, a friend from Barclay, joined me from about mile 60 to 72, with Brad only driving ahead one mile at a time. Closer to midnight, Casey Roberts arrived with 6 guys from Barclay who joined Allen and I, three with me and three with Allen, for several miles. We were now almost to Pratt, which was mile 80 (in front of Pratt County Community College). Chelsea ran with me the last two windy miles into Pratt.
Overall, I really felt just great all the way until mile 60, but between mile 60 and 80 I had nausea. For several miles I ran with a bottle of 7UP in one hand and a handful of Tums in the other. I can’t really explain why the upset stomach happens but it is common in this sort of event, especially when you have such warm weather throughout the day (almost 80 degrees). The problem with nausea is that it prevents you from hydrating and eating like you should and will make you really run out of energy quickly. This slowed my pace down from about mile 60 to 75 and was a discouragement. But as I saw the lights of Pratt get closer and closer, I began to pick up the pace more and more and ran fairly steadily those last four miles into Pratt, at between a 12-13 minute/mile pace. At 3:00 am, I arrived in Pratt and was joined by my good friend Manny Garcia who also committed to “a few miles”. About half way through Pratt, Brad and Chelsea met me with food they had bought from the 24 hour Wal-Mart! And finally I was ready to eat it – mostly because I was just so desperately in need of energy. I ate a whole big bowl of Ramen Noodle Soup and a whole package of Peach Rings (for which I had a craving), and drank some more Coke (which helps immensely because of the sugar and caffeine). Within minutes, the third main surge of energy came! By the time I was at the west edge of Pratt (in front of the Kwik Shop by the railroad tracks) and ready to head off onto the dirt roads towards Haviland, my energy, excitement, and enthusiasm returned!
I started drinking lots of water again and ate another package of Peach Rings and was getting really excited about the last 20 miles into Haviland. Manny was helping me to keep an excellent pace, running consistently at 12 minutes/mile between Pratt and Haviland. There are several great downhill stretches on the dirt road just north of Highway 54 which makes for great running.
At about 6:00 am when I was just north of Cullison, my friends Neill and Kay from Haviland met me on the side of the road with breakfast! Sausage biscuits, breakfast burritos, cinnamon rolls, cold Pepsi, and bananas! Their visit was a great encouragement - not only to me but also to Manny, Brad and Chelsea, who were also hungry after staying awake all night being an impromptu crew for me. (I called Kay at 3:45 am and asked her to please wake up and please make breakfast real quick, and please bring it 10 miles into the country on the dirt roads because I’m really hungry after running 94 miles. I was so grateful!) Manny ended up joining me for 11 miles! Brad joined me running for about 2 miles and then Chelsea for 2 more. Then as day had fully dawned, and the sun began to shine and warm me up, my friend Jeremiah Williams from Barclay met me to run with me all the way to the finish – about 7.5 miles. I was running 12 – 13 minutes/mile again consistently and still feeling strong. My eyes stung red from the wind and dust all night and my legs were stiff but not throbbing. Ryan Kendall joined us with 5 miles to go and was surprised at the pace we were still maintaining. As we were 4 miles out, I began to pick up the pace and give it all I had. We clipped off 11:40, 10:30 and then 9:45 minute last miles right before entering Haviland. Chelsea, Jeremiah, and Ryan ran right beside me those last miles into town, stopping in front of Phillips Hall at Barclay College. It is difficult to explain the emotion that wells up inside your mind and heart upon finishing a 104.2 mile race. Of course you’re just so happy to finally be done, but you’re also overwhelmed by the awe of the distance covered and the thought that “with God all things are possible”.
I ran the 104.2 miles in 26 hours, 12 minutes and 10 seconds, finishing about 8:42 am on Tuesday morning, November 4th. I couldn’t help but think about Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith…” My “huge crowd of witnesses” in this “Run for Missions” were named Allen, Nancy, Andrew, Brad, Chelsea, Nathaniel, Casey, Daniel, Patrick, Bayron, Kyle, Jacob, Manny, Neill, Kay, Jeremiah, Ryan, my friends and family who saw Allen and I off at the start line, and the hundreds who welcomed us home to Haviland, along with the 117 units (families and churches) who have pledged almost $12,000 for missions scholarships!
“…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus…” Perhaps the strangest and hardest, but very best part of the whole event was the 10:30 am finish line celebration. After finishing at 8:40, I walked over to Brad’s apartment to sleep on the couch for a few minutes. At 10:00 am I had to get up and learn to walk again and warm up enough to run again those last couple blocks across the finish line. At first it was a painful, awkward looking stumble-jog but then when I saw how many people were there to celebrate, it became easier to actually run a real pace and to smile and cross the finish line to cheers, high-5’s, hugs and lots of “congratulations” and “you must be nuts!”. Not only were all the students and faculty from Barclay there, but many from the community and Haviland Friends Church, and even the whole Kindergarten through 8th grade from Haviland Grade School (where I used to work as an English as a Second Language tutor and Substitute teacher)!
You may be wondering about Allen? I believe that Allen was truly the brave one, with guts and determination that I don’t even know a thing about. He stuck it out all night long and kept going through pain and set backs. A little before noon he had finished 100.1 (!) miles and was only about 4 miles from town! Nancy and the Stanwood Friends Pastor, John Potter, picked Allen up and brought him back to Haviland in time for a celebration and testimony at the end of the Barclay chapel service. By that time I was already sound asleep…
At about mile 30, we were running right next to Cheney Lake and Allen’s pace began to slow, so he decided that I should go ahead without him. I ran from mile 35ish to mile 48 alone, but picked up a lot of time because the sun was setting and the temperature dropping and I received a second wave of energy. Nancy had the challenge of crewing in two directions, but she always managed to meet us at just the right time.
In a one hundred mile run, the first 20 and last 20 miles are really exciting. The middle 60 are kind of tough, needless to say! Our selected route in this first ever “Run for Missions” went west out of Wichita on 21st street which turned into NE 50th once it crossed into Kingman County. The first 61 miles are all on paved roads, which makes a great running surface. Allen and I regularly referred to the reason we were running and the verse on the back of our special shirts, Hebrews 12:2 “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” So we were not running for ourselves, we were running for missions, specifically scholarships for students preparing for the Friends Church missions fields – a worthy investment!
Right at 6:00 pm, which was dusk, my brother Andrew found me at mile 48, strapped on my extra reflective vest and headlamp and set out with me on the journey. “For only a few miles”, he said. It was so good to have company and fresh legs to challenge me to maintain a good pace. It is also helpful at that stage in the run to have someone to carry your water-bottle and food as your arms get tired in addition to your legs. Andrew helped me sustain a steady pace for 12 miles! Mile 60, at about 9:15 was the first turn off the one road we’d been following over 55 miles. Andrew went back to run with Allen for a few miles as my friends from Barclay had arrived!
Brad and Chelsea Carpenter came “to watch for a few hours” around 9pm. As Allen and I got further and further apart it became harder and harder for Nancy to meet both of us regularly with the crew van. I saw her at 9:20 pm, then again at about 1:00 am, and that was the last time until after I crossed the finish line. Nathaniel Carlson, a friend from Barclay, joined me from about mile 60 to 72, with Brad only driving ahead one mile at a time. Closer to midnight, Casey Roberts arrived with 6 guys from Barclay who joined Allen and I, three with me and three with Allen, for several miles. We were now almost to Pratt, which was mile 80 (in front of Pratt County Community College). Chelsea ran with me the last two windy miles into Pratt.
Overall, I really felt just great all the way until mile 60, but between mile 60 and 80 I had nausea. For several miles I ran with a bottle of 7UP in one hand and a handful of Tums in the other. I can’t really explain why the upset stomach happens but it is common in this sort of event, especially when you have such warm weather throughout the day (almost 80 degrees). The problem with nausea is that it prevents you from hydrating and eating like you should and will make you really run out of energy quickly. This slowed my pace down from about mile 60 to 75 and was a discouragement. But as I saw the lights of Pratt get closer and closer, I began to pick up the pace more and more and ran fairly steadily those last four miles into Pratt, at between a 12-13 minute/mile pace. At 3:00 am, I arrived in Pratt and was joined by my good friend Manny Garcia who also committed to “a few miles”. About half way through Pratt, Brad and Chelsea met me with food they had bought from the 24 hour Wal-Mart! And finally I was ready to eat it – mostly because I was just so desperately in need of energy. I ate a whole big bowl of Ramen Noodle Soup and a whole package of Peach Rings (for which I had a craving), and drank some more Coke (which helps immensely because of the sugar and caffeine). Within minutes, the third main surge of energy came! By the time I was at the west edge of Pratt (in front of the Kwik Shop by the railroad tracks) and ready to head off onto the dirt roads towards Haviland, my energy, excitement, and enthusiasm returned!
I started drinking lots of water again and ate another package of Peach Rings and was getting really excited about the last 20 miles into Haviland. Manny was helping me to keep an excellent pace, running consistently at 12 minutes/mile between Pratt and Haviland. There are several great downhill stretches on the dirt road just north of Highway 54 which makes for great running.
At about 6:00 am when I was just north of Cullison, my friends Neill and Kay from Haviland met me on the side of the road with breakfast! Sausage biscuits, breakfast burritos, cinnamon rolls, cold Pepsi, and bananas! Their visit was a great encouragement - not only to me but also to Manny, Brad and Chelsea, who were also hungry after staying awake all night being an impromptu crew for me. (I called Kay at 3:45 am and asked her to please wake up and please make breakfast real quick, and please bring it 10 miles into the country on the dirt roads because I’m really hungry after running 94 miles. I was so grateful!) Manny ended up joining me for 11 miles! Brad joined me running for about 2 miles and then Chelsea for 2 more. Then as day had fully dawned, and the sun began to shine and warm me up, my friend Jeremiah Williams from Barclay met me to run with me all the way to the finish – about 7.5 miles. I was running 12 – 13 minutes/mile again consistently and still feeling strong. My eyes stung red from the wind and dust all night and my legs were stiff but not throbbing. Ryan Kendall joined us with 5 miles to go and was surprised at the pace we were still maintaining. As we were 4 miles out, I began to pick up the pace and give it all I had. We clipped off 11:40, 10:30 and then 9:45 minute last miles right before entering Haviland. Chelsea, Jeremiah, and Ryan ran right beside me those last miles into town, stopping in front of Phillips Hall at Barclay College. It is difficult to explain the emotion that wells up inside your mind and heart upon finishing a 104.2 mile race. Of course you’re just so happy to finally be done, but you’re also overwhelmed by the awe of the distance covered and the thought that “with God all things are possible”.
I ran the 104.2 miles in 26 hours, 12 minutes and 10 seconds, finishing about 8:42 am on Tuesday morning, November 4th. I couldn’t help but think about Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith…” My “huge crowd of witnesses” in this “Run for Missions” were named Allen, Nancy, Andrew, Brad, Chelsea, Nathaniel, Casey, Daniel, Patrick, Bayron, Kyle, Jacob, Manny, Neill, Kay, Jeremiah, Ryan, my friends and family who saw Allen and I off at the start line, and the hundreds who welcomed us home to Haviland, along with the 117 units (families and churches) who have pledged almost $12,000 for missions scholarships!
“…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus…” Perhaps the strangest and hardest, but very best part of the whole event was the 10:30 am finish line celebration. After finishing at 8:40, I walked over to Brad’s apartment to sleep on the couch for a few minutes. At 10:00 am I had to get up and learn to walk again and warm up enough to run again those last couple blocks across the finish line. At first it was a painful, awkward looking stumble-jog but then when I saw how many people were there to celebrate, it became easier to actually run a real pace and to smile and cross the finish line to cheers, high-5’s, hugs and lots of “congratulations” and “you must be nuts!”. Not only were all the students and faculty from Barclay there, but many from the community and Haviland Friends Church, and even the whole Kindergarten through 8th grade from Haviland Grade School (where I used to work as an English as a Second Language tutor and Substitute teacher)!
You may be wondering about Allen? I believe that Allen was truly the brave one, with guts and determination that I don’t even know a thing about. He stuck it out all night long and kept going through pain and set backs. A little before noon he had finished 100.1 (!) miles and was only about 4 miles from town! Nancy and the Stanwood Friends Pastor, John Potter, picked Allen up and brought him back to Haviland in time for a celebration and testimony at the end of the Barclay chapel service. By that time I was already sound asleep…
Now doesn’t this sound like fun? Maybe next year you, too, can “Run for Missions” or certainly, keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus, “run with endurance the race set before you”!
Monday, March 30, 2009
"I'm not a scientist, but I can row."
I love this article about a 25-year-old who rowed across the Atlantic by himself to raise money for cancer research. He says, "I'm not a scientist, but I can row." And he believes in the cause.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/03/29/impact.row.atlantic/index.html?iref=werecommend
Certainly, this is great inspiration for this year's Run for Missions.
I'm not a missionary, nor am I super-rich, but I can run!
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/03/29/impact.row.atlantic/index.html?iref=werecommend
Certainly, this is great inspiration for this year's Run for Missions.
I'm not a missionary, nor am I super-rich, but I can run!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Bled For Adam's Helpless Race
From the Hymn "And Can It Be?"
And can it be that I should gain
An int'rest in the Savior's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love!
how can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love!
how can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
He left His Father's throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam's helpless race
'Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.
And can it be that I should gain
An int'rest in the Savior's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love!
how can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love!
how can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
He left His Father's throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam's helpless race
'Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Running the Race
I hate to run. That is why I chose the interior line in high school football. All I had to do was take a few steps hit somebody and fall down. The only time I got a quarterback sack was when he stumbled and I fell on him. About 25 years ago, I set out to run a mile. It took about 3 weeks to work up to it. Running is pain for me – agony. Do you know that the Greek word for race is “agon”? Just put the “y” on the end of it and you get the picture.
My father was a runner in high school. He won the Galveston County mile and got to run in the state of Texas track meet as a senior in high school. I definitely didn’t get that gene. Adam Monaghan is a runner. He loves it – lives for it. Last fall, he and Allen Smelser ran the 104 miles from the Ministry Center to the Barclay Campus to raise money for the Missions Scholarship. They raised almost $13,000. It took 26 hours. Now that, to me, is a picture of what agony looks like – a race filled with pain. Was it worth the agony?
Ask the student recipients of the scholarship. They will tell you that Adam’s agony was worth it for them. And after the students reach the mission field, you might ask the people who are brought to the Lord through them if Adam’s agony was worth it. They will tell you it was worth eternal life to them.
The writer of Hebrews speaks of the race we are to run as Christians and puts it this way, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (12:1). I’d paraphrase the last phrase as, “run with agony, the ‘agon’ (race) marked out for us.” Sometimes it takes pain and agony to persevere. But is it worth it? The difference is life or death to the cloud of witnesses. Stick to it. Finish the race well.
Dr. David Robinson
EFC-MAYM General Superintendent
March 2009 Insights
My father was a runner in high school. He won the Galveston County mile and got to run in the state of Texas track meet as a senior in high school. I definitely didn’t get that gene. Adam Monaghan is a runner. He loves it – lives for it. Last fall, he and Allen Smelser ran the 104 miles from the Ministry Center to the Barclay Campus to raise money for the Missions Scholarship. They raised almost $13,000. It took 26 hours. Now that, to me, is a picture of what agony looks like – a race filled with pain. Was it worth the agony?
Ask the student recipients of the scholarship. They will tell you that Adam’s agony was worth it for them. And after the students reach the mission field, you might ask the people who are brought to the Lord through them if Adam’s agony was worth it. They will tell you it was worth eternal life to them.
The writer of Hebrews speaks of the race we are to run as Christians and puts it this way, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (12:1). I’d paraphrase the last phrase as, “run with agony, the ‘agon’ (race) marked out for us.” Sometimes it takes pain and agony to persevere. But is it worth it? The difference is life or death to the cloud of witnesses. Stick to it. Finish the race well.
Dr. David Robinson
EFC-MAYM General Superintendent
March 2009 Insights
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Run for Missions 2008 Final Update (Updated 1/8/09)
Dear Run for Missions Supporter,
Thank you so much for your gift in support of the Run for Missions 2008! These funds will be used for scholarships for EFC-MAYM college and graduate students intending to serve on Friends Mission fields. We set out to raise $10,000 and look what has happened because people like you caught the vision! Can you believe exactly $12,997.65 (as of 1/8/2009) has been raised from 129 different individuals and churches since August? Thank God!
Imagine a day when our church can take it to another level in supporting the work of missions, getting behind our missionaries in financial support not only from the time they go to the field until they come home, but from the first day of their calling and throughout their schooling and education process! You have helped make this a possibility.
Thank you!
Allen Smelser and Adam Monaghan for the EFC-MAYM Mission Mobilizers
Thank you so much for your gift in support of the Run for Missions 2008! These funds will be used for scholarships for EFC-MAYM college and graduate students intending to serve on Friends Mission fields. We set out to raise $10,000 and look what has happened because people like you caught the vision! Can you believe exactly $12,997.65 (as of 1/8/2009) has been raised from 129 different individuals and churches since August? Thank God!
Imagine a day when our church can take it to another level in supporting the work of missions, getting behind our missionaries in financial support not only from the time they go to the field until they come home, but from the first day of their calling and throughout their schooling and education process! You have helped make this a possibility.
Thank you!
Allen Smelser and Adam Monaghan for the EFC-MAYM Mission Mobilizers
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