Spotting the Unicorn

First, I want to start by getting the business out of the way. Big E is now gone and the creative weekend is over (and what a weekend it was!). I'm now back to my regular training routine and am really ratcheting that down these last 4 weeks. I'm shooting for being in the best shape of my life! Shouldn't be a problem.

Now for a rare moment of transparency (which is truly rare). I'm posting this at a time when I currently haven't done my training for the day due to the "unusualness" of the day's schedule. It's Tuesday and I've just dropped off Big E at the airport. Normally, that's not a big deal because we've been best friends for almost 9 years now. However in all the times that we've been together throughout the country, this time was different. God opened my eyes to something that I've been closed to for far too long and that is the physical view of what true friendships and relationships are all about. This weekend was that eye-opener for me. You see, E came into town to work on some specific things that pertain to music and we had a clear vision and direction of what we wanted to accomplish - and we did that. But E was here for more than just music. Unknowingly, E came here for me because he's selfless and truly loves me for who he knows Todd to be. It really hit me today that Big E needed me to know, in all of our macho athletic bravado, that he's here with me and for me and just wanted to love on me through a very difficult situation. That means far more to me than any hit song, any cool athletic event, or any Nike hookup! That is the fruit and manifestation of what it means to love someone and to truly be their friend.

I sit here a broken and humbled man, but a very blessed man as well. I've been through some tough times, but it's through these times that God has really revealed himself to a hard headed self-centered idiot such as myself. The Lord has allowed me some trying times but it's through these times that He's purposefully put people in my life that normally may not have been there to reveal more of His glory. I'm lucky to have men in my life that I know will be there and stand in the gap for me. Particularly guys like Big E and, most of all, my brother. It's through these two and other close personal relationships that God shows me that I can make it and I'll be a better man on the other side of this. It's through these people that He speaks to me. For that, I'm a blessed man in so many ways.

Now back to training.

The Long Road Home

As I lay here typing this entry, Troy and I find ourselves in Georgia somewhere North of Macon and just South of Atlanta. We're in a hotel room getting some rest in order to awake in the morning to finish our trip back to Franklin. In the quiet of the room, I contemplate our trip, what we did leading up to the race, our preparation, what we can do better, and what lies ahead. I gotta say, it's greatly rewarding knowing that we set out to accomplish something and we did it! I love that feeling. It's the same feeling that continues to bring me back to this place and want to help others to get to experience what I've experienced. I feel that's becoming my calling. Maybe that's better decided by the Lord. In any case, I'm rejuevinated and ready to get back in to our routine of training and starting to step it up a notch. On the other hand, I'm still very stressed by what awaits me back home in my responsibilities, my duties, and the overwhelming mountains I have to climb on a personal level. However, I do find comfort in the peace I'm afforded from the Lord almighty. I've realized that it's through my family and close friends that I've truly felt His presence and peace. He continues to speak to me mightily through people He places in my life and I'm grateful for that. I don't receive subtleties very well and the Lord knows that best. He's managed to purposefully place some very special people in my life, and it hasn't been until just recently that I've truly opened my eyes to that.

Well, enough of the sentiment. It's now 11:50 CST and it's time to allow my body and mind some rest. The Lord is good and I know that He is with me through this tough time. With His strength, I know I'll make it through and actually have the ability to look forward to the coming days.

Freakshow!

This video blog pretty much speaks for itself. This is a perfect argument for dedication and focus on being physically and nutritionally better. Troy has the right idea!

A Physical & Spiritual Workout

I must admit, today was a crappy day to say the least. It started out okay and worked its way downward as the day grew older. It was one of those days where you have everything planned out the way it should go in the most efficient way and then everything gets up-ended and completely thrown for a loop. That was my day. As a result, it turned out to be very unproductive on the working side but very productive on the training side. I got my run in and then tonight I knocked out the weight training portion with Troy. Here's where the day ended on an extreme high note. After Troy's and my workout, we had a men's bible study that Troy has started with four of our close friends. The guys consisted of: Jeff W., Aaron B., Scott B., Mark S., Troy, and myself. We had an amazing time and it was at this bible study that I realized that the Lord was trying to tell me something in the events of today. It was; lean solely on Him and allow Him to do his work. You see, I feel that God places no expectations on His children. All He wants from us is intimacy and fellowship with Him. That's a lesson, in my controlling nature, that I had to learn the hard way. And in the Lord's soverignty, he gently allowed my day to end on a high note in fellowship with Him. Thank you Lord for your never-ending grace!