You might have seen on the right hand side of my blog there is a "Destination ???" with an odometer listing miles completed. You might be wondering that that is about.
When my wife and I were going through the the adoption process with our son, we set a goal for ourselves. The goal was to complete the number of miles (as a crow flies) from Chicago to Guatemala City. The goal was to help keep us in shape, to help us pass the time, and to help us keep a positive attitude during the long adoption process.
As we prepare for starting the adoption journey again, we thought it would be a great motivator to replace "Destination Guatemala" with "Destination ????". While we have not committed to any particular country yet, we have listed some of the options we are considering.
The Destination "????" odometer shows our progress in the miles we have completed swimming, biking, or running. We have a long way to go, but as with many things in life...
Anything worth having, is never free, nor rarely easy, but in the end, all the trials and tribulations are worth it.
Peace...
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
Base Training: Week 4
I am wrapping up the 4th week of my base training. That means next week will be another time trial (TT) week. By time trial, that means I'll put myself through a grueling run and bike self test, with a few day apart of course. The purpose of the TT test is to measure progress on aerobic fitness. In previous years, I have training ..completely.. wrong. Wrong in that all my workouts were anaerobic in nature. The result of that was that my heart rate (HR) was always through the roof, I always felt tired, worn out, sore, and even got periodic migraines. In 2007, while I don't have an official 'coach', I am following some well know training principles. Specifically, start with aerobic-only 'base' training. Then as the race season gets closer, mix in more anaerobic (high intensity) training. We will see what next weeks TT show. My AVG HR in my first run TT was 178 Beats Per Minute (BPM), with a max of 187BPM. For the first bicycle TT my AVG HR was 170BPM, with a max of 185 BPM. More on HR, BPM, base training in the coming posts. If you can't wait, then check out some of the "Training Links" on the side of my blog. Peace...
Reading for the day...
Hebrews 11:1
Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Motivation through Song
Many who know me, know that I am motivated by song, and their lyrics. "What it Means" by Jeremy Camp, not only rocks, but it has become a sort of theme song for me. About where I am, and where I am trying to go. You can listen to a song clip here (thanks Amazon.com). Here are the Lyrics to "What it means", by Jeremy Camp.
What it Means by Jeremy Camp
-----------------------------
I’ve been here a thousand times before
Face down on the floor
Wondering how I even reached this place again
But, You have shown so endlessly, how Your love pours over me
No picture can re-create the beauty that I see
Chorus:
Show me what it means, to live my life a sacrifice
If only I would realize how much it took to pay the price
I know I’d always give, everything to You
I want this world to see
Your perfect majesty
Reflecting from my life this brilliant poetry
Written all over this place
The signs of all creation that You breathed
Words can’t even state how much You mean to me
Chorus:
I want to face my very crime
Of not giving all of mine
But I can feel the hope You bring to me
(2x’s)
Chorus:
What it Means by Jeremy Camp
-----------------------------
I’ve been here a thousand times before
Face down on the floor
Wondering how I even reached this place again
But, You have shown so endlessly, how Your love pours over me
No picture can re-create the beauty that I see
Chorus:
Show me what it means, to live my life a sacrifice
If only I would realize how much it took to pay the price
I know I’d always give, everything to You
I want this world to see
Your perfect majesty
Reflecting from my life this brilliant poetry
Written all over this place
The signs of all creation that You breathed
Words can’t even state how much You mean to me
Chorus:
I want to face my very crime
Of not giving all of mine
But I can feel the hope You bring to me
(2x’s)
Chorus:
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Prayer for the Day...
Father, to do Your will is my delight (Ps 40:9). "Not my will but Yours be done" (Lk 22:42) (from One Bread, One Body, 01/23/07)
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Welcome ... Just what is this blog all about anyway?
Updated 07/24/2008: Why are we doing it? Because we are a World Vision family. Our family extends beyond these 4 walls, our roof, and the four people living here. Our family extends beyond the 7 year old boy we sponsor in Guatemala. It extends beyond the family we sponsor in Ghana. And it extends beyond the 7 year old boy, whom we recently visited, in Ethiopia. We have seen first hand the awesome work World does, and the hope and joy they bring to communities in need. Why are we doing it? Because we are blessed here in the United States. Whatever our own personal circumstances are, however dire, we are all blessed beyond our means. Why are we doing it? Because as the bible says ...to whom much is given, much will be expected...
Updated 05/13/2008: We have a new goal, but it is a part of the same story, the same mission. This blog continues to journal the adoption journey for our second son (aka E2). At the same time, the blog chronicles Ted's athletic journey as a member of Team World Vision. The races he trains for and competes in, and the support and awareness he, and Team World Vision, is trying to raise for improvised families and children in AIDS impacted regions of Africa, particularly from Ethiopia (E2's home). So grab a seat, buckle up, and enjoy the ride...
Updated 09/13/2007: As Ted's 2007 Event/race season comes to a close with the Chicago Marathon on October 7th, 2007. This blog will begin to focus more on the progress and events associated with the adoption of our 2nd child. We are currently waiting for a referral for an infant boy from Ethiopia.
What would you do, how far would you go, how much would you sacrifice to aid your family, to save a loved one?
For the past few years, I have enjoyed running, biking, and swimming, especially in Sprint distance Triathlons. But the excitement and satisfaction was also somewhat empty. That is why this year; I am dedicating my whole year to a greater cause, for a purpose that goes far beyond personal satisfaction.
For me, I hope that by pushing myself to my very limits, physically, and mentally, that I am able to touch someone’s life, to help a child, to come to the aid of a family. If I can do that, then all the blood, sweat, and tears would have all be worth it.
In 2007, with your prayers and support I will persevere through:
• May 6: my 1st Great Western Trail ½ marathon (13.1 mile run)
• June 10: my 4th Batavia Sprint Triathlon (400meter swim, 14.7 mile bike, 4.1 mile run)
• July 22: my 1st Spirit of Racine ½ Ironman Triathlon (1.2mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run)
• August 4: my 1st Copperman Sprint Triathlon (0.5mile swim, 18.5 mile bike, 5 mile run)
• August 26: my 2nd Accenture Chicago Triathlon (.93mile swim, 24.8 mile bike, 6.2 mile run)
• October 7: my 1st LaSalle Chicago Marathon (26.2 mile run)
This blog will chronicle my progress, motivations, and inspirations.
To help this goal become a reality, I have teamed up with my favorite Humanitarian organization, World Vision. World Vision is a Christian Humanitarian Relief and Development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty.
In Africa
• an entire generation is dying. Mothers. Fathers. Teachers. Farmers. Even pastors. Working men and women. Dead.
• 15 million children have been orphaned due to AIDS (That's around the same as the total number of high school students in the U.S.)
• 6,000 people die everyday of the disease.
• In 2005 more than 2.8 million people died because of AIDS - That's equal to a plague killing off the entire population of Chicago.
• Every day more than 29,000 children die, mostly due to preventable/treatable diseases and lack of clean water.
But this is not a hopeless situation. Not if people like us are willing to stand up and use our One Life to Do Something about it.
Even a little money can go a long way to help! Here are some examples:
• $30 can feed a child for a month
• $50 can give 30 medicine sets to clinics in Africa
• $100 can provide a low interest small business loan for an impoverished mother
• $360 can feed a child for a year
• $500 provides 20 orphan care kits
• $1000 can educate 10 AIDS orphans for one year
Two simple ways that you can help to support my efforts:
1) You can pray for me, and for all the children and families I am trying to help
and
2) You can click on the "DONATE NOW" button on the right hand side of the blog
Won’t you help me to make that difference?
May the Peace of our Lord be always with you,
Ted
Updated 05/13/2008: We have a new goal, but it is a part of the same story, the same mission. This blog continues to journal the adoption journey for our second son (aka E2). At the same time, the blog chronicles Ted's athletic journey as a member of Team World Vision. The races he trains for and competes in, and the support and awareness he, and Team World Vision, is trying to raise for improvised families and children in AIDS impacted regions of Africa, particularly from Ethiopia (E2's home). So grab a seat, buckle up, and enjoy the ride...
Updated 09/13/2007: As Ted's 2007 Event/race season comes to a close with the Chicago Marathon on October 7th, 2007. This blog will begin to focus more on the progress and events associated with the adoption of our 2nd child. We are currently waiting for a referral for an infant boy from Ethiopia.
What would you do, how far would you go, how much would you sacrifice to aid your family, to save a loved one?
For the past few years, I have enjoyed running, biking, and swimming, especially in Sprint distance Triathlons. But the excitement and satisfaction was also somewhat empty. That is why this year; I am dedicating my whole year to a greater cause, for a purpose that goes far beyond personal satisfaction.
For me, I hope that by pushing myself to my very limits, physically, and mentally, that I am able to touch someone’s life, to help a child, to come to the aid of a family. If I can do that, then all the blood, sweat, and tears would have all be worth it.
In 2007, with your prayers and support I will persevere through:
• May 6: my 1st Great Western Trail ½ marathon (13.1 mile run)
• June 10: my 4th Batavia Sprint Triathlon (400meter swim, 14.7 mile bike, 4.1 mile run)
• July 22: my 1st Spirit of Racine ½ Ironman Triathlon (1.2mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run)
• August 4: my 1st Copperman Sprint Triathlon (0.5mile swim, 18.5 mile bike, 5 mile run)
• August 26: my 2nd Accenture Chicago Triathlon (.93mile swim, 24.8 mile bike, 6.2 mile run)
• October 7: my 1st LaSalle Chicago Marathon (26.2 mile run)
This blog will chronicle my progress, motivations, and inspirations.
To help this goal become a reality, I have teamed up with my favorite Humanitarian organization, World Vision. World Vision is a Christian Humanitarian Relief and Development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty.
In Africa
• an entire generation is dying. Mothers. Fathers. Teachers. Farmers. Even pastors. Working men and women. Dead.
• 15 million children have been orphaned due to AIDS (That's around the same as the total number of high school students in the U.S.)
• 6,000 people die everyday of the disease.
• In 2005 more than 2.8 million people died because of AIDS - That's equal to a plague killing off the entire population of Chicago.
• Every day more than 29,000 children die, mostly due to preventable/treatable diseases and lack of clean water.
But this is not a hopeless situation. Not if people like us are willing to stand up and use our One Life to Do Something about it.
Even a little money can go a long way to help! Here are some examples:
• $30 can feed a child for a month
• $50 can give 30 medicine sets to clinics in Africa
• $100 can provide a low interest small business loan for an impoverished mother
• $360 can feed a child for a year
• $500 provides 20 orphan care kits
• $1000 can educate 10 AIDS orphans for one year
Two simple ways that you can help to support my efforts:
1) You can pray for me, and for all the children and families I am trying to help
and
2) You can click on the "DONATE NOW" button on the right hand side of the blog
Won’t you help me to make that difference?
May the Peace of our Lord be always with you,
Ted
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