Angels in my midst, and on the course...

So many thoughts. So many stories. Enough marathon experiences to fill up multiple pages on this blog. I'm going to break them down into multiple posts.

First off, I hope you'll all join in me prayer for the man, with a wife and 3 children, that died today during the running of the 30th Chicago Marathon. News reports indicate he was only 35 years old (two years younger than me). May we be lifted up to our Lord on Angels wings..

I hope you will all join me in another prayer for the greater than 300 race participants that were taken to area hospitals. May their Guardian Angels continue to watch over and protect them.

I think the following says it all in terms of the days (downright brutal) conditions.

CHICAGO (AP) -- Organizers closed the second half of the course just before noon, four hours after the annual race started and with temperatures already at 73 degrees with 86 percent humidity. By 10 a.m., temperatures had already reached a race-record 88 degrees. The previous marathon record of 84 degrees was set in 1979.

On a day that was about World Vision, and our team goal to aid those in great need in Zambia and Ethiopia, its a wonderful feeling to see that the women's race was won by Ethiopia's Berhane Adere.