Marathon: My personal journey

While traveling in Chicago this week, I saw a billboard that said “Beware of the underdog”. It featured a prospective Olympic athlete. I must say that I loved the billboard. I loved it because it reminded me of the many times in my life that I have played the role of underdog. I have played this in athletics and in business.

My ten reasons to compete like an underdog everyday:

In your running efforts and in business, operate like an underdog and you will enjoy success more often than not.

Many of you have heard or tolerated my rants about details or the margin of error between good teams, average and championship teams.  My take is that a winner does 10% of the “little” things better than their opponent.

The most talented teams don’t always win. All of this does translate well to business or running. For example, the following things are needed to successfully complete a marathon:

Everything is planned to the exact detail! It separates the finisher from the rest. Just like in any other sport or business situation!

Running is such an awesome sport. One of the most fun things about running that I love is running with my good friends or “buddies”.  The metaphor of life and running is so clear. In life, your friends support you and get you through tough times. They share the laughter and joy of success and happiness.

Lynn Breithaupt and Amy Reed are pictured below. I enjoy their friendship. I have been fortunate to have run with them in many races together. They motivate me and we always have fun. They exemplify how important it is to enjoy your friends and they are great running buddies too. One race we never miss is the annual Turkey Trot. The pre and post race pictures are great because they trigger so many positive memories.

Go Run!

A day before I turned 40, I ran my first full marathon in Chicago. It was special because I was able to run in the city I grew up in, my entire family was there to see me run, and I learned a ton about myself. I thought the most special part of the race was going to be “crossing the finish line”. During my training, I would “visualize” what the finish would be like.

As a new father (my son was 1.5 years old), the most special part was the moment I saw my son and got to hold him. The run was great, grueling, demanding and took everything that I had and more. When I held my son, I forgot about any of the pains, trials and triumphs. He was the most important to me.  

Today, my wife sent me this picture and it took me back. It says a thousand words to me. As my son grows, I strive to be the best father and example for him. I will show him this picture and tell him about the joy I had. 

I will tell him that toughness is earned through preparation and performing is all about execution. When you execute and finish, the feeling is immeasurable. Learning how to finish is a test of your commitment. When you commit to something, you can do anything!

This was the lesson running a marathon taught me. It is often said that once you cross the finish line of a marathon, you will never be the same. From experience, this is so true. To my family and friends, thank you for supporting me.

I look forward to a killer racing season and many more memories.

Run strong- Jim

This past football season, my son and I were walking to Kinnick and had this fun exchange with Norm Parker. Norm was driving his golf cart through the crowd. It was awesome. My son is 4, so you can imagine how much fun he had with this.

I told my son that is “NORM” on the golf tractor (we call golf carts golf tractors). My son loved my enthusiasm for saying Norm’s name, so he did this….

My son shouted: NORM!

Norm (waves): Hey little guy.

My son (shouts): I am Nile.

Norm: Love your name.

My son Nile: go hawks.

Norm: Gave my son a HUGE SMILE!

You could tell that Norm loved the fans. We loved him. It has often been said that to get love, you have to give it. Norm- we are sure going to miss you a ton. Your spirit will always live in Iowa City.

Photo Source: http://thegazette.com/2014/01/13/norm-parker-1941-2014/

I have been dying to write more about Norm Parker, since I learned about his passing. My next three or four blogs will continue to be about Norm. After watching a ton of video about Norm, reading articles and reminiscing about the times I met him, it occurred to me how simple it was to just love him to pieces. It’s because he was genuine. The real deal.

On the field, Norm earned respect of his players, opponents and fellow coaches by giving respect first. I love this. However, the part I love the most was the way he loved his son Jeff. He loved Jeff so much. Jeff had down’s syndrome and that never mattered. Norm said this about Jeff “he is my buddy”. If you ever saw Norm and Jeff together, it would just warm your heart.

Matt Bowen is one of my favorite players from the past for a lot of reasons. He just wrote an article about how Norm saved his life. Matt’s son was born with down’s syndrome too and the most awesome part of the article is how Norm said to Matt “You’ve just been delivered an angel from heaven”. You should read Matt’s account, but my perspective on this is “AMEN”. All children are gifts from god and we should cherish them every day.

Norm, you were a great coach and an even greater father. I have been fortunate to have a successful career in business, and I can tell you that my greatest career is being a father to my son. Sometimes I don’t know what I did to get so lucky. Norm- you were an inspiration as a father and I thank you for spreading it around and showing us the right way to do it. We will miss you, but your legacy lives on. Go Hawks!

I pulled Norm’s quote from The Gazette’s story about Matt Bowen, and it can be found here (you should really read it!):

http://thegazette.com/2014/01/13/norm-parker-saved-my-life/

Image from: http://thegazette.com/2014/01/13/norm-parker-was-a-rock-with-a-heart/

Today, I learned that one of my favorite coaches in the world passed away. His name was Norm Parker and he was a legend in college football. I was fortunate to meet him a few times over the years. As I reflected on this loss of a tremendous human being and a coach, I remember this exchange during a fan fest. I could tell that Norm had a ton of courage and loved the “moxy” of the young lady.

During a Fan Fest, Norm was talking to a group of fifty fans. He asked if anyone had questions for him and immediately an eight year old girl popped up and here is a summary of the exchange:

Girl: Mr. Parker, my uncle and my brother wanted to ask you why you don’t blitz more, but they were afraid to ask you.

Norm: First, I applaud you for having the courage to ask such a difficult question for your brother and your uncle. Blitzing is like throwing a toaster into a full bathtub with someone in it. If the toaster is unplugged, then they will be OK. If it is plugged in, then it’s over. The same thing is true with blitzing, so we play it cautious. It comes down to the situation and your personnel match-ups.  

Girl: OK.

Norm: Wait- don’t you have a question for yourself?

Girl: Yes…why do our corner backs give such a big cushion and why don’t your corner backs play more press coverage?

I will elaborate on that answer later this week. Norm Parker- you were always such a class act. You loved your players, the fans and the game. I will always remember your advice about the journey vs. the result. It will stay with me for a very long time. My dad loved you and your style. I have no doubt that you both are up in heaven talking about the hawks and defensive strategy. Rest in Peace.

  

A friend of mine lived as a homeless person for two days in the bitter cold. He rewarded anyone who donated money with a gift. TV stations picked up the story and I know it made a HUGE impact. The impact resulted in people stepping up to volunteer, donate time, money, etc to local shelters. 

Below you will find a picture of Jeff Lenhart. He is the amazing person who did this. A link to the story is provided too. 

While training and running a marathon, it is mission critical to have proper perspective. This is why running marathons train you for life or vice versa.  As runners, we are all privileged to be able to run. We need to remember this most basic perspective.  I am thinking about taking my next race (it will be probably a smaller race like a 5K or 10K) and raising money for the homeless.  

What do you think of the idea?

See Story (Click Below)

http://www.kwwl.com/story/24411214/2014/01/09/man-goes-undercover-as-homeless-to-spread-kindness?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=9713785&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=9713785

True to form and gender, multitasking is not something I do well in stressful conditions. To illustrate, I was working on three different things at the end of the year. I was typing, checking phone messages and was just about to eat lunch.

In the midst of this, I was trying to “practice” one of my new years resolutions…to drink more green tea. In my multitasking haste, I was a split second away from putting Sriracha into my Jasmine green tea. WOW! 

WOW! WOW!

I love Sriracha, but that could have been disastrous. If you get a chance, read the article on Sriracha in BusinessWeek. You will appreciate the founder and condiment to a greater level.

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-02-21/sriracha-hot-sauce-catches-fire-with-only-one-rooster

Enjoy!

Jim