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Monday, June 30, 2014
Commitment by Beth McGorry!

Commitment by Beth McGorry!

So Jim asked me to guest blog for him this week. He thought commitment would be a great topic. What he didn't know is that this is the hardest thing in the world for me to do. I joke that I’m the president of Quitters Anonymous. I have been so afraid of commitment for the past 20 years it’s almost funny. 

I started my blog bethiesaidyes.blogspot.com back in May because I’m training for my first half-marathon in September. When I told my brother I signed up, he asked me if I was drunk. I then told him about the blog and he was like nothing like putting yourself out there. But I had to put it all out there. Otherwise, I’d quit.

I have failed to finish so many things, but I am so ready for this to change. I think so many of us fight to find the motivation to commit to challenging opportunities. At this point I feel like I have found the motivation to not screw this up and not self-destruct.  One of my great supporters put it perfectly. He told me this half marathon I’m training for is the cap on the old life of Beth and the new one gets to move on. 

The commitment to changing our lives is so hard. But I am here to tell you I’m ready. I have stopped dreaming of the finish line. Instead I have committed to each day of training.  I know even the best runners have bad days when they don’t want to run. My great little brother always reminds me you never regret working out. I have never regretted eating right or running a race or helping support someone else. 

For so many years I would think to myself, why can’t that be me… losing weight, running a race, or committing to training. Well, it was all me. I was afraid of the commitment to change. Right now I don’t regret a thing. I am truly committed to not failing. This is the most selfish thing I have ever done and I’m proud of it. By committing to this change I commit to you all that I’m not going to give up… And I’m going to get up every morning and maybe fight to get out at 4:30 am to run. But I’m going to be there in my Life is Good cap running the streets of Dubuque. Join me if you want. I may not talk, but I’ll be there.


Saturday, June 28, 2014
Twisted Blister sets a Personal Record @ Run4Troops!

Twisted Blister sets a Personal Record @ Run4Troops!

What a great day for racing! It was super hot toward the end, but records fell! Twisted Blister beat last year's time by 7 minutes for the full marathon! WOO HOO! I think it's safe to assume we are all tired and thankful. The Calico Bean Market shirts ROCKED. Thanks Teri and Nile:) We are thankful for the opportunity to run, for our friends and family...and most important for all of the military who serve and have served. They give it all, so we can live. Thank you so much...we can never repay you!



Friday, June 27, 2014
Your Twisted Blister starting lineup brought to you by the Calico Bean
Market

Your Twisted Blister starting lineup brought to you by the Calico Bean Market

Alright! Tomorrow the Twisted Blister team is ready to rock the run for troops! Here is your starting lineup! 

Run 4 Troops 
Leg 1 (6.6 miles) - Zach Shank
Leg 2 (4.4 miles) - Beth Kuhle
Leg 3 (3.6 miles) - Beth Shank
Leg 4 (4.5 miles) - Val Loewenberg
Leg 5 (3.4 miles) - Chris Loewenberg
Leg 6 (3.7 miles) - Deb Otto/Jim Connely

Deb and I are excited and honored to bat cleanup! Twisted Blister is poised to beat our time from last year. Runners are heading to bed shortly and will dream of a perfect race. A special thanks to our families and friends for the support. To the Calico Bean/Teri Connely, thank you so much for the shirts. We are excited to represent! 

Last but not least, I would like to thank all of those who serve and have served our country. To anyone who lost a loved one, we will say prayers for you. To the POW/MIA, we say prayers and await your safe  return. 

Tomorrow, I would like to dedicate my leg to the following: 

JP & Leigh Rast- you both are amazing and I am proud to run for you!
James Robert Connely- miss you Dad, you have the best seat in the house- talk me through it all!
My Mom & Sisters...Jimmy did it...love you guys!
Willis Christ- man I miss you Biffy. Watch the smile on Teri/Nile's face, it a miracle!
Teri/Nile- you guys are the BEST fans and I love seeing you cheer me on. It makes me run faster! 
Sonny Dunagan- miss you Uncle Sonny, I miss your laugh and smile. The Huey picture is for you.
All of my friends and family- I can't thank each of you enough! You rock!


Image source:

http://www.aviationspectator.com/more-aviation-photos?page=68

Thursday, June 26, 2014
Race Week = New Gear for Calico Bean Market Racing/Twisted Blister!

Race Week = New Gear for Calico Bean Market Racing/Twisted Blister!

Good evening!

Special thanks to Teri Connely and the Calico Bean Market for buying us new shirts. Twisted Blister will have new gear for the run for troops! The run for troops is awesome because it's military style race (for the relay) and it is all about supporting the military & military families.

I am stoked about these shirts for a couple of reasons:

  1. The Twisted Blister logo was designed by Chris Loewenberg and it displayed on the front. We love our team name and teammates! 
  2. On the sleeve, there is a small reminder from the Ultimate Warrior called 6:16 AM. I like this because it speaks to the motivation and ability in all of us. We just need to awaken it!
  3. Last, but not least. The Calico Bean Market on the back of the shirt. I love this logo and have a ton of pride for this awesome brand/store my wife has built. If you haven't stopped in to try the peanut butter or specialty olive oils, then you need to! They are amazing. Most importantly, you will get great service from the wonderful staff! 


The legendary Iowa Hawkeye football coach, Hayden Fry used to talk about "looking good on the field". He referenced the uniforms of the Iowa Hawkeyes. They were modeled after the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Iowa Hawkeyes played better, after he changed their uniforms.

How does this relate to the Twisted Blister relay team? 
We are all ready to rock the house at the run for troops. Every runner is in great shape and focused. We will look great and will run fast. Most of all, we will have FUN! I will post our lineup tomorrow with special commentary.

See you Saturday!




Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Race Week Part 1

Race Week Part 1

Good evening!

Tonight I am super excited, as we prepare for this weekend. This weekend is the run for troops marathon & marathon relay. I am running it with some awesome friends. We have a team called Twisted Blister. This race is awesome because it's military style and it is all about supporting local military families. Last year, they raised $6,000. That's awesome!

My wife's store, the Calico Bean Market is doing something special for our relay team. I will show you in tomorrow's blog. Hint-hint...it's going to be AWESOME!

In advance, thank you Teri for supporting our team.

GO TWISTED BLISTER! 

Image source: http://www.run4troops.com/index.html
Sunday, June 22, 2014
A couple of weeks and it begins!

A couple of weeks and it begins!

It looks like our journey officially starts in a couple of weeks. I am so happy to have you join me. For training, I am going back and forth on the exact plan. However, I think it will be the Nike+ training plan. I am doing a bunch of things different so far. Here is a quick list:

  • Cross training
  • Core training
  • Reading
  • Eating better
  • Speed work
  • Next, I need to address the sleep issue! I need to get more sleep. Yahoooo!


http://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/mens-mcm-in-training-podium-short-sleeve-running-shirt

Saturday, June 21, 2014
A sluggish last run of the week:)

A sluggish last run of the week:)

Today, I ran for the last time this week. I was all pumped up last night and this a.m. I felt a bit sluggish. This is an understatement. As a matter of fact, my wife Teri asked me "what took you so long to get out for your run today?".

My answer: I felt tired.

So, I still got out there and ran. I felt great after the run- and parts of my run were awesome. However, I ran a bit slow and just wasn't feeling it today.

I am going to chalk it up to "I got out there".

Guess what? 15 days until Marine Corp Marathon training starts. YES!


Image source:
http://www.how-to-draw-funny-cartoons.com/cartoon-snail.html
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Don't put the bats away too early!

Don't put the bats away too early!

My Dad used to coach a team that I played baseball on. He was the third base coach. We were beating a team 28-2. Yes you read this correct, in baseball. It was the top of the last inning and the other team was at bat. The head coach said “let’s put our bats away- we won’t need them”. Guess what….we lost the game 28-31. The moral of the story…play it all of the way through and don’t put your bats away early. If you have a lead, keep driving forward.

This applies to business and running races. You have to finish the job at hand. This could be the sale, meeting or project. In a race, the finish line must be earned. 

The head coach and my Dad never put the bats away early ever again. I never have either. The memory was a painful, but good one. It helped me later in life. The head coach would have a serious smile when he talked about that loss. To add more color for you, the team that beat us was a HUGE rival. :)



Image source: 
http://www.firstbasecoach.com/baseball-bat-reviews/


Wednesday, June 18, 2014
In 18 days....

In 18 days....

In 18 days, my formal journey to the Marine Corp Marathon starts. I am so excited about this bucket list item. In training and during the race, I will wear the Brooks Dyad 7. The Dyad series is the only shoe I have ever run full marathons in.

I love my Skechers and want to try the Newtons. However, I must go with what I know works and works well. Get ready shoes, we are on a mission to PR the full in DC! #runwiththemarines


Monday, June 16, 2014
PR Scandal???

PR Scandal???

This weekend, I ran the Grandview Gallop in Dubuque, IA. For a race of this distance, I am proud to report a PR! At the beginning of the race, I thought about my legs being tired...and quickly wiped that thought away- FAST!

I ran well and was able to record a PR- WOO HOO! Afterwards, I received a ton of questions from reporters. Here is a brief transcript:

Reporter: How did you feel throughout the race?
Jim: At the start, I didn't feel like my legs were at their best. Physically, my legs felt sluggish. However, mentally I felt solid.
Reporter: With your legs feeling sluggish, how did you manage to earn a PR?
Jim: I was able to blast through in BEAST MODE and had a great first mile. From there it was managing to the distance.
Reporter: Some of your fellow runners are circulating a scandal that you had an extra foot in the race. Is this true?
Jim: Just smiles.
Reporter: No seriously, did you have an extra foot in this race?
Jim: BOOM SHAKKA LAKKA.
Reporter: What does that mean?
Jim: No further questions:)

I really love the fact that my son is always with me. I thought about my Dad during the run too. I miss him. During the run, I would say a quick prayer of thanks for my family. My wife Teri is so supportive of my running, and I so appreciate that! I wore a Calico Bean Market shirt during the race and people would say they LOVE the peanut butter!

As for the extra foot in the race, here is proof.
The results (I was soooo close to breaking the 10 minute mile:)):
and last but not least....taking it to the shack! Thanks Mia Burbach for taking the photo and for volunteering!


Sunday, June 15, 2014
Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day

From the bottom of my heart, I wish each of you a happy father's day! Today was a special day. I found myself thinking about how blessed I am to have a son and how much I miss my Dad. I thought about how my Dad shuffling his slippers on the carpet made me feel safe all of the time. I miss talking to him, telling stories and laughing. Right now, we would be lamenting the Blackhawks losing in the playoffs and how we both felt that Iowa is in for a KILLER season in football.

We would talk about my marathon training and his favorite subject...his grandson. He would probably say "bring me the boy". I would just smile like crazy to hear that.

This picture is so special to me. Dad- I miss you like crazy. I hope you had a great day.

This video will make you really feel the special nature of father's day. 


Friday, June 13, 2014
It's not personal.....

It's not personal.....

It's not personal.....it's business! This is a common phrase in business today. I am saying this now, as I start to think about tomorrow's race. I am running the Grandview Gallop. I have run this race a number of times, but my last was a significant one for me.

I was physically dominated by the course and the heat. I was out of shape and showed a flash of not being mentally tough. I won't go through those details, as they are in the past. :)

Tomorrow, I am excited about the race! I am in the best shape I have ever been going into the race and I have a solid mental plan. Emotionally, I still remember the last race and will leave you with one last thought.

The Grandview Gallop will be both personal and business for me tomorrow. I am expecting myself to run well tomorrow and will be smiling the whole way!

To all of my friends running or spectating tomorrow (any race), I wish you good luck! How about a quick WOO HOO!



Wednesday, June 11, 2014
As seen on my run!

As seen on my run!

Ever since my issue of not getting up early on Monday, I have been rocking the runs early. It feels good to get out earlier, as I can put more miles on the Skechers Go Run 2's:)

While running, I came across this awesome picture of a minion. A neighbor girl drew this and a ton of other stuff. She is a great artist...The minion is so cute, I couldn't resist taking a picture and sharing it with you. I hope you smile big like I did!

The minions ROCK! 


Monday, June 9, 2014
Sleepy Head

Sleepy Head

Last night, I said to my wife Teri "I am so excited for my morning run tomorrow". I told myself, pop up out of bed at 5:30 a.m..

Sounds great- right? I am motivated, internal alarm clock is ready.

Teri nudges me to wake up at 5:30 a.m. on the dot.

Jim wakes and talks himself into closing his eyes for five minutes. At 6:10 a.m. Teri said "Jim did you run yet".

In a flash, I shoot up and had to run really fast to get my mileage in. I was glad I did it, but mad at myself.

The moral of the story...listen to your body, get to bed early and rise early. Your body needs to rest to be in tip top shape.

OK...here we go again, I am excited for my morning run tomorrow. My goal to get up and out the door by 5:40 a.m. This way, I can get more miles in.

WOO HOO!


Image source:
http://peanuts.wikia.com/wiki/File:WoodSleepingSnoopy.jpg
Sunday, June 8, 2014
It's not where you start, it is how you finish!

It's not where you start, it is how you finish!

As a business person who recruits talent, I always say this "It's not where you start, it is how you finish!" This is so true. All careers start small and turn into something. That something is up to you.

This is a close parallel to running a race. I have talked to many runners and have experienced this first hand. Getting to the start line is the first step to being awesome. Being awesome in a race is finishing. Often people ask me "how long did that race take you?", which is a simple question. Anymore, I will just answer with a "I finished".

Below is a picture of a group of people (I am the bald guy pictured) starting the Heritage Trail run in Dubuque, IA. To date, it was my best 10K finish. I have many memories from this race, but the most memorable is the finish:)


Saturday, June 7, 2014
Remember those who sacrificed the most for us!

Remember those who sacrificed the most for us!

I hope you are all having a great Saturday! If you are working, spending time with family, doing chores, going to a farmer's market, etc.- I hope you have a great day! 

As we all have a great day, I ask you a quick favor. Remember those who have sacrificed the most for us. It could be your mom, dad, sister, brother, friend....and you know me, I always have a strong thought for those in the military. In particular, please say a quick prayer or send a positive thought for a POW/MIA and their families.

The thoughts and prayers will really help them, so thank you!

Last thought, make this day a special one. Go out and enjoy it!

Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Did I take BEAST MODE too far on National Running Day?

Did I take BEAST MODE too far on National Running Day?

So today I got an early start and was all smiles out the door, as it is national running day! I had a five mile run ahead....I was running in FULL BEAST MODE, listening to some good tunes and my trusty Nike plus app.

On top of it, I used the Charity Miles app to generate some funding and goodwill for autism today. It makes me feel good to share the gift of running and giving back to charities. Last night, my wife and I were talking about recent reports of a black bear sighted in our county and last year we had a mountain lion too. This always puts a little "extra" edge on an early morning run.




It's all good for me though, as it's national running day, I am having a great workout....and I can't stop smiling since being mentioned by Shalane Flanagan (+ShalaneFlanagan). As a double bonus, through the Nike Plus Shalane told me I was close to my goal and you know that made me run even faster- WOO HOO! 

I get to a point where I want to switch songs for better speed and confidence. My go to song is "Black" by Sevendust (https://www.facebook.com/sevendustofficial). This song straight up rocks and is just the prescription for me to really zoom. I am looking down at my phone, and this is a familiar spot for me on my route.

While there is a brief moment of silence, BOOM! I am greeted by a possum that ran out of this grassy area! Talk about BEAST MODE!!! This scared the ever living daylights out of me. My phone dropped, headphones flew out, my heart was racing out of my chest and I was a mess. Seriously, I thought I was going to lose bodily function at this point. I had this startled look.

Honestly, I don't know what would have been worse, a black bear, a mountain lion or the fierce possum. This isn't the possum, but it looks pretty close. Even the possum was getting into the national running day- who knew? This little guy was super fast!


As my run finished, I was greeted one last time by Shalane (+ShalaneFlanagan) on the Nike Plus app. She told me that I have a three day streak, keep it up and BOOM! The BOOM part is probably my #1 used phrase (I say BOOM SHAKKA LAKKA), so you know I loved that!

In any event, happy national running day. When running in full BEAST MODE, be careful. Even the wild beasts can get in the mix. Don't fret...they just like getting in the action too. I hope your running adventures keep you smiling!
:)

Cori from Olive to Run has a cool "linkup" for bloggers on this awesome day. Check out the site:
http://olivetorun.com/

Image Source:




Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Hanging with Shalane Flanagan & Lita Ford got me in trouble!

Hanging with Shalane Flanagan & Lita Ford got me in trouble!

While on my morning run, I was having a blast. I thought it would be great to mix up some speed work. I am zooming along, listening to Lita Ford (+Lita Ford) sing "Playin with Fire". I love Lita's voice and as a younger person, I had a HUGE crush on her too:) I think of Lita and miss this sign....

Then Shalane Flanagan (+Shalane Flanagan) tells me (on the Nike + app) that I am close to my goal, so I really start kicking the speed work into HIGH gear or BEAST MODE! Oops...I miss this sign.

Uh-OH! It looks like my BEAST MODE switch being stuck in the "ON" mode coupled with Lita, Shalane caused me to get a ticket for speeding! @#$%! $375 fine. It applies to cars, bicycling and YES running. I did not know this until today. I am bummed about my fine, but I have this cool picture as a souvenir. I looked online and found my photo. #bustedinbeastmode


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