Are We Committed?

Stacie, Jared, and I completed one of our first long runs yesterday in preparation for the St. Jude Marathon.  It was a test of sorts to see if we were really still committed to attempting the 26.2 miles of torture.

I’m running from the Intermediate I schedule and they are running from the Novice I schedule.  Mine called for me to do 14 miles while they were to complete 12.

We’re really at that point of deciding if we can do this or not.  The mileage is now high enough that eating and resting are as much of our planning as the running.  This is the point where it is as much mental as physical.  The question is this:  Barring any physical injury can we mentally discipline ourselves to really do it?

We finished yesterday in a little over 2 hours of running, soaking wet and legs almost unable to move.  In addition to that, a few hot spots and just plain body fatigue.

Once everyone was home, I asked if we were still doing this or not.  Jared gave a positive yes, while Stacie was a little less enthusiastic. 

Next weekend will be an even bigger challenge.  I have to do 15 and they are scheduled for 13.  If everything is still a go after this, we’ll make the financial committment and register.

Vacation Summary

We finally made it home in one long drive.  It actually wasn’t too bad except for the snarl in Birmingham.  We will definitely go back some day.  Highlights were:

• Savannah and all the history
• Paula Deen’s Restaurant
• The Crab Shack (we like to eat)
• The Tybee Lighthouse
• The beach (not crowded at all!)
• Our Condo/house
• Running on the beach

Click on the link for photos > Photos

Tybee Island – Part 4

Tate did this video from the Tybee lighthouse.  It was really funny due to our creative differences.  HA!

Tybee Island – Part 3

We have created a monster with Tate and his videos.  He did this one on his own trying to include his brother Jared.  I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.  He is amazing with his determination!

Tybee Island – Part – 2

Tybee Island Vblog

Is this R&R

I was supposed to be able to spend this past week at home to catch up on work and a little R&R .  I was able to catch up on some work but the R&R, well, it didn’t happen.

Last Sunday was Jared’s graduation from the University of Memphis.  After graduation we took him and his friend Kate to Boscos for a late lunch only to figure out that Boscos had no clue how to serve people after 2:00 PM.  So in Mark Watson fashion, we left and I reminded them on the way out that all they really sell is service, of which they had none.  We went on down the road to Houston’s who is all about service.  They were covered up at 2:00 PM but seemed to enjoy five more patrons.

The rest of the week was spent on conference calls and trekking back and forth to my other facility in Batesville, Mississippi.  Long days and short nights.

I thought Saturday was shaping up to be a great day with perfect weather only to receive a call about 3:00 PM that Tate was being transported by ambulance from Lifetime Fitness to Collierville Baptist Hospital.  He went swimming with a friend and bumped his head on the slide and “knocked” himself out.

Everything turned out OK.  We were fortunate to meet the remaining Fire and Rescue team of both Germantown and Collierville (we know them all because of Tate).  He was released and came home in wet bathing suit, hospital gown, and skid resistant socks!

Next week in upstate New York is sounding better all the time!

Look What I Found!

Stacie and I have been trying to increase our running mileage in preparation for a semi committed run at the St. Jude Marathon in December.  She is training from the Novice schedule and I’m working from the Intermediate.

Today on our training we split up do the mileage differences.  She ran the greenbelts while I went to the Wolf River Trail.  On longer miles I like the trails and the nature.  Today was no exception except I got a little surprise.

About 2 miles into the run I saw a stick on the trail and began to leap over it only to discover in mid stride the stick was actually a snake.  I leaped so hard I looked like the Jordan Nike jump.  My body was so tense I could have pinched a 16 penny nails off with my glutes! 

Instead of looking for deer for the remaining run I kept focused on the ground.  I was starting to feel that was a fluke of nature until about mile 4 when an even bigger snake was in the middle of the trail.  I stopped short of this one only to have him hiss at me and slither into the woods.

When I got home, I looked up to verify what kind of snake I was dealing with and found it to be the Cottonmouth Water Moccasin.  One of the few poisonous snakes in Tennessee.

I’m thinking I may search out some more running trails!

Cottonmouth Snake

Home Away From Home

I just completed my 6th week in up state New York.  I’ve been working here on business and will continue to do so until we complete the restructure, which should be sometime in late December.

When you know your going to be living somewhere temporarily you try to find ways to make it “home.”  For me that means getting to know the local culture, fun places to eat, local hang-outs, and finding some running routes.

Last night I ran down by Seneca Lake, behind the Ramada and thru the interstate tunnel.  Then I go up the hill at Geneva St. and around the block and back down Seneca to my hotel.  All in all it is about 7 miles.  Since I have made this trek several times, people are starting to speak to me as I go by.  Last night some of my coworkers that hang out ocassionally at the Lake Ice Cream shop hollered as I ran by.  Then as I ran down Seneca, a few of the bar patrons at Pink’s hollered to cheer me on.

Today I fly back to Memphis for a much needed stay at home.  I will stay home for a week and then return to my temporary residence in Geneva, NY.  Visiting small towns can be fun once they accept you as one of their own.  Acceptance is good.  Goooood!

http://www.johnmarkwatson.com/

Leadership Void

There is a crisis going on in this country.  No, it’s not the economy.  It’s worse.  There is a leadership void.  I see it almost everywhere I look.  It see it in our homes, businesses, churches, and government.  It’s everywhere.

We have people “in charge.”  Or those that give themselves the title as “leader” but fail miserably at leading.  I loved the quotes on Twitter this week by Pastor Rick Warren who said, “I’m unimpressed by guys energetic to lead but allergic to serving.  Dont tell me you love to lead.  Love being a servant.  Matt 20:26.“  His next tweet said, “Leader is not a title you give yourself.  It is given by others after sacrificing & putting their needs first.  Mk.10:45.”

Here is what I look for when looking for potential leaders to head a project in my business.

1. Followers.  Do they currently have any followers?
2. Scope.  What is the scope of their leadership today.  Are they able only to lead like-minded people or are they able to build consensus across different viewpoints?
3. Integrity.  Do they stay true to Godly principles?
4. Accomplishments.  How big is their accomplishment pile today.  Do they have any successes or just a lot of attempts?  They must be results oriented. 
5. Steadfastness.  Will they weather the storms as the waves get bigger.  Or, do they have a history of quitting when it gets hard.
6. Tough calls.  Will the leader make the tough calls?  Admit when something stinks and tell the team.  Or do they work on being so politically correct the message is lost?

Take a look at those around you and see how many will meet the above criterion.  Most of all do you meet that criterion?  If not, when are you going to start?