Mission Accomplished


My Girls

Originally uploaded by Jason Archer

Saturday I hit a goal. A five-year goal. I ran 13.1 miles. This isn’t something that has been easy. I paid for the Indy Mini two years ago to run with Joel Maust. Didn’t finish. Paid for the Chicago Mini last year. Didn’t finish. Actually, didn’t even run either race. This Saturday I changed the trajectory of those failures into a triumph. I finished.

The race was awesome. Joel Miller and trained together since January. If you’ve read this blog before, you’ve seen posts and pics of the journey. Our longest run was 10 miles up until this point. We trained diligently. Fought through some injury, fatigue, and pain. But on the other side was satisfaction.

I think for me as I crossed the finish line, I was surprised by my emotion. I didn’t know what to expect. I wasn’t weepy. I wasn’t really anything. I think I was pretty calm. Matter of fact. Taking care of my business. I set out to do it. I did it. I had visions of hitting the finish line the last 5 months. None of my visions looked like this. The two best parts for me were seeing Micki and Grace just before i crossed the finish. That’s when the emotions started running. The second was Grace and Mick hugging me. Grace telling me how proud she was of me.

This got me to thinking. I think the main reason I wanted to run, not walk, not stop, and finish, was for myself. To extend beyond myself to accomplish a goal. To know I can do it. But I think I also want Grace and Micki to know they can too. For Grace to know because she’s seen her daddy do it, that she can reach beyond herself to do something extraordinary.

I’ve got many more thoughts on this. But I wanted to post something quickly while it was still fresh. Thanks for those of you who prayed for me. Thanks to those of you who encouraged me. Thanks to those of you on Facebook that posted comments at every milestone. Thanks Nathan for getting me started last summer. Thanks Joel for taking on my bellyaching and pulling me to the finish line these past few months. The training was far beneficial than the race. Thanks everyone who reads these words. The great cloud of witnesses makes a difference for this balding, overweight runner. One who isn’t going back now. I’m headed out this afternoon for a light 3-5 miler. Why? Because I can. What can you take away from this? Reach beyond yourself. You can do it. But don’t do it alone. When you come out on the other side, it’s beautiful. I’m definitely enjoying the view.  |  Photo Gallery


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3 responses to “Mission Accomplished”

  1. Joel Maust Avatar

    Congrats, brother! Awesome to hear you kept after the goal and saw it through. I love your determination.

    Makes me want to get out and run some more, too! Nothing quite matches a nice, long run on a sunny day with a light breeze across the face and iPod buds in the ears.

  2. Kim Hayworth Avatar
    Kim Hayworth

    WAY TO GO JASON! Running 13.1 miles without stopping is no small accomplishment. I’m really proud of you especially because you HATE running! I hope through the training you’ve discovered a love for it.

    Grace has such a cool Dad!

  3. Jason Avatar
    Jason

    Thanks guys for the affirmation. It definitely felt good getting beyond myself. Joel, let me know when you wanna go out running. I’m game baby.

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