Less than two months to go...

Freedom Run 2009 - Fargo, ND - Fargo Marathon

Time goes by quick when you're busy. It's hard to believe that there's less than two months left before the next Freedom Run 2009.
Once again, I'm sponsored by a business that helps to keep me healthy and energized, Nutrilite! Last year, Subway and XS were two of my sponsors that helped to make the run a success. I got the chance to meet the guy you see in all the commercials for Subway...Jared Fogle. He's the "Subway guy" that lost a lot of weight on the Subway diet. I don't know his full story, but I'm sure you can find it somewhere if you're really interested in it. He was pretty cool, just a regular nice guy. He loved the fact that I am doing this run.
I've received a lot of support with this venture already. Just in the past two years of doing something a little bit out of the ordinary, it seems to pay off.
Just a couple weeks ago, I got a great honor from one of the greatest (in my mind, THE greatest) organization in the world...the United State Army. It's called the Freedom Team Salute. A war vet by the name of Tom from Mahnomen who does patriotic poetry, which is awesome (www.trappertom.net), sent in some information about my run and efforts of support towards the Army and what they do for all of us here, to make the United State the greatest country to live in. I thank Tom for that, and the US Army for this great honor!
The last couple years, I've been aligned with an organization called Freedom Is Not Free out of California. Helping raise funds for a great group of people that help out families and soldiers who have been injured or killed in combat. For more information about them, check out www.freedomisnotfree.com
I had been trying to get in touch with a more local group, which I think is going to happen this year. I really wanted to someone from FINF to come up from Cali to be part of the events and be seen, which with limited staff on hand and only volunteer efforts made it tough. I can understand that though too. I am going to get in contact with a couple groups that I think will be able to help me get in line with this new organization which helps Minnesota soldiers and their families.
For anyone that doesn't know why I'm doing this...a friend of many, including myself...from my hometown of Red Lake Falls, MN was killed in Fallujah, Iraq on December 2nd, 2006. His name, Corey Rystad. A couple weeks after his funeral, I made the decision to start training for a half marathon, with the final three miles, carrying the red white and blue to the finish line with me. I decided that wasn't enough...I needed to do more. I ran the entire half marathon in Detroit Lakes, MN that fall the entire 13.1 miles with that same flag. May of 2008, it was time to double that distance, with the 3' x 5' flag on my shoulder again. Freedom Run 2008 was created and 2009 I'm comin' back. Not the full 26.2 miles like last year...but back to the half. I'm inviting anyone that wants to run with me, to join my group. I've got about 6-7 people right now that are going to be at my side, with me for the run. You don't have to carry a flag, you don't even have to wear anything special. Just be part of my team, next to me, in support of each other through another Freedom Run.
I've been asked why I do this...why not do something else that doesn't take so much time to prepare for? ....my reasoning...it takes a lot of time to prepare for a fight. It takes a lot of time to get mentally ready for this thing they call a war. My running half or full marathons can not be compared to what Corey and thousands of other soldiers, both men and women have done for our country to fight...for OUR freedoms. They're not fighting just to fight. They're fighting for us. When you defend for a purpose, it takes courage and commitment. It takes a coward trying to be tough to fight for no reason at all.
These runs don't take much. Just four minor details that result in big accomplishments.
1. Motivation - Find a motivation. Mine is Corey. When I think about what he has done, along with so many others...I think to myself, I can do anything I want. So I try it. You can never do something you don't try.
2. Inspiration - This would be my sister when it comes to running. She has been a leader when it comes to this. She is very busy, with work, personal things and family. But she still gets the job done. She's always on the go. But she finds time to do things she enjoys. That's enough inspiration for me to realize, even though my schedule might be tight, I can do this too.
3. Preparation - Mental preparation...much more important than physical preparation. If you don't think you can, you won't. So don't even worry about physical preparation if you're not mentally ready. Get your mind straight. Have you heard the saying, "Believe and achieve"? It's true. Believe, have faith and roll with it. Nike says it best...."Just do it".
4. Determination - If you figure out the top three...this one will come naturally. If you're motivated, inspired and prepared....there's no possible way you'll fail. Set your site on your goals and work towadrs them. Be patient though, don't expect instant results. If you get thrown off track, get right back on and GO!

I feel like a motivational speaker or something. Even though I'm not...anyone can be motivated. You have to want it first.
Good luck with all of your endevors, hopefully I spelled that word right...I don't think I did.
Call me anytime 866-492-8942 or email me at philco_13@hotmail.com
I like hearing feed back. I'll keep you posted on the new organzation and other things coming up soon. See you at the finishline at the FargoDome May 9th!!

- Philco