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"I've always loved running ... it was something you could do by yourself and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you feel like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs." - Jesse Owens, 1936 Olympic gold medalist, track and field

I'll never be Jesse Owens in so many ways, but I get what this great athlete and person was talking about. I love running, too. I owe it all to Marathon Makeover, which I thought was going to be a running/exercise program and turned out to be a great way to find out about myself and what I would like to be in the future.

I read Jesse Owens quote in a great story in today's Columbus Commercial Dispatch by Jan Swoope - Marathon mania: Area runners revel in taking on the New York City Marathon. Owens and many of the folks in that story summed up what I learned about running from taking part in Marathon Makeover in Tupelo.

For years, I told my wife that I really wanted to run a 5 or 10K before I turned 40 this past October. She would smile as I began training which usually lasted for a few weeks and then stopped. So when I came home and told her that Gene Phelps from the Journal suggested I join a group called Marathon Makeover, which was going to have a team in Tupelo for the first along with other groups around the state, she smiled again and said she supported it. I'm not sure if she really believed me, and I'm not sure if I really believed me but she supported me the whole way and I appreciate it.

There was 10 weeks of walking and then we started running. It is hard to imagine anyone doing as good a job of coaching this program as Bryan Miller and Nathan Hall. Both of them have a genuine concern and desire to see the people in MM Tupelo succeed. They put in tons of hours preparing courses assuring you that you can run distances you never imagined and doing it all with a smile. They are perfect folks to take couch potatoes and turn them into marathoners. Thanks again to them for all they did to make the program work.

As the program moved along I was surprised how quickly it went from something I had to to something I wanted to do. I felt better after the runs and a lot of the stress we all feel day to day trying to make all those commitments from family, work and life in general work got better. I found I was a better person when I ran.

The first race was a 5K in Saltillo. Crossing the finishing line I might as well been in Boston. It was hard to believe I had done it. I was ready for the next challenge.

Then came the Gum Tree Run in Tupelo. I've been a volunteer and reporter covering this race. But run it? I would have never thought that was possible. But by sticking with the program and with a lot of support there I was. Tupelo is amazingly fortunate to have an event like this and if you haven't participated you should. It is a blast. The Tupelo Running Club has some great information about the race at its website - here. Hearing people cheer you on and seeing the great sights of the All-American city is something I'll never forget. Marathon Makeover folks and my wife cheered me across the finish line. My son Josh was proud too even he slept through it in his stroller. Hey he's two, it was nap time he is entitled.

Then came the Half Marathon in Ridgeland in July. It was amazingly hot and there was times I wondered about it but in the end finishing the Half Marathon is something I'll never forget. The medal was nice, but what I remembered most was thinking - I can't believe I did this. Sometimes I pull out the medal to remind me I did it.

About that time another 40 week journey took me out of the program. My wife was pregnant with our second child. We were very excited and thankful. She had been very supportive during this journey and it was time for me to do the same. I heard about the training as it moved forward to the marathon in October and I was very proud of the people who finished the marathon. I wrote about them in Sunday's NEMS Daily Journal - Marathon Makeover ends successful year.

One of the best part of the program is the amazing people you meet. People who want to change their lives and are doing something about it. They help hold you accountable and many of them really impressed me with their dedication and reasons for running. It was a pleasure getting to meet them. The group helps you go where you couldn't go alone.

Congratulations to all who finished. The program is continuing next year and I highly recommend it. They are starting again in January and this is a super time to begin on this journey. If you want to do something to take charge of how you feel and get a great sense of accomplishment you should do it. Click here for information on signing up.  As the slogan says - it is so much more than a marathon.

And my journey? Well I'm ready to run again. My wife Johanna and I were blessed with a beautiful baby girl Mary Frances on Nov. 9. We're excited, thankful and very sleepy a lot these days all at the same time.

Right after the half marathon I admit I took some time off. My ankle was sore, work was piling up and we were getting ready for a new baby. There were a lot of excuses. I used them all. But as I think about the future I remember that any finish is a good finish. You may days you don't feel good, but the key is keep going on.

 I'm hoping for many more miles in front of me and it is important to get out and start running my own race now. I've been to Trail & Treads to get some new shoes and I'm ready to get back to running. Your life can really change when you make a commitment and work hard with a group of people. If you don't believe me sign up for Marathon Makeover now and you will be a believer.

Thanks so much for reading this blog and I wish you good luck on your life journey.  Bryan and Nathan used to say and I agree you don't run a Marathon 26 miles all at once you run it one mile at time. I'm looking ahead to the next mile. Good luck to you in yours.

Todd Vinyard

Online Editor

Journal Interactive

Hope you had a chance to check out this morning's article on the first year of Marathon Makeover in today's NEMS Daily Journal newspaper. What a great year thanks to Bryan Miller, Nathan Hall and all the great Marathon Makeover participants. I'll have a final post on the experience later, but I appreciate all those who read this blog and offered encouragement to continue.

Click here for link to Daily Journal Marathon Makeover story.

Thanks,

Todd

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Congratulations to Lee Anne Grace. Neat column in todays NEMS Daily Journal. She recently ran and completed the 35th Marine Corps Marathon. Very inspirational story ...

Click here for the column.

Note: This column is from Lee Adams of The Itawamba County Times. Good read ...

A couple of weeks ago I interviewed Susan Sheffield and Angie Moore about the marathon program they took part in earlier this year.

While talking with them, they inspired me to get out on the track more, so the next day I decided to go and see how far I could go.

I did three miles of walking mixed with jogging and felt good afterwards, but the next morning, I quickly realized they my legs were not used to the exercise and walking out of the house wasn’t as easy as the day before.

Even though I was sore, I went back that day and did only a mile. 

I have been doing this for about two weeks on a daily basis. Some of the things I’ve learned are I feel better, I’m slowly shedding some pounds and shin splints hurt.

Despite the shin splints, it has been a good two weeks, and even though I had been doing some occasional exercising, the interview with Mrs. Moore and Mrs. Sheffield gave me added inspiration.

I will never run or walk a marathon, but I’m still exercising.

I encourage everybody to read the story about what they accomplished. If you see them, ask them about the goal they completed. Maybe it will inspire you as well.

Lee Adams can be reached at 862-3141 or by e-mailing lee.adams@ itawamba360.com.

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Sorry for the delay, but Marathon Makeover wrap up is coming soon in the NEMS Daily Journal newspaper. I'll have a link here when it does.

Thanks,

Todd

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Very nice story from Lee Adams of The Itawamba County Times today about Susan Sheffield and Angie Moore in today's Times.

Click the link here for more.

Space has been tight in the Daily Journal sports section, but hoping to get Marathon Makeover story wrap up in tomorrow. Look for it in the paper and the link here.

Thanks,

Todd

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I wanted to say congratulations to those who finished the Marathon Makeover Program and let you know how to sign up for next year. I'll have a story soon in the NEMS Daily Journal about the program. Here is the list of finishers ...

Full Marathon:

Janet Starbuck                  Female Masters 3rd place winner of 100.00

Angie Moore                     2nd place in her age division 35-39

Laura Russell                     3rd place in her age division 50-54          

Lee Jones

Amber Mchenry

Stacy Fowler

Elizabeth Kelly

Chanda Miller

Karla Parham

Johnny Pettit

Ginger Pettit

Susan Sheffield

Stacy Wall

Vickie Rowland

Chuck McIntosh

Mitch Johnson

Jon David Naugher

Julie Page

These were in no order

 Half Marathon:

Lindsay Whitehead

Allison Hall

Nathan Hall

Bryan Miller

Stacy Miller

Kristen Buse

Ray Shoemaker

Jennifer Ashcraft-Johnson

Susan Collins

Russell Chumley

Cindy Hicks

Lee Ann Houpt

Greg Wall

Judy Woods - Winner of her age group 60-64        

What a great piece of work by those folks. I'll have that story soon in the Journal and a final blog post from my own fantastic experience with the program.

You can sign up now to join Marathon Makeover. Sign ups have started now.  The cost of the program will be $275 for the month of November only.  Then it will go to $299 for December and January. 

Sign up now by clicking here for the Marathon Makeover website. Enter the code word Tupelo to get the $25 discount.

Thanks for reading,

Todd

Nathan Hall

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Still working on wrap up of Marathon Makeover in Tupelo. I'll give you a heads up about when that will run in the Journal along with a recap of my experience in this great program.

This is a good time to sign up now for next year. Visit the website now to sign up. Click here for more information.

Also good luck to MM coach and THS cross country Nathan Hall as they prepare for another state title run. Click here to read NEMS Daily Journal writer Gene Phelps story on it.

Thanks again for joining us, talk to you soon.

Todd

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Congratulations to all the Team Tupelo and other runners who took part in the Marathon Makeover run in Jackson Saturday. Way to go! I'll have more in a look back at my experience and talking with folks who finished the Marathon Makeover journey.

Here's a story from WLBT in Jackson on the race ...

The event started at dawn, with 678 participants tackling a 13.1 mile half-marathon or a 26.2 mile full marathon.

The course wound its way through Madison, and ended at Liberty Park. The first full marathon runner crossed the line in just over an hour.

Click here for more of the story.

It's finally that week with the Marathon this Saturday in Jackson. Here are some Marathon Makeover tips for the marathoners ...