What do these things have in common? San Antonio, TX. My family and I took off for a vacation in San Antonio. The allure of romance filled the air as my wife and I were reminded that almost 17 years ago, we came to this city for our honeymoon. This time, with 3 kids in tow, we headed for Sea World with the two day pass. It was awesome! I don't ever remember going to Sea World. However, the log ride with Cole, The Search for Atlantis with Katie, and hanging out in the shops of the Riverwalk with Madison were more than fun. We trekked a little Northeast to some outlet malls so Madison could get some Nike shoes. Rudy's BBQ in Austin was more than what the doctor ordered, in fact, he told me to lay off the BBQ. The San Antonio Riverwalk boasts some of the greatest Tex-Mex in the world. Shannon and I took the kids to the same restuarant we went to while on our honeymoon. If you have never been to San Antonio, you need to go. Sea World is a must. Oh yeah, the walrus, Uncle Max is hilarious. You will have to see for your self.
www.seaworld.com
Friday, July 25, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Too Cold To Hold 5k
Okay, so I ventured out today. Many thoughts were chasing other thoughts in my head. I heard the weather report, a crisp 26 F and a wind chill of 19F for sunny Dallas, TX, today. However, we were running at White Rock Lake where there aren't any trees to break the wind off the water. I knew I was in for a long run, maybe not distance, but eternal in time. The winds were howling! The race officials said the wind chill there was recorded earlier in the single digits...not good for me.As I arrived, I sat in my truck contemplating actually getting out.
I have to admit, I was scared. I mean, August 1st, I had knee surgery. This was to be my first race back. I had put in some miles and pain free at that. However, none in conditions like this.So I did what any runner would do...I got out of the truck and put on another layer of clothing I had brought just in case and went to get my chip. Did I tell you it was cold and windy? I go inside the race central to hear someone giving directions as to where to get my chip...I really wanted a chocolate chip and hot coffee...but that is another story.I put on the chip and played the wait game. This is where my mind and those thoughts I was talking about came into play. I talked myself out of running this race at least 5 times. I had legit reasoning behind it too. However, the 6th time I tried, they made the call of 5 minutes to the start. So, I started to the start line only to met with a steady 30mph wind right in my chops.
Did I tell you that it was cold and windy?It was at this moment I thanked God for my mother in law...yes, my MIL! At Chrismas last year, she bought me an UA full face mask for the cold weather which I put in my jacket pocket...just in case...guess what...CASE! It was a life saver, err, lip saver!Bang! Start of the race and I am moving. Wait! I talked myself out of this earlier, how did this happen? As I see many people bobbing up and down and man in a chicken suit running I cross the timing pad. It is official, I am doing it!I hit the first mile and my calves are screaming! The cold coupled with the cold, was really taking its toll on my calves. Did I say it was cold and windy? Okay, I'll quit! At the 1.25 mile mark, I took a quick walk break for about 30 secs. and picked up my pace again. I had the hardest time focusing. So many people and in a cramped trail coupled with the C_ _ _, was not a good combo.
Finally, it kind of spread out and at the 1.5 mile mark, the elite runners came by me and shot the bird at me and my slower pace...okay, that is storyteller's embellishment. I hit the turnaround at a pretty decent split for me in my recovery and that is where the run kind of, well, took a turn. I turned into a 30mph brick wall. Yes, I was running into the wind now. I want everyone to understand this...my body is not built aerodynamically. In fact, if you picture a sail from a boat, that would be me! I am built to catch wind, not slice through it. It is not fun on the way back. My only saving graces were my face mask and my garmin. I look around and I am still passing people...with the exception of this power walker who I just can't catch...well, until the end.
This little kid was running right beside me. He kept talking to himself through the race. He was about 10 and he wasn't about to let me beat him. Every time he slacked off, I would smile only to be brought back down off my award pedestal for beating a 10 yr.old, he would pass me and say, "it's almost over!" So, I changed my focus to a Sr. Adult lady in front of me that many were passing...she became my next target to pass.With .1 miles left to go, I kicked it in gear and so did she. I kicked it up a little more and passed her. While in the passing mode, I thought to myself...Eat my dust, granny...okay, I was really thinking...how do I climb up that hill to get something to drink?" The race was over! I had made it. I was tired. I was cold. Runner's sap(cool description for snot) was frozen to my face mask. I peeled it off of my head, found a drink and a banana and headed straight to my truck. What a day! I felt great! Even though it was C&W out there, I have had a great experience and it feels great to be back. Now, the times begin to fall as the mileage goes up. Thanks for reading.
I have to admit, I was scared. I mean, August 1st, I had knee surgery. This was to be my first race back. I had put in some miles and pain free at that. However, none in conditions like this.So I did what any runner would do...I got out of the truck and put on another layer of clothing I had brought just in case and went to get my chip. Did I tell you it was cold and windy? I go inside the race central to hear someone giving directions as to where to get my chip...I really wanted a chocolate chip and hot coffee...but that is another story.I put on the chip and played the wait game. This is where my mind and those thoughts I was talking about came into play. I talked myself out of running this race at least 5 times. I had legit reasoning behind it too. However, the 6th time I tried, they made the call of 5 minutes to the start. So, I started to the start line only to met with a steady 30mph wind right in my chops.
Did I tell you that it was cold and windy?It was at this moment I thanked God for my mother in law...yes, my MIL! At Chrismas last year, she bought me an UA full face mask for the cold weather which I put in my jacket pocket...just in case...guess what...CASE! It was a life saver, err, lip saver!Bang! Start of the race and I am moving. Wait! I talked myself out of this earlier, how did this happen? As I see many people bobbing up and down and man in a chicken suit running I cross the timing pad. It is official, I am doing it!I hit the first mile and my calves are screaming! The cold coupled with the cold, was really taking its toll on my calves. Did I say it was cold and windy? Okay, I'll quit! At the 1.25 mile mark, I took a quick walk break for about 30 secs. and picked up my pace again. I had the hardest time focusing. So many people and in a cramped trail coupled with the C_ _ _, was not a good combo.
Finally, it kind of spread out and at the 1.5 mile mark, the elite runners came by me and shot the bird at me and my slower pace...okay, that is storyteller's embellishment. I hit the turnaround at a pretty decent split for me in my recovery and that is where the run kind of, well, took a turn. I turned into a 30mph brick wall. Yes, I was running into the wind now. I want everyone to understand this...my body is not built aerodynamically. In fact, if you picture a sail from a boat, that would be me! I am built to catch wind, not slice through it. It is not fun on the way back. My only saving graces were my face mask and my garmin. I look around and I am still passing people...with the exception of this power walker who I just can't catch...well, until the end.
This little kid was running right beside me. He kept talking to himself through the race. He was about 10 and he wasn't about to let me beat him. Every time he slacked off, I would smile only to be brought back down off my award pedestal for beating a 10 yr.old, he would pass me and say, "it's almost over!" So, I changed my focus to a Sr. Adult lady in front of me that many were passing...she became my next target to pass.With .1 miles left to go, I kicked it in gear and so did she. I kicked it up a little more and passed her. While in the passing mode, I thought to myself...Eat my dust, granny...okay, I was really thinking...how do I climb up that hill to get something to drink?" The race was over! I had made it. I was tired. I was cold. Runner's sap(cool description for snot) was frozen to my face mask. I peeled it off of my head, found a drink and a banana and headed straight to my truck. What a day! I felt great! Even though it was C&W out there, I have had a great experience and it feels great to be back. Now, the times begin to fall as the mileage goes up. Thanks for reading.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Kickin' Asphalt
According to my Half Marathon training, today was a scheduled 5K race day. So, I signed up for the Camper Scamper 5K in Dallas, TX benefitting physically handicapped kids. I showed up and found some of my friends that had also signed up for the race. We sat around chatting and resisted the urge to join in on the Jazzercise warmup.
We stretched and kept talking. Then came the call to the start and I promptly headed to the back of the field. You know, its a mental thing. You get up front and masses of people pass and get angry because you are slowing them down. When you are in the back, not that many more can pass you and you start passing people. It was all psychological for me. Of course, I need any advantage I can get.
On to the race.It was through a very nice area of Dallas along Turtle Creek. I knew I had started out faster than normal but I stayed with my pace. I had stated to my friends before the race I was going to try to finish in less than 37:58 which is my current PR. I also said I didn't want to injure myself either.We took off and I immediately started looking for my path of least resistance from walkers/dogs/ stollers. I finally focused on one of my friends who was running at a little faster pace than I was and my goal was to keep him in sight. I get to the first mile and my Garmin beeps and shows me the time split...11:40. About a minute faster than I had originally planned. I could only think, uh oh...now I have done it. Gone out too fast. I couldn't think about it for too long because as I made the first turn, there was a massive hill to climb. So I focuse on the hill and up I went.
I hit mile two and felt surprisingly strong and thought, this could be a good race. At the 2.85 mile point, there was a girl that I had been running with pretty much the whole race...I did not know her...but evidently she was a part of a running club and her coach came back and met us at that point and began to encourage her. What they didn't realize is that I was listening too.
We come to the point where the finish line is in sight and the coach says to her..."Okay, when you hit those balloons, I want you to kick it into gear and leave this big ole dude behind."
She just kind of chuckled. Now, normally I would let stuff like that roll off my back. I have nothing to prove. But ever since I have joined Team Kickin' Asphalt, it was like a switch that went off inside of me. We hit the balloons in stride and before she could kick, I did and I think I heard her scream because of the dust I was kicking up...okay, maybe not, but I left her behind. I was sooooooo happy...I beat a girl! Okay, I was really just happy that I had enough in the tank left for a kick. I set a new PR of 36:13 which is 1:45 minutes faster than my last one.
Here were my splits.
Mile 1.....11:40
Mile 2.....11:49
Mile 3.....11:38
.13 ..... 1:06
I was soooo happy with my race today.
We stretched and kept talking. Then came the call to the start and I promptly headed to the back of the field. You know, its a mental thing. You get up front and masses of people pass and get angry because you are slowing them down. When you are in the back, not that many more can pass you and you start passing people. It was all psychological for me. Of course, I need any advantage I can get.
On to the race.It was through a very nice area of Dallas along Turtle Creek. I knew I had started out faster than normal but I stayed with my pace. I had stated to my friends before the race I was going to try to finish in less than 37:58 which is my current PR. I also said I didn't want to injure myself either.We took off and I immediately started looking for my path of least resistance from walkers/dogs/ stollers. I finally focused on one of my friends who was running at a little faster pace than I was and my goal was to keep him in sight. I get to the first mile and my Garmin beeps and shows me the time split...11:40. About a minute faster than I had originally planned. I could only think, uh oh...now I have done it. Gone out too fast. I couldn't think about it for too long because as I made the first turn, there was a massive hill to climb. So I focuse on the hill and up I went.
I hit mile two and felt surprisingly strong and thought, this could be a good race. At the 2.85 mile point, there was a girl that I had been running with pretty much the whole race...I did not know her...but evidently she was a part of a running club and her coach came back and met us at that point and began to encourage her. What they didn't realize is that I was listening too.
We come to the point where the finish line is in sight and the coach says to her..."Okay, when you hit those balloons, I want you to kick it into gear and leave this big ole dude behind."
She just kind of chuckled. Now, normally I would let stuff like that roll off my back. I have nothing to prove. But ever since I have joined Team Kickin' Asphalt, it was like a switch that went off inside of me. We hit the balloons in stride and before she could kick, I did and I think I heard her scream because of the dust I was kicking up...okay, maybe not, but I left her behind. I was sooooooo happy...I beat a girl! Okay, I was really just happy that I had enough in the tank left for a kick. I set a new PR of 36:13 which is 1:45 minutes faster than my last one.
Here were my splits.
Mile 1.....11:40
Mile 2.....11:49
Mile 3.....11:38
.13 ..... 1:06
I was soooo happy with my race today.
Monday, April 9, 2007
The Sonic Turtle
Think back to last Saturday...did you hear it? The sonic boom? That was me. I was out on the road churning out a 6.23 mile run. It was my first time to do that distance and boy was it worth it. I had never experienced the "runner's high" until about 5.5 miles. The for the next .75 miles, it was like my head was in the clouds. I couldn't believe it. I have heard of this phenomena, but had yet to experience it. It was awesome!
Easter Sunday as a great day. I got to spend it with my family. After church and the Easter Egg hunt for the kids, we headed over to my parents for some lunch with my brother and his family. My dad and brother went out back to hide eggs for the kids and we did another hunt at the house. The cool thing was, we had some confetti eggs. They were basically hollowed out egg shells with confetti inside and the hole in the egg covered with some sort of light weight paper.
With that in mind, I guess you can imagine what happened. The egg hunt quickly turned into a confetti egg war with all McMahan's involved. Of course, this was started by my darling wife, Shannon. I couldn't believe it. She launched the first egg right at the center of my back. It nailed me, yet it didn't break. The it was on! It was a free for all. Had I not dodged my head to the left quickly enough, my brother would have nailed me in my cheek with one. Fortunately, it hit my earlobe and I was able to pelt him on the back with the return volley.
The kids were kind of taken aback by the whole thing, then they joined in and started pelting each other. We new it had gone too far when someone grabbed a hard boiled egg and let it fly. Then I think I heard someone say..."The yolk is on you....hehehehehehe!" It was terribly punny. Oops, funny!
We went inside and had a smorgasbord of my mom's desserts care of "Paula Deen's Cooking for Dummies". Chocolate pie, lemon pie, coconut cake, apple pie, and of course candy. We topped off the day by watching the Masters and then each went our separate ways.
Looking back on the day, I was glad I ran my 16.3 miles for the week. It was definately an Easter to remember.
Easter Sunday as a great day. I got to spend it with my family. After church and the Easter Egg hunt for the kids, we headed over to my parents for some lunch with my brother and his family. My dad and brother went out back to hide eggs for the kids and we did another hunt at the house. The cool thing was, we had some confetti eggs. They were basically hollowed out egg shells with confetti inside and the hole in the egg covered with some sort of light weight paper.
With that in mind, I guess you can imagine what happened. The egg hunt quickly turned into a confetti egg war with all McMahan's involved. Of course, this was started by my darling wife, Shannon. I couldn't believe it. She launched the first egg right at the center of my back. It nailed me, yet it didn't break. The it was on! It was a free for all. Had I not dodged my head to the left quickly enough, my brother would have nailed me in my cheek with one. Fortunately, it hit my earlobe and I was able to pelt him on the back with the return volley.
The kids were kind of taken aback by the whole thing, then they joined in and started pelting each other. We new it had gone too far when someone grabbed a hard boiled egg and let it fly. Then I think I heard someone say..."The yolk is on you....hehehehehehe!" It was terribly punny. Oops, funny!
We went inside and had a smorgasbord of my mom's desserts care of "Paula Deen's Cooking for Dummies". Chocolate pie, lemon pie, coconut cake, apple pie, and of course candy. We topped off the day by watching the Masters and then each went our separate ways.
Looking back on the day, I was glad I ran my 16.3 miles for the week. It was definately an Easter to remember.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Bitten By a Big Ole' Bug
Sometimes I wonder about myself, I am the pastor of a church just outside of Dallas, TX. Here I am, 38 years old with 3 kids and I think, am I doing all that God and my family wants me to do. Somehow, those are the types of thoughts I have always had. You know, putting others first, in front of myself. I have been a person that always tries to listen to others problems and help other people out while neglecting myself. Now, don't get me wrong, my family will always come before me. I mean, what other excuse do I have for walking around for countless hours at a Science nauseum...er...museum?
Back in July/August I read a book that really changed how I felt about me. Since September of 2006, I have really dedicated myself to a workout program. Today, I am 41lbs. lighter and have run 5 miles without stopping. I regularly do 3 to 4 miles. I have to say, this running thing is addictive. I have been bitten by the runbug. Some days it hurts and other days it feels great.
I am currently running about 13-14 miles per week and about to up that mileage as I have set some goals. I am planning to run a half marathon...yes, that's right...13.1 miles in December 2007. Just 4 days before my anniversary. I am currently learning what it really means to "eat and drink on the run" and it is kind of difficult. One day, Lord willing in 2008, I will actually sign up for my first marathon. That is my big goal.
Now, you may ask. Does doing all this take away from your church and pastoring? Not at all. I usually am out running at 5am and sometimes earlier. It is much cooler then too. The thing that is so rewarding to me is that we have had a few people in our church family make a committment to their physical well being since I have made the commitment. The other great thing is... I now have a new running partner named Shannon. Yes, my wife competed in her first ever 5K on St. Patrick's Day. I didn't let her win...so, don't worry.
Anyway, I saw something interesting in Matthew 22:37 that I have never really seen before. The passage reads...
37 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' Matt 22:37 (NIV)
The thing that I have always focused on was the sould and mind. You know, memorizing Scripture, studying the Bible, prayer for my soul and mind. However, the interesting part is that I neglected my heart. When you actually look up the word for "heart" in the original Greek language, it is actually referring to the physical life. In other words, Love God with all that you physically can give. I had not been doing that. I had neglected the physical love for God.
So, how can one physically love God. I mean, its not like we can give Him a hug, but it is something we can do to show our love for Him. That is taking care of our physical bodies. They are the Temple for the Holy Spirit. I am still working on this. I put a lot of years of neglect into this body. So, I am by no means a pro at this. I am just learning.
If you read that verse with the intent being Love God with all your body, soul and spirit, then we must pay attention to all three aspects of how a human is comprised.
So, get up, put one foot in front of the other and repeat! it is good for you and it will be a physical way to show affection to God. Just an idea...
Back in July/August I read a book that really changed how I felt about me. Since September of 2006, I have really dedicated myself to a workout program. Today, I am 41lbs. lighter and have run 5 miles without stopping. I regularly do 3 to 4 miles. I have to say, this running thing is addictive. I have been bitten by the runbug. Some days it hurts and other days it feels great.
I am currently running about 13-14 miles per week and about to up that mileage as I have set some goals. I am planning to run a half marathon...yes, that's right...13.1 miles in December 2007. Just 4 days before my anniversary. I am currently learning what it really means to "eat and drink on the run" and it is kind of difficult. One day, Lord willing in 2008, I will actually sign up for my first marathon. That is my big goal.
Now, you may ask. Does doing all this take away from your church and pastoring? Not at all. I usually am out running at 5am and sometimes earlier. It is much cooler then too. The thing that is so rewarding to me is that we have had a few people in our church family make a committment to their physical well being since I have made the commitment. The other great thing is... I now have a new running partner named Shannon. Yes, my wife competed in her first ever 5K on St. Patrick's Day. I didn't let her win...so, don't worry.
Anyway, I saw something interesting in Matthew 22:37 that I have never really seen before. The passage reads...
37 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' Matt 22:37 (NIV)
The thing that I have always focused on was the sould and mind. You know, memorizing Scripture, studying the Bible, prayer for my soul and mind. However, the interesting part is that I neglected my heart. When you actually look up the word for "heart" in the original Greek language, it is actually referring to the physical life. In other words, Love God with all that you physically can give. I had not been doing that. I had neglected the physical love for God.
So, how can one physically love God. I mean, its not like we can give Him a hug, but it is something we can do to show our love for Him. That is taking care of our physical bodies. They are the Temple for the Holy Spirit. I am still working on this. I put a lot of years of neglect into this body. So, I am by no means a pro at this. I am just learning.
If you read that verse with the intent being Love God with all your body, soul and spirit, then we must pay attention to all three aspects of how a human is comprised.
So, get up, put one foot in front of the other and repeat! it is good for you and it will be a physical way to show affection to God. Just an idea...
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