Internship Video

The time for CIY Internship Applications to be turned in is quickly approaching - Nov. 24. Each year we have some would be applicants wondering what they should do with the video component of their application. To address just such a question I've uploaded a creative example from 2005. Enjoy.

Intern Application Video

Orange & Black Weekend

On Saturday afternoon my wife and I sat and watched the second half of Oklahoma State's comeback win over Nebraska. Early in the game things didn't look good, it looked like another long day, but after some early mistakes the Cowboys got their stuff together and came to life. At halftime OSU trailed just 23-20. A little historical context, OSU had only beaten Nebraska 3 times since WWII (literally), the last of which was in 2002 (a cold, wet day in Stillwater that I was glad to see first hand).

Right at the end of halftime each school got to run their commercial - you know the one that seems to be part of the broadcast deal where you see shots of the campus in spring or fall (depending on what the producers are going for) and usually the university president or a group of students tell you why you should choose their school. But unlike the others that OSU has done in the past - which were as good as any others I'd seen - onto my old-school 27" JVC pops Garth Brooks sporting a black felt hat and orange OSU pullover. Garth, an OSU alumni an apparently now a parent of a current student, who got his start in the bars of Stillwater, proceeded to give his plug for OSU. This was the first time I had seen Garth publicly push OSU. I'm told that the athletic department mishandled a million dollar donation he made years ago and since he had distanced himself from the University. Garth told of his experience as a student, all the positive aspects of O-State. He even threw in one of those knowing comments, "Parents, there's no better place you can send your kids. Students, you'll never have more fun in your life (wink)."

Shortly after the Garth commercial the sideline reporter interviewed Barry Sanders (OSU and NFL great, Heisman trophy winner, etc.) who had good things to say about the direction of the OSU football program. A few minutes later the sideline reporter interviewed T. Boone Pickens. That one might be less familiar than Garth or Barry. Boone is an alumni, he's the one that last year gave $165 million (yes, you read that right) to OSU athletics. If you read about it, by the time they use it all, it will be a much higher total because of earnings during the interim. Boone gave his thoughts - specifically that OSU would soon be among the elite Big 12 programs, football and otherwise. He even threw in there that, "the others know we're coming."

Meanwhile the current OSU football squad who have had trouble closing games late - giving up leads late against K-State and A&M - had pushed ahead of Nebraska and the previously porous defense started to play like they wanted to win. As the second half wore on the Pokes kept looking better. When it was over, OSU picked up a 41-29 win over the Huskers. It was one of those wins that felt like it might be a signal of things to come. It is clear that all the stops have been pulled out to help the program turn the corner - Garth on TV, Barry in the house, and the deepest pockets in NCAA history (quit hissing, you're just jealous). OSU has 4 games remaining, one win makes them bowl eligible, 2 would signal some serious growth for a program that has struggled to break out of the pack in the brutally tough Big 12 south. Now of course only Baylor looks like a game OSU would be favored in - a trip to Austin is tough, Texas Tech always gives OSU fits, and then of course there's Bedlam.

Whatever the outcome, I'm proud of my alma mater. Whether you agree with such a large gift to the athletic department or not, you've got to admit someone at the University is determined to raise the profile of OSU. They're putting the pieces in place to recruit with the best schools in the nation and eventually to beat the best schools in the nation. I know that some of the faculty don't agree with so much money being given to athletics, but they're short sighted. What they fail to recognize is that better athletics brings more money from bowl games, TV coverage, etc. and more students all of which funnel money to academics. I would agrue that Boone might actually be doing more for OSU the University long-term than if he'd just given the $165 million to the GUF (General University Fund). Leave it to an oil tycoon to figure out a way to invest in something he cares about in a way that will likely pay big dividends for the University as a whole for years, if not decades, to come.

So if anyone is reading this, here's some advice, start learning the "waving song", the alma mater, the fight song, and the OSU version of Oklahoma (the song) because the football program is serving notice. And let's be honest, everyone should be in favor of a better OSU football program, because unlike the school down in Norman our band knows more than one song - i.e. it's a lot less annoying to watch OSU on TV because it's not the same 4 notes every 35 seconds.

Marathons Part 2

In my first marathon I was all alone for most of the second half of the race. The last 5 miles or so were really lonely. With about 3 to go I was in bad shape and had no idea what was going to happen. As I ran along begging God to get me out of the predicament I'd gotten myself into I heard footsteps behind me. I checked over my shoulder (a reflex, as though I would some how speed up to fend off this challenger, not a chance!) and saw a man I hadn't seen yet that day. He pulled up beside me and ask how I was doing. I have no idea what I said, I'm sure it wasn't particularly coherent. I managed to ask if he was in the race (always a competitor at heart), he said he wasn't, just out running that morning (this race wasn't on a closed course, so there was an occasional non-competitor along the way). He sensed that I was hurting and asked if he could run with me, I agreed and thanked him. He ran (loosely speaking) stride for stride with me to the mile 26 mark (from which we could see the finish line) at which point he said he should step off the course and be on his way. He then gave me one last bit of encouragement and I never saw him again.

I've always appreciated that guy. I am naturally skeptical of miraculous claims that people make (though some are legitimate no doubt), but that was a moment that affirmed for me my belief in divine appointments. I do believe that God brought that guy across my path that day. I also learned a lesson that day about the importance of encouragement. Since then I've tried to be more intentional about encouraging other runners, particularly if they look like they're hurting during a race. This realization also applies to encouraging others in life, not just in marathons.

There are three things I think that story highlights that are central to running marathons as well as life in general.

1. Preparation - I have known people who managed to run a marathon without really preparing the way they should have. I don't recommend it. Your experience with the marathon will not be as positive, you may or may not finish, you are more likely to get hurt, and you certainly won't achieve your potential if you don't prepare. Life is the same way. We may make it through life without preparing, but there are always consequences.

Generally speaking I don't recommend running a marathon unless you've completed a pre-race training run of at least 19 miles. You will be better off on race day if you have completed multiple training runs of 20+ miles (I've done it both ways). My self-designed training program (always a Cowboy) developed to have 3 or 4 at 18 miles, 2 at 21 miles and 1 or 2 at 24 miles. I certainly didn't do that many before my first marathon, which is probably why I was hurting so badly near the end of that race.

How you should prepare for life will depend greatly on who you are and what your goals are. You don't run 80 miles/week if you're training for a 100m dash. It wouldn't make a ton of sense for me to spend all my time learning about topics completely unrelated to every aspect of my life. What we read, what we study, the relationships we develop and how we approach those relationships should mirror our goals in life. Spending time reading the Bible and praying is important to me, it helps me prepare for my day. Each of us have to figure out how best to prepare ourselves for what lies ahead, failing to do so hurts us and potentially those close to us as well.

2. Determination - I'd like to avoid a rah-rah speech, I tend to roll my eyes when others give them. But let's be honest, you don't finish a marathon without being pretty determined to do so. The human body wasn't really built to run 26.2 miles, the first guy recorded as trying to do so died shortly after delivering the message he ran that distance to bring (his run was actually a little shorter, probably 24.8, distance was changed to suit the royal family in England much later). When your body decides it's done between miles 20 and 23 you'll have to be pretty determined to finish.

I think setting goals comes into play here. I always set 3 goals for a race. One is a worst-case, if all else fails goal (finish the race). Number two is an average goal (a time I feel confident I can manage if nothing goes horribly wrong). The final goal is a stretch goal (usually a finish time that would be a personal record). Having some defined goals helps when the going gets tough.

The translation from marathon to life is pretty easy here. Very little in life worth accomplishing gets done without effort and determination. I know, that's deep! I do think the goal setting applies to life as well, it's easy to just float along without some idea where you're headed. How you set those goals and what they are will vary. For me, I try to set my goals based on where I feel like Christ is leading me. Yearly goals usually relate to things I want to improve in my life. Longer-term goals tend to relate to the overall direction I believe He wants for my life.

3. Faith - I mentioned last time praying at the finish line. The time I thought the medic was going to cart me off was in Boston. That was a moment that was years coming. The course that led me to that moment was set in motion more than 2 years earlier and a lot of steps had been taken along the way. Getting to that race, finishing it, running it well was a goal I had set and then trusted that God would bring about if that was His will. While I don't think any of my running accomplishments are vastly important in the grand scheme, I was certainly very thankful for His provision and strength that got me to that point - hence I stopped to acknowledge my thankfulness.

Marathons have taught me an important lesson about faith, perhaps because the lesson plays itself out in a tangible way. When you hit "the wall" (the point where your body says, "no more") a lot goes into finishing the race. I mentioned determination, that's part of it. For me, it is also a fairly painful object lesson about being in a vulnerable situation way beyond your own ability to endure and having to rely on Christ for the strength to continue. Now there's a flaw here, lots of people run marathons who claim no dependence on Christ. My point isn't that only Christians can run marathons. My point is that for me, being in that situation gave me a tangible opportunity to learn to trust. How does that translate to life? When I find myself in some other life situation with no other source of hope or strength I have had the experience of relying on Christ in a relatively small and inconsequential situation (well several now), which only builds confidence and faith in Him for the bigger more momentous situations in life.

This post has gotten way too long. There are lots of tips I could give for race preparation and the event itself. Most of those are readily available from far more credible sources who know more about it than I do. I'll leave you with one final piece of advice:

The top of "Heartbreak" is at mile 21, it is downhill from there, but you're not home until you pass the Citgo sign at mile 25. From there the crowd will carry you.

Marathon Misstep

As promised this is the first of two posts on marathon running. I won’t even begin to go into great detail that could take a long time, but will attempt to provide a few pointers and perspectives on the sport.

Some of you may have seen the conclusion of the men’s race at the Chicago Marathon last weekend when the winner slipped and fell at the finish line. Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya won the Chicago Marathon in a time of 2 hours, 7 minutes, and 35 seconds. After approximately 35,000 steps his foot slipped on his very last step of the race on a banner placed on the ground at the finish line that was wet from rain falling that day. Cheruiyot received a concussion and was in the hospital for 2 days. While the video is initially entertaining, the injury was fairly significant. From my experience he is fortunate not to have injured a knee, hamstring, groin or other lower-body part in the process. After an effort like that, the body is not well equipped to deal with sudden movements or to protect itself in the way it would under normal circumstances.

With Mr. Cheruiyot’s mishap as a backdrop, I’ll give you the tips on finishing and recovering from a marathon first and next time talk about preparation and the race itself.

There are lots of theories about how to finish a marathon. If you stand at the finish line you will see everything from people sprinting to the finish to others crawling. I’ve seen people lay down and barrel-roll. I have seen people walk across. I’ve seen people dive across (not recommended).

Let’s be practical here. You’ve just run 26.2 miles, don’t do something stupid and ruin your experience trying to be cool. You’re not likely to impress anyone because you do something funny at the finish line. While it is natural and commendable to pick up your pace at the end of a race, do so cautiously. Muscles are way beyond their limits at this point and sudden speed changes could lead to injury. A dead sprint to the finish probably means you misjudged your pace along the way. Then again, anything above a slow walk may feel like a dead sprint at the end of a marathon. Just run across the line giving whatever you’ve got left without risking injury. Feel free to pump your fist or wave to friends and family if you feel the need, you’ve earned it. I wouldn’t bother waving to the crowd in general unless you’re winning the race by several steps.

Once across the line keep moving. Two reasons. First, you need to get out of the way of others coming in behind you who want to enjoy their moment at the finish line as well. Second is that whole sudden movement thing again. When you cross the line you should decelerate to a walk and keep moving for at least 50 yards. If you need to pause for the race officials to give you a medal or take your timing chip or to kneel in prayer (yes, I’ve done all three, trust me prayers of thanksgiving are well in order, but we’ll get into that next time) go ahead, but don’t stay still for long. Actually, if you kneel down a medical person will probably rush to find out if you’re all right.

At most races drinks and food won’t be far from the finish line. I’m not sure if that is like a huge carrot urging you on to the finish or just convenience. Start replacing fluids immediately. Keep drinking until long after you don’t feel thirsty anymore. You need to replace mostly water, but electrolytes are important too. A good rule of thumb is to drink as much water as you do sports drink in the post-race phase. As soon as you are able it’s a good idea to find a banana and a bagel (or some other carbohydrate source). I’m not a proponent of beer or burgers at the finish line, but others love it. I have my doubts that either contribute to a quick recovery.

Once you’ve begun hydrating you need to start stretching (keep in mind you are still on your feet at this point walking around as best you’re able). Spend some time stretching, it will make a big difference in how you feel for the next several days. My suggestion is to stretch for a few minutes, walk around some more, stretch again, get a massage if you want to. Realistically it’s not a great idea to sit down for a prolonged period of time for probably 30 minutes after the race. Once you sit for any length of time you will tighten up like you can’t imagine. The more slowly you can get your muscles to tighten the better off you’ll be.

After leaving the race site and getting a long shower and a good meal be prepared to be very tight and sore for a few days. This can range from 3 – 14, literally. It varies by person, recovery plan, and effort during the race. Don’t expect to be able to run at your normal training pace for about 1 week., maybe longer.

Finishing a marathon is a great feeling. Forgetting to take care of yourself after the race and ending up worse off than necessary will make your experience much less positive. Two other thoughts. First, if you have a legitimate injury at the end of a race, get it checked out and ignore the walking/stretching part of my advice until you’re cleared by medical personnel. Second, be sure to soak in the atmosphere at the finish line. It’s a cool experience, particularly as a finisher.

Next time I’ll give you a few tips on training and running the race.

Some Introductions

Since this blog is new I thought it would be good to introduce a few friends and family. The attached photo is from our wedding. Brittany is the pretty one in the white dress. Around her are my 4 groomsmen, our 3 ushers (her brothers), and the minister who married us.

From left to right they are: Jude Champagne (friend and fellow Trans Am enthusiast), Brayden Drake (Brittany's brother), Jon McAfee (friend and college roommate), Patrick Drake (Brittany's brother), Brittany (wife), Robin Sigars (minister, friend, co-worker, guy who set Brittany and I up, guy who I blame when Brittany won't let me watch football), Kurt Surine (friend since Jr. High), Gavin McAllister (Brittany's brother), Mike Pondrom (friend and ring-leader of all social activities and athletic endeavors in college).

I think I figured out the key to selecting people for your wedding party. This probably applies to the friends more so than the family members. You need to pick people who have enough dirt on you to really embarrass you, but that you trust to be there at a moment's notice and always have your best interest at heart. Among the groomsmen and Robin they could (and did) share lots of funny stories about me (and a few on each other as well), but I could not have chosen any better people to stand with me (us) on that important day.

Blame it on Johnny

Several months ago my friend and co-worker, Johnny Scott, said he was going to give me a "shout-out" on his blog. I watch SportsCenter, so I was with him at "shout-out", but I was left wondering what this word "blog" was about.

I made an effort that night to locate his blog, but was unable to do so. The site told me it was under maintenence. I took this to mean I'd been deemed anti-tech savvy to the point of incompatibility with all things blogging. Not to be detered I made a call to Al Gore - since he invented the Internet and all - to see if he could get me the needed authorizations to view Johnny's blog. Several weeks after it was originally posted I was able to search Johnny's archives and find that in fact he had referenced me in a post.

Fast forward to today, I was informed that we - the staff of Christ In Youth - were going to all have blogs. Again, Johnny was a central character in this. After several explanations and a number of off-the-cuff diggs at Macs I had my very own blog. So, if this all goes south Johnny Scott will most certainly be to blame.

My primary concern here is filling the content vaccum on the Internet that Johnny informed me of today. I think this blog should pretty much take care of that problem. Johnny, you can go ahead and check that one off the list as solved.

Some topics to come in future days - timing pending my wife's grading schedule (when she is busy grading her students work I am allowed to use the computer and/or the PS2) - could include:

- The Trans Am - the last American Muscle Car, RIP
- The Land Grant University - A vision for a better future in rural America
- The Marathon - 26.2 miles you can't fake

And hopefully I'll come up with some other topics that actually have meaning.