Today...

This is the beginning of a new day,
God has given me this day to use as I will.
I can waste it or use it for good.
What I do today is very important.
Because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever.
Leaving something in its place I have traded for it.
I want it to be gain, not loss – good not evil.
Success, not failure in order that
I shall not forget the price I paid for it.

Above is a brief saying that Paul "Bear" Bryant read each morning.  The words are powerful and remind us of the price our daily decisions cost.  Make today count!

...and what better way to start your day than giving to St. Jude!  As you know, I pledged to raise $2,500 for the children/families at St. Jude.  I have been blessed by the people who have donated already!  There is no such thing as a donation too small.  Each and every dollar that is donated goes directly to St. Jude!  And another bonus for donating to St. Jude... the money is TAX-DEDUCTIBLE!!

So go ahead and get your debit/credit cards out... follow this link (St. Jude Hero - Dusty Wise) and help me meet/surpass my $2,500 pledge!  

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Updated stats:
I pledged to raise $2,500 total.  So far, I have $710, which leaves $1,790.

• If I had 179 people donate $10, I would reach my goal.
• If I had 71 people donate $25 (and one $15), I would reach my goal.
• If I had 35 people donate $50 (and two $20), I would reach my goal.
• If I had 17 people donate $100 (and six $15), I would reach my goal.
• If I had 1 person donate $1,790, I would reach my goal! :)

There are tons of combinations of how the money can be raised and the pledge fully-compensated.   Will you help?

 

DONATE HERE 

 

If you have questions, please send me an email.  I'd love to talk with you! Email Me!

This is probably how I look while running...

 

Thirteen Days Without Running Makes One Weak...

or at least for me it did.  I have been nursing a banged up knee for the past 3+ weeks.  After taking a week off from running, I decided to run again.  3/4 mile into the run I felt the pain return in my knee so I quit at 1 mile.  

Fast forward two weeks and here I am.  Two runs down (1.08 & 1.35 miles)... Knee still feels good, so hopefully I can ease back into marathon training.  It's crazy how fast you can lose your endurance.

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Meet Noah and his family.  Noah was diagnosed with cancer in November of 2011.  Read more about Noah HERE 

 

 

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The pledge for St. Jude is still ongoing, since someone hasn’t opened their checkbook to the tune of $2,300 yet! 

Updated stats:
I pledged to raise $2,500 total.  So far, I have $310, which leaves $2,190.

• If I had 219 people donate $10, I would reach my goal.
• If I had 87 people donate $25 (and one $15), I would reach my goal.
• If I had 43 people donate $50 (and two $20), I would reach my goal.
• If I had 21 people donate $100 (and six $15), I would reach my goal.
• If I had 1 person donate $2,175 (and one $15), I would reach my goal! :)

There are tons of combinations of how the money can be raised and the pledge fully-compensated.   Will you help?

 

DONATE HERE 

 

If you have questions, please send me an email.  I'd love to talk with you! Email Me! 

 

 

That's the thing about running; your greatest runs are rarely measured by racing success.  They are the moments in time when running allows you to see how wonderful your life is.

-Kara Goucher 

Mixed Emotions

I hope this post finds you doing well.  This past week (plus) has been a mixture of good & bad for us. 

First, the good:

• Rebecca and I celebrated our 6^th Wedding Anniversary on Sunday, July 7.  I can not describe the feeling I have for my bride.  She is such an awesome person to be around.  She is a Christ-follower.  She’s an amazing wife.  She’s a wonderful mother to my son.  I can’t wait to see where God leads us throughout the remainder of our lives, but I do know one thing; we’ll be side-by-side wherever we go.

  

  Engagement picture on the front porch of my parent's log-cabin

• Hudson celebrated his 3^rd birthday on Monday, July 8.  I’m still awestruck at how God chose me to father this precious child.  Hudson is the spot-on example of the perfect child.  In fact, I think Hudson is 2^nd only to Jesus, during his childhood J.  The kid has personality for days.  He is an incredible actor.  He can smile/joke his way out of almost anything.  He has a heart that is golden. 

  

  Hudson at 1 month

  

  Hudson at 6 months

  

  Hudson at 10 months

  

  White House visit (2011)

  

  Having fun swimming at Disney (April 2013)

  
  

  

  Hudson's BIG CATCH (June 2013)

  

  Enjoying the Spash-Park at DeWayne Hayes (June 2013)

  

  Our little Super-hero (June 2013)

Now the bad:

• The passing & funeral of Park Stevens.  Park was literally a larger-than-life person; and standing 6’7” everyone looked up to him.  Everyone that met Park remembered him afterwards.  He almost-always had a smile on his face.  Park tragically died last week in an auto-accident on his way home for the July 4^th holiday.  The funeral was on Saturday, July 6.  It was very evident that Park was a loved individual, if by nothing else, he packed out the sanctuary AND the fellowship hall at Mt. Vernon (700+ people).  Family, friends & football teammates from New Hope, Oak Hill, East Central CC & Ole Miss were in attendance.  His coaches spoke and Josh Daffern tried to help us understand why this happened (you can find his message here - Park Stevens).  The service was awesome to be able to see/hear/experience.  It was so difficult though.  Please remember the Stevens’ family in your prayers!

  

  Park Stevens (Spring 2013)

• Rebecca’s granddad, Papaw, spent the past 3+ weeks with our family in MS.  Over the past week we noticed that he wasn’t being himself.  He had trouble walking, keeping cool/warm & could not stay awake.  He was taken to the local clinic where we were told he needed to be taken to the hospital.  On Saturday, he was admitted into a hospital in Memphis.  Doctors are still trying to figure out exactly what is wrong.  Please pray for Papaw and his doctors and nursing staff.  Be sure to remember his caretaker(s) during this time as well; which primarily has been my mother-in-law.  Papaw is an 83 year-old Korean War veteran and a treat to sit & talk with.

  

  Papaw on July 5, 2013

Papaw at the Korean War memorial in Washington, DC (2011)

Papaw & Sheila (his daughter/Rebecca's mom) at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (2011)

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The pledge for St. Jude is still ongoing, since someone hasn’t opened their checkbook to the tune of $2,300 yet! J 

Updated stats:
I pledged to raise $2,500 total.  So far, I have $310, which leaves $2,190.

• If I had 219 people donate $10, I would reach my goal.
• If I had 87 people donate $25 (and one $15), I would reach my goal.
• If I had 43 people donate $50 (and two $20), I would reach my goal.
• If I had 21 people donate $100 (and six $15), I would reach my goal.
• If I had 1 person donate $2,175 (and one $15), I would reach my goal! :)

There are tons of combinations of how the money can be raised and the pledge fully-compensated.   Will you help?

DONATE HERE

Time costs more than money. You can get more money,

you can’t get time back.  Spend it wisely.

-Lecrae

No Mo' Chemo

Happy Friday!  I hope everyone had an awesome July 4th (even the folks outside of the United States).

An email made my Independence Day start off in a wonderful way... This email was a notification that someone donated to St. Jude via my site.  This email also stated that I have raised over $250 (thanks to you), which allows St. Jude to host 3 "No Mo Chemo" parties!  These parties are celebrations for a child completing their chemotherapy treatment.  Please watch Anna James' story HERE!

After seeing videos like that, it gives me chills knowing that each dollar goes directly toward the care (and fun) for a child that is stricken by a disease.  When someone says "St. Jude", I used to think of this big hospital that does good for the children that need it; which is the case.  But now, I put a name and face of the people that are being helped.

How comforting is it to know that Anna is still here due to the wonderful doctors & staff at St. Jude (and of course, God's grace and healing)?  It's amazing!!  Her family has never paid a dime for her care while at St. Jude, and they never will!

Thanks to the families that have given to St. Jude through my site!  I still have a long way to go, but I think know I can surpass my goal with the help of my friends (and their friends).  I would love for everyone who sees this page to share it with their family & friends; whether it be word of mouth, Facebook, email... whatever!  The more people that know, the better!

Updated stats:
I pledged to raise $2,500 total.  So far, I have $285, which leaves $2,215.

• If I had 221 people donate $10 (and one $5), I would reach my goal.
• If I had 88 people donate $25 (and one $15), I would reach my goal.
• If I had 44 people donate $50 (and one $15), I would reach my goal.
• If I had 22 people donate $100 (and one $15), I would reach my goal.
• If I had 1 person donate $2,200 (and one $15), I would reach my goal! :)

There are tons of combinations of how the money can be raised and the pledge fully-compensated.   Will you help?

Donate to St. Jude here!!

 The very fact that air is filling your lungs right now is all the proof 

you need that God STILL has great plans for your life! 

-Perry Noble

Why I'm a Morning Runner

I loathe running in the evenings... In case you have never been to Mississippi during the summer, it gets a little warm and humid.  I would much rather wake up earlier and get my miles in before the sun comes out to scorch the Earth.

I've had one major problem in the past couple of weeks though; it's impossible very hard to get up early.  I'm not sure if I'm getting inadequate sleep, uninterrupted sleep, or something else, but waking up early has become a victory each morning. 

Today, I woke up a little early and hit the roads.  I only had 2.5 on the schedule (thankfully).  I run a loop around the local high school which is right at 1 mile around.  The complete first mile was amazing!  The sun was still down behind the pines.  By the time I started my 2nd lap, the sun came out and it was mad.  It hammered me with it's rays for 9/10 of the loop, which was difficult.  After 18 minutes and 40 seconds, I was done with my 2.55 miles.

Another good thing about early morning runs... only one shower per day.


St. Jude Update:

Thanks so much to the two families that donated to St. Jude since the last post!!  No donation is too small (or large)!  Every dollar gets me closer to fulfilling my pledge! 

Updated stats:
I pledged to raise $2,500 total.  So far, I have $185, which leaves $2,315.

• If I had 231 people donate $10 (and one $5), I would reach my goal.
• If I had 92 people donate $25 (and one $15), I would reach my goal.
• If I had 46 people donate $50 (and one $15), I would reach my goal.
• If I had 23 people donate $100 (and one $15), I would reach my goal.
• If I had 1 person donate $2,300 (and one $15), I would reach my goal! :)

There are tons of combinations of how the money can be raised and the pledge fully-compensated.   Will you help?

To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.

-Steve Prefontaine 

And so it begins...

Well, I have officially started my St. Jude marathon training. 

That was a tough line to type...

I ran my first marathon last December (St. Jude Marathon in Memphis) in a grand time of 5:16:52.  Let me begin by saying that 5:16:52 was no where close to my projected time.  Even with my lack of training, I was still hoping for a time around 4 hours.

Race-day Attire

Family Picture before St. Jude Marathon 2012

This was my St. Jude patient that I was running for!

The race started great!  I loved the course and running through people made my adrenaline rush.  I was speechless running through the St. Jude campus and seeing the patients and their families lining the streets.  I received several "Thank You's" from families due to me wearing a St. Jude Heroes shirt (signifying that I raised money for St. Jude).  The begining of my problems occured at the half-way point... At mile 13, the half-marathoners went to the right to finish their race whereas I turned left and really grasped the idea that I was only half done with my event.  I continued on until around mile 16.  I hit my wall.  I hit the wall hard.  I ran the first 16 miles without stopping, then my body said "That's enough."  I began to walk with short spurts of jogs mixed in.  Wogging (walk & jog) the final 10 miles really killed my time, but I was fortunate to finish the marathon.  I will forever be able to say that I ran a marathon and it felt so good to apply the 26.2 sticker to my truck's rear glass.

Finishing the 2012 St. Jude Marathon

My awesome son, although he was in a sour mood

My beautiful wife and #1 supporter!

St. Jude Marathon Finisher's Medal

The 26.2 sticker

After the race, Rebecca said that I could never do another one due to the stress she had while waiting on me to finish.  And truthfully, I was OK with this idea.  My running-icon, who also happens to be my oldest brother (Chris), said "Give it time, you'll want to run another."  We went back to our hotel and after a long shower, I laid on the bed for the majority of the day.  Thankfully, I was able to watch Alabama defeat Georgia in the SEC Championship game (ROLL TIDE!!) as I lay in bed.  Later in the evening and on into the next day, I began reading the current issue of Runner's World and low-and-behold, they ranked the "Top 10 Marathons to Run in 2013."  This got my small brain spinning on the potential of doing another.

I realized that I did want to run another marathon.  I wanted to run the St. Jude marathon again to conquer the course that almost conquered me.  I want to prove to myself (and to others) that I can finish 26.2 miles strong.  I want to finish a marathon in 4 hours or less.  I want to set the example of not giving up to my 3-year old son.  I want to run for the children who have been diagnosed with cancer.  I want to run to raise awareness for the amazing organization that is St. Jude Children's Hospital.

So in May 2013, I signed up to run the St. Jude Marathon once again.  But I also signed up to raise money for St. Jude.  I pledged to raise $2,500.  To me, $2,500 is a LOT of money and I sure couldn't write a check like that (I mean, I could write a $2,500 check, but it would bounce all the way back to me).

This is where you can help me help St. Jude.  Please consider donating to St. Jude through my Heroes Fundraiser site.  100% of money goes straight to St. Jude and it's tax-deductible!  I would not ask someone else to do something that I wouldn't do, so I have donated already and will almost certainly donate more throughout the pledge-drive.  The money needs to be raised by the end of October, but I would LOVE to have it all raised much earlier than that.

Whether you donate or not, please pray for the children of St. Jude.  Pray for their families.  Pray for the doctors and medical staff.  Pray for the other St. Jude Heroes as they raise money.  I have had two grand-parents die from cancer.  I can not imagine having cancer, much less my child.

Also, if you donate to my pledge... THANK YOU!  Training for a marathon is incredibly tough.  Asking for people to give money to you is even tougher for me.  I can not describe the hate I have for asking people for help, but this cause really touched me last year and each person who donates has the chance to be as equally blessed.

If you are interested in donating, please visit this link; St. Jude Heroes - Dusty Wise.  Feel free to share the link for this post via email, Twitter, Facebook or smoke-signals.

I pledged to raise $2,500 total.  So far, I have $75, which leaves $2,425.

• If I had 242 people donate $10 (and one $5), I would reach my goal.
• If I had 97 people donate $25, I would reach my goal.
• If I had 48 people donate $50 (and one $25), I would reach my goal.
• If I had 24 people donate $100 (and one $25), I would reach my goal.
• If I had 1 person donate $2,400 (and one $25), I would reach my goal! :)

There are tons of combinations of how the money can be raised and the pledge fully-compensated.   Will you help?


Please leave a comment if you have any questions!  And thanks!

Before you exit this page, please meet the June 2013 Patient of the Month.  Her name is Mae.  She is 6 years old.  Mae was found to suffer from Wilms tumor in October 2010.  Read the rest of her story and others like her HERE!

 Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they
were to success when they gave up. - Steve Prefontaine

Wow! It REALLY has been a while!!

Wow... I had forgotten all about my blog. 

I would like to start posting more frequently...

Anyone have any races coming up?  Anything you are training for currently?

Wow... it's been a while

I knew it had been some time since I have written a new post, but I didn't realize it had been that long!  Geesh! 

We've been really busy in the Wise household over my month long hiatus.  We now have a ONE YEAR OLD!!  Can not believe Hudson is already 1.  My how the past year has flown!!  It's so awesome watching him learn new things daily and explore more and more.  He also learned something that we aren't too excited about, he climbed out of his crib a couple of nights ago!!  Thankfully he didn't injure himself when he made the 4+ foot plunge.  We recently just returned from visiting some dear friends that have moved to Charleston, SC; we had a great time!!

Not much to talk about on the running front.  We did get a running stroller and have put it to good use and have started a new family event!  We really enjoy walking/running in the evenings... it gives us time to be together, exercise, talk and just enjoy everything that God has blessed us with!  I hope to soon start on my half-marathon training.

Happy Miles!!

What to eat... what to eat...

I enjoy getting up earlier in the morning and setting off for a good run, but I never allow myself enough time to eat anything prior.  I've heard some people say to eat a bagel, peanut butter and even sunflower seed kernals; but I usually end up not eating anything, which I know is a bad thing.

The other end of the spectrum, when I finish a run I don't usually want something to eat for a while.  Give me a bottle of water (and a fan set to the highest speed) and I'm good to go for a while. 

What do you eat before a run?  What do you eat after a run?

What's on your playlist?

While on my last run, I started thinking about some of the songs that I had on my playlist.  I found a good bit of my music on a website called www.jog.fm, which finds music that has the beat to coordinate with your pace.

Now on to the song/group that I had a problem with.  I am not a Black Eyed Peas (the music group) fan, but they have good up-beat songs.  The lyrics to this particular song did not have any vulgar lyrics, but they were just dumb.  I have since deleted the song and I'm currently purging other songs with the same problem. 

So I have 3 questions that I would like for some people to respond to (if anyone reads this)...
1. What are some of your favorite songs/groups to run/exercise to? 
2. What do you look for when picking a particular song for such a playlist? 
3. How often do you change your playlist around?