31 August 2010

World Record Broken! 800 meters David Rudisha


This is gonna be short and sweet!

David Rudisha is from Kenya and he's smokin' fast! He currently has the 800 meter World Record.

For about 13 years the World Record of 1:41.11 was held by Wilson Kipketer.

2 Sundays ago it was broken for the first time by David Rudisha in a time of 1:41.09.

This last Sunday it was broken again by Rudisha in a time of 1:41.01.

It's about time and that's running fearless!

30 August 2010

Day 1: BYU Cross Country

I apologize that I haven't posted for a few days. Some of the things that are helping me to run fearless are also taking up my time and even though the blog has suffered life is so good!

Today was the first day at my new job as a receptionist at a law firm here in Provo. I loved it. Then I came home, took care of the baby while my wife went off to class for day 1 of BYU classes. I met her on campus 60 minutes later, did a sweet hand-off with the baby and went to Cross Country. From 2:15 to 3:15 there was a big team meeting with both guys from Cross Country and Track & Field.

Then it was off to the intramural field for repeat 1000s. It was so cool. I was side-by-side with Ed Eyestone and that was probably one of the coolest things. Former Olympian and NCAA Champion in his day he coaches one of the finest teams in the nation. Then there were the runners. All different shapes and sizes. Some were tall and skinny, others short and more built. Some look like they had been starved while others looked like they had eaten very well for the past few months. So if you blame not having the right body type for not being a runner stop now. Some of the best runners on the team and in the world are about 5' 5" and have a little more meat on their bones than the skinny runners.

The men's team had just gone to camp so they were sporting some new Nike shoes. They had some sweet flats and spikes they wore for the workout. Some had chosen a light green color while others had chosen a florescent orange like the color you see for hunting--In your face orange is what I call it. Oh yeah, they were sweet.

The team did 7-8 x 1000 meters at about 3 minutes and 10 seconds with one minute rest in between. As I watched and observed it didn't seem too hard and a lot of the guys were struggling. Later on this evening I went and did the same workout and it was killer! Man it hurt and my times per kilometer repeat just got slower and slower. I was running alone and I was embarrassed.

Overall it was an incredible experience and I'm glad to have it as part of my schooling here at BYU. I graduate this December and this internship is a perfect way to end my college career. BYU Cross Country is helping me run fearless.

26 August 2010

Unexpected Gifts, Guidance and Direction

Tomorrow is my last day at my current job. About a week ago I found out about this new job as a receptionist at a law firm I hope to eventually get a job working full-time with benefits. I hope that made sense. So I found out a week ago. I said no at first and disregarded it, but as I got to thinking I realized that it would be perfect.

The hours would be great, the pay alright, the environment wonderful. I would gain experience as I worked my way up. I would get to see what lawyers do on a daily basis. I would get to interact with people and not be accused of selling anything.

So on Sunday my wife and I decided to go for it. I really didn't think I would get it. I printed off a resume on regular white paper, went in right after work in my jeans and polo, had an interview right there on the spot (which I wasn't planning on) and left. The office manager had told me that she had interviewed a couple people already so my expectations for getting the job were low.

The next day I got a phone call telling me I had gotten the job. I really feel that this is the direction I'm supposed to be going in my life. I feel very guided and very blessed and I thank God. He is great and wonderful. I will be working Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Now that's what I call sleeping in every day!!! So cool and I think that this new job will help me to run fearless even more.

My current job helped me run fearless for a time, but this new job is the perfect job for helping me run fearless now. Run fearless now!

25 August 2010

When I Dream About the Future of the Barefoot Race(s)

These are just some thoughts I've been having recently and they are a bit random and all over the place, but they have to do with The Barefoot Race series and where I see these races going in the near and distant future...

August 7th, 2010 marked an historic day in the history of Utah Valley, maybe even Utah State, barefoot running and racing. It was the first annual or semi-annual or something like that of The Barefoot Race 5K Run and Walk. It was a 5K (3.1 mile) race around Kiwanis Park in Provo, UT where every single participant was barefoot and over $200 was raised for children's cancer research.

I want to quadruple that next year. Not the amount of money but the amount of races. Yeah, tell me I'm crazy. Okay, tell me it's not reasonable and I'll tell you "What?! Oh yeah it is!" Here's the plan:
(I'm putting the plan in bullet points because I'm addicted...to bullet points:)
  1. Hold 4 barefoot races: Race 1 April 9th, 2010; Race 2 May 21st, 2010; Race 3 July 16th, 2010; and Race 4 September 10th, 2010.
  2. Have two of the races during semesters so as to maximize the amount of participants drawing from BYU specifically and of course UVU.
  3. I think with enough advertising and good sponsor etc. we could get anywhere from 300-600 runners at each race.
  4. Maybe, and I JUST thought of this, set a Guinness Book of World Records for the largest barefoot race ever of all time and forever!
  5. Okay, then the race in September would be The Barefoot Race Series World Championships (who says we can't have a world championships, and maybe we could even get a USATF or IAAF sanction, still figuring out the logistics.)
  6. Oh yeah, and the race series would be called The Barefoot Race Series or The Barefoot Race World Cup, except if we did that then we would probably need races all over the world. Maybe The Barefoot Race UV (Utah Valley) Cup... okay, moving on...
  7. That's about all I have
This gets me excited, that's why I'm certain that this is the direction that I want to be heading and that's how I run fearless. Check it.

24 August 2010

3 Random Guys: One Sweet Time Trial

Let me tell you about my time trial yesterday. I had wanted to time-trial on Saturday, but I wasn't feeling very good. I decided to do it yesterday. I took a break from running to work according to my plans I set which I explained in my post on How I Will Proceed With My Life. Then in the evening about an hour before dinner I ran to the BYU track.

When I got there I found myself with three other runners. One guy was doing a sprint workout and the other two were jogging. To each one I extended the same invitation, "Hey, I'm doing an all-out mile time-trial, would you like to join me." The two joggers said yes and the sprinter said he had already done his workout for the day.

Chris (from Alaska, starting an MFA Creative Writing Master's Program this fall) and Russ (from Boise Idaho, starting his Sophomore year doing pre-med) joined me in the mile time trial. We were pretty spread out. I won, with Russ in second and Chris in third. Chris had prophesied his loss before we started by saying, "Yeah, but you guys will probably whip me." Which we did, but I want to express my gratitude to those guys because it made the experience bearable. No one was exactly pushing me, but knowing that there were guys running all-out at the same time and place as me was comforting and I am very grateful.

I ran a 4:55. It was all-out. After a few minutes I felt like I could have done another or two more and I know that's because I've been putting in a lot of time/mileage running. The strength of my aerobic system helped decrease the time it took to recover after an all-out anaerobic/aerobic effort. It was way cool and I am fairly pleased with the effort.

I thank Chris and Russ for helping me to run fearless.

23 August 2010

Family Home Evening

As I was thinking about this evening I thought about Family Home Evening, also known as FHE. Family Home Evening was instituted by a prophet of God in 1915 and that declaration is as follows: In 1915, the First Presidency of the Church wrote: "We advise and urge the inauguration of a 'Home Evening' throughout the Church, at which time fathers and mothers may gather their boys and girls about them in the home and teach them the word of the Lord…. This "Home Evening' should be devoted to prayer, singing hymns, songs, instrumental music, scripture-reading, family topics and specific instruction on the principles of the Gospel, and on the ethical problems of life, as well as the duties and obligation of children to parents, the home, the Church, society, and the Nation" (IE 18 [June 1915]:733)

I thought I would use this post as an opportunity to share about Family Home Evening, which I just did, and let you know what I will be doing for it.



Growing up in a family of 8, including my parents (the picture attached is a picture of 5 of the 6 siblings), we would divide Family Home Evening into different parts like song, prayer, lesson, activity, closing prayer, refreshments etc. Everyone would get a rotating assignment each week. So one week I would be in charge of the song, and the next week the prayer, and the next the lesson, and so on and so forth. Tonight I'm in charge of the lesson.

Amy and I have this book called "Eternal Marriage". This is the book from which I will draw for help in preparing a lesson. I browse the "contents" page and find "Commitment" as a topic so turn to page 21. Now I really like this book because it contains TONS of quotes from both the scriptures, modern-day prophets who have passed away and living prophets who are on the earth today.

The first quote that the chapter starts with is wonderful. "A beginning to influence our children for good is a secure marriage, where there is a commitment to make the personal adjustments to live together forever." -President Spencer W. Kimball (Who's actually one of the men that my son is named after:)

I realized as I was reading the next quotes and accompanying talk/discourse that I hadn't prayed. I will take a moment to do so. Okay, now I am in even a better state of mind where the Spirit of God can help me as I prepare.

James E. Faust said, "In my opinion, members of the Church have the most effective cure for our decaying family life. It is for men, women, and children to honor and respect the divine roles of both fathers and mothers in the home."

My plan includes the following:
  1. I will read the rest of the chapter.
  2. Make mental and/or physical note(s) of the quotes/talks/discourses I especially liked.
  3. At Family Home Evening tonight we will read some of them together.
  4. We will then talk about whatever comes to mind and ways that we can be (better, more) committed.
  5. I will seal the lesson with my personal testimony of the importance of commitment.
  6. And I will end the lesson by saying "In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
I think I could say that growing up in home that carried out Family Home Evening on a regular basis and in my home where I am the one in charge of carrying it out that Family Home Evening is an inspired mandate from God Himself that has helped and continues to help me (along with others) to run, live and be fearless.

21 August 2010

How I Will Proceed With My Life


I've had a couple break-downs recently, just figuring out what to do with my life and trying to figure out what I really want to do and who I want to be. This morning was a break-down and I wrote all of my feelings down. It was pretty much the unabridged version of yesterday's post of Deciding What to do.

After writing my thoughts, feelings, emotions, frustrations etc. I went running and the way to proceed with my life became clear. Now don't misunderstand, I didn't figure out what I was going to do for the rest of my life, but I did receive some further light and understanding as to how I am to proceed.

I realized that I had been neglecting some of the most important things. I asked myself what THE MOST IMPORTANT things were, these were the results...
  1. Heavenly Father
  2. My wife
  3. My son
  4. The Church (of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
  5. Running
I kind of had running at the top of that list for a while and I am making some adjustments. Most of you know I've been running every day (6 days a week) doing two workouts a day. Well, this next week and the following weeks, who knows for sure, I will only be doing 3 out of the 6 as two a days. I'll be able to spend more time paying attention to the things that matter most. How will I do this? You may ask. I'm glad you asked, here goes...

I decided to start creating Habits of Greatness (don't you dare steal that sweet title/idea, I'll probably write a book or something) where each week I will focus on something and give it 100% effort for that week which will be a great start and then continue to do it for 21 days until it becomes a habit and then continue doing it FOR-EVER!

So this week I will make a concerted, intense and sincere effort to
  1. Attend the temple (which I want to do at least once a month)
  2. Study and search (not just read) the scriptures for 30 minutes every day
  3. Offer more sincere, heart-felt and meaningful prayers both morning and night
I'm not perfect in any way, but I believe I can be perfect in doing these things above and developing Perfect Habits of Greatness (which may or may not be the new title, I haven't decided.)
Ladies and gentlemen, this is how I will be running, living and being fearless this week. Happy Sunday.

20 August 2010

Deciding What To Do

This is where my advice for you turns into the blog about me which is really what blogging is all about, but let's not get sidetracked and I'll tell you what I'm thinking because it's all I can think about...

I thought I had figured out what I wanted to do this past week. I had figured out what I was going to do with my life and then I'm listening to this talk by Elder (now President) Henry B. Eyring and I start to wonder if I have made the right decision and is it really the best decision. Let's be more specific...

Since high school I have had the same battle I just realized, being a school teacher and a professional runner. With so many injuries in the past the teacher idea took first place, but as I've been training more and having more success with running I've leaned more towards running. I don't know what to do and this post, for no matter how long I write it won't get resolved right now. No, I am not waiting for God to tell me what to do. I believe that He will support me in whatever I choose, if it's a healthy, good decision of course. I can't see Him supporting me in a decision to professionally sell drugs. That was a joke and a true joke at that.

I just want to figure out what I want to do. I'm trying to listen to my heart, but I think my right ventricle is battling with the left. My mind is no better as I go back and forth with 5 million billion guadzillion pros and cons, things I like and dislike about both. I joke about this with Amy, but for reals sometimes I want to take a few months and go live in a Buddhist monastery on top of a high mountain and meditate for a long time, or get in a car and drive down to the southern most tip of Argentina/Chile then give the car away to a family in need and hitch-hike my way back. Yeah, I could do that if I wanted to, but I probably won't and now I'm just rambling.

Anyways, I don't know how this relates to anything fearless except that I'm not really afraid, but I DO want to figure out what I really want to do with my life and then live fearless knowing I have no regrets.

18 August 2010

Just Lean Into It

This principle in the Success Principles is a lot like yesterday's, I think you'll like it, principle 14!!!!!

"You can't cross a sea by merely staring into the water." -Rabindranath Tagore

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step." -Martin Luther King Jr.

"For every failure there's an alternative course of action. You just have to find it. When you come to a roadblock, take a detour." -Mary Kay Ash

Like I said at the beginning this is a lot like the previous principle/chapter/post. I think the title Just Lean Into It gives more of a visual of just starting. If you know what you really want to do then start doing something, it may turn out to be something different than you had planned and it will definitely be good.



I really like the story about Jana Stanfield that's in this chapter. She wanted to be a singer. She moved to Nashville to make it big, but found it was a lot harder than she thought. Jana thought the only way to pursue her dreams was to get a recording contract, but she would learn there were other ways. She decided what she wanted to do with music: Combine music, comedy, storytelling and motivation. Eventually she began preforming at church services around the area just to help people and inspire. Then she started getting attention, people wanting to buy her music etc. She put together a real album and began making a living doing what she wanted to do. She started a company and continues to inspire and motivate people today. (More at http://janastanfield.com/.) I just went to her website and watched a video of her speaking and singing, it was cool.

Are don't know where I'm going in life. I know what I love. I know what I want to do and I know where I want to end up and somehow, some way I have a strong, definite feeling that it'll all work out and that helps me to run fearless.

The Barefoot Race Continues!

Some of you were a part of this!

Check this OUT! The Barefoot Runners Society did a write-up of The Barefoot Race! So cool!

http://www.barefootrunners.org/build2/story/barefoot-race-reflections-race-director-caleb-scoville

17 August 2010

Take Action


"Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle." -Abraham Lincoln

"What we think or what we know or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do." -John Ruskin

"If your ship doesn't come in, swim out to meet it." -Jonathan Winters

"No man ever became great or good except through many and great mistakes." -William E. Gladstone

"You can never learn less; you can only learn more. The reason I know so much is because I have made so many mistakes." -Buckminster Fuller

Okay, I love quotes and these are so good. They really sum up the 13th chapter in the Success Principles. Take action, talk is cheap, nothing happens until you take action are some of the sections in this chapter. I'm just going to free flow the ideas coming to my mind, so bear with me, it's gonna be cool...

I think that goes along perfectly with the principle of faith. Faith is belief in action. If you really believe in something then you're going to do something about it. If you really believe in God then you are going to take action by learning of and following His commandments. If you want a testimony of something or knowledge of something you can't just sit back and wait to be enlightened, you gotta search! You have to work.

This year I woke up about my training. I was searching for ways to become faster, really I was searching for ways to be the best in the world. I had an exercise physiology class that blew my paradigm, then I read a book that taught me other important things. Then I decided that I couldn't wait any longer and I started building up my mileage little by little (or a lot by a lot, however you want to look at it :) until currently I am able to run 80+ miles each week and I feel great...tired, but great. I took action.

I think the first step to taking action is figuring out what it is that you really want and I did a post about that called, ironically, Decide What You Want Once you have decided that then it can fuel your fire inside. It doesn't have to be what you want to be in life, it can be a little more short-term, por ejemplo (that's Spanish for "for example" look, you didn't even KNOW that you were going to learn Spanish by reading this blog)...

My brother Jacob is going on a two-year mission. This is my advice for him looking back. Figure out what you want to do, who you want to be and become. Figure out now instead of waiting. Then take action in/at/to doing, being, becoming that person that will allow you to do what you want.

That's all I got for now. Taking action helps me to run fearless.

16 August 2010

Act As If



"Believe and act as if it were impossible to fail." -Charles F. Kettering

"To fly as fast as thought, to be anywhere there is, you must first begin by knowing that you have already arrived." -Richard Bach

Success Principle #12 is Act As If and the principle behind it is acting as if you are already where you want to be. The example in the book points out a young man who was a bank teller. He would always wear a suit and tie whereas the others just wore a shirt and tie. The young man wearing a suit and tie looked like an executive which is where he eventually ended up. He was acting as if and that, along with other things like hard work etc., took him there.

Quoting from the book a principle I believe in: "The Law of Attraction simply states that like attracts like. The more you create the vibration--the mental and emotional states--of already having something, the faster you attract it to you. This is an immutable law of the universe and critical to accelerating your rate of success."

Now I haven't figured out exactly how to do this, but I know I need to print off some pictures that illustrate where I want to be and then imagine myself there having done those things like winning a race at the London Summer Olympics 2012 or a photo shop picture of me in a BYU uniform for Cross Country etc. Okay, yep, just thought of that and I will do that. Genius.

The last thing I'll share is "The Party That Could Change Your Life" which is a "Come As If" party. You get a group of friends together and you tell them to come as they will be in 2015 for example and then you come acting as if you have done everything you wanted to do during those next five years. For example I would come to the party probably wearing a suit. I would have my spikes that I ran my gold medal winning race in draped over my right shoulder. I'd be wearing my best tie, white shirt, shoes shined. I would have an autographed copy of the book I had written that had sold a million copies, and I would have a picture of the training facility that I was building for runners including beginner to elite runners. I would have 3 gold medals hanging from my neck and the contract I had signed with Nike for the five-year sponsorship of $150,000 a year. I know, pretty cool and really fun.

Anyways, I need to do better at acting as if, but it's a key to running, living and being fearless I'm sure of it.

13 August 2010

How To Heal From Any Hurt Or Injury

Some of you will remember from my post on You Can Change The Way You Feel that I was injured and out for a couple days. I hurt my Achilles tendon really bad. I hurt SO bad. In addition to prayer, rest and getting a blessing I employed EFT and I think all of those four things combined helped me to have a fast recovery where the following week after my injury I was able to do 83.5 miles pain and injury free. EFT helps me to run fearless and this guest post expounds on that very subject. This is the very first guest post on Run Fearless. Enjoy! Thanks Dawn. -Caleb

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to wake up and NOT be tired; to bound out of bed happy to greet a new day? Have you ever felt so sick and tired of being sick and tired that you didn’t care? Have you ever wondered why you just can’t get back on top of things? Do you feel like you have no control? Have you ever been so overwhelmed that you just didn’t know what to do next?

Have you ever wanted to follow your bliss; pursue your dream; go after what you are passionate about? What stops you? Do you hear yourself saying things like, “I don’t have enough money. I’m too old. I’m married. I’m single. I’m too fat. Too short. Too stupid?” Doubt, uncertainty, fear.

Have you ever in the quiet moments, when it’s just you, on a beach, watching a sunset, sitting under the stars, thought, “I know I was meant to do something special? Otherwise, why would I be here? Have tears come to your eyes as you wonder if you’re a failure? “Am I really supposed to live a life of mediocrity?” I think almost everyone shares at least some of these thoughts some of the time. We have stirrings of greatness and we don’t know why or how we can grasp hold of it and make it real.

You may have an inkling that it has something to do with the abuse you suffered as a child. Or the ridicule you experienced at the hands of others. Maybe there was one traumatic event like a rape, the suicide of a loved one, an unexpected death, a serious health condition, a job loss, or divorce. Maybe no one has ever loved you or told you how special you were. There is a way; a simple way to cut through the grief, fears, traumas, phobias, addictions, mental clutter that seems to throw enormous blocks in our path.

This simple way, allows a person to remove the mental clutter, the negative emotions, the attachment to the past and people who have hurt or wronged us. It is for lack of a better description like a combination of acupuncture (without needles) and psychotherapy. Psychotherapy on steroids! The simple method is called EFT. Emotional Freedom Techniques. By applying gentle tapping pressure to the body’s meridian points with your fingertips and repeating phrases related to the experience and affirming your worth, the body simply aligns itself with health, with positivity, with wellness, and with joy. Amazingly, it often happens in minutes. I have experienced first hand, recovery from a violent divorce, separation from a parent, abuse, suicide of a parent, unexpected loss. These “negative” experiences no longer have any hold on my life.

Once you have cut through all of the negative, you can then even begin to program yourself for success. Simple techniques allow you to release pain, grief, addictions, self loathing, and more. You learn simply how to deeply and completely accept yourself; to forgive yourself and others and to be able to embrace the amazing person you were created to be. You come to a place of Personal Peace.

One of my favorite quotes says: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Marianne Williamson

There’s no way to shrink that quote. I believe we all instinctively know that we were created to shine, to live purposefully in spite of fears. Live fearless. EFT helps each person to shed the old and to embrace the new. What’s holding YOU back? Don’t just run fearless, live fearless. Learn more. http://www.dailyabundance.net/

While EFT has produced remarkable clinical results, it must still be considered to be in the experimental stage and thus practitioners and the public must take complete responsibility for their use of it. Further, Dawn Norton is not a licensed health professional and offers EFT as a teacher, Certified EFT Practitioner, and as a personal performance consultant.

12 August 2010

If You're Getting Overwhelmed Pick A Point

I'm at work right now. I just clocked out. My wife suggested I do the post before I come home from work. I think her idea is genius, my wife is a genius. That's why I married her. The idea for this point came from my run on Monday.

Recently I've been feeling tired. Compared to some people I'm probably not that tired, but for me, I'm tired. Running home on Monday was something I wasn't looking forward to doing. I planned on doing a fartlek, but I was just tired. So I gave myself permission.

I told myself that I didn't have to go all out, that I would start out slow and then speed up if I felt like it. My mind liked this idea and I started. There were a few times when I would be running fast and I would want to stop. I was getting overwhelmed by the task of running home when I wasn't even a quarter of the way there. That's when it occurred to me that I could pick a point.

I picked telephone poles, intersections, cars, anything and I would say, "For this speed-surge just make it to the _________." That made it manageable. I think when we think about everything we have to do for the rest of our lives it may get overwhelming. When I think about running tomorrow morning at 3:50 a.m. I am daunted by the task, but I pick a point and reach it. Then I pick another point and reach it and before long I have arrived.

I know that was pretty general, but it's something that helps me run fearless.

11 August 2010

Changing The Way I Ask Has Made All The Difference

I believe this is post #100, that's pretty cool and notable. Let's have a blog party. Okay, that was kind of a lame party, no dancing, no food and no face-to-face interaction. No more blog parties. I don't know when it was that I discovered what I'm about to share, but it has changed the way I do a lot of things and has provided many answers. I will share my experience, then examples from my life then I will apply it to you. Sound good? Alright!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ever since I learned how to pray and ask in general I would ask for something. I would ask my parents for things like a child does. I would ask Heavenly Father*(see footnote at bottom) to help me do or be certain things. For example I would say, "Help me remember everything I have studied so I can do well on this test." At races or rather before races I would ask Him to help me run my best, to give me energy and if it was His will to allow me to win. I believe He answered my prayers to the best of His ability. There were other things I would ask Him for like a stronger testimony or comfort when I was feeling scared, nervous or sad. I still ask for these things and my requests are similar, but there was a change in the way I asked and I'm not only talking about being sincere I'm talking about the words I used.

There's a scripture in the New Testament that's famous in the Mormon world because of Joseph Smith. It's James 1:5 and it goes like this, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." Or in other words if you want wisdom then ask God, or in a more general sense if you want something then ask God.

One day it occurred to me that I could ask in another way. I started to ask God to show me how to do or be something in addition to asking for Him to help me do or be something. For example, in addition to saying, "Please help me to get a good grade on this test" I would ask "Heavenly Father, please show me how to get a good grade on this test." In addition to saying "Help me become the best runner in the world" I asked "Show me how to become the best runner in the world." He has since shown me and I have since done, and continue to do.

This can apply to a lot of different things. For example, "Help me get a good job" can transform into "Show me how to get a good job." "Help me to be happy" can transform into "Show me how to be happy." "Help me develop greater faith" can transform into "Show me how I can develop greater faith."

Now I am not suggesting you stop asking the first question/request. What I am suggesting is that I have had success in adding to the way that I ask and it has changed my life. It has seriously helped me to learn how to run fearless. I hope it can help you too.

*You may not believe in God, so prayer to Him may not mean a whole lot to you. You may not believe in a supreme being. I believe that if you ask, your questions will be answered. These principles apply not only to the believers but to all who seek answers.

10 August 2010

The Barefoot Runners Society Contacted Me

The Barefoot Runners Society contacted me and this is what they said:

"
Hello Caleb,
I am TJ, President of the Barefoot Runners Society. I was checking out your site, reading about your recent barefoot race, and I'm wishing to know more. How long have you been running barefoot and blogging about it? Will you be writing a race report on you recent barefoot race? If so, perhaps you could share it with our members? If you are interested, please send the report to me along with a couple of photos, and I will post them on our News Show on our home page. I saw where you posted you may hold barefoot races in the future, for a good cause once again. If so, please keep us in mind. We would like to help you promote them on our site. It would have been good to know about your race ahead of time, since we could have helped you to promote it, but we're a new barefoot running club and just getting started, so you may not have heard of us yet. We began November 2009. We have around 600 members and 1,260 fans. Barefoot Ken Bob is our Senior Advisor to the Board, Barefoot Rick Roeber is our Director of PR, and recently Dr. Irene Davis, and Barefoot Ted McDonald joined us. We also have on staff one of the few barefoot-friendly podiatrists in the country where he has a forum on the BRS site called Ask the Doc. We are in beta testing, but hope to go public soon. I would like to extend an offer to you to join our site early, so you can check out the many resources we have to offer barefoot and minimalist runners.
Please let me know if you're interested.
Thanks,
TJ

Tamara Gerken

Barefoot TJ

President, CEO"

Here's my response I sent to them:


This is my experience with barefoot running, (and then I copied and pasted my post on My Barefoot Story)


Here is the race report:


Kiwanis Park is a large park and the perimeter of it is a tiny bit over one complete mile. I live very close to the park and run it often so I knew when the thought came to do a barefoot race that I would hold it there.


I love barefoot running, but the purpose of the race was to attract attention doing something a little unorthodox like a barefoot race. I wanted to do something cool and something I enjoyed in order to help others so that's what we did. I also knew that a race at the park would mean zero car traffic, less liability and less potential accidents.


There were about 20 of us and we were all barefoot. Since I knew the course and I had done a poor job marking it I decided to be a rabbit for the first mile and then re-assume my race director's duties which turned out great because I can whip out a good mile, which I did and then I was at the mile mark calling out splits and cheering on runners. For me info refer to my Reflections On The Barefoot Race post (which I attached for the Barefoot Runners Society.)


I will definitely keep you updated and thank you for the email. Run fearless.


Sincerely,


Caleb Scoville

09 August 2010

Reflections On The Barefoot Race


Now that I've had time to let it all sink in, I think I'm ready to post on how I think it went, things that went well and things that could have gone better.

Overall I have positive and fond memories of the race. Every single runner ran barefoot and that was cool. Shannon Banks, one of several who really helped, arrived right after the race started and said that it was an inspiring sight to see a group of runners all running barefoot. Some people had emailed me about running with shoes because they didn't feel comfortable running shoeless, but in the end everyone ran barefoot.

Nobody got injured, at least to my knowledge. Maybe I should have asked, but no one was limping, crying, whining etc. so I think that was great.

We had a good mix of people/ My family came and thank goodness or we wouldn't have raised as much money. I family of friends from Idaho came and they ended up taking the first place mens and womens spots. Former MTC teaching companions came along with former missionaries that I had taught in the MTC. Then there were people from my home-town in Vancouver, Washington down here for school that came and last but not least there were several people I didn't even know and had never met (I guess those go hand in hand don't they:) who showed up and impressed me. So cool.

I definitely could have been more prepared. I was scrambling at the last minute to get safety pins for the race numbers. I also waited until the last minute to reserve the pavillion at the park. Luckily Shannon helped get the food and a sponsor or I know for a fact there would have been NO sponsor nor food there. I would have been sweet to have had a gun for the start--it was just me yelling "go!" and then being the rabbit. The white lines on the ground were as weak sauce as any sauce can be. I'm surprised more people didn't get mixed up on the course...

BUT! on the other hand we raised $200+ for children's cancer research, which will maybe pay for a few beakers or a microscope battery, but it's still $200 more than they would have had and I think even a little bit counts. I had a lady out of nowhere approach me and ask when we were going to do this again so we have at least one returning participant for next year.

Overall I think I learned some extremely valuable lesson and gained invaluable experience that I could not have gained any other way. I found out that I like putting on races and that barefoot races at big parks is something I especially like and something I think could become HUGE!

I'm thinking 2 or more barefoot races next year, but here's what I'm really thinking-- A barefoot racing series where April, May, June, July and August are races leading up to the championship race in September. Each race is a different venue/park in Provo/Orem like Kiwanis, the Park by Timpview High School, Rock Canyon Park, the Scera Park in Orem and I bet there's more in Orem I don't even know of. With more time and advertising and students and hype and build up and EVERYTHING I see this snowballing, like Jarom said on the Facebook page, and becoming something huge. This may even be something I could make a living, or part of a living. This next April I plan on the proceeds going to GiveOneMillion again, but after that, I haven't decided... Sky's the limit baby!

This is how I'm running fearless, watch

06 August 2010

My mind is in turmoil, but I think I know what to do

I didn't post yesterday. My life is nuts, although I know others' lives are harder. I haven't really posted a ton of stuff about running lately as far as how to get faster etc. because my mind has been elsewhere.

Last week was a great training week and I came into this week wanting to hit it hard, but my body was feeling tired and fatigued so I changed plans and didn't do as much as I had planned and aimed for a high mileage week next week if that makes sense. I have made it a subject of deep personal introspection and reflection to figure out what I really want to do with my life. I am of the opinion that God wants me to do anything that will make my family happy, make me happy and help my family and I return and live with Him.

I used to want God to tell me what to do with my life. I have learned that at least for me He won't do that. He's going to let me exercise my agency and choose.

Books have changed my life and I find that they are very powerful. In my church I teach a lesson every month to a small group of men. I'm teaching this Sunday and the lesson is on "The Lord's Covenant People".

I read the following: "When we are baptized into the Church, we enter into the covenant the Lord made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (see Galatians 3:26–29). If we are obedient, we inherit the blessings of that covenant. We have the right to receive help and guidance from the Holy Ghost. Worthy males have the right to hold the priesthood. Families can receive the blessings of the priesthood. We can gain eternal life in the celestial kingdom. There are no greater blessings than these." (Italics added for emphasis.)

Then I read " As we keep our covenants, our Heavenly Father promises us that we will receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom (see D&C 132:20–24).

The greatness of that promise is hard for mortals to understand. The commandments He gives are for our benefit, and as we are faithful we may forever share the blessings and beauties of heaven and earth. We may live in His presence and partake of His love, compassion, power, greatness, knowledge, wisdom, glory, and dominions." (Italics added for emphasis.)

I've got a ton more to say, but I gotta go to work, BUT these are the quick thought about it all: What is the most important thing? The most important. The VERY most important thing. I think everyone has to ask themselves that. I know I have and I ask myself that like a billion or maybe a trillion times a day. I think Jesus Christ was the perfect example when He suffered for our sins and died on the cross--and the part about that is that He didn't do that for Himself, He did that for us.

So for me personally I believe that helping others is the most important thing and right now that's my family. What does all of this mean about my goals and dreams? You know, that's the part I haven't figured out yet. I'll get back to you on that. Run fearless.

04 August 2010

It's Harder Than I Thought

The title refers to making a stencil for the t-shirts for the Barefoot Race this Saturday. I chose the stencil font on Word, then made a great design, printed it on a piece of paper. Then glued it to a cereal box and tried to use my knife to cut the letters out and it didn't work.

Then I thought if I had thinner card-stock that I could do it. So I went to Cougar Creations and did that. Still painstakingly hard, but when they lent me an Exacto knife it became a little easier.

I think a lot of times things are harder than I think they're going to be and life slaps me right in the face and I keep moving. I keep going to bed and waking up in the morning. I keep moving even though things are unsure and who knows how many people will actually come to the race? And who know anything for sure? Nope, except that I know God lives and He has a plan and everything will work out in the end and the end doesn't always mean the end of this life because there is a life after this one--I know that for sure.

That helps me run fearless.

03 August 2010

My Secret To Success, so far in my life

Always looking. Always searching. Always finding. Always re-evaluating. Always changing. Always improving. Always fine-tuning. Always growing. Always humbling, but never humble (which is something I'm working on.)

Never giving up. Never being satisfied. Never stopping. Never saying "can't". Never accepting "no" as an answer. Never saying "that's dumb" (unless it's something dumb I did.) Never letting anyone tell me what I can or can't do.

That's pretty much it. Run fearless. Okay, maybe a little more information.

I feel like I have almost given up several times in my life, but somehow I get back on track. Call it what you will, but I give all the credit to God. As I have formed my dreams and taken action, things have fallen into place and it's too late (8:19 p.m. hah! Early mornings make 8 late. That's a rhyme.) But the first two paragraphs have really been attitudes that I have been forming in my life if that makes sense and I think that's one of the reasons, currently, that I run fearless.

02 August 2010

My Wife Helps Me To Run Fearless


Last night I had a breakdown. I felt a TON of negativity starting about an hour or so before I went to bed. My parents called to say they were coming to the Barefoot Race this Saturday and I wanted to be excited and I kinda was, but I was feeling really down, but I didn't want to tell my parents...

Well, my wife found out and I didn't really want to tell her either, but I did. Then she contacted me at work this morning and said she had done something to help me and I won't go into detail, but this and other things have been a blessing in my life. The thing she did will help with a lot of things especially running. What my wife did was very selfless, meaning she did it without thinking of herself but of me.

My wife helps me to run fearless. If I wasn't pressed for time in preparation for Family Home Evening then I could and would go on about the wonderful things my wife has done and still does. I am grateful to her. Run fearless.