I think this is the longest stretch I’ve gone between blog posts; but hey, I’ve been a little busy lately.

A week ago at this time I was carbo-loading in Georgetown at THE BEST Italian restaurant ever for the Marine Corps Marathon the next day. Two weeks ago I was busy turning FIFTY and being completely overwhelmed by friends, family, and colleagues with their love and assurance that fifty is the new thirty. Three weeks ago, there was the heart-arresting double overtime Cal vs. Oregon football game that thankfully came AFTER our staff CPR training earlier in the week so I had full confidence I could revive any member of my family or fan in our section of the stadium.

And I could go on.

Life is truly good. Sure, it has it’s moments of questionable choices (like what I had for dinner last night – never again) and fear of the unknown…like what is that little bump on the side of my neck or what will this country look like years from now for my grand kids? So much up in the air with the elections in three days.

After last week’s Marine Corps Marathon, Dave and I got to do some museum marathonning. How can you not when they are some of the greatest in the world and, well, they’re free?! We ventured into the National Archives Building which houses the original Declaration of Independence and Constitution.

It took great restraint (and the presence of several guards) for me to not sneak in a few photos which is a huge no-no. So, you’ll just have to take my word for it that this place is incredible. Standing there in the air conditioned marbled grand rotunda in front of these documents now shielded by what looked like bullet-proof glass under the dimmest lighting so as to not cause further fading…and the silence in this grand room. Very different scene from those hot, humid July days  when the founding fathers in powdered wigs penned these documents hundreds of years ago. Today, the founders would have simply e-signed the docs. Gouverneur Morris would have only to hit “save” on his laptop and the Preamble would be somewhere in iCloud for all posterity.

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Can I just take a moment here as a former third grade teacher to say that I was completely blown away by the perfect penmanship in these documents? I was actually LOOKING for cursive mistakes and inconsistencies. Found a few, but I’m willing to overlook these since each line was written perfectly horizontally on unlined paper. Not to mention, these were really long assignments.

Where was I? Ah, yes, the Preamble. When I really think about it, THIS is the reason I was able to run 26.2 miles through some of the most beautiful, iconic sites of Washington, D.C.

Or for that matter, any race in this country. Yes, life is good when you get to do what you love with the support of the ones you love. And with the protection of ones willing to sacrifice their lives for a country they love.

One of my favorite photos from last weekend is this one at the finish line area in front of the massive Iwo Jima memorial:

Flanked by these young Marines dedicated to serving their country. They believe in this country.

Worthy of the fight.

The Blue Mile: Mile ten to eleven of the marathon. Lined with hundreds of blue posters with faces of servicemen and women killed in action. Followed by supporters wearing blue, waving flags, and cheering on runners. As if this mile weren’t emotional enough, my iPod shuffle happen to play the Top Gun anthem (not the Kenny Loggins’ dogfight theme) but the slow tribute instrumental as I entered the Blue Mile. Tears welled up. I was overcome with pride and gratefulness for the sacrifice of these men, women, and their families. Some of these family members were now cheering ME on as a runner. Why? All I’m doing is running…

“The mission of the Marine Corps Marathon is to promote physical fitness, generate community goodwill and showcase the organizational skills of the United States Marine Corps… Organized by the men and women of the United States Marine Corps, the MCM is the largest marathon in the world that doesn’t offer prize money, instead celebrating the honor, courage and commitment of all finishers.”

It’s nickname is “The People’s Marathon.”

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

Interesting that both the Preamble and this prayer for our nation begin similarly.

This year, I have a new appreciation for our country and all it represents. There’s a lot of good here because it was founded on Godly principles by men and women who were not afraid to declare in whose Hands our future lies.

Every marathon I’ve run has had its full share of pain, doubts, and sheer exhaustion. But I’ve always come away glad I finished. Fast or slow, PR or not. The battle so often is in my mind just to get to the next mile. I can’t imagine the physical battle of fighting on the front lines for our country. All I can say is that I am grateful for those who have and are…

And the least – as well as the best – I can do is fight in prayer for our country. After all, it’s worth it. Life is good here.