Motivation - 2

   With the recent funk that I have been in, I thought it would be a good time to write another entry on a source of motivation that I use when I run.  My first "motivation" entry was about a dying man named Randy Pausch who presented an amazing presentation filled with hints on how to live life.   One of the other sources of motivation on these runs comes from one of the best books that I have ever read.  The name of the book is "Lone Survivor" by Marcus Luttrell, and it tells the story of four Navy SEALs who were serving in Afghanistan.  Lutrrell and three of his comrades were sent out on a mission to find a high priority Al Queda target in the mountains of Afghanistan. 
    Not only did these soldiers go through some of the most hellish training any person could imagine to even become a SEAL, but now they were traveling in a group of four, armed only with what they could carry, through mountainous terrain while being surrounded by people who wanted to kill them.  When you start to put things intro perspective running 26.2 miles doesn't seem all that bad.  The real motivation from this story comes from the heroism and determination of these four men when they become entrenched in combat.  Outnumbered 200 to 4, they valiantly engaged an Al Queda force while being out-positioned, outnumbered and on unfamiliar territory.  As to not give away the high points of the book, I will just say that the author endured days of pure hell.  The only way he was able to survive was through pure mental strength and determination. 
    I have tried to think of what I will use to motivate myself when I "hit the wall" on this run.  Its foolish to think that "it won't happen to me" because it happens to even the most experienced runners.  One of the thing that always comes to my mind during these times is the quote "Keith,  Never Quit.  Marcus Luttrell".  That's actually what the author wrote on the inside cover of the book that was given to me by my friend for Christmas (see below).   Again, it makes me think about what he had overcome by being outnumbered, injured, shot and alone ... and then makes me realize that when the worst thing I have to look forward is a couple of hills on a 26.2 mile course of pavement with people cheering you on ... I guess I don't have it all that bad. 

"Lone Survivor" by Marcus Luttrell.  I highly recommend everyone read it.  Its an amazing story about people who give up everything to help protect the freedoms that we enjoy every day. 

"Keith ... Never Quit ...  Marcus Luttrell"  This is what Luttrell wrote on the inside cover of my copy of the book.   My best friend Noonan got it signed after he gave a speech to a governmental agency.