LONDON – Even in a crowd of 105 runners, people spotted Guor Marial before the men’s marathon began Sunday at the London Olympics.

“Maaarrr-eee-aaalll!” a man shouted to his right, drawing out every syllable. The runner who once competed for Iowa State looked up, smiled and waved.

“Guor!” someone called from his left, drawing more recognition from the onetime refugee from South Sudan.

Marial heard the refrain, and saw the South Sudanese flag wave, throughout the next 26.2 miles. He was never more content to finish in the middle of the pack in a road race.

The time – 2 hours, 19 minutes, 32 seconds, good enough for 47th place – was beside the point.

Running under the International Olympic Committee banner because his homeland of South Sudan was so recently formed that it doesn’t yet have its own Olympic body, Marial said he was hoping to serve as an inspiration to displaced persons everywhere.

Guor Marial runs in the 2011 Dam to Dam road race. He finished 47th Sunday in the Olympic marathon.

After, the 28-year-old who fled Sudan during its civil war and settled in America in 2001, said:
“I have no problem. I live in the United States. I have running shoes. I’m fine. What about the people that are out there? This is the reason I was finishing today. For those people. They are in a rough condition, and I hope that the world is able to help them.”

Marial didn’t find out that he would be able to compete in London until three weeks ago. So training to win a marathon of this caliber was impossible.

Instead, he just wanted to complete the race, to focus whatever attention he could on displaced persons everywhere.

“I said, ‘Hey God, make me finish. Just let me finish,’” he said. “I was not worried about the time.

“It doesn’t matter how long the marathon, whether it was 40 miles. I would finish. Because this moment was for them.”

Finishing was no small task, seeing as how 20 of the 105 starters did not, including two of the three American entrants.

Stephen Kiprotich of Uganda won the marathon in 2:08:01, with Kenyans Abel Kirui and Wilson Kiprotich taking silver and bronze.

Cruising along in a pack well to the rear came Marial, 28, an all-American while running for the Cyclones from 2006-09. He said 10 kilometers into the race, he realized his body was not up to the challenge of running up front.

So he focused on the bigger picture, on the people who might draw inspiration just by watching him.

“In my heart here, I feel like I was carrying the flag of South Sudan,” he said.

Among them were the parents he hasn’t seen since 1993, who trekked some 30 miles to the nearest town where they could see the race on television. Marial still hopes to return home for a visit someday.

In Ames, his former coach Corey Ihmels gathered early with his family to watch Marial complete an epic journey. Ihmels told the Register in an email that it was particularly poignant to view the marathon with his children, ages 5 and 3, who both remember Marial.

“I know he understands the bigger purpose of what he accomplished today and I know he isn’t finished spreading this message and running to the best of his ability,” Ihmels wrote.

“Just as proud as any parent would be; he is just a very special person.”

Marial already was looking ahead to 2016. He has no idea if he’ll qualify for the Rio de Janeiro Games. And, if he does, whether he will represent South Sudan or the United States.

“This is for them, especially,” Marial said of his parents. “If they will be still alive, 2016 is another chance. And hopefully, there I will be in a better place, a better time. And I’ll be able to know that I’m training for the Olympics.”

Thanks for visiting my website and for your interest in helping me raise money for our courageous veterans!! My name is Mike Klingerman and I’m preparing to run 50 miles through the Sierra Nevada Mountains in an attempt to raise $5000 for The Heroes Project, a non-profit benefiting our wounded veterans.

Tim Medvetz is a mountaineer with a unique background, vision and goal. A brief explanation involves Tim being badly injured in a motorcycle accident on Sept 10th, 2001. He was told he’d likely never walk again, but with unrelenting determination, he not only walked again but he climbed to the summit of Mt Everest in 2007! Through that experience, Tim founded The Heroes Project in which he trains and guides amputated American soldiers to the 7 summits of the world.

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One of the craziest guys on Earth has officially gone faster on his skateboard than I could ever go in my first car. World champion downhill skater Mischo Erban set a Guinness record for fastest standing skateboard speed, clocking in at an utterly insane 80.74 mph.

It’s impossible to know what flying down a mountainside in Quebec at that speed would feel like without actually doing it, but Erban and Recon Instruments bring us one step closer to the sensation with some cool POV footage. Erban clipped an Android-powered HUD prototype to the right side of his helmet, flipped it on and hit the road.

Erban rides a GMR deck with an aluminum spine that holds the trucks in perfect alignment so the board tracks straight and true in the neutral position. The board features Ronin trucks and 85 mm wheels with ceramic bearings. It’s a package built for speed.

Erban, who lives in British Columbia, has been training for this since 2007, when Douglas de Silva of Brazil set the record at 70.21 mph. Erban hit 80.83 mph on a 12 percent incline in Colorado two years ago, setting a record for the International Gravity Sports Association. That run was at 6,000 feet; Monday’s run occurred essentially at sea level, where there is more air resistance. Hence, the Guinness record.

Hitting that kind of speed is fun, Erban said, especially when the pavement is good.

“When you go on these speeds on a smooth road, you feel the raw power of gravity pulling you down, it’s so crazy to see everything whipping by you,” he said. “It’s a crazy rush.”

Until, of course, it’s time to stop. Skateboards don’t have brakes, and you can’t just step off. You wouldn’t jump out of a car going 80 mph, would you? So how do you stop? Wind resistance.

“Pop out of the ball you were in, open your arms up and make yourself as big as possible,” Erban said. Then dare to put your foot down.

Photos: Digital Direct via Mischo Erban

Article from Wired, By Beth Carter

Jack Hogan rocking his Epic graduation shirt…with brother Nick

Graduates, families, friends and faculty, thank you for being here

I remember my high school graduation many many years ago.  I remember lining up walking in to the football stadium, I remember someone turned the lights off during the ceremony which we thought was hilarious, I remember after and the relief that I was done with high school.

I even remember later that night stories which I can’t talk about and keep the high standards of a Greenwood graduation.

I also remember 4 years later at my Drury graduation.  I remember how hot it was when we were lined up to walk in.  I remember the satisfaction and excitement of having a college degree; I remember even throwing my cap in the air.

What I don’t remember about either graduation is the speaker and I bring this up to remind myself I have no pressure with this speech at all.

Last march I’m setting in my office and I get a phone call on my cell phone and caller ID said it was Anabelle. 

First reaction was what have I done?  Did I mess up a DVR recording or did I delete something I shouldn’t have, anyway with fear and hesitation I answered the call and Anabelle said Dad my class chose you to speak at Graduation this year. 

My first reaction was Ah man, no!  She said you don’t sound very excited you going to do it?  I hesitated for two reasons the first being I knew I would obsess over this speech from that phone call till 15 seconds ago when I started.  In fact I still wasn’t sure what I was going to say when I just walked out. 

Also I know the parents of this graduation class and they are a very accomplished group;

There is a very successful bank President, orthodontist, orthopedic surgeon, Oral surgeon, MD’s, Lawyers,  engineers,  a Judge, a priest, successful business people and a real estate mogul and yet this class choose a nasally speaking guy with an Oklahoma accent who sells title insurance to speak, go figure.

Anyway I told Anabelle I would speak and realize I was the best choice to speak today based on 19 years with 3 kids at Greenwood I know a lot about the school and I know a lot about the success of the school and I know a lot about the success after they graduate from the school. 

After 19 years they should either name a science wing after me or allow me to speak at graduation so here I am. 

By the way 19 years 3 kids Dr. Clothio pointed out this adds up to 39 tuition checks to Greenwood which is math you just never want to do. 

Most graduation speeches I’ve seen have started out with a quote.  Last year the speaker quoted rap lyrics which I enjoyed and a couple of years ago someone quoted a famous philosopher which I didn’t understand so that tells you what kind of speaker I am.

 I’m going to quote someone closer to home, that I admire and respect none the less which is my brother in law, Jack Hogan’s father Bud Hogan.

Bud told his boys and I think my kids as well not to peak at Greenwood!  I knew exactly what he meant.  Greenwood is like no other school around. 

You’ve had the best teachers, the best faculty you’ve grown up on a college campus, some of you got to play varsity basketball without  years of AAU basketball,  Some of you got to play varsity soccer because Coach Shull needed the numbers ever though the last time you played was in kindergarten. 

Some of you got to participate in a successful debate program without having a private debate coach and

Almost all of you participated in a state ranked band program year after year lead by Mr. Rue and I can go on and on. 

Bud’s advice means Greenwood gave you a great experience so as you travel to the next level….take these wonderful memories with you….but don’t let this be your CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT.

Don’t peak at Greenwood, there’s so much more out there to experience you need to work hard on making the next step of your life as successful and full.  

Your college experience is going to be one of the best experiences of your life.  You’re going to have opportunities to study anything you can imagine.  You’re going to have opportunities to meet new people from all over the world.  You’re going to have opportunities to create a career path for yourself and your future. 

A couple of thoughts to take to college with you;

First don’t forget or ignore the people you’re leaving behind.  Weather your across town at Drury or across the country at Stanford this is very emotional for them and it is going to be a difficult adjustment.

So be nice the rest of the summer.  Make your bed, clean your room, mow the lawn and do your dishes they deserve a good summer with you.

I think you understand and appreciate their world has revolved around you……so when you leave they need PHONE CALLS, TEXT AND VISITS, and need to still be there to give you advice.  Keep them involved it will mean a lot. 

Next…..and this is important…..you have to learn time management!

It’s the biggest challenge you face in college.

You’ll have 2-4 hours of class a day and you’ll falsely believe you have the rest of the day off and you don’t.  It’s critical that you manage your free time to work on the many class projects and papers so they don’t’ happen at the last minute.  Last minute work is C level work in college…..and Greenwood did not teach you to be C level students …… so find a good balance between a social life and school work. 

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Don’t be afraid to experience different classes or study programs.  Get outside your box so to speak and try something different.  Take classes you like and are interesting but remember to start building a plan for after college and when your career starts.

College will fly by just like these last 13 years of school.

Lastly

 when you go off to college don’t forget where you came from and the people you grew up with. Greenwood gave you a great chance to make some amazing friendships that will last long after everything else that happens in life.  My Mother-in-Law Becky Hogan graduated from Greenwood some years back and to this day still gets together with her other Greenwood graduates every year. 

Getting back to the first question about not Peaking at Greenwood and when does a person peak?

Well to be honest with you I don’t know.  I feel every step I take I working towards something amazing and I really feel it is only getting better……..?

Maybe the answer to this question is not about any single event or period in our life but maybe it’s about the total body of work in our lifetime.

When I started out working on this speech I wanted to be inspired so I could inspire.  You can go on-line and get any speech you want for graduation but if it didn’t mean anything to me it wouldn’t go well or mean anything to you. 

So I want to close with a story……about a family friend who lives in California , who inspires me.

I was inspired by a statement on a shirt I saw in Bud’s office .  Then I found out this came from a family friend who is also Bud’s best friend. 

He grew up here in Springfield and was a very successful high school and college athlete. Graduated then started a business in Colorado which was successful. Came back to Spfd to be closer to his family married a beautiful girl from another country and was very successful at his work in Spfd.  Had multiple cars, motorcycles, beautiful house, country club membership and lots of travel.  He had everything on the surface.  In fact he was so good looking when we were with him I was careful not to stand too close in case my wife saw us side by side.  He appeared to have it all.

Then it all came crashing down.  The economy turned, he had a death in the family, he divorced his wife and finally had a motorcycle accident that left him in the hospital and ultimately a medication addiction.  His lowest point was Christmas day 2009 in rehab.  His circumstances forced him to find a new path to travel.  He said he made up his mind that day to never to again chase money instead of his dreams.

He had a dream where the search for happiness peace and adventure is the goal not the outcome.  So he started his own mantra to do something epic every day. 

Soon he started putting sticky notes all over reminding him to do something epic every day which then turned into tee shirts and which lead him into starting a website called Epiceveryday.com.  He now sells shirts and such and gives wisdom and motivation through his site. 

He has even started an Epic everyday adventure fund to fund one adventure a month through his website profits.  This first epic everyday adventure will be awarded this June. 

He is quick to remind everyone Epic everyday does not mean extreme and can mean different things to different people.  Maybe Epic to you will be to get involved in a public service program or to befriend someone who is having trouble with the college transition or get involved in politics for the good of the country.

I love the word epic and I think this is a word each of you can take with you on your next challenge.

I think he is the classic example of someone who went off to college with goals and dreams just like you all have right now and turned those dreams into reality as financial success but found out life is so much more.  Life is not about chasing money and a lifestyle but living life and according to him living life Epic everyday!  My friend has a lot of respect for Greenwood and wishes you all success in your next step.  He sent each of you an epic everyday graduation tee shirt to remember his Mantra by.  

I hope his story inspires you like he has inspired me and my family

So take Bud’s advice and appreciate your experience at Greenwood but don’t look back and be prepared to achieve amazing/epic things in your next step.

Congratulations class of 2012 go do something epic!

There have been an incredible number of entries for the for the 1st EpicEveryDay Adventure Fund award and choosing a winner has been almost impossible.

People from all over the world submitted their “Epic” and every entry should win! The dreams people have  shared are full of passion, life, adventure, love, courage, faith and all embody the EpicEveryDay mantra: “Experience Life. Do what you love, and do it often. Do something EpicEveryDay!”

In addition to selling shirts and wrist bands I’m working on ways to keep the Adventure Fund full so my dream of helping people live their “Epic” continues.  Since January there are over 1,000 “super-power” EpicEveryDay neoprene wristbands on wrists around the world and a couple hundred shirts!!!!  If you don’t have yours get it here.  Wear Epic, Give Epic, Inspire Yourself and help me keep the Adventure Fund rockin!!

And the winner is…..Julie Kundert, Founder of the Ahimsa Festival.  Here’s her “Epic”:

Hello, my name is Julie Kundert.  Before I share my “Epic” it is important to know the backstory of what motivates my vision.

I am 43 years old and I have 4 children.. my husband committed suicide almost 10 years ago and we have had quite a journey sense. After time had passed I found myself engaged to whom I thought was a wonderful man. This person ended up being an incredibly dangerous and abusive partner. We were stuck for 6 long grueling years knowing that if I were to leave my children would lose their lives. It wasn’t until one day my girlfriend took me to a yoga class and my life changed completely.. long story short,we are now free after 2 years of hiding and this person thankfully has been sentenced to prison for 24 years.

My vision is to spread the awareness of world and domestic peace to all. I am putting together a festival called the Ahimsa Festival (ahimsa meaning non-violence non-harming) it is one of the 8 limbs of yoga. www.theahimsafestival.com. This website will explain much more of my vision. The festival has been put together with the intention of self transformation, forgiveness, healing, hope and inspiration through the beauty of yoga.  The proceeds from the festival will go to the Valley CARES Family Justice Center.  The center helps thousands of men women and children such as myself and family find safety and protection as well as counseling.  This festival is my “Epic” journey to reach out and touch countless lives.

If I am awarded the first EpicEveryDay Adventure Fund I would use the money to directly inspire and help a small group of men, women and their children at the Valley CARES Family Justice Center.  My vision is to get these men, women and their children to experience as many “Epic” experiences as possible with the $2,000.  I would coordinate a variety of activities like paddle boarding, rappelling, hiking, sailboating, yoga, and art that would allow these abused women to inspire themselves and experience life.

I believe by being awarded the Adventure Fund I can also get additional donations from businesses that provide “Epic” experiences.  This award would allow me to further my “Epic” of inspiring people through love, hope, passion, self transformation, and healing.  So, in summary this money would help and inspire a group of women to live their “Epic” and they will share their “Epic” with others in the shelter who will see it’s possible to be inspired, happy, adventurous and be excited about life again.  At the Ahimsa Fm,estival I would like to play a short video showing how living EpicEveryDay impacted and helped these women.  I want to help spread the EpicEveryDay message through as many people as possible.

White light and love always… Julie Kundert

Jullie Kundert, Founder Ahimsa Festival Winner of First EpicEveryDay Adventure Fund Award

If you didn’t enter your “Epic” it’s not to late.  The Adventure Fund will award another winner later this year.  All previous entries will be saved and will be eligible to win the 2nd Adventure Fund award.  

Enter your “Epic” here and I’ll send you a “super-power” neoprene wrist band!