TreyMorgan.Net » Running

9 Things Running has Taught Me

Trey Morgan — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:39:23 +0000

I’m a runner. I love pounding the road with friends while the rest of the world sleeps. It all started 16 years ago when my weight ballooned to 260 lbs and one of my greatest friends in this life, Robert Blevins, introduced me to running. Sixteen years later, I’m still running strong … and about 60 lbs lighter.

This weekend a big group of Childress runners are heading to Oklahoma City for the Oklahoma City Memorial Half Marathon. I’m going to run Sunday’s race in Robert’s memory. Everyone needs a Robert in their life.

All this got me to thinking about the different lessons that running has taught me. Here are 9 things …

Running has taught me that hard work brings rewards.
Running is a lot like life, occasionally you’ll eat a bug whether you want to or not.
Running has taught me that I run not to live a long life, but to live well while I’m alive.
Running has taught me that when I go running it’s NEVER good to dress like this guy.
While running, I’ve learned how to blow snot out of my nose without even slowing down my pace.
Running has taught me that watching my figure keeps Lea watching my figure.
Running has taught me that I can go anywhere by simply putting one foot in front of the other.
Running has taught me (the hard way) to always watch out for cars.
Running, much like life, is much easier when someone is cheering you on.

11 Signs That You Might be a Runner

Trey Morgan — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:19:43 +0000

In honor of Jeff Foxworthy’s “You might be a Redneck,” here are 11 signs you might be a runner…

If you’ve ever driven a car, just to measure how far you ran …. you might be a runner.
If you ever judge the color of your urine to determine your level of hydration … you might be a runner.
If you lost a toenail from running and you showed it off with a sense of accomplishment … you might be a runner.
If you’ve ever thought a 3 mile run was too short and not really worth the time or effort … you might be a runner.
If you’ve ever covered your nipples with band-aids and you didn’t think it was the least bit weird … you might be a runner.
If you can run and blow snot out of your nose at the same time … you just might be a runner.
If while running in sub-freezing temperatures, you have sweat freeze on your cap, AND you think it’s cool … you might be a runner.
If you’ve ever used the words “6 miles run” and “easy” in the same sentence … you might be a runner.
If you know what a fartlek is … you just might be a runner.
If you’ve ever had a conversation with 5 guys about where you buy your tights … you might be a runner.
If you talk about your running shoes like they are a car. “Yea, I’ve got about 600 miles on these babies. They look a little rough on the outside, but lace ‘em up and they’ll still purr like a kitten”… you might be a runner.

“Running won’t add years to your life, but it definitely adds life to your years!”

Have a great weekend … and if you get some time … go for a run.

Rocks in my Shoes and Sin in my Life

Trey Morgan — Fri, 21 May 2010 14:11:17 +0000

Nothing is more frustrating than getting a rock in my shoe when I’m running. Okay, maybe crazy rabid dogs are worse, but rocks in my shoe are a close second. Rocks are like uninvited guests that show up and ruin your whole party.

Here are a few things I’ve learned about getting a rock in my shoe while running…

No matter what size the rock, it always feels like a HUGE boulder.
I can’t focus on anything else as long as that rock is in there driving me nuts.
You can try and ignore it, but the only thing to do is stop and remove the rock from your shoe.

I got to thinking as I ran this morning, while trying to ignore the rock in my shoe, the sin in my life should be a lot like rocks in my shoes. Here’s how…

Sin should frustrate me. If it doesn’t bother me, something is wrong… BIG time wrong.
Sin should feel like a boulder, even when it’s small.
It should drive me nuts that it’s a part of my life.
I should refuse to ignore it and strive to remove it from my life.

I want to please my Father with every ounce of my being, because He is SO good to me. I don’t know about you, but sadly, sometimes I seem more concerned about the rocks in my shoes than I am the sin in my life.

Do you ever feel this way?

WARRIOR DASH (Pictures)

Trey Morgan — Sun, 02 May 2010 04:15:00 +0000

Warrior Dash was a crowded event and a great time.

They encouraged everyone to come in costume.

I quickly spotted some celebrity runners … like Leonidas from 300.

Captain Jack Sparrow?

There was “Waldo.”

Momma and Papa Smurf

We had a great group from Childress head to Forney, Texas for Warrior Dash. Here’s our group … while we’re clean.

After the race you could donate your old muddy shoes. They’d take them, clean them up and send them to a 3rd world country.

And we were off. Didn’t take long to find the mud. I took my phone to take pictures and when we got to water spots, I’d stick it in a ziplock bag. It worked pretty well.

The mud slide.

Our group in the middle of the 3.5 mile run.

Quite possibly my favorite picture, because it required that take a picture, while swimming across the lake, without getting my phone wet.

Nate on the hay bales.

Jumping fire.

And finally the mud crawl. If you weren’t totally muddy yet, you were after this obstacle.

There were a few people that must have tip-toed through the mud.

The mud was beginning to dry and we were looking for the water truck … to try and clean up.

Me, Connor and Parker. We missed Taylor on this run … next year Taylor, next year.

Our meanest warrior pose.

And the viking helmet … making the whole day worth while!

My buddy, Doug Young was there too. He had already found the water truck to clean up some.

WARRIOR DASH, TEXAS

Trey Morgan — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 10:42:00 +0000

Here’s what we’ll be doing tomorrow!!!

A really BIG group from Childress is headed to Forney, Texas tomorrow for Warrior Dash, Texas. Two of my sons, Parker & Connor, are running Warrior Dash with me. Warrior Dash is 3.5 mile race that will take us through rivers, up muddy hills, over giant hay bales, through a swamp, over a cargo net, through fire and, at the finish, we’ll crawl through a giant mud pit. How sweet is that?

And what do we get for running this crazy race? The MOST AMAZING TROPHY anyone could ever want… a viking helmet! YES!!

Sounds AWESOME doesn’t it?

RUNNING WITH THE REAL FORREST GUMP (THE RAVEN)

Trey Morgan — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:36:00 +0000

On Miami’s South Beach, you’ll find Robert Kraft, better known as The Raven. He’s there every day. Robert made a New Year’s resolution back on January 1, 1975 to run 8 miles every day that year. Now, 34 years later he still hasn’t missed a day. Eight miles every day for the past 34 years.

I first became fascinated by Raven’s story when I saw a video about him on ESPN. The part that amazed me was how many people come to run with him. Over 900 runners ranging in age from 9 to 79, from 61 different countries and 47 states, have completed at least one 8 mile run with him.

Next week during spring break, we will be in Miami to spend some time with Taylor. I’ve found out where “The Raven” runs, and I’m hoping to sneak out one afternoon and run 8 miles with him. That ought to be interesting.

I AM ADDICTED

Trey Morgan — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:13:00 +0000

I DON’T LIKE ME WHEN I’M ANGRY

Trey Morgan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:36:00 +0000

I’ve been asked before, “Trey, what gets you angry?” My response is always the same, “Nothing really. I don’t have a problem with getting angry.” That was until recently…

It was about 5:00 in the morning. Although it was dark, my buddy Randy and I were running on a street that was pretty well lit. About two miles into our run we came to an intersection where we had the right of way. Generally we don’t see any cars, but that morning we both notice a vehicle pulling up to the intersection.

“I don’t think he’s going to stop,” Randy said.

“Yea, he’ll stop,” I said, as we ran right out into the intersection.

About 2 seconds later I found myself upon the hood of a pickup, beating it with my fists so he’d stop and not finish me off. I was dazed and a little confused about what had just happened. Instantly a feeling of fear swept over me, followed by an amazing amount of anger.

The man immediately threw on his breaks and stopped. From his window I heard him say, “I’m so sorry I didn’t see you.” I remember that his voice sounded scared.

Heart racing about a thousand beats a minute and still very angry, I yelled, “BUT DID YOU NOT SEE THE BIG RED STOP SIGN?!? My tone was very harsh, my words were sharp and I was still angry.

Randy said, “You alright?”

“Yea, I think so,” I said, as I was trying to calm down and check myself out.

We started to run again and the guy in the pickup yelled apologetically, “Are you alright?”

I hollered back, as we ran off down the street, in a little kinder tone, “It’s okay, I’m fine.”

Because of the darkness, I have no clue who he was. I honestly felt really bad that I raised my voice and was short with him. I also know that I was scared, and what I did was a natural response to a scary situation. That’s how God made us when we’re put in a situation like that.

I still don’t like that out-of-control angry feeling I felt, and I’m SO thankful that I really don’t have a problem controlling my anger …. unless of course, you RUN ME OVER!

THINGS I’VE LEARNED FROM RUNNING

Trey Morgan — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:51:00 +0000

I’m phasing out my running blog and moving my running posts over here. So from time to time you can expect something on running… sorry

1 – A good run is a great cure for a bad day.

2 – It’s always okay to make fun of the men who are wearing shorty-shorts, but only behind their backs.

3 – It’s fun, when running with a group (or in a race), to remind the guy who is really struggling, “Hey Buddy, just in case, I know CPR.”

4 – Occasionally you’ll swallow a bug, just accept it.

5 – If you’re running a race, don’t run it in the new shirt you just received for that event … it’ll make you look like a rookie.

6 – NEVER expect a car to stop when it’s supposed to. (I found that out the hard way).

7 – Be a cheerleader and encourage a new runner.

8 – Learning to blow snot out of your nose without slowing your pace is a blessing. Just make sure you’re down wind (sorry Zach).

9 – If you’re not tough enough to be a runner, maybe you can get a bike and be a cyclist. (Right Dustin?)

10 – Run (or exercise) not so you can live long, but so you can live well.

OKLAHOMA CITY MEMORIAL MARATHON

Trey Morgan — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:23:00 +0000

I haven’t said much about it because I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to pull it off, but I’m running the Oklahoma City Memorial marathon at the end of this month. I’ve been training with my friend Randy, and I told him if I got the long runs in I’d go do the marathon with him. I did a marathon back in 1999 and after throwing up every six steps for the final 4 miles, I vowed “never again.” Well, never say never. Randy and I did a 16 miler a few weeks back, and it wasn’t bad, but the 18-miler I did two weeks ago really kicked me in the teeth. This morning he and I leave for a 20 mile run. Sheesh … what was I thinking?

One thing that helped me decide to do this marathon was that there is a BIG group of runners from Childress going. Some are doing the half marathon, some the 6 mile relay, but I sure don’t want to miss out on the fun.

Hopefully this is NOT me after our 20 mile run today.

SANTA RUNS A 5K

Trey Morgan — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 16:19:00 +0000

Last night was Childress’ Jingle Bell 5k run. Thirty-eight people showed up to run. About a month ago, I told my friend Kirby that I thought it would be fun to run the race in a Santa suit. He told me if I’d do the Santa suit, he’d dress up like an elf.

The coolest part was during the run there were kids screaming as I ran by, “MOM, SANTA CLAUS JUST RAN BY OUR HOUSE!” I don’t know how many times I hollered “Merry Christmas” and “Ho Ho Ho,” but it was quite a few. One driver who didn’t yield to me and made me stop, made my naughty list.

It was a fun run that I didn’t take to serious when it came to how fast I finished. I do have a new appreciation for the Big Guy in the red suit that somehow delivers presents to everyone in the world’s hottest suit!

Here are a couple of pictures. You can find more info and pictures here and here.

(Pre-race) Kirby was the biggest elf anyone had ever seen.

(Post-race) Q, myself and Ryan. I was SO glad to take that beard off. I could finally breath!

BUFFALO SPRINGS HALF MARATHON

Trey Morgan — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:24:00 +0000

WHAT I LEARNED…

This course provided two of the biggest hills I’ve ever seen in my entire life. These were Mount Sinai sized hills.
I’m thrilled they put off the start time until 9 a.m. to give it time to warm up. It was just above freezing when the race started.
I was excited to get to see Steve German, from Lubbock (not pictured) and James Henderson, from Mexico City both running the race.

2008 PALO DURO CANYON TRAIL RUN

Trey Morgan — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:58:00 +0000

I had a great weekend. About 200 runners showed up for a 12.2 mile run in some of God’s most beautiful creation. I wasn’t sure if I could do a run this difficult, but shoot, you’ll never know what you can do if don’t try. The thing I’m still learning is that when you put yourself on the line in a race and expose yourself to the unknown, you learn things about yourself that are very exciting.

The race actually started in the dark Saturday morning. Surprisingly, I felt great the whole run. About mile 8, I realized, “I can do this!” It was then that I really kicked it up and started zipping down the trail, passing rocks and trees like they were standing still.

I’ve done a little trail running, but never this far or this difficult. I hated the fact that no Indians showed up for the run, but it was still worth the trip. For completing the full 12.2 miles I got a t-shirt, a new cap and two extremely sore legs. Yesterday at church, I know the song leader was having us stand up to sing every other song just to make me hurt. Good thing I knew God would forgive me for what I was thinking about him.

I always miss my Childress church family when I’m away from them, but I really enjoyed my day with the Comanche Trails church. I met lots of people, including a couple of blog readers. I spent Saturday afternoon and Sunday at my parents house catching up on visiting.

Here are a few pictures of the beautiful scenery from Palo Duro Canyon.

It was a little eerie sounding, but there were bagpipes as the sun came up and the race began.

The start and finish line from the top of the hill.

Beautiful scenery of God’s magnificent creation and an area where we ran.

The hills where we ran!

The finish line!

My buddy, Kirby and I after the race! We were tired, hungry and ready to sit down.

THIS WEEKEND’S ACTIVITIES

Trey Morgan — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:08:00 +0000

SATURDAY is the PALO DURO CANYON TRAIL RUN: I’m going this Saturday to Palo Duro Canyon for a 20k (12.5 mile) run. It’ll be a monster of a run because 99% of it will be on dirt trails and up and down hills. Last time I ran this race it was only 9 miles, but it ran like it was much more. Now they’ve added 3 more miles. I hope I haven’t bitten off more than I can chew.

Also, the last time I ran this race an Indian showed up. You know, an actual Indian with head-dress, moccasins, face paint and loin cloth (the whole outfit). It was like he just appeared from out of the past. I kept a sharp eye on him the first 100 yards and then he took off like a rabbit and left me like I was standing still. When the race was over and I was standing near the finish line, I looked up and saw him just coming in to finish a good 20 minutes after me. I never went around him, so I had to go and ask him, “What happened!” He said, “I got lost for an hour.” I SO wanted to say, “Dude, you’re an Indian, you’re not supposed to get lost,” but decided it would be better if I just kept my mouth shut.

SUNDAY IN AMARILLO: On Sunday I’m going to spend the day speaking for the Comanche Trails church. It’s the congregation that my Mom & Dad worship with. The Comanche Trail’s church is having a big Friend’s Day. If you’re in Amarillo (or close by), I hope you’ll stop by to see me Sunday.

Here are a few pictures from the canyon and last year’s trail run.

Have a great weekend … Trey