1. What you don't know you don't know
2. What you know you don't know
3. What you know
Hey, don't be discouraged because we are all in the same boat. What we don't know we don't know and what we know we don't know are greater than what we know. When I retired from the Air Force in 2005, I vowed never to run again for Anyone. Fast forward 11 years and I’m back on the road again but not for Anyone Else. What I didn’t know is that I was never running for Anyone Else—who the heck is Anyone Else anyway. I was running for Someone Else—In the words of Alicia Keys song, Brand New ME. It was me who had joined the Air Force, raised my hand and stated the USAF commissioning oath: I, (MYRA EVANS) having been appointed a (Second Lieutenant) in the United States Air Force, do solemnly affirm that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter, SO HELP ME GOD.” Yes, I was aiming high. I understood that just because I put on the uniform didn't make me a hero. That was just the beginning. I was committed to serving other. Over 30 years later, I still remember this oath as it was repeated four more times as I accepted each new rank. Running was not just about me staying fit but about my commitment to something bigger than me—It was about the Constitution of the United States; it was about the love of country; it was about integrity, service, and excellence.
Two months ago I learned something else I didn't know. I made a commitment to enter the Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon that will take place in San Antonio on 3 Dec. I must admit, one of the reasons I’ve never even attempted such a feat was out of fear and because I thought a marathon was an unattainable goal for me. Why? Because I thought it was a 23 mile race defined by how fast I could run. I did’t know what I didn’t know. So I decided to do a little research. Webster d
efines a marathon as: "1 :a footrace run on an open course usually of 26 miles 385 yards (42.2 kilometers); broadly :a long-distance race. “ Wait a minute, that’s what I know. But if there is a 1 there must be a 2, right?. It goes on to say, “2 a :an endurance contest. b :something (such as an event, activity, or session) characterized by great length or concentrated effort.” That’s when the light bulb came on and my knowledge on marathon moved to the what I know. I know I will meet my goal of a half marathon if 1) I Get started, and 2) I endure and finish 13 miles. Imagine that, I could start right where I am and grow until I build up my endurance. Yes, it can be done. And I’m not alone. I have a whole team pulling with me and a church family who prays for me. And because I did my part and got started, I’m already in the 6 mile club. God will do the rest.
efines a marathon as: "1 :a footrace run on an open course usually of 26 miles 385 yards (42.2 kilometers); broadly :a long-distance race. “ Wait a minute, that’s what I know. But if there is a 1 there must be a 2, right?. It goes on to say, “2 a :an endurance contest. b :something (such as an event, activity, or session) characterized by great length or concentrated effort.” That’s when the light bulb came on and my knowledge on marathon moved to the what I know. I know I will meet my goal of a half marathon if 1) I Get started, and 2) I endure and finish 13 miles. Imagine that, I could start right where I am and grow until I build up my endurance. Yes, it can be done. And I’m not alone. I have a whole team pulling with me and a church family who prays for me. And because I did my part and got started, I’m already in the 6 mile club. God will do the rest.
So, why am I committed to completing the half marathon? I’m glad you asked. Most importantly, I’m running to impact the lives of million young girls all over the world who have to carry fresh water to bathe, eat, and live. Back in the 60s and 70s, I thought I was poor and felt ashamed because I had to walk several hundreds yards to fill milk jugs with water before going to school. Notice, I felt poor and ashamed, but not because I felt it was life or death. What I didn’t know then that I know now is there are girls in Africa walking an average of 6 miles everyday for water, any water—and it is life or death for them. And even closer to home, Harvey, Irma, Maria, and now Nate reminds us how much we really don’t know and how much we take for granted. Today, my fears seem so petty when compared to what African children go through or what Puerto Ricans will have to endure as they try to rebuild their lives. I’ve come a long way but in the words of John Maxwell, there is “more more” to be done. I hope you will consider joining me. It’s not too late. For more information, check out https://www.worldvision.org or go to my campaign page here and donate to help me raise funds to impact the lives of other. We an go further together. Success to You!
Storyteller4Change
