When setting goals, we re often told that we need to "stretch ourselves". To set goals that are just beyond our reach but still achievable. Even with this, we cannot always SEE the end results. It can appear that it is just one obstacle after another, one turn after another with no end in sight.

But have FAITH! As long as you are chipping away at your goal, one piece at a time, overcoming one obstacle at a time & going around one turn at a time, you WILL reach your goal.

Every little but takes you one step closer to realizing your goals.

We cannot always expect to see the "WHOLE PICTURE" when often times what we want to achieve is beyond what we cam see. We have a vision, a desired outcome that we want, a goal to reach that is just over that current obstacle or around that immediate turn. Keep at it with FAITH & you WILL achieve it.

It WILL include struggles, sweat and maybe even some tears. There will be some days that are easy and others when you want to give up. But have no despair! Many a person has made similar struggles only to come out victorious. Keep the faith my friend as worthy goals will be achieved.

Commercial airplanes have a goal too; to arrive at some destination that they cannot see. They KNOW it is there, but cannot see it. They set their controls, dial in the coordinates to where they want to go (their goal). Did you know that airplanes are OFF COURSE almost 90% of the time? How would then ever reach their goal or destination you might think? They are constantly evaluating the situation & making course corrections along the way.

By making constant corrections on the path of OUR GOALS, we can also be assured that we will arrive there too.

Often time we weave this way & that way, often times we look off into the far distance & the road just seems to go on and on and on and . . . but with perseverance, the long and winding road can be one of wonderment and amazing experiences.

It can be our haven for reflecting inwards and connecting with God.

Soldier on my friend and have faith.

Blessings;

Ken

Well friends, Thanksgiving 2012 is gone as is Christmas and 2013 has begun. Hopefully we all spent time with family & friends focused on what we are thankful for and what we have been blessed with as well as ringing in 2013 with gusto! Things have been nothing short of chaotic so I am JUST NOW posting a Race Report / Fund Raising Report for Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd held the end of October.

Race morning started off quite chilly (36 degrees), but warmed up quickly as the sun rose.

(Yes, I am there somewhere).

As the day unfolded and darkness set in, it was becoming evident that it was going to be Deja Vu; from last year. Time knows no allies and is equal to all and TIME was not on my side this day. I realized that a 100 mile finish within the 30 hour cut-off. The good news is that I was 30 minutes better than my time in 2011.

I needed to focus on the BIG PICTURE!

For Know No Boundaries, the BIG PICTURE was raising money for Jason Bowlin and NOT my own selfish endeavor to finish a race. The decision (a hard one at that) was made after running 70 miles, to "call it good" & to be satisfied with what I was able to do, which was raise money and awareness for Jason's medical needs.

All in all, Know No Boundaries raised just over $1050 to help Jason and his family with their medical expenses. In our opinion, it was not too shabby for only having 2 1/2 weeks within which to raise money.

Now in the first part of January 2013, Jason continues to improve. Upcoming doctor appointments will tell if he will be ready for the next step - reconstructive surgery.

Did we reach our goal?

I would say a resounding YES! Our goal was to help an individual; a family overcome a financial boundary and we achieved exactly what we set out to achieve.

Onward and upward they say, right? Looking into our future and WHAT to do next! We ended the year finishing the Half, Half or Double Half Marathon (we did the double half of course) at Turkey Mountain. BEAUTIFUL weather for being "winter".

We plan on getting quite creative in what "boundaries" we can break in 2013 and are actively looking to help people to "break out" of whatever self set, self limiting boundaries they find themselves up against.

God Bless;

Ken

Well friends, it is officially Fall! Cooler weather, nice evenings on the back porch with the chiminea on, beautiful fall foliage on the way, thoughts of the delicious fall holiday meals (Hint: Thanksgiving) and of course, Smashing Pumpkins!

WHAT you say?

You read it correctly. October 20-21, 2012 is the 2nd running of the Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd 100 Mile Trail Run (well not actually "trails", but definitely gravel country roads.).

Know No Boundaries ran the inaugural Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd last year & due to time constraints, bailed at mile 70. This year however, we are going to "Smash the Pumpkin" and finish the entire 100 miles! The recipient of our fundraising is a young man from Sapulpa, Oklahoma named Jason Bowlin. Jason has Squamous Cell Carcinoma (skin cancer) in the lower face and neck area and has been undergoing radiation & chemotherapy and wil also be undergoing reconstructive surgery. As an ex-construction contractor, Jason does not have medical insurance so the financial burden has been on "mom & dad". This "financial boundary" is where our Fall 2012 funds are going. We are looking to get donations of $1.00 per mile. On the larger scale, a $100 maximum x the number of donations WOULD help the Bolin's overcome this boundary.

Please go to www.knownoboundaries.org & click on the Donate link at the top. Know No Boundaries is a 501 (c) (3) foundation so all donations are tax deductible. Online donations are done through PayPal so it is secure.


Looking further in the calendar, we are also looking at participating in the 2012 Turkey n' Taturs on November 4th right here in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Turkey Mountain (well, it is not really a mountain & there are no turkeys).

It will be a 50K trail run (for us at least) on beautiful Turkey Mountain trails.

There are a few other events we are considering for the remainder of 2012 so stay tuned.

And remember - - - There is no mountain top view without a coimb.


Blessings;
Ken

Hello friends. I am SURE all is well with you (as they should be since you DO have a choice, right?).

I have recently taken a new position with a new company. With changes such as this, we needed to step back & review our priorities as well as our new schedules as well as our priorities.

Life Events such as this often affect other things in our lives. (Changes always seem to have other implications don't they?) In this case, it is the vacation that I had scheduled in order to run The Chisholm Trail. With this new position, I DO NOT have vacation yet & as such will not be able to have the time needed to run the trail.

With this said, the Chisholm Trail Ultra that was initially planned for September 13th through September 20th will need to be postponed (Notice I DID NOT SAY cancelled!). IT WILL HAPPEN, but just a a later date. We are considering some time in the Spring of 2013 when the weather in Oklahoma is enjoyable & tolerable.

Although this was a real bummer for us here at Know No Boundaries, it could actually be looked at as a blessing in disguise. NOTHING happens without a reason. This delay may allow additional things to be considered as well as give us more training time (it IS 233 miles after all!). One thing that we are kicking around is the idea of a Relay option. Hmmm - - - the jury is still out on this one. Also, if you have some suggestions, please get with us so that we can hear your suggestion & give it its due consideration.

For now, we are looking at our calendars to find a good time to re-schedule it.

Our apologies.

And always remember in all things, Know No Boundaries

God Bless;

Ken