What I’m Going To Say When I Speechify Before the AF Half-Marathon Today
I am always nervous before races. Always. Always always always.
I’m going to be even worse before this race, though, cuz they’ve asked me to give a little speech at the starting line, before the American Fork Half Marathon Race begins.
So here’s what I plan to say.
I’m incredibly excited about doing this race today, for a lot of reasons. One of the big ones is that — like a lot of you — I absolutely love this beautiful canyon. I love mountain biking here, I love road biking here. I even love running here. Which is a good thing today, I guess.
I love this place so much, in fact, I got married here. Just a couple miles into this run, if you look to the left you’ll see the Mile Rock picnic spot, where my beautiful wife Lisa and I got married a little more than a year ago.
Another reason I’m excited for today’s run is that I think we’re all going to be fast today. There’s the early morning canyon wind that’ll be at our backs, and then there’s the elevation profile. If you’ve got a pair of those sneakers that have retractable rollerblade wheels, today’s the day to break them out.
The reason I’m most excited about this race, though, is what it means to some people I don’t even know. Back when my first wife, Susan, started treatment for cancer, we at least had the financial part figured out. That was one thing we didn’t have to deal with.
But it occurred to me dozens of times during Susan’s treatment what a horrible position it would be to be facing cancer and not having a way to pay for it. To be facing a fight like that and to be wondering how we were going to be able to afford treatment would have been the straw that broke my back.
Horribly, there are people living close by — people who are our neighbors — in that situation. Right now.
But here’s the awesome thing: you are doing something about it. Right now. Every penny you spent on your race registration is going to help someone as they fight cancer. By being here today, you are doing something practical to make someone’s life better, as they fight for their life. Together, in fact, we’ve raised $55,000 to help local people who are fighting cancer.
This is a beautiful place, it’s downhill, you’ve got the wind at your back, and you’re doing something great for someone who needs your help.
You are all awesome. Good luck in your race!
The race starts at 6:00am. Chances are most of you won’t see this before I finish the run, but wish The Hammer and me (and RabidRunner) luck anyways.
Comment by Mike Roadie | 06.25.2011 | 4:40 am
Wishing you guys lots and lots of luck! Go get ‘em!
I’m off to ride some miles before the rains come. See you (all) in Davis!
Comment by Edie | 06.25.2011 | 5:24 am
Great speech! Best of luck. I know you guys will do great as always.
Comment by John Fitz | 06.25.2011 | 6:08 am
That speech rocks! Goosebumps… Made me wish I was there running it!!
Comment by BamaJim | 06.25.2011 | 6:10 am
Great speech, and it sounds like it should be a great run. Hope you enjoy it and beat your time goals!
Comment by Michael Ordonez | 06.25.2011 | 6:29 am
Awesome! hope you and the Hammer are having a great run!! good luck…
Comment by Franky | 06.25.2011 | 7:45 am
Great speech and a great cause. You two have fun and have a great race.
Comment by allison- Plantation, FL | 06.25.2011 | 7:49 am
Wonderful speech, Fatty. Very thoughtful and inspirational. May you and the Hammer have a great run. My husband and I have got to go visit your beloved canyon one day… to do it all… mtn. bike, road bike and run. What would you say is the best time of year to enjoy it? Being from Florida we appreciate cooler weather 60s-70s (low 80s are ok).
Comment by TomE | 06.25.2011 | 8:10 am
Nice speech Fatty – I’m going to say that to myself before my next run/ride!! Very motivating and touching.
Comment by RedNBlondies | 06.25.2011 | 8:18 am
Nice speech! Makes me wish I loved running. Hope the run went well, I’m sure you both did awesome!
Comment by hannah | 06.25.2011 | 8:29 am
GREAT speech Fatty. Hope you all ran like the wind!
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 06.25.2011 | 8:36 am
“I’m always nervous before races….and speeches.” DUH! This post is at 2:59am mt. time. Are you getting up or going to bed.
May the wind always be at your back, you feet quick and light, and your outlook always positive.
Thank you and good luck. Let us know how you are around mile 23.
Comment by Dan | 06.25.2011 | 9:22 am
Awesome speech and awesome job Fatty & The Hammer! I’m inspired!
Comment by LIz | 06.25.2011 | 10:10 am
Very inspiring! I hope the other runners were inspired, but some of them may have been as nervous as you and only heard every fifth word. Hope it went well and you both got the results you wanted (I just looked and they weren’t posted yet).
Comment by Fatty | 06.25.2011 | 10:36 am
We killed it. Finished together with a 1:36:52. More on Monday!
Comment by RedNBlondies | 06.25.2011 | 10:46 am
Why am I not surprised? Congrats to you both.
Comment by rabidrunner | 06.25.2011 | 11:20 am
You killed the speech too! Way to go. You’re a fine addition to the human race. (And I don’t throw that around lightly… Although I have said that to a few people recently – people who deserve to be told that they’re fine additions to the human race – so that means that if I spend enough time around these fine humans, maybe I’ll turn into one myself?)
Here’s to fine additions tot he human race!
Comment by Evelin B | 06.25.2011 | 2:58 pm
Congrats and best wishes for you both!!!! Good to hear that you “Killed it” though not in the leat bit surprised!!!
Comment by rokrider | 06.25.2011 | 4:04 pm
You guys stretched the stretch goals so much they snapped. Great job and congrats to both of you
Comment by Maggi | 06.25.2011 | 4:28 pm
Congrats to both of you! Fine speech, Fatty, and way to blow away those goals!
Comment by MattC | 06.25.2011 | 4:36 pm
I kept thinking to myself “why would the Air Force be having a half-marathon in Utah?” Then I realized it’s the American Fork. Hmmm. Sorry Fatty, but the American Fork will need to change it’s name…AF is already taken. Maybe it can be called American Canyon…oh wait, AC is taken too. Rats..there’s just too many abbreviations and acronyms out there. OK…we just need to stop this madness…no more abbv’s and ack’s.
Irt your run, congrats. U did good. Re your speech, I’d also say you killed it. OK, gotta go. I await the details on Mon.
Comment by Nurse Betsy | 06.25.2011 | 7:24 pm
you didn’t tell us how many times you used the porta potty before the race????
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 06.25.2011 | 9:49 pm
@ nurse betsy
It was probably twice as much a normal since he had both the ‘race’ and the ’speech’ to get him all worked up. He probably ha a count for each.
Comment by Nurse Betsy | 06.25.2011 | 10:06 pm
Heeheeheee @davidh-marin, you are probably right about that one!
Comment by Clydesteve | 06.25.2011 | 10:16 pm
I wished that.
Comment by theguide | 06.25.2011 | 10:55 pm
Awesome run! Congratulations. Was just looking at your run profile on the Plus 3 Network. You guys were really moving miles 6 and 7. Looks like you need a new stretch goal. And $3.54 for the World Bicycle Relief. Congrats again on reaching your goal.
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 06.26.2011 | 12:17 am
Well it’s done it twice. I cannot create +3 links to trumpet Fatty, Heather, and The Hammer’s success at Rockwell. BOO HOO. If anyone is interested check out the +3 site and Look at Fatty’s profile of activities: http://www.plus3network.com/people/profile/21105
According to prior posts the turns were Kenny(the lug-ite), Fatty, The Hammer, and Heather. The 3 entries have “created @ (times). The rundown would be:
Leg 1 THE LUG_ITE no data
Leg 2 June 10 @ 9:53 am FATTY
Leg 3 June 10 @11:58 am THE HAMMER
Leg 4 June 10 @ 2:47 pm HEATHER
Leg 5 THE LUG-ITE no data
Leg 6 June 10@ 7:53 pm FATTY
Leg 7 June 10@ 10:32 pm THE HAMMER
Leg 8 June 11 @ 1:37 am HEATHER
Leg 9 THE LUG-ITE no data
Leg 10 June 11 @ 6:34 am FATTY
Leg 11 June 11 @ 8:02 am THE HAMMER
Leg 12 June 11 @10:27 am HEATHER
Fatty’s first leg had numbers like 21.4 mile average, and 4.9 miles in 21:33 minutes while climbing about 1000 ft. These kinds of numbers only exacerbate my many performance anxiety issues, but I’m still considering coming to this race next year. Someone should carry the “latern rouge”, why not me?
Very impressive TEAM FASTTY. In everything you do.
Comment by stuckinmypedals | 06.26.2011 | 8:44 am
Great job on the speech and the run!
Comment by dvhansen | 06.26.2011 | 9:55 am
Insipiring – thanks for the lift. good luck today in your stretch goals…
Comment by Rogwe | 06.26.2011 | 11:26 am
Awesome job! Crushed the goals and inspired the rest of us!
Pingback by Fat Cyclist » Blog Archive » Race Report: The American Fork Canyon Marathon | 06.27.2011 | 12:02 am
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