900 MILES

Today I hit 900 miles ran for the year. YEA!! I have to admit that I have been easing back on running the last several months. I have been busy with family, work, and Assurance Auto Care. I still enjoy a good run; just not 12 mile runs. Running has taught me so many things that I thought I would share them with you.

R e-shapes your mind and body.

U nlimited goals. When you set goals in life it keeps you sharp and focused.

N ever give up. As hard as times may be, if you do your best you will be more than joyful at the finish.

N o negativity. We all have an option here. Build up or tear down?

I nspiration. I have come across unbelievable people that are real hero's that you will never hear about.

N othing that has value is easily obtained.

G od is good. He has once again reveled to me that the most precious things in life are freely given by Him.

New York City ING Marathon

Today (Nov. 2, 2008) was the ING New York City Marathon. I find it quite funny that I switched from watching the NFL to watch this amazing event. One thing I really admire with the major marathon events is that you yourself can be a part of it. The pros take off first and then you follow. It is amazing to see 40,000 people all involved unlike all the other sporting events that you pay high dollars to sit and watch. For so many years I would watch the Detroit Lions and many times( OK most of the time:) I would be upset when the game ended. I had no control ,and heck I do not even know any of these guys, so why should it affect my life? Running is a sport where you benefit in every way. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually. That is why I find it so easy to switch from football to running. Also, with distance running you WILL NEVER see people angry/fighting/ or going home mad to there family. period. So I will keep on running!

1/2 marathon trail run

Meet David Goggins

Weko to Warren Renegade 1/2 marathon

I had thoughts concerning what I was going to face in this upcoming trail run;
so I emailed the race director to get a heads up. The following is what I recieved.

Hi Steve,
> If I were to rate the course I'd have to say between 8
> or 9 in difficulty and the only thing that might bump it to
> a 10 would be a lot of mud and water. The majority of the
> trails are hard pack single track but there's maybe 4
> short sections of sand and a 1 mile beach section. The
> stretch of beach run is usually pretty good with the sand
> being pretty flat and packed for good running. The course
> is really beautiful with some scenic overlooks of the lake
> and deep ravines but it's loaded with hills. The first
> 2 and 1/2 miles is all hills followed up with couple miles
> of flats then back in the hills then the beach then hills,
> then flats, and ending with hills and the finish will take
> you up 100 stairs up and 100 down to a boardwalk to the
> finish. It's a tough course but a nice one.

What I have learned though running is that I need challenges to keep me focused in life.
I have to "step out of the boat" as Peter did when Jesus wanted to see who had faith. I will trust
Jesus in this challenge also. I am willing to try. With Jesus you will ALWAYS come out better than before if
you rely on him.

31th Birthday Run

As my 31st B-day is approaching I have plans to run my 1st 1/2 Marathon Trail Run. Last year for my 30th B-day I ran from Grand Haven to Holland. I will plan on doing a special run each year to celebrate my aging old body :) I will be traveling down to Bridgeman,MI on Oct.18 on Sat. morning. This trail run is going to be amazing with the changing leaves and the sights along Lake Michigan. I will have time to thank God for all of the great things He has blessed me with to enjoy as I travel this earth. My loving wife, which I have the highest praise. Thanks babe for being an over achieving wife, mother, and woman of God. Then there is Bennett. WOW. Bennett has brought so much joy and constantly reminds me how God loves us no matter what happens in life. Then we are expecting another gift in January when a new baby will join our family. I could go on and on. God is Good.

Dean Karnazes

On July 31,2008 Dean Karnazes' new movie is going to be played in theaters around the USA. The closest showing is in Kalamazoo at 9:00pm. I cannot wait! The movie covers Dean as he completes the 50-50-50. That's 50 Marathons, in 50 days, and in 50 states. Here is a sweet clip I found on you tube.

Portland Half Marathon Trail Race

On Aug.23 I will be running 13.1 miles of trails in Portland,MI. I am very excited:) I love to run though Gods heart. It is so peaceful and calming. Nature has a healing effect for the hustle of life. The society we all live in currently is so fast paced with constant changes. I would encourage you to take a couple hours (or days as my brothers will) to reset your brain and hear God speak. Life is good!

2008 Mileage Map

This map shows the distance I have run in 2008. When I look at the distance it is crazy to think how ultra runners train this distance in a months time. Think about Dean Karnazes running 350 miles in 80 hours? Talk about a Machine.

Traverse City Bayshore Mararthon

Laura and I ventured up to Traverse City on May 23, 2008 so that I could run my first marathon. The morning of the race was perfect. The weather was around 48 degrees and sunny. The race started at 7:30 am at the local high school. The course went up the bay along the water 13.1 miles and then would turn around and head back. I really enjoyed the first 18 miles. The last 8 miles were brutal as my left knee was in pain. If I was out on any old run I would have stop and called it a day. But this was my 1st marathon and I had to push it. I finished in 4:20 which I was OK with. Laura ran the last 200 yards with me to the finish line which made me proud. I had nothing left. I was totally depleted. Laura was my "pit crew" as she met me at miles 7 and 19. I love you babe! Afterwards I swore up and down I will never do this again. It is now 2 weeks later and I can finally run again with no pain in my knee. Will I ever run another marathon??

5/3 RiverBank Run 5-10-08

I had a wonderful run this morning at 8 am in Grand Rapids. All went great! I was concerned with my right knee; as it has been bothering me; so I was not sure what to expect after the gun went off. I was able to keep a steady pace from start to finish with no knee pain. Praise God! Thank you all for praying for me. I finished in 2 hour and 19 minutes. 6 minutes faster than last year:) I was able to run without ever walking. I even sprinted to finish off the race. I felt great! Next up is the 26.2 mile beast that will have its way with me I am sure. But, I will take one step at a time. Laura and I will be up in Traverse City on May 24 where I will take on my first Marathon. Here are some of my pics. from the River Bank Run. Take care.

Gotta stretch out good!



Pretty crowded in here :)



It's all over folks!!!!

IT Band syndrome. I have it. And not a great time to be experiancing it. This past weekend as I was half way through my long run I had to quit because the pain on the outside of my right knee was unbearable. After researching I know that my IT Band is the problem. Now I need to take time off and pray that it will heal by May 10 so I can run the Riverbank. I just ordered an IT Band strap that will wrap around above my knee which they say should help. This injury is common with running longer distances. No pain no gain?

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

This verse is my life in a sense. Sin can weigh us down, and take away our joy. But, keep up the fight!! Life is a race with many obstacles that will test us. Some learn quickly and get stronger. Some of us will run into the same challenge time after time after time until they give up; sadly without Jesus. I fully understand why God gives all of us a choice in life. He is with us when the gun goes off and then we have the choice to run with or without God. Many of us, including me, have decided to focus on everything in front of us; looking to the next obstacle or view around the corner. Knowing God; but many times we lean toward Him only when the course is to difficult to do it alone. All of us are running a long race and with any endurance race it doesn't matter what happened along the way; it is how you finished. Will it be with Jesus carrying you because you have nothing left? That is how my race will end. I love everything about Endurance running. It pushes you to distances that you thought were impossible because of the pain. But God has designed us to become stronger through pain. I have found that I learn the best when facing difficult challenges. So I chose to run.

5/3 Riverbank Run 25K signup

You know how you feel after you put your heart into something. Well, I was actually contemplating passing this years 5/3 Riverbank run because it is 2 weeks before my 1st Marathon. As the race creeped closer my heart just longed to be part of this once more. So, I signed up and I have been reminiscing over last years memories. This year I will have a better feel for the course and understand how important it is to stay calm through the first half so I do not get burned out. The weather was awesome last year and I can only hope for the same this year. Well, wish me luck!

Just purchased a new pair of Endurance trail running shoes by North Face. Neat set up with no laces. The shoe tightens like a boa snake. Pretty cool.

               I can hardly wait until spring time! It has been a long drawn out winter in Michigan this year. Snow has been around all of 08. I have been putting in all my miles on the treadmill at the gym and I can honestly say that I have come close to the point of boredom. This is a great picture of what I have to look forward to. God created nature so amazing!! I long to smell the fresh spring air and birds chirping. Everything comes back to life. It is Gods way of showing what happens to us after we pass from this earth and are reborn fresh and clean. Amazing :)

Registration: The North Face Endurance Challenge presented by Gore-Tex and hosted by Dean Karnazes 2008
Purchase Date: 01/31/08
Category: 50K
Event Date: 10/18/08
Place: Madison,WI
Name: Steve Kleinheksel

This is it! I have officially entered the North Face Endurance Challenge 50K. I am super excited! I will be meeting Dean Karnazes as he will be hosting the event. Now I have some training to do.

Races planned for 2008

Hello! I will be training for the following this year. 

- 5/3 River Bank 25k (15.5miles) 5/10/08 Grand Rapids,MI

- Traverse City Bayshore Marathon (26.2miles) 5/24/08

- I want to sign up for the North Face Endurance Challenge in Madison,WI for the 50k (31miles) which is a trail run on Oct.18. I have to see if I can get in on Feb.1.2008. Lets hope!! If I get in I am planning on meeting up with Dean Karnazes. (www.ultramarathonman.com). He is my inspiration. 

* I will be also keeping a daily log of training miles run this year on this blog. Please feel free to 

push positive comments my way to help me along the way. Take care!

30th B-day run

On Sat. Oct.20,2007 I decided to make my b-day one I would never forget. So with my wife (Laura) and a loaded jeep, we traveled out to the Grand Haven Beach were I started my journey. I would be running 22 miles which would lead me back to Holland Beach. We called it the "Lighthouse to Lighthouse" run. Laura was my pit crew. She supplied me with proper liquids and snacks along the way. The weather was wonderful with sunny skies and a small breeze. The leaves were all changing colors. It was AWESOME!  I finished in 3 hrs 25 min. Thanks Laura! Love ya.