Saturday, November 29, 2014

You studied a lot and aimed toward a successful life after your release. When did you decide on that and what motivated you?

Although more than a quarter century has passed since my time in the county jail, I still remember with vivid clarity what motivated me to change. I had been convicted but I wasn’t yet sentenced. The charges in my case exposed me to the possibility of a life sentence. I prayed for guidance. Those prayers led me to a philosophy book. In that philosophy book I read the story of Socrates. He was in jail, awaiting his execution. When I read how Socrates responded to that punishment, I remember putting the book down on my chest. I stared at the ceiling of the jail cell. Then I made a commitment. I was going to serve every day of my sentence working to reconcile with society for the bad decisions of my youth. I set a goal of emerging from prison as a contributing citizen. Regardless of how hard I would have to work, or how many obstacles administrators would erect, I made a commitment to emerge successfully.

 

Days since my release from prison: 474

Miles that I ran today: 14.25

Miles that I ran so far this week: 40.01

Miles that I’ve run during the month of November: 180.85

Miles that I ran so far in 2014: 2,230.99

Miles that I need to run in order to reach my annual goal of 2,400 miles: 169.01

Miles I’m ahead of schedule to reach my 2,400-mile goal by the end of 2014: 36.61

My weight for today: 168