Spencer Wrap Up

I love Spencer Iowa.  They have great coffee, great places to eat and some incredible people.

Monday's 40-mile run to Spencer was cold (22) and windy (15-30 mph gust from the West).  I woke up feeling super sluggish, and it took about 4 hours of running to get out of the sluggish feel.  Jay & Anne came and ran with me, and that really helped me mentally as we made our way to Sioux Rapids Iowa.  It was one of those running days where you wanted to quit.  My wife said, "Jim, if you finish today's run, you will feel much better later tonight."  

About 6 miles from finishing, Danny & Ryan came and ran with me.  A great way to finish the run.  We finished really strong.  

During the week I was blessed with sharing the AMS story 10 times:  at the Hope RCA middle school youth group, the Dream Center after school Program, Lincoln Elementary and 360's young adult group.

Here are some pictures from our week in Spencer:

It's getting cold in Iowa.  

Anne & Jay, Jim's Storm Lake host family who ran to Sioux Rapids with Jim.  Jay & Anne also help out at The Bridge of Storm Lake: they are doing some incredible things in Storm Lake

Last February when I ran from Spencer to Storm Lake, not only was I mistaken as a "Woman running down highway-71 with a baby" but I had to stop early due to safety reasons.  This time, I decided to stay off of highway-71 and take the back roads; they provided some amazing scenery.  Really enjoyed the back roads and the few cars I passed. 

Monday's run had some beautiful sites.  An old barn off of Highway-71 near Sioux Rapids.   

Jim, the running ninja.  Protecting his face from the WIND gusts.  

Which road should I take.  The low OR high road.  Beautiful back road Iowa pics.  

A beautiful white barn

"Keep Out."  I was tempted to go and run through these fields.  

At mile 34.  Getting some rest.  

Ryan & Danny came and ran the last 6 miles.  Great to finish the race with them. 

Jim, owner of Toad's Coffee shop in Spencer Iowa.  He also does wood working, and he made this wood crane toy.  It is absolutely brilliant.  Check out his blog called "The Repurposed Male."   

Wednesday night, speaking at the youth group.  

At Toad's Coffee, a hot chocolate drink.  So tasty.   

Some woodcarving in Toad's Coffee shop

Danny's Big Hairy Audacious Goals.  Anyone else wanna run across the state of Rhode Island???

The Dream Center of Spencer Iowa.  

Got to speak at the after school program at the Dream Center

Jon & Nathan rocking out at the Dream Center.  They are in middle school and they have some big aspirations to play music when they get older.  

Had to play the old school Mario.  So legit and so fun. I really miss being a kid.  

A big THANKS to the Spencer community who welcomed Chantalle and I so warmly for the week.  We really look forward to coming back through.  Also, a big thanks to Danny for hosting us and to Jim @ Toad's Coffee for the great conversations over some great coffee.

Running with purpose in every step.

Jim

Ps.  Here is the latest AMS update.