Why On Track? Part 2
Yesterday, I shared some of the ideas and events that led to writing my first book, On Track: Life Lessons from the Track & Field
To continue the topic, I’m sharing the introduction to the book today. I think it provides explains why I wrote On Track, and I think it will also explain why I think you should read it and share it with your friends.
Here goes:
I haven’t always been a runner.
In fact, there were many moments when I utterly despised running.
Somewhere between college and my early thirties, I discovered running, or maybe it discovered me. I began pounding a couple of miles at a time around my neighborhood after I came home from work one night and realized I was starting to develop a bulge around my midsection. My love for food and my slowing metabolism had to be counterbalanced, and running seemed like the natural cure.
Despite running cross country for a season in high school, along with a season of winter track, I was not a confident runner. Now in my thirties, I jogged around my neighborhood trying to go as fast as I could for as long as I could. I ended up running two or three miles, and I was done.
Then a good friend of mine invited me to join him in preparing for a half marathon. This was an utterly crazy idea in my opinion, but somehow he convinced me to join him on a nine-mile training run one Saturday morning. I had never run this far in my life. This nine-mile run flipped a switch in me. I suddenly wanted to run more. I was now looking forward to running the half marathon with my friend.
Writing has been a similar journey for me. I wasn’t a bad writer in high school. In fact, I somehow managed to survive four years of high school honors English. But my first love was always math and science. These two subjects pushed me into the world of engineering.
I wrote several papers in college as a requirement for classes, but writing was not something I considered fun. I graduated and entered the real world of construction and engineering, where I stayed away from long writing assignments unless absolutely necessary.
And then another good friend introduced me to the world of blogging. He helped me set up my first blog, and I was off and running (I mean writing).
Blogging, like running, became a refuge from the demands of work and raising a family. It became a place for me to reflect on life’s stretching moments and to stretch readers. As the years went along and the blog posts began to pile up, I began to receive encouragement and confirmation that my writing was connecting with readers.
My blogging took me down roads I never imagined. I’ve written about life from many different angles. Somewhere along the road my interest in running, my interest in writing, and my faith started to intersect.
This book is the product of this intersection.
This book isn’t just for the runner or athlete. I believe it provides practical life lessons we all can embrace.
If you’re stuck in a rut or need a little guidance in finding your way, I’m hoping this book will help you get On Track!
Let’s get started!
If you have read On Track, I hope you’ll leave a review on Amazon, and let me know what you think right here in the comments. If you haven’t read the book yet, click the link below to purchase the book at Amazon, or pick up a digital copy for FREE by subscribing to the Stretched Newsletter.
Thanks!
Why On Track?
Since releasing my first book, On Track: Life Lessons from the Track & Field
It’s fun to share, but it has also been an adjustment as I walk the line of promotion and humility. I sometimes wonder if this is normal for first time authors. I want people to know about the book. I want them to read it. And I want them to share it with their friends and family. But I also don’t want to be arrogant, prideful, or cocky.
I have so much to learn about writing, and I truly believe the best is yet to come.
When I share about On Track, I feel compelled to share the story about why I wrote the book in the first place. I thought it would be healthy for me to share the story here.
I’m an engineer. Writing a book was not on my radar until the past few years. I started blogging nearly seven years ago as a place to process life’s stretching experiences. Early on, I realized my thoughts in the blog could also be a catalyst for helping other people to stretch. The more I wrote, the more I realized I had something worth sharing. Readers began to ask me when I was going to write a book. I put these comments to the side doubting that a book could ever be in my future. After all, I was an engineer and not a writer. Somewhere in the past two years, I started to move thoughts of book writing to the forefront.
I started writing On Track a year ago when I wrote several posts about related to the track and field world. Here are the posts:
- Track & Field: 4 Lessons from the Starting Blocks
- Track & Field: 4 Lessons from the Hurdles
- Track & Field: 6 Lessons from Long Distance Training
- Track & Field: 4 Lessons from the Relay Race
- Track & Field: 3 Lessons from the Long Jump
I don’t remember the specifics, but one of the Stretched readers (Steve Y) suggested I put together a book based on my observations of the track and field world. This seemed like an interesting idea, but I didn’t do anything about it for a while.
As many of you know, I have a big heart and passion for short-term missions. My experiences the past couple of summers propelled me to write a lot about missions on the blog. As I considered writing a book, a book about short-term missions and developing a mission mindset seemed like the natural direction to follow.
I started brainstorming and creating an outline for this book about missions. I prayed about it. I talked about it with my wife and a few close friends. And I decided to move forward. I worked diligently on the outline for this book, and I sent it out to a few trusted friends and authors for their feedback. As the feedback started coming in, I began to realize I was stepping into something pretty big. I have big ideas for this book, but I didn’t have any experience whatsoever on how to proceed with the project. Do I pursue a traditional publisher, or do I go down the self-publishing route. How do I write a book proposal? How do I handle the cover design? How do I handle the editing and formatting? How do I launch this kind of project? The feedback for this book was terrific and encouraging, but I realized I needed to step back and try something a little smaller first.
And this is when I remembered the suggestion from Steve Y. I looked back on my old posts, and I started scheming on how I could adjust and add to these posts to create something worth publishing. In a sense, On Track became a “test” book project. The book gave me the opportunity to see how self-publishing works. It also gave me the opportunity to work with a graphic designer and editor.
Initially, I had thoughts of giving the book away for free in an effort to build my mailing list. After all, this is what the experts on platform development tell you to do. As I went deeper into the On Track project, it became more than a “test.” On Track became something I believed had an important message – a message worth sharing. And so, I decided to release it on Amazon in paperback and eBook for a small price. (A digital copy of the book is available for FREE when you subscribe to the Stretched Newsletter.)
Since the release of On Track, I’ve been learning a lot about the challenges of “marketing/promoting” a book – especially when you are busy raising a family, working at a demanding job, and living a life that keeps you on the go.
I have so much more to learn, but I’m thankful for the journey so far.
Tomorrow, I’ll share the introduction to the book. For those who haven’t read On Track yet, I think this will give you another look at why I wrote On Track.
If you have read On Track, I hope you’ll leave a comment on Amazon, and let me know what you think right here in the comments. If you haven’t read the book yet, click the link below to purchase the book at Amazon, or pick up a digital copy for FREE by subscribing to the Stretched Newsletter.
Thanks!
On Track – From High School to the Track of Life
My high school running career was nothing to write home about. Honestly, I hated running in high school. I ran so I could hang out with my friends. Before every race or meet, you could find me in the locker room bathroom dealing with the effects of a nervous stomach. Practices were a painful experience as I tried to keep up with my faster teammates.
I have a few very distinct memories from my high school running career.
First, I will always remember the winter track meet at Widener University. Widener’s indoor track was a tenth of a mile long. I ran the two mile race which meant I ran twenty laps around the track. It felt like I was running around the dining room table at my house as I looped around the track. I don’t know how long it took me to run the race, but I will always remember double lapping one of the runners from another school. I know it sounds kind of mean now, but there was something comforting about knowing I was the slowest person out there.
I will always remember the winter track double dual meet at Lawrenceville Prep School. At our high school, you only needed to score in one race to earn your varsity letter. This meant I had to finish in third place against either one of the other schools. Again, my coaches scheduled me to run the two mile on this eighth of a mile banked track. If I remember correctly, our coaches only scheduled two runners from our high school to run the race. My best friend and much faster runner, Brian, had already run a race or two earlier in the day, so he was not scheduled to run the two mile. For some reason, I pushed for Brian to run the two mile along with me. Naturally, he finished ahead of me. As the race approached the finish, I was pushed out of third place into fourth place. Finishing fourth meant I missed out on my varsity letter. I guess it wasn’t meant to be. I had to settle for a varsity letter in band and in academics. What can I say?
Finally, I will always remember coming down the home stretch of the Raider Invitational Cross-Country Meet. This was one of my faster races, and I remember the feeling of floating as I hit my stride about a hundred yards from the finish line. I don’t think I was one of the “prettiest” runners, but my coach caught a picture of me as I approached the finish line, and the picture makes me look like I knew what I was doing.
These stories didn’t make it into my book, but there are several other stories worth reading in the book.
On Track – Life Lessons from the Track & Field is now available on Amazon in paperback and for Kindle. Click the link below to get your copy today.
As a reminder, I am offering a FREE pdf copy of the interior of the book to subscribers of The Stretched Newsletter. Head over to the main page of the blog and sign up on the right hand menu bar to get your copy today for FREE!
Share a story from your high school sports career in the comments.
On Track Featured Elsewhere
On Track – Life Lessons from the Track & Field released yesterday!
It was appropriate that I spent part of yesterday at my daughter’s track meet where she lowered her mile PR (personal record) by another seven seconds. She is doing a great job heading into the final dual meet of the season and the conference championships.
Yesterday was a fun day!
On Track picked up several great reviews on Amazon, and the book has been featured on a few blogs around the blog world. I hope you’ll check out the posts and drop a comment thanking the bloggers for sharing their space with On Track. Here are the links to get you started:
Guest Post: On Track over at Millennial Leader
Interview with Jon Stolpe, author of “On Track” over at I’m Just Thinkin’
Did you order your copy of On Track yet?
Head on over to Amazon today to order your copy!
Here’s where I could really use your help. Could you share about On Track with your friends? Maybe post about it on Facebook or Twitter, or find a creative way to let others know about On Track.
As a reminder, I am offering a FREE pdf copy of the interior of the book to subscribers of The Stretched Newsletter. Head over to the main page of the blog and sign up on the right hand menu bar to get your copy today for FREE!
On Track Book Releases TODAY!
I’m excited to announce the release of my very first book TODAY!
On Track: Life Lessons from the Track & Field
Here’s a bit of the introduction from the book to wet your appetite:
I haven’t always been a runner.
In fact, there were many moments when I utterly despised running.
Somewhere between college and my early thirties, I discovered running, or maybe it discovered me. I began pounding a couple of miles at a time around my neighborhood after I came home from work one night and realized I was starting to develop a bulge around my midsection. My love for food and my slowing metabolism had to be counterbalanced, and running seemed like the natural cure.
Despite running cross-country for a season in high school, along with a season of winter track, I was not a confident runner. Now in my thirties, I jogged around my neighborhood trying to go as fast as I could for as long as I could. I ended up running two or three miles, and I was done.
Then a good friend of mine invited me to join him in preparing for a half marathon. This was an utterly crazy idea in my opinion, but somehow he convinced me to join him on a nine-mile training run one Saturday morning. I had never run this far in my life. This nine-mile run flipped a switch in me. I suddenly wanted to run more. I was now looking forward to running the half marathon with my friend.
Writing has been a similar journey for me. I wasn’t a bad writer in high school. In fact, I somehow managed to survive four years of high school honors English. But my first love was always math and science. These two subjects pushed me into the world of engineering.
I wrote several papers in college as a requirement for classes, but writing was not something I considered fun. I graduated and entered the real world of construction and engineering, where I stayed away from long writing assignments unless absolutely necessary.
And then another good friend introduced me to the world of blogging. He helped me set up my first blog, and I was off and running (I mean writing).
Blogging, like running, became a refuge from the demands of work and raising a family. It became a place for me to reflect on life’s stretching moments and to stretch readers. As the years went along and the blog posts began to pile up, I began to receive encouragement and confirmation that my writing was connecting with readers.
My blogging took me down roads I never imagined. I’ve written about life from many different angles. Somewhere along the road my interest in running, my interest in writing, and my faith started to intersect.
This book is the product of this intersection.
This book isn’t just for the runner or athlete. I believe it provides practical life lessons we all can embrace.
If you’re stuck in a rut or need a little guidance in finding your way, I’m hoping this book will help you get On Track!
On Track has picked up several great endorsements and some wonderful reviews. Here’s what readers are saying about the book:
“On Track is a fantastic, quick read! The stories are inspiring, the lessons life changing and the motivation undeniable! Jon will have you hooked from the very first page! The only challenge to reading this book is wanting to stop to apply its principles in your life immediately! I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to get or keep their life On Track!” Mark Sieverkropp, entrepreneur, speaker, author of Project: Success (www.sieverkropp.com)
“This small book packs a big punch. When Jon writes about his races, I feel as though I am there. He draws me in and then promptly gives me a life lesson to take away. Whether you’re an athlete now, have one hidden inside, or have never so much as laced up your running shoes, read Jon’s book to discover how to get your life ‘on track.’” Matt McWilliams, entrepreneur, leadership guru, author of The Power of Gratitude (www.mattmcwilliams.com)
“Jon offers a tidy little book, a parable if you will, comparing life to running at a track meet. Readers will enjoy sharing the author’s personal experiences and will find the extra boost they are looking for to get their life back on track. An easy, enjoyable and worthwhile read.” Matt Appling, teacher, artist, author of Life After Art (www.mattappling.com)
“In this marvelous, short, easy to read book, Jon Stolpe likens life to a track meet. He uses track and field analogies to help the reader think through life choices. Each scenario is practical and applicable, even if you have never had track and field experience. The reader is consistently pointed to Jesus Christ as the key to staying ‘on track’ in life.” Leah Adams, speaker, author of From the Trash Pile to the Treasure Chest and HeBrews A Better Blend (www.leahadams.org)
Head on over to Amazon today to order your copy!
Once you’ve had a chance to read it, I hope you’ll leave a review on Amazon. Also, take a few minutes to tell your friends about On Track!
Also worth considering, I am offering a FREE pdf copy of the interior of the book to subscribers of The Stretched Newsletter. Head over to the main page of the blog and sign up on the right hand menu bar to get your copy today for FREE!
Will you be picking up a copy of On Track? How would your life be better if you lived on track?
On Track – One Week to Launch!
April 22, 2014
“On Track is a fantastic, quick read! The stories are inspiring, the lessons life changing and the motivation undeniable! Jon will have you hooked from the very first page! The only challenge to reading this book is wanting to stop to apply its principles in your life immediately! I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to get or keep their life On Track!”
Mark Sieverkropp, entrepreneur, speaker, author of Project: Success (www.sieverkropp.com)
In one week, On Track – Life Lessons from the Track & Field will be officially released. Initially, On Track will be available on Amazon as an eBook and in paperback.
This week, I’m spending time writing guest posts, doing podcast interviews, and answering questions about the book. If you are interested in joining the On Track Launch Team, it’s not too late. I am looking for people who are interested in reviewing the book on Amazon and on their blog. I’m looking for people who will promote the book via their social media channels. I’m open for podcast interview opportunities and other creative ways to get the word out about On Track. If you have an idea and want to help out with the launch, send me an email at jon@jonstolpe.com, so we can connect.
How are you being stretched to get part of your life on track?
No More Buts – Another Lesson from the Track & Field
I spent most of the day on Saturday at the track helping out at the 7th Annual Viking Track & Field Invitational hosted by my daughter’s track team. The day was absolutely beautiful and perfect for a track meet.
I was recruited to help out with checking in runners and handing out lane assignments before each of the races. With twenty-five teams participating, it was a pretty busy job. I had a great time working with the other “clerks” who had also volunteered in an effort to support their kids and the track team.
A minor mix-up happened at the end of the day that resulted in a relay team being assigned a heat and lane that didn’t necessarily match up with their seeding time. The coach of the team came over to express his frustration with the situation, and I initially jumped in to explain what may have happened.
Eventually, I sent the coach to the officials tent at the finishing line. I did not hear from the coach again, but our team’s track coach came over to find out what have happened at check in. I told the coach how I made a mistake checking in the team after the team was late in checking in for the race. I took partial blame for the problem, but I pushed it back at the team for failing to check in on time. After I explained the story, our coach said something like, “That was our fault. We screwed up.”
The coach didn’t push blame on the other team. He took responsibility. And he moved on.
What a great example!
So often when confronted with a problem, we seek to shift blame. We don’t want to take responsibility. We are typically looking to blame someone else. We say things like, “I didn’t check them in correctly, BUT they were late checking in.”
It’s time we took responsibility. We must learn to take the BUT out of our responses. My story should have simply been, “I didn’t check them in correctly.” Period. No BUT….
I should have apologized to the coach and sent him to the officials tent (the officials were the only ones who could change the lane assignments). Mistakes happen. We need to take responsibility for our mistakes. And we need to move on.
Hopefully, this didn’t ruin the day for the coach and his team. It was a beautiful day for a track meet, and the rest of the meet seemed to go very well.
Do you struggle with shifting blame? How can you take responsibility today? What suggestions do you have for taking the BUT out of your responses?
8 more days until the release of On Track – Life Lessons from the Track & Field!
Enjoy the Journey
Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.
Greg Anderson
Last night, I posted a picture of the proof copy of my new book, On Track – Life Lessons from the Track & Field.
It came in the mail yesterday. Actually, I received four copies.
Part of the self publishing process includes an opportunity to review an actual copy of your book before it goes public. Honestly, I’m not sure I knew this was part of the experience until recently.
Writing a book has brought about a lot of new experiences. I am doing my best to enjoy each aspect of this journey. Believe me, I’m looking forward to the actual book being complete and available to the public, but there is so much that happens along the way. I don’t want to miss it.
Most of life is the same way.
We have goals. We have dreams. We have targets.
One day, we’ll get there. We’ll reach our dreams. We’ll achieve many of our desires. We may also miss out on reaching some of our targets and goals.
But there is a lot that happens between now and the achievement of our dreams. These happenings aren’t meant to be missed. They are meant to be experienced and enjoyed. To quote Billy Joel (sorry David), “This is the time to remember, ’cause it will not last forever.”
Enjoy the journey!
What’s happening on the journey to your dream? How are you making the most of the experience?
Get a Copy of the Introduction to On Track
The excitement is building. In just over two weeks, my first book will be released. It’s been an exciting journey so far. The proof copies of the book are on the way to may house this week. It hardly seems possible that the book will become a reality.
It has been exciting to answer people’s questions about the book. I really appreciate the excitement that others have for this project.
On Track – Life Lessons from the Track & Field will get you thinking. It will encourage you to get out of the rut you’re in, and it will help you get On Track!
I’d like to offer a special sneak peek at the introduction of the book. If you’d like to get an early look, sign up for the Stretched newsletter today. Check out this post to find out how to sign up. the Stretched Newsletter. I will send out the On Track Introduction as part of the Newsletter this Wednesday to all subscribers. I promise not to spam you or to send too many e-mails to you. The Stretched Newsletter is simply a place to get a little extra STRETCHING content from time to time. It’s also a place where you can occasionally get early word on new things coming to The Stretched Blog and The Stretched Community. If you want to get a copy of the On Track Introduction, click here for more information on how to sign up.
The On Track Launch Team is growing. It’s not too late to sign up for this. Launch Team members get an early preview copy of the book in exchange for a review and help in promoting On Track.
How is your life on track? Where do you need help getting on track with your life?
Ice Breaker – Your Book
Each week on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.
(I’m always looking for Ice Breaker question ideas. If you have an idea, send me an email at jon@jonstolpe.com. If I use your question, I’ll give you credit and share your links.)
Question: If you were to write a book, what would it be about?
My Answer: Honestly, until a few years ago, I never imagined writing a book. When I was in first grade, I wrote a book about the colors of the rainbow. I think I still have it hiding in a storage bin in my basement.
I’m excited to be very close to releasing my first “official” book which is still on schedule to release on April 22, 2014. The book is called On Track – Life Lessons from the Track & Field. This book isn’t just for the runner or athlete. I believe it provides practical life lessons we all can embrace. If you’re stuck in a rut or need a little guidance in finding your way, I’m hoping this book will help you get On Track!
The reality is I have another book in the works. I’m not sure of the title yet, but the book is about developing a mission mindset. I’m excited to share my own story, to provide practical advice, and to encourage readers to become mission minded right where they are. It will be exciting to see how this unfolds.
Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.) And keep STRETCHING!
Also don’t forget to sign up for the Stretched newsletter. Check out this post to find out how to sign up. Subscribers will get a special deal on the upcoming release of On Track – Life Lessons from the Track & Field.