GOAL

I have a goal of finishing a marathon.  I do not care how long it takes me, I just want to finish.  I registered for the River Towns Marathon: http://www.active.com/running/danville-pa/river-towns-marathon-and-half-marathon-2011?act=EMC-RegConfirmation&Version=Running&Event=&Property=Active&Sections=Body&Creative=RegConfFor&ArtText=Txt_1&Content=Event_Details.
I have a goal of running the marathon under 7 hours.  It may sound like a long time for many, but for me it is realistic.

My 6 foot son Steve walks briskly as my grandson Alex jogs to keep up!  This picture was taken at one of my favorite places to run, the Ken Lockwood Gorge!

I will never win the Boston Marathon or the New York City Marathon, or even a local race.  But I can be the best I am, and I am proud of my accomplishments!  I am running this marathon for me, for my cherished son Tommy and for my beloved husband Tom.  I hope that my son Stephen, my daughter Alison and my precious grandson Alex will be there to cheer me on...
Life is an adventure..live and love every moment, you never know when it is your last!

Blue Blood versus..uh...Grizzly Mama!

Maybe not "dumb and dumber", but they say "silly and sillier" things!

I admit, I voted once for George W. Bush.  I didn't vote for him because he was a "blue blood", I had reasons that made sense to me at the time.  I do appreciate that he is an avid runner.  I loved the "I am a Runner" article written about him back in October 2002:
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-243-297--12357-0,00.html


I personally feel that Sarah Palin's recent remarks labeling Bush a "blue blood" are very prejudicial; she seems to polarize people.  My November 24, 2010 post discussed her major gaffe of saying North Korea is our ally.  Today, as reported on CNN, she "defended" her remarks on Facebook: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/26/palin-delivers-a-gaffe-filled-message/#more-137089 

"It seems they couldn't resist the temptation to turn a simple one word slip-of-the-tongue of mine into a major political headline," Palin wrote. "The one word slip occurred yesterday during one of my seven back-to-back interviews wherein I was privileged to speak to the American public about the important, world-changing issues before us."  In trying to "defend" her mistake Sarah attacked President Obama for some of his mistakes over the past few years, but his are minuscule compared to Sarah's almost daily blunders.  After seven back to back interviews she should have had her facts straight; no excuses Sarah!


Now back to the Bush versus Palin, the "blue-blood" versus the "grizzly mama", since both are known for their colorful quotes, lets see who is better at being ridiculous.

Round one:


"I'm telling you there's an enemy that would like to attack America, Americans, again. There just is. That's the reality of the world. And I wish him all the very best." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Jan. 12,2009


''Nuclear weaponry, of course, would be the be-all, end-all of just too many people in too many parts of our planet.''—Sarah Palin, CBS interview with Katie Couric, Sept. 25, 2008


Well...hmmm...Sarah wins!


Next:


"People say, well, do you ever hear any other voices other than, like, a few people? Of course I do." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Dec. 18, 2008


''All of 'em, any of 'em that have been in front of me over all these years.''—Sarah Palin, unable to name a single newspaper or magazine she reads, interview with Katie Couric, CBS News, Oct. 1, 2008


Ahh, Sarah wins!


Next:


"I want to share with you an interesting program -- for two reasons, one, it's interesting, and two, my wife thought of it -- or has actually been involved with it; she didn't think of it. But she thought of it for this speech." --George W. Bush, discussing a company that improves access to clean water in Africa, Washington D.C., Oct. 21, 2008


''Dr. Laura: don't retreat...reload! (Steps aside bc her 1st Amend. rights ceased 2exist thx 2activists trying 2silence'' isn't American, not fair'')''—Sarah Palin, in a Twitter message coming to the defense of Dr. Laura Schlessinger, the talk radio host who apologized and decided to retire from her highly-rated program after using the N-word on the air 11 times in 5 minutes, Aug. 18, 2010


Sarah is in the lead!  


Next round:


"I didn't grow up in the ocean -- as a matter of fact -- near the ocean -- I grew up in the desert. Therefore, it was a pleasant contrast to see the ocean. And I particularly like it when I'm fishing." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Sept. 26, 2008


''I think on a national level your Department of Law there in the White House would look at some of the things that we've been charged with and automatically throw them out.''—Sarah Palin, referring to a department that does not exist while attempting to explain why as president she wouldn't be subjected to the same ethics investigations that compelled her to resign as governor of Alaska, ABC News interview, July 7, 2009

And Sarah Plain is the winner of the Silly Quote Contest! 

Congratulations Mama Grizzly!

You know, I can't help but think that even though there may be political differences, runners are amazing people.  There is something about the discipline of running vs the freedom of running that attracts unique and special people.  We come from all walks of life, and I think the majority of us respect our differences as much as we share a passion for running. 



Siblings

William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905) - Two Sisters (1901)

Sibling relationships can be so primal; so incredibly emotional, so raw.  These relationships affect us in many ways, but they do not define us as adults.  Unfortunately there are situations where dysfunctional childhoods affect the way family members view someone long after they reach adulthood.

I was made aware today of how someone remembered my sister and I as being constantly in combat.  This hurts me; I never wanted to argue with my sister.  I wanted a true sister that loved me and would be there for me, but I had a sister that was mentally ill.  It has been very obvious in adulthood, but I knew it when we were children.  I was always expected to take on the role of older sister even though I was 2 years younger.  It was a lot of responsibility for such a young child.  When I was a teenager I grew tired of having my hair pulled out of my head, being beaten with fists and things broken when my sister went into her violent rages; I just wanted to drop out of school and move away.  My parents got us into family therapy and the therapists told me there was nothing wrong with me other than the normal adjustments of adolescence; that my sibling was suffering from mental illness. 

My mother told me on the day we buried my father that therapists told her and my dad that my sibling needed psychiatric help and that there was nothing wrong with me other than the normal adjustments of adolescence.

Indeed my sibling has been committed to psychiatric hospitals many times in  her adult life.  I pray that she begins to see her destructive patterns and take responsibility for her actions.  She can overcome her illness if she tries...it is in her hands.   

I have always wished that I would have a sister who would always be there for me, both of us caring and supporting each other; but it is not reality and I have grown to accept this. 

I love life and I love my family.  I had an incredible father who overcame his own mental illness.  I have the  most wonderful mother, children and grandson.  I was blessed to have had Tom, my cherished husband, and Tommy, my exceptional son; I love you both and miss you so much.

I want to live my life fully, reaching for all my goals.  I want to be the best runner, friend, writer, mother, grammie and family member I can be.  I have never wanted anything more!

Sarah Palin,Grizzly Mama & Runner!



Back in the summer of 2009 the August issue of Runner's World "I am a Runner" interview series focused on Sarah Palin, authored by Dan Simmons.  I loved the article and I had such a fondness for Sarah; she seemed so real and I really related to her.  She was one of my inspirations to get back to running again.  Here is the link to the article:

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-243-410--13221-4-1X2X3X4-5,00.html. 

I really want to like the Alaskan grizzly mom; I am watching Sarah Palin's Alaska as I write this, and I enjoy the show.  I love nature, I love the outdoors, I love running, I love family and I am also very spiritual.  I want to love this lady with the snooki-do from Alaska!  But I have to say I am a little cautious about her possibly running for the President of the United States.

Look, a Grizzly Mama!   

Over the past year there has been so much press about Sarah and her family.  I have to say I am find it a bit overwhelming.  Especially today when I heard her quote: "This speaks to a bigger picture here that certainly scares me in terms of our national security policies. But obviously we've gotta stand with our North Korean allies--we're bound to by treaties ... "  She said this on Glenn Beck's show on Fox news today.  Glenn of course corrected her, we are allies with South Korea, not North Korea.  I was shocked, this is not a little mistake, but a huge blunder!  If this was her only mistake, it would be okay with me, but she seems to make "mistakes" like this on an almost daily basis.  President Bush made many mistakes, but he didn't make them on a daily basis.
 
 

President Bush gets a really good look at our Troops!

There was also Sarah's tweet from July 18, 2010 that was meant to equate her use of words with literary genius: "'Refudiate,' 'misunderestimate,' 'wee-wee'd up.' English is a living language. Shakespeare liked to coin new words too. Got to celebrate it!'"  Okay, does Shakespeare's "This above all: to thine own self be true". - Hamlet (Act I, Scene III), equal "It's you touch my kids and this mama grizzly is going to rise up, and I'm going to react sometimes in a caustic way, and that's going to get the left all wee-weed up and I'm going to give them what they wanted" (Greta Van Susteren"On the Record" 11/23/2010)?  Sarah you are just, as you often say, a regular person.  You are not a literary genius; you are not Shakespeare.  But then again, neither am I. 

But I do know that Africa is not a country.

There was an interesting article in the New York Times Magazine from November 21, 2010 titled "The Rouge Room", or "how the G.O.P.'s leading shadow candidate runs her guerrilla organization",  by
Robert Draper:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/magazine/21palin-t.html?_r=1&ref=magazine

As much as I admire Sarah's spiritualism and her love for family, Country, nature and running, I can't see her as President of the United States.  I have this picture in my mind of a peaceful, gentle deer walking onto the White House lawn.  The doors to the White House burst open and out runs President Palin, dressed in a camouflage, carrying a rifle.  KABOOM..the deer falls over dead.  President Palin yells "Todd, I just bagged a wild deer, get out here and drag him into the kitchen.  Then cut him up; we'll eat him raw, just like we do in Alaskie!" (I am not making this up, there are many areas of the world where people eat raw meat such as Reindeer or caribou.  Bart Yasso, for example,  refers to this in his book
My Life On The Run, page180.)

I will not say that I will never vote for her, because in my life I have said "I would never!", but after time I did.  Perhaps I will change my mind because there are many things I like about Sarah, but for now I do not see her as Presidential material.

Hope I haven't offended anyone, I hope I do not lose any friends because of this post, but we do live in a free world and can vote for whoever we want.  I am grateful for that freedom!

I would love to hear your opinion!

I am so thankful that I live in a Democracy, that I have a loving family, wonderful friends and good health.  I wish everyone a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!

Uncomplicated Life

I am watching one of my favorite movies, To Kill A Mocking Bird.  This movie reminds me of growing up in Califon, New Jersey in the 1950's through the 1970's.  Life was much simpler then, no cell phones, no "world wide web", just a telephone operator named Mary and party lines (where you shared phone lines with another family).  Heck, we didn't even have stop signs in Califon when I started learning to drive in the early 1970's!

I think I grew up in the best town, I felt like everyone in Califon was part of my family. I was never scared, never felt alone.  I didn't need "911", if I was in trouble someone would come to my rescue or call for help; I know because it happened many times.

The Blizzard of 1958.  Our Spaniel is following me in this picture (that is an out-house on the far right; some people didn't have indoor toilets back then).

Christmas in Califon with my cousins ( I am on the far right).

We lived our lives, not through reality shows, not through social web-sites...if we couldn't telephone each other, we sent letters.  My wonderful Aunt Alma, who is an incredible woman, once sent me writing paper and a self-addressed stamped envelope because she thought I was just so busy and didn't have time to buy new writing paper (why else wouldn't I have written her?).  There is something special about taking the time to hand-write a letter; it means that you care enough about the person.

I think that is why I love running; it is a simple exercise.  You only need a pair of running shoes and you are off!  There are some people who advocate running barefoot! 

I love simplicity; I just want to live life without any complications.

Loving

I write a lot about my running goals on this blog, like my goal of running my first marathon in May 2011. I also encourage people to get rid of the negative influences in their lives.  But underneath it all I suffer, because all my goals, all my positive thinking cannot bring back my son Tommy.  He was my right arm, my baby.  He was my son Stephen's best friend and My daughter Alison's heart.   My grandson is named after him: Thomas Alexander, "Alex". 

Losing your child is something you never get over.  Our children are our life and breath.

After Tommy died, there was no color in the world, only shades of black and white.  All I could do was to try and concentrate on taking one step at a time, forcing myself to make it through another day.

Tommy's memories motivate me to be a better person because I know that is what he would want.  I have life goals, like to write and be published, and  I believe I will accomplish my goals.  But through it all, Tommy will forever be in my thoughts and in my heart.

Let Go of Negatives

I have struggled all my life with being told how ugly I am and how it would be so much better if I had never been born.  This message was sent from one of my immediate family members all of my life.  My mother and father never, ever said anything but loving, positive things to me.  I also had the most wonderful Aunts and Uncles and the very best grandparents!  I have been blessed.

But I let the negative messages invade my life because I thought I was somehow able to make things better for that family member, but I now realize that this person needs to make things better on their own; I am not responsible for their happiness.  As a result I have cut off all communication with this person and I feel such peace!  I will have to be in contact with them at some point in the future, but for now I have my own space.

We care about those around us, but sometimes we need to create space in order to survive.  No one can grow without nourishment.

My beautiful sons Tommy and Steve and me.

My beautiful daughter Alison and adorable grandson Alex.  I have a beautiful family!

Running has given me the confidence to move ahead in life; to set and achieve my life's goals.

Don't let anyone tell you that you are ugly...you are beautiful...life is special and you are special too!

Marathon

I have been obsessed with the New York City Marathon today.  Thousands of runners and only a few to be publicly declared "winners".  But in reality most of the runners are "winners" for reaching their own personal goals; I congratulate everyone of them!

I was so excited to see Edison Pena cross the finish line.  He was one of the trapped Chilean miners. He ran every day through the dark tunnels, not knowing if that day was his last, singing his favorite Elvis Presley songs.  He had a goal of running the marathon under 6 hours and he achieved that goal; he is a true inspiration! 

I set a goal in September to run a marathon this coming May 2011.  I am going to finish that marathon...maybe I won't win a medal, but I am determined to achieve my goal.  Who knows, maybe someday I will be one of the thousands that run the New York City Marathon.

Congratulation Edison Pena!

All I do know is that life can be an exciting adventure, if we accept the challenge!

Beautiful Fall Day!

Today was a beautiful Fall day.  It started off cold but became "cool" later on in the afternoon.  I ran 4 miles this morning at the Columbian Trail.  The temperature was 32 degrees F when I started, and 43 degrees F when I finished. Then  I went on a 5 1/4 mile bike ride later in the day when it was 51 degrees F.  It was an awesome day!

This past week has been difficult in that I have been battling a head cold...sneezing, sinus pain and a sore throat.  I ran 3 miles Monday, but only 1 mile Tuesday, and sick, sick, sick  Thursday!   I felt better Sunday and had a goal of running 3 miles at Vorhees State Park.  Unfortunately half way into my second mile I tripped and fell, skinning my right leg and cutting up my left knee.  I continued running with my legs stinging(and bleeding)  until I finished my second mile.  After getting into my car and starting home I realized I wasn't hurt that badly,  so I drove to a less rocky, rooty trail and ran my third mile (under 11 minutes!).  I felt great!

The only problem today was that I still didn't have my computer back from Best Buys.  I had a virus that the Geek Guys from Best Buys told me was from Facebook; it took over my computer, imitating my virus software.  I couldn't do anything because there was a big blue square in the middle of my screen.  The Geek Guys said I would have my computer back yesterday, but they told me today that my computer is still being "diagnosed".  I hope I get my computer back soon!  In the mean time I picked up an Acer lap top; this little guy is tiny and cute!  Now at least we have a back-up when we need it!

I have to say that my Columbian long sleeve turtleneck Omni-Dry shirt kept me really warm and dry during my run this morning; I highly recommend it!  I am not looking forward to the winter months, cold with little sunlight, but I am determined to maintain a positive outlook.  I will continue to run, with my petzl headlamp on, in my warm comfortable running clothes!

 Life, like nature, has seasons...each one unique, each one special!