'Scope in Hand

I made the trade yesterday.  I passed on the cross country skis and picked up a Bausch & Lomb compound microscope.  It is in the original styrofoam packing and has the 3 objectives in sealed containers, even the original plastic dust cover.  This would have been a school model  I'm sure as it looks just like the ones I have in my classroom now.  The serial number is on it, but I'm not sure if the the model is 255 or not.

Anyway, I am looking for the next trade.  I will post photos as soon as I can.

Snow, sleet and freezing rain today, so I spent some time on the treadmill.  I'm going to hit the hay soon so that I can get up nice and early tomorrow and put in some distance.

I'm excited to call Ray Zahab later this week.  He emailed me back again, gave me his number and said I should call this week.  I hope we can work something out for the fall to get him in to talk to the kids at my school.  His efforts on behalf of others are certainly inspiring.

Little Things Mean a Lot

When I got to school today, I checked my email and WOW!

Last week, I had emailed Ray Zahab about the possibility of coming to our school.  I basically just told him what we had done last year for raising funds for diabetes research and what the plans are for this year.  I was very pleased to get a return email from Kathy Adams, Ray's wife, acknowledging my email and letting me know that Ray was due back from Chile soon.  I was so pleased to get such a nice response.

This morning, I got a note from Ray, himself.  Having just finished Running the Sahara this very morning, this really excited me.  I couldn't wait to share this with one of my colleagues who had originally shared Ray's and Kathy's organization, Impossible2Possible, was doing.  As usual, I haven't gotten my rear in gear to have my students follow the adventures, but each day holds new opportunities.

Ah well, just wanted to share the joy.  As the title of the post states, it is the little things that we do that often mean the most to others.

Making progress

What a beautiful day!  The weather is nice, but the beauty of the day has little to do with that.  I got out of bed at 5 AM and got on the bike for an hour, did some sit ups, pushups, etc. and even stretched.  Whew!  I know, not much to speak of, but more than I've been doing.  The journey of a thousand miles as they say.

We had a great weekend.  Molly and I went to a marriage conference at our church on Friday and Saturday.  "The Art of Marriage" was really well done.  It is a video series with short projects to be done with your love between the sessions.  As corny as I thought it might be, it was anything but.  The love that I have for Molly has never wavered, but the like I have for her was renewed.  What a treat.  I strongly recommend it

The trade mentioned in the last post is coming to fruition.  I am trading the cross country skis for a microscope.  I'll post some details on the 'scope a little later, but the deal is done.  If you're interested in making the next trade drop me a line and we'll check into it.

I finished watching Running the Sahara this morning while I was on the bike.  I can not imagine being with the same small group of people for nearly 4 months without any kind of break.  The run was a physically amazing accomplishment, but the time spent in close quarters would be the challenge.  I've done week long backpacking trips where others were ready to eliminate me.  The run and the documenting of it in the movie will help bring an audience to the scarcity of clean water in Africa through a program called H2OAfrica.  Check it out.

TIme to get ready for school.

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest of these is love
1 Corinthians 13:13

Trading . . .

Last year, I decide to try to emulate the "one red paperclip" endeavor.  For those of you unfamiliar with this project, Kyle MacDonald decided to trade a paperclip for another item and then trade this new item for another.  You get the idea.  He wanted to get a house.  It all began rather "normally," until he traded a keg of beer for a snowmobile and a snowmobile for a trip to Yahk, British Columbia.  Long story short, too late, he traded a movie role for a house.  It took him a year.  Big difference between Kyle and me, he was willing to go anywhere in the world to make the trade.  I'm really not able to do that unless this thing goes viral (I know they make medicine for that now ;)  ) and I make tons of money in appearance fees.

Anyway, I traded 3 new golf balls for a pair of cross country skis.  This week, I am trading the cross country skis - I'll let you know what for later.  Who knows where it could all go, but I would eventually like to end up with a solo racing type canoe or kayak.  I really enjoy doing run, bike, paddle triathlons and this would make them more fun.

So, you may notice the addition of ads to this page in addition to the signs of supporters of my runs.  I decided that I would go ahead and "monetize" my site.  Any money that comes in because of this will be donated, in full, to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.  I hope that this doesn't offend anyone, as I think the end justifies the means.

Well, time for some rest.  I plan to get in a snowy run tomorrow.

Winter Time and the Living is . .

The winter is flying by.  It is awesome to see the daylight so early in the morning and so late in the evening.  Six o'clock and it is still light enough to get around outside !   I'm really excited, as you can tell, because the lack of daylight is one thing that makes getting moving difficult.  Any obstacle I can get out of the way has to help.  I've even started doing some core work.  Not a lot, mind you, but some.  That is a big step up since last year.
So, my brother registered for the MegaTransect this year.  It's not that I'm competitive, but I don't want him to run me into the ground.  Actually, I'm hoping to have to wait for him along the way :)  I sure hope no body tells him.  He's ten years younger than I am.  He doesn't need the added advantage of being more motivated to whoop me.
It is awfully icy around here, but the treadmill, the stair climber and the rowing machine have been kind to me.  Not nearly as punishing as running on the roads either.  I even got out on cross-country skis a couple of times.  Cross training is a good thing.
Thanks to all for the support and encouragement.

Colossians 3:17  And whatever you do, in word or in act, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving praise to God the Father through him.

100K Closer to a Cure

At the State College Walk meeting last week, we had great discussion about last year's successes, and the great opportunities for this year.  I opened up the floor to suggestions for the format of my efforts this year. Many ideas bounced around and the one that seemed to take hold was for me to do a 100K (100 kilometers) this year.

I like this idea, not so much because it requires me to go less distance, but because it really is based on the amount raised last year.  100K is 62 miles.  Last year, the walk raised $62, 000 for JDRF.  Pretty cool the way that works out.  I might even say that next year's run will be based on the total raised this year.  One mile for every thousand dollars raised!  I know the danger here, but in support of research to find a cure, I a m willing to risk having to go further than ever before.  I would absolutely LOVE to have to do over 100 miles again because $100,000 had been raised.

So, the challenge is made.  I will do a mile next year for every thousand dollars raised this year at the State College Walk May 21.

Here we go again !

I am not sure of exactly the format that this year's run is going to take, but I am committing to something right now.  We have a JDRF walk planning committee meeting tomorrow night and one of the things on the agenda is how far I will go, how long I will go, and how much I will hope to raise.
I am hoping to motivate more people to raise money for JDRF at the State College walk. Last year, the walkers raised about twice as much as the year before. It might be too much to expect that again, but last year each registered walker raised an average of under $200.  I would like to make a challenge of some sort that would motivate others.  I am not making little of the efforts made last year, just trying to find my place in the process.  I was thinking of something like I will run a mile for each $___ raised, or a minute for each $___ raised, or an hour for each $___ raised.  You get the idea.

I am really behind in training and need to work hard to catch up.  It is all about motivation and I know now that I am committed and don't want to disappoint.  Keep the pressure on me!

The Megatransect filled all available spots with 850 entrants in 48 hours.  Amazing, and a tribute to the wonderful volunteers that make it happen.  Thanks especially to Dave and Jeanne Hunter who have done so much, so well.

1 Timothy 4:8  NIV "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding 

promise for both the present life and the life to come."

Great photo in the CDT

Praise God!  What an awesome feeling I have today.  I got a call this morning that there was a photo of my son and I in the CDT from the end of "the run" last spring.  I've not been blogging in 3 months, but not because I haven't been thinking of JDRF or the challenges confronted everyday by all the diabetics.
I am amazed at the overwhelming emotion I feel today seeing my son so happy and showing the victory I so desire for all those stricken with diabetes.
I ran two trail marathons this fall and had a great time at both the Dam Full and the MegaTransect (only 25 miles, but a really hard 25).  I never wrote about the Mega and am somewhat disappointed in myself for not doing so.  The folks do an amazing job.    I have not been running consistently since the Mega, but have gained 20 pounds !  Is that a positive?   Not especially.  The cool part is that I still have new folks checking in every day.
This article in the CDT may be just the stimulus to get me out the door in the morning.  I still am harboring some dreams of 125 miles, or at least 24 hours on May 20-21.
Stay tuned.

More importantly, a week from now we will celebrate the birth of Christ our Savior.  Maybe you don't like hearing folks talk about the Reason for the Season, but listen to Linus quote Luke chapter 2.  Wow!  I haven't seen it in years and I get all trembly just thinking of it.

Thanks to all.  I am so thankful for the blessings I have been given.

Drop me a line.

What a Day!

Sunday was beautiful and the day was just fantastic.  The folks at the Dam Half/Dam Full were wonderful.  It was a very well run event.  Even better than last year !  Thanks folks!
I really did not know what kind of shape I was in for the Dam Full, but I figured that I should be good as long as I kept moving forward.  The hills were just what I expected, but the company was great and I got through the 1/2 way point (13.1 miles) in 2 hours and 42 minutes.  To put some perspective on this, last year I did the half marathon event and my time was 2:32.  So, I was going a little faster than expected, but not overly much so.  I began to think that my expectation of finishing close to 7 hours might be way over.
Then, as they say, the wheels fell off.
Not really, all was still good until about mile 22.  I think I should have stuck with Gatorade and taken some electrolyte tabs because I got a terrible headache and my belly began to, shall we say, sour.  I never actually got sick, but the same feelings I have at hour 13 of the 30 hour run came flooding back.  I walked VERY slowly up the Stairway to Heaven - it climbs about 700 vertical feet in a little more than half a mile - and was pleased to make it to the top.  Unfortunately, I got passed by about a dozen people during the climb.
Throughout the day I played leapfrog with a few guys and one in particular expected me to bomb the downhill the way I had been doing all day and catch him.  Alas, it was not to be.  I even quit looking at my watch as the wee thought of finishing under 6 hours seemed to slink away.  I decided that I had left most everything out there and would just focus on running reasonably comfortably to the finish.  As it turned out I crossed the line just over 6 hours in 6:01.
 . . .
I left a big pause in my typing - several days to be exact, but I just wanted to say a huge thanks to all the volunteers at the dam full for a fantastic day.  Next up is the MegaTransect in Castanea.
Next year maybe the Grand Slam ??

Ready? or Not.

It has been over a month since I have posted, but I will give you a really good reason (excuse).  I want to write, journal-like, to my wife and kids and I have not been doing this.  I really intend on doing this and, day after day I avoid it.  I realize that these entries need not be perfect in any way, but it is most important I get my thoughts, wanderings and wonderings recorded for them to read later.  I figured since I wasn't doing it for them, then I shouldn't be doing it for you.  Of course, the other side of that is that I can keep this blog and then everyone can read what is running through my mind.  Oh well, I'm here now and intend to get something out there for whatever reason or purpose.
So, the running has been tough lately.  I am still getting out several times a week, but the distances are not great.  I typically run 5 to 7 miles with one double digit run each week. It is not that I am out of shape, but I'm not sure I'm ready for the Dam Full which is coming up in just 12 days.  Tapering?  Who needs to taper if you don't get tired in the first place?   I am looking forward to the event because the food was great and the race was well organized when I did the half last year.  The volunteers really enjoy themselves and it shows in the great way that they treat the participants.
I've been listening to a lot of New Spring sermons and they are really hitting home.  Saved people serve.  Found people find people.  These sermons can get you convicted, so listen with caution !
Megatransect is less than a month away and I hope the weather is nice.  I am looking forward to a great day with fantastic support from the volunteers.  Get out and enjoy the beautiful fall weather.

In the Groove

I think I am back in the saddle again.  I've been running most every other day and have ridden the bike most of the other days.  I have even done 1 day of, wait for it, speedwork!  Hard to believe, but it is true.  I did intervals in the woods.  It was really more of a fartlek workout, but that is the most I've done for speed in years.
I have been debating doing the Tussey Mountainback or another event this fall, besides the MegaTransect of course.  The advantage of Tussey is that it is 50 miles.  The downside is it is basically roads.  Last year, I did the Dam Half in R.B. Winter State Park.  Yesterday, I signed up for the Dam Full.  It is a full marathon on the trails.  I was very impressed with the organization of the race last year and the care for the runners afterwards.  Besides the great food, the dip in the lake was awesome!
Thanks to Chris and Leslie and to Bob for the great support of the JDRF run.  It is so nice to see new people hitting the blog each day and making donations!
God is so good!  I hope that I can give Him glory in all if my efforts!

Slow, but Sure

I returned to the run on July 1 and have been pretty consistent at every other day.  Off days I have ben on the bike more often than not.  For once, the consistency is the good part.  The distances have not been overwhelmingly impressive.  The runs have varied from 3 to 6.5 miles, with most around 5 or 6.  It is hard to believe that 2 months ago that was the warmup for my workout.  I am sure I will be extending that into double digits this week (If I write it I have to do it, right?), as well as doing some interval work to increase the tempo of the runs.  I realize it is mind over matter, and I just have to learn not to mind so much.
I have been spending a fair amount of time in Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.  My dad had surgery to bypass part of his aorta and both femoral arteries.  The poor circulation is prevalent in his family and so I have to keep up the activity and make good diet choices to try and fend this off as much as possible.  The family lives into their 80's, but does not live actively, so motivation shouldn't be in short supply.
Pray for healing for my dad.  I ask this spiritually as well as physically.  I presented the Gospel to him yesterday and hope that he will see that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  It was much easier to talk once I got started, but the fear of talking about saving faith has stopped me many times.  My friend Dan used to ask if I was more afraid of letting someone go to Hell or of offending them here on earth.  It seems easy when you say it that way, but a lot more difficult when you are face to face with someone.  The big thing is everybody lives forever, it just depends on whether you live in Paradise with God, or in eternal misery with Satan.  Think about it.  If you have questions check out these sites
What is a Christian?
Becoming a Christian

Romans 5:6-8 . . .  You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.