2 Weeks Away

I am so incredibly blessed.  I have so many amazing people around me to encourage and support me.  I wish that I could be that supportive of Molly and help her with dealing with the unknown and unexpected effects of her diabetes.  Sometimes I think that offering a suggestion is a good thing, while at other times it really seems as though it would be callous of me to even mention what I think might be beneficial.  So many factors influence blood sugar levels, and the same application of insulin to carbohydrates can vary dramatically based on these variables.  And that is why it is important to find a cure.

I'm starting to get to the excited stage when the run seems just around the corner, but there is still lots to do.  I want to avoid the bonking that can happen due to poor electrolyte balance and low energy stores.  I've been there, done that and I don't want to do it again.  I think overnight accompanists are going to be fewer this year, but that adds to the excitement and the challenge.  I know I'll have Pete, John, Jeff, Neil, Karen, Mark, and Bob at various times.  I just wish that I had "Scooter" to help me out again!  I know he is enjoying Florida, though.

Well, time to get out for now.  Donate to JDRF and come run or walk with me.  I'm not fast, I just keep moving forward.

one month to go

One month to go until the 100 mile run for JDRF.  I’ll make no secret of the fact that I am not nearly as well trained as when I did the run a couple of years ago.  The cool thing is that I am in a great state of mind and have been getting a lot of interest from others over the past couple of weeks.  I got the approval today to have the kids from school join me for a portion of the day.  I won’t know until that day who will be able to walk or run with me, but that will be part of the excitement.  The kids are so great and they truly care so much about others.  It is such a nice thing to be able to nurture this in them. 

I’ve been reading about Dane Raushberg and his 52 marathons in a year.  What really amazes me is his ability to stay motivated.  I have a knack for being able to get pumped up about things, but then the enthusiasm wanes and I lose focus.  Dane’s efforts on behalf of L’Arche is inspirational.   

The other individual that I have been observing is John Feygveresi.  A recent post was a link to his description of the Barkley Marathon.  If you haven’t read about the Barkley, it is well worth the effort.  I’ve talked with several friends  about John’s efforts, and they have asked if I would like to try it.  I must admit that the thought has crossed my mind.  I really like the idea of seeing just how far I can push myself.  Unlike Dane or John, I don’t seem to be able to make myself go at all fast anymore.  I did 5 miles at an 8 minute per mile pace at Egg Hill and I was ecstatic!  Maybe I can use their efforts to bolster my courage to push for better speed.

My friend Andy did Boston this week.  He is such an incredible example of determination and perseverance.  The weather for Boston was horrendous, with temperatures well over 80 degrees Fahrenheit (that’s 27 Celsius for those of you reading outside the US).  He did great for the first half, and then dehydration set in.  I’m looking forward to talking with him soon about the details, but I trust him when he says that it took everything he had to keep moving forward.

So, the State College walk for JDRF is May 19 at Lubrano Park.  I’m looking forward to seeing the group.  It is so rejuvenating and so rousing to see the team shirts and walk with all the kids and adults whose lives have been touched by the effects of diabetes. 

I know that my discomfort during the 100 mile journey is nothing compared to the difficulties in living with diabetes, but I hope that you will appreciate the efforts that I am able to make.  Please help me by donating to support the search for a cure.

I feel good . . .

I really do.  The runs have been really great, if not as far as they should be at this point.  No worries, though.  I'm loving running again and that feels good.  People ask if running these long distances hurts and I have to respond that I hurt more after a couple of days away than I do during any, okay most, of my runs.

I didn't sign up for the Hyner Challenge, and I am now wishing I had.  All of the spots are filled, but if the race organizers would like to let me fill a spare one, I would love to participate.  Hint, hint :)

We celebrated Resurrection Sunday yesterday.  Christ is Risen!  He is Risen, indeed!  I really try to stress to folks that everyone gets eternal life.  It just depends WHERE you are going to spend it.  If you recognize Jesus Christ as fully man and fully God, ask Him to forgive you of your sins and, accept that he gave His Life as a sacrifice  to fully redeem you, then you will spend eternity in Heaven.  If you do not, you will spend it in Hell. Eternal life in heaven is a free gift, it can not be bought or earned.  

Questions?  Here are answers based on scripture.

Ephesians 2:8-10New International Version (NIV)

⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

Lakewood's Wanderings and Scribbles....: 2012 Barkley Marathons Race Report

This is truly amazing and makes my efforts look pretty puny.  However, on my own scale, I can appreciate the effort.  An excellent recap of an outstanding event.

Lakewood's Wanderings and Scribbles....: 2012 Barkley Marathons Race Report

The Sheetz hits the Road (and trail)

The Sheetz fundraising books are in and ready to be purchased.  Please drop me a line to pick up a few.  For every book purchased, $4 goes to JDRF to support research toward a cure.  Just ask me how to get the most out of these books.  I must say that I am really good at being cheap !

Training is going really well right now.  Bruce and I are probably headed back to Ridgway in a few weeks.  Although, if the water is like last year, we are NOT paddling.  In retrospect, in was probably not the smartest thing I ever did, but not the dumbest either (unfortunately).  I need to get the bike outside and see the world.  I have watched a lot of movies while riding the trainer, but somehow the wind feels different actually being outside.  Hmm.

I need to get my bottom in gear and hit the fundraising harder.  So, don't be surprised when I show up with my palm out.  Whenever I see or hear about the tough times that people are having because of their diabetes, it makes me want to work that much harder.  With the advances in our understanding and of technology, it should not be beyond us to prevent the neuropathy, kidney issues and heart disease that result from abnormal blood glucose levels.

Let me know how you like the new layout and format of the blog.  It has been pretty much the same for a couple of years, so I thought I would try something new.  Quite a leap when you look at my wardrobe!

Thanks to all who have provided encouragement and support.  It is easier to push through when I know I am being held accountable.

More soon!

Egg Hill and Tradition

First, what a great guy Joel is.  He noticed that the results were off for his team's classification and he went directly to the timers and asked them to correct the results.  Yes, I know, he said that it was the truth so no big deal.  Trust me.  Honesty and integrity are NEVER no big deal.  Thanks, Joel and Nick.  You truly have started "The Other Tradition".

I loved, as usual, the Egg Hill Run today.  What a wonderful group of people, and the Penn's Valley track team is a great group to benefit.  It was great to see the kids out there cheering on all of the runners. 

I'm not going to mince words.  Give to JDRF.  Now.  Today.  please !

I am really looking forward to Ridgway and doing the event with Bruce.  I am hoping for less water on the river and a more comfortable water level.  I will never do this event the same way after last year.  Praise God that Pat made it through.

I've got Sheetz coupon books on the way.  What an awesome deal for the buyer, and a great way to bring money to JDRF.

Thanks so much!

Training and Generosity

The training has been going well, and I am beginning to get really excited for the JDRF run.  I hope the middle of May holds the same weather as we’ve been having this past week or so.  With morning temps in the 40’s F (5º C) and afternoons around 70ºF (21º C), it would be a crime not be outside.  The woods are pretty dry, so the mud isn’t making things rough, yet the ground is soft.  This week, the frogs have been calling and it amazes me how many there must be.  I am really looking forward to the family taking Jorunn on a hike to hear them.  Being from Norway, she has never seen frog eggs or heard them calling.  It has been very eye opening to interact with her and learn how different our countries are.  The things that we are accustomed to are unusual, but the reverse it true as well, of course.  Last week was Dr. Seuss’s birthday and this week we watched 2 Dr. Seuss shows.  I was amazed to learn she had never heard of Dr. Seuss.  BUT, I had never stopped to think that I had never heard of the authors she mentioned, either.  Ah.  Point of view.

So the school had the annual health fair this week.  Several students from State College High School  shared their experiences with diabetes with the middle school kids.  Most of the high school kids are, themselves, diabetics.  We also began the process of getting kids involved in organizing a school walk to raise funds for JDRF.  It has been a challenge because of the immense amount of attention given to THON.  The THON events began in September, and continue through the PFMS mini-thon in April.  There are several kids who have been touched personally and so want to make the event a success.  I want to help them reach the goals that they have to help provide a better lifestyle for those with diabetes, and eventually to find a cure.

 Next weekend is the Egg Hill Run in Spring Mills.  What a nice event.  Really well organized, a great time of day, and wonderful people (especially the Bastress clan).  Hope to see some of you there!

Thanks to Carter and Ruby for their generous donation to JDRF.  Not only are they great people, but they are awesome dance instructors!  Molly and I have been learning from them.  We've gotten into the waltz, cha-cha, foxtrot, rumba.  We've gotten much more comfortable on the dance floor and I can't wait to take my wife out for a night of dancing, although I plan on it being out of town where we won't be known :)

Generosity

It has been quite a while since my last post, so thanks for stopping by to see what is happening.
As usual, I've not been as attentive as I should be to my physical activity.  As I think back to just two years ago, I was putting in some pretty heavy mileage and was able to get moving without too much difficulty.  I can recall the feeling that I was not getting out there for me, but rather to fulfill a purpose, an obligation (not in a bad way), a calling to help.  It is not that I don't feel that way now, it is just that I seem to allow myself to get sidetracked too easily.  Oh, I can't do that right now, I just ate.  I will lift later, ride later, run later, play ball next week.  I have to say it is pretty sad to even reflect on the wimpiness that I have been showing.  I definitely need to reexamine the motivation for my effort.  Being fit is only a small part of why I do what I do.  Drawing attention to the effects of living with diabetes is the real driving force.
That said, I will tell you why I am writing this morning.  This week, I received two wonderful donations to JDRF.  The first came in the mail from the parents of a former student.  A huge thanks to Nalini and Soundar.  You have been so incredibly encouraging and supportive.  It is truly an honor and a privilege to be associated with your family.
Yesterday, I went to play basketball with friends at Mount Nittany Middle School.  This was the first time in several months that I got myself moving.  What a great group of people.  I always try to convey what a wonderful experience it is to others.  This group demonstrates such great comradery, sportsmanship, and service that I feel overwhelmed when reflecting on our times together.  So . . .  I hadn't seen Bass in quite some time, though the Run around Egg Hill is just around the corner, and in he walks and hands me a check for JDRF.  Incredible.  I have to say that Bass is the epitome of family man.  He takes a lot of razzing because he is always getting to basketball late, but this doesn't stop him from doing what he does, though.  The reason he gets there late is because he wants to spend time in the morning with his wife and daughters before they head off to work and school.  His face just lights up when he talks about them and it is a joy to listen and watch.

That all said, I feel appreciate your stopping by and reading today.  More soon.

“Love each other deeply. Honor others more than yourselves.” Romans 12:10, NIrV

New Starts

Okay, so I sort of false started last month. I've got a big goal and I started well with the MegaTransect one month ago, 26 miles the first day with 6,000 feet of elevation.  Then, in typical fashion, I stopped.  Quit.  Not on purpose, but zilch nonetheless.
After 3 weeks, I ran 2 days in a row, then missed another week.  The good thing is that I'm back and feel great.  No more lags in motivation, because today begins National Diabetes Month and I am rip roaring and ready to rumble.  I remember that I run for my benefit, but I write this, and run, and lift, and bike and ask people to help me support research projects for a whole lot bigger, and better, reason than me.  So, away we go.  For real this time.
So, here is the goal:
750 miles of running with 133,400 feet of elevation gain.  This elevation gain is equal to the total height of the highest point on the seven continents (the 7 summits).
Along with. . .
1500 miles of bicycling - since I am doing this over the winter, and I'm not as wild as some of those folks I see riding by the house - I can do road biking, mountain biking, or riding the bike on the trainer.  I know that my pace should actually be faster than this, but I will count the trainer time as 10 miles per hour.
1,000,000 pounds of weight lifting - talk about low weight, high reps :) !
Finally, I will end with a 100 mile run during the last 24 hours before the JDRF walk on May 19.

So, if I look at the 35 miles of running and 16,000 pounds of lifting I did in the month of October, I've at least got a start.  I'm not sure it is even worth counting, but I will.

I am going to sell Sheetz coupon books and have a fun night at Chik-Fil-A to help raise money.  I don't have a financial goal, so let's not put a limit on it.

Let's get it started!

Here is what I'm thinking

I'm not very good at keeping my thoughts to myself.  At least not very good when I'm trying to make an impact.  I really want to make an impact.  I can't say why that is except that I want to make a difference in a lot of lives, especially the life of my wife.

So, here is what I'm proposing.  I'm going to lift a million pounds.  Of course, not all at once.  I know that some may not see that as a big deal, but I am not a weight lifter, not by a long shot.  But I'm motivated.  Not only is this a fundraising endeavor for a devastating illness, but my son has asked me to start lifting with him so that he can meet his wellness goal for high school.  How can someone resist those influences?  I've got to say I'm glad I can't.

Anyway, the lifting isn't the only part of the endeavor.  In fact, it may prove to be the easiest to complete.  I'm also going to bicycle 1500 miles.  I know, if you were to look at the time from October 1, through May 19, which is when I think the JDRF walk will be, it only amounts to 6.5 miles a day.  I ask only that you might remember that it will be winter most of the time, that I don't ride very often, and that it is for a good cause.

Oh yeah, there is more.  I am also going to run 750 miles in those 231 days.  I'm planning on the last 100 being during the last 24 hours ending with the JDRF walk at Medlar Field.

I want my effort to be worthy of the discomfort, of the neuropathy, heart disease, blindness, and amputations that diabetics deal with all the time.

Please help.

Off and Running

I had a couple of great conversations this evening.  First, I went to a meeting of People Centre'd on Diabetes.  It is a local group dedicated to informing people about diabetes.  I contacted them through their website and they invited me to their September meeting to share a bit about what I've done and how I would like to work with them.  I presented myself to them as a tool to be used to help those with diabetes be motivated to work for good control and healthy lifestyles (to minimize complications) as well as to help  make people aware of risks and available diagnosis tools.  They had several ideas that I hope we are able t put into motion soon.

The second conversation was with Ray Zahab.  I had asked him to work his brain about the project for this year's JDRF fundraiser.  Coincidently, his idea about the effort tied nicely into some of the ideas the folks at PCoD had proposed.  I am always a bit nervous calling Ray, though he is very gracious and seems to enjoy our conversations.  It is just that he has done some pretty awesome things.  Whether it is realistic or not, accurate or not, even deserved or not, I feel as though we are similar in some ways.  I hope that it is not being proud or conceited to think that I may have had an influence on people the way he has.  

It is motivating to me to think about doing good.  I don't believe that I get "extra points" for doing good works, but the joy of being blessed makes me want to do so.  

“NOT BY WORKS of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5)

May God bless you, reader.

It's Raining Again

It has been raining pretty much nonstop since Sunday.  Here in the State College area, we've gotten just under 10 inches.  It looks as though the next wave of rain has missed us, so that should give the streams a little chance to drop before more rain comes down.
I have to say that I am glad to not live so close to the river anymore.  In 1996, we lost our house in the January flood.  Strange thing is that I am certain it was a God thing because it allowed us to move to this great neighborhood and encouraged me to change my job.  It has been wonderful.

It feels great to be running consistently and the run in the rain last night was awesome.  The next several days look to be the same as the past couple and that is just fine.  Don't tell the kids at school, but they are pretty calm when it is raining outside.  There isn't any huge desire to get out do other things.  The only bad part is that I can't get them out to learn tree identification.  Fortunately, one of the tech ed teachers, Bill, has been bringing me branches he is trimming from trees lining his driveway.  He has brought quite a collection and I've been able to let the kids do a fair amount of id work inside.

I finished Marshall Ulrich's book Running on Empty yesterday and it was a great read.  It tells of the trials and tribulations of running 3,000 miles in 52 days (No- I can't even imagine).  I'd recommend it to anyone looking for an inside view of ultra-ultra running, but it really gets to the heart of realizing the impact the loss of someone special has on us long-term.  Thanks, Marshall for sharing your experience with us.

I've been thinking about the result of the adventures I've been having and this verse seems to fit with how something silly like a physical  effort makes sense in the larger scheme.

Romans 5:3-4

New International Version

³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope.