Merry Christmas!

Well, I am a couple of days late, but Merry Christmas to you all!
I am so incredibly blessed and this time of year, when I celebrate the birth of my Lord and my Savior I am especially reminded of this.  I hear the carols and think of what they say and mean, it just makes me so very thankful for the promise of things to come, even when things seem so bleak in this world we are living in.

I have not been training the way I should be, but have been getting in some nice 1-hour + runs on a consistent basis.  I have even spent some time in the weight room at school trying to get a little stronger in the middle.  Now, THAT would be really something to accomplish :)

Molly is investigating the possibility of a continuous glucose monitor.  The increase in information available and, therefore, the control possible is exponentially beneficial to the long-term success in avoiding complications from abnormal blood sugar levels.  I know that I have been very fortunate that Molly is so dedicated and attentive to her diet  and glucose levels over the past years.  Her personality allows her to do this, but she still gets frustrated when her readings are not what they should be.  I can't, or don't, always give her the credit and attention she deserves.  I think I am doing this run to try and show her how important she is to me.  I would love to see an artificial pancreas or even a cure in her lifetime.

Thanks so much to Pat H., Randy, and Peggy for your contributions !  I am mailing the checks tomorrow and we will see the new total in few days.  I will be hitting 5% of the total.  Getting there !

Time to hit it hard;  the training and the fundraising.  Once again, I need your help.  Please tell your friends, put it on your facebook, contact all those celebrities, professional athletes, and generous relatives you have and sell, sell, sell!

Thanks and God bless!

Oh, Deer!

Well, I got in a pretty good workout on Monday. It was the first day of deer season here in Pennsylvania and the weather was variable to say the least.  We hiked up Brush Mountain at about 5:30 AM.  THe temp was in the high 40's.  Many in our group wore shorts and t-shirts for the climb and still produced a ton of sweat.  I have really enjoyed the last couple of years climbing in one set of clothes and changing completely once we get to our spots.  This year I was really glad to have brought shorts and not just a different pair of pants. As the day wore on, we got wet and cold and then, as the pushing of deer began, the coldness disappeared - at least to us.  Late in the day we saw a few brief snow squalls, but nothing lay on the ground.
John, our host at BMSA, shot a fine 10-point about mid afternoon.  The mountain man that he is, he skinned and quartered it there in right there in the  woods and packed the meat, hide and head out in his backpack.  Having dragged a deer from the same general area last year, I can tell you I can not imagine how he did it.  John's pack weighed 99 pounds  - he weighed it when he got back home.  Congratulations, John.  You got a fine trophy, meat for the freezer, a huge story to share, and props from all of us who got to see you out there.
I know, what should we expect.  John is a Marine.  Ooh Rah!
So Monday was pretty rough on the feet and legs.  By the end of the day, the backs of my legs were letting me know I have a lot of work to do to prepare for any of the Grand Slam of PA Trail running events.  However, it did motivate me to get into the weight room yesterday and do a series of circuits that I am certain will improve my condition.
Checks have come in from several individuals including the mother and the great-grandmother of one my former students. Thanks, Mrs. Groves and Mrs. Schneider!  Also in the mix of contributors are present and former colleagues.  Thanks to Suzie, Kathy, and Mrs. Keily!  The Way Fruit Farm sent a check that I received today.  I am so grateful for their support.  Thanks to you all so much!  I've been talking with some other corporate representatives about donations of product and/or funds, and I am pleased with the progress that we've been making.  Watch for Jabco-Maggi in the new year.  We are working on a special deal to bring in the funds for JDRF.  I'm excited!
Well, time to move the kids forward in the homework challenge of the evening.  Thanks to all and send me more mail. It really helps me stay motivated.  Stay warm.

Happy Thanksgiving

Yesterday I met with Senator Jake Corman to discuss the run.  It was a nice meeting in which I asked him for ideas about fundraising and publicity for the event.  He stated that he would be very happy to put his name with the effort because of the great cause that it is supporting.  I am looking forward to January when we begin to push for some media attention for the event.
I have been looking at insulin pump/continuous glucose monitors (cgm) recently.  The idea of having a data point every 5 minutes instead of every few hours is great.  People using the cgm can see exactly how different activities affect their body's use of of insulin and glucose.  Highs and lows can be treated immediately, before they are even noticeable in physical symptoms.  The cgm brings us one step closer to an artificial pancreas.  Although not a cure, the lessening of abnormal glucose levels decreases the long term effects of diabetes.  Animas is beginning a partnerships with DexCom to join their two devices and MedTronic looks to have a great product in existence as well.  Competition in the field is good for motivation to improve, and patients reap the benefits.
Over the weekend I had a great 2-hour run through the gamelands.  With 6 months to go before the JDRF event it is time to begin extending these long runs.  I will be out in the woods next week for deer season and, hopefully, pulling some weight through the woods to add strength training!
Huge thanks to Matt and Stefanie, Kathy, and Ann for their contributions.  We are moving forward!
Have a great Thanksgiving!

Generosity

God is truly good!  I am so thankful for the support of my friends and family.  Today is the highest donation total to date and I am past the 4% mark in donations at the JDRF website.  I have other donations that have been pledged that I am not counting, but will show up when I send in the checks to the JDRF office.  Thanks to Matt and Stef and to Pat for their support.  Their generosity is overwhelming.
My runs the last couple of days have felt great and I am so happy that the weather is September-like.  I do like running in the dark, but it is way easier to do when it is 40-50º rather than 20-30º.
Thanks again for the support.  Your effort makes mine so much easier.

Looking Good - Thanks Illuminite!

Thanks so much to the folks at Illuminite!  In one of my early posts I reported having spoken with Tanya and praised her willingness to support my safety with a jacket from Illuminite.  Yesterday I got a package from her/them containing several products to help keep me visible to vehicles at night.  I wore the Olympic 2-in-1 this morning and know that I was seen by some of my neighbors because they flashed their lights to say hello.  I must say I feel loads better running in the dark when I know that I can be seen.  I don't like to be surprised when I am driving so I try not to scare anyone else either.
I sent out a lot of email pleas in the last couple of days.  I am happy to report that I have already received support in response to this email.  It is awkward, even for me, to ask for money during this time.  I really believe it is a worthwhile reason to feel uncomfortable.  I see the effects everyday on the lives of those with type 1 diabetes. Specifically I see Molly frustrated when she doesn't have the control she thinks she should have because of the effort and attention she gives.
Thanks for reading, your patience, and your generosity.
See you on the roads and on the trail.

Long Run Weekends

I am moving right along in training and fundraising.  Although the total on my JDRF page doesn't look too impressive today, it will be improving rapidly when the checks mailed yesterday get added.  I sent checks from Dr. Devlin, Dr. Doerfler, and Paul and Nancy Silvis to the JDRF office.  Huge thanks to these folks for their generosity.  Dr. Doerfler is my son's orthodontist and is extremely patient and kind.  Paul Silvis is the founder of Restek and now owns SilcoTek.  His businesses really value the employees.  Workout facilities and a beautiful atrium are examples of the extras Paul has included in the workplace to help provide a positive workplace environment.  I have been impressed with him throughout the 12 years I have been familiar with him.    I met Paul while I worked for South Hills School of Business and Technology and expanded the relationship when I had his son, Michael, in seventh grade grade science.
I am leaning toward having a raffle to raise funds.  I have had several businesses tell me that they can donate product much more easily than cash.  To make efficient use of resources, I anticipate that my helpers and I will be selling tickets for a chance to win some awesome prizes.  Stay tuned for exciting offers!
Training is going well. I had a super morning yesterday.  I started about 6 AM and watched the sun come up during a chilly (25º F) 2-hour run.  I probably got in 12 miles or so.  I hope to get in another 2 hours today.  Not so much hassle being in the woods on Sunday.  I don't like to mess up anyone's hunt by being in the woods on Saturday.  Pete ran the second hour with me and we had great, and really deep,  conversation.  I know he could have run further, but I really was ready to head to breakfast.  I was hungry!  This fall has been beautiful and today is no exception.  Get out an enjoy it.

In the Face

Well, I am sort of out there in the "face" world now.  I asked Matt to link this page to his Facebook page so I am curious how many people will see it.  I have been sort of wondering how many people are seeing it anyway.  There is probably some way of putting a counter on the page, but I'd rather see donations as a way of counting visitors :)  Including donations by check, I am up to 1% of the way to my goal.  It is a little intimidating to imagine reaching all the way to $30,000.  I think the loftiness of the goal hit me when I read that Christopher Reeves' son is trying to raise $26,000 for his charity.  Of course on the other side of that is reading an article about a country singer who was given a $50,000 car as a birthday gift from his buddy.  I know.  It is all relative, it just makes one wonder.
I've been working out all these different possibilities for achieving the goal.  Only 300 people/businesses at $100 each; 600 people at $50 and so on.  Sometimes I really don't like focusing on this aspect of the whole thing and then I think, this is why I'm doing it in the first place.  I need to keep sight of the fact that I am trying to make a difference in the lives of people whose lives have been impacted by this terrible disease.  11 million people in the United States have been diagnosed.  Another 6 million people are believed to be living undiagnosed.  Diabetes kills through heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.  20,00 cases of blindness result from diabetic retinopathy and 60% of all non-traumatic amputations are the result of diabetes.  Think about the impact on those lives.  I know I think about them a lot because of the possibilities that they will affect my wife, Molly.  My niece was diagnosed at a very young age - she is almost 8 now.  The results of her diabetes will be even greater because of the changes her body will experience as she grows.  It can be depressing, but I do believe what I can do and you can do does help.
I think about the daily hassles of finger pricks to check blood sugar (4 or more times a day), insulin injections (4 more sticks a day), or problems with insulin pump sites.  Even the hassle of where to put the insulin pump when dressing up is a  real pain.  Sometimes it is the little things that send folks over the top.
I've got no other way to say it, please help.  We can't all do big things, but we can all do a little.

Thanks, Dr. Devlin!  I really want to thank my dentist, Dr. Chris Devlin for his donation and also for helping me to not be afraid to go and see him.  A few years ago, I was needing medication just to call the dentist.  Now, I don't necessarily look forward to the experience, but I do enjoy going to the office.  I don't even need to have anything to relax before the visit.  As a result, my visits are pleasant and without incident.
I feel much better and actually got on the bike this morning.  I coughed a little when I picked up the tempo, but feel as though a run is coming in the very near future, like tomorrow.  What a relief!  I'm looking forward to comments and questions and have opened up the access so that you can comment, so no matter how small, let me know you are out there . . . if you are :)
Thanks again to Dr. Devlin.  I will be seeing you soon !

Moving along

Well, things seem to be moving along.  I've got a little financial support from friends and am over 1/1000th of the way to my goal !   I have sent quite a few business letters out and have only had one return, albeit a negative response.  Kind of a bummer, but I am motivated to beat the bushes more because of it.  As part of my day on May 21, I will be visiting several of the district's schools.  I really hope that I am able to verbalize the impact that diabetes has on folks, both the person with the disease and the families.
Because Molly is such a great patient, I often take for granted that things are easy for her.  When her blood sugar is high and she feels that she has done everything right, it is frustrating for her.  This, in turn, affects everyone around her as she seeks to get the balance right and to fight off the physical and emotional manifestations of the hyperglycemia.  She is a great inspiration to me.  Don't tell her, though.  :)
It is strange to think about the nearness of the run day and how far away it is.  I really have a lot of training to do and a ton of fundraising.  I spend a lot of time preparing mentally already as well as spending time writing letters and telling people about the event.  I must admit that I love many of the responses I get.  For some reason people think this is a crazy thing to do.  I keep thinking about the short term inconvenience I am causing myself to try and let people know about the awesome impact diabetes has on its victims.
See you on the roads, trails, and hallways !

Rats, no - Pigs

Well, I suppose it is good to get right to it.  I am pretty sure I've got H1N1.  I've been in bed for a couple of days now and finally have an excuse other than laziness.  I can stay awake for all of an hour or so before I need a nap, so things are looking up.  Why is it that doing a long run always looks the most appetizing when you can't do it.  I am looking outside a the rain thinking how good it would feel to be taking a jaunt in the woods, but obviously am not going to be doing for a while.  No worries, though.  It is a long time until May.  I have been watching some videos on YouTube of ultra-runners doing some of the awesome events out west.
I've been getting a lot of letters sent out to businesses and am looking forward to sending more.  Thanks to Corey and Jess, and Bob and Maure, and Bill for their donations so far.  30 grand seems like a lot of money, but I know it is doable.  I also am looking forward to breaking 100 miles.  The thing that is daunting to me is not the distance but the duration of being awake.  Especially right now.  There are a lot of people who do it, okay maybe not a lot, but some so I know it is possible.  I am counting on those around me to keep me pumped overnight. One really helpful guy, you know who you are Bass, has graciously offered to move 1/4 mile ahead of me and taunt me.  That way, I will be angry enough to make it through the night.  Now we all see how you are, buddy :)
I have been so happy with the response of my friends as I have been working on getting things settled.  It doesn't hurt that they think I'm "not all there" but are very supportive anyway.  Thanks, folks.
I need to get back to sleep now. I've been up for nearly two hours, a record.
Tell your friends.

Mega

The MegaTransect was, once again, a fantastic experience.  It was at least as hard as any other year, certainly more technical in several areas.  I finished 97th out of the 700 or so starters, and was about 1/2 hour faster than last year (6:22 this year).  We camped out in the rain this year so that we had the total Mega-experience.

Thanks to Tom Rodgers for a lot of encouragement during the run.  I am certain that I would've been quite a bit slower without his words - kind and otherwise :)
I shamelessly shared my JDRF endeavor with several people and hopefully will hear from them as the year goes on.  I had a nice ride on the bike trainer this morning and am encouraged with the desire to get back out on the road and trail.

Thanks to all of the volunteers from the MegaTransect.  It is a premier event and it is because of the fine work you all do.  Congratulations!

It's up . . . I'm running !

The JDRF called this morning to let me know that the donations website is up and ready to go.  I registered for the State College walk as part of the M&M team.  However, my run will start about 29 hours before the rest of the walkers.  My plan is to begin at 6 AM on Friday and go until noon on Saturday.
To make a donation, please visit http://walk.jdrf.org.  I really hope you do.  I can't say I wouldn't love to run 100 miles or so just for fun, but I would much rather have a good reason to do so.
Tomorrow is the MegaTransect.  Looks like the weather will cooperate for most of the event.
See you on the trail!