Friday, October 17, 2008
Dangerous Dreamers
"All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act out their dream with open eyes, to make it possible." -T.S. Eliot
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Why did the Chicken Cross the Road?
Question: Why did the chicken cross the road?
Answer:
BARACK OBAMA: The chicken crossed the road because it was time for a change! The chicken wanted change!
JOHN MC CAIN: My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road... ZZZZZzzzzzzzzz
SARAH PALIN: BECAUSE , PRAISE JESUS, I WAS GONNA SHOOT HIS SORRY LIBERAL ASS OFF FOR BLOCKING MY VIEW OF RUSSIA!
HILLARY CLINTON: When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure right from Day One that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.
GEORGE W. BUSH: We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.
DICK CHENEY: Where's my gun?
COLIN POWELL: Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.
BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with that chicken. What is your definition of crossing?
AL GORE : I invented the chicken.
JOHN KERRY: Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.
AL SHARPTON: Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.
DR. PHIL: The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on this side of the road before it goes after the problem on the other side of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his current problems before adding new problems.
OPRAH: Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN: We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.
PAT BUCHANAN: To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.
MARTHA STEWART: No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmers Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.
DR SEUSS: Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die in the rain, alone.
JERRY FALWELL: Because the chicken was gay! Can't you people see the plain truth? That's why they call it the other side. Yes, my friends, that chicken is gay. And if you eat that chicken, you will become gay, too. I say we boycott all chickens until we sort out this abomination that the liberal media whitewashes with seemingly harmless phrases like the other side. That chicken should not be crossing the road. It's as plain and as simple as that.
BARBARA WALT ERS: Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its lifelong dream of crossing the road.
ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.
JOHN LENNON: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, In peace.
BILL GATES: I have just released eChicken2008, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken2008. This new platform is much more stable and will never crash.
ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?
COLONEL SANDERS: Did I miss one?
Answer:
BARACK OBAMA: The chicken crossed the road because it was time for a change! The chicken wanted change!
JOHN MC CAIN: My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road... ZZZZZzzzzzzzzz
SARAH PALIN: BECAUSE , PRAISE JESUS, I WAS GONNA SHOOT HIS SORRY LIBERAL ASS OFF FOR BLOCKING MY VIEW OF RUSSIA!
HILLARY CLINTON: When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure right from Day One that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.
GEORGE W. BUSH: We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.
DICK CHENEY: Where's my gun?
COLIN POWELL: Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.
BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with that chicken. What is your definition of crossing?
AL GORE : I invented the chicken.
JOHN KERRY: Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.
AL SHARPTON: Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.
DR. PHIL: The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on this side of the road before it goes after the problem on the other side of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his current problems before adding new problems.
OPRAH: Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN: We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.
PAT BUCHANAN: To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.
MARTHA STEWART: No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmers Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.
DR SEUSS: Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die in the rain, alone.
JERRY FALWELL: Because the chicken was gay! Can't you people see the plain truth? That's why they call it the other side. Yes, my friends, that chicken is gay. And if you eat that chicken, you will become gay, too. I say we boycott all chickens until we sort out this abomination that the liberal media whitewashes with seemingly harmless phrases like the other side. That chicken should not be crossing the road. It's as plain and as simple as that.
BARBARA WALT ERS: Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its lifelong dream of crossing the road.
ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.
JOHN LENNON: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, In peace.
BILL GATES: I have just released eChicken2008, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken2008. This new platform is much more stable and will never crash.
ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?
COLONEL SANDERS: Did I miss one?
More Motivational Quotes
"Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal." - Luis Escobar
"Man imposes his own limitations, don't set any" -Anthony Bailey
"Endurance is patience concentrated." - Carlyle
"A lot of people run a race to see who's the fastest. I run to see who has the most guts." -Steve Prefontaine
"Every man dies, but not every man really lives." -William Wallace
"Man imposes his own limitations, don't set any" -Anthony Bailey
"Endurance is patience concentrated." - Carlyle
"A lot of people run a race to see who's the fastest. I run to see who has the most guts." -Steve Prefontaine
"Every man dies, but not every man really lives." -William Wallace
Why Women Should Vote
I received this as an email from a good woman friend of mine. It should serve as a reminder of the what a privilege it is to vote; let us always remember where we came from, so we will not be doomed to repeat painful injustices in our past.
This is the story of our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers; they lived only 90 years ago.
Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote.
The women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed nonetheless for picketing the White House, carrying signs asking for the vote.
(Lucy Burns)And by the end of the night, they were barely alive. Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of 'obstructing sidewalk traffic.' They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping for air.
(Dora Lewis)
They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cell mate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack. Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging, beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women.
Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917 , when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right to vote.
For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms.
(Alice Paul)
When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press.
So, refresh my memory. Some women won't vote this year because- -why, exactly? We have carpool duties? We have to get to work? Our vote doesn't matter? It's raining?
Last week, I went to a sparsely attended screening of HBO's new movie 'Iron Jawed Angels.' It is a graphic depiction of the battle these women waged so that I could pull the curtain at the polling booth and have my say. I am ashamed to say I needed the reminder.
All these years later, voter registration is still my passion. But the actual act of voting had become less personal for me, more rote. Frankly, voting often felt more like an obligation than a privilege. Sometimes it was inconvenient.
My friend Wendy, who is my age and studied women's history, saw the HBO movie, too. When she stopped by my desk to talk about it, she looked angry. She was--with herself. 'One thought kept coming back to me as I watched that movie,' she said. 'What would those women think of the way I use, or don't use, my right to vote? All of us take it for granted now, not just younger women, but those of us who did seek to learn.' The right to vote, she said, had become valuable to her 'all over again.'
HBO released the movie on video and DVD . I wish all history, social studies and government teachers would include the movie in their curriculum I want it shown on Bunco night, too, and anywhere else women gather. I realize this isn't our usual idea of socializing, but we are not voting in the numbers that we should be, and I think a little shock therapy is in order.
It is jarring to watch Woodrow Wilson and his cronies try to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized. And it is inspiring to watch the doctor refuse. Alice Paul was strong, he said, and brave. That didn't make her crazy.
The doctor admonished the men: 'Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity.'
We need to get out and vote and use this right that was fought so hard for by these very courageous women. Whether you vote democratic, republican or independent party - remember to vote.
History is being made.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Paling around with Terroists-The Pendulum Swings Both Ways
I just found an article that discusses Palin's ties to the Alaska Independent Party (AIP), an allegedly violent anti-American group aimed as ceding from the nation at all costs and reportedly working with Iran to sponsor their anti-American harangue. My disgust with the Republican campaign began to build more rapidly when Palin started claims that Obama had ties with revolutionary terrorist Bill Ayers. Though I have not heard the Obama campaign speak at all about the seemingly undeniable ties of Palin to the AIP, I can not believe that it because the Obama campaign is unaware of this. I figure that the reason for this is that the claims made in the salon article are false, or at best, like Palin's claims, these claims are actually just exaggerated forms of a distant association. If the AIP claims are true, I suspect the reason we have not heard of this before it is mostly likely because the Obama campaign has refused to resort to the dirty politics that Palin seems to be riding on for her ticket to the White House. If this is the case, I'm proud of my candidate; however, I think every American that has been told that Obama pals around with terrorists should also be made aware of the potential ties of Palin to the Alaska Independent Party.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
One Step Closer To Vegan
After posting the Mutts comic yesterday, I began to ponder my own dietary habits. I've only bought eggs labeled free-range and grain-fed for years now, but for the last six months or so I've been eating Eggbeater egg whites that come in a carton. I am convinced the lives of the chickens who produce these egg whites can be no better than the lives of the chickens who produce the standard eggs you buy in the grocery store. In fact, they just might be the same. So, here it is. I'm giving up yet another one of my favorite foods because I just can't stomach the possibility that I'm contributing to the cruel factory farm conditions most chickens are enduring. Having thoughtfully considered my egg consumption, I'm giving serious consideration to giving up eggs entirely. However, maybe not. Only time will tell if I will continue to eat the eggs from free-range, grain-fed chickens, but due to the lack of convenience of these (i.e. I can't easily eat them at work since that's where I eat breakfast), I can't see these eggs coming close to replacing the Eggbeater product I've ignorantly enjoyed for some time. It wasn't that long ago that I awakened and realized that fish and shellfish were just as much of an animal as cattle and chicken, so I'm curious if I'm on the road to an eventual vegan.
Texas vegans however are a seclusive population and very little is known about how they survive in their native habitat.
Texas vegans however are a seclusive population and very little is known about how they survive in their native habitat.
Monday, October 13, 2008
What You Didn't Know About Columbus Day
Today is Columbus Day but apparently not everyone is happy about that. Wikipedia has an interesting section in their Columbus Day entry about opposition to the widely celebrated holiday.
Since the later part of the 20th century groups have voiced opposition to Columbus celebrations. Indigenous groups in particular have opposed the holidays as celebrating the man who initiated the European colonization of the new world. Opposition often focuses on the cruel treatment indigenous peoples faced at the hands of Columbus and later European settlers and the fact that the European conquest directly and indirectly caused a massive decline in population among the indigenous peoples.
In the summer of 1990, 350 Native Americans, representatives from all over the hemisphere, met in Quito, Ecuador, at the first Intercontinental Gathering of Indigenous People in the Americas, to mobilize against the quincentennial celebration of Columbus Day. The following summer, in Davis, California, more than a hundred Native Americans gathered for a follow-up meeting to the Quito conference. They declared October 12, 1992, International Day of Solidarity with Indigenous People. The largest ecumenical body in the United States, the National Council of Churches, called on Christians to refrain from celebrating the Columbus quincentennial, saying, "What represented newness of freedom, hope, and opportunity for some was the occasion for oppression, degradation and genocide for others."[15]
Venezuela responded to opposition by renaming the Día de la Raza holiday the Día de la Resistencia Indígena (Day of Indigenous Resistance) (see above).
Some groups and individuals have in turn defended Columbus celebrations. Michael Berliner of the Ayn Rand Institute said Western civilization brought “reason, science, self-reliance, individualism, ambition, and productive achievement” to a people who were based in “primitivism, mysticism, and collectivism”, and to a land that was “sparsely inhabited, unused, and underdeveloped.”
Read the whole article here
Since the later part of the 20th century groups have voiced opposition to Columbus celebrations. Indigenous groups in particular have opposed the holidays as celebrating the man who initiated the European colonization of the new world. Opposition often focuses on the cruel treatment indigenous peoples faced at the hands of Columbus and later European settlers and the fact that the European conquest directly and indirectly caused a massive decline in population among the indigenous peoples.
In the summer of 1990, 350 Native Americans, representatives from all over the hemisphere, met in Quito, Ecuador, at the first Intercontinental Gathering of Indigenous People in the Americas, to mobilize against the quincentennial celebration of Columbus Day. The following summer, in Davis, California, more than a hundred Native Americans gathered for a follow-up meeting to the Quito conference. They declared October 12, 1992, International Day of Solidarity with Indigenous People. The largest ecumenical body in the United States, the National Council of Churches, called on Christians to refrain from celebrating the Columbus quincentennial, saying, "What represented newness of freedom, hope, and opportunity for some was the occasion for oppression, degradation and genocide for others."[15]
Venezuela responded to opposition by renaming the Día de la Raza holiday the Día de la Resistencia Indígena (Day of Indigenous Resistance) (see above).
Some groups and individuals have in turn defended Columbus celebrations. Michael Berliner of the Ayn Rand Institute said Western civilization brought “reason, science, self-reliance, individualism, ambition, and productive achievement” to a people who were based in “primitivism, mysticism, and collectivism”, and to a land that was “sparsely inhabited, unused, and underdeveloped.”
Read the whole article here
Today's Inspirational Quote
"Despite what seems like the extraordinary nature of these events, in the end, they make you even more human." - Joel McNamara
Racing for a Cure
If you haven't read any other post on this blog let me update you on my athletic endeavors. Over the past year I've been training and competing in multiple endurance events, with most of these being triathlons. I love the long hours of training and competing, the hard work they require, and pushing myself to physical and mental exhaustion. I'm pleased to say I have not yet found my limits, so that is why I'm taking my training to the next step. On April 5 of 2009 I will race in the Half Ironman in the Lonestar Triathlon Festival in Galveston, Texas. For those of you unfamiliar with this event it includes a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run.
But for this next race I've taken on an additional challenge beyond the physical demands of training and competing. I've joined the North Texas Team in Training Program on behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Team in Training (TNT) exists to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma and to provide financial support to the patients and their families during treatment. TNT is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s largest fund-raising program, bringing in over 73 million dollars in the past year alone. Each team member in the program pledges to raise a certain amount of money during the 4-5 months they train for their event and 75% of every dollar spent at the Society goes to research, patient services, and education. My goal is to raise $2,900 for TNT.
As a member of TNT I am part of an actual team of triathletes training for the same event. We have three workouts a week together, which include long brick days on Saturdays and open water swims. TNT also provides us with experienced coaches, multiple informational clinics (such as nutrition, bike sizing, energy gel taste testings, and open water swim tactics), gear to train in and compete in, travel to and from the event, the race entry, pre and post race parties, and best of all cheers and support while you race. I felt the need to do this because I've trained for over a year for my own personal enjoyment; I feel now is the time to sacrifice and take part in a greater purpose and join a cause that helps save lives. I've been blessed with health, physical fitness, and spare time to train so I feel I can really make use of these blessings to help others by taking part in this cause.
I now need to tell everyone I know and people I don't know about my new commitment and cause and humbly ask for their support. I have the attitude that I'm am simply providing others a means to make donations that they can have assurance will make a difference in the lives of those suffering from blood cancer. I know from personal experience, that people want to help but often just don't know how and want to know what they do matters.
All donations are tax-deductible and no donation is too small. If you'd like to support my participation in TNT and help advance the cause of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is to visit my TNT website and make an online donation.
If you have already contributed I thank you from the bottom of my heart and encourage you to keep visiting this blog for updates on my training. I'll post pictures, workouts, and stories of what exactly one thinks about during a 5 hour workout. I also plan on posting any funny stories or useful training and triathlon tips I come across over the next 5 months.
P.S. Don't keep me a secret. Tell your friends and family about my participation in TNT and send them the link to my TNT website (http://pages.teamintraining.org/ntx/lstri09/kstoddard) or this blog (www.todayiwillbeme.blogspot.com).
But for this next race I've taken on an additional challenge beyond the physical demands of training and competing. I've joined the North Texas Team in Training Program on behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Team in Training (TNT) exists to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma and to provide financial support to the patients and their families during treatment. TNT is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s largest fund-raising program, bringing in over 73 million dollars in the past year alone. Each team member in the program pledges to raise a certain amount of money during the 4-5 months they train for their event and 75% of every dollar spent at the Society goes to research, patient services, and education. My goal is to raise $2,900 for TNT.
As a member of TNT I am part of an actual team of triathletes training for the same event. We have three workouts a week together, which include long brick days on Saturdays and open water swims. TNT also provides us with experienced coaches, multiple informational clinics (such as nutrition, bike sizing, energy gel taste testings, and open water swim tactics), gear to train in and compete in, travel to and from the event, the race entry, pre and post race parties, and best of all cheers and support while you race. I felt the need to do this because I've trained for over a year for my own personal enjoyment; I feel now is the time to sacrifice and take part in a greater purpose and join a cause that helps save lives. I've been blessed with health, physical fitness, and spare time to train so I feel I can really make use of these blessings to help others by taking part in this cause.
I now need to tell everyone I know and people I don't know about my new commitment and cause and humbly ask for their support. I have the attitude that I'm am simply providing others a means to make donations that they can have assurance will make a difference in the lives of those suffering from blood cancer. I know from personal experience, that people want to help but often just don't know how and want to know what they do matters.
All donations are tax-deductible and no donation is too small. If you'd like to support my participation in TNT and help advance the cause of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is to visit my TNT website and make an online donation.
If you have already contributed I thank you from the bottom of my heart and encourage you to keep visiting this blog for updates on my training. I'll post pictures, workouts, and stories of what exactly one thinks about during a 5 hour workout. I also plan on posting any funny stories or useful training and triathlon tips I come across over the next 5 months.
P.S. Don't keep me a secret. Tell your friends and family about my participation in TNT and send them the link to my TNT website (http://pages.teamintraining.org/ntx/lstri09/kstoddard) or this blog (www.todayiwillbeme.blogspot.com).
Thursday, October 9, 2008
More than Just a Metal
This last Sunday I had the privilege to compete in one of my favorite races of the year; the U.S. Toyota Open in Dallas. I trained smart this year for this race, and for that matter, all my other races as well. Last year I was blinded by an odd desire to exceed my training schedule and obsessed with piling the miles on. I hurt myself, several times, using this strategy of training. I ended up with a stress fracture in my foot and a inflamed psoas which put me out of the game for about 6 months.
But that wasn't the case this year. I learned from my mistakes and found that I could train harder, if I trained smarter. Odd. I wasn't expecting that to be the case. And though I don't think I logged as many running miles this year I still took 5 minutes off my time from last year. By focusing my training and not pushing through injury-indicating pain signals, I was able to gain speed and technique in all of the elements of the triathlon: swimming, cycling, running, and transitions.
All of this has caused me to reflect and ponder my motivation for racing. I've listened to the fellow endurance addicts that make up my close knit training group and have realized that we all subject ourselves to pain, exhaustion, sacrifice, and a host of other inflictions willingly for very different reasons. For me it's about the entire process of training. Having healed remarkably several times from debilitating injuries, I have a growing respect and appreciation for my body's physical capabilities to endure and heal itself. I love endurance events because they show me I'm capable of more than I ever imagined. I can push my body to the limits, and only then do I begin to learn something new about myself. I also continue on in these endurance events and trainings because I simply love the feeling of covering miles powered by what God gave me. I live for the feeling of sheer exhaustion and accomplishment that comes when I cross the finish line of a race. So while it's great that I've been able to continually improve my times, that's just icing on the cake. I race and train because it makes me feel alive. If I did not challenge myself continually, I could not expect to grow as an athlete and as an individual. And without continually advancement life would just be boring.
"To achieve all that is possible, we must attempt the impossible - to be as much as we can, we must dream of being more."
But that wasn't the case this year. I learned from my mistakes and found that I could train harder, if I trained smarter. Odd. I wasn't expecting that to be the case. And though I don't think I logged as many running miles this year I still took 5 minutes off my time from last year. By focusing my training and not pushing through injury-indicating pain signals, I was able to gain speed and technique in all of the elements of the triathlon: swimming, cycling, running, and transitions.
All of this has caused me to reflect and ponder my motivation for racing. I've listened to the fellow endurance addicts that make up my close knit training group and have realized that we all subject ourselves to pain, exhaustion, sacrifice, and a host of other inflictions willingly for very different reasons. For me it's about the entire process of training. Having healed remarkably several times from debilitating injuries, I have a growing respect and appreciation for my body's physical capabilities to endure and heal itself. I love endurance events because they show me I'm capable of more than I ever imagined. I can push my body to the limits, and only then do I begin to learn something new about myself. I also continue on in these endurance events and trainings because I simply love the feeling of covering miles powered by what God gave me. I live for the feeling of sheer exhaustion and accomplishment that comes when I cross the finish line of a race. So while it's great that I've been able to continually improve my times, that's just icing on the cake. I race and train because it makes me feel alive. If I did not challenge myself continually, I could not expect to grow as an athlete and as an individual. And without continually advancement life would just be boring.
"To achieve all that is possible, we must attempt the impossible - to be as much as we can, we must dream of being more."
Motivational Quotes
"The only way to be who you want to be is by being what you haven't yet been."
- Sally Edwards
"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go."
- T.S. Eliot
- Sally Edwards
"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go."
- T.S. Eliot
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Quotes and Mantras for Endurance Events
Having aspired to take my multi-sport athletic endeavors to the next level and train and complete a half Ironman (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run) in April, I feel the need now to search and collect mantras and quotes to call upon during hard hours of training and racing. I will need to stay continually motivated and will have to sacrifice a great deal. This list is just one of the ways I plan to keep my self on track. I plan to continually add to the list but here is what I've got so far:
"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours." -Henry David Thoreau
"The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it's too low and we reach it"
-Michelangelo-
And my never fail mantra: "It's only a process"
"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours." -Henry David Thoreau
"The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it's too low and we reach it"
-Michelangelo-
And my never fail mantra: "It's only a process"
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Billboards Battle Trees
The scenic rights along a stretch of Highway in Osceola Florida, just outside Disney World, are in the midst of a tug of war between billboard owners and local citizens. In the 1980's this stretch of highway apparently was such an eyesore that the citizens opted to tax themselves $29 million dollars to fund a highway beautification project. Now they have bike trails and 10 foot sidewalks on either side, lush landscaping that includes hundreds of trees, and well-lit bus stops, and information kiosks.
It would seem that such a project would have unanimous support, however Clear Channel and other billboard companies began complaining to the city that the new trees block the view of their billboards and threatened their business, which they argue, threatens the tourist industry, which is a major component of the local economy. Based on these claims, and the fact that their billboards were their first, they lobbied the state Legislature. The state sided with the billboard companies and in 2006 passed a law that guaranteed a 500 foot unobstructed view of the billboards.
Obviously citizens were enraged by this legislation because in their eyes it placed corporate interests over the public interest. But the real issue isn't about the trees; it's about who gets to control what the public views on a public highway. In the end the billboard companies and the citizen compromised and settled on an agreement that the trees be trimmed back to not obstruct the view instead of cutting them down entirely.
So who is right in this situation? The billboards were there first and they say they are essential for the tourist industry; but is it right to allow private industry to dictate what the public view on a public road? As much as it pains me to say, I think since the billboards were there first they should be allowed to remain and to be seen, but not at the cost of chopping down all the trees. Pruning ordinances are a good alternative as well as adequate pre-planning on the part of the city's beautification project. Granted billboards are important to tourism; however I would argue that I wouldn't want to see an ugly stretch of highway devoid of trees and littered with billboards. A compromise is best for both the citizens and the tourism industry in my opinion. I'm curious what anyone else thinks about this.
For the entire story, visit NPR
It would seem that such a project would have unanimous support, however Clear Channel and other billboard companies began complaining to the city that the new trees block the view of their billboards and threatened their business, which they argue, threatens the tourist industry, which is a major component of the local economy. Based on these claims, and the fact that their billboards were their first, they lobbied the state Legislature. The state sided with the billboard companies and in 2006 passed a law that guaranteed a 500 foot unobstructed view of the billboards.
Obviously citizens were enraged by this legislation because in their eyes it placed corporate interests over the public interest. But the real issue isn't about the trees; it's about who gets to control what the public views on a public highway. In the end the billboard companies and the citizen compromised and settled on an agreement that the trees be trimmed back to not obstruct the view instead of cutting them down entirely.
So who is right in this situation? The billboards were there first and they say they are essential for the tourist industry; but is it right to allow private industry to dictate what the public view on a public road? As much as it pains me to say, I think since the billboards were there first they should be allowed to remain and to be seen, but not at the cost of chopping down all the trees. Pruning ordinances are a good alternative as well as adequate pre-planning on the part of the city's beautification project. Granted billboards are important to tourism; however I would argue that I wouldn't want to see an ugly stretch of highway devoid of trees and littered with billboards. A compromise is best for both the citizens and the tourism industry in my opinion. I'm curious what anyone else thinks about this.
For the entire story, visit NPR
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Women in Politics
Right now there is a heated debate in our nation about the place of women in the political world sparked by the vice president selection for the Republican ticket. Like Mr. Tuesday Pants (), I don't think women are incapable of serving in politics or that they should not serve because of some antiquated gender related issue. What I do strongly believe is that women should be held to equal standing as men in politics, but this is where I see problems emerging in two ways.
The general public response to Sarah Palin's vice president bid, at least from the female population that even remotely follows politics, is either "You go girl" or "How could she?" The "You go girl" camp are women who feel empowered that a woman is in the running for vice president and probably believe, as they should, that a women can do any job a man can. I'm not contesting this fact at all. I'm certain women have just as much intelligence and skills to run a nation as a man, I'm just not sure I want that. Again I'm aligned with Mr. Tuesday Pants, so refer to his post on Women in Politics for details on this. The "how could she?" camp pipes up this question because Sarah Palin has a 4 month old child with down syndrome and a 17 year old expecting a child of her own, and, I'm speculating here, this camp believes Sarah Palin should be more concerned with her own family right now than with running a country. "You go girl"s would say that no one has the right to tell a women how the manage her family. I pose this question though: would they feel any different about this issue if it were Obama with and a mental disabled infant? I certain hope not, but we can never know.
So do we hold Palin to a different standard because she is a woman and we criticize her decision to run despite her family situation because we think a mother should care for her family first or do we make this judgment of her simply because the we believe the needs of her family take precedent over national affairs for her as an individual? The Republican party would ask you to not consider her gender when assessing her motives and priorities. But here's the kicker as I see it.
Why did McCain choose Sarah Palin? Was it because of her political record, her experience, or other a combination of other factors related to professional career as a politician. Well these factors may have influenced McCain, but I firmly believe that he chose Palin because she is a woman, he needs to win over Clinton supporters and he thinks people will vote based on the chromosomes of his running mate and not her political history. But voting for McCain simply because there is a woman on his ticket would mean you are giving special consideration to Palin because she is a woman, but yet when considering other elements of her political career and personal situation we are expected to look the other way and not treat her any differently than we would a male candidate. You can't have it both ways. There seems to be a double standard emerging but I'm not sure many people see it. This is my take on the matter. I'm open to hear what yours is.
The general public response to Sarah Palin's vice president bid, at least from the female population that even remotely follows politics, is either "You go girl" or "How could she?" The "You go girl" camp are women who feel empowered that a woman is in the running for vice president and probably believe, as they should, that a women can do any job a man can. I'm not contesting this fact at all. I'm certain women have just as much intelligence and skills to run a nation as a man, I'm just not sure I want that. Again I'm aligned with Mr. Tuesday Pants, so refer to his post on Women in Politics for details on this. The "how could she?" camp pipes up this question because Sarah Palin has a 4 month old child with down syndrome and a 17 year old expecting a child of her own, and, I'm speculating here, this camp believes Sarah Palin should be more concerned with her own family right now than with running a country. "You go girl"s would say that no one has the right to tell a women how the manage her family. I pose this question though: would they feel any different about this issue if it were Obama with and a mental disabled infant? I certain hope not, but we can never know.
So do we hold Palin to a different standard because she is a woman and we criticize her decision to run despite her family situation because we think a mother should care for her family first or do we make this judgment of her simply because the we believe the needs of her family take precedent over national affairs for her as an individual? The Republican party would ask you to not consider her gender when assessing her motives and priorities. But here's the kicker as I see it.
Why did McCain choose Sarah Palin? Was it because of her political record, her experience, or other a combination of other factors related to professional career as a politician. Well these factors may have influenced McCain, but I firmly believe that he chose Palin because she is a woman, he needs to win over Clinton supporters and he thinks people will vote based on the chromosomes of his running mate and not her political history. But voting for McCain simply because there is a woman on his ticket would mean you are giving special consideration to Palin because she is a woman, but yet when considering other elements of her political career and personal situation we are expected to look the other way and not treat her any differently than we would a male candidate. You can't have it both ways. There seems to be a double standard emerging but I'm not sure many people see it. This is my take on the matter. I'm open to hear what yours is.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Hotter 'N Hell Hundred
The Hotter'N Hell had nearly 12,000 participants, 25,000 visitors, 3800 volunteers, who were greatly appreciated and 112 sponsors. This makes this HH100 a record year. I had real doubts about whether or not we were ready for the 100 miles. The week before we, Patrick, Jonathan and I set out for a 75 mile ride from our house to Patrick's mom's house. It was really hard to press on after about 70 miles. But whatever doubts I had about thie HH100 were squashed. I did great. Here are my overall stats:
Average mph: 18.11
Total time: 6:30:02
Rests: 3-adding up to 1:00:03
Pedal time: 5:37:59
Calories: 3685
What made this ride great were the volunteers. If you ever have a desire to cycle 102miles in heat that could range between 95 to 100+ degrees I strongly suggest the HH100. This is by far the best run, best stocked ride I've ever taken part in. The volunteers, all 3800 of them, were amazing. They MADE the race. Every stop, which on the 100 mile route were about every 10 miles were stocked with fruit, ice water, cold powerade, cookies, ice cold wet paper towels and more. Next year Patrick and I plan to do the Triple Heat: On Friday a 13 mile trail ride, Saturaday 102 mile road ride, and Sunday a half marathon trail run.
Over I just must say that my new love is cycling. It's addicting. I just love to go far and fast by just the power in my legs.
There will be many long rides head.
What ever your passion, press on with it and push your self.
www.hh100.org
Average mph: 18.11
Total time: 6:30:02
Rests: 3-adding up to 1:00:03
Pedal time: 5:37:59
Calories: 3685
What made this ride great were the volunteers. If you ever have a desire to cycle 102miles in heat that could range between 95 to 100+ degrees I strongly suggest the HH100. This is by far the best run, best stocked ride I've ever taken part in. The volunteers, all 3800 of them, were amazing. They MADE the race. Every stop, which on the 100 mile route were about every 10 miles were stocked with fruit, ice water, cold powerade, cookies, ice cold wet paper towels and more. Next year Patrick and I plan to do the Triple Heat: On Friday a 13 mile trail ride, Saturaday 102 mile road ride, and Sunday a half marathon trail run.
Over I just must say that my new love is cycling. It's addicting. I just love to go far and fast by just the power in my legs.
There will be many long rides head.
What ever your passion, press on with it and push your self.
www.hh100.org
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Small Texan Triathlon
The first big triathlon of the season was this last Sunday; the Small Texan Triathlon. This was an international distance triathlon: 800 meter swim, 45 K Bike, 10 K run. It went really well, peformance wise, but I wasn't thrilled with the bike or run course. The bike was on a very rough service road and there was so many hills, but I guess it was the Hill Country. The run was also on a service road with very little shade.
The bright side was my performance. I was able to run the whole distance which I wasn't expecting. It was really uplifting to be able to keep running beyond a half hour and I was thrilled that my hip didn't start hurting until mile 5. I pushed really hard the last 1.2 miles, by which time my hip started to ache pretty bad. I stretched really well afterward and all the pain was gone, it was amazing. I'm really surprised at how well stretching as worked for me.
My time was 3:13:33. Heres the Breakdown:
Swim- 15:29
T1- 2:26
Bike and T2-1:46:19; Avgerage 15.8 mph
Run - 1:09:18: Pace-11:11
I need to work on the transition times. My T1 time wouldn't have been as long had I not pinned the front and back of my shirt together when I pre-pinned my race number on. Silly mistake.
The bright side was my performance. I was able to run the whole distance which I wasn't expecting. It was really uplifting to be able to keep running beyond a half hour and I was thrilled that my hip didn't start hurting until mile 5. I pushed really hard the last 1.2 miles, by which time my hip started to ache pretty bad. I stretched really well afterward and all the pain was gone, it was amazing. I'm really surprised at how well stretching as worked for me.
My time was 3:13:33. Heres the Breakdown:
Swim- 15:29
T1- 2:26
Bike and T2-1:46:19; Avgerage 15.8 mph
Run - 1:09:18: Pace-11:11
I need to work on the transition times. My T1 time wouldn't have been as long had I not pinned the front and back of my shirt together when I pre-pinned my race number on. Silly mistake.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Running behind
Its been over two months since my last entry. The truth is I started this blog as a hobby for when I had my hip injury and couldn't run, walk, swim, bike, or anything else for that matter. But I've healed up and moved on and now I'm running and biking again. I listened to my body though during that recovery time and I'm glad I did. Though I was out for about 4 months I learned so much about healing and recovery, both the physical and mental components. I found that I would not go crazy if I didn't get a run or ride in, it was just really nice to. I had a lot more time for spiritual reflection and scripture study which I really enjoyed. Now that I'm back to all my normal activities I feel like I'm leaving some important things behind so I'm trying to change that. I haven't watched any TV because really, I don't watch it. It's just noise. Instead I got did the straightening around the house I wanted to do, as well as scripture study. And of course the blog. But there's also casual reading, genealogy, and print journaling I would like to work into my schedule. So I am going to work harder from now on to waste less time and start accomplishing the small little things that define me as a person and help me find balance and clarity in life.
We will see..
We will see..
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Give and Take
Today I healed a little more. I over did it with jogging a few days ago and my hip reared its angry head in protest. I felt like I regressed and was back to the condition I was in 3 weeks ago. But Brett at Lewisville Greater Physical Therapy worked wonders on me. His attention to my injury and time he spent stretching me and using ultrasound on my hip really made a huge difference in the tension in my hip. He let me know that my recover will be what they term as "active." I need to retrain my hip including the tendons and ligaments so that these components gradually become accustomed to the stress and use they receive from running and cycling and everyday use. I'll start out with 5 minutes on a stair master or eliptcal and gradually build up my time as my hip allows without pain. After meeting with him, for the first time since this happened I didn't feel like I was a debilitated athlete. Rather he empowered me to heal and recover and I was so impressed with his knowledge, skill, and professionalism. In addition to all this we could relate and talk with each other as peers and equals because he's a climber too.
So today I am healing and hopeful.
So today I am healing and hopeful.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Patience and Time
I tried running again after my PT therapist said she thought it was time for me to try again. Well, it wasn't. I've regressed. My hip pain is back. Not as full force as it was originally, but enough to deter me from trying to do any sort of walking for exercise or any cycling at all. But oddly enough I'm coping well with this. I miss running and cycling and being free of pain and tightness in my hip joint but I've discovered that I can stay healthy without running. I haven't gained weight, though my doctors say it wouldn't hurt me to and I've been able to lift weights and do mild walking. My world hasn't crashed to a halt and I'm not depressed that I can't run. I just am patiently waiting for the day to come when the hip flexor loosens back up and my psoas relents its tight grip on my right side. I really thought this would bother me more but I think I may have felt that I had a right or I should be upset and angry and impatient with my healing, but I've realized this won't help me at all. Oddly enough my therapy requires the exact opposite. I stretch my hip, quads, hamstrings, and psoas as I gradually heal from this injury and there are some odd parallels between my physical healing and the personal journey of growth I've embarked on since I've been injured.
As you stretch your muscles you must ease into the stretch holding for a moment and breathing deeply. You can't rush a stretch, just like you can't rush your healing process. I think I'm a bit calmer now for having to stretch so much. I'm realizing that I may not only be stretching sore and tight muscles in my legs and hips but I'm stretching my perception of who I am and what makes me happy. I've had to find new outlets and adjust to and accept my shorter, less intense workouts. I'm easing into this adjustment period and just hoping that I will heal in a month or so. When I do get back to running, I know I will be much more aware of my body and will have a greater appreciation for it capabilities, both to carry me vast distances with just the power of my muscles and bones, but also for its ability to heal.
So today I am on the mend. I am hopeful and patient and will continue to stretch my muscles and tendons and my spirit and mind.
I've known many injuries that have put me out and set me back but in the end, I triumphed and returned to my sports and activities with more vigor and ability. But more importantly I return as a stronger person in spirit.
Let the healing continue for today I am me and I am happy.
As you stretch your muscles you must ease into the stretch holding for a moment and breathing deeply. You can't rush a stretch, just like you can't rush your healing process. I think I'm a bit calmer now for having to stretch so much. I'm realizing that I may not only be stretching sore and tight muscles in my legs and hips but I'm stretching my perception of who I am and what makes me happy. I've had to find new outlets and adjust to and accept my shorter, less intense workouts. I'm easing into this adjustment period and just hoping that I will heal in a month or so. When I do get back to running, I know I will be much more aware of my body and will have a greater appreciation for it capabilities, both to carry me vast distances with just the power of my muscles and bones, but also for its ability to heal.
So today I am on the mend. I am hopeful and patient and will continue to stretch my muscles and tendons and my spirit and mind.
I've known many injuries that have put me out and set me back but in the end, I triumphed and returned to my sports and activities with more vigor and ability. But more importantly I return as a stronger person in spirit.
Let the healing continue for today I am me and I am happy.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
New day and a New Year
January 2 seems like a great day to start something new, something different, something that reminds me to be myself amidst all the pressures of the world. Few will probably read this memoir but truly this I am not here to entertain anyone but myself. I am here to open up to myself and that might seem odd as I am putting this out there for the world to see, but I think this will force me to be honest. If it doesn't make sense to you, then you probably shouldn't read any further.
Who am I today? Today I am a recovering runner, cycler, climber, and swimmer. I ran a 15K on November 10th and learned a horribly hard lesson that day at the Rockledge Rumble around Grapevine Lake. NEVER run on an injury..
So nearly 2 months later. I have run 1 mile and just recently started cycling again. Patrick and I cycled a 13 mile road ride yesterday and it felt great. I forgot how invigorating it is to cover miles and miles powered using just what God gave you. To have the wind rush past, the sun rain down, and the cold bite at your ears and toes. My blood pumped hard for the first time in ages and I could feel my calves, glutes, and hamstrings all coming alive after so long a rest. All these elements, combined with the companionship of my best friend reminded me of who I am.
I am a runner.
I am a cycler.
Even when injured.
I am loved by my best friend who just happens to be my husband.
Today I am grateful to be healing and able to ride some distances. Who knows what tomorrow will bring
January 2 seems like a great day to start something new, something different, something that reminds me to be myself amidst all the pressures of the world. Few will probably read this memoir but truly this I am not here to entertain anyone but myself. I am here to open up to myself and that might seem odd as I am putting this out there for the world to see, but I think this will force me to be honest. If it doesn't make sense to you, then you probably shouldn't read any further.
Who am I today? Today I am a recovering runner, cycler, climber, and swimmer. I ran a 15K on November 10th and learned a horribly hard lesson that day at the Rockledge Rumble around Grapevine Lake. NEVER run on an injury..
So nearly 2 months later. I have run 1 mile and just recently started cycling again. Patrick and I cycled a 13 mile road ride yesterday and it felt great. I forgot how invigorating it is to cover miles and miles powered using just what God gave you. To have the wind rush past, the sun rain down, and the cold bite at your ears and toes. My blood pumped hard for the first time in ages and I could feel my calves, glutes, and hamstrings all coming alive after so long a rest. All these elements, combined with the companionship of my best friend reminded me of who I am.
I am a runner.
I am a cycler.
Even when injured.
I am loved by my best friend who just happens to be my husband.
Today I am grateful to be healing and able to ride some distances. Who knows what tomorrow will bring
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