26.2 fundraiser miles

Y'all know I'm not much of a salesperson, so I'm having a hard time with the idea of selling my cause, but I signed up to train for (and run? what was I thinking?!?) 26.2 miles to raise funds for playground repairs and active/fitness education.

If you're inclined to contribute, click the link below:

Donate online to Beth Jarosz running the MCM for RunningBrooke at Razoo

Sleep in

One of the things I love (and miss) about San Diego is the daily surf report broadcast on local radio stations. My favorite is the FM 949 "Authentic Surf Report," hosted by a surfer known as "Bird."

Image source

Not being a surfer, I always listened for the "small" surf days. Bad surf reports were my cue to get to the beach before sunset. Ankle-slappers equate to perfect conditions for snorkeling or kayaking - my watersports of choice.

When I was in San Diego for work a couple of weeks ago, I flipped on the radio in my hotel room just in time to hear the day's report.

With a prediction of small, choppy waves, conditions were not looking good for surfers. The announcer's advice:

Sleep in, go to work early, or do something more constructive.

The comment made me smile. I'm not even really sure why...

Maybe it was the acknowledgement that runners and surfers are in the same boat because our passions aren't seen as productive. (Though I beg to differ with that common assessment!)

Maybe it was the feeling of a common bond, since surfers (like runners) will set an early alarm clock and bound out of bed at dawn just to carve out an extra hour of time for their sport.

Either way, the "sleep in" comment made my day.

It's just too bad I couldn't clear my afternoon calendar to go kayaking.


What personal passion keeps you from sleeping in?

Morning motivation

If the stories of random acts of kindness in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, and registered New York City marathon runners making the best of their cancelled-marathon situation don't warm your heart and inspire you to go out and do something great today, I don't know what will...

New Jersey children start a hot chocolate stand to collect money for Red Cross hurricane relief efforts
Image source

Have a great week, friends!

Mama told me not to talk to strangers

Midnight CST, Wednesday September 19th: As I begin typing, I'm so tired my eyes are shutting of their own accord. But I'm also ravenous, so I'll type long enough to finish my room-service salad.

A little voice in the back of my head suggests that maybe typing will keep me awake so I don't faceplant into my sesame-dressed mixed greens and grilled chicken...

Awake at 6am Central Time, I managed to jam office hours, teaching, half a day at the day-job, last-minute packing, and a cross-country flight into my day. I checked into my hotel at 10 local time (midnight CST).

Source: reddit.com via Beth on Pinterest

On the move for more than 16 hours, I'm too tired to form truly coherent sentences... but if Hemingway is right about "write drunk. edit sober." then maybe "write delirious. edit well-rested." also applies? (If so, this post is going to be effing brilliant when I get through editing in the morning!)

Anyway... I'm writing in this delirious state because my flights were actually... FUN. And I don't want to forget any important details. Ok... ok... The flights themselves were cramped and mildly uncomfortable, but I met some characters during my travels today.

I know mama told me not to talk to strangers, but chit-chatting with fellow travelers was the highlight my day yesterday.

There was the older man, returning from a trip to Vegas, who pulled up a chair next to me at an airport bar in DFW.

In the (very brief) time it took him to finish his pint, he told me all about his preference for aisle seats so he doesn't have to worry about climbing over sleeping passengers when he needs to hit the head.

He also informed me that he's a huge New York Giants fan and was worried that he would "turn into a pumpkin" if he got too close to any of the Cowboys fan gear stores in the airport. (For the record, I'm not entirely sure what he meant by the pumpkin comment, but it didn't sound good. Clearly he's not a Dallas fan.)

Mr. Giants Fan was amiable and entertaining, and I sincerely hope he got home safely and that his puppy didn't tear the house up too much in his absence.

Then there was the gent from Boston who sat next to me on the airplane and with whom I share a geographic history: Born in New England, Moved to southern California a little over a decade ago, On a plane on a regular basis for work (though his 10,000 miles per month far exceeds my measly few-thousand).

In typical New Englander shooting-the-breeze fashion, his tales all seemed a little too tall to be completely true, a little embellished for effect. Did he really go swimming in the Bellagio fountain? Is he really on a first-name basis with the best chefs in San Diego? Maybe he is, but even if he isn't, the conversation was delightful.

Salty old New Englanders can spin a good yarn, even if we haven't lived there in years.

It was nice to spend a day with almost no news headlines and lots and lots of plain 'ol chitchat.


Do you talk to strangers?
When you travel, are you a chit-chatter or do you prefer peace and quiet?

Morning editor's note: the number of typos I found in the morning was breathtaking. On the level of confusing "to" with "too." But... edited... I'm glad I sat down to type.

Girls on the Run - interview

Today I'm skipping a traditional blog post, and asking you to pop over to Examiner.com to read my article on the non-profit Girls on the Run.

Image source

I had the good fortune to interview the local council director about the program, which teaches young girls about self respect, healthy lifestyle, and fitness while preparing the girls to run (or walk) a 5k.
In her words...

"Girls on the Run is a program that uses running and training for a 5K to teach girls about self- image, respect, and community awareness. The program works to instill a power within girls to be themselves and to not worry about what others think. The creator of the program speaks of getting out of the “girl box” where a girl may feel like she is not good enough, not pretty enough, not smart enough, or not cool enough – and to be proud of who she already is by valuing herself just as she is..."

This message is doubly important given the shocking statistics on childhood obesity (rates have tripled in 30 years so now one in five children is obese) and photoshopped media messages that distort body image.

Oh, and GOTR is always looking for volunteers...

To see if there is a council in your community, or to get involved, visit the GOTR website.

Good. Bad. Weird. Wonderful.

Good: Finished 2 runs today.
My legs are slowly starting to feel less like lead and more like legs!

Bad: I'm home alone in Florida and my San Diego friends are at a holiday party. Without me.
Florida FAIL.

Weird: I bumped into a former student at a group run tonight. Met his mom, too. Good for them for exercising! But weird to meet a student when I'm wearing schlubby old running clothes and my hair is a hot mess. (See "Bad" below.)

Good: Discovered a free yoga class in my neighborhood. Score!

Bad: The humidity is so intense, my house keys collect condensation as soon as I step outside. (Just imagine what's that's doing to my hair. Even ponytails can't survive sauna conditions. Not ideal running weather, either...) Florida fail again!

Weird: On my morning run, there was a pig rooting around in a neighbor's lawn.
Yes.
A pig.
I do not live in, on, or anywhere near a farm.
I still have no idea where the pig came from or where he was going.
The weirdest part: I stopped to stare. Another runner passed and didn't notice at all. (Seriously, dude. How do you not notice a 150 pound PIG on the side of the road??? If a third neighbor hadn't also noticed the little porker, I'd have worried for my sanity.)

Wonderful: Just as I was starting to be really bummed out about sitting at home alone (Hubby's away for work tonight), missing my California friends, this song came on World Cafe:


If I have to be stuck home alone, finding good new music is a consolation prize I'm willing to accept.

What song(s) are on "repeat" on your playlist right now?
Any other good/bad/weird/wonderful events today?

If you're going to be in San Diego... (and guest post)

Hammer Fest (n): An event of serious endurance activity. Example: "Bob, are you ready for today's workout? It's going to be a hammer fest!"

HAMMER FESTival 2010

Alternative example: The HAMMER FEST(ival) is my favorite party of the year, but this year I'm not going to be able to make it!

So... instead I'm going to tell you why, if you're in San Diego on December 9th, you should go!

Seriously San Diego readers, you know I don't "plug" things just for the sake of PR. Last year's party/gala/charity-fundraiser was incredible. (Yes, that is me front and center in the photo. It's my best side!) We stayed out dancing 'til midnight on a Tuesday night and raised thousands of dollars for the American Liver Foundation. This year the party moves to a Friday night, and a bigger location...

Hmm...I wonder if I can convince Hubby that we should fly back to San Diego for a weekend so we can go play with our friends? Maybe I can talk him into an early Christmas present...

In the meantime, I am going to let my good friend MZ explain the event:

Endurance athletes in San Diego spend a lot of time together and often in strange places. We meet at locations like "The Runners' Bathroom" (the WHAT?!) in Mission Bay, the vaguely menacing "The Cove" in La Jolla, the parking lot of a local coffee shop or park, sometimes in very remote areas of the city.

At 5am.

Then, we spend countless hours suffering together, be it a 2.4 mile swim in rough ocean waters, a 50+ mile bike ride up and down the steep local mountains or a long, long, looooong run on the trails or the pavement.

Or all three. On the same day. Not always in that order.

And then, there is food. Lots and lots of food to restore any kind of energy that one can get. "I only have two states: when I am eating and when I am hungry" - says local triathlete, Peter Blomgren.

Going through these self-imposed ordeals with the same people sure creates a new sense of camaraderie and support. Endurance athletes are a tight-knit group of people, united in the misery of training, the pleasure of overcoming their personal obstacles, achieving athletic results and, sometimes, simply reaching the finish line.

But let's be honest: majority of the time we are together, we dress in a very peculiar way. Visors, helmets or swimcaps, wetsuits or high-tech shirts and shorts, sunglasses, and running shoes. All are great and comfortable clothes, assisting us in our training. Think moisture-wicking clothing, for example... it is fantastic for staying dry and transferring the moisture off skin and into the air.

In other words, most of the time we see each other, we STINK!

Then there are the awkward situations when we see our training partners for the first time wearing jeans and t-shirts and don't recognize them. "Hi, nice to meet you! I am... wait" is not an uncommon greeting at all.

Meet The HAMMER FESTival.
The event is a holiday gala conceived by Dennis Caco who also produces and organizes it along with a group of volunteers from San Diego Running (SDR) - the city's largest premier free running group.

The HAMMER FESTival is unique in many ways: it is the city's only endurance athlete event organized by volunteers from the athletic community.

It is a rare chance to dress up, enjoy exquisite food, drinks, award presentations, video production, live music and dancing together.
It is also an important fundraising event supporting The American Liver Foundation, complete with local and national sponsors, silent auctions, raffles, thousands in prizes and donations.

It is a fantastic opportunity for San Diego's endurance athletes to get to know each other outside of their typical meeting places: on the run, on the bike, or in the water.

Last year 200 tickets sold out in 3 weeks. This year demand is so strong that we anticipate 300 guests, and the tickets are selling fast!

What better way to further existing friendships and meet new people, united by similar goals, interests and activities?
It is a chance to put the strength of our solid athletic community to support a great charity.

And finally, it is an opportunity to relax and have fun.

As hard as we train...
...let's face it, we deserve it!

The 2nd installment of The FESTival takes place on December the 9th at 6p at the San Diego Hall Of Champions. The event is open to everyone and tickets are on sale now at http://www.thehammerfestival.com/

For more information, please contact thehammerfestival@gmail.com

Have you ever not recognized a running buddy when you saw the person all dressed up? (This totally happened to me at least year's party. Sorry, Peter!)
Have you ever been to a charity gala? If so, what was it like?

Community where you least expect it

Earlier this month I told myself that I would not post on the 9/11 anniversary. We all have memories of that day. My story is no more poignant or noteworthy than most and is less important than many. My story merits no telling.

But then a strange thing happened. I received an email that changed my mind.

In my inbox is an email from the founder of Meetup.com. It wasn't a personal email. If you're a Meetup member, you probably have one, too. I'll tell you why it changed my perspective, but let's take care of the important part first.

In the words of Scott Heiferman, Co-founder and CEO of Meetup.com (text excerpted from email):

     I don't write to our whole community often, but this week is special because it's the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and many people don't know that Meetup is a 9/11 baby.
     Let me tell you the Meetup story. I was living a couple miles from the Twin Towers, and I was the kind of person who thought local community doesn't matter much if we've got the internet and tv. The only time I thought about my neighbors was when I hoped they wouldn't bother me.
     When the towers fell, I found myself talking to more neighbors in the days after 9/11 than ever before. People said hello to neighbors (next-door and across the city) who they'd normally ignore. People were looking after each other, helping each other, and meeting up with each other. You know, being neighborly. A lot of people were thinking that maybe 9/11 could bring people together in a lasting way.
     So the idea for Meetup was born: Could we use the internet to get off the internet -- and grow local communities.

Meetup was launched 9 months later, and is now "home" to 100,000 local groups with a total of more than 10 million members.

I've participated in running, hiking, and book-clubbing meetups. The network has helped me get to know the locals when I've traveled, but most importantly has helped me meet my neighbors when I've moved. Who would have thought that the electronic world would make the in-person one so much more friendly?

Again in Scott's words:

     Every Meetup starts with people simply saying hello to neighbors. And what often happens next is still amazing to me. They grow businesses and bands together, they teach and motivate each other, they babysit each other's kids and find other ways to work together. They have fun and find solace together. They make friends and form powerful community. It's powerful stuff.
     It's a wonderful revolution in local community, and it's thanks to everyone who shows up.
     Meetups aren't about 9/11, but they may not be happening if it weren't for 9/11.
     9/11 didn't make us too scared to go outside or talk to strangers. 9/11 didn't rip us apart. No, we're building new community together!!!!

So how did this one email change my mind?

The center of my running universe is the San Diego Running Meetup. I've written before about the amazing strength and support of the SDR community, so I'll spare you the sappy love story here.

What I want to focus on today is that a small, concerned group of citizens changed the lives  thousands (maybe millions?) of people for the better.

On an anniversary that is so tragic, I can think of no better tribute than celebrating those who make the world a better place.

11am update: Shortly after (initially) posting this piece, I came across the "30 Days of GOOD" challenge. Today's challenge: Do something nice for a neighbor. Excellent idea.


What would you suggest to make the world a better place?

Photo courtesy of arkorn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net