Archive for the 'Around Town' Category
Lake Padden Slush
When my friend, Sharon, told me she wanted to train for the Tinker Bell Half Marathon, I was quick to say I’d join her. I’m a huge fan of Disneyland, and a big fan of Sharon too. Sharon was one of the six or seven friends who held my hand and gently guided me through my divorce a decade ago. She was the one who gave me a place to sleep on her floor when I was so discombobulated I didn’t know which end was up.
Since those dark days, Sharon and I have been through a lot together. We’ve traveled, taught classes, cried over losses, raised puppies, and aged (gracefully) together. But up until a few months ago, we’ve never run together. Sharon wasn’t much of a runner until recently, and I thought I could be supportive of her new venture not only by going to Disneyland with her (a huge sacrifice on my part, as you can imagine), but also by organizing a fun final training run around Lake Padden here in Bellingham and providing a pizza lunch afterwards–maybe with a little pre-race toast to her success.
The original plan was for all of the women who were going on the trip (six in all) to meet at the lake this past Saturday and do four loops and then another mile out and back. Each loop around is 2.6 miles, so my plan would have gotten us up to 12.4 miles, a respectable distance for a first timer’s final half marathon training run.
But, alas, as will happen, my plans were foiled on several levels. First, three of the women going to Los Angeles with us next week couldn’t make it on Saturday. One had to work and the other two had a wedding to get ready for. Then, it snowed–and not the nice, pretty, fluffy stuff either. The trail around the lake was slushy and muddy up to the ankles–and really gross and cold. Sharon’s sister wisely bid us goodbye after one loop around the lake, but Sharon and I decided to press forward. Every step was an effort, especially on the flat side of the lake which is most exposed to the elements. On our third time around, Sharon and I agreed that we would skip the slush and repeat the hilly but forested part of the trail and then call it quits. In the end, we eked out 9 painfully wet, freezing miles (which from my perspective are worth at least 12 flat and sunny miles).
Home we went to shower and have our reward: pizza. Oh, but did I mention that Sharon has discovered she shouldn’t be eating gluten or dairy? So we opted for sandwiches with gluten free bread and fake cheese, and we toasted with hot coffee.
Once again, I learn the perennial lesson that running has to teach: This won’t go the way you planned it, but you can make the best of it if you put your mind to it!
BTW, it’s a good thing we’re on our taper because the snow came down heavily by Sunday evening and I’ve been in the house for a few days now.
Bill built a snow person in our front yard
Jane and Fuji with Bill's Snow Person
Hey readers,
I want to tell you about a wonderful man in my running community. John Schick is one of those runners who has always taken me seriously, even as he qualifies for Boston and I bring up the rear. He was one of the first men to read my book and quick to tell me he loved it. Everyone who knows John appreciates his smile, sincerity, kindness, and enthusiasm for friendly competition. And those who know him (and those who take my word for what a lovely human being he is) have the chance to support him as he raises funds for a cause that means a lot to him. Even if you don’t know John and don’t take my word for how much he deserves our support, consider the cause!
John is raising funds for the Dana-Farber Institue which conducts cancer research. Here’s his story:
“April 25th was a day when time stood still for me. That’s the day my dad, John H. Schick, called to tell me, ‘Son, I’ve got the T-cell lymphoma.’ I’ll always picture the light shining through the trees, as I sank down in the chair and tried to make sense of what I’d just heard from this man who had been so healthy and robust for his first 80 years.
“Only one week earlier I had run my first Boston Marathon and my dad had been my biggest fan. How could this be happening? During the race I had noticed a lot of runners who were running to raise money for charity. I also noticed the extra level of respect they earned from the 500,000 spectators who lined the course. I remember thinking someday Boston would be great to run for a bigger cause than just me. Little did I know that one week later I would have my cause.”
John and his dad
John researched organizations looking for just the right fit. Here’s why he chose Dana-Farber:
“The Farber Institute has been on the leading edge of cancer research since Sidney Farber first invented the use of chemotherapy in the 1940’s. One of the more compelling reasons for choosing the Dana-Farbe rInstitute is because 100% of all funds raised go directly to cancer research.”
So what is John doing and how can you help? Here it is in his own words:
“On April 17, 2012, I will be running the 116th Boston Marathon in honor of my dad who is courageously battling an aggressive and rare form of T-cell lymphoma. This will be my 10th marathon; in addition, I’ve run 6 ultra-marathons and last year completed an Ironman Triathlon. Training and running
this marathon will be the easy part of my journey. Asking people for money to support this cause is a huge jump out of my comfort zone. Of course, dealing with chemotherapy treatments is beyond anyone’s comfort zone. Watching my dad battle this ruthless disease makes raising money and running 26.2 miles seem tame by comparison. Also knowing that cancer will affect 1 out of every 2 men and 1 out of every 3 women in the United States in our lifetime really makes this about more than just my dad; but he is my personal connection. I have set an ambitious goal of raising $8,700 by April 2012. I, along with 549 other runners, am working to raise $4.8 million to support the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research which is a department of the Dana-Farber Institute. Money raised will help leading edge scientists solve the cancer riddle.”
If you care about this issue and want to help John in the fight against cancer, go to his fundraising page (http://www.rundfmc.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=484862&supid=338423199) and donate!
Also, follow along on John’s Blog as he trains and raises funds. You won’t be sorry to get to know him.
If there was one really great thing my parents did for me as a kid, it was to make sure I grew up in a neighborhood. When I was five, we moved into a house on a suburban street with a cul-de-sac, and we stayed there for the rest of my childhood. Some neighbors came and went, but most were life-ers. This gave me a sense of “place” I’ve never really been able to replicate—until very recently.
In my early adult years, I bounced around from house to house and job to job, trying to figure out where I belonged and what I should be doing with myself. Then about six years ago, right around this fall/winter season, I moved back up to Bellingham and onto a little street with a cul-de-sac. Some neighbors come and go, but many are long-termers. My running partner, Julie, lives a few doors down, and my next door neighbors are a pair of fun, smart, beautiful sisters who will be running a half marathon with me in January.
Today I went out for a short run with Fuji, the BT. From behind me I heard someone say, “It’s Cami.” I turned around to see Carol and Sharon. They slowed to my pace and we chatted for a few minutes before they ran on ahead and left me to my own thoughts. And here’s what I’m thinking: I’m grateful today for a community of people who know me by name. It’s easy to be anonymous, and sometimes it’s even advantageous, but most days it’s nice to live on a little street with a cul-de-sac and to run on trails where you might see friends. Thanks to everyone, near and far, who is part of my community. I really value you.
This weekend I’ll be running in the Lake Padden Trail Classic half marathon. I’m not sure if I mentioned this, but this year I became a “Half Fanatic.” Bill signed me up because earlier in the year I ran a couple of half marathons back to back during the time I was “resting” my plantar fasciitis. I’d promised myself to take it easier than I had last year when I incurred the injury in the first place and to stick to no more than half a marathon until I felt better (which I do now).
I’m glad Bill signed me up. The Half Fanatics are a lot of fun (and not quite as exhausted as their brothers and sisters, the Marathon Maniacs - of which I am also a member). I’d forgotten how much I love a half marathon. You get a dang hard workout, but you can still walk afterwards. It’s a win/win!
But this weekend’s run is more important for our community than the average half marathon. The proceeds from the Lake Padden Trail Classic will go to the Anna Brulotte Memorial. Anna was only two when she lost her life as her family was hit by a car while crossing a street in a well-marked crosswalk. I’m as guilty as all of you for being occasionally distracted by my phone, the radio, or something interesting on the side of the road, but I’ve been consciously working on turning over a new leaf since I met Anna’s mom in a running class several months ago.
“Remember Anna: Keep Your Eyes on the Road” is the motto for her memorial foundation. If you wish to donate to their efforts, here’s a link. At the very least, “like” the foundation on Facebook and commit to focusing on the road when you’re in the car.
I don’t know about you, but occassionally I get myself into a familiar pickle. I get so excited about something that I jump on a bandwagon and sign up for that thing (whatever it is). Then the next week the same thing happens with another thing. Eventually, I’m flying in several different interesting directions, fascinated by all I’m doing, but a little tired.
Today I’m having an “inside day.” This is a day for not running, not grocery shopping, not meeting friends for happy hour, and not getting the air in my tires checked. It’s a day to sit inside with a little Boston Terrier and a Pug on the end of my sofa. It’s a day for the fire to roar and for the homemade Americanos to keep me toasty warm.
In the past few weeks I’ve participated in a 5K, facilitated an online course, co-organized a “Catch Your Second Wind” workshop, taken part in the GBRC trail running series, prepared for a Red Wheelbarrow Writers Workshop, written a grant for the sister city association, and worked out with the Fit School walking/running program twice a week (oh, plus, I’ve been writing and seeing clients). I love my life! It’s full of things I’m passionate about and interested in.
Still, an inside day with the dogs sure feels good for the soul!