Hey All.
Well, our friends in Boston have breathed a huge sigh of relief, and toasted the efforts of their local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in apprehending the surviving accused terrorist who attacked the marathon. No further attacks anytime soon, we hope.
So now what happens? The legal issues. Will he be tried for murder under state law in Massachusetts, which does not have the death penalty? Or will the US Attorney General charge him with capital murder, which by definition, carries the death penalty? Will this exception to the Miranda warnings stand up in Court if challenged by the public defender? Or will his all-too-important statements be excluded from evidence? Or will the proper authorities realize the risk of this overconfident maneuver, wait until Tsarnaev regains consciousness, and read him his rights just as a CYA move? Or better yet, will they deem him an enemy combatant and ship him off to Gitmo?
This is why we have police, this is why we have courts, and this is why we have at least two overlapping justice systems. Let's leave the second guessing to the pundits and prognosticators, and trust that they'll figure it out so we don't need to deal.
But what about the rest of us? I think we've already seen what to do next.
(1) Remember the victims and their families. Whether it's buying a shirt to show support, running in a race to acknowledge them, or just plain posting inspirational messages on your feed, just show them that they matter more than any extremist, miscreant, or gangster.
(2) Remember that life matters, just like we all did after 9/11. It's not a guarantee, it's a gift. Although we all have laws and standards to live by, we also have free will. Unfortunately, free will is sometimes used to accept hatred and anger, and to commit unspeakable acts because of them. But it's no excuse to avoid living life just because there's a risk that someone will take it from us. Rather, it's even more of a reason to live, and live even better. Nobody, not the FBI, CIA, TSA, DHS, or ICE can ever stop this from happening. But we can still live anyway, and live with greater purpose.
In fact, what better reason is there to live, than with the knowledge that our death could happen 20 years from now, or tomorrow? I apologize in advance for the thoughts this hypo may generate, but what if you or I were lost in that bombing? Granted, the media would grant you a brief, but sincere-sounding epitaph. And they may take a few tearful statements from your loved ones. But wouldn't it be better if you knew, just for yourself, that you were living life the best way you knew how, When The Hour Comes? Wouldn't it be satisfying, at least for your loved ones if not just for you, that you died doing what you loved? Instead of postponing it because the other daily crapola got in the way?
(3) Let Love Trump Anger. This one I'm borrowing from a good friend of mine. This friend has recently become a fan of this blog, and has reviewed some of my posts dealing with anger. This friend acknowledged that anger sometimes stays with us longer than necessary, and believed that some anger stays with us permanently, no matter what we do about it. However, this friend believed that the best possible way to keep anger at bay is to let it be trumped by love.
That doesn't mean we should all bake cookies and send them to this miscreant while the feds grill him. It does mean that we do the same thing we did after 9/11, and use this as a chance to heal. Act a little friendlier to total strangers, maybe -- if you're in NYC, give up your seat on the subway to someone else, and pay it forward. Or if elsewhere, drop a quarter in someone else's parking meter. Maybe even strike up a conversation with a total stranger at the DMV. And even now, when at least one playoff series pits New York against Boston, taper off the anti-chowder rhetoric and show a little respect and understanding.
Smile at people. Pay a few compliments. Be less rigid. Know what to sweat and what to let go -- I mean really know this.
There's no reason to forgive this Chechen extremist, whether he was brainwashed or not. But there is a reason to live like it matters, and to enjoy life by letting our righteous anger be pre-empted by good old-fashioned happiness with life.
That's all from here -- and thanks to that friend of mine who gave me a little reminder. :)
This blog is meant for the advancement, redemption, and self actualization of those who have not been taught how to properly manage their emotions, and have suffered due to this lack of information. While we in no way defend those who have harmed us, we also do not make ourselves triggered and manipulated by people and things we cannot control. Through the application of the Eight Pillars, we can move forward and become the strong, unflappable, respectable people we were meant to be.
Showing posts with label marathon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marathon. Show all posts
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Two Races
Good Evening All!
Those of us on the Eastern Seaboard have now battened down our hatches for the second hurricane in two years. However, as I write, there are no gale-force winds, driving rain, or gigantic hailstones. Call it reverse Murphy's Law -- when you're Prepared to the teeth for something, it either does not happen or is revealed to be non-threatening. It's when you're NOT prepared for it that it bites you in the haunches! Either way, I've stocked up for a storm, and have been assured that the MTA subways have been shut down until further notice. We await news of its reopening . . . .
Next week, we'll be treated to two races. One is crucial for the athlete in all of us, and one is even more crucial to the future of our country.
A week from today, I will have completed my 7th NYC Marathon. Unlike other years, when I've trained with a group in Central Park two nights a week and once every weekend, I've gone it alone. I used the official 20-week NYRR training program and used it with the MapMyRun app on my phone.
While there may be those who think social media has gone too far, enabling us to track our very movements at any time, I respectfully disagreed. Every time I've posted my training results, even when I thought I wasn't at my best, there was always somebody giving me a thumbs-up. It's just a little blip on a screen, a rendering of someone's name, a small helping of bits and bytes, but it's a good thing to see.
Our sport thrives on encouragement and positive reinforcement. It is through these constant reminders that mere novices are able to gain enough strength and speed to transform their bodies in ways not thought possible. It is also through these constant reminders that those who may already have some experience in this sport can still rise to yet another level. So to all my friends, family, acquaintances, confidantes, and otherwise important people, I'd like to thank you in advance for all the likes and comments. You helped me raise my game this year, and I hope to convert that into a PR next week.
Aaaaand then there's that other race, which will end two days after the fun one. Yes, the 2012 Presidential Election will finally be delivered to us, the voters, to elect our leaders as can only be done in a democratic republic such as ours. It's not a day heralded by parades and fireworks, but it is the most important American holiday, second only to Thanksgiving. In other parts of the world, even to this day, criticism is squashed, dissent is eliminated, and opposition results in death or torture. Yet here in America, our forebears granted to us the right to select our leaders to govern as we see best, and to elect new leaders if those initially elected cannot succeed. Or, on the other hand, where the applicable constitution or charter allows, we can re-elect those leaders who have succeeded.
This election will go down in history as one of the most high-conflict, polarizing, and downright ugly elections ever seen. It pitted two opposite visions of America against each other, and exposed some damning weaknesses on both sides, leading many to lose confidence in the system I praised above. And through the magic of social media, it has pitted these opposing visions of America against each other with fire and venom not seen since the 1860's (this is meant for dramatic effect, I'm sure there were other eras with more conflict, I just don't leave myself enough editing time to be sure).
But when the final ballot is tabulated, a winner is declared, and a loser concedes, I can only hope that we turn our thoughts to a united America. I can only hope that those who support the winning candidate can limit their celebrations to one day following the election, and then a little bit more on Inauguration Day, and then turn their attention to the fulfillment of all campaign promises and/or logical and cogent explanations as to why they cannot be fulfilled, and what can be done instead. I can also hope that those who support the losing candidate can graciously put their angry rhetoric to the side and focus on what can still be done to ensure that their interests can still be represented with respect and civility towards our democratically-elected leader.
Shocking as it may seem, it's actually easier to run 26.2 miles than it is for us as Americans to set differences aside for the sake of our national interests. Maybe we could learn from this election how sticking to party lines and engaging in groupthink prevents our nation from moving forward, and make more attempts to avoid this four years from now.
That's my peace, all. My thoughts and prayers are for the continued safety of everyone who may be in Hurricane Sandy's path. Stay safe!
Those of us on the Eastern Seaboard have now battened down our hatches for the second hurricane in two years. However, as I write, there are no gale-force winds, driving rain, or gigantic hailstones. Call it reverse Murphy's Law -- when you're Prepared to the teeth for something, it either does not happen or is revealed to be non-threatening. It's when you're NOT prepared for it that it bites you in the haunches! Either way, I've stocked up for a storm, and have been assured that the MTA subways have been shut down until further notice. We await news of its reopening . . . .
Next week, we'll be treated to two races. One is crucial for the athlete in all of us, and one is even more crucial to the future of our country.
A week from today, I will have completed my 7th NYC Marathon. Unlike other years, when I've trained with a group in Central Park two nights a week and once every weekend, I've gone it alone. I used the official 20-week NYRR training program and used it with the MapMyRun app on my phone.
While there may be those who think social media has gone too far, enabling us to track our very movements at any time, I respectfully disagreed. Every time I've posted my training results, even when I thought I wasn't at my best, there was always somebody giving me a thumbs-up. It's just a little blip on a screen, a rendering of someone's name, a small helping of bits and bytes, but it's a good thing to see.
Our sport thrives on encouragement and positive reinforcement. It is through these constant reminders that mere novices are able to gain enough strength and speed to transform their bodies in ways not thought possible. It is also through these constant reminders that those who may already have some experience in this sport can still rise to yet another level. So to all my friends, family, acquaintances, confidantes, and otherwise important people, I'd like to thank you in advance for all the likes and comments. You helped me raise my game this year, and I hope to convert that into a PR next week.
Aaaaand then there's that other race, which will end two days after the fun one. Yes, the 2012 Presidential Election will finally be delivered to us, the voters, to elect our leaders as can only be done in a democratic republic such as ours. It's not a day heralded by parades and fireworks, but it is the most important American holiday, second only to Thanksgiving. In other parts of the world, even to this day, criticism is squashed, dissent is eliminated, and opposition results in death or torture. Yet here in America, our forebears granted to us the right to select our leaders to govern as we see best, and to elect new leaders if those initially elected cannot succeed. Or, on the other hand, where the applicable constitution or charter allows, we can re-elect those leaders who have succeeded.
This election will go down in history as one of the most high-conflict, polarizing, and downright ugly elections ever seen. It pitted two opposite visions of America against each other, and exposed some damning weaknesses on both sides, leading many to lose confidence in the system I praised above. And through the magic of social media, it has pitted these opposing visions of America against each other with fire and venom not seen since the 1860's (this is meant for dramatic effect, I'm sure there were other eras with more conflict, I just don't leave myself enough editing time to be sure).
But when the final ballot is tabulated, a winner is declared, and a loser concedes, I can only hope that we turn our thoughts to a united America. I can only hope that those who support the winning candidate can limit their celebrations to one day following the election, and then a little bit more on Inauguration Day, and then turn their attention to the fulfillment of all campaign promises and/or logical and cogent explanations as to why they cannot be fulfilled, and what can be done instead. I can also hope that those who support the losing candidate can graciously put their angry rhetoric to the side and focus on what can still be done to ensure that their interests can still be represented with respect and civility towards our democratically-elected leader.
Shocking as it may seem, it's actually easier to run 26.2 miles than it is for us as Americans to set differences aside for the sake of our national interests. Maybe we could learn from this election how sticking to party lines and engaging in groupthink prevents our nation from moving forward, and make more attempts to avoid this four years from now.
That's my peace, all. My thoughts and prayers are for the continued safety of everyone who may be in Hurricane Sandy's path. Stay safe!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
The Walt Disney World Marathon
This morning, I ran my most recent marathon one of the happiest of places -- Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida!
This being Florida, and this being run through a theme park that usually opens at 9am, the marathon was scheduled to begin at 5:30 am under cover of darkness. So at 3:15 am, there I was, in the Epcot parking lot, with several thousand other runners, and several porto-johnnies, attempting to stay warm in the 50-degree chill that Florida was stuck with until dawn.
I was armed with my bib, which had a B-Tag securely attached (every race should have them, and not those lame-o D-Tags that nobody knows how to use), and a fuel belt containing one flask of Gatorade and one flask of Powerade, as well as three Gu's just in case Popeye needed his spinach. I was sporting the pair of black-and-orange Gel Nimbus 12 sneakers I'd bought six weeks earlier to "break in" for this event, since it was designed for my pronation.
As we approached the starting line, I assembled in Corral B, and got myself ready as Mickey, Goofy, and Donald took the stage next to the starting line, addressed us with a few jokes through animatronic masks, and gave the ready-set-go start to each wave of runners. My Garmin was on, I was receiving perfect GPS signals (for a change), and I depressed the start/stop button as I proceeded over the starting line.
I was on my way! I had shed the old long-sleeve tee from the 2005 Long Beach Snowflake Run and the old sweatpants that I'd worn prior to the start, and saw the fireworks and pyrotechnics overhead as I began my run. I enjoyed the brief moment of warmth the flames provided, and then proceeded to warm myself up.
I had sworn that I would not commit the ultimate runner faux pas, and "go out too fast." My sole intention was to take it nice, easy, slow, and comfortable for at least the first half of this race, and then turn on the juice for the second half. A glance at my Garmin, however, confirmed that my slow and comfortable pace was ranging anywhere between 8:54 and 9:14, when I intended to run a 9:30 or slower. I would later discover that the reason for this unexpected display may have been my consumption of Powerade instead of Gatorade. Apparently, it really does have more carbohydrates and electrolytes, etc. Next time, better switch flasks, ha ha!
Still, it felt good sticking to this pace. We would run through some of the back roads of the park, encountered by Disney characters near almost every mile marker. We saw Peter Pan and Wendy, Captain Jack Sparrow, the Jungle Book characters, and many others! I especially got a kick out of two characters who were meant to be vacationers who had gotten hopelessly lost, and were consulting an old fashioned map. One of them warned us that we were all running the wrong way!
Also for nearly the entire course were speakers blaring songs designed to keep people moving -- "Every Day I'm Shuffelin'," "Hey-Yo, Baby Let's Go," and "Don't Stop Believin'!" There were also tons of volunteers handing out Powerade (figures) and water, but I saw that as an opportunity to run with a little elbow room, since I'd brought my hydration with me.
As dawn broke, we journeyed through Epcot and the Magic Kingdom. I marveled to myself how Spaceship Earth and Cinderella's Castle seemed much smaller than expected -- the fact that I was no longer a child may have also had something to do with that. We also journeyed through the Disney's Animal Kingdom and Beach Resorts -- it was not unlike crossing bridges between boroughs at the NYC Marathon.
On I pressed through the highways, back roads, and sometimes narrow trails. Between miles 12 and 18, I listened to a few war stories from the 4-hour pace-keeper, designated to run even splits so that everyone near him could go at the same pace. I got a chuckle at Mile 21 when one of the green toy soldiers from Toy Story exhorted us runners to "mooooove it, mooooove it, take that hill!" He wasn't kidding, since he was placed right before a really steep one! Good thing I'd taken that Gu first!
Somewhere between Mile 23 and 24, I felt myself slipping a little. Ran out of both Gatorade and Powerade, and my legs began to question whether just running this far was "good enough." I swore that I'd force them to go all 26.2 miles whether they wanted to make it or not, and that I would not permit them to walk under any circumstances, no matter what Jeff Galloway said!
The question was, exactly when did I reach 26.2 miles? Towards the end of the race, the mile markers detected by my Garmin were exactly halfway between the mile markers on the course. Another runner asked me if I though the course was somehow longer than it was really supposed to be. I disregarded that remark, since everyone thinks the finish line is too far away at this point in the race. Still, it was not clear why my Garmin's mile markers did not match.
So as a compromise, I stopped the clock once my Garmin showed 26.2 miles, and just kept plowing away until I reached the finish line. Although my Garmin would indicate a hard-earned time of 3:56:36, my official chip time for the race would be a slightly frustrating 4:00:38. I've got no reason to complain to Disney and demand that those four unsightly minutes be reduced from my chip time, but I am now considering an upgrade in my own personal timekeeping equipment.
Obviously, making it under the 4-hour mark would have been a real win. But even though that didn't happen, it was a real treat running through Disney World. In fact, I will most likely do this race again in the near future -- or several options that Disney provides. I might try the Goofy Challenge, and do the Half Marathon on Saturday and the full Marathon on Sunday, like many people did this weekend. Or if I have a willing partner, do the Chip & Dale Marathon Relay!
Either way, I had a great time at this race, and I'd recommend it to anyone else who wants to run a unique out-of-town marathon. It's even better if you make a whole Disney vacation out of it, since the resort hotels have shuttles taking everyone to the race and back! Not to mention, after the race, you have the whole day to go on rides, etc.
So now to treat myself to a week of cheat meals, and to attempt to avoid running for the next several weeks. And to attempt the feat of walking up and down stairs tomorrow! :)
A good night all -- don't forget to comment!
This being Florida, and this being run through a theme park that usually opens at 9am, the marathon was scheduled to begin at 5:30 am under cover of darkness. So at 3:15 am, there I was, in the Epcot parking lot, with several thousand other runners, and several porto-johnnies, attempting to stay warm in the 50-degree chill that Florida was stuck with until dawn.
I was armed with my bib, which had a B-Tag securely attached (every race should have them, and not those lame-o D-Tags that nobody knows how to use), and a fuel belt containing one flask of Gatorade and one flask of Powerade, as well as three Gu's just in case Popeye needed his spinach. I was sporting the pair of black-and-orange Gel Nimbus 12 sneakers I'd bought six weeks earlier to "break in" for this event, since it was designed for my pronation.
As we approached the starting line, I assembled in Corral B, and got myself ready as Mickey, Goofy, and Donald took the stage next to the starting line, addressed us with a few jokes through animatronic masks, and gave the ready-set-go start to each wave of runners. My Garmin was on, I was receiving perfect GPS signals (for a change), and I depressed the start/stop button as I proceeded over the starting line.
I was on my way! I had shed the old long-sleeve tee from the 2005 Long Beach Snowflake Run and the old sweatpants that I'd worn prior to the start, and saw the fireworks and pyrotechnics overhead as I began my run. I enjoyed the brief moment of warmth the flames provided, and then proceeded to warm myself up.
I had sworn that I would not commit the ultimate runner faux pas, and "go out too fast." My sole intention was to take it nice, easy, slow, and comfortable for at least the first half of this race, and then turn on the juice for the second half. A glance at my Garmin, however, confirmed that my slow and comfortable pace was ranging anywhere between 8:54 and 9:14, when I intended to run a 9:30 or slower. I would later discover that the reason for this unexpected display may have been my consumption of Powerade instead of Gatorade. Apparently, it really does have more carbohydrates and electrolytes, etc. Next time, better switch flasks, ha ha!
Still, it felt good sticking to this pace. We would run through some of the back roads of the park, encountered by Disney characters near almost every mile marker. We saw Peter Pan and Wendy, Captain Jack Sparrow, the Jungle Book characters, and many others! I especially got a kick out of two characters who were meant to be vacationers who had gotten hopelessly lost, and were consulting an old fashioned map. One of them warned us that we were all running the wrong way!
Also for nearly the entire course were speakers blaring songs designed to keep people moving -- "Every Day I'm Shuffelin'," "Hey-Yo, Baby Let's Go," and "Don't Stop Believin'!" There were also tons of volunteers handing out Powerade (figures) and water, but I saw that as an opportunity to run with a little elbow room, since I'd brought my hydration with me.
As dawn broke, we journeyed through Epcot and the Magic Kingdom. I marveled to myself how Spaceship Earth and Cinderella's Castle seemed much smaller than expected -- the fact that I was no longer a child may have also had something to do with that. We also journeyed through the Disney's Animal Kingdom and Beach Resorts -- it was not unlike crossing bridges between boroughs at the NYC Marathon.
On I pressed through the highways, back roads, and sometimes narrow trails. Between miles 12 and 18, I listened to a few war stories from the 4-hour pace-keeper, designated to run even splits so that everyone near him could go at the same pace. I got a chuckle at Mile 21 when one of the green toy soldiers from Toy Story exhorted us runners to "mooooove it, mooooove it, take that hill!" He wasn't kidding, since he was placed right before a really steep one! Good thing I'd taken that Gu first!
Somewhere between Mile 23 and 24, I felt myself slipping a little. Ran out of both Gatorade and Powerade, and my legs began to question whether just running this far was "good enough." I swore that I'd force them to go all 26.2 miles whether they wanted to make it or not, and that I would not permit them to walk under any circumstances, no matter what Jeff Galloway said!
The question was, exactly when did I reach 26.2 miles? Towards the end of the race, the mile markers detected by my Garmin were exactly halfway between the mile markers on the course. Another runner asked me if I though the course was somehow longer than it was really supposed to be. I disregarded that remark, since everyone thinks the finish line is too far away at this point in the race. Still, it was not clear why my Garmin's mile markers did not match.
So as a compromise, I stopped the clock once my Garmin showed 26.2 miles, and just kept plowing away until I reached the finish line. Although my Garmin would indicate a hard-earned time of 3:56:36, my official chip time for the race would be a slightly frustrating 4:00:38. I've got no reason to complain to Disney and demand that those four unsightly minutes be reduced from my chip time, but I am now considering an upgrade in my own personal timekeeping equipment.
Obviously, making it under the 4-hour mark would have been a real win. But even though that didn't happen, it was a real treat running through Disney World. In fact, I will most likely do this race again in the near future -- or several options that Disney provides. I might try the Goofy Challenge, and do the Half Marathon on Saturday and the full Marathon on Sunday, like many people did this weekend. Or if I have a willing partner, do the Chip & Dale Marathon Relay!
Either way, I had a great time at this race, and I'd recommend it to anyone else who wants to run a unique out-of-town marathon. It's even better if you make a whole Disney vacation out of it, since the resort hotels have shuttles taking everyone to the race and back! Not to mention, after the race, you have the whole day to go on rides, etc.
So now to treat myself to a week of cheat meals, and to attempt to avoid running for the next several weeks. And to attempt the feat of walking up and down stairs tomorrow! :)
A good night all -- don't forget to comment!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Getting Ready
Nothing big tonight -- I'm getting ready to run in the Disney Marathon bright (more like dark) and early tomorrow morning. No problem with getting up in the wee small hours, this is what people do for the NYC marathon also. However, this one actually BEGINS in those wee small hours, so I gotta be ready to rock!
Wish me luck, all -- I'll give you a recap tomorrow as usual!
Wish me luck, all -- I'll give you a recap tomorrow as usual!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)