Raising the Bar

     In keeping with my theme, "You never know until you try..." this blog post refers to myself taking on two new challenges:  Badwater Salton Sea and a career change.  I've known for sometime that I thrive best when out of my comfort zone.  This can be a good thing in the general American Dream sense.  Looking for new aspirations, creating new businesses to keep the ideals of Capitalism strong in the US, helping to keep those businesses ethical, etc...  When I took the 3rd Admissions job I've had in higher education here in San Diego, I knew I could do the work, I've helped people to get their dreams started, get into college, make a better future for themselves, etc.  What I didn't realize was that because I had done it before, I was going to fall into the same rut I had been in before in that kind of setting.  This time it happened much quicker than it had done before!  It only took 6 months for me to be bored.  The only thing that kept me going was making the connection with the students and feeding off of their positive energy. However, my positive energy was going down the drain, helping a University that didn't value my passion for the students and focused on the bottom line instead.  So, I decided that I could not wait for the right time to make my move into the fitness field.  The right time was never going to come.  I had been laid off twice before and got myself on my feet both times.

     At the same time, my running has been going so great and the desire to do more has been tugging on my running shorts for years.  I've learned so much over the years that when people ask me questions about their health, I start getting into details about it and before I know it, they're afraid to eat cake in front of me in the office because I know they're trying to lose weight, lol!!!

     Then, I get a text from my good friend and partner in healthy, positive, crazy ideas, Trasie, to call her when I have a chance, she wants to invite me to something...  (knowing Trasie, I knew she was formulating an adventure and I would want to be a part of it.)  She's in Boston at the time for the Boston Marathon, it was the Friday before the race and I call her and talk to her while feeding the dogs.  Having liked the AdventureCORPS page on facebook, I had seen that they announced the Badwater Salton Sea race and oddly enough, some co-workers and I had just been talking about Salton Sea and it's weirdness.  So, when she said she's putting together an ULTRA University team and wanted me to be a part of it, there was no I doubt in my mind.  I had to make it work.  Being on a Monday and having already used up 7 days of vacation time in February to visit a friend in Paraguay with all the other vacation days going to my sister's weddings, (2 weeks til the first one!!), I had no other option but to quit my job!  Simple, really! :)

     The Badwater Salton Sea race (BSS) was going to be considered the "mini-Badwater".  Check it out if you've not heard of it.  My brother and I had watched the "Running on the Sun" documentary about the race back in 2007 and had even discussed the possibility of him running it someday!  Luckily, I had been training for the San Diego 100 mile race, and the BSS team race was 81 miles, so I felt prepared as far as the mileage and the climbing, considering I had done the Old Goat 50 mile with 15K feet of climbing.

The biggest challenges I was going to have to face was:

1. The road.  I'm not used to road running and with only 2 weeks to train, I was going to have to suffer through it.  The longest distance I had ran on road recently was the Kauai Marathon, in SEPTEMBER!

2. The heat.  I had done a few hot 50Ks last summer and did Rim2Rim2Rim in the Grand Canyon, but it had been months since I did any major heat training.  So, we hit the sauna every night.  Our training run with the team the following weekend after Boston was 9 degrees, in between the Salton Sea and Borrego Springs.  We expected the temps to rise to at least 95-100 for race day.

3. The team effort.  We had to stay within 10 meters of each other during the entire race.  I've been a gymnast and a runner, team sports have always haunted me.  It brought back emotions of Sokol volleyball tournaments where I forced myself to get over the fear of being the loser that lets the team down...  Turns out forcing myself to do something I didn't want to do helped in this case!  I realized afterwards that I had been training for an event like this all my life! Plus, our ULTRA University team, crew included, meshed quite well together.  Check out our pics from the training!  

     During this time, I knew I had to leave the BS and ass-kissing world I was working in and now I had a limited amount of time to do it in.  I had done crazier things in the past and knew my family wouldn't be too shocked. The day before Boston I spoke to my mom and she had actually recently thought to herself that it had been a year and a half that I had been doing the same thing and expected a change sometime soon anyway.  I took this as a sign.  I also knew that I had to bring the news to my boyfriend carefully.  This didn't quite happen as I would have liked it to but, being the supportive man he is, he understood that my heart was going to be better off with this decision.  Even if my feet were going to suffer! :)  Plus, I've learned how to talk to him now about my crazy ideas!  

     Preparing for the race, we did plenty of sauna training and I did a good taper.  Both Trasie and Iso, our other teammate, (the first person to ever run the Badwater World Cup), ran the Leona Divide 50/50 the weekend before!!  The Friday before the race on Monday, was my last day at work.  And we worked on a woman's house in Barrio Logan, as our Day of Service.  Not bad for a last day.  Once that was over and I had a nice hearty stout with my former co-workers, I focused on the race.  We had 5 sponsors!  Evolution Fast Food, a relationship I developed with the owner and some neighbors of mine. They gave us a box of vegan wraps, all different varieties and some gooey brownies. I eat the wraps when I can find them at some of the convenience stores around here; People's in OB, Grocery Outlet, City College, etc. and the brownies are so moist they are perfect for desert running since your mouth gets so dry it can't co-operate with anything else!  I picked up the wraps and brownies on my way out to meet Trasie and Lynne (one of our crew members) to drive out to Escondido to meet everyone else!  Eating a wrap on the way, carbo-loading!  There, we met with Jason and Julie, our other two crew members.  Jason being our veteran crew captain, having crewed 8 times at Badwater!

     We also had FLUID as sponsor, who gave us electrolyte replacement drinks and recovery drinks, as well as shirts and caps we sported the day of the race and the following day at the brunch.  Nathan provided us with their brand new design of handheld water bottles, their insulated water bottles for the crew, water packs for the trail portion, and the required reflective vests and lights for the night!  ALSO, INKnBURN sent us Run or Die running shirts, for entire team!  We looked great at check-in for our before picture and the after picture with the whole team.  PLUS, we had 5 cases of Corona Extra!!!  Our secondary recovery drink!!  Liquid Bread- does a body good! :)

Eating some wraps before check-in:

     Check-in was a great feeling.  To be in the same room with people like Charlie Engle, Marshall Ulrich, Amy Palmiero-Winters, Barb, Mario, Jay, our very own Iso...  Of course, the race director from the Brazil 135 was there handing out t-shirts and giving me ideas...  We took our before picture with the famous AC backdrop and a TON of other pics, went out to eat, chit-chatted with some other teams and went to bed after having a Corona...

     Race morning, we all did our regular rituals, I had my mate from the termo I had brought back from Paraguay... which I later heard a particular crew member had questioned my decision to bring.  We painted our warrior signs, Tough #1, #2 and #3 which immediately went up to Facebook.  Lining up literally on the Salton Sea, Trasie and I did some handstands, we took some more pics and the the race began.  I immediately had to pee. :(   I waited about an hour or so and then went before we reached the AM/PM where we knew the crew would be.  H.U.M.  (inside joke).  This part just zig-zagged through the deserted town of Salton City, abandoned homes from the boom in the 60s before the Sea became a death trap for any wildlife.  Marina Dr, Hollywood Blvd, etc... After seeing our crew, grabbing a bite to eat, getting refills, we were off again.  Passing the AM/PM we finally got some Neapolitan ice cream sandwiches from the Neapolitan team.  "If we're providing Corona for everyone, can't we get some ice cream?"  Tasted refreshing and the sugar didn't hurt either!

     Fortunately, or unfortunately perhaps, the temperature was not nearly as high as we had expected it to be.  Mid-80s was reasonable.  This meant, however, it was going to get cold later...  Rolling through the first 35 miles until Borrego Springs was pretty comfortable.  We got into a rhythm, drinking, eating and peeing together... Here is the route.  We were flip-flopping with Team Canada, Neapolitan and saw the crew for the Triple As.  This photo was taken at mile 25, gives you a good idea of the vastness of the Anza-Borrego Desert.

     Coming into the Time Check in Borrego Springs at mile 35, we rested with our legs up, Iso's very fine suggestion and stretched.  It was about 3pm and not hot at all.  As I write this, at 6:30pm, it's 101 in Borrego Springs!! We got out of there well nourished and on our way to the trailhead.  The trail was only 6.2 miles but it was a climb and we had been warned the night before from the RD, Chris Kostman, that it took them a solid 2 hrs, 45 mins on fresh legs.  So, we had hoped to get out of there before 7pm, when we had to put on our night gear.  I had Jason patch up my one and only blister, we put on our Nathan packs, grabbed an Evolution peanut wrap and headed up the trail!  That thing powered me through the climb! The trail was winding, we had some cramping issues, we spoke in English, Spanish, Quechuan, and didn't get lost like some other teams had!  By the time we made it out, at 7PM, it was misting and cold.  

     We put on our cold gear and reflective vests/lights and trucked it out of that section, working our way to Ranchita.  After Ranchita was when we had planned to hit our fastest miles.  And we ran that entire section!  From mile 50-69, we booked it.  Relatively really, how fast could we really go after 50 miles?  Here, I was getting progressively colder but still comfortable.  It was rainy and I remember Trasie and I getting tired and funny.  The pit stops seem to blend together at this point but I remember one specific time when I was bent over, I had asked Julie (a rockstar crew member!) to fix my hood and I had a long string of snot dripping about a foot down from my nose and I said, "Look at that!"  It was a pretty funny moment at the time!

     The climb began at mile 69, when I grabbed another wrap because we were doing a walk/run up the climb.  At this point, my nose was going like crazy and I felt like I was blowing a snot rocket every minute.  There were practically streams coming down the mountain due to all the rain, visibility was about 5-6 feet in front of us, WITH headlamps. The crew van started to seem like a savior every time we saw those blinking red lights.  It was time to pull out the Julie Andrews, "Favorite Things", we sang the song and listed our favorite things.  Iso first, then Trasie, then me.  I had 4 and running was one of them.  Iso concluded that he didn't like to run.  I suppose I didn't like to at that point either.  

     After one stop with the crew, I flagged them down to get my white vest on, underneath the rain jacket, I was getting even colder since we weren't running quite so fast at this point.  It was from reflector to reflector.  A few miles later, I ran up to the crew and asked for dry gloves.  Poor Julie goes scrambling to find my spare pair, I didn't have any but I was so grateful she gave me her spare pair!!!  At this point my teeth were chattering.  (At least we didn't have snow, some teams after us had snow!)  About 1.5 miles to the finish, Trasie noticed my chattering and had the team put the emergency blanket on me, Jason wrapped it around me and I was happy to hold it in place, keeping my fingers inside.  

     At 4am already, me armless in my emergency blanket, Trasie in a full length parka and Iso in his shorts with a bottle of Mountain Dew, I resorted to Sokol march songs and that kept my rhythm going, before I knew it, I was marching along.  In hindsight, I should have sang them for the whole team to hear! "A byt i cesta daleka..."  The biggest problem I had now besides being afraid of hypothermia, was that I couldn't blow snot rockets since my hands were inside.  To keep from eating my snot, I was exhaling upwards from my mouth forcefully every few minutes to blow it away.  TMI perhaps to anyone who is reading, but it was actually hysterical at the time!  

     And, the finish!! The crew drove up the driveway, parked and came down to run up with us into the garage where the race director and his team were waiting for us!  It felt very triumphant and it was all on the live webcam.  I said hi to my Mom, Annie, Diane, Dave, and Cadbury and Maximus.  Someone made a comment and I responded that my dogs may be watching!  I didn't know until about 6 hours later that they were!!  David had woke them up to see our finish!  

     We took our finishers photos, ate some soup and left to go to the cabin we had rented.  I actually hardly slept by the time we passed out, the sun was coming up and I had drank much more caffeine than my system was used to.  Oh, and my legs were aching.  At 11am there was a brunch where everyone was there telling stories.  I talked to some friends I had from before the race and some news ones, good times.  We took pictures with Barb from Canada, Marshall Ulrich, Chris and Laurie, etc.  I got a shirt for my brother and we went back to the cabin and re-crashed.  The recovery has been slow going, I haven't ran a step in over a week and I'm eating TONS.  The swelling has gone down but I still feel like I need to sleep 10+ hours a night!  Looks like I'm already tapering for SD100!

     What I didn't realize was that during the race, we had a ton of supporters.  Even now, going through the pictures, I'm seeing all the shares on facebook, all the updates from my boyfriend and comments from family members!  Thank you to my Mom, Dad, Annie, Ginny, Matt, David, Diane, Megan, Aleks, Ester, Mollye, Jeff, Paul, Maximus and Cadbury.  It's great to have all of you in my lives!  

     As for my next step, short term, I'm coaching gymnastics at the YMCA, a passion I like to come back to from time to time.  Children help me to regain focus.  I'm also developing a training program, to help people be Happy n' Healthy, working with rehab/recovery individuals in some facilities here in San Diego, running for ULTRA University and developing this blog.  Please share this blog with everyone you know!!

     Long term, I'm studying for the GRE, applying for grad school in the fall for the Fall 2014 intake and have dreams of Brazil, Africa, documenting whale migrations while sailing around the world, helping starving children and spreading happiness.  

     Now that you've read this, get up and take on your own challenge!!  The world awaits...

The Real Meaning of Carpe Diem

Most Americans, from United States and Canada at least, are familiar with the term Carpe Diem.  Take advantage of opportunities, live your life to the fullest, YOLO, etc.  I remember watching The Dead Poets Society in High School with Robin Williams and being intrigued by this concept.  It's easy to proclaim, "Carpe Diem" and decide when you're 16 that you're going to conquer the world and be successful.  I told myself I was going to be on the front cover of Time and even got a subscription because I thought it would help!

The truth is, life sucks.  We're going to be shit on for the rest of our lives.  Really.  Everyone.

Therefore, the only way to 'seize the day', is to get over it.  Get over it and move on to bigger challenges.  This week, I had the pleasure in aiding two very dear friends in motivational strategies and dealing with this kind of shit.  I'd like to share my ideas.

Firstly, when you know you need to do something or want to do something in order to better the situation you are in or your life in general, you need to lift up your guts and do it.  You will be better off for it and happier with yourself.  We all know the regret we feel when we don't do it.  "I should have applied for that job last night", "I needed to go to the gym", "I should have studied for that exam". Or, even simple things, "I was going to do laundry last night".  My point is, you always regret it but you will NEVER regret it when you do it.  Especially when it comes to exercising.  Endorphins do magic.

Secondly, when you don't do it, get over it.  Let it be.  Do not stress over it because that will make it worse. Shouldas, wouldas, and couldas don't help in any case.  Move on to the next challenge in life.

I had read something recently regarding levels of stress in recent college grads being higher than any other time in history. I don't know how they got these results and I don't know who they surveyed or how it was done.  The idea is that all these social networks are causing us stress! I find this quite amusing.  Because we are able to see what our peers are doing and the fact that people share their successes over their failures, brings the level of competition up.  We feel we are inadequate when we see others happy and we're not as happy.  Whether it be their careers, their families, their love-life, their achievements, etc.  WE DON'T KNOW HOW THEY REALLY ARE.  Unless they are honest and unabashed, people won't make their suffering public.  When I was laid off for the first time in 2008, I avoided facebook for two days until I finished off my jar of peanut butter that I had bought on the way home that day.  I posted that I had finished it.  SUCCESS!  It was a proud moment!  But, I was too ashamed to post that I had lost my job.

Nor do you see posts about divorce, illness, failures at work, etc. Unless they're in a positive light:  "I'm going to beat this cancer once and for all!"  The point is that we cannot allow these outlets to guide us in life.  Do not be discouraged when peers are posting about the great job they just got or the wonderful spouse they have, their cute kids, etc.  We need to take care of ourselves, do what is right for us and follow our dreams.  Whatever they are.  If you are seeking a career change, find what is right for you and do it.  If you want to run a marathon, sign up, train and run your ass off.  If you want a white picket fence, two a half kids and a dog, do it and be happy. But keeping up with the Jones' is no way to go through life.

Carpe Diem is about taking advantage of opportunities and not looking back.  The decisions you have made have brought you to where you are.  If you don't like where you are, it's your responsibility to change it.  I dare you to truly seize the day and take advantage of life, without using anyone else's examples or guidelines.  You will get shit on but it's up to you to clean the shit and move on.

Happy Friday!

A Homage to Adventurous Kids... and their parents!

In the past couple of months, I've been contemplating how it is that I've come to be the way I am.  I take risks, I accept challenges and I rarely take no for an answer.  I've broken up with boyfriends because they cannot accept my lifestyle or I feel like they've 'held me back'.

Today, on my local run to Tecolote Canyon, up and down the truck trails and home, I witnessed something that made me chuckle and kept my thoughts occupied for the next few hours.  After my climb up the 3rd truck trail, a very steep rocky and clay/mud trail, with another downhill coming up, there was a boy, about 6 or 7 at the top.  He immediately went to go see what was ahead in the trail and shouted back to his mom, "Mom, there's another one just like it and we're DOING it!"  And with this little sister right behind him, she turned around and shouted the same thing!!!!!  I thought it was awesome.  It looked like she had brought them to the park to do some hiking and never expected to come across a hill this size.  I'm certain the boy saw the hill and ran right for it with anticipation. The mother, about 30 ft down the hill gave me a look that also made me chuckle.  It was as if her face was showing a million emotions.  She was NOT enjoying the hill nearly as much as they were, nor as much I was.  But her face was beaming with pride.  She was thrilled for her kids to be powering their way up these hills and to be excited for the NEXT one. 

Of course, these are merely physical challenges.  However, those hills will someday be more difficult life challenges.  Captain on a team sport, leading a debate team in school, taking the ACT, walking into a job interview, getting a promotion, proposing to your significant other, etc.

My thoughts went to Riley, my nephew.  Recently, at age 5, (he's now 6), they went on a family vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains and Riley was told that he was going to the top of a mountain.  They hiked all day, only stopping for short breaks and when the trail ended, he wanted to continue up the rocks!  When being told he couldn't, he got frustrated and the magnificent mountain now became a stinkin' mountain.  This even after he was told by others that he was the only kid up there!  Congratulations to my sister Annie and brother-in-law-to-be James!

In addition to this, I thought about the recent Kilian Jornet movie we watched at the last ULTRA University event.  As a very accomplished ultra runner and adventurer who was raised in the Pyrenees, he describes the 'summits' of his life.  In the movie, they interview his mom and she mentions the time she first realized Kilian had extra endurance.  He was one and a half years old and his mother took him and his older sister out for a hike.  She said it became an 8 hr hike since he was so happy doing what he was doing, they just continued, all day! 

My upbringing did not contain 8 hr hikes at 1 and a half years of age. However, in a recent electronic discussion with my mother, she said that a lot of what we did was dangerous.  Like, running up sand dunes, hanging out in trees all day long, making trails in the woods with my dad and brother, etc.  (I even accidentally hit my brother in the head with an axe once!)  But, we didn't think anything of it!

Therefore, as never having been a mother, I cannot say whole-heartedly how I will feel in the future.  However, my conclusion is that we shouldn't allow our children to feel restricted in their adventurous spirit.  Most children have it them to explore and might even hike stinkin' mountains if given the chance; and their parents can keep up.  Just as we want our youth to expand their minds and be respectful of others in their daily lives, why not do the same in their physical abilities?  If we continue to nurture that need to discover new energies, new philosophies and new ideas, our society will only continue to grow. 

This being said, I feel we still need members of our society to be more cautious.  They are the ones that will put limitations on ourselves that we wouldn't otherwise.  Sometimes we need those individuals to reel us in! :)

Thank you to those two kids this morning that made my day.  I hope that someday I'll be able to witness you and your grand achievements once again!!

2012-2013

It's already a few days into 2013 and I feel as though I've had plenty of time to reflect on 2012... It was an amazing year.  My goals were:

- Run a marathon every month
- Run a 50 miler
- Spread peace to everyone
- Grow stronger as a person

I ended up running 5 marathons, 4 50Ks, a 44 mile Rim to Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon, a 100K, and a 28 mile Quad Dipsea.  Every single race was unique in it's own way and provided me with a learning experience if viewed appropriately.  Starting with my first marathon in the Vibram Five Fingers in January and learning how to strengthen my feet and ankles for the next one in February, in which I was told the following day by my mother that I had placed 1st in my age group!  In March I made the dumbest mistake of 2012 and attempted to eat a 12-egg omelette with hash browns and muffins at Broken Yolk the day before the L.A. marathon.  April I had the chance to run in the canyons of Vegas where I again took 1st place in my age division, in May, I met some amazing people that I bonded with for life in the Grand Canyon, June I had my best marathon time of 2012 at the Rock' n Roll San Diego marathon.  In July I met an inspirational English teacher in the Modjeska Canyon, in August I suffered through 105 degree heat at Mt. Disappointment 50K, in September I ran with one of my very best friends on one of the most beautiful islands our planet has in her first marathon.  In October I ran for 100 for America, running the inaugural Cuyamaca 100K, in November I ran a race that I had been reading about for years and, most recently, I ran a snowy 50K with my brother, the best way to end the year.



I loved every minute of every race.  I loved meeting new people on the run, drinking beer on the run, traveling to races, staying with friends, re-living my first marathon, eating a vegan diet and H.U.M.ing in the woods!  Plus, every single race was ran in minimalist shoes!  Either VFFs or the Merrell Pace Glove, even in snow!  Although I didn't run a 50 miler, my 100K was 62 miles AND, I'm registered for a 50 miler in March.

As for spreading peace; while this wasn't a huge campaign with an action plan, I hope that I was able to affect people and beings in a positive manner.  In my daily interactions I use positivity and optimism over more negative emotions.  At work I stay away from gossip and bad feelings, focusing on progression.  With friends and family, I attempt to help them to live their lives healthy and happy.  It's very easy to fall into a trap of blaming others or the situation when we make those choices on a daily basis.

I also hosted 8 couch surfers over the year as well, the Chilean Miner is such a great place to stay that I actually had to change my profile to show that I'm not hosting right now.  It became difficult hosting with my training and racing schedule.  However, with the couch surfers that I did have, the cultural exchange was, as it always is, amazing.  I hosted two guys who finished their cross country bike tours in San Diego, sisters from Missouri, a Spaniard who I convinced needs to visit Poland, a Chilean medical student, a NYC born Jew living in Tel Aviv, and a first-time-on-my own boy from WA state.  They were all wonderful and we had some very fascinating conversations.  We all inspired and respected each other, forming peace in a sense.

In addition, I am very proud that my mother says that I'm perpetually happy and my boyfriend calls me 'Smiles for Miles'.  A smile and a cheery disposition can go a long way!

Have I grown?  I have two responses.

An ex once reminded me of a quote from the Bible stating: "Be content in all things." when I complained about a situation I was in.  I recently thought of that moment and knew that I am now content.  Not because I have more things, (I live frugally in a 34' boat), not because I make more money, :(, but because my life is richer.

Secondly, a friend of mine posted on facebook just this morning, "If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?"  I was stumped.  Could be because there are too many great places I'd like to be but also because I enjoy all of my surroundings.  At home in my boat or my boyfriend's boat, in my parents house in Illinois, watching a movie with my Dad, chilling with Couchsurfers, out with friends, traveling alone, traveling with friends, walking the dogs, etc.  Work I could do without but we all work regardless and I still love my job.

Therefore, I can't say if I've grown but I'm certainly in a good place!  :)

For 2013, I will be running two 50 milers, attempting my first 100 miler in the name of 100 for America, (we still need to work on supporting Made in America and keeping and building jobs in the US!) and a few more races in the fall.  Looking at the Chicago Marathon with TNT, perhaps the Cuyamaca 100K again or something else.  I will also be supporting a good friend of mine as Captain of the Ultra University team and helping to encourage others to go the extra mile, on foot and in their daily lives.

I am also currently actively seeking sponsors.  Perhaps Southwest Airlines, Merrell, Gu, INKnBURN, etc... Or if People's in Ocean Beach want to help me out by giving me a monthly stipend, that'd be nice too!  :)))))

I also have some other things going on in 2013.  I will be welcoming 2 new members to my immediate family.   It has been wonderful getting to know James and Jeremy and I cannot wait to have the opportunity to witness your marriages.  I'm so happy for EVERYONE involved.  Just the other day, I realized that I could count on both of you if I ever needed anything and I got emotional over it... Plus, I'm starting classes at the local community college this spring and am looking forward to learning more about the state of California.  AND, I'm going to visit a very best friend who is in the Peace Corps in Paraguay.

There is definitely a lot going on and I didn't even mention my love life!  Besides being able to depend on and  trust my boyfriend, I feel more respected than ever in my current relationship and I certainly hope it remains this way and continues to grow.  He was there during a lot of my races this year, even caught the bug (!), and  has been incredibly patient with me!  Thanks dear...

We have a long road ahead of us and I am confident that 2013 will be just as AMAZING.  Because I need to put a Star Trek plug in here and Gene Roddenberry had an amazing view of what he believed we can accomplish, I will end with a quote.

Live Long and Prosper

Elizabeth

Abigail

More Than Me, an education and girls’ empowerment non-profit is gaining notoriety through its guerilla-style marketing, inspiring hundreds of people to write “I am Abigail” on their foreheads and posting the photos on Facebook.

This really begs the question, “Who the heck is Abigail?”
Abigail was an orphan in West Point, Liberia. You may have read her letter in a previous article here on the Huffington Post. At six, she was left with prostitutes. She learned to work the streets in order to get access to drinking water and food. Education was not an option.

Then Abigail met Katie Meyler, the founder of More Than Me, an organization dedicated to getting girls off the streets and into schools. Katie and Abigail became fast friends, and More Than Me has raised the money to put Abigail through school. She is learning to bake, and aspires to one day be a Senator, so she can, in turn, help other girls like her.

So, why are all these people also “Abigail”?
Abigail could be you. Abigail could be your sister, your niece, your student, or your neighbor. Remember, we live in a global community; there is no “me” without “we”, Abigail is because you are, and you are because Abigail is.
Join the community. When you’ve done that, help the community grow by spreading our story. And most of all, get inspired.

Abigail has a message for all of you:

Dear World,
My name is Abigail.
I'm 13-years-old. I live in West Point, Liberia. I don't know my parents... I was left with prostitutes when I was six-years-old. They took care of me, but life was hard. Often, I didn't have a place to sleep or food to eat. I never went to school. And I would often sleep at a video club so men could find me and then "rent" me for the night. I was abused, both in my mind and body. I didn't feel loved.
When I met the people at More Than Me, my life changed. I have a new home now and food to eat. I'm in school now. I'm happy now. I feel like I have a future now. I feel loved. I've learned how to bake, which helps me earn extra money.
Please help vote for me so I can continue in this new life and stay in school. Your vote is my future. I'll do anything to show you that I'll do my best in school and become something with my life.
Love,
Abigail

VOTE:  www.voteabigail.org

Cuyamaca100K

Hi from Mission Bay!

It's so great to write a race report that feels important in a sense.  Not only was this race the longest distance I have ran, but I couldn't have been happier to be running it for a great cause on a great team.  100 for America runs for Create Jobs for USA, working to help grow our great country.  

I first heard about this race back in May when the ultra community in San Diego started talking about it and I only pondered whether or not I could do it... Julius and Trasie were the biggest culprits. Then Trasie roped me into running for 100 for America, the team she created for her SD 100 mile race.  It's such a great cause that I feel does a lot of good and affects everyone!  

Training went well, I did the Harding Hustle 50K in the Modjeska Canyon in July, kept up the training and did a brutal Mt. Disappointment 50K August 11th.  For a recap, see friend Carlos' race report:  http://jukebox9.wordpress.com/2012/08/12/2012-mt-disappointment-33-mile-endurance-run/  (*vulgar)

It's important to note that since doing the Rim2Rim2 in the Grand Canyon, most of my following races were in heat with plenty of climbs.  Including the Kauai Marathon, Diane's report:  http://dianetarchala.com/2012/10/08/the-day-i-finished-26-2-in-paradise-2/

On October 6th, Trasie, Julius, Kristin, Kristin, Carl, Nancy, Rob, Christine, John, Rebecca, Vanessa, myself, and all my other ultra-running buds in San Diego toed the line of the inaugural Cuyamaca 100K in the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, approximately 1 hour from the Pacific Ocean.  The course is 3 loops, first one being 31.5, 2nd is 12.6 and the 3rd being exactly 18 miles.  I had ran the last two in training but missed the 1st one while I was in Kauai...  

Trasie and I got into a good pace and did some good talking with Kristin, a friend of our.  We created an acronym that I'll never forget:  HUM  (Hydration, Urination, Motivation).  You should definitely urinate before you feel the urge, it keeps your system cleaner and running properly.  A typical running discussion really :)  We felt great coming into all the aid stations.  First one, at Merrigan, my boyfriend David was there to get some good pics and deliver some kisses, Green Valley was uneventful and then the climb up to Cuyamaca Peak, which, after all the dreadful climbs I did all summer, this was not that bad.  It was a relief to get up there and see familiar faces at the Aid Stations.  Coming back down, we ran into Paso Picacho Aid Station, sponsored by the Running Skirts of San Diego.  We were able to get a picture with a local bud and one of my Grand Canyon partners, Keith Kirby:
 

From there, we returned back to the campground and got ready to start loop 2 at mile 31.5. We refilled our backs and bottles, ate a little and got moving.  This loop was only 12.6 miles and there was only 1 aid station.  Both of us were a little caffeinated at this point.  I normally wait until at least being halfway through a race to do the pop/soda.  The highlight of this loop was Trasie's comment to a hiker about her huge smile.  We both normally great others on the trail with a smile and a "Beautiful day, eh?"  But this was a little enthusiastic.  "That's a great smile!  WOW!  You can see your molars in that smile!!!"  I was cracking up for the rest of the loop, when we ran in Dave coming into the East Mesa 'Gator' Aid Station, I couldn't wait to tell him!  AND, this aid station had TWIX.  Apparently, Trasie was getting increasingly annoyed by my eating.  At this point, we had met up with Nancy, another runner who asked us about cutoff.  Thus was formed the AWESOME THREESOME.

Coming back into the Camp at mile 44.1, they had burritos.  WOW.  I loved every bite of it. Thank you Terry and Dave for your help.  We all bundled up at this point; put on sleeves, windbreakers, tutus, gloves, and headlamps.  It was getting dark and cold fast and this loop had a section on the Pacific Crest Trail, which is always windy.  

Getting up to Sunrise was slow.  Bellies were not doing well and therefore caloric intake was down.  However, we were still urinating.  At least, I was, and congratulating others when they did as well.  Huge accomplish after running all day.  Coming into Sunrise, Trasie's arch-enemy, we loaded up on hot soup and beverages and headed out on the PCT.  I was worried about Dave since he wasn't there and I had expected him there but I figured they thought they missed us since we had taken a while.  The PCT was windy.  Here, we got into a run 3 mins, walk 2 mins pattern that seemed to work well.  Coming into Pedro Fages, we loved seeing the same aid station volunteers from Sunrise, dedicated folks!  And, it was a relief to see Dave! This was the last stretch and he was going to take us in!  At 55 miles, we had 6.8 to go.  Starting slow and moving through some interesting conversations, we got back into a pattern of 3/2.  At this point, we were no longer quite so energetic and bubbly.  More like zombies, with headlamps and tutus.  So, I decided to sing "Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music.  And we all listed our favorite things...  It was a great bonding moment.

With that, Dave had us pick up the pace and we ran the last 3 miles in!  It was a slow run, like a jog, and I'm pretty sure my stride was kinda off at this point.  It would have loved to get a video of us.  Instead, we got a jumping picture at the finish line:

It was such a great time, I'll definitely do it again.  I have two races I'm registered for right now, the Quad Dipsea in November in the Bay area and a wintery 50K in Northern IN December 29th with my brother!

In addition, Trasie and I will continue to run for and support Create Jobs for USA.  Supporting those neighborhoods and towns that help run America is so important in order to keep America and our values strong.  Here is where you can get more information:  http://www.causes.com/potranca

Thanks for reading, love you all!!!!

100 for America

On the Eve of Independence Day 2012 in San Diego, CA, I am sitting in the Chilean Miner I contemplating the American Dream.  A dream that is very much alive and well around the country.  A dream that I myself didn't realize I had built in me until very recently.

This next paragraph reads textbook.  I assure you I wrote it from the heart.

The American Dream has many variations and directions.  Immigrants have come in search of every kind of freedom that we sometimes take for granted.  Religious freedoms, the freedom to choose their leaders and the freedom of speech, whether to speak their own language in peace or simply to express their opinions in public.  Native Americans and United States citizens whose families have been here for generations have that  dream within them as well.  Whether it be to make a lot of money in our ever-changing capitalist society, or to simply raise a family, those dreams are powerful and drive our country.

Currently, how I see it, we have reached a point where not every citizen feels they have these rights nor the liberty to pursue your happiness.  Truth is, there are prejudices everywhere.  In the job market, in schools, even within families perhaps. It ranges from race, to length of hair, to what kind of work you do, car you drive, etc.  However, we are still able to set goals, make a plan and charge forward to make it happen for ourselves.  We see it in immigrants that have recently come to this country and individuals that have been here for generations. This is the Pursuit of Happiness.

Me personally, after having lived in a kingdom that functions as a socialist democracy, a country coming out of communism and a developing country that yearns to be capitalist, I can appreciate the way we've developed.  In traveling to foreign lands, I've been told, "That's what makes you American.", when I show my determination to accomplish a goal.  I've also caused a fight when saying that I am American, as well as had my picture taken with random citizens that want to be seen with the "North American".


I could ramble on.


Lately, a force that once drove our country has been leaving our country.  Manufacturing. Unfortunately, businesses have found it easier to set up factories and use foreign lands and economies to drive their companies.  Makes sense if our 'developed' country wants to set minimum wage laws, child labor laws and equal opportunity laws that do not accommodate most businesses.  Same reason our government recently amended our health care laws.


Let's bring manufacturing back to US.  We run 100 miles or 100 kilometers and you donate $100.  
October 7th, 2012, I will be running a 100K for 100 for America.  Please view the website:  www.100foramerica.com.  Trasie Phan, a good friend of mine, has teamed up with Opportunity Finance Network and Create Jobs for USA in order to help stimulate our economy and support disadvantaged communities.  This is a cause that affects us all.


Please contact me for more information:  potranca80@yahoo.com


Elizabeth
Happy 4th of July!!!!!