ok ok, Lance is pretty cool

For the last two or so years, I have been agreed with many that Lance Armstrong has achieved amazing sport success and is an inspiration to those who have conquered cancer. But I have not been super comfortable with his personal life choices, particularly being a frequent reader of his ex-wife Kristen's blog However, last night I attended 10-The Event, a celebration of 10 years of the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adult and my feelings have been changed.

Over 1000 supporters of UCF and fans of Lance attended a great reception, dinner, and auction to raise funds for the UCF programs for young adults stricken with cancer. The foundation was founded by Doug Ulman, who is currently the president of LAF. His story and the story of his family is absolutely amazing. Recently, the foundation has created a partnership with IronGirl, which is close to my heart. Cancer survivors young and old, supporters rich and average told their stories and were awarded plaques from the UCF to celebrate their success. County Executive Ken Ulman, brother of Doug, announced with celebration that Howard County would now be providing health care to all citizens, regardless of their insurance coverage. Governor O'Malley spoke to audience and extolled the virtues of the UCF and also of the need for more comprehensive health care initiatives, one of his successes in Maryland.

The pinnacle of the evening was, of course, a speech by Lance Armstrong. He and the UCF founder, Doug, have known each other for ten years when both of them were fighting and surviving their own cancer battles. Lance was articulate, passionate, funny, and thoughtful. He spoke as though he were speaking to around the dinner table, rather than to 1000+ paying guests and dignitaries. Yes, he has spoken in front of large audiences and cameras for a long time, but he is not a glossed over talking head. He has learned everything that he possible needs to know about cancer so that he can use his celebrity for good. He is not interested in selling his brand of cycling gear, or doing a bunch of for-profit commercials. He wants a cure for cancer. He wants those fighting cancer and those who have survived to be supported. His short fifteen minute speech was enough to make me a believer in his cause and proud to have shared a space with him.

For more information:
Lance Armstrong Foundation
Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults

Proudest Moment So Far.

It is not every day you can say you're having your most proud moment as a teacher, thus far. In six years of teaching, I have been proud a lot. But I have never been as proud as I was today to conduct my students at the Washington National Cathedral. They stood, 35 fifth graders, strong and joyous as they sang for a congregation of several hundred Episcopal School peers. What a blessing to have been there with them today.

Counting My Blessings

Two days ago I ran the Twin Cities Marathon It was the hottest October 9th on historical record in Minneapolis/St. Paul. We knew as soon as we walked out the hotel room door that it was going to be a warm day. Who knew that it could be 77 degrees at 8 am in October in Minnesota? Who could have imagined that it would be 85 degrees with extensive humidity by 10am? And what kind of lunatic would go ahead and run a marathon in that weather? Yours truly and my DH of course!

I set off with lofty goals of that ever looming BQ time, 3:40. The RP and I had trained so hard to try to maintain this pace and then hopefully at least salvage something under 3:50. But alas, the weather got the best of me. Come mile 13 came stomach cramps, nausea, quad cramps, and a lack of mental clarity. Past me went the 3:40 pacer, the 3:50, the 4:00.....and around mile 20 the 4:15. The amazing, fantastic, caring, and gracious TC residents provided hoses of water, extra salty and sweet treats, music, cheers, and general joy as me and 7500 close friends held on for dear life for 26.2 miles. As I was walk-running my last four miles, I made a determination to run the last mile w/o walking and to pass the darn guys dressed as beer bottles (seriously? how were they not dying of heat). I made that goal and finished in my worst time in three years, 4:22. 42 minutes off my goal. Reading blogs later that night and on Monday, it appeared that many were in my same predicament.

But.....we had water at every stop and our course was not closed early. Running colleagues in Chicago, facing the same weather conditions, did not have enough water and many were diverted off the course and after months of agonizing training, not allowed to finish the entire marathon. Two runners, in Chicago and D.C. doing the Army 10, perished in the heat of the races. We, in Minneapolis/St. Paul, were blessed with no deaths and an amazing EMS crew that cared for 250 participants who were brought to local hospitals for various illness, many heat related.

At the end of the day, DH, several friends, and I were able to finish a marathon. A feat we had trained for since July. We were blessed as the Lord saw fit to help us cross safely and without any major health problems.

I am counting my blessings this day for the safety I experienced, for the crowds who gave of themselves for us, and for a city who embraced us.

It's Taper Time

For the last several years, the two weeks that are the most dreaded during the year are the two that lead up to the marathon. After months of training, in snow or heat, running long and hard, the two weeks of rest and easy running leading to the race day are possibly the worst. In the next two weeks, I will dramatically cut my mileage and speed yet continue to eat the normal amount. This leads to feeling slightly sluggish, lead legged, and then, in turn, leads to many psychosomatic symptoms and delusions of grandeur with regard to one's upcoming race.

So I will point out the facts to attempt to distinguish any delusions with regard to my current fitness status.

The facts: I did over do my last 20 miler and now have nagging pain in my calf and foot. I have purchased and worn new shoes and insoles to try and remedy the problem. I'm also on ice, a lot.

The facts: I trained really well with my RP this season. We ran hard and fast in the heat, in the rain, and in the really early morning. We did 3 20's (she did 4) and numerous high mileage LR's as well as speedy fast times round that track. We have trained with a lofty goal and we have stayed pretty well focused.

The facts: I train on rolling hills, Minneapolis Minnesota does not have said hills thereby giving me a slight muscular endurance advantage. And the mental tenacity to conquer the "giant" long slow grade at mile 20.

The facts: I really want to do well this time round. I would very much like to reach my lofty goal so I can slow the heck down and enjoy and savor my running.

In the next two weeks, I will think I'm fat and slow. I will have weird pains as my muscles recover from 16 weeks of beatings. I will have trouble sleeping. I may not get over this pain in my foot. But, I will still approach the starting line in Minneapolis well trained and well rested.

If only that could come so much faster than 14 days.

Peace.

first impressions

Sunday morning I felt like the clouds had parted and the sun began to shine, directly on me. After a long summer putting off the church search, I girded up my strength and took the leap to visit a new parish on Sunday morning. Reticient to try a new Episcopal church, having been let down by so many, I hoped that the neighborhood of this church and its simple website would lead to finding a great "hidden gem". My hunches could not have led me to a more wonderful place.

Simply sitting in the parking lot, I was able to "check" a lot of things off my list. Once I entered the worship and education building, I was greeting with boisterous children, a bright, open, and sunny sanctuary, well but casually dressed men and women of every race. I was greeted warmly by several parishoners. The service was traditional but connected, it was clear that many parishoners were truly engaged in the liturgy, as if it were brand new. The sermon was based on a traditional parable but at the same time thoughtful and relevant. The choir, on their first Sunday since summer hiatus, was excellent.

This was a great worship place and space. My immediate connections with the people tell me so much about the church. I only pray that God has given me this blessing not as a fleeting occasion but perhaps as a home.

Peace.

reflections: first week of school

I have always taken great pleasure in the first day of school. This year was no exception. Every school year seems to bring a little something different, a new job, new room, and always, new kids. My first impressions this year find me with mixed feelings. Particularly in the area of curriculum development. Being consistently torn between constructivist leanings and allowing the children's own curiousity to guide the curriculum and being stuck in the rut of traditional scope and sequence. So much of it is about control. Spending my life as a Type A control freak, but so desperately desiring to give kids a break from this control. This type of discovery leads to all the things a Type A might not be able to handle, noise, unanticipated outcomes, and a general sense of uncertainty. What will they think of today? Will we actually get to two part harmony in fourth grade if we spend a significant amount of time in research?

There are many so much stronger than me who already know the answers to these questions and the way to develop meaningful curriculum while at the same time mastering essential concepts. I am thankful that I am blessed with the time and patience of students and colleagues to discover this balance for myself, sort of my own constructivist lesson.

The first week of school is always a new discovery. As it comes to a close, I hope I have taken in the lovely moments, assessed our starting point, and look ahead to 160 more days of learning.

it's as simple as talking

I had a great discussion yesterday with a colleague with whom I share many values. We were lamenting the state of public education and the "failing" schools who are failing because the test scores count for all students, including the ones with a lack of proficient English and those in need of full special education services. We, like so many in our field of education, find these to be great injustices. This conversation went on like so many others, talking in circles about society, social responsibility, immigration, testing, working etc. etc. etc.

We ended our cyclical conversation which I know we will come back to many times and said our goodbyes. Then this morning as I ran round the lake the second time, I passed a mother and her school age (testable age of about 9) son. I was pleased they were exercising and walking together, but horrified to see that instead of engaging in conversation, they were each zoned out to their ipods. In the interest of full disclosure, I too had my ipod on this morning as I ran 15 miles, 9 of which I ran solo. My mind raced with worry for this child. What a perfect opportunity to spend time in conversation with your child, as the summer days are fleeting. A time to bask in the beauty of nature, talk about the upcoming year, talk about baseball or girls or ps3. Of course I do not know the entire story, but my mind was consumed with worry that this child was not engaging in dialogue with his mother.

If he is not having conversations with his mother whilst they exercise, is he talking in school? Is he thinking critically? Is he engaged with his peers or do they all shut themselves up in a white headphoned world?

I think back to those test scores and know deeply that the teacher cannot raise them alone. Educating our children is a two-way street, a partnership in their future. Each adult that is responsible for leading a child to knowledge must play an active role for the child to realize the value of learning. It doesn't have to mean using high-falutin' words at dinner or having "geography quiz" on car trips (Thanks, Mom and Dad) or even throwing every technological advance at the child. It is as simple as talking. Talking to our children. Engaging them in things they want to talk about, they need to talk about or they might not observe on their own.

So perhaps, every so often, we turn the ipods and instant messaging off. We take our walks without the ear buds or eat dinner without john stewart or spongebob in the background. For it is in this talking that we will grow and we will teach our children to grow.