Well, the turkey has been served, leftovers reheated and family hugged. This year has truly been an amazing year. At Sunday School we were discussing what we were thankful for and it got me thinking about what I am thankful for.
1. Family - As much as we can drive each other up the wall at times, being unconditionally loved is one of the greatest blessings of all.
2. Friends - I am truly blessed to have so many dear and wonderful friends. Each day I am reminded about how fortunate I am to have my amazing friends!
3. Freedom - To quote Ronald Reagan, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same." This year I had the opportunity to again participate in the Operation One Voice SOF Run and meet some of the amazing people who are the tip of the spear that continues to fight for our freedom and our peace.
4. Health - In an age where there is a medication for everything and most things can be cured with a pill, I am thankful that even though I creak in some places I am still resoundingly healthy. The fact that while I don't love running, I can get up and run 5 miles is a true blessing as so many cannot.
I could keep going and going, however, I will stop there. It was mentioned to me this week that if we were given a dollar for every time we were thankful for something and had to give a dollar for every time we complained, would we have money or would we be broke? Here's to hoping that everyone has a blessed week!
JCP
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Day Three - Tallahassee and Chiefland
Day three dawned on us in Tallahassee. We had an early morning run with the Tallahassee PD, Marshals, into the Fire Department Headquarters. Two of our runners are Tallahassee FD and two are Tallahassee PD. As we ran in, it was truly awesome to see everyone out supporting us, which we needed, all of us by then were running on tired legs, on low energy and no sleep.
When we arrived we presented the head of the Tallahassee Fire Department a flag that had been flown over a Marine Base. He was so touched that it humbled us. After the run in, we met the firefighters and police, and yours truly was allowed to slide down the fire pole with the firefighters! It was AWESOME!
Then it came time to hit the road again. We had to catch up with the "Night" Team to transition our runners. Well, I didn't realize when we got in the caravan, two police cars and our chase vehicle how much we needed to catch up in a short time. Therefore, I had the next groups of runners in the minivan, and I was sandwiched between the police vehicles and we hit the road. Preface to this, I have now officially driven a mini-van twice, and this time puts the other to shame. We were going around 95 miles an hour down the road. Wow, talk about an adrenaline rush for an hour!!!
When we caught up with them, we started our shifts, by then we had lost the cold weather and found the heat. Whew, it was a bit toasty. When the mileage was in, we set up the Budweiser Bus in our hotel parking lot (we couldn't get in the rooms until midnight, so we had time to kill!) and we started our cookout with the "Night" Team. We had a shrimp boil and beer. What a great time with close friends! Truly amazing.
Also, with it being the last night on the road, everyone was all geared up and we all ended up staying up for later than planned on. Needless to say, by Day Four we were exhausted, but so incredibly pumped! One thing that I found interesting. For the past few years, we have stayed at the same hotel in Chiefland. The owner is an immigrant and is probably one of the most patriotic people I have ever met. He comes out every year, gives us money and always gets emotional. Freedom isn't free, it is bought with the blood and sacrifice of our armed forces. God Bless.
JCP
When we arrived we presented the head of the Tallahassee Fire Department a flag that had been flown over a Marine Base. He was so touched that it humbled us. After the run in, we met the firefighters and police, and yours truly was allowed to slide down the fire pole with the firefighters! It was AWESOME!
Then it came time to hit the road again. We had to catch up with the "Night" Team to transition our runners. Well, I didn't realize when we got in the caravan, two police cars and our chase vehicle how much we needed to catch up in a short time. Therefore, I had the next groups of runners in the minivan, and I was sandwiched between the police vehicles and we hit the road. Preface to this, I have now officially driven a mini-van twice, and this time puts the other to shame. We were going around 95 miles an hour down the road. Wow, talk about an adrenaline rush for an hour!!!
When we caught up with them, we started our shifts, by then we had lost the cold weather and found the heat. Whew, it was a bit toasty. When the mileage was in, we set up the Budweiser Bus in our hotel parking lot (we couldn't get in the rooms until midnight, so we had time to kill!) and we started our cookout with the "Night" Team. We had a shrimp boil and beer. What a great time with close friends! Truly amazing.
Also, with it being the last night on the road, everyone was all geared up and we all ended up staying up for later than planned on. Needless to say, by Day Four we were exhausted, but so incredibly pumped! One thing that I found interesting. For the past few years, we have stayed at the same hotel in Chiefland. The owner is an immigrant and is probably one of the most patriotic people I have ever met. He comes out every year, gives us money and always gets emotional. Freedom isn't free, it is bought with the blood and sacrifice of our armed forces. God Bless.
JCP
Day Two - Albany
First, I apologize for the delay in posting, however, I have been unable to get an internet connection. Well, here is Day 2.
After arriving exhausted and cold at the hotel, we got about 3 hours sleep before we had "wheels turning". As we loaded the bus, each of us carrying our caffeine of choice... coffee, energy drinks, five hour energy or a pillow we all remembered why we were running and perked up a bit.
We made it to Albany a short ride later. When we arrived, there were about 30 active duty Marines waiting for us and several veterans. Needless to say, it was an impressive sight. After meeting the Marines and the veterans, we formed up and began our formation run into Albany. With ten police escorts, many veteran volunteer escorts, our Eagle Rock Budweiser Bus, the Marines bus, and 50 runners we were a sight to be seen! People came running out of offices, stopping their cars, busses pulling over to cheer for us as we ran our 3.5 miles to the veterans park while doing cadences. Talk about hard to keep a dry eye. These men and women were taking time out of their day to support our military. How wonderful is it to live in a country that people will come out and give their support to their men and women who guard the front, who keep us all safe.
After a touching ceremony at the veterans park we then loaded up to meet the "Night" team who was finishing around noon, so needless to say we had to book it to catch them. By then we were in hilly territory. When it was my turn to run, I ran with Master Sargeant Chris Lyons (Army Ranger) and Laird Canby (Eagle Rocks). We got a truly uphill section of road. Master Sargeant kept us going as we did cadences uphill. "One hill - Nothing to It" "Two Hills - Nothing to it" "How Strong - Army Strong". Before we knew it we had completed our mileage (and we later found out that over 90 percent of our section had been uphill). Again, when you are running and it is dark and cold and quite frankly not fun, we just remembered those we were running for. Those who couldn't run. Those who gave their last full measure so that we can live the life we choose. Those to whom dedication, honor and courage are not simply words, they are a code of life. God Bless America.
JCP
After arriving exhausted and cold at the hotel, we got about 3 hours sleep before we had "wheels turning". As we loaded the bus, each of us carrying our caffeine of choice... coffee, energy drinks, five hour energy or a pillow we all remembered why we were running and perked up a bit.
We made it to Albany a short ride later. When we arrived, there were about 30 active duty Marines waiting for us and several veterans. Needless to say, it was an impressive sight. After meeting the Marines and the veterans, we formed up and began our formation run into Albany. With ten police escorts, many veteran volunteer escorts, our Eagle Rock Budweiser Bus, the Marines bus, and 50 runners we were a sight to be seen! People came running out of offices, stopping their cars, busses pulling over to cheer for us as we ran our 3.5 miles to the veterans park while doing cadences. Talk about hard to keep a dry eye. These men and women were taking time out of their day to support our military. How wonderful is it to live in a country that people will come out and give their support to their men and women who guard the front, who keep us all safe.
After a touching ceremony at the veterans park we then loaded up to meet the "Night" team who was finishing around noon, so needless to say we had to book it to catch them. By then we were in hilly territory. When it was my turn to run, I ran with Master Sargeant Chris Lyons (Army Ranger) and Laird Canby (Eagle Rocks). We got a truly uphill section of road. Master Sargeant kept us going as we did cadences uphill. "One hill - Nothing to It" "Two Hills - Nothing to it" "How Strong - Army Strong". Before we knew it we had completed our mileage (and we later found out that over 90 percent of our section had been uphill). Again, when you are running and it is dark and cold and quite frankly not fun, we just remembered those we were running for. Those who couldn't run. Those who gave their last full measure so that we can live the life we choose. Those to whom dedication, honor and courage are not simply words, they are a code of life. God Bless America.
JCP
Monday, November 8, 2010
Run, Forrest, Run...
Well, first off, thank you everyone for your kind thoughts yesterday! I LOVED the texts, Facebook messages and e-mails of encouragement. Second, my internet connection this morning is tenuous at best, so I will attempt to summarize an absolutely amazing day succinctly.
We started Sunday morning at Gwinnett Arena and ran out in formation, the weather was a toasty 35 degrees (yes, I said 35, not 53). What an amazing experience! We traveled through Atlanta, Lagrange, and Columbus yesterday. We bunked up last night in Columbus, right outside of Albany. Right now the entire group is chilling in the lobby preparing to head to Albany and giving each other a hard time for yesterday.
Every year in Albany they have a truly humbling ceremony for all of us who run. It honestly makes you feel so incredibly proud to be an American. They have so many veterans, current service men and women, local school children and media who either to run in with us or cheer us on as we proceed in. Then, local restaurants come out and feed us all and it turns into a really fun picnic!
As much as I want to post more, my internet connection is not doing well and we are needing to load up the bus and head to our next PR stop! Hopefully tonight I can post more about Day 1 and all about Day 2.
JCP
We started Sunday morning at Gwinnett Arena and ran out in formation, the weather was a toasty 35 degrees (yes, I said 35, not 53). What an amazing experience! We traveled through Atlanta, Lagrange, and Columbus yesterday. We bunked up last night in Columbus, right outside of Albany. Right now the entire group is chilling in the lobby preparing to head to Albany and giving each other a hard time for yesterday.
Every year in Albany they have a truly humbling ceremony for all of us who run. It honestly makes you feel so incredibly proud to be an American. They have so many veterans, current service men and women, local school children and media who either to run in with us or cheer us on as we proceed in. Then, local restaurants come out and feed us all and it turns into a really fun picnic!
As much as I want to post more, my internet connection is not doing well and we are needing to load up the bus and head to our next PR stop! Hopefully tonight I can post more about Day 1 and all about Day 2.
JCP
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Kind thoughts...
Yesterday afternoon I sent an e-mail to some people that I was starting a blog and would be chronicling the Operation One Voice Special Operations Forces Run next week. Today the response has been overwhelming and truly humbling. I have been amazed at the number of warm wishes, kind thoughts and letters of inspiration to encourage all of the participants in this run that I have received today. Thank you to those who are supporting us as we embark in a few days upon this "Mission".
Well, I am off to get a short run in. Only 4 days left!
JCP
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Last few days of training...
As of this morning, we are officially 5 days away from the start of the 6'th annual Operation One Voice Special Operations Forces Run. What is the OOV SOF Run you ask? Well, glad you inquired! The SOF Run consists of a team of 20-24 runners, forming two squads of law enforcement, firefighters, members of the United States Special Operations Forces... oh and yours truly! The runners are then divided into two teams, the "Georgia" team and the "Florida" team. Both teams participate in a leapfrog run from Duluth in Gwinnett County, Georgia to Busch Gardens, in Tampa FL (600+ miles!). The route proceeds from Capital to Capital, with several public relations events in cities along the route and ends with the final two miles being run in formation into Busch Gardens.
So, now that the official description is done, what is the translation? We get several people who like to run (or at least at the beginning of the trip they like to run) and send them down the road jogging their merry little hearts out, while getting very little sleep and enjoying a few beers while doing so. Why do we keep doing it?
1: This is such a great cause and the people that we get to help are the type who will not ask for help when they need it the most.
2: It is a fun reunion every year, oh and we get to drink beer, play cornhole on the side of the road, grill out burgers in parking lots, and get chased by dogs in cold weather! What more could you ask for?
Well, now that I have given the official and unofficial description of what my next week and a half will entail, it is off to get one of my last training runs in.
JCP
So, now that the official description is done, what is the translation? We get several people who like to run (or at least at the beginning of the trip they like to run) and send them down the road jogging their merry little hearts out, while getting very little sleep and enjoying a few beers while doing so. Why do we keep doing it?
1: This is such a great cause and the people that we get to help are the type who will not ask for help when they need it the most.
2: It is a fun reunion every year, oh and we get to drink beer, play cornhole on the side of the road, grill out burgers in parking lots, and get chased by dogs in cold weather! What more could you ask for?
Well, now that I have given the official and unofficial description of what my next week and a half will entail, it is off to get one of my last training runs in.
JCP
Monday, November 1, 2010
Let's give this a try...
Well, to be completely honest, this is my first go at blogging for personal reasons, so I do hope that I do not bore you to tears or otherwise embarrass myself! For those of you who do not know me personally, my name is Julie Pierson and I am 27 years old and I live in northeast Tennessee.
This blog was started for two-reasons, many of my family and friends live throughout the world and I thought that this might be an efficient method of keeping in touch. Second, this gives me a reason to record and reflect on items that I might otherwise overlook. So with those two thoughts in mind, here we go!
JCP
This blog was started for two-reasons, many of my family and friends live throughout the world and I thought that this might be an efficient method of keeping in touch. Second, this gives me a reason to record and reflect on items that I might otherwise overlook. So with those two thoughts in mind, here we go!
JCP
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