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| 2008 OOV - SOF Run Team |
JCP
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
It's official...
Well, I got the letter today from Lt. Stevens regarding the 7'th Annual Operation One Voice Special Operations Forces Run. I am mailing my check this week! I cannot wait to participate again this year! Each year is always memorable and special. The first year that I ran, I had NO CLUE what I was getting into. The second year, I knew what I was getting into and LOVED every second of it. Last year's run was amazing, with the opportunity to meet so many new people and reconnect with many old friends! This year's run will honor USASOC (Army Special Operations Command) and I could not be more excited!
Well, I am so excited to participate in my 4'th OOV - SOF Run, especially with this year being the 10'th Anniversary of 9/11. God Bless.
JCP
JCP
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
We all get to the finish line a different way...
I have been speaking with several of my friends who are runners this week regarding half-marathons and marathons. And, well, to be blunt it seems as though I am one of those runners that other runners get aggravated with... Let me explain...
First, I tend to dance while I run... not exactly productive for a great running time and apparently that gets in the way of some of the other runners.
Second, I really like to look around and listen to others while running. You would be amazed at what you can learn if you listen and watch while running. This past run, I had the privilege of running behind two women who had just beaten (or were in the process) of beating cancer! How courageous they were. I also had the opportunity to meet a Japanese - American who was running to honor his son's and grandson's dedication to the United States Military... yes, if you just did the math, he grew up in Japan during World War II and here he is running in the Marine Corps Half-Marathon to honor his son's and grandson's dedication to a military that more than likely took the lives of members of his family, how inspiring is that? I also had the opportunity to see a double-amputee soldier running his first race with his prosthesis. If that wasn't amazing enough, he was running with his wife and a gentleman who appeared to be his commanding officer. As we were running down a hill, his left running prosthesis got caught in a manhole cover and he fell. What amazed me is that as we were all rushing over to help him along with several of the Marines who were lined along the course, he looked up and with no self-pity in his voice, only determination said, "Don't help me... I can get up on my own and I will finish." At that point we all took a step back and watched as he painfully put his prosthesis back on, and through sheer brute will pulled himself up off the ground, dusted his shirt off and kept running like nothing happened.
Around mile 8 as I was coming upon another hill I heard a group of people clapping, but I could not see any reason for them to be clapping until I got halfway up the hill. Wedged between some runners was a hand-cyclist who was exhausted and this hill was trying to beat him. A couple runners had come out behind him to keep him from rolling backwards, however, they were starting to look tired, so I sprinted up to help as I could. I got a good look at this man at that point, and let me tell you, I don't know the last time I have seen somebody look so defeated. But, people weren't going to let him give up... the crowd that had gathered changed from just clapping to cheering to screaming to cowbell ringing to one of the most beautiful moments I have had the opportunity to witness. Bystanders were coming out and forming a tunnel for him to cycle through and cheering him on the whole way. The transformation on his face was awe-inspiring. You want to know the amazing thing... he not only made it up the hill, but he finished the race!
Third, I apparently get distracted along the route. First, around mile 5 or so, I was a bit thirsty (and bear in mind, I was running with a sinus infection so I couldn't smell anything, sometimes that was nice as I was running behind some very sweaty people) and I saw some people with a sign that said FUEL YOUR RUN! Great, I thought, I was kind of thirsty, so I stopped asked for one and threw it back... and it wasn't water, it was tequila, straight tequila. Although, thankfully they did have a lime to offer me! Later, there was a beer stand and I stopped for a beer en route.
Finally, I think I like to do races as much for the atmosphere of the people I can meet, watch and learn from as the running itself! Anyway, if the weather ever abates and I can put my ark away, I will get a run in today!
JCP
First, I tend to dance while I run... not exactly productive for a great running time and apparently that gets in the way of some of the other runners.
Second, I really like to look around and listen to others while running. You would be amazed at what you can learn if you listen and watch while running. This past run, I had the privilege of running behind two women who had just beaten (or were in the process) of beating cancer! How courageous they were. I also had the opportunity to meet a Japanese - American who was running to honor his son's and grandson's dedication to the United States Military... yes, if you just did the math, he grew up in Japan during World War II and here he is running in the Marine Corps Half-Marathon to honor his son's and grandson's dedication to a military that more than likely took the lives of members of his family, how inspiring is that? I also had the opportunity to see a double-amputee soldier running his first race with his prosthesis. If that wasn't amazing enough, he was running with his wife and a gentleman who appeared to be his commanding officer. As we were running down a hill, his left running prosthesis got caught in a manhole cover and he fell. What amazed me is that as we were all rushing over to help him along with several of the Marines who were lined along the course, he looked up and with no self-pity in his voice, only determination said, "Don't help me... I can get up on my own and I will finish." At that point we all took a step back and watched as he painfully put his prosthesis back on, and through sheer brute will pulled himself up off the ground, dusted his shirt off and kept running like nothing happened.
Around mile 8 as I was coming upon another hill I heard a group of people clapping, but I could not see any reason for them to be clapping until I got halfway up the hill. Wedged between some runners was a hand-cyclist who was exhausted and this hill was trying to beat him. A couple runners had come out behind him to keep him from rolling backwards, however, they were starting to look tired, so I sprinted up to help as I could. I got a good look at this man at that point, and let me tell you, I don't know the last time I have seen somebody look so defeated. But, people weren't going to let him give up... the crowd that had gathered changed from just clapping to cheering to screaming to cowbell ringing to one of the most beautiful moments I have had the opportunity to witness. Bystanders were coming out and forming a tunnel for him to cycle through and cheering him on the whole way. The transformation on his face was awe-inspiring. You want to know the amazing thing... he not only made it up the hill, but he finished the race!
Third, I apparently get distracted along the route. First, around mile 5 or so, I was a bit thirsty (and bear in mind, I was running with a sinus infection so I couldn't smell anything, sometimes that was nice as I was running behind some very sweaty people) and I saw some people with a sign that said FUEL YOUR RUN! Great, I thought, I was kind of thirsty, so I stopped asked for one and threw it back... and it wasn't water, it was tequila, straight tequila. Although, thankfully they did have a lime to offer me! Later, there was a beer stand and I stopped for a beer en route.
Finally, I think I like to do races as much for the atmosphere of the people I can meet, watch and learn from as the running itself! Anyway, if the weather ever abates and I can put my ark away, I will get a run in today!
JCP
Monday, May 23, 2011
On behalf of a grateful nation...
"We have enjoyed so much freedom for so long that we are perhaps in danger of forgetting how much blood it cost to establish the Bill of Rights."
Felix Frankfurter
As we approach Memorial Day, I feel that many Americans have forgotten why we have a day of Remembrance. Memorial Days originally started over 2,000 years ago as ancient civilizations honored their dead. In the United States it became increasingly popular in the north to honor the deceased soldiers after the Civil War and has since moved on to become a national holiday.
Now, however, most people view Memorial Day as simply an extra day of vacation or a really great sale at their favorite store. It is my sincere hope that we can change that. We owe it to those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom to show our respect and our gratitude. This week, I will be reflecting upon ways I can make a difference and show my respect. To start, on Monday, I will be taking my Grandmother to place a flag on my Grandfather's grave. It is a small first step, but definitely one in the right direction I believe.
JCP
Thursday, May 19, 2011
How important is a thank you?
We are preached to as children to say "please" and "thank you", yet it seems as we grow older many people forget the importance of a simple "Thank You!". Thus, I was shocked the other day as I went through one of my favorite drive-through restaurants to get a drink and the lady who always serves us drinks made a comment when I thanked her for my drink. She said how rare it was to be thanked anymore.
That simple comment made me think (dangerous, I know) about how often we should thank others for helping us. I mean, everyday people help me at work, at the drive-through, in committees, so many places and yet, so often I overlook what they do. Therefore, I am challenging myself this week to not only be more thankful as a person, but to express it to those who help me. I have already started by writing several Thank You notes to people who have helped me in recent weeks with various organizations, etc... My next step is to say "Thank You" more often... This could be a challenge.
Well, anyway, I will keep you all posted on how the "Thank You" campaign goes!
JCP
That simple comment made me think (dangerous, I know) about how often we should thank others for helping us. I mean, everyday people help me at work, at the drive-through, in committees, so many places and yet, so often I overlook what they do. Therefore, I am challenging myself this week to not only be more thankful as a person, but to express it to those who help me. I have already started by writing several Thank You notes to people who have helped me in recent weeks with various organizations, etc... My next step is to say "Thank You" more often... This could be a challenge.
Well, anyway, I will keep you all posted on how the "Thank You" campaign goes!
JCP
Monday, May 16, 2011
Finish Line Crossed...
Well, this weekend I finished my first half marathon, the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon! What a great time! Unfortunately for the 3-4 weeks prior to the run I had been battling sinus issues and a cold, so my training definitely was not where I had hoped it would be, however, I finished the race and am looking forward to my next half-marathon and hopefully marathon!
To quote the minister at the race:
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith..." 2 Timothy 4:7
JCP
To quote the minister at the race:
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith..." 2 Timothy 4:7
JCP
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