The Kitchen Sink or Sometimes a Run is Living Life

Distance: 5.1 miles
Time: 1:17:20

After a wimp week of making excuses about the cold and rain, I hit the pavement today. This was my first walk-run since last November. When I think of "going for a run" it is usually with a distance/time goal and specific training tasks along the way, like speed work, tempo run, sprints, hill training, yada, yada. Now, honestly, you know I suck at some of it--like my speedwork is Jack's turtle run, and hill training sometimes becomes survival training--but I do make the effort.

But sometimes "going for a run" just becomes living life. Today was one such run. First, I was trekking to A4 translation to drop off some stuff. On the way, I passed the Yonsei University Traditional Folk Music Drumming Team out practicing on the Soccer Field. One of them recognised me (even with the new white hat I was sporting) and waved me over. Kim Young Ho offered me the drum, because he knew I liked to bang on it (yes, they know me, I like to watch and cheer them on). So after an embarrassing routine--embarrassing for me, they were laughing hysterically, I jogged on. My friend Jack had just seated himself at the snack tent in front of the A4 translation entrance, so, of course, we had a chat and a fish snack.

Later, following the boulevard and then up toward Bongwonsa Temple, I got a little lost, stopped to visit with a wonderful little lady--never understood a word she said, but she did point in the right direction, and loved my beard and laugh. Of course, I was laughing as I was telling her not to pull it, just stroke it. Next stop was the observatory and since I was there, a quick 10 minute workout on the Yonsei Amphitheater steps. After my heart calmed down--and a restroom break, I took off toward the back campus. I thought it would be fun to run down heart attack hill instead of up it. Well, you don't --at least I found out I don't, can't-- "run" down a hill that steep.

At the bottom, I pounded through the intersection just as a bus bounded past. Close call. Up the hill to check in on the construction project and then into the final stretch through Yonhidong. KEB Bank Manager spotted me and waved me down. He had a great time kidding me once it clicked with him that I was out running because I wanted to do something so silly as a marathon--only "crazy people" do that type of thing. So, I told him his bank ought to sponsor me and give generously to the cause. Knowing the culture here, I'll probably get a fruit basket in April.

So, I'm not deceiving myself. I really didn't get a run in today. But I did enjoy living! While poverty often brings misery to one's life, it cannot stop the human spirit from living life. Poverty can consume one's efforts and the struggle to survive can be mundane, routine, painful and/or goal driven --just like some runs I've done. Joy, however, even in the worst of economic, political, and social circumstances, comes from living and loving. My run was filled with both.

Poor Ol’ Grandma

When reading about Cecilia Jose who is a 76-year-old great-grandmother living in Santa Fe, San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic (read more at http://www.outreach-international.org/site/PageServer?pagename=what_stories_grandmother), I thought of my Grandmother. She lived with our family when I was a child. At one time during those years, my grandmother, my sister, and I all slept in the same bedroom. I remember being jealous of my parents, who had their own room to sleep in. I also remember feeling privileged because, at least in our room, all three of us had our own bed, whereas, Mom and Dad had to share a bed. And, since the only bathroom in the house was attached to their bedroom, my sister and I got to play on that big bed while taking our turn waiting for the bathroom. Yes, those were days of sweet innocence on my part.

My grandmother was very creative and resourceful. She knew how to take something ordinary and make it extraordinary. One particularly cold Ozark winter, she made me a coat from burlap—a gunny sack—a “feed sack” for cattle. I loved that coat. Not only did it keep me warm, it was made especially for me. No other kid at school had one. It was only later—in my teen years—that I realized that the kids at school used to tease me about that coat, not because they were jealous, but because we were poor.

I have never thought of myself, or my family, as poor. We did not have much money or “stuff.” Health issues sometimes consumed more energy and income than my parents were prepared to deal with. Emotional/relational storms sometimes battered our fragile home. It was what we called life. We lived through it. I am a better person for it. My parents were creative and loving in sacrificially working and scrimping to ensure that my sister and I had opportunities to live a better life.

That’s often the way it is with the “poor.” “They” are not folks to be pitied or snubbed. Most of “them” are not looking for a handout or “freebies.” What they need are friends who will give them the chance to change their circumstances.

Cecilia Jose understands this dynamic of friendship: “Thankfully, sixteen of my grandchildren and great-grandchildren are now attending the Outreach International-sponsored school in our village. Four of them have scholarships that subsidize their school fees, and I sell candies to pay the quotas for the others.”

“Best of all, our grandchildren now realize they are persons of value in the world and can smile with hope. The fact that someone cares keeps up our faith and hope.”

If you have never been poor, you do not, cannot, know what it means to live on “hope.” "Hope" feeds the soul. “Hope” opens the dreams of the young. “Hope” allows you to wake to another day. My grandmother, who never graduated from high school, like Cecilia, had great hopes and dreams for her grandchildren. Given the opportunity, she would have been a pioneer with Outreach in its’ early years. Outreach International works in partnership with those who want to give the poor a chance to change their circumstances, and where friendships can begin. Become a friend of Outreach!

Hunger and World Poverty

About 25,000 people die every day of hunger or hunger-related causes, according to the United Nations. This is one person every three and a half seconds, as you can see on this display. Unfortunately, it is children who die most often.

Yet there is plenty of food in the world for everyone. The problem is that hungry people are trapped in severe poverty. They lack the money to buy enough food to nourish themselves. Being constantly malnourished, they become weaker and often sick. This makes them increasingly less able to work, which then makes them even poorer and hungrier. This downward spiral often continues until death for them and their families.

There are effective programs to break this spiral. For adults, there are “food for work” programs where the adults are paid with food to build schools, dig wells, make roads… read more at www.poverty.com

Too Cold to Run

2009 February 16
Miles: 0
Time: 0

Ok. I admit it. I am fair weather runner. I don't like the cold. I don't like the rain. And since everyone around me keeps telling me what an old man I am, I figure I don't have to put up with the hassle. So--the third week into training and I am off schedule because I am too much of a wouuse (sp?) to hit the streets when it's this cold. My excuse is, I don't have anything warm enough to run in. Not much of an excuse, but I'll go with it! So now you know. Of course, The cold is something I come in from.

The cold for over 12,000 homeless in Seoul is something they will endure tonight and every night. And some won't survive. The economy in Korea is in critical condition, like many areas of the world. Poverty lays side by side enormous wealth and extravagance. Folks who pushed food away from a restaurant table where the liquor tab alone exceed 1,000,000 Won, rush pass others who will not eat tonight, will not feed their children, will not ride in the warm taxi waiting, but will curl up at the dark edges of the train stations, unseen. Will my running make a difference? How do we care? How do we bring about change?

Sometimes 0 really means 0.

2009 February 14

Miles: 9.36

Time: 1:43:27

I had the bright idea that I would take the bus and subway to Oksu Station and then run home from there. I was looking at the map and thought, “Hey, I can pass a dozen embassies on this route.”

Well, there were way too many hills. The embassies weren’t much to look at, and got lost in Hannam-dong. And what is it with this ipod? It quit in the middle of the run. By now, I am hooked on the music when running the streets. Sure beats the traffic noise.

Before heading out the door, I checked the weather on TV. 0 inching up to 6. I could handle that. 40 degrees is good running weather. I was about 2 miles into the run—jogging through Iteawon, when I realized that 0 meant 0. In my quick glance at the telly, I assumed I was looking at Celsius. Nope. No wonder I was freezing. Now, it felt even colder. And I still had seven miles to go! Mile 4 the ipod went kapoot. Mile 7 the legs froze and stiffened. Mile 8, I swear there was an icicle at the end of my nose. I forget why I am doing this. Oh, yeah. Outreach needs your help. Yes, you. My little inconveniences are nothing compared to the misery and suffering that is caused by the pain of poverty.

Knee-cracker

2009 February 11 Wednesday

Miles: 4.68

Time: 59:12

I am gonna call this the knee cracker run. I have been trying to spend time on the steps of the amphitheater at Yonsei University. Today I took cardiac hill up the backside of the Campus then rolled into the amphitheater. The music was on—love the iPod thing-- so I started up the steps. Up and down. Up and down Up and down. Finally giving up, I take off out the East Gate and then turn back through Severance Hospital. My legs turned to noodles. What happened? It’s a good thing I just walked Thursday. The legs were unforgiving.

Death and Life

2009 February 09 Monday

Miles: 4.25

Time: 52:12

Mr. Cho’s mother died today. Mrs. Cho and I were on the bus, returning from the building project, when she got the call. It was devastating. She is such a loyal and conscientious person, she was heading back into the office when I said, “Where are you going? I’ll take care of things here. Go be with your family.” She did. I didn’t.

I depend on her quiet competent assistance WAY too much. So, after frustrating myself for a few hours, I took to the streets. I wanted Kim Me to know what had happened so swung by the Academy, then went through the Miyongi College campus. The run was becoming way too melancholy as I empathized with the Cho family, texting and calling each of them to see how things were going, thinking of my own 87 year old mother, and considering my own mortality. The playlist (thanks, Kelly and John!) of southern gospel, reggae, country, blues, salsa, techno rock, classical, and tango helped the run and put me in better spirits.

Back at the ranch, I could concentrate once more…now, how do you turn this d---- copier on?

Malawi--Running to end poverty, one child, one family, one village at a time.

In Malawi, a small country in southern Africa, there is no infrastructure here to process clean water from streams and creeks. And without sanitation systems, toilets, and plumbing the waste from people and animals in the forests eventually ends up in the water.

Chiwa was only 7, the oldest girl of the youngest four children, but strong enough to go to the creek everyday with other children from the village. She hoped to go to school this year, but then, who would get the family water? Her family needed it for washing, cooking, drinking. She was the one to go.

So four miles there and back, carrying the heavy water… Read more at http://www.outreach-international.org/site/PageServer?pagename=what_stories_family

Running to end poverty, one child, one family, one village at a time with Outreach International and a partner:

Market Run or Dodging Saturday afternoon shopping

2009 February 07 Saturday

Miles: 8.5

Time: 1:29.30

Have you ever tried to run around Mt. Ansan? I go through five university campuses, pass the Independence Gate, through Sinchon, the furniture mart, wedding shopping street, Ewha Fashion street and numerous neighborhood markets. This was my first run with the nifty new nanopod Kelly and john gave me for Christmas (sorry, kids, I keep forgetting to plug it in before taking off). WOW. Other than the techno disco music banging my head and keeping my feet moving while going up hill (nearly had a heart attack), this stuff is great! Jogging along with Willie, Allison, Beethoven, Aretha, the Nylons, yada, yada is its own natural high. Thanks, guys!

Run to the River

2009 February 04 Wednesday

Miles: 5.5

Time: 1:11:11

I take a straight shot out of Yonhi-dong going south through Donggyo-dong and Mangwon-dong to the Han River then run back upstream on the Hongjaecheon walking trails. The Gu government has done a wonderful job turning what had become polluted cesspools into vibrant running streams of mountain water through the heart of Seoul. This is my zone run. Relatively little traffic, well, except for the first two miles down to the river. Seoul is a great city for keeping a balance on overly-developed urban sprawl along with breath-taking vistas of natural wonder through their multiple mountain parks and flowing streams.

Beginning

2009 February 02 Monday

Miles: 3.26

Time: 37:15

First day of training. Seriously. Running the streets and alleys of Yonhidong is a favorite. Children coming home from school, mothers visiting, old folks taking their daily constitutional, stoic presidential guards, are all a part of the run. Two of the shop keepers recognized me—I’m hard to miss in this ‘hood—and waved. The kid at the Buy the Way store handed off my water bottle as I jogged by. Great weather. Thanks, God for a great beginning!

Running to end poverty also ends abuse! One child, one family, one village at a time.

When we think of poverty, images of sick children, starving mothers, war and more come to mind. But there are many more abuses of the poor. Most residents in impoverished communities do not own their homes, making them susceptible to the whim of the owners. Homes are made of impermanent materials and need repair often. When unskilled families attempt to fix things themselves, leaking roofs and broken toilets remain.

The few sanitation structures are typically open holes with no coverings, causing health problems. Much time is spent traveling to gather water, with thousands of families relying on a simple pump. And sometimes, thieves steal the pump parts and sell them for high prices.

Without funds for equipment or working animals, harvests must be done with hand tools and by members of the whole family. Even young children help, which keeps them out of school. In case of drought or famine, a poor crop creates long lean seasons. Loan sharks may charge up to 30 percent per month interest … Read more at http://www.outreach-international.org/site/PageServer?pagename=what_stories_abuse

RUNNING FOR A CAUSE—Get Involved!

We all run for different reasons. The obvious and perhaps the most common reasons have to do with staying fit and creating a healthy balance in life.

Numerous non-profit organizations have developed training and fundraising programs around running events from the 5K to the marathon. Go to any major marathon and you'll see hundreds of runners along the course, supporting their favorite cause. All of these runners, and those associated with other programs or their own personal causes, have spent hours training and fundraising. Why do they do it?

Struggling through a training run or a race is nothing when compared to the challenges faced by those fighting illness, disease, or other hardships. Running for a cause can help put things in perspective.

The rewards for those who run for a cause are priceless: new friendships, a feeling of tremendous accomplishment in helping others, the thrill of crossing the finish line, and the new attitude about running (and life).

If you are interested in running for a cause, there are programs many different programs from which to choose. Some options are listed below. Each program is different, but the rewards of running for a cause are undoubtedly the same. Specific Causes:

AIDS / HIV - List of AIDS Walks (Various lengths)
Alzheimer's - Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk
Arthritis - Arthritis Foundation (5K and Marathon)
Asthma - American Lung Association Asthma Walk
Birth Defects - March of Dimes Walk America
Cancer - American Cancer Society (Relay for Life) The Cancer Council Australia (Relay for Life) Canadian Cancer Society (Relay for Life)
Diabetes - American Diabetes Association (5K)

Canadian Diabetes Association (Marathon)
Disabilities - Easter Seals Walk with Me
Down Syndrome - National Down Syndrome Society's Buddy Walk (1 mile)
Drunk Driving - MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) (5K Walk)
Heart Health - American Heart Association Heart Walk (5K)
Hospice - The National Hospice Foundation (Marathon or Half Marathon)
Hunger Relief - Cropwalk (Various lengths)
Kidney Disease - National Kidney Foundation Kidney Walk
Liver Disease - American Liver Foundation (Boston Marathon)
Lupus - Alliance for Lupus Research (Walk-a-thon)
Multiple Sclerosis - MS Society (5K and 3 Day)