Dallas: The Big D: Cowboys and Stampedes

Well, I'm in Dallas this weekend mixing a little business and training. It was a pleasure to meet face-to-face with the fabulous Staff of Cultural Awareness International.  This dedicated team of intercultural specialists assist families, work teams and businesses worldwide in developing cultural understanding for successful integration into every day life and international organizational culture. I always enjoy the opportunity to work with them.





This is also a great opportunity to take advantage of Dallas hospitality and warm weather in doing the mandated weekend "long run." The long run Sunday morning will be the Dallas Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon! This morning, I was out for my last short "get everything loosened up" run and came across some Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders in a photo shoot. (OK, I have no idea who they were and what they were doing--except taking photos like pros on a project) One took pity on me and agreed to take her photo with me!





Early Sunday morning I found a great little coffee place to get caffeine running through my veins before the big event. The crowd was, as always, at events like this, alive and excited. Thank goodness there were a plethora of port-a-potties. I think half the crowd was standing in line at one point or another.

With the temp at 85º and the humidity at 89% by 9:00 a.m., this was not a race I will enjoy remembering. My time was ok until mile 10. At that point the heat was too much for this ole body and I slowed to a crawl. Other than that, it was a fun race and good training run!

So here is proof that I'm here and working hard to be ready for the Lima Peru Marathon. Can't wait for this first ever "vacation" with my daughter who is going to run it with me! AND-- all for a good cause! We are raising $$$ for water.org- a fantastic organizations making a difference in bringing health to communities in every part of the globe.

What's your favorite charity?

Stockholm is a city I have always wanted to get lost in. Now I have my chance. I am participating in the Stockholm marathon in May. And, you know me, if I am going to sacrifice my body to the Greek and Nordic gods, I want to raise awareness of issues around poverty and raise funds—that is, get you (and all your friends, co-workers, family) to give money to a worthy organization addressing the root causes of poverty in a positive way.

The horrendous tragedy this last weekend in Nepal will guide my funding efforts. Our thoughts and prayers are with friends and family as they struggle to survive and work to see that others live. I will be supporting Heart to Heart International and Charity: Water. 

Trail Mix Part 2

While I shy away from the techno/rap/fast beat stuff my kids like to run to, I noticed some of my friends shared songs that I could snooze to on the trail. That’s ok. (they were being cute… I think.)

A growing body of research on exercise in general and running in particular suggests that “mixing it up” with different tempos while in training is in our body’s best interest and ultimately decreases race times (or increases speed) when it matters. Of course, the professional athlete’s approach is to designate specific runs for the change in tempo, i.e. a “speed run”, a “fartlek (or hill) run, an easy run, etc.

I, on the other hand, contend that when you are naturally as slow as I am, the variety in

every run is the spice of a great run. So, in the Trail Mix there are a wide variety of tempos and melodies. I shuffle the playlist and try to match (in moving my body forward) whatever comes up. This means that for three minutes, I am chugging those spindly legs as fast as I can pedal, and the next three minutes may be dancing to a waltz or pounding to a march or walking to love song, or jogging and singing to an old fav. It’s all good!

The one rule of running that cannot be compromised in training is you cannot substitute speed for distance. You can cheat speed, but you cannot cheat distance. An example of how you can cheat speed is the Trolley Run, a four mile race that follows the trolley trail from 75^th Street and Wornall in Kansas City all the way to the Plaza. It’s all downhill! My BEST racing times for 4 miles are all on that route! BUT, if you do not put in 20-30 miles a week for six-eight weeks prior to running a half marathon, you will either not finish, or you will walk across the finish line.

So, I love the mix while putting in the time and distance. I am enjoying the tunes!

Huff and Puff

Running… ok, ok, barely walking, up that last hill before completing my nine mile long run outing had me huffing and puffing like the crazy wolf in the children’s story. Yes. I have lost weight. Yes. I am getting my running legs back. Yes. I even work out at the gym (well, when it rains…sometimes) But do you think my time improves (meaning speed). Nope. What the heck is it with getting older and slowing down? Just because 40 is behind me, (ok 50) (…alright, 60) doesn’t mean the body has to go slower, does it? At my present pace the street sweepers will cross the finish line before I do.

I know. Patience. Perseverance. Discipline. And race day (June 2) will see me fly! In some ways, that has been the experience this last year of Ken Brookens as he has explored and explained and engaged a wide variety of sources in Thailand to serve at-risk and orphaned children in a responsible and sustainable way.

Students from Chiang Mai, Thailand

Exploring the opportunities (of lack of) for education for youth in Thailand can be quite discouraging. For thousands of at-risk children in rural areas, the opportunity for an education beyond eighth grade is minimal and the opportunity to pursue higher education is practically non-existent. More likely their future is one of human slavery, prostitution, unskilled hard labor, early teen pregnancy, subsistence living, and an early death. The cycle of poverty goes on and on and on… Encouraging youth to learn; providing an incentive to stay in school; offering a scholarship for higher education; all break the cycle of poverty, changes the life of a child forever, ultimately changes the living conditions of the family, and lastly, gives back to the community a leader who influences the whole village for good. Ken has seen this miracle at work in the lives of youth in Thailand and is committed to making it a reality for more.

Explaining his passion and mission to school principals, government officials, community leaders, and business professionals has taken Ken into Ministry offices in Bangkok, welfare schools in Chiang Mai, legal offices and cafes and hotels and stores everywhere in between. All that explaining has made Sustainable Hope International a government recognized NGO in Thailand. All that explaining has generated excitement, commitment, anticipation, and opportunity in Chiang Mai, Chiang Dao, and Khon Kaen. All that explaining has opened doors in Independence and Jackson County.

Sustainable Hope International has engaged the services of professionals and volunteers in churches, service organizations, community groups, and educational circles. Most importantly, Sustainable Hope has engaged the imaginations of children—hundreds of children--and encouraged them to dream and reach and excel.

My early morning running team in Chiang Mai.
It was already 100 degrees and I was the only one in shorts!

And to do all of that, there has been a lot of huffing and puffing. Not to blow houses down, but to build
up hopes and dreams in a sustainable way in the hearts of at-risk children and in the minds of those who work with orphaned children.

I will run the Hospital Hill Half Marathon, huffing and puffing up all seven hills, to raise funds for Sustainable Hope International. Join me. Partner with me by giving to the cause—the power—the miracle  of education in breaking the cycle of poverty in Thailand. Join me in supporting Sustainable Hope International.

My Belly--the Community Project

Run: Younhidong

4.55 miles

1:05

Run: Mt. Ansan

5.37 mile

1:12

Run: Younhi Stream

5.22 miles

1:12

Weight: 244

I love visiting Asia. I love the people. I love the food. I love the culture. Every trip is a wonderful experience. But I do have to prepare myself mentally. By Asian standards, I am a big man. People notice. I am finally ok with that. But why is it that in a culture with gracious manners, polite references, and no physical contact, complete strangers feel free to walk up to me, poke me in the belly (or worse yet, rub it) and laugh?

As is my practice, I attended church Sunday. It was great to see old friends and meet some new ones. The kids are all growing so fast. And, of course, the slim and trim ahjimas ( a Korean term of "endearment" for middle-aged women with an attitude) gathered 'round, poked and prodded my belly, declared that I was too fat, and took control of my diet for the next two weeks. Mrs. An, a wonderful cook in the kitchen and consumate professional in her career, put me on a nurtri-system soy powder shake, mixed drink, lots of water, pills, yada, yada diet. . . along with kimchi, kim, namyang, udon, and anything else they want me to eat. My eyeballs are floating, my colon is completely cleansed, my pores are oozing salt water, and I am running to the toilet every 20 minutes. I am also running--as you can see by my post. All for the loss of 2 pounds! Dr. Alcox says that's what old age does to your metabolism. It ain't fair!

Well, my Korean friends fuss and make fun of me-- I don't like the attention-- but I fuss over them and the point is this: They care. They support me. We are friends. We are family. We are community. If I am successful in my training for the races in October, it will be because of the encouragement of ahjimas. All of us need support in meeting our goals. All of us need to feel that we belong. Those enslaved in poverty and are ravaged by the violence, disease and human degradation that so often comes with poverty, often are able to effect change for a better life, when the opportunity is given to create community. To band together. To support one another. Together we can fight to end poverty one child, one family, one village at a time. I invite you to join me!

It’s raining. I hate the rain.

Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Time: 32:14

Distance: 3 miles speed run on Yonsei Track plus 1 mile

Date: Monday, April 13, 2009

Time: Lost Track

Distance: 4 miles—16 laps on Yonsei track

Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Time: 1:20:20

Distance: 7+ miles to the river and back

Slogging through the rain just to get in a few miles is NOT an incentive for me to keep up with the training program. But it does mean a work slowdown with the project, so, I must choose between not having the time, or… well, the rain. I love the rain (attitude adjustment there).

The run to the river is chilly and wet, but does help clear the head of all those niggling details of construction and moves me to a new place. Seoul needs this shower. Korea is becoming dry. Way too dry. Water is life. Yet one billion people do not have access to safe water, and 2.6 billion people live without proper sanitation. Water-borne illness is the second highest cause of childhood death in the world. When water is unsafe and sanitation non-existent, water can kill. Providing safe water and sanitation to millions of affected children and their families is one way to help end poverty. How? By supporting efforts to distribute oral rehydration salts wherever children are suffering from illness and deadly dehydration caused by unsafe water, distributing hygiene kits during a crisis to help children and their families keep diseases like cholera at bay, training teachers to educate children about safe water and proper sanitation and building pipelines to bring water to remote villages.

I like to think that I am doing this to help children survive. Almost 10 million children die needlessly every year. They come from families who exist without clean water and sanitation. They have not been vaccinated against childhood illness. They are not protected against malaria. They do not receive enough nourishment to fight malnutrition. They are often affected by AIDS. They do not survive without your help. When I say I am running to end poverty, I am being a part of a global network of individuals and organizations seeking ways to help children survive, to protect children from abuse, give them an education, so that all children lead a healthy, humane, and dignified life.

The water bottle I picked up at the GS Mart for 500 won quenches my thirst. It’s important to stay hydrated. I head back toward my new home in Yonhidong, now barely aware of how sopping wet I am. I am very aware that what “quiches” my thirst could “save” the life of a child. I invite you to join me in running to end poverty one child, one family, one village at a time.

Food, Glorious Food

Date: Saturday, April 4

Time: 4:47:12

Distance: 20:14 miles

I figure if you are going to run 20 miles, you might as well start at Starbucks. There are five in the Sinchon area of Seoul. None of them is open at 7:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning. Did not know that when I headed out the door…

A few miles down through the alleys and side streets of Mapo-gu and I realize that today is market day. Food vendors everywhere. As I dodge the carts and weave my way through the increasingly active crowds, I am faced with the sights, sounds, smells, color, and tastes of some of the best snack food and market fare you will find anywhere. My run becomes a culinary adventure as I stop to taste this skewer of squid and that cup of brine. While I enjoy eating my way through 20 miles of famous and not so famous Seoul street snacks, I wonder about those who will not eat today.

Worldwide around 852 million people are chronically hungry due to extreme poverty. As of late 2007, increased farming for use in biofuels, world oil prices at more than $100 a barrel, global population growth, climate change, loss of agricultural land to residential and industrial development, and growing consumer demand in China and India have pushed up the price of grain. Food riots have recently taken place in many countries across the world. More than half of the planet's population, numbering approximately 3.3 billion people, live in urban areas. Any disruption to farm supplies may precipitate a uniquely urban food crisis in a relatively short time.

· Programs seeking to protect or enhance the nutritional status of mothers and infants account for as much as half of the development resources channeled through USAID.

· A recent study in Ethiopia showed that food aid had a significant impact on protecting child growth during droughts.

· Studies of refugees in Algeria found that fortified food given to stunted children permitted rapid nutritional improvement.

· In Mexico, a government-supported program called Progressa supplies food to children under 3-years old in poor households. This has had a significant impact on child growth rates, reduced stunting and anaemia.

· These results confirm that food aid can certainly play an important part in nutrition programming.

· Given the scale and persistence of malnutrition around the world, there needs to be a far greater share of development resources earmarked for nutrition interventions than is currently available.

A direct relationship exists between food consumption levels and poverty. Families with the financial resources to escape extreme poverty rarely suffer from chronic hunger; while poor families not only suffer the most from chronic hunger, but are also the segment of the population most at risk during food shortages and famines.

A few hours after beginning my run by looking for Starbucks, I find myself back in Yonhidong filled with Kimchi, tofu, and a variety of delicacies smeared with red paste. The last two miles were at waddling speed. Twenty miles. Today, I don’t think I could make the last six. Let’s hope the Nashville route is not through the BBQ district. I will never survive.

And that’s the irony, isn’t it? I fear death by overconsumption. Millions face death daily because of severe under-consumption. Sobering? I invite you to join me in running to end poverty one child, one family, one village at a time.

Run to the River to Pray

Date: Saturday, March 7, 2009
Time: 2:49:11
Distance: 13.82 miles

At least now, I know I can do it. We are half way there in our training. Today was the 1/2 marathon run. Richard Betts and I enjoyed a relaxed visit over coffee at Starbucks in Sinchon then parted ways as he headed back to the Brownstone to crunch numbers and I headed to the subway to crunch pavement. Took Line 2 to Hanyang University on the east side of Seoul. As you can see by the map, in order to get the mileage I needed, I ran along the river almost from the east to the west boundary of Seoul. In square kilometers covered, Seoul is just not that big a city. Most of the run was spent trudging into a 25 mile an hour head wind. With temp at 2C, feeling like -6 C, I was determined to make this my best effort. Now, I know that for any true runner, my time stinks, but it was still a personal best for me, beating my last 1/2 marathon in Philly two years ago by 26 minutes. So. I am HAPPY! Delighted. On Schedule.

Long runs along the Han are something I have come to appreciate and look forward to. Although there is an amazing amount of foot and pedal traffic along the river, it is still a quiet place to zone--get inside your own head as you keep moving along on the trail in front of you. No buses or baby carriages to dodge, no workmen to jump, no garbage to avoid, just a quiet time to reflect on the wonders of life.

This was not only a great run for me, but the best part was coming home to find my good friend, Roberta Jenkins back from China. After a quick shower, the two of us "caught up" at the little mandu (dumpling) shop on the corner. Good Health, good friends, good food. What more can one ask for?

For one fifth of the world's population, they will make it through the night with none or only one of the three. I invite you to join me in running to end poverty, one child, one family, one village at a time.

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.

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.