The Long Run

It's been done.

2008-10-22T14:35:00.000-07:00

Eight days ago, I finished running from New York to Washington D.C.

Huh. How about that. It sounds strange to say it.

Running is funny like that, in that regardless of the innumerable specific details, ultimately, any run is most succinctly summarized simply as a start point and an end point. It’s not an accident that running has long failed to garner a substantial fan base. Running just doesn’t draw zealous spectators out of their homes and to the sidelines or stir up that inexplicable and undeniable passion so well known in the realms of football stadiums, basketball courts, and soccer fields. Instead, I have often found myself apologizing to loyal family and friends who have come out to do their duty at marathons I have run. They meticulously plan, scheming routes and calculating pace per mile, hustle all day long, so that they might catch a glimpse at Mile 12, and maybe a peek at Mile 18, and on a perfect day, when all goes right, see the final push to 26.2. And without fail, I feel…a little…underwhelming. Yep, here I am. Still going. Left, right, left, right, left. Pump those arms, breathe that air. You get the drift…it’s rather anticlimactic, and the thrill value seems inversely related to the distance.

And yet. Despite it’s clumsy failure- or is it a graceful declination?- in crowd pleasing, I have never felt, on a personal level, disappointed by the value of a good, long run.

As the thrill factor declines, there is something else, something equal but opposite perhaps, that rises up, and it has nothing at all to do with the start point and the end point, and everything to do with what lies between the two- the journey.

I want to try and give you a little of that, because you supported me, because you were a part of this and you should get to know something about the journey, but I undertake this mission with full knowledge- and also, full disclosure- that I cannot, no matter how hard I may try, or how much I'd like to, fully contain this experience in words.

The best I can do is tell you a little about it.

Day One.

A great, beautiful day of running with good buddies.
Started out at 6:45 AM from Ground Zero with Scott Martin, a friend and fantastic organizer of a NY Trails and Ultrarunning Group, ran 12 miles up to the George Washington Bridge- a BEAUTIFUL crossing I highly, highly recommend doing at least once if you live in the NYC area!- and over about 8 miles into New Jersey to meet Chris Jaworski, another running buddy. Starting was a bit surreal. Dad parked the van, and took a couple pictures, and I walked over to the chosen corner, right at the World Trade Center site. I'm not really sure how to describe the feeling- overwhelmed with the underwhelmingness of it all maybe? It was a morning like any other- one with particularly nice running weather, albeit- sidewalks crowded with people anxiously hurrying to destinations unbeknownst. I thought of everyone, every single one, strategizing a plan of action for the unique tasks that would give each of their days structure and meaning, and the task I was embarking upon suddenly seemed very strange...

Anyway. I got my handbottle of coconut water ready to go, messed around with the Garmin for a little bit while my dad and Scott introduced themselves, and then there was nothing left to do but start. So we did.

Now: In the interest of breaking up the monotony of my account, I'm going to give the honor- or duty?- of Day One to Scott and Chris. See the emails below, sent to a group of mutual running friends. Both Scott and Chris write great reports, and they're both exceedingly kind to me. : ) Good men both- in fact, as I think about that first day, I have to take that back ...beyond good men. Great men. Thanks guys. (Speaking of which, please also note the references to my father, and please note that all of those compliments are well deserved and then some.)

From Scott:

Yesterday, I ran the first 12 miles or so with her, from Ground Zero to the GWB. Her incredible and very nice father who's driving the support van had brought her to the starting point, and then met us a few blocks from the bridge. She picked up new maps, drank some of her favorite beverage (coconut water), and we both downed some of the tastycranberry (etc., etc.) bread she had baked. I ran with her just onto the bridge, so as to get a few shots of her on the bridge, and with the Manhattan skyline from the bridge. (Once I use up this roll, I'll post 'em). Then she ran off for another 8 miles or so, to meet Chris in Elizabeth (?) or somewhere further down the road,where he was going to run most of the rest of the day with her. Looking very happy! On a beautiful sunny day that was starting to warm up a little after a chilly start. It was a real privilege to be able to soak up a little of her incredible journey!

I was a little scared to be "pacing" her, as the only other time I'd run with her, on a Palisades training run, I struggled to keep up. And for a while, she ran ahead with Brice that day.But she was very good at sticking to her plan of roughly 5mph/12 minutes permile to start her big journey (in roughly 2:10 including bathroom stops, etc.,we covered somewhere around 12 miles). It actually felt a little strange to goso slow on roads, but like a nice ultra pace! Her daily goal is 38 miles,and so far she's right on target!

How did it go with your end of Tuesday's pacing, Chris?

Keep on truckin', Kelsey! You're such an inspiration!

From Chris:

Scott, it's fitting that I'll begin with how you ended: Kelsey is such an inspiration! She not only runs forever, but she was confident, upbeat, engaging, funny, and full of heart the entire way. And I think she must have x-ray vision, because she sees right through to the good in people. She doesn't fall far from the tree, either. Her father, Dan in the van, was the man! This is a wonderful trip and experience they're undertaking together.

And they picked what turned out to be a perfect day to begin their journey. It felt like the first day of fall. Temps in the mid 40s in the morning and around 70 when the running was done. Crisp air, blue skies, not much wind if any. And to go along with the Halloween decorations along the way, many of the leaves on the trees and the ground were bright red and yellow and orange. A day made to order for running ... and for the start of The Long Run.

After finishing ~12 miles with Scott at the GWB, Kelsey ran 8 or so to Little Ferry, NJ. That's where we met up for almost 20 miles west and south on the way to Elizabeth.

Between start and finish, we passed two airports (Teterboro at the beginning, Newark toward the end) and at least a couple of race courses (Teterboro Airport 5K, Newark Distance Classic 20K); followed a river (the Passaic) a good long way; and traveled through four counties (Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Union) and a dozen municipalities (Little Ferry, Moonachie, Wood-Ridge, Carlstadt, East Rutherford, Rutherford, Lyndhurst, North Arlington, Kearny, East Newark, Newark, Elizabeth). I think that's the correct and complete "rundown." (We really know how to pack 'em in in New Jersey!)

It was a good urban trail run. To avoid traffic, we stayed on the sidewalks. They were in good condition but required a watchful eye at times, and we encountered some grass, rocks, and dirt as well. Although we knew the upcoming turns we needed to make, a few blazes (er, street signs) were missing. Fortunately, course marshall Dan kept us on track at critical junctions, plus walkers in Newark were helpful in confirming we were headed in the right direction. Perhaps the course could have been marked with a few more fluorescent pink flags! Last but not least, the elevation changes were negligible -- just a couple of easy climbs within the first few miles.

We completed our 19.6 miles in 3:42 (11:20 pace) but not without two finishes. The first finish was premature (Dan had to tell us to keep going, as we hadn't reached the map placemark yet), and the second finish was, well, postmature (we don't know if there was a Clover Street blaze or not, but we ended up overshooting the placemark by 2.5 blocks). Ha! Well, those finishes just gave us the opportunity to high-five each other twice!

Among Kelsey's photos are five from our run: #70 and #73 show us coming and going in Newark (Broad Street in both cases, I think); #75 and #76 were taken at finish 2 (intersection of Rahway Avenue and Elmora Avenue); and in #77 we're hamming it up in Clifton, in the parking lot of the Tick-Tock Diner (after the run, Dan drove us back north so we could all get something to eat there, and then he and Kelsey dropped me off at my car in nearby Lyndhurst before heading south again).

It was a fun and interesting run fueled by good conversation. I think we were yakking all the way!

Kelsey, here's wishing you strong legs, safe travels, and interesting sights over the next five days. It already looks as if you'll have more of the same great weather during that time!

Chris

And a fitting conclusion from Scott:

Wow, Chris looks like the rest of the day went as well as the start. And yesterday's second day as well as the first, judging by her post! Truly amazing, and very inspiring! (And to think a dear running friend who's done many marathon asked me when I told of her this, "Why would anyone want to do THAT?!" Once you're out there and experiencing it, I think you "get it," just the way it is with ultras!).

Day Two.

Day Two was my first day out on my own.

And Day Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight.

Alright. As I began the task of recording some part of this journey in words, it seemed logical that the best way to do so would be chronologically, day by day.
Best laid plans…

Now, having actually commenced the recalling, reflecting, putting into words process, it is obvious to me that the day by day approach is not going to work. It’s not me, and it’s not the way I approached the journey run. Although it was essentially planned in day to day segments, once I was moving, a day was just not an appropriate structure upon which to mentally lay out the task. As I write this, it is perfectly clear to me, but I realize it is perhaps not so to anyone else. To clarify: in order to get from start to finish, I set a lot of sub-goals. And by a lot, I mean, a LOT. Like, how many stars are in the sky, how many grains of sand in the Sahara.

The degree of challenge, and the reward for meeting said challenge, fluctuated dramatically, depending on the prevailing mood of each moment, itself determined by a combination of ever cycling levels of pain, optimism, aggression, energy- maybe it would be simpler to say by whatever cocktail of neurotransmitters happened to infuse my body in any given moment?- and some random humor of Whomever. Suffice it to say, there was a lot of bargaining with myself, and a lot of mental game playing. Sometimes knowing some town with a catchy name, and the prestige of a big dot on the map was coming up was enough. Chalfont. On Day 2, I ran through Menlo Park, home of the Thomas Edison Memorial Tower and Museum (per my trusty DeLorme). I spent all morning whittling away the distance between myself and that museum, holding onto my intention to grant myself a ten minute break to walk through. I don’t know why. I have not, or at least hadn’t ever had, any special affinity to Thomas Edison. I think it was just exciting that there was something on the map, along my route. For whatever reason, it was something to concentrate on. Ha. When I got there, the museum was ‘closed for the season,’ and the camera ran out of batteries just when my dad tried to take a picture of me in front of the tower. So much for that. But, honestly, I didn’t really feel disappointed. It wasn’t so much the destination that mattered, it was just a focal point, necessary to motivate motion. I thought a lot about something James Shapiro talks about in his book Meditations From the Breakdown Lane, where he talks about a journey run being an enormous problem set before you, whose only solution is endless, unrelenting effort. I thought not of effort, but rather the even less abstract need for relentless forward motion. Those words- ‘relentless forward motion’- must have coursed through my head thousands of times each day. When things were really not so good, there were times when the goal was a traffic light 400 yards ahead. When there was no traffic light, the goal was twenty steps of running. The conversation in my head was something like: Hey Self, wonder if you could get to that tree up there in 23 steps. Think so? Think you can? And then, my conscience would coax the me moving the muscles: Okay, here’s the deal. If you get to the tree before the 24th step, then you can walk down the hill, (a quadricep injury halfway through made the downhills, which should have been relief, torture) and I won’t even bother you about not running. C’mon…just a little bit, a little more…’

Because that’s the only way I know to get things done- to do them. To ask yourself constantly, if you are doing all that you can do. To check in, to strive for that tenuous balance between not breaking yourself, but continually asking if you might give just a little bit more, find the strength to progress one more inch... As I write this, I feel like it sounds a little pompous, a little contrived or something. I do not want that. I am not a superhero, and I have no pretensions or imaginations of being such- more on that in a second! Rather I am someone who makes a decision about what I would like to do, and then fully and completely commits herself to doing it, because I can not think of a better way to get from where you are to where you want to be.

Days are not good measures of a journey run, because the range of emotions, the highs and lows of believing in yourself and being sure of failure, cycle so frequently that there are, in a sense, entire lifetimes in each 24 hours. What is more, a day, a measure of 24 hours of passed time, becomes something you don't have the luxury to contemplate, because you can not influence it or change it. Whether you move one foot, or cover 40 miles, a day will come and go. When you are competely devoted to moving from one place to another within a designated period of time, you focus completely on what you need to make happen. I need to get to this place, ahead of where I am now. I need to move forward. Keep on. As far as the passage of a day goes, you just sort of count on time to do it's thing, while you do yours.

As far as the 'not being a superhero' thing goes...oh wow. Let me just say that my journey run was a humbling experience. Any illusions of grandeur, any images of my gallant self gliding gracefully down the road were very quickly relegated to just what they were- illusions and images. There were parts that were not pretty, and it was very, very obvious that my body was not really meant to move 35 or 40 miles a day. Anything grand about it was way, way deep inside, certainly not in my body or visible to anybody who might have seen me shuffling along the shoulder of the highway.

There were parts that hurt a lot, and parts where I wanted to quit. But there were also parts where I felt that I must be the luckiest person in the world, to be outside, crossing beautiful country on a most beautiful day, on a most beautiful journey. There were parts where I thought about profound- or at least, things capable of being written of so as to sound profound- things. There were times when I thought very silly thoughts:

By the fourth day, my RIGHT quadricep had really started to make it clear that it was not happy about this effort, and in turn, it had acquired a theme song. Every time I heard Daft Punk's HarderBetterFasterStronger, I had this image of my quadricep muscle coming to life as a little cartoon and singing to me. I realize now that sounds really, really strange, almost so strange that I feel like I shouldn't tell you about it...but what can I say? When you are running along the highway, all day long, by yourself, for days on end, you have a lot of thoughts. Some are funny.

Anyway, it was on the seventh morning, a really tough one (possibly made bearable only by the presence of my father, repeatedly parking the car a mile ahead of where I was and circling back on the bike he'd brought along from my apartment- an electric blue retroish girl's bike, without functioning brakes, by the way- and trying to make me smile, keeping me moving, not to mention, physically and mentally in tact, with a proper balance of insistent prodding, light-heartedness and sincerity, a recipe which confounds me now and probably will forevermore, but by which I am amazed and for which I am inexpressibly grateful) that this song, Time Will Heal Me, by Everything (a CD, which, coincidentally, my dad bought for me when I was 15) came on for the first time. Now, really, I've never been that into this song. I find it a little...over the top, melodramatic. Which made it perfect for it's role on this particular occasion. As the syrupy drone of his voice flooded my ears, I realized Craig Honeycutt was singing my quadriceps' new anthem: Wake up and get on the road; We decided to make a living. You go to work, we do another show, Is everything now forgiven? I see the side of a mountain rising, It's looking good to me...And I can feel the sunshine shining, Shine all over me, I can finally see: Time will heal me, time will save my soul. Time will heal me, time will make me whole...

Okay, now stay with me. Yes, I know it's getting more and more bizarre...but: It made me laugh. A lot, aloud, and as I continued shuffling alongside yet another random country road in Maryland, my perspective shifted a little, and the gravity of my aches and pains and just general exhaustion melted into some kind of easy going love, just kind of zen like acceptance, and all the sudden, it just felt good to be there, where I was, engaged in the task I was in, aching quads, tired body, mind- tired everything- and all...Thank you Craig Honeycutt.

Let's see...what else?

As I started Day Three, I knew I had had about 10 miles to cover before I would cross the Delaware River. I clung to this thought, and as a result, for a good couple of hours, I convinced myself that every stream, every creek, every trickle of water I came upon was probably the Delaware River. 'Here it is! Yep, this must be it...wait? Is this it? Could this be it? Is it?!?!" Every single time, my head chattering away, this little eager zealous part of my conscious: 'Yep. Yep, yep, here we go!' By the time I'd crossed about the eight hundred and seventy sixth 'Delaware River,' my own zeal was wearing on me. This is the thing about that childlike eagerness we all have- while it is an absolutely essential component of the kind of personality that can take big risks (and what follows- achieve big things), it isn't all that durable. Or endurable, for that matter. After a couple of hours listening to my little eager 'Yep, yep!' conscience (If you've seen The Land Before Time, and you know the character 'Ducky,' the eager me voice is JUST. LIKE. THAT. Yep, yep!), the real, pragmatist me, the one who figures out how to complete the tasks the 'Ducky' me begins, had had enough: 'Seriously...it is the g*ddamn Delaware River! I think you'll know when you get there...if you have to wonder, you're NOT THERE...' And the switch was kind of flipped- finally, my head was quiet and I could just get down to business, and focus on moving my legs forward: left foot, right, left foot, right.

I've thought a lot, both during the run and since, about these two parts of my personality, and the roles they played in completing the run, and, for that matter, the roles they play in my life. They complement each other. The little 'Ducky' me is the epitome of The Dunning-Krueger Effect (briefly mentioned in the post after Day 2). It is the childish, over-confident, eager, admittedly rather irrational, but absolutely golden-hearted part of me. When I was 16 years old, I painted a canvas with a girl standing on the edge of a cliff, with the words 'Sometimes you just have to take the leap and build your wings on the way down.' The eager child part of me gives me the courage to leap.

But, as you may prophecy if you think even a little bit forward: for that leap to be anything at all close to glorious and courageous, rather than stupid and short-sighted, there'd better be something besides eagerness and golden-heartedness to build those wings.

I think there is a tendency within this society to believe in one or the other of these two personalities- either the happy-go-lucky, can-do Ducky dreamer or the down to business, wing building pragmatist. The thing is, I am convinced we need them both. Had I not been an overly optimistic dreamer, I would not have begun this journey. Had I not been a strong and determined problem solver, or had I not been able to call upon the strength of people I love, I would not have finished it.

Anyway, back to the road: It was at the end of the third day that my achilles tendons started screaming. I remember thinking that the last mile I shuffled through that afternoon was the most painful mile I'd ever moved in my life. In retrospect, I tend to think that's still probably true, not because that was the worst physiological shape- read, the most broken- my body was in, but because I wasn't prepared for it. In the days that followed, I learned a lot about how to mentally handle and modulate pain. Anyway, immediately after that mile, Dad and I went to CVS to check out the selection of achilles injury magic...we left with ice packs and some fancy looking gel pad bandaids. This would be the first of a great many trips to CVS foot and ankle care section...

The fourth morning did not begin well. There was lots and lots and LOTS of traffic- there are a LOT of cars in this country- and because the highway had no shoulders, and I did not wish to end the run by getting run over- I have to interrupt myself here. This is a lie. Had it been just me, I probably would have been run over. I got off the highway, and thus avoided the fate of a great many squirrels, because my dad made me. At the time, I was really a little irritated with him. [He was interfering with my FORWARDness...] In retrospect, I'm glad I'm still alive.

Thanks to my dad deciding he wasn't going to let me go all kamikaze (gee, the nerve!), I spent the morning detouring through the backyards in the neighborhoods alongside the highway. I kept trying to maintain this spirit of 'adventure' through this part, and it was sort of fun- but...I was glad to reach the end of the highway.

Then the achilles stuff really set in. There's not that much to say about it, except that it hurt. Bad. And I kept going, and it kept getting worse. We started off with the gel bandaids, in hopes that maybe it was just abrasion irritation. No go. Then I was convinced we could do the trick with athletic tape. Taped 'em up. 45 minutes later, no go. Retry, retape! Worse. By about 10:00 that morning, I was doubtful that I was going to be physically capable of moving forward for another day, much less running. It was in Norristown, I believe, that I was running- sort of (moving forward anyway)- along the route, towards the bridge that would take me to Valley Forge Road. As I got close and started seeing the signs- Detour Ahead- my heart kind of sunk. Big blow to the 'Ducky' spirit, and as eager and sweet as it is, that part of me has a real weakness in the resilience department.

So there we were. At the bridge, or as close as we could get. Dad had parked the van in yet another CVS parking lot, and we stood there on the sidewalk next to it, Dad trying to be all kinds of patient and pragmatic, and me trying to be worried about the bridge when all I was really thinking about was the sensation of millions of teeny tiny invisible knives plunging in and out of the back of my ankles. This was the only moment I had where I thought I might have to give it up. It did not feel good.

I sat down in the passenger seat of the van. I took my shoes off. Untaped. Retaped. Got up and ran about ten steps. Hobbled back. Saw a Sports Rehab clinic a few storefronts down the sidewalk. Walked in with Dad to see if anyone was there- they weren't. I took off my shoes again. My ankles looked very angry- Fat and Red. I put them up and said I needed a few minutes to get myself together. Dad went into CVS. And then the miracle happened. The miracle was called black neoprene ankle wraps, two of them, and it came from a plastic bag that came out of CVS on my Dad's arm. Crisis averted.

By early afternoon, I was into George Washington Crossing State Park, and on top of the world. It's a funny thing, - and by funny, I mean amazing- the rebound that happens when you find yourself cruising an hour after you thought it was all over. (And that's ultrarunning/journey running/distance running/not quitting/life, said the voice in her head.) This too shall pass.

I loved that park. I saw a lot of deer, and what was most wonderful, BY FAR, was that there were lovely running paths parallel to the road. WITHOUT CARS. There was one stretch where I was back out on the road and it got particularly winding and shoulderless. The prospect of going back to find another way through wasn't thrilling, but it had to be done, so done it was, and well rewarded. I saw this little meandering trail back in the trees off the road, and Dad- probably in need of a mind-clearing little jog after the morning we'd had- parked the van at the opposite end and came back to run it with me. Perfect weather, a canopy of lush and deep green old trees, a couple little brooks to play the soundtrack to the scene...one of those trails, those days, those moments, those miles, that makes you wonder how we ever came up with the idea of constructing the 'indoors.'

What's funny- and now by funny, I mean not laughter-inducing, and not amazing, but more like...interesting- is that I know I didn't seem particularly happy. I was just sort of wiped out, and though I remember feeling deeply happy, to be there, on that trail, on that afternoon, with that man as my Dad and 'crew,' I also know I didn't really manifest it. I just didn't really have the energy, or so it felt, to manifest anything, except forward motion. There were some tense moments out there, and at least once, I remember my Dad's frustration: "You're not even considering what I'm saying. I can't even talk to you; it's like you can't even think of anything but moving forward..." And he was right. Other people who have spent a lot of time with me have expressed frustration about this trait, applied in other pursuits. It's like you have blinders on. You just make this decision and then that's it...you can't hear anything else... I know they're right. It's often times not a great thing, and it's a part of myself I'm still working on refining. But in the case of this run, it served me well. I would even venture to say it was necessary. However, bull headed stick-to-itiveness, when it saps you of the energy to consider options and consequences in a dynamic and changing environment, requires a complementary (and phenomenally patient and loving) crew guy if it is to translate into a successful journey. I was lucky to have that complement.

Pictures

2008-10-15T05:22:00.000-07:00

kellebelleruns.shutterfly.com

295 Miles= NYC to DC= Done.

2008-10-14T14:50:00.001-07:00

See title. It's true.

THANK YOU everyone for all your love and support- I've said it before, but I'll say it again- having good hearts on my side means the world to me.

My dad referred to the run as a "journey of discovery", and I think that's a pretty good description. Some moments better than I could have imagined, some worse.

When I finished the whole thing, there was a reporter there who asked me how I felt.

"Well..." I told him, "um... pretty thirsty." I was.

After I had some water, I realized I felt some other stuff too. ; )

Anyway, I'll write that down one of these days here in the not too distant future. For now, I'm showered, wearing non-running clothes, and holding out hope for a glass of sangria.

Day Six.

2008-10-12T16:17:00.000-07:00

Through Pennsylvania! Ended the day at the Maryland State Line, about 222 miles. Family all here, much good company today. : ) Yay.

Day Five.

2008-10-11T18:18:00.000-07:00

In Lancaster, PA, just outside of Columbia.

Long day, good day, 38 miles- beautiful weather, Pennsylvania Dutch Country, complete with Amish buggies. Also loved Lancaster, PA.

Still dealing with a strained quad- not as fun, but well managed with a good menthol and herbal plaster wrap dealie, and still loving my ankle wraps- thank you CVS.

Many, many thoughts went through my head during the course of this day, ranging from lengthy considerations about the pros and cons of having a sandbox for your children, to the problems created by a culture that insists on drawing a substantial divide between the cultivation of a sharp, problem-solving mind and a sturdy, substantial get 'er done-ness (thinkers vs. doers?) , to frozen yogurt. Okay, fine, a lot of time was spent thinking about frozen yogurt. And yes, I did finally eat some tonight. It was excellent. At some point, I might get back to some of these thoughts and think about organizing them in an interesting, readable manner. Or maybe not.

Also...family gets here tomorrow! Actually tonight, but I will be asleep, so we'll say tommorow. And by family, I mean the rest- Mom and sisters...Dad has been here all along. Again, more needs to be said, but for now, suffice it to say, I am damn lucky to have the family I do.

Anyway, for right now: achilles tendons have been massaged and wrapped, quad has been iced, clothes, watch, Ipod, water, chapstick and appropriate bandaging materials are laid out, dinner has been eaten and sleep is calling. Gotta answer. ; )

HALFWAY

2008-10-10T17:20:00.000-07:00

Past the halfway point this afternoon, into Thorndale, PA and spendin the night in Lionville.

And...

in bed. tired.

thank you, mama, for the updates...and as far as the comment regarding wit...much, much, much, much MUCH wittier than I can muster at this moment. : ) hope to be wittier, or at least, coherent-er, some time in the near future...after next Tuesday maybe?

Meanwhile. Much love to you all, much love to the people who make ankle wraps at CVS, much love to the people who make showers. And ice. And beds.

And Garth Brooks: this song was the first thing to make me smile a real smile today.

Oh! And challah bread...I got this raisin challah bread yesterday, and ate it all day long today...and also, lest I get through a whole post without one insightful thought, Kelsey style, the challah bread kept making me think of one of my most favorite mantras ever, which happens to be an old Hebrew thought: "This too shall pass." It was one of those kind of mornings...challenges. But as it goes with life, as long as you keep on keepin' on: challenges solved, forward progress continuing, resting ensuing, excited for another day tomorrow.

Added more pictures, too: kellebelleruns.shutterfly.com

Still no captions...but there is one from the start of every day and one from the end and they're in chronological order, so maybe you can guess?

In conclusion: Love, love, love; never say die, and don't forget to rest. : )

Kelsey

Racing Update from Kelsey's Mom

2008-10-10T08:07:00.000-07:00

*Kel reports this Friday morning that it has been a rough start but things are now looking up thanks to CVS pharmacy and some good ankle braces (and lots of help from Pa). Achilles are still being angry, but now that she has gotten quite a few good miles in they are warming up and feeling much better. Traffic and congestion has been an issue. Who are all of these people and where are they going?
*She is motoring along near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania and says she has gotten a little inspiration from Garth Brooks and "Standing Outside The Fire"
*Kelsey feels she is having a better go of it here than George Washington did, a little historical moment (and may not be historically accurate by the way...:-) Whatever.
*Keep sending good thoughts, prayers for less traffic and happier achilles please (a Mom's request). BTW, yesterdays post was Sharon's poor impersonation of Miss K, lest you noted it lacked her usual wit and voice, it was alas, just Mom filling in. More from the actual Kelsey when time and ankles permit.
*Tomorrow Mom, and sisters Raquel and Jaimee arrive in Baltimore to continue the cheering on in person for the second half. Can't wait!
-Sharon/Mom

DAY THREE COMPLETED

2008-10-09T15:49:00.000-07:00

Hi All. At the end of Day Three and 114.5 miles down. Ended for the day in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Body feeling pretty strong, achilles tendon at ankle being a little angry, getting some love for that. Thanks for all your great wishes, support, positive mojo. Chilling for the night and getting ready for an excellent Friday. More to come!

Cruisin.

2008-10-08T18:16:00.000-07:00

Okay...cruisin, sure...but a little tired. : ) Finished up about 4 this afternoon, but by the time we'd found a place to stay, I'd taken a shower, found a laundromat, washed some running clothes, eaten some dinner...well, I'm just now getting signed on here, and it's bedtime...

But. I promised updates, and moreover, I need to get a couple things jotted down before I forget! I promise to try to add some more details tomorrow, but here's the bare bones:

Day One: 40 miles (according to Garmin)

Day Two: 39 miles (according to Garmin)

Pictures (some! to be captioned asap...): kellebelleruns.shutterfly.com

Quick Thoughts, in chronological order, more or less:

day one.

*I hate not knowing where I'm at, in the most literal sense...this makes me laugh for a number of reasons. : ) I have written out on cards very detailed instructions, not just about which roads I should turn on, but which roads I should cross while I'm not turning. When I get to parts of the route where I haven't written down tons and tons of streets and I don't have a map out, I hate it. The more I think about it, the more it makes me laugh.

*I love Halloween decorations! I really think I'm going to go out and get some cobwebs and stuff to put on the railing outside my apartment when I get home. : )

*I am so exceedingly fortunate and grateful to have the people in my life I do- from my dad, showing up at just the right time with a van full of coconut water and Clif bars, Scott and Chris, for pacing me through the first day and getting me off on the right foot (is that a pun of some sort? I'm too tired and too anxious to get into bed to think too hard about it, but I think it has potential...), the friends who've texted and called to wish me good luck in the past couple of days, and everyone who's supported me...wow.

day two.

*So I don't typically eat at dunkin donuts...but that egg white sandwich this morning was outstanding. I think the people there thought it was a little peculiar when I put three packs of ketchup and 3 packs of salt on it. Mmmm, salt.

*Great Milton quote: The mind is a place, and it can make a heaven out of hell, or a hell out of heaven.

*This "some guy's name-some guy's name effect" (maybe one of them is Kruger?), named for the two sociologists who studied and stated it: 'Ignorance instills more confidence than knowledge. ' I don't know that I really fully agree with this, especially as I write it down now, but I think it's interesting. The idea is that this effect protects us and enables us to begin things we otherwise would not, because we would be put off by knowledge of the magnitude of effort they require. I think it's kind of cool, thought provoking to say the least.

*Both of these past two from a book I listened to this morning, 'A Complaint Free World.' Great premise, great idea.

*Sometimes when I'm running, I am totally struck anew by a song I've listened to a hundred times before. Today it was Mr. Jones, the Counting Crows song. I definitely rolled down the shoulder of a road in rural New Jersey singing, loudly, about believing.

*After you run all day long, when you've gone a little too long without any electrolytes, you have some moments that are rather amusing in retrospect. Although I'm being careful to treat my body well on this thing, this afternoon I was getting a little tired, was a little dehydrated for this one little stretch...anyway. I saw this possum up ahead of me on the side of the road. Somehow I got it in my head that it must be rabid, if it was out in the afternoon, and I was really, really nervous about running past it. It all turned out, and the little guy ran back into the brush when I passed. Anyway.

*I was craving a really good piece of fruit for much of the day today, after I had passed a sign that said 'Fresh Jersey Peaches.' (Never mind that I thought that was Georgia. Isn't Jersey supposed to have...cows???) Anyway, at Mile 23 or so, I decided I was going to run into the next place I saw that I could buy an apple, and take a break for an apple snack. Well. Turns out southwestern New Jersey is not very well populated with apple selling shops (or any shops). However, 16 miles later, I happened across Kerr's Pumpkin stand, with baskets and baskets of some outstanding looking produce...mmmm. Including beautiful apples. A Ginger Gold apple kind of made my afternoon...if you really, really, really want to enjoy an apple, running 39 miles for it's kind of a sure bet.

And...

it's bedtime. Sorry for the rambly-ness- more, better, later. Sleep, rest, recover, now. Tomorrow: repeat. : )

Race Day

2008-10-06T19:26:00.000-07:00

Mile 1: Rod and Dee Bennett
Mile 2: Rod and Dee Bennett
Mile 3: Rod and Dee Bennett
Mile 4: Kelsey Dixon, in honor of Rod and Dee Bennett
Mile 5: Rachel Shpringer
Mile 6: Edgar Evangelista
Mile 7: Lisa Smith-Batchen
Mile 8: Edgar Evangelista
Mile 9: David Jarrett
Mile 10: Rich Grover Family
Mile 11: Jolene Larson
Mile 12: Bernie Lang
Mile 13: Sandi Hansen
Mile 14: Michael Hansen
Mile 15: Rex Jones
Mile 16: Rex Jones
Mile 17: Rex Jones
Mile 18: Rex Jones
Mile 19: Rex Jones
Mile 20: Rex Jones
Mile 21: Rex Jones
Mile 22: Rex Jones
Mile 23: Neely Williams
Mile 24: Steve Ketcham and Ali Budny
Mile 25: Alex Hansen
Mile 26: Scott Martin and Esperanza Villaneuva
Mile 27: Scott Martin and Esperanza Villaneuva
Mile 28: Addy Hansen
Mile 29: Bud and Sally Foix
Mile 30: Liz and Nick Lange, in honor of Frances Dixon
Mile 31: Pacific Coast Trail Runs
Mile 32: Leslie Chadwell
Mile 33: Kirsten Ritter
Mile 34: Carly Gelfond
Mile 35: John Demler
Mile 36: Heather Budig
Mile 37: Jaimee and J.J. Johanning
Mile 38: Anonymous (who inspires me more than anybody else I've ever known)
Mile 39: Kate Kadoun
Mile 40: John Laughlin
Mile 41: Joseph Knecht
Mile 42: Kate Kadoun
Mile 43: Robert Voelte
Mile 44: Donna Nelson
Mile 45: Katie Dolan
Mile 46: Katie Peers
Mile 50: Chris Jaworski
Mile 51: Mindi Laine
Mile 52: Mindi Laine
Mile 53: Marcia Ball
Mile 55: Mecayla Bruns
Mile 57: The Mike Waring Family
Mile 58: The Mike Waring Family
Mile 60: The Marshall Family
Mile 61: The Marshall Family
Mile 62: The Marshall Family
Mile 63: The Marshall Family
Mile 64: The Marshall Family
Mile 70: Joe Bolster
Mile 71: Joe Bolster
Mile 72: Joe Bolster
Mile 73: Robert Brite
Mile 76: Anonymous
Mile 77: Vince Leisey
Mile 79: Richard Gibbs
Mile 80: Betty Turnbull
Mile 81: Karen and John Hovanec
Mile 82: Karen and John Hovanec
Mile 83: Alexander Katreczko
Mile 84: Sarah Yahnke
Mile 89: Dan Kacinski
Mile 90: The John Kampfe Family
Mile 91: RU Development Office, in memory of Frances Dixon
Mile 92: RU Development Office, in memory of Frances Dixon
Mile 93: RU Development Office, in memory of Frances Dixon
Mile 94: RU Development Office, in memory of Frances Dixon
Mile 95: RU Development Office, in memory of Frances Dixon
Mile 96: RU Development Office, in memory of Frances Dixon
Mile 97: Becca Iverson, in memory of Frances Dixon
Mile 98: Valerie Newsam, in memory of Frances Dixon
Mile 99: Randy and Teresa Gray
Mile 100: Jeanine Alfieri
Mile 101: Luz Munoz
Mile 102: The Miller Family
Mile 103: The Miller Family
Mile 104: The Miller Family
Mile 105: Julie Johnson
Mile 106: Jaimee and J.J. Johanning
Mile 109: Rachel Shpringer
Mile 111: Virginia Voelte
Mile 114: Anonymous
Mile 115: Jaimee and J.J. Johanning
Mile 116: Abby Wong
Mile 117: Abby Wong
Mile 118: Ginger Fritchey
Mile 123: Alexander Katreczko
Mile 124: Bill and Mary Jo Dixon
Mile 125: Bill and Mary Jo Dixon
Mile 126: Bill and Mary Jo Dixon
Mile 127: Bill and Mary Jo Dixon
Mile 128: Bill and Mary Jo Dixon
Mile 130: Rick Madsen
Mile 133: Lisa Madden
Mile 134: Tom and Hellen Feller
Mile 135: Tom and Hellen Feller
Mile 136: Tom and Hellen Feller
Mile 137: Bash Kazi
Mile 138: Bash Kazi
Mile 139: Bash Kazi
Mile 140: Aron Warner
Mile 141: Aron Warner
Mile 142: Aron Warner
Mile 143: Aron Warner
Mile 144: Aron Warner
Mile 145: Aron Warner
Mile 146: Aron Warner
Mile 147: Gabriella Warner
Mile 148: Cliff Wasser
Mile 149: Cathy Vanchieri
Mile 150: Jenny Wong
Mile 151: Cathy Vanchieri
Mile 152: Anonymous
Mile 153: Diane Bennett
Mile 154: The Reeble Family
Mile 155: The Reeble Family
Mile 156: The Reeble Family
Mile 157: Steve Ketcham and Ali Budny
Mile 158: Jim and Arjean Knowles
Mile 159: Jim and Arjean Knowles
Mile 160: Jim and Arjean Knowles
Mile 161: Mike and Francine Forquer
Mile 162: Mike and Francine Forquer
Mile 164: Alexander Katreczko
Mile 165: Jeanne Peers
Mile 170: Mark Adamson
Mile 171: Mark Adamson
Mile 172: Mark Adamson
Mile 173: Mark Adamson
Mile 174: Mark Adamson
Mile 175: Greg and Trisha Solko, in memory of Frances Dixon
Mile 176: Greg and Trisha Solko, in memory of Frances Dixon
Mile 177: Vince Leisey
Mile 178: Jim and Melissa Miller
Mile 179: Jim and Melissa Miller
Mile 180: Jim and Melissa Miller
Mile 181: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez
Mile 182: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez
Mile 183: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez
Mile 184: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez
Mile 185: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez
Mile 186: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez
Mile 187: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez
Mile 188: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez
Mile 189: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez
Mile 190: Anonymous
Mile 191: Kristin Hammer
Mile 192: Bill Maddocks
Mile 193: Linda Maddocks
Mile 195: Lisa Kressbach
Mile 196: Lisa Kressbach
Mile 197: Lisa Kressbach
Mile 199: Jennifer Prugh
Mile 200: Jeanine Alfieri
Mile 202: Lisa Weiss
Mile 203: Lisa Weiss
Mile 204: Lisa Weiss
Mile 205: Lisa Weiss
Mile 206: Kathleen Merkel
Mile 207: Alexander Katreczko
Mile 209: The Mark Coleman Family
Mile 210: Brice Wilson
Mile 211: Brice Wilson
Mile 212: Brice Wilson
Mile 219: Nancy Heard
Mile 220: Betsy and Bob Wood, in honor of Emmalynn Elizabeth
Mile 221: Betsy and Bob Wood, in honor of Larry DeBarre
Mile 222: Dan Dixon, Ashby Thoroughbreds
Mile 223: Nancy Heard
Mile 224: Sue Boyles
Mile 227: Heather Wilson
Mile 228: Anonymous
Mile 229: Yuri Awanohara
Mile 230: Annie Awanohara
Mile 231: Yuri Awanohara
Mile 232: Annie Awanohara
Mile 233: Yuri Awanohara
Mile 234: Annie Awanohara
Mile 235: Mary Aldacushion
Mile 241: Dave and Susan Williams
Mile 242: Dave and Susan Williams
Mile 243: Dave and Susan Williams
Mile 244: Steve Ketcham and Ali Budny
Mile 246: Alexander Katreczko
Mile 247: Richard and Anne Simpson
Mile 248: Richard and Anne Simpson
Mile 249: Richard and Anne Simpson
Mile 250: Rex Jones
Mile 251: Jack Dixon
Mile 252: Jack Dixon
Mile 253: Dennis Fama
Mile 254: Kelly D. and Kathy Mutchie
Mile 255: Kelly D. and Kathy Mutchie
Mile 256: Skutt Catholic Prayer Group, in memory of Frances Dixon
Mile 257: Skutt Catholic Prayer Group, in memory of Frances Dixon
Mile 258: Skutt Catholic Prayer Group, in memory of Frances Dixon
Mile 259: Carl and Paula Baum
Mile 260: Sarah Kauffman
Mile 261: Kevin Simpson
Mile 262: Kevin Simpson
Mile 263: Kevin Simpson
Mile 264: Kevin Simpson
Mile 265: Kevin Simpson
Mile 266: Anonymous
Mile 267: Anonymous
Mile 268: Anonymous
Mile 269: Anonymous
Mile 270: Bernie Lang
Mile 277: Vince Leisey
Mile 278: Phyllis and Mudge Miller
Mile 279: Phyllis and Mudge Miller
Mile 280: Phyllis and Mudge Miller
Mile 281: Marnie Imhoff
Mile 282: Marnie Imhoff
Mile 283: Marnie Imhoff
Mile 284: Chris and Holly Santillo
Mile 285: Chris and Holly Santillo
Mile 286: Chris and Holly Santillo
Mile 290: Alexander Katreczko
Mile 291: Katie and Tony DeSantis
Mile 292: Katie and Tony DeSantis
Mile 293: Katie and Tony DeSantis
Mile 294: Abby Wong
Mile 295: Sharon Dixon

Total Miles: 233

One Week to Go.

2008-09-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

One week to go...!

It's funny. I have lately found myself rather absurdly preoccupied with thoughts of what I could possibly write to you all in this final week. I really am not so illusioned with self-importance that I believe such anxiety is necessary. It's just that it's important to me to say something real, something to explain how truly thankful I am for support from so many outstanding people, to offer a little insight into my mindset going into this thing, to capture the spirit of it all, and by extension, share it with you...

Maybe I'm too ambitious. ; )

But nevertheless...I think I've come up with something that does in fact do a pretty good job of all the aforementioned.

A theme song, if you will.

What you should know about it, and about what it means to me:

Last week felt long. I am someone who believes very much in the goodness of my fellow human beings. It is not a naive outlook. It is, rather, a thoroughly examined, turned over and about, and decided upon conclusion very deeply rooted in the part of me that makes me me. I have this funny- sometimes wonderful, sometimes disastrous- thing where I really feel a kind of kinship with...everyone. As a result, I have high expectations, and as a result of these expectations, I am vulnerable to disappointment. When people, any of them, anywhere, act in ways that are less than their best, I tend to take it personally- like my teammates- who I love and believe in- are letting me down. Last week seemed particularly chock full of instances where I felt disappointed in people. And I let that get me down, and as despair tends to do an excellent job of propagating further despair, it wasn't too long before I had a little stormcloud over my head. [Didn't you guys see it???! And you thought all that rain had something to do with water vapor and relative humidity...ha.]

Anyway. That's where my theme song comes in. On Friday I was walking down Lexington Avenue. I try, on principle, to resist the urge to be 'plugged in' all the time, but some days, an Ipod and a personal soundtrack just feel right. Friday was one such day. So again, there I am, sulking down Lexington Avenue, indulging in my own little childish drama, feeling sorry about the storm cloud I've chosen to shroud myself in. And suddenly, into my ears, comes this really terrible synthetic 80s sound...except it's not terrible, it's out-frickin-standing...and right then, there's just this confluence of some part of me deciding sulking quite frankly sucks, that all these people are trying to be happy too, that the world is good and we're in it together...

Good song, eh?

Think about it.
There must be higher love.
Down in the heart or hidden in the stars above.
Without it, life is wasted time.
Look inside your heart; I'll look inside mine.

Things look so bad
everywhere in this whole world, what is fair?
We walk blind. And we try to see, falling behind in what could be.

Bring me a higher love, bring me a higher love.
Bring me a higher love -where's that higher love I keep thinking of?

World's are turning.
And we're just hanging on
Facing our fear, and standing out there alone.

A yearning.
And it's real to me.

There must be someone who's feeling for me.

Things look so bad
everywhere in this whole world, what is fair?
We walk blind. And we try to see, falling behind in what could be.

Bring me a higher love, bring me a higher love.
Bring me a higher love - I could rise above on a higher love.

I will wait for it
I'm not too late for it.
Until then I'll sing my song
to cheer the night along.

I could light the night up with my soul on fire
I could make the sun shine from pure desire.
Let me feel that love come over me
let me feel how strong it could be...

Just try to listen to it without feeling a little bit...I don't know...good. Better about the world. Seriously, I think it's a real challenge. (Actually, I take it back. Don't do it. I don't want to be responsible for you all trying to not feel good about the world...)

I don't know what it is about the song, or what it was about last week. It may very well have more to do with my tapering- less miles, more resting, which equals less endorphines and more *amusing* mood swings, than anything else, or maybe not.

It could be that it really was sort of a long week, that some of the tough stuff our world is going through right now is sad, but that knowing in your heart that people will rise above, that there is 'higher love', is really something strong and powerful.

It sounds trite and idealistic, I know, and maybe even a little naive. Naivety is a funny term- we often act as though our heads and hearts are in opposition, and if we're going to really use our heads, we can't use our hearts, or vice versa. I think this is an utter and complete fallacy. Yes, use your head for sure. If you fail to do that, you probably just won't ever get much done, and certainly not very efficiently. But what Steve Winwood is singing about is heart, and I believe heart is that unspeakable part of what's in our head that takes us to higher ground. Heart is what enables us to get through that which our rational mind will refuse to dream.

Don't ever forget your heart.

Anyway. Long story short- or, uh, too late for that I guess- it's been all crazy 'round here lately, but with a week to go, and my new friend Steve Winwood, it's all coming together...

Seven days, tapering ensuing, and I feel strong, in body, heart and mind. This week I'll be getting all my coconut water, pedialyte, Clif bars, shoes, socks, blister kit, etc. packed and ready to go; next Monday my dad will get here and Tuesday morning I'll set out...here we go, giddy up.

In the past three months, step by step, mile by mile, we have raised over $7,000 for the Central Asia Institute. That shows real heart, and I am proud of us. 209 miles of my journey have been sponsored, and I feel inspired by each and every one of those sponsors. I am looking forward to turning the strength I feel from the thought of what we've accomplished into action.

Check back on the blog next week for pictures and updates from out on the road...

And, of course, if you still want to, or if you know of family and friends who would like to be a part of this journey, there's still time to donate...

Love in action,

Kelsey

3 Weeks To Go...The List

2008-09-16T16:11:00.000-07:00

***173 miles sponsored, 127 to go ***

Mile 1: Rod and Dee Bennett
Mile 2: Rod and Dee Bennett
Mile 3: Rod and Dee Bennett
Mile 4: Kelsey Dixon, in honor of Rod and Dee Bennett
Mile 5: Rachel Shpringer
Mile 6: Edgar Evangelista
Mile 7: Lisa Smith-Batchen
Mile 8: Edgar Evangelista
Mile 9: David Jarrett
Mile 10: Rich Grover Family
Mile 11: Jolene Larson
Mile 12: Bernie Lang
Mile 13: Sandi Hansen
Mile 14: Michael Hansen
Mile 15: Rex Jones
Mile 16: Rex Jones
Mile 17: Rex Jones
Mile 18: Rex Jones
Mile 19: Rex Jones
Mile 20: Rex Jones
Mile 21: Rex Jones
Mile 22: Rex Jones
Mile 23: Neely Williams
Mile 24: Steve Ketcham and Ali Budny
Mile 25: Alex Hansen
Mile 26: Scott Martin and Esperanza Villaneuva
Mile 27: Scott Martin and Esperanza Villaneuva
Mile 28: Addy Hansen
Mile 29: Bud and Sally Foix
Mile 30: Liz and Nick Lange, in honor of Frances Dixon
Mile 31: Pacific Coast Trail Runs
Mile 32: Leslie Chadwell
Mile 33: Kirsten Ritter
Mile 34: Carly Gelfond
Mile 35: John Demler
Mile 37: Jaimee and J.J. Johanning
Mile 38: Anonymous (who inspires me more than anybody else I’ve ever known)
Mile 39: Kate Kadoun
Mile 41: Joseph Knecht
Mile 42: Kate Kadoun
Mile 43: Robert Voelte
Mile 45: Katie Dolan
Mile 50: Chris Jaworski
Mile 51: Mindi Laine
Mile 52: Mindi Laine
Mile 53: Marcia Ball
Mile 55: Mecayla Bruns
Mile 57: The Waring Family
Mile 58: The Waring Family
Mile 60: The Marshall Family
Mile 61: The Marshall Family
Mile 62: The Marshall Family
Mile 63: The Marshall Family
Mile 64: The Marshall Family
Mile 70: Joe Bolster
Mile 71: Joe Bolster
Mile 72: Joe Bolster
Mile 73: Robert Brite
Mile 76: Anonymous
Mile 77: Vince Leisey
Mile 79: Richard Gibbs
Mile 80: Betty Turnbull
Mile 81: Karen and John Hovanec
Mile 82: Karen and John Hovanec
Mile 83: Alexander Katreczko
Mile 89: Dan Kacinski
Mile 90: The Kampfe Family
Mile 99: Randy and Teresa Gray
Mile 100: Jeanine Alfieri
Mile 101: Luz Munoz
Mile 102: The Miller Family
Mile 103: The Miller Family
Mile 104: The Miller Family
Mile 105: Julie Johnson
Mile 106: Jaimee and J.J. Johanning
Mile 109: Rachel Shpringer
Mile 111: Virginia Voelte
Mile 114: Anonymous
Mile 115: Jaimee and J.J. Johanning
Mile 118: Ginger Fritchey
Mile 123: Alexander Katreczko
Mile 130: Rick Madsen
Mile 140: Aron Warner
Mile 141: Aron Warner
Mile 142: Aron Warner
Mile 143: Aron Warner
Mile 144: Aron Warner
Mile 145: Aron Warner
Mile 146: Aron Warner
Mile 147: Gabriella Warner
Mile 148: Cliff Wasser
Mile 150: Jenny Wong
Mile 152: Anonymous
Mile 153: Diane Bennett
Mile 154: The Reeble Family
Mile 155: The Reeble Family
Mile 156: The Reeble Family
Mile 157: Steve Ketcham and Ali Budny
Mile 164: Alexander Katreczko
Mile 170: Mark Adamson
Mile 171: Mark Adamson
Mile 172: Mark Adamson
Mile 173: Mark Adamson
Mile 174: Mark Adamson
Mile 177: Vince Leisey
Mile 181: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez
Mile 182: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez
Mile 183: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez
Mile 184: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez
Mile 185: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez
Mile 186: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez
Mile 187: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez
Mile 188: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez
Mile 189: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez
Mile 190: Anonymous
Mile 191: Kristin Hammer
Mile 192: Bill Maddocks
Mile 193: Linda Maddocks
Mile 195: Lisa Kressbach
Mile 196: Lisa Kressbach
Mile 197: Lisa Kressbach
Mile 199: Jennifer Prugh
Mile 200: Jeanine Alfieri
Mile 202: Lisa Weiss
Mile 203: Lisa Weiss
Mile 204: Lisa Weiss
Mile 205: Lisa Weiss
Mile 206: Kathleen Merkel
Mile 207: Alexander Katreczko
Mile 209: The Coleman Family
Mile 210: Brice Wilson
Mile 211: Brice Wilson
Mile 212: Brice Wilson
Mile 219: Nancy Heard
Mile 222: Dan Dixon, Ashby Thoroughbreds
Mile 223: Nancy Heard
Mile 228: Anonymous
Mile 229: Yuri Awanohara
Mile 230: Annie Awanohara
Mile 231: Yuri Awanohara
Mile 232: Annie Awanohara
Mile 233: Yuri Awanohara
Mile 234: Annie Awanohara
Mile 235: Mary Aldacushion
Mile 241: Dave and Susan Williams
Mile 242: Dave and Susan Williams
Mile 243: Dave and Susan Williams
Mile 244: Steve Ketcham and Ali Budny
Mile 246: Alexander Katreczko
Mile 250: Rex Jones
Mile 253: Dennis Fama
Mile 254: Kelly D. and Kathy Mutchie
Mile 255: Kelly D. and Kathy Mutchie
Mile 260: Sarah Kauffman
Mile 261: Kevin Simpson
Mile 262: Kevin Simpson
Mile 263: Kevin Simpson
Mile 264: Kevin Simpson
Mile 265: Kevin Simpson
Mile 266: Anonymous
Mile 267: Anonymous
Mile 268: Anonymous
Mile 269: Anonymous
Mile 277: Vince Leisey
Mile 278: Phyllis and Mudge Miller
Mile 279: Phyllis and Mudge Miller
Mile 280: Phyllis and Mudge Miller
Mile 290: Alexander Katreczko
Mile 291: Katie and Tony DeSantis
Mile 292: Katie and Tony DeSantis
Mile 293: Katie and Tony DeSantis
Mile 294: Abby Wong
Mile 295: Sharon Dixon

Not About Running (Or is it????)

2008-09-03T17:17:00.000-07:00

So here I am, sitting at a local coffee shop with internet access, determined to write something.

Something! I want to write something good, anything, because I know that tomorrow, Thursday, September 4th, is the day readers of the Omaha World Herald (and shortly after that, readers of the Elkhorn Post Gazette, even closer to home!) will be directed to my blog. And the thing is, you all are important to me, just by virtue of coming from where I come from. You are my community, and that means a lot.

As you might imagine, I've written a lot about running here. (See all the archived posts, listed on the left side of the page- start at the oldest posts or click on 'About the Run and How to Help' for the first post, and background info) I spend a lot of time thinking about running. I spend a lot of time reading about running. And I really spend a lot of time running. Tonight I don't feel like writing about running, but I do feel like writing something for my community to read.

So, I'm going to say something about communities. Or rather, a couple of things.

I want to say something honest and personal first, about how much community means to me. There are many lovely things about being here in this city, but New York can be very lonely, especially for a good midwestern girl. : ) One thing I cannot deny about The Big Apple is that it has taught me a lot, including a lesson I count among the most important of my life. New York has made very apparent to me the importance of community, and as such, the support of my family, my friends, my friends of friends, and the various people with whom I, in some way or another, become connected to, is incredibly meaningful and inspiring to me. 139 miles of my run have been sponsored already, I have dozens of heartfelt notes, a few post run dinner offers from East Coasters, and even a few offers of company for a few miles! To say I am incredibly grateful and inspired is an understatement. I can think of nothing more important than the people with whom we share life, and I am honored to share this project.

And herein is the second thing I'd like to emphasize. The reason I believe so whole heartedly in Greg Mortenson's work with The Central Asia Institute is that it recognizes and acknowledges the importance of communities. I believe that recognizing and understanding this, the human element in all that we do, is very often the difference between success and failure.

It is after all, our propensity for change, either in the direction of progress or not so, that makes us alive, and our ability to think about and guide that change that makes us human. Alone we can only do so much, but together, as a community, we become strong and we can do what one person can not.

What if we could all be a community, and we made a choice, as a community, to combat ignorance and hatred? In the Long Run, what kind of world do we want to live in, and how can we make strides in getting there?

I do not fail to recognize that these are big questions. I do believe we should ask them. I also believe we must not paralyze ourselves with big-ness. It is the little things, one step at a time, one foot in front of the other. 33.90 a mile. If you can make this commitment, please consider making a donation.

[And...after all this seriousness, lest you get the idea that I'm always super-profound...I am including here a solicitation of the more light hearted variety. Send me music suggestions! In the next few weeks, I will be running fewer miles in order to let my body rest up some before I set out. I will, however, be busy with preparations of maps, sleeping arrangements, food, and...playlists! Suggestions please, either via email to thelongrun2008@gmail.com, or right here on the 'Comments' section of the blog! Inspire me! : )]

Love in action,

and a special shout-out to Omaha and the suburb formerly known as Elkhorn,

Kelsey

For Once, I'm Actually Posting the List on Friday : )

2008-08-22T21:14:00.000-07:00

Mile 1: Rod and Dee Bennett

Mile 2: Rod and Dee Bennett

Mile 3: Rod and Dee Bennett

Mile 4: Kelsey Dixon, in honor of Rod and Dee Bennett

Mile 5: Rachel Shpringer

Mile 6: Edgar Evangelista

Mile 7: Lisa Smith-Batchen

Mile 8: Edgar Evangelista

Mile 9: David Jarrett

Mile 11: Jolene Larson

Mile 13: Sandi Hansen

Mile 14: Michael Hansen

Mile 15: Rex Jones

Mile 16: Rex Jones

Mile 17: Rex Jones

Mile 18: Rex Jones

Mile 19: Rex Jones

Mile 20: Rex Jones

Mile 21: Rex Jones

Mile 22: Rex Jones

Mile 23: Neely Williams

Mile 24: Steve Ketcham and Ali Budny

Mile 25: Alex Hansen

Mile 26: Scott Martin and Esperanza Villaneuva

Mile 27: Scott Martin and Esperanza Villaneuva

Mile 28: Addy Hansen

Mile 30: Liz and Nick Lange, in honor of Frances Dixon

Mile 31: Pacific Coast Trail Runs

Mile 32: Leslie Chadwell

Mile 37: Jaimee and J.J. Johanning

Mile 38: Anonymous (who inspires me more than anybody else I've ever known)

Mile 43: Robert Voelte

Mile 45: Katie Dolan

Mile 50: Chris Jaworski

Mile 51: Mindi Laine

Mile 52: Mindi Laine

Mile 53: Marcia Ball

Mile 57: The Waring Family

Mile 58: The Waring Family

Mile 60: The Marshall Family

Mile 61: The Marshall Family

Mile 62: The Marshall Family

Mile 63: The Marshall Family

Mile 64: The Marshall Family

Mile 73: Robert Brite

Mile 76: Anonymous

Mile 77: Vince Leisey

Mile 79: Richard Gibbs

Mile 80: Betty Turnbull

Mile 89: Dan Kacinski

Mile 90: The Kampfe Family

Mile 99: Randy and Teresa Gray

Mile 100: Jeanine Alfieri

Mile 101: Luz Munoz

Mile 105: Julie Johnson

Mile 106: Jaimee and J.J. Johanning

Mile 109: Rachel Shpringer

Mile 111: Virginia Voelte

Mile 114: Anonymous

Mile 115: Jaimee and J.J. Johanning

Mile 118: Ginger Fritchey

Mile 130: Rick Madsen

Mile 140: Aron Warner

Mile 141: Aron Warner

Mile 142: Aron Warner

Mile 143: Aron Warner

Mile 144: Aron Warner

Mile 145: Aron Warner

Mile 146: Aron Warner

Mile 147: Gabriella Warner

Mile 148: Cliff Wasser

Mile 150: Jenny Wong

Mile 152: Anonymous

Mile 157: Steve Ketcham and Ali Budny

Mile 177: Vince Leisey

Mile 181: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez

Mile 182: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez

Mile 183: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez

Mile 184: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez

Mile 185: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez

Mile 186: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez

Mile 187: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez

Mile 188: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez

Mile 189: Frank and Raquel Rodriguez

Mile 190: Anonymous

Mile 191: Kristin Hammer

Mile 200: Jeanine Alfieri

Mile 202: Lisa Weiss

Mile 203: Lisa Weiss

Mile 204: Lisa Weiss

Mile 205: Lisa Weisss

Mile 209: The Coleman Family

Mile 210: Brice Wilson

Mile 211: Brice Wilson

Mile 212: Brice Wilson

Mile 219: Nancy Heard

Mile 222: Dan Dixon, Ashby Thoroughbreds

Mile 223: Nancy Heard

Mile 228: Anonymous

Mile 244: Steve Ketcham and Ali Budny

Mile 250: Rex Jones

Mile 253: Dennis Fama

Mile 254: Kelly D. and Kathy Mutchie

Mile 255: Kelly D. and Kathy Mutchie

Mile 261: Kevin Simpson

Mile 262: Kevin Simpson

Mile 263: Kevin Simpson

Mile 264: Kevin Simpson

Mile 265: Kevin Simpson

Mile 266: Anonymous

Mile 267: Anonymous

Mile 268: Anonymous

Mile 269: Anonymous

Mile 277: Vince Leisey

Mile 291: Katie and Tony DeSantis

Mile 292: Katie and Tony DeSantis

Mile 293: Katie and Tony DeSantis

Mile 294: Abby Wong

Mile 295: Sharon Dixon

And...The List.

2008-08-17T14:56:00.000-07:00

Challenge Met. : )

2008-08-17T14:53:00.000-07:00

An email sent to me today from my big sister, with the subject: We meet Rex's Challenge...
Frank and Raquel Rodriguez want to match Rex's challenge of $1 for every mile!
Thank you, thank you, thank you. : )

Let's Get 'er Done...

2008-08-16T14:53:00.000-07:00

It's that time again...

Actually it's past that time...

time for an update on The Long Run.

I've been planning to get a new update written and sent out for a while now. 'TLR Update'- It's been written in my planner for a week or so now, written on my dry erase board (with a star next to it nonetheless!), written on various post-it to do lists, even highlighted...and yet it is only now, as I finally sit down and just START that I have the slightest hope of getting it DONE.

In order to accomplish anything, anything at all, we must first start.

(Well. That sounds wise of me, doesn't it? But perhaps not very original... : ) )

I am a big fan of metaphors, and for me, running is full of good ones. Maybe this is part of the reason I love it so much- for all the ways it's helped me to understand living.

Did some great training this morning- 4 and a half hours running, plus an hour walk, fairly moderate pace- about 30 miles total.

Funny that I call it great now. Funny, or maybe just...false. The problem is with that particular adjective, "great": while it sounds lovely and simple, the honest truth is that it just is not in fact very accurate, assuming one is confining him or herself to the traditional English definition, and I suppose I ought to assume as much. Certainly parts of it were really great- I ran across the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge, ran on streets in Manhattan that had been closed off to traffic for the day as part of the city's Summer Streets initiative, ran through Greenwich, back around Brooklyn, in Prospect Park. I didn't feel like carrying water (perhaps that's why it wasn't so great?!?!) so I stopped halfway through and grabbed some ginger ale from a corner market- that was a highlight. I also saw some kids with Nebraska shirts on, so I stopped to tell them I was from Elkhorn, and they happened to know some people I went to high school with. That made me smile. But overall...I wasn't feeling super excited to be out there today. Some days are like that.

What struck me most about this morning's run was a particular moment around the three and half hour mark. It was familiar- I've had many, many moments similar to this particular one while out on training runs, but I really can't be reminded enough of the lesson borne in such moments. After 20 or so kind of mediocre feeling miles, I was kind of over it. Sure I had planned on running four and half hours, but seriously. I mean, what if, like, instead I walked for a while, and then I could finish the running later. Or really, what difference would it make if I just did a few less miles today...I mean...maybe it doesn't feel great because my body needs rest more than training this morning...and...it's hot!...maybe I should walk until I get to a shadier part of the path...am I copping out?!?!...maybe I should have had a better breakfast...maybe I just have to call it a wash this morning, because I haven't properly hydrated...blah, blah, BLAH. The old inner dialogue got going full force. Now please note at this point that I DO believe in taking a break when your body really needs it, and recognizing when this is in fact the case is a certain skill that one must develop. That said, I am well practiced in this skill- I know my body very well, and this morning, my muscles and joints and physiological systems were doing just fine. My mind, however, was melting. Disintegrating, falling apart, breaking into useless pieces. I stopped running. I walked for about six steps. And then, I got it together. Enough. Enough nonsense. I'm going to get this done. And that was it, and then I did, and that was that.

Forgive me for not having a more interesting motivational inner dialogue. But to me, this is part of the trick. This is part of me, this is part of life. It is unbelievably liberating to stop the debate, the dialogue, the endless chitter-chatter in our heads, and just DO. When I succeed at this, I feel lighter, more free, more capable and confident, more alive than at any other time. When I was young(er), my sister came home from a basketball camp with a piece of paper bearing the following words:

Some people want it to happen. Some people wish it would happen. Some people make it happen.

That grabbed me. I pinned it on my wall, and it became sort of a mantra for me.

It is simple.

Simple, however, does not mean easy. But not easy does not mean not possible. : )

(I am so good at all these words and definitions!)

So what is the relevance of all of this to The Long Run? This morning was the kind of training I love, the kind I think is most important. It was good and useful for my body no doubt, but more than anything, it was for my mind. (And we all know I need a LOT of training there. : ) )

Last Friday marked six weeks since I sent out my first TLR email, and last Tuesday marked eight weeks until I start the run. The running, I can do. I know it.

The fundraising part, I've got to buckle down and make happen. I've been thinking a lot, and talking a lot, and coming up with a lot of plans...and now it's time to get 'er done.

If you've already given, thank you. If you're thinking about it, get 'er done. If you can think of anybody else who can help us, who would want to be a part of this, reach out. Get on the phone, write an email, tell a friend over dinner. We can do this. I cannot do it myself. Part of what I need to make it happen is help. If you believe in this cause, if you believe in the power of knowledge, in the power of giving people the resources they need to make themselves better, the power of strong minds to make this world better, please help me help CAI help the world.

The time is now. Let's make this happen.

New lists will be up tomorrow evening, and again next Friday.

Meanwhile, may you feel the strength of love in mind, body and spirit

And...have a good weekend while you're at it. : )

Judge Walks Eight Days for Rule of Law Training

2008-08-14T07:41:00.000-07:00

See a great little article below about a man in Afghanistan walking for eight days in order to attend a training program for judges, featuring courses offering instruction in civil law and procedure, penal law and procedure, commercial law and procedure, Afghan constitutional law, the new Regulation of Judicial Conduct, legal research, and women’s issues.

http://afghanistan.usaid.gov/en/Article.353.aspx

I like his final quote: “No doubt, when I go back, I will try to implement the law in my district and make good decisions,” says the judge, smiling and putting away his glasses before looking up to add that he will have to walk another eight days home to do that.

I also can't help but take to heart that he trekked for eight days, not once, but twice.

Sure showed me up. : )

Rex's Challenge

2008-08-05T09:55:00.000-07:00

Below is an email I received yesterday afternoon...I think it merits sharing. : ) (Rex's challenge was specific, but I'm extending it to everyone.)

Ok well, this is Rex. Someone you have probably never heard of. Fran and Jack are my aunt and uncle/ your grandmother and grandfather.

Hello Kelsey.

I hope someday under good circumstances we will meet.

I pledge $1.00 a mile you run/or walk.

I challenge [ANYONE!] to match me......

Lets get this
done..

Into August We Go

2008-08-01T07:21:00.000-07:00

Hello Everybody...August already. Wow.

Without venturing too far into me and my life, let me say this much.

For reasons entirely unrelated to running and this project, it has been a challenging few weeks. But such is life...this too shall pass. And here is something wonderful that I would like to share: I am still finding time to run, my body feels good and strong, and what is SO much more important: good people are continuing to come together and support something that can truly make the world better. In the midst of an experience that seems overwhelming and frankly, just bad, seeing such tangible evidence of the good in this world makes me remember what matters.

This world throws lots of stuff at us. We can't dodge it all, we can't escape it, we can't circumvent it. We can do our best to deal with it; we can be strong, and hang on to what is right and good.

Forgive me if I'm overly introspective today. It happens.

Meanwhile, here's the list- check it out. Thanks to you all, it's definitley growing, and that is right and good.

Mile 1: Rod and Dee Bennett
Mile 2: Rod and Dee Bennett
Mile 3: Rod and Dee Bennett
Miles 4: Kelsey Dixon, in honor of Rod and Dee Bennett
Mile 5: Rachel Shpringer
Mile 6: Edgar Evangelista
Mile 7: Lisa Smith-Batchen
Mile 8: Edgar Evangelista
Mile 9: David Jarrett
Mile 11: Jolene Larson
Mile 13: Sandi Hansen
Mile 14: Michael Hansen
Mile 24: Steve Ketcham and Ali Budny
Mile 25: Alex Hansen
Mile 28: Addy Hansen
Mile 31: Pacific Coast Trail Runs
Mile 37: Jaimee and J.J. Johanning
Mile 38: Anonymous (who inspires me more than anybody else I’ve ever known)
Mile 45: Katie Dolan
Mile 50: Mindi Laine
Mile 51: Mindi Laine
Mile 60: The Marshall Family
Mile 61: The Marshall Family
Mile 62: The Marshall Family
Mile 63: The Marshall Family
Mile 64: The Marshall Family
Mile 76: Anonymous
Mile 77: Vince Leisey
Mile 79: Richard Gibbs
Mile 90: The Kampfe Family
Mile 99: Randy and Teresa Gray
Mile 100: Jeanine Alfieri
Mile 106: Jaimee and J.J. Johanning
Mile 109: Rachel Shpringer
Mile 114: Anonymous
Mile 115: Jaimee and J.J. Johanning
Mile 118: Ginger Fritchey
Mile 130: Rick Madsen
Mile 147: Gabriella Warner
Mile 148: Cliff Wasser
Mile 152: Anonymous
Mile 157: Steve Ketcham and Ali Budny
Mile 190: Anonymous
Mile 191: Kristin Hammer
Mile 200: Jeanine Alfieri
Mile 202: Lisa Weiss
Mile 203: Lisa Weiss
Mile 204: Lisa Weiss
Mile 205: Lisa Weiss
Mile 210: Brice Wilson
Mile 211: Brice Wilson
Mile 212: Brice Wilson
Mile 219: Nancy Heard
Mile 222: Dan Dixon, Ashby Thoroughbreds
Mile 223: Nancy Heard
Mile 228: Anonymous
Mile 244: Steve Ketcham and Ali Budny
Mile 253: Dennis Fama
Mile 266: Anonymous
Mile 267: Anonymous
Mile 268: Anonymous
Mile 269: Anonymous
Mile 291: Katie and Tony DeSantis
Mile 292: Katie and Tony DeSantis
Mile 293: Katie and Tony DeSantis
Mile 294: Abby Wong
Mile 295: Sharon Dixon

Have a good weekend everybody, hope life throws some good stuff at ya, and otherwise, hang in there- this too shall pass- and in the meantime, keep up with the right and good. : )

Journeys

2008-07-23T09:46:00.000-07:00

Whew. It’s been quite a couple of days here in New York.

It’s funny- but not quite in a laughing way!- that I’ve been struggling through a nightmare of an apartment hunt in New York the past couple of weeks, because it’s brought an interesting perspective to some of the CAI reports I’ve been reading. I am stressed out that I can’t find a new apartment- it seems like there aren't any options out there- and suddenly, all these people and places that otherwise wouldn't fit at all seem to just be calling out to me. When you have nothing, you become very vulnerable to anyone who offers something.

I highly recommend reading through ‘Journey of Hope’ a report available at the CAI website if you’re at all interested in the idea of using education as a tool to make the world better. Or, for that matter, if you’re not, because after you read it, maybe you will be. At one point, Greg Mortenson is quoted, “I don’t really care about fighting terror. The biggest issues we need to address today are poverty, illiteracy and ignorance, which breeds hatred.” I think this is really important, and it’s a large part of what attracts me to Greg and his project. When people juxtapose CAI and Mr. Mortenson with military force intended to quell terrorism, I think they miss the point. It’s just not about that. It’s about doing something good, loving people and loving truth, and having enough faith in humanity to believe that empowering people to think, to understand, and to seek truth will make the world better. The relationship to terrorism lies in the hope that in a better world, we wouldn’t have to spend so much time talking about it, thinking about it, fighting it. I believe this.

Another thing I like about the way Greg Mortenson operates is that his primary interests lie in getting things done rather than talking about them, so, that in mind, I’m shifting gears.

To the run.

Let me first make what I feel is a necessary confession. The actual running part of this is…something cool and novel, that I’m really excited to do, but also something ultimately rather inconsequential. I know that, you know that. I do not want to pretend anything otherwise. To be honest, the idea of running from NYC to D.C. grabbed me before the idea of raising money for CAI. I wanted to do it because I wanted to do it, because I’m sort of funny about setting up semi-arbitrary challenges for myself. It keeps me interested, and I like being interested. : )

That said, as I thought about taking eight days off of work, getting my Dad to take eight days and come out and support me, paying for places for us to stop at night (which is an important sidenote I need to make clear: I am paying for these expenses 100% out of my pocket…the fundraising portion of this deal is for CAI, NOT for my running escapade), and generally investing a good chunk of time and energy in this thing, I realized I needed it to be something a little more to make it worthwhile.

Enter CAI. (Thanks to my Grandma. I still need to get around to telling this part of the story…I will!) I chose to start the story at “It’s All Happening,” but the truth is, as we all know, things rarely, if ever, just ‘happen.’ So, yes, there’s a little more background there, and I think one of these days, I’ll go back a little and catch you up- a ‘prequel’ if you will. One of these days, but not today. Suffice it to say, my grandma mentioned this nonprofit called CAI to me a year or so ago, and then she passed on a book called Three Cups of Tea, and something hit home.

Something about the power of one determined person keepin on keepin on and putting his whole heart into something and making something good happen.

I think that's the reason it's important to me that you know who I am too. I'm not super-special, I'm not a super-altruist, I'm not even a super-runner. I just had this idea, and I really and truly believe in the goodness of it and I'm not going to give up on it. I am not naive and I am not wearing rose colored glasses. I am acutely aware that I am a living human being, with the power to choose a destination and start moving towards it. I believe in my goal, and I believe that if we just keep going, one foot in front of the other, we can get there.

The run.

For people who don’t know anything about me- I started running marathons in college. I always tell people I got going on these because my dad ran his first marathon when he was 20, and I therefore decided I better quick get one done when I was 19. I don’t know that that was really my reasoning, but it’s sort of become “what I say.” I’ve since run seven of those, and a couple of 50Ks and a 50 miler last October. I readily admit I’m still sort of an ultra-novice, and this run is a pretty ambitious undertaking. I am also confident that I can do it.

Based on what I know about my body and how it works best, I’m training in what I’ve decided to call “super-segments.” Basically I’ve kept a base mileage of 60ish mpw for several months, and in the past several weeks I’ve added in three day segments of intense mileage. The second week of June, I did 32 miles on a Monday, 28 on Tuesday and 26 on Wednesday. What makes these days most challenging is that I am still working full time, so the mileage is all done early in the mornings, and at nights after work and on some days, class. It was also too bad that that first segment coincided with a crazy intense heat wave…but it made for good training. It was the first time I’d done that intense of days consecutively, and it went relatively smoothly.

This past week I did my second “super-segment.” I did 33 miles Sunday, 25 on Monday and 42 on Tuesday Things went pretty well the first few days, but it was hard getting out the door Tuesday night. It was still hot and muggy, I was hungry- then I ate too much and was too full- and I don’t know, I just had…already run a lot! But I did it. I grabbed my water bottle, my keys, and went out the door and started, hoping against hope that the first step would prove to be the hardest part. Guess what? It did. It took about 40 steps for my body to start cruising along, my mind to start clearing up and my heart to start smiling. Three and half hours later, when I hit 100 miles for three days, I stopped.

My body feels great. I've eaten a LOT of food, including five or six protein shakes, many, many Clif bars, and, when I finished running on Tuesday night, a bowlful of sweet pea shoots, peanut butter, vegan mayonnaise and cannellini beans. It’s unbelievable what seems mouthwateringly tasty after running 42 miles. The best part is that my best miles were Tuesday night, and I woke up Wednesday wanting to run some more. I opted to do just an easy couple of miles and then stretch and do some agility- high knees, butt-kicks, some other little kicking things, all of which I do on the sidewalk outside of my apartment, while cars full of men on their way to work honk and laugh at me, because I just look SO cool when I do high knees...So now I’ll rest for a little bit- i.e. go back to 60ish mile weeks, let my body recover and get stronger, then it’s one last intense segment in August, probably involving a couple of eight hour days over Labor Day weekend, and then getting ready for October!

So there you go. And here I go. The running is going great.

But what’s more important: the run is cool and fun and I'm excited for the challenge, but the real journey means more to me than tromping alongside Old Lincoln Highway and Connecticut Avenue. I believe in us, in people, and I believe that if we take that first step, and then maybe one more...we can really get somewhere.

If you have been thinking about sponsoring a mile, and haven’t done it yet, if you have been thinking about getting in touch with your friends or family about sponsoring a mile, or, well, if you have been wanting to do something good…do it.

Take the first step.

Love in action,

(I’m borrowing this salutation from Jody Lynn Reicher, because I love it so much and she is an amazing woman and inspiration),

Kelsey

Catch Up

2008-07-21T07:20:00.000-07:00

Hey, hey.

So. I didn't post the list on Friday- I'm sorry! I promise you though, if I believed in excuses, I had a good one.

Anyway.

There are a couple of other things I'd like to get up here, including some training details (I don't know that it's super interesting...but people have asked and it's sort of...what i do in my spare time lately!) and some more details about where your $33.90 goes (more interesting and important!)

But...I need a little time!

So, in the meantime, let me first just post the updated list:

Mile 1: Rod and Dee Bennett
Mile 2: Rod and Dee Bennett
Mile 3: Rod and Dee Bennett
Miles 4: Kelsey Dixon, in honor of Rod and Dee Bennett
Mile 5: Rachel Shpringer
Mile 6: Edgar Evangelista
Mile 7: Vince Leisey
Mile 8: Edgar Evangelista
Mile 13: Sandi Hansen
Mile 14: Michael Hansen
Mile 24: Steve Ketcham and Ali Budny
Mile 25: Alex Hansen
Mile 28: Addy Hansen
Mile 31: Pacific Coast Trail Runs
Mile 38: Anonymous (who inspires me more than anybody else I’ve ever known)
Mile 45: Katie Dolan
Mile 50: Mindi Laine
Mile 51: Mindi Laine
Mile 76: Anonymous
Mile 100: Jeanine Alfieri
Mile 109: Rachel Shpringer
Mile 114: Anonymous
Mile 118: Ginger Fritchey
Mile 152: Anonymous
Mile 157: Steve Ketcham and Ali Budny
Mile 190: Anonymous
Mile 191:Kristin Hammer
Mile 200: Jeanine Alfieri
Mile 228: Anonymous
Mile 244: Steve Ketcham and Ali Budny
Mile 266: Anonymous
Mile 267: Anonymous
Mile 268: Anonymous
Mile 269: Anonymous
Mile 291: Katie and Tony DeSantis
Mile 292: Katie and Tony DeSantis
Mile 293: Katie and Tony DeSantis
Mile 294: Abby Wong
Mile 295: Sharon Dixon

Keep up the good work guys : )

NY Times Op-Ed Piece on Central Asia Institute

2008-07-14T06:24:00.000-07:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/opinion/13kristof.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Up and Running.

2008-07-11T11:46:00.001-07:00

Wow. It was less than 24 hours ago that I sent out my first announcement and already the response is inspiring me. The following miles have been spoken for:

Miles 1-3: Rod and Dee Bennett
Miles 4: Kelsey Dixon, in honor of Rod and Dee Bennett

[More on this, and them, later. Rod and Dee [Grandpa and Grandma], you amaze and inspire me EVERY SINGLE DAY. Thank you, thank you, thank you, endlessly, for your loyal and loving support.]

Mile 6: Rachel Shpringer
Mile 100: Jeanine Alfieri
Mile 118: Ginger Fritchey
Mile 200: Jeanine Alfieri
Mile 294: Abby Wong
Mile 295: Sharon Dixon

Many others have already offered their support, but are still deciding on their particular miles... : )

Keep up the good work everybody, and be well, do good this weekend.

With love,
Kelsey

It's All Happening...[and HOW TO HELP]

2008-07-08T13:42:00.000-07:00

Hello Family and Friends, Old and New, and Yet to be Made…

A while back I had this little idea. It was one of those sticky ones that really got into my head, and before I knew it, it had grown into a bigger idea inspiring a whole lot of thoughts, and pretty soon after that, those thoughts started inspiring actions and now…well, it’s all happening… I was laughing to myself the other day thinking that this must be sort of what it feels like to have a baby…where you have this little teeny, bitty seed of an idea and then it starts growing and developing and becoming viable and then…it’s born!

So without further ado, I present to you, my baby: The Long Run.

What:

A 295 mile Journey Run

Where:

from NYC to Washington, D.C.

When:

October 7th – October 15th, 2008

Who:

My feet/legs, and all YOUR good wishes, intention and inspiration. : )

Why:

To Raise $10,000 for the Central Asia Institute to promote and support community based education in Pakistan and Afghanistan, because we want to make this world better in the long run.

And now here’s the most important part.

How we’re going to get this done:
My friend John (more on him later…he is an extremely talented guy- a cartographer!) sent me a map this morning, showing me exactly how to get from Ground Zero in NYC to D.C., as directly as possible while avoiding places where I would have to fight crazy cars. (I would probably lose.) Check it out. (In case you're very detail oriented, to see the last three miles you have to click on 'Next page' and 'Line 5.') Total Mileage: 295.

So here's the deal: $10,000 divided by 295 = 33.90 (I’m rounding up to make a whole penny.)

We’re going to do it with the real spirit of journey running, and according to a philosophy I believe in with all my heart. We’re going to do it together, one step at a time. $33.90 per mile.

It’s not just about the money. I want your support, belief, love for the world…I'm going to need the energy of us all doing this together. (Do I sound crazy?) But really, can you imagine what a difference it will make to know, especially after four or five days of running, exactly who’s with me, committed to keepin’ on keepin’ on to make the world better? I can.

Here’s what to do:

· Pick a mile, or two, or a few. (Or many!) Any of em, from 1 thru 295. I’ll post a list here at this site at the end of every week to keep everybody updated as to which miles are spoken for. If you pick one, say on Thursday, that’s already been taken earlier in the week, I’ll get in touch with you to find one that still needs somebody.

· Send in your donation. [33.90 per mile.] You can do this a couple of ways: by sending a check made out to the Central Asia Institute (write your miles in the memo line!) to me at:

Kelsey Dixon
1230 York Avenue, Box 164
New York, NY 10065

Or directly through the CAI website. If you use the CAI website, note in the “Special Instruction” field that your donation is for The Long Run. Then send me an email (thelongrun2008@gmail.com) to let me know which miles you want, so I can make sure and get you on my list.

· And then look for your name on the Friday lists, and stay connected! Check back here at the blog for updates, leave a comment, drop me a line via email, whatever. Be in touch. We’re invested in this world in the long run, together. Each and every one of us. Let’s do something good, yeah?

Remember, big things are nothing more than the sum of small things. It all starts with one step...

Love to you all and here we go...

Kelsey