touching story

 

 

Hi everyone!

 

I was able to run and walk at a good pace for 6:30 total time on Sat. thanks to the help of friends! The line up at the National 24 hour seems to be getting longer and longer and full of all the best in the World! I am not going to run to try and make the team, I am going to run because I have never run a 24 hour race around a loop course, my only goal is to see how far I can go!

 

Michelle Jensen WON the Goblin Valley 50k last Sat. in Utah. First women overall with a time of 4:20!!! Nice:)

 

Below is a very touching story!

 

Have a great day

Lisa

 

 

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from
school.                    
His name was Kyle.                                 
It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home
all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd."                         
                      
I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a
football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

              
As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him.                                          
                        
He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes                   
                       
My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around   
looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. "They really should get lives.                      
                      
"He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!"  There was a big smile on his face.                 
It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.                     
I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen     him before.                                        
                       
He said he had gone to private school before now.  
I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.              
We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books.               
He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends He said yes.                                       
                                                  
We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked  
him, and my friends thought the same of him.       
                        
Monday morning came! , and there was Kyle with the
huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!          
" He just laughed and handed me half the books.

    
Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends.                  
When we were seniors, we began to think about college.                     
                     
Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I was going to Duke. We knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a  problem.                                           
                        
He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship. 

Kyle was valedictorian of our class.               
I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation.         
I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak                
Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great.                                   
He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school.     
He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. 
He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him.                  
Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days.                       
I could see that he was nervous about his speech.
So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!"   
He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled.                                            
" Thanks," he said.                                
                      
As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began                 
"Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those  
tough years.                                       
                       
Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a
coach...but mostly your friends...                                    
I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.                            
I am going to tell you a story."                   
I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the      
first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend.   
He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to 
do it later and was carrying his stuff home.       
                        
He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.   
"Thankfully, I was saved.  My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable. I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told  us all about his weakest moment.                   
I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile.  
Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.    
Never underestimate the power of your actions.     
With one small gesture you can change a person's life.                     
For better or for worse.                           
                            
You now have two choices, you can:

               
1) Pass this on to your friends or                 
2) Delete it and act like it didn't touch your heart.                      
As you can see, I took choice number 1.            
"Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly."                           
 There is no beginning or end.. Yesterday is history.                       
Tomorrow is a mystery.                             
Today is a gift. 

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Being a donor!

 

 

Happy Friday,

Below is from a friend and coaching client...very inspiring and touching. We are all saving lives and making a difference!:)

Hi Lisa,
Thanks for your post this morning. Your blog is inspiring in so many different ways.
In a somewhat related story you might appreciate; in Jan. '05  I was a bone marrow donor. This came as a result of being on the bone marrow registry and I didn't know the person who received my bone marrow.
In these types of situations they don't tell you anything about the person on the receiving end until after some period of time has passed and the recipient requests contact.
I had heard almost nothing since the donation and often wondered how it worked out.  It's kind of a strange thing how you develop a bond with someone you don't even know. Another strange aspect is that when it was determined I was a match for this particular person they told me we were such an exact match we could be identical twins.
A couple of weeks ago The City of Hope called me and told me that the recipient had requested my contact info. Since then we have spoken on the phone and exchanged e-mails. She is 40 years old and lives in Michigan and she is doing very well in her battle with luekemia.  Her will to fight has been very inspiring to me. She still has a ways to go in building up her immune system but it looks like she will be around for many years to come and live to be an old lady.
It's funny how 7 years ago I went to the local ice rink one day to go skating and there was drive going on in the parking lot to try and find a bone marrow match for a local teenager. I gave them a blood sample, was put on the registry and forgot about it until five years later when the call came from City of Hope. Now, at 46 years old, I have a new sister. 
Life can be strange and miraculous.
Bill

 

If any of you want to be a donor go to this site!  http://www.giftoflife.org/donors/6.html

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

I am going to try and do a 7-8 hour going 7/3 on Sat. wish me luck. It is going to be in the 50s and sunny here for the next 5 days:):)

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Team Jake

You all might have to sit down for this one. My cousin Jen who lives in Monroe Louisiana is running her first marathon on Dec. 3rd. The St. Jude marathon in Memphis Tenn.

I plan to be there. I have to tell you that I could not be more touched, more proud of my cousin for the purpose she is running for in her 1st..one.

Jen has had some injuries to deal with during her training but she is back in action and ready to run for Jake and so is the rest of the team they have together to run for team Jake.

I asked Jen today who she was running for and she sent me the link, below is the site.

I have sat here for over an hour in tears reading and looking at the photos of this little guy, his life, his family..you may do the same.

 

 The child that has been at St Jude, Jake Raborn(www.caringbridge.org/la/jakeowen) (Team Jake)...

 

Jake...you sure gave me lots to think about today and I just know you are flying high with those angle wings!

 

Have a blessed day

Lisa

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prayer bring miracles

One more for today...just had to share this email with you all. My friend since grade school Gayles mother was given 3-12 months to live. Prayers bring miracles and we have just seen another one:)

 

 

 

 Hey Lisa, September 7th a surgeon told us my mom had somewhere between 3
months and a year to live. Today that same surgeon told my Mom that the
cancer she had originated from her breast cancer 10 years ago and was not a
stand alone deadly cancer. She cant be cured but the therapy is totally
different and the life expectancy is "years"!  I have to think of when you
asked your friend Sister Marybeth to say a prayer for my Mom.  Maybe you and your Sister Marybeth
gave her a new future! Who knows but I believe. Thank you for caring about
us! Maybe you saved her life for some time for her grand kid to enjoy her
and her own kids to truly appreciate her. You know I love ya!

 

 

Great quote to share:

 

Blessed are they that have the gift of making friends, for it is one of God's best gifts. It involves many things, but above all, the power of going out of one's self, and appreciating whatever is noble and loving in another.  -Thoman Hughes

 

Happy Feet!
Lisa Smith-Batchen

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Sahara Running

Good morning to you!!!

Below is a press release about Jacqueline who is running her first ultra and running for a purpose!!! Sandy and Alain are also running this race. It will be wonderful to follow them.

Happy day,

Lisa

http://go.philly.com/sahararace

Pepper Hamilton Send-Off on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
For Paralegal
Racing Across Sahara Desert
In 150-Mile Run
To Benefit Children's Hospital

PHILADELPHIA (October 24 , 2006) - The media is invited to cover a "Good-Bye and Good Luck" send-off party on Wednesday, October 25, at 5 p.m., for Jacqueline Eastridge, a paralegal with Pepper Hamilton LLP, who will be one of only 100 runners worldwide journeying on a 150-mile, seven-day foot race across the Sahara Desert beginning this Sunday, October 29.

The send-off will take place at Pepper Hamilton, 3000 Two Logan Square, 18^th and Ach Streets, in Philadelphia.

Jacqueline, 46, lives in Wynnewood.

One of only 17 U.S. runners - and the only one from Pennsylvania - she will be raising money for The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Jacqueline will be leaving for Egypt this Thursday, October 26.

The Sahara Race is a 150 mile, self-supported foot race across the Sahara Desert. Beginning this Sunday, October 29, the race lasts seven days, with distances ranging from 10 to 50 miles per day. Runners are required to carry all of the food, gear, and clothing they will need to complete the race.

“I chose The Children’s Hospital to benefit from my race because I love children, and I have friends whose children have received care from the hospital. No donation is too small, and this is a wonderful cause that the entire area can support,” said Jacqueline.

"I'm looking forward to this unique challenge. I’ve put a tremendous amount of work into preparing for this race, and I am eager to put myself through the ultimate test," Jacqueline said.

Those who want to sponsor Jacqueline can send checks payable to CHOP c/o her attention to Pepper Hamilton.

The Sahara Race is one of four desert challenges posed by RacingThePlanet (www.racingtheplanet.com). Additional locations include China’s Gobi Desert, Chile’s Atacama Crossing, and The Last Desert, which takes place on the Antarctic Peninsula and its surrounding islands. For more information about the race, visit www.racingtheplanet.com/sahararace/.

About Pepper Hamilton: Pepper Hamilton LLP (www.pepperlaw.com) is a multi-practice law firm with 450 lawyers in seven states and the District of Columbia. The firm provides corporate, litigation and regulatory legal services to leading businesses, governmental entities, nonprofit organizations and individuals throughout the nation and the world. The firm was founded in 1890.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sal Vittolino

Buchanan Public Relations

(610) 649-9292 X 102

sal@buchananpr.com

Hey, where is the WALL!

Here is Juan at the 20 mile mark of the Chicago marathon, he is the one with the blue gloves. Juan is wondering where the wall is? Have to tell you all that there in NO wall in a marathon that you hit, I have yet to see one in a 100 mile race!! To hit the wall means you have gone out to fast or you have not followed a sound plan as far as nutrition. Juan kicked it in, passed tons of people and his last mile was the fastest of 26!! Juan you rock!!!!

weekends race results:)

Good morning!

It is yet another beautiful day here in the Tetons:) Sunny and warm which is so unusal for this time of the year. Trust me that none of here are complaining!!

The last few weekends have brought in some amazing race results I wanted to share with you all.

Nattu: ran the Arkansas traveller 100 mile in 29 hours, just a training run for Nattu:) Colleen is now a much wanted crew and pace person, fying all over the USA to help and I must say getting in great shape herself...Littls did she know I have lined up Joe D. to pace her through her NYC marathon, look out!

Adam: what can I say..he ran the Dick Collins fire trail 50 mile and had a NEW personal best by over 3 hours:) He ran a 10:13..stuck to the plan and it all worked:)

Larry: Palo Duro 50 mile: a NEW personal best...9:26 and this was with a sick stomach for several mile!

Jackie: ran the womens Nike marathon in SF with a time of 4:46! Go Miss Jackie:)

Chicago marathon was cold and windy but the 4 Dreamchaser runners ALL had a personal best!

Juan: ran a 4:02:33 a best time by over 18 minutes
Matt: ran a 4:13:58 a best time by over 15 minutes
Anthony and Terry: I have copied there race updates below so you can read them!

Nice running to you all, makes me smile:):)




Hi Lisa !
We just arrived back home in New York from a long day in Chicago. The Chicago Marathon was a great success. I ran very strong throughout the race (you'll see the GPS watch splits and the chip time splits below), so much so that I took my 1 minute walk breaks during my 14/1 from miles 5-20 only at certain aid stations (when I needed to refill the water bottle, or when it was time to take endurolytes or eat). In the last 6 miles, I ran hard and took a 30 second walk at the aid stations.
Ok, so, how did I do….let me first start by saying THANK YOU once again for your superb training. You have trained me through marathons, 50Ks, 60Ks, and 50-milers, never letting me enter a race unprepared….and boy was I prepared today. Everything clicked just right. My pace was dead on and pretty even throughout. In my last 7 marathons I typically would fade at the end with 10 and 11 minute miles….not this time.
My previous marathon distance PR was 3:58:47, which I did in the 2005 Long Island Marathon (before I started training with you). Today's Chicago Marathon time….a new PR 15 minutes faster than my prior PR -------3:43:48 !!

Anthony

Hey Lisa, I thought this was going to be 'slow, but pain-free'. Well, how about 'fast and pain- free'? I just set a personal best without hardly breaking a sweat (of course, it was 39 degrees at the start). But seriously, I was under control from the start right thru until the end. I worked our plan exactly like you set it out--and it went great. No pain in my feet, achilles, legs, stomach, back (all of the usual suspects from previous years), and I wasn't tired until I tried to push it a little during the last 1.2 miles. My legs (quads mostly) finally got a little tired and heavy at about mile 23, and I only had a little soreness in my right aductor. That was the big injury from last year and it led to the orthodics, and all of that physical therapy. I can reassure you that it continues to feel stronger every week thru our training reginmem. I just sat in our whilpool tub for about an hour and I feel like I could go out and run again. I'm not kidding, I don't hurt anywhere and I'm not tired.

I'll give you some details because I find them so interesting. By the way, my total was 3:50:45, and I was expecting something around 4:20. My previous best was 3:54:14 in '04. Look at how consistent the splits were: 8:33, 8:24, 8:29, 8:25, 8:51, 9:00, 9:01, 8:43, 8:53, 8:45, 8:39, 8:57, 8:57, 8:45, 8:35, 8:30, 8:50, 8:43, 8:55, 8:47, 9:02, 8:53, 9:04, 9:05, 9:06, 9:03, 1:35. So my average was 8:49 per mile. I was amazed at how fast I was doing my miles during the 9:1 part (from the 30 min mark until I hit the 20 mile marker).

So, thank you, thank you , thank you. A few weeks ago I didn't know when I could run pain-free again. And here I am with such a good result and not even very much prep time!!!

Terry

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Running with Dean

Lisa,

I ran with Dean yesterday on Day 35 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. What an experience! I have never been so spontaneous in signing up for a marathon (1 1/2 weeks before the run) but I just couldn't pass on the opportunity to meet and run with Dean. I drove up that morning at 5am and was ready to go with Dean with 49 other runners. After taking our group photos we started off on the most interesting marathon I ever ran. We had a rolling caravan of people on bikes blocking off intersections and a support vehicle handing out food, water and drinks to keep everyone replenished. The pace started out at about 9-9:30 min/mile. As you know, I have been focusing on trail runs and all of my long runs have been on the trails with power walking breaks incorporated during the runs. I knew that if I started with power walking breaks I most likely wouldn't be able to keep up with Dean, so I decided to roll the dice and run as long as I could with Dean. I was able to chat with Dean for few minutes and told him that you were my coach. His face broke into a smile and he told me to " say hi" to you and that you are one of his dearest friends. I lasted at that pace for about 16 miles, then my hamstrings cramped up with all the pounding on asphalt. The main pack continued on without me, but I accomplished one of my goals, to run and talk with Dean. Now the next goal was to smartly finish the race. In the past I would get down on myself and just limp in to the finish with a bad attiude. However, with the help of your coaching, I knew that I was in good enough physical shape (push ups, rowing, jump rope...) to gut it out and I ran/limped the last 10 miles on a 9/1 pace. I finished under 5 hours (a heck of a traing run) and had another chance to meet with Dean and take a picture (see below). He is so real and genuine (like you). He reminds me of a pied piper inspiring runners in all fifty states. Lisa, thank you for telling me to go for it (again) and inspiring me to believe I can do things that other people view as crazy or unrealistic. If anyone has an opportunity to run with Dean during his last 14 days, go for it, even if your training level may say otherwise. This race is not about a PR, its about celebrating human desire and dtermination.

Go Dean, you are the MAN!!

Cyrus

Heroes

Good morning everyone!

 

Here is a letter my friend wrote and sent to the Chicago Tribune.

 

Rett is running his 11th Chicago marathon!

 

Other Dreamchasers running Chicago marathon this weekend are: Juan, Matt, Anthony and Terry!

May you all have a wonderful, joyful race!

 

Larry is running his first 50 in Texas!!

 

Happy Feet:)

 

Lisa

 

 

 

Heroes

 

In a time overwhelmed with concerns about terrorism, war, mudslinging politics, and athletic scandal, we need heroes more than ever — people who have a goal, who deliver and who inspire without question, controversy or scandal.

 

On Sunday, Chicago will witness up to 40,000 heroes — from the world’s best to complete novices — runners who will start, discover, battle and ultimately finish something they once thought impossible, even ridiculous; the Chicago Marathon — 26 miles, 385 yards.

 

The marathon route is an unparalleled city showcase, passing Millennium Park, the Loop, Lincoln Park Zoo, Lake Shore Drive, the Lyric Opera House, The Mercantile Exchange, Greek Town, Chinatown, the White Sox ballpark, Sears Tower, and finally, the Grant Park finish area.

 

It’s a spectacular journey, but not one without its challenges. There will be a point for every runner Sunday when, in the face of increasing fatigue, aches, pain and the devilishly tempting opportunity to simply stop, they will choose to continue. Why?

 

Because the runners are there for a reason: to fulfill a once-in-a-lifetime goal; to run a personal best; to disprove those who say they can’t; or simply to do something that at one time seemed beyond reach.

 

And as they approach the finish line, these reasons will make Sunday’s marathoners heroes to a Chicago that values achievement, to the appreciative charities that the runners support, to their admiring families and children, and yes, somewhere deep inside, to themselves. Remember, this was once inconceivable.

 

There is no better place to view the entire human emotional spectrum than at the finish line. There you will see elation, exhaustion, exhilaration, frustration, pain, relief, hugs of excitement and tears of joy. In short: real life.

 

More important, you will see the everyday heroes who capture the never-give-up spirit of Chicago, temporarily transcending controversial headlines to deliver on an awesome promise that started the day: To prove the impossible is actually possible.

 

Raymond Britt

Winnetka

The Chicago Tribune Published . ( www.RunTri.com ).

 

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Attiitude

Good morning!

We can make or break someone's day by the very first word that comes out of our mouth in the morning, the first look on our face the first of anything!!!

I say today we "make someone's day", by doing something for someone that would not expect you to do anything for them. Start a conversation with someone, buy them a cup of tea or even lunch. See if we can make someone's day by a small act of kindness...

Have a wonderful day!

Lisa

ps..last night at the track workout I put on in Jackson Hole they did 10x200..it was the greatest joy to watch all of these runners, new and old smokin it up on the track!!!

Mission Statement: Attitude

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill, it will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react."

Charles Swindoll

Great way to start your day

What a great way to start and finish your day!!!

Many Blessings!!

Lisa

The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way . But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.

Blessed are those who can give without remembering, and take without forgetting the whole story is good,not too long..

THE SCARS OF LIFE

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida , a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

His father, working in the yard, saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could.

Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him.

From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than an the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go.

A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he
loved. The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my
Dad wouldn't let go."

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your
struggle, He's been there holding on to you.

The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way . But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.

Please pass this on to those you love. God has blessed you, so that you can be a blessing to others. You just never know where a person is in his/her life and what they are going through. Never judge another person's scars, because you don't know how they got them.

Right now, someone needs to know that God loves them, and you love them, too - enough to not let them go. Always Tell Your Family And Friends How Much You Love Them!!!

Blessed are those who can give without remembering, and take without forgetting!

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world mantra!

Below is an email from my good friend Greg, he tried to post this as a comment on my blog but was not able to. Have to say it is not only beautiful it is amazing. It is his reaction to my email about Madonna and the child she adopted. Since I sent that blog out early this morning I have gotten many emails with many amazing responses. Its really that the system does not work..for those who don't have millions of dollars ( yes Madonna has worked very hard for the money she has earned) and who do have a "name" you will continue to have to wait your turn and go through all the red tape. We are not keeping score, its just the hard facts of life that sometimes it just is not fair.

I love Olgas idea about starting an organization to help more people who want to adopt to make it more simple and less costly, let the money go to the children!!!

 

 

its always been about money. (i tried for the third time to put on your comments, i failed, i quit) the world mantra should be:

for those that have lived their life keeping score,don't. live to help those you love, and learn to help those you don't love, till you love them too. you don't have to like them to love them. those random acts of kindness will help your heart and the others to remember a simpler time when common decency was a common goal. That in time like a candle in the darkness all that comes from inside is good and a little light goes a long way in the darkness, to which people always approach with that eternal hope that happiness always seems to be linked with sharing even if its just the light (love) itself...

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children

It is very interesting to me to watch what has gone on and happened with Madonna and her adoption of a 1 year of child in Africa.

She was able to fly into Africa in her private jet, donate 3 million dollars to the aids orphans and less than a week later walk away with a 1 year old child who she adopted.

 

For people like me who can not have there own children adoption is such a wonderful option, but sometimes it takes years to get a child and some couples never get a child. They wait and wait and wait. The cost in very high to adopt a child and there is so much red tape you must go through.

What I would love to know is why Madonna was able to just walk in and pick the child she wanted and then fly off with the child? This is SO very wrong and painful for all those people who have been waiting on a list for a very long time. How did she get past all the paper work, the red tape, the waiting list?

Her money, is that why?

 

I think it is wonderful that the African government might be opening up more to the idea of allowing there children in the orphanages to be adopted by Americans and I think it is wonderful that Maddona is giving her money to help the children. But why did she go straight to the top and walk away with a child, why not follow the rules like the rest of us have to and let the child be adopted by the person/people who have been waiting and who have followed all the rules?

 

This summer I raised $180,000 for the same children in Africa and the money is still coming in:) I am so thankful that more and more people are helping and giving. I spoke to my friend sister Marybeth over and over for years about her helping us adopt a child from Africa and it was next to impossible.

 

I guess you can see that I am a bit confused and sad that the systems we have in place in the world are also the systems that can be bought with the right amount of money!

 

Have a great day

Lisa

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Join Lisa & Marshall for a Desert & Mt Ultra Training Camp

Guest Blogger: Colleen Woods

Lisa and Marshall are at it again...in May, they will be hosting a camp. Check out the details and consider joining them! Click here for more details.

Running in Memory of Wendy!

Good morning everyone,

 

It was a sunny beautiful weekend here in the Tetons, but today we have rain. Morning rain sounds so wonderful when the house is quiet and it is still dark outside.

I guess we could all be in Buffalo NY!  Jays parents live in Buffalo and we just spend 9 days there. Last week they got over 2 feet of snow! They predicted 1-2 in. and they ended up with 2 feet! Jays brother is still without power to there home. What a way to welcome winter..

 

Below is a link I really want you to check out and read. Tim Kjenstad is running with and for a purpose. His sister Wendy crewed for him at Badwater this year, went home not feeling so well and then to the Doctor. She passed away within a few weeks. Tim is running to help raise money and awareness and in the memory of his sister.  I am so very proud of Tim for his mission and desire, I hope you will to!

 

Have a great day

Lisa

 

 

 

http://web.mac.com/timkj

 

http://www.active.com/donate/ltnLasVe/2006_timkjenstad

 

Happy Feet!
Lisa

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Running with Dean

Here is a photo a coaching client Thomas Peters
standing next to Dean on Oct. 6th. This was at the Valley of fire marathon in Nevada.

It is so great to see so many people going out to meet Dean during these runs!!

Go Dean Go!!
Have a great day

Lisa

This is awesome!

Hello to you!

I had a really good day: spent the day with my 3 year old in Jackson Hole. It was sunny and beautiful. We went to the indoor pool, 2 parks, out to lunch, to the snake river for a walk and to throw rocks and then to Kamart to buy some Barbie doll clothes:):)

What a gift to spend this time with my little angel, I needed this day!

I hope yours was great!

I think the story below is awesome..

Lisa

This is AWESOME....

A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably coifed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled
sweetly when told his room was ready.

As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.

"I love it," he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

"Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait."

"That doesn't have anything to do with it," he replied.

"Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged .. it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. "It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.

Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life.

Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.

So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories! Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank. I am still depositing." Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less

Is Your Job Making You Fat?

Is Your Job Making You Fat?

Avoid Packing on Pounds Behind Your Desk
-- By Rebecca Pratt, staff writer

Even if you love your job, it may be killing you.

Australian researchers found that men sitting at their desks more than six hours a day are nearly twice as likely to be overweight than those who sit for less than 45 minutes a day. While women fared slightly better-spending on average 20 more minutes on their feet at the office than men-researchers conclude that a sedentary job is a major health concern for both genders.

And it's no secret that sedentary jobs (and lifestyles) have contributed dramatically to the accelerating obesity rate of the past 20 years. Put emphasis on the word 'dramatically'-a study conducted by the University of Chicago in 2001 found that a worker in a sedentary career may end up with a Body Mass Index 3.3 units higher than someone in a highly active job. If you're 5'5" this can mean an increase in weight from 140 pounds to 155 pounds!

Now that you've heard the bad news, let's turn to the good news...

You CAN love your less-than-active job and be fit. Here's how:


1. Be sure to eat. It's easy to slog through a day of meetings, e-mails, and phone calls to discover at 4 p.m. that you haven't eaten since breakfast. But, your body needs energy to get you through the day. Make it a priority to have a healthy and tasty meal-along with 1-2 healthy snacks. It is not a sin to opt for such shortcuts as microwave meals, as long as you read labels to avoid items with excess calories and sodium.

2. Compensate, compensate. Get physical to compensate for your sedentary workday. Join a gym, take an early morning run, or find time for fitness fun with your family. Buy one or two pieces of home exercise equipment that will allow you to exercise no matter what the weather.

3. Rework your network. Chances are, your friends and co-workers need help with their love handles just as much as you do. So, try some new activities that don't revolve around food. Organize a bi-weekly volleyball game, walk during lunch, or play a quick round of mini-golf after work.

4. Bring your buddies on board. While you're coaxing co-workers to modify those after-work habits, see if you can't involve them in a friendly get-fit challenge during work hours. By sharing healthy potluck lunches, exchanging recipes, and providing moral support, you’ll find that getting in shape can be a team-building triumph. (You might even check with Human Resources or management to see if you can involve them in a fun or meaningful way-since healthy employees save $$$.)

5. Don't eat due to boredom. Blacklist the office vending machine by stashing strategic healthy snacks (apples and almond butter, low-cal energy bars, nuts, or hummus and pita bread) that will give you a lift without adding to your waistline. If you know that occasionally you'll fall-and most of us do-pick out ahead of time the items you can live with so that your dip doesn't become a dive. Keep water at your desk; it'll give your hands something to do when you're stressed and will divert you from eating when you're not really hungry.

6. Vary your routine. We all have them- those daily social rituals, like heading upstairs to the cafeteria for a mid-morning latte and muffin. You can still have those items…but make it sometimes, not all times. If you want to change your life in big ways, try some small changes, like substituting a yogurt and black coffee with skim milk half the time. You’ll save about 470 calories (660 vs. 160)! (And you're taking the stairs up to the cafeteria, right?)

7. Lose the technology. Modern advances are great, but do you control them or do they control you? As much as possible, take advantage of opportunities throughout the day to get up and move! Deliver that memo in person, sit on a stability ball at your desk to improve your posture, park at the far end of the parking lot for a brisk walk to your building. You'll be surprised how quickly minor changes can improve your energy level and help you get fit.

8. Choose wisely. Whether you normally go out for lunch or eat in the cafeteria, try to make your meal choices conscious ones. Learn how to eat out wisely, and remember how much better you feel come mid-afternoon when you eat healthy. If you find that your cafeteria or workplace doesn't offer healthy choices, check with the person who's in charge of food service-you may be the person who tips the balance to get better options!

One in five Americans is obese; three in five are either overweight or obese. But sitting at a desk doesn’t have to mean you’ll be just another statistic! Incorporating these simple strategies into your workday will bring you one step closer to being a healthier, more energetic you.

Now go and check out there web site..www.SparkPeople.com its free!

Have a great day!

Sisters run marathon together

Kira had a dream to run a marathon with her sister Lauren, this past weekend that dream became a reality!!!
Lauren asked me 4 months ago if I thought it was possible to run a marathon in such a short
period of time and of course I said YES!! Lauren is in school full time and has a toddler to take care of as well.
Lauren and Kira, I would say you more than did it:) We are all so very proud of you both...

I have a dream to run a marathon with my sister Julie to..lets see what I can do!

Dean

 Good morning!

 

I received this email today and wanted to share it with you. Dean is a very good friend of ours and someone I really respect and admire! If you have not been following his 50 marathons you might want to check it all out.

 

Have a great day

Lisa

 

 

Today I ran a 'simple' marathon. And feel of all the races I've run this one is worth sharing. For the single reason that the man I ran with, Dean Karnazes, ( http://www.runnersworld.com/topic/0,7122,s6-243-362-0-0,00.html) was such an inspiration. For those of you that are athletes. You will appreciate his mission. "Showing American that being fit and healthy is the single most important thing you can do for yourself, and your family." "Because without your health nothing else really matters." For those of you who are not athletes you can appreciate his message for just the same reasons.

 

Dean is running 50 marathons in 50 days in 50 states. Today we ran #22 in New Mexico. I encourage each of you to check his schedule http://endurance50.com/ and if there is anything you can do to run with the man do it. If you can't run, attend an event and meet him at the party he has after each run, before loading on the bus and heading to the next state. It will change your life and your understanding of what is possible.

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made my day

Ok..now this photo has to put a big smile on your face!

My friend Geri and all her babies!

Happy feet
Lisa

Good article

Happy Friday to everyone!

 

I am out the door soon to go and run for 1:30 and then on Sat. I meet several people to do a long run, there about 15 people here running the NYC marathon next month and most of them are now coming to the track workout I put on in Jackson on Wed. It has been so much fun!!!

 

Below is a very good article that was in the New York Times.

 

If you have not gotten your copy of Trail Runner, Nov. issue it is worth going to buy one:)

 

The cover story is about the Tetons and there is also an article on the Badwater double!

 

Have a wonderful day

Lisa

 

 

 
HEALTH   | October 5, 2006
The New Age:  Old but Not Frail: A Matter of Heart and Head
By GINA KOLATA
A central issue only now being systematically addressed is why some people age well and others do not.

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IF I KNEW

Good morning,

 

Fall is here and Winter is on its way!!!  I sit her and sip my coffee and think about all the wonderful people in my life. Last week seemed so crazy when we got home that it has just made me sit back and think more about the people in my own life.

Reading the local newspaper I found that one of my friends/clients had passed away while we were on vacation. I did not even know she was sick! She went to the Doctor with back pain 4 weeks ago thinking she just needed to be adjusted by a chiropractor. 2 weeks of testing they found a tumor on her spin and then 4 others in her body, she died last week.

Sat. I went the memorial they had at her home and I just cried all the way home hold my kids. Carol will be missed by so many of us but I do believe she is off on her new journey!!

 

I have read so many emails about friends getting divorced, friendships ending..so much hate and pain in the world we live in..why????

Why are so many people not happy? I don't think I have the answers but perhaps if we can all just take the time to love those around us and love ourselves this would be a good start.

 

There is a new book out called 'One More Day', written by: Mitch Albom, he also wrote the book Tuesday with Morrie.

This is book is about spending one more day with someone you loved that passed away. I have yet to read this book and I am not sure if I will.

 

I think there needs to be a book about spending the time and the day with those you love that are alive!!!! Reaching out to someone you have hurt or someone who has hurt you. Reaching out because it is the right thing to do. We are all less than perfect and we all make mistakes..the one thing we all have in common is that we LOVE and we love deeply...why is it so hard for so many to reach out, be the better person, take the high road and seek goodness...LOVE yourself first and than it comes much easier.

 

I challenge you all to reach out to someone you love that you have not told this to in a very long time, take them to lunch..take the time..make the time..spend the day with them..

 

Below is very powerful!!

 

Have a great day

Lisa

 

 

 

 

In memory of all those who

perished this morning; the passengers and the pilots on the United Air and

AA flights, the workers in the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and all

the innocent bystanders

 

 

IF I KNEW

 

If I knew it would be the last time

That I'd see you fall asleep,

I would tuck you in more tightly

and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

 

If I knew it would be the last time

that I see you walk out the door,

I would give you a hug and kiss

and call you back for one more

 

If I knew it would be the last time 

I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,

I would video tape each action and word,

so I could play them back day after day.

 

If I knew it would be the last time,! 

I could spare an extra minute 

to stop and say "I love you,"

instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

 

If I knew it would be the last time

I would be there to share your day,

Well I'm sure you'll have so many more, 

so I can let just this one slip away.

 

For surely there's always tomorrow

to make up for an oversight,

and we always get a second chance

to mak e ever ything j ust right. 

 

There will l always be another day

to say "I love you,"

And certainly there's another chance

to say our "Anything I can do?"

 

But just in case I might be wrong, 

and today is all I get,

I'd like to say how much I love you

and I hope we never forget.

 

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,

young or old alike,

And today may be the last chance 

you get to hold your loved one tight.

 

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,

why not do it today?

For if tomorrow never comes,

you'll surely regret the day,

 

That you didn! 't take that extra time 

for a smile, a hug, or a kiss

and you were too busy to grant someone,

what turned out t o be their one last wish.

 

So hold your loved ones close today,

and whisper in their ear, 

Tell them how much you love them

and that you'll always hold them dear

 

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"

"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."And if tomorrow nev er

comes, 

you'll have no regrets about today. 

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Dad's Story

If you have not read this story please take the time to read it now. It is such an amazing story and one that will make you think and one that will give you the need to go and hug your kids, your loved ones, pet and maybe even you people you don't care for.

Life is so precious, every minute of it...

We all have our days that seem harder than others, challenges to work through, heartache and so on..but the real truth is that we have been given a gift, the gift of life!

 

It has been much more difficult than I thought it would be to "get back out there" and really start running/training again. Hurting my toe did not help any!!

But this weekend my mind and heart changed and I am feeling like I am back again...

How welcome and thankful these feelings are:)

 

Sat. we had about 10 people at the track doing speed work and I was able to do my own workout afterwards. I ran for 1:30 and then went up and down the stairs for 30 min. Today, Sunday I went out the door at 5:30 am for 2 hours and then walked for 1 hour with 3 of my women friends! I am so thankful to have so many people I can just pick up the phone or send an email to train with!

I watched the sun come up today, the cool morning air and the smell of fall. It was awesome, I felt so alive, joyful to be able to be doing something that makes me smile.

Home in time to make pancakes for my family.

 

I say we all say a prayer together and just be thankful.

 

Love to you all

 

 

 DAD'S STORY


On July 22nd I was in route to Washington, DC for a business trip. It was all so very ordinary, until we landed in Denver for a plane change. As I collected my belongings from the overhead bin, an announcement was made for Mr.   Lloyd Glenn to see the United Customer Service Representative immediately.   I thought nothing of it until I reached the door to leave the plane and I heard a gentleman asking every male if he were Mr. Glenn. At this point I knew something was wrong and my heart sunk.  

When I got off the plane a solemn-faced young man came toward me and said, "Mr. Glenn, there is an emergency at your home. I do not know what the emergency is, or who is involved, but I will take you to the phone so you can call the hospital."   My heart was now pounding, but the will to be calm took over. Woodenly, I followed this stranger to the distant telephone where I called the number he gave me for the Mission Hospital. My call was put through to the trauma center where I learned that my three-year-old son had been trapped underneath the automatic garage door for several minutes, and that when my wife had found him he was dead. CPR had been performed by a neighbor, who is a doctor, and the paramedics had continued the treatment as Brian was transported to the hospital.  

By the time of my call, Brian was revived and they believed he would live, but they did not know how much damage had been done to his brain, nor to his heart.   They explained that the door had completely closed on his little sternum right over his heart. He had been severely crushed. After speaking with the medical staff, my wife sounded worried but not hysterical, and I took comfort in her calmness.

The return flight seemed to last forever, but finally I arrived at the hospital six hours after the garage door had come down. When I walked into the intensive care unit, nothing could have prepared me to see my little son laying so still on a great big bed with tubes and monitors everywhere. He was on a respirator. I glanced at my wife who stood and tried to give me a reassuring smile. It all seemed like a terrible dream. I was filled-in with the details and given a guarded prognosis. Brian was going to live, and the preliminary tests indicated that his heart was OK, two miracles in and of themselves. But only time would tell if his brain received any damage.

Throughout the seemingly endless hours, my wife was calm. She felt that Brian would eventually be all right. I hung on to her words and faith like a lifeline. All that night and the next day Brian remained unconscious. It seemed like forever since I had left for my business trip the day before.  

Finally at two o'clock that afternoon, our son regained consciousness and sat up uttering the most beautiful words I have ever heard spoken. He said, "Daddy hold me" and he reached for me with his little arms.  

[TEAR BREAK...smile]


By the next day he was pronounced as having no neurological or physical deficits, and the story of his miraculous survival spread throughout the hospital. You cannot imagine, we took Brian home, we felt a unique reverence for the life and love of our Heavenly Father that comes to those who brush death so closely.  

In the days that followed there was a special spirit about our home. Our two older children were much closer to their little brother. My wife and I were much closer to each other, and all of us were very close as a whole family. Life took on a less stressful pace. Perspective seemed to be more focused, and balance much easier to gain and maintain. We felt deeply blessed. Our gratitude was truly profound.  

The story is not over (smile)!  

Almost a month later to the day of the accident, Brian awoke from his afternoon nap and said, "Sit down Mommy.. I have something to tell you." At this time in his life, Brian usually spoke in small phrases, so to say a large sentence surprised my wi fe. She sat down with him on his bed, and he began his sacred and remarkable story.  

"Do you remember when I got stuck under the garage door? Well, it was so heavy and it hurt really bad. I called to you, but you couldn't hear me.. I started to cry, but then it hurt too bad. And then the 'birdies' came."  

"The birdies?" my wife asked puzzled.  

"Yes," he replied. "The birdies made a whooshing sound and flew into the garage. They took care of me."

"They did?"  

"Yes," he said. "One of the birdies came and got you. She came to tell you "I got stuck under the door." A sweet reverent feeling filled the room. The spirit was so strong and yet lighter than air. My wife realized that a three-year-old had no concept of death and spirits, so he was referring to the beings who came to him from beyond as "birdies" because they were up in the air like birds that fly.. "What did the birdies look like?" she asked.  

Brian answe red, "They were so beautiful. They were dressed in white, all white. Some of them had green and white. But some of them had on just white."

"Did they say anything?"  

"Yes," he answered. "They told me the baby would be all right."

"The baby?" my wife asked confused.  

Brian answered. "The baby laying on the garage floor." He went on, "You came out and opened the garage door and ran to the baby. You told the baby to stay and not leave."  

My wife nearly collapsed upon hearing this, for she had indeed gone and knelt beside Brian's body and seeing his crushed chest whispered, "Don't leave us Brian, please stay if you can." As she listened to Brian telling her the words she had spoken, she realized that the spirit had left His body and was looking down from above on this little lifeless form.. "Then what happened?" she asked.  

"We went on a trip," he said, "far, far away." He grew agitated trying to say the things he didn 't seem to have the words for. My wife tried to calm and comfort him, and let him know it would be okay. He struggled with wanting to tell something that obviously was very important to him, but finding the words was difficult.  

"We flew so fast up in the air. They're so pretty Mommy," he added.  

"And there are lots and lots of birdies." My wife was stunned. Into her mind the sweet comforting spirit enveloped her more soundly, but with an urgency she had never before known. Brian went on to tell her that the "birdies" had told him that he had to come back and tell everyone about the "birdies." He said they brought him back to the house and that a big fire truck, and an ambulance were there. A man was bringing the baby out on a white bed and he tried to tell the man that the baby would be okay. The story went on for an hour.  

He taught us that "birdies" were always with us, but we don't see them because we look with our eyes and we don't hear them because we listen with our ears. But they are always there, you can only see them in here (he put his hand over his heart). They whisper the things to help us to do what is right because they love us so much. Brian continued, stating, "I have a plan, Mommy. You have a plan.. Daddy has a plan. Everyone has a plan. We must all live our plan and keep our promises. The birdies help us to do that cause they love us so much."

In the weeks that followed, he often came to us and told all, or part of it, again and again. Always the story remained the same. The details were never changed or out of order. A few times he added further bits of information and clarified the message he had already delivered. It never ceased to amaze us how he could tell such detail and speak beyond his ability when he talked about his birdies.  

Everywhere he went, he told strangers about the "birdies." Surprisingly, no one ever looked at him strangely when he did this. Rather, they alway s got a softened look on their face and smiled. Needless to say, we have not been the same ever since that day, and I pray we never will be.  

You have just been sent an Angel to watch over you. Some people come into our lives and quickly go...Some people become friends and stay a while...leaving beautiful footprints on our hearts ... and we are never quite the same because we have made a good friend!!  

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present! Live and savor every moment...this is not a dress rehearsal! THIS IS A SPECIAL GUARDIAN ANGEL...

 

Happy Feet!
Lisa Smith-Batchen

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