Inferno

     I just finished reading "Inferno, a novel" by Dan Brown, who also wrote "The Da Vinci Code."  This is another thriller, set mainly in Venice and Florence, and follows a similar formula. There is a chase across cities and countries, an obligatory madman, many red-herrings, and an art/history education regarding Dante Alighieri's life and his book "The Divine Comedy".  It was also a travelogue of famous buildings and art.
     It was thought-provoking; chilling, actually, regarding the possible future of humanity. He brings up the frightening topics of our planet's burgeoning overpopulation and also genetic engineering as applied to human evolution. These are real moral dilemmas that must be dealt with now.  He is correct in that we are like ostriches with our heads in the sand.  It is a dark topic.

Quotes from the book:

"When every province of the world so teems with inhabitants that they can neither subsist where they are nor remove themselves elsewhere...the world will purge itself in one or another of these three ways (floods, plague, and famine)."      Nicolas Machiavelli, writer, 1469-1527

"The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis."     Dante Alighieri, 1265-1321

"Remember tonight, for it's the beginning of always."    Dante Alighieri

9 reasons to run....

     From Runnersworld.com, nine surprising ways running helps your body.
     #1  it grows cartilage
     #2  sharpens hearing
     #3  saves your skin
     #4  beats migraines
     #5  regenerates muscle
     #6  eases anxiety
     #7  prevents cancer
     #8  increases brainpower
     #9  strengthens bones.
http://www.runnersworld.com/health/nine-surprising-ways-running-helps-your-body?page=single

     Now if it would just motivate me to get out there and do it.  I have been taking the week off and need a trigger to get me started again.
     I love reason #1, it helps grow cartilage.  That's for all those people who say "you'll hurt your knees."

A slave to sugar...

     Here is a wonderful article from National Geographic about sugar....its history and effects.  The article is well written.  Sugar is addictive and I readily admit that I am a sugar-holic.  I can't "eat just one" or have it in my house.

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/08/sugar/cohen-text

Gonna fly now

Need some motivation or just a smile?  Watch baby "Rocky" in Philly.....

http://www.phillyinfocus.com/home/highlight/video/baby-rocky-runs-the-art-museum-steps/

Are you an environmental steward? Do you walk the walk?

     I read an interesting blog post today about James Cameron and his conversion to a plant-based whole food diet.  He believes that the "true conservationists of the future must be strict vegans."   Eating plants only will be the mark of "conservationists of the future who are walking the walk."
     Here is a link to the blog which has a couple of clips of Mr Cameron speaking on the subject.
http://hpjmh.com/2013/07/24/james-cameron-on-walking-the-walk/


Using one of his movies as an analogy, our planet is now on a similar course to disaster—a far greater disaster for the entire human population.
     Shared from Healthy Eating, Healthy World blog

Dietary second-hand smoke

     There are carcinogens in even the smell of frying bacon.  The fumes generated from frying meat are capable of mutating DNA.  They also may be hazardous to fetal development.  Here is the link:
   
http://nutritionfacts.org/2013/07/23/meat-fumes-dietary-secondhand-smoke/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=meat-fumes-dietary-secondhand-smoke&utm_source=NutritionFacts.org&utm_campaign=e4feaf4fa0-RSS_BLOG_DAILY&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_40f9e497d1-e4feaf4fa0-23307913

Wow.

Favorite Run
Ida Keeling, a 96-year-old runner and a world record holder in the 60 meter sprint, running with her 60-year-old daughter Shelley. Mrs. Keeling who, coached by her daughter, started running at the great age of 67.

Remember, you matter.

George Takei

Team Hoyt

     I have mentioned Team Hoyt, father Dick and son Rick, before. I have always admired them. This year they ran their 31st Boston marathon, but were one mile short of finishing when the bombs went off.  They will run again next year with Dick pushing Rick in a wheelchair.  Dick will be 74 years old.
     They received the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the ESPY awards this week. This award, in  the words of Boston Magazine, “is given to members of the sporting world who have overcome great obstacles through perseverance and determination.”
      Here is the link to the article in Runners World Magazine.   http://www.runnersworld.com/general-interest/team-hoyt-gets-espy-award

 

     Now what can't you do this weekend?

"Strength does not come from physical capacity.  It comes from an indomitable will."---Mahatma Gandhi

Here is another link to an article about the Hoyts.  Enjoy.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/19/team-hoyt-jimmy-v-perseverance-award-espy_n_3619803.html?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living

"Until Tuesday"

     I have a book recommendation for you.  "Until Tuesday, A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him" was written by Luis Carlos Montalvan.  It gives a look at our government's behavior in Iraq and the effect it had on soldiers there.  It gives an excellent description of TBI (traumatic brain injury), PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), and also the disabilities of wounded warriors who are back home.
     You will love reading about Tuesday, Montalvan's service dog, a golden retriever, who saved his life.  They have an amazing relationship.
      Many of the dogs trained at Freedom Service Dogs, where I am a volunteer, go to wounded warriors, however at Freedom Service Dogs the dogs are rescued from shelters rather than being specifically bred for service dog work.  They rescue dogs to rescue people.  I like that.
     "Until Tuesday" is going to be made into a movie, as well.  It is a great read.
     
                            

"You are in a raging forest full of beauty and agony and magical grapey beverages and lightening storms and demon bees." The Oatmeal.

     Have you read any of "The Oatmeal" comics?  He apparently is a runner, too, and has created a series about his running.  Click on the link below to view.
                 http://theoatmeal.com/comics/running                         

                             


Speaking of "magical grapey" things......I got some new shoes.  I'm going to take them for a test drive this morning.  They still are sort of minimalist...they are zero-drop, but are cushioned.  They are Saucony Virratas.  Now, all I need to do is to click my heels together......
"You've had the power all along my dear.  You just had to learn it for yourself."  Glinda, the Good Witch, The Wizard of Oz.

More than an apple a day

  Here is an excellent talk by Dr. Michael Greger on preventing and possibly reversing America's most common diseases.  It is an hour long talk, but well worth your time. Please watch, and adjust your diet accordingly.

                                       (email subscribers must go to blog to view video)

 Per Dr. Greger, "vegans are just regular people."


              Scrambled Legs Running shared Runner Memes's photo.

As a vegan runner over the age of 60, I note where the bathrooms are on every route.  I don't like to live dangerously.

Have a peaceful Sunday in the shire.

Don't you quit, Mr. Frodo, don't you quit.
               

What a remarkable girl!

Listen to Pakastani schoolgirl  Malala Yousafzai address the United Nations regarding free compulsory education for all children.  She is brave, intelligent, and charismatic. She does humanity proud!

(email subscribers, go to blog to view video)

Self-esteem savings time....a great idea.

I am doing this.

                    from F Minus, Wed. July 10, 2013


Here is more on the transcontinental runner's self-supported run from Montreal to Argentina.  I wish him luck!
http://www.runnersworld.com/general-interest/a-sometimes-barefoot-run-from-montreal-to-argentina

Hippie Peace Freaks

Two more photos taken from on top of the Harvestor....

A view of my parents' home, built around 1920

A picture of me taken from on top of the Harvestor.  Someone had to be available to call 911 just in case, right?

I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles

     I'm back after a trip to another state to visit family over the holidays.  I had a great time. Thank you everyone.  In addition to spending time with family,  I visited the historical society museum in the small town where I grew up,  watched their Independence Day parade and the fireworks exhibition that night. It is nice to be home again, though, as I need to get my feet on the ground and start catching up here with the usual things....getting my dog from the sitter, mowing the lawn and yardwork, going through days worth of mail and bills, etc.

     I did read an excellent article this morning called "Being Vegan-I am glad I admitted I was wrong."  The author put a lot of thought into it.  Here is the link:
       http://lasvegas.informermg.com/2013/07/06/being-vegan-i-am-glad-i-admitted-i-was-wrong/

     Here is another interesting link to a man who is running across North America, Mexico, Central and South America from North to South, by himself, barefoot.  He in is New York now.
      http://www.runningtotheendoftheworld.com/?from_fb=1&fb_action_ids=10200852051496322&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%2210200852051496322%22%3A10151188554694715%7D&action_type_map=%7B%2210200852051496322%22%3A%22og.likes%22%7D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D


     Here is a video on facing the post-antibiotic age.  Modern medicine as we know it may soon end as bacteria become resistant to all available antibiotics thanks to industrial farming of animals.
http://nutritionfacts.org/video/past-the-age-of-miracles-facing-a-post-antibiotic-age/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=past-the-age-of-miracles-facing-a-post-antibiotic-age&utm_source=NutritionFacts.org&utm_campaign=dfa305ed31-RSS_VIDEO_DAILY&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_40f9e497d1-dfa305ed31-23307913

   
     Below is a picture of son Ben on top of the tallest Harvestor silo at my parents' farm.  He climbed up to take photos.  He never was allowed to do this as a kid so takes every opportunity to do so now.

The view looking down at one of the smaller Harvestor silos

Looking down the ladder

Happy Independence Day.

"Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better."  Albert Camus

This song makes me tear up every time I hear it, I'm not sure why.  I'm not a patriotic zealot.  I hate "God bless the USA"  bumper stickers.  I think they should say "God Bless the World" or "God Bless Us Every One."  We are global citizens.  Nevertheless, I love this song.  It tugs on all the right heartstrings.  Enjoy your holiday and your freedoms.

(email subscribers must go to blog to view video)

The great wide open

     I have been rediscovering music from the '60s and '70's that I missed.  I had never spent much time listening to lyrics.  I just enjoyed the tunes.  A family member reminded me of this song.  It reminds me of an age of innocence, back when the future was wide open and anything was possible.

    (email subscribers, go to blog to view video)

"Only you can listen to the song of yourself." Ed Ayres

     I just finished reading "The Longest Race, A Lifelong Runner, an Iconic Ultramarathon, and the Case for Human Endurance."  It was written by Ed Ayres, a veteran endurance runner, journalist and environmental editor. He was the founding editor and publisher of Running Times magazine, and worked for thirteen years as the editorial director of the Worldwatch Institute. It is a thoughtfully written and enjoyable read.
     The backdrop is the running of the 2001 JFK 50 Mile race....the nation's oldest ultra. At age 60, Ayres was attempting to break the age-division record.  He discusses this race and the elements of ultrarunning, (pacing, breathing, handling fatigue, being mindful, fueling, etc.), but also his worries about the future of our planet.  He weaves individual endurance with the sustainability of our society throughout his memories of the race.
     Dr. George Sheehan said to "listen to your body."  Ayres says that "only you can listen to the song of yourself while running."
     Interestingly, he quoted historian Jared Diamond who feels that "the adoption of agriculture was in many ways a catastrophe from which we have never recovered." (pg.102).  Diamond makes a good argument.
     Running is a metaphor for life.  Mankind developed due to running.
     He reminds us that in 1992 the Union of Concerned Scientists published a press release called "World Scientists' Warning to Humanity."  1700 senior members of the world's scientific community signed the press release and stated that "humans and the natural world are on a collision course." http://deoxy.org/sciwarn.htm
     I was not aware that in Dec. 1960 JFK penned an article for Sports Illustrated called "The Soft American."  He felt that the deterioration of our physical strength and ability was a menace to our security, and also undermined our capacity for thought. He felt this was a matter of urgent concern to our nation. It has been almost 53 years since that was written and we are only getting softer.
    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1134750/   

I <3 to run

   
   

The battle of your mind will be your biggest opponent.

  You owe it to yourself to be the best you can possibly be!

  I've been a slacker this past week.  I haven't been exercising or eating right.  This will stop today!  Especially with a holiday weekend approaching.  No more excuses.




 

Live Free and Run shared Run4Beer's photo.

Tin Man or a Runner with Tight Hamstrings? :-)

Me?