Simply amazing.

     The marathon world record has been broken again.  Dennis Kimetto ran the Berlin Marathon in 2 hours, 2 minutes, and 57 seconds.  A sub 2 hour marathon may be possible in the near future after all.

http://www.runnersworld.com/elite-runners/dennis-kimettos-marathon-world-record-by-the-numbers?cid=social32457986

What else is there to say?

Boni, the Warrior Dog

     I met an interesting gentleman, Eric, this morning.  He and his wife adopted a warrior-dog.  He had a fascinating story to tell about the adoption, and about all the things Boni accomplished during her military service.  Her handler spent a fortune of his own money to bring her back to the states when she developed PTSD.
     We ended up talking for a long time.  I told him about Freedom Service Dogs and how many of the dogs are trained to become service dogs for soldiers with PTSD. He was interested and I think he and his wife may become volunteers.
     He is a Viet Nam Vet.  We talked about my being an Army Nurse at Walter Reed during that time, and about how crazy the military can be.
     It is a small world.  The conversation took place just because Eric stopped to ask me for directions.  (Some guys evidently do ask for directions.)


     Here is the link to a news video about their adoption of Boni.
 
http://www.9news.com/video/1651175555001/0/Boni---the-war-dog---finds-a-home-with-a-veteran

Signs from the Climate Change March in NYC

and why you should care...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/22/climate-march-photos-new-york-city_n_5862430.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000014&ir=World


More:

"There is no Ark"

"It's not the heat, it's the stupidity"

"The Lorax says, F,,,,,,You Monsanto"

Do you need something to read today?

     Here are a few articles of interest.

     Below is a link to an article from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies on the mystique of protein and its implications.
http://nutritionstudies.org/mystique-of-protein-implications/



     This article discusses the correlation between eating vegetables and fruits and your mood.
http://foodrevolution.org/blog/broccoli-makes-happy/



     The following article discusses minimalist footwear vs standard shoes vs running/walking barefoot, and injury.  It is a very balanced article quoting many research studies allowing you to come to your own conclusions.
http://lermagazine.com/cover_story/the-rise-and-fall-of-minimalist-footwear

Just 4 nuts a month

     Here is a link to interesting research showing that eating just four brazil nuts once a month can lower your cholesterol levels as much as statins.  It was a small study, but there is no downside to trying this.  I am.
              http://nutritionfacts.org/video/four-nuts-once-a-month/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=four-nuts-once-a-month&utm_source=NutritionFacts.org&utm_campaign=982b0ec852-RSS_VIDEO_DAILY&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_40f9e497d1-982b0ec852-23307913



"A goal is just an awesome way to force growth on yourself." - Deena Kastor

Jury duty....fascinating

     On Monday I had to report for jury duty along with a couple hundred others.  Thirty of us were called to a civil case which was expected to last probably four days. (Internal groan here.)  Only seven of us would actually become jurors.

     I was impressed that when the thirty of us potential jurors entered the court-room, everyone stood, including the judge and all those at the plaintiff's table and the defendant's table.  It lent solemnity to the occasion.

     The bare bones of the case were introduced.  The plaintiff is a women in her upper eighties who was injured in an auto accident.  She is suing for reimbursement for injuries, pain, and suffering.  The defendant, who was also in his upper eighties, is now deceased from non-related causes, so his estate represented by his son, is being sued. The estate admits the deceased man was at fault in the accident, but disputes some of the plaintiff's claims.

     Seventeen of the thirty of us were chosen to enter the jury box for questioning.  We started with the usual name, occupation, education, occupation of spouse, ages and occupations of parents and children.  Also, curiously enough, our hobbies and interests.  Then the lawyers introduced themselves.

     The lawyer for the plaintiff was non-imposing and professional.  He started off by distancing himself from "those lawyers" on TV ads and billboards. He was unassuming in manner.  I think it was a very polished role.  He was slick.  He had been a DA for a year, but has been in private practice as a personal injury lawyer for 28 years.

     They proceeded to question the seventeen of us....had we ever been injured in an auto accident, had we been involved in a court case about an auto accident, etc.  Then the plaintiff's lawyer asked about our opinions regarding litigation in the US.  Most of us agreed that our society is too litigious and that there should be more personal responsibility.  Several of us remarked on the McDonalds' case where the woman spilled her hot coffee in her lap while driving and then sued McDonalds, as being an example of a frivolous lawsuit.

     The plaintiff's attorney then asked about our feeling that the driver who was at fault for the accident be held responsible even though he is deceased?  And how would we feel if we knew he had been drinking prior to the accident, and had had one for the road? (See how they slide in the details?)

     He also mentioned the at-fault driver's age and asked how we felt about people in their eighties driving.  A few mentioned their thoughts that no one over 85 should drive.  I said I thought that that was unfair; of course older people should be allowed to drive if they are mentally and physically able.

     He then went on to ask our feelings about reimbursement for pain and suffering.  He threw out the number of $800,000 several times.  I think he was inuring our thinking to that number by the repetition  Most of us agreed we would need to hear the evidence before agreeing to that.

     Then the lawyer for the defense spoke.  She was younger, maybe in her thirties, but very professional as well.  She also brought up the topic of people taking responsibility for their actions.  What would we think if we heard that the plaintiff not only was aware that the deceased defendant had been drinking, but that she had bought him a drink, and had then gotten in the car with him anyway?  Should some of the burden of responsibility lie with her?  (Oh the twists and turns this case will take.)

     It will be interesting, to be sure, and frustrating.  There will be several expert witnesses brought to testify. I won't ever get to know the outcome as I wasn't one of the seven chosen.  They didn't tell us why we weren't chosen.  If I had to guess I would think, for me, it is because I was a case manager for an insurance company for several years and dealt with cost containment.  Or possibly because I felt you couldn't just blame the accident on the driver's age.  Maybe it was just because I am a nurse.  Who knows.

     The courtroom is open.  I could have gone and spent four days over there watching it all play out, but of course, I didn't.  And after inuring us to the $800,000 number, do you think the attorney actually asked for a lesser amount and hoped to slide it by?  I'm betting he did.

     It all comes down to personal responsibility.

   

   

   

Decide

     I went to run group last night.  That's two weeks in a row I've made it there this year. This quote reminds me of all the strong beautiful people I ran with, who have made this decision.
     Of course, afterwards we go for frozen yogurt, which is also good.  I just got a bowl of the fresh fruit and nut toppings......doing my best.

Mmmmm good.

     I'm really not ready for autumn, but am enjoying autumn harvest foods.  Acorn squash, layered with raisins, walnuts, pumpkin pie spices, and chopped apples, then roasted.  Best dessert/snack ever!  Maybe winter won't be so bad after all.  Maybe.

Rings true...

     This quote resonates for me, and probably applies to most of us.  Even those who actually are born with talent must work at it.  Look how Dean Karnazes turned out.

                            shared from RunJunkees

Smile.

                                        shared from Vegan Publishers


Have a great week.  The cold weather has moved on and normal autumn temps are back.  I'm going to jury duty today.  What are your plans?

You had best be thinking of an answer.

                                   shared from Be the change you want to see in the world

Lessons learned in life

                              shared from  Be the change you want to see in the world




        Kids, does this remind you of anybody?

                                                                     shared from Power 95.3

And the weird weather continues....

     It is 32 degrees and snowing lightly this morning.  I am so not ready for this. (I hope my sprinkler system didn't freeze up).  Now comes the annual game with myself to see how long I can wait to turn on the furnace.  I have a feeling it will be early this year.

The view from my back door

                      **************************************************************

     I have previously given links to articles on the dangers of sitting.  Here is a study showing that walking for 5 minutes for every hour of sitting can counteract that damage.
     http://sportsgeezer.com/2014/for-arteries-sake-walk-five-minutes-for-every-hour-you-sit/

                    ***************************************************************
     I mentioned earlier this week that the American Olympic Marathoner Deena Kastor was answering questions in the "Ask Me Anything" column over at Runner's World.  Here is what she replied when asked about doping and marathoners.  Well spoken, Deena.

Wow! A topic I could write pages of opinion! There is cheating in every profession that has fame or money on the line. Marathon running has both, so YES, I believe people cheat. I was floored in 2000 when I was given a survey in the Sydney Olympic Village about doping. I filled it our, but I now know it as the Goldman Dilemna, where an athlete would willingly choose an Olympic Gold medal even if it meant dying in 5 years!  What? More than 50% of the athletes polled said YES!  Are you kidding? 

I will jump to this understanding: I have been fortunate to have great mentors and coaches who instilled in me a deep desire to facilitate progress, but more so to see how it builds a better person, a greater contributor to society. My pursuit has always been about digging down, pushing the limits, but also to see how I've grown on the other side. Records and medals are there as benchmarks, but it is the evolution that solidifies our character. A gold medal or a million dollar payday may be someone's motivation to feed their family or to move up the politcal/social ladder of his/her community, but it is not the character building agent of progress and higher purpose. I would choose a lifetime of diligent progress and purpose than some hardware and only 5 more years to live! Life is amazing, sharing the years with others is a gift and I don't want it to end any time soon!

OK...so, to maintain the integrity of the sport, I think the blood passports are doing a great job tracking the "norm" of athletes and catching them if there are discrepancies. I don't know what other measure except hair samples, but that is expensive and then suddenly people will have alopecia. Other than that, I don't really know except having a nark on the inside. As I stated in opening, some people will cheat when fame and money are on the line- they'll find a way.

I miss Steve Irwin, don't you?

                                                                   The Mind Unleashed 

Two running rules for life

At last

     The October cover of "Runner's World" magazine will feature a vegan runner.  I love those Vegan socks.



http://cok.net/blog/2014/08/vegan-runners-world/?utm_source=Compassionate+Action&utm_campaign=4d05d520cf-20140903_National&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3109e0e8fa-4d05d520cf-180604969



     Also, Runner's World magazine is featuring Deena Kastor in their "Go Ahead, Ask Me Anything" column this week. She is one of my heroes.  I have seen her compete in the Bolder Boulder a couple of times and loved watching her in the documentary "Spirit of the Marathon,"  which I have viewed numerous times on Hulu when I need motivation.
     She begins her intro by saying:

The running community is like no other in the sporting world. We all relate to one another no matter our age, ability, gender or motivation level. We are in this journey together, not only to be better runners but better people. We use our runs as stepping stones to our goals, but also for meditation and stress relief. Sometimes I use runs to develop my daily to-do list and other days to dig down for a “character building” workout. I will never retire from a running lifestyle that fosters so much physical and emotional growth every day.

     She nailed it.  Here is a link to "Go Ahead, Ask Me Anything."
http://community.runnersworld.com/topic/go-ahead-ask-me-anything?cid=socMOT_20140908_31209816



 

Ah, summer. We loved ye so.

                                                     Published Sept. 7, 2014

“This is a fierce bad rabbit; look at his savage whiskers, and his claws and his turned-up tail.” ― Beatrix Potter

     My wildlife adventure for today was to rescue a baby bunny from my window well.  Of course, I tried from the basement side, trying to scoop it into a bucket, which caused it to jump past me into the basement proper.
     Luckily I had locked the dog upstairs for this escapade.
     I was smart enough to wear gardening gloves and was able to capture the terrified little guy by hand before he ran behind the couch.
     He seemed stunned for a moment when I released him.  Then he took off for the flowerbed.  Success.
     Last week Charleigh-dog managed to catch a baby bunny in her jaws.  It was all I could do to try to pry them open until she dropped it and it managed to hop away.  You could just read the thoughts running through Charleigh's mind....."NOOOOO!  It's mine.   I caught it and you can't have it.  It's mine!"  Then I practically had to pick this 80# dog up and carry her away because she was not leaving her bunny.
     Labs.....ya gotta love 'em.

Quotes from the Simpsons................

You've got to love Marge Simpson's quote:  "Our differences are only skin deep but our sames go down to the bone."


http://www.active.com/running/Articles/Quotes-From-The-Simpsons-That-Runners-Can-Relate-To.htm?cmp=291&memberid=156215988&lyrisid=44102841&email=djohnson655@msn.com&gender=F&dob=19510802+00:00