There was a bittersweet story in the Minneapolis StarTribune today. Three surviving brothers of a 20-year-old heart donor are going to be competing with three of the children of the 50-year-old heart transplant recipient in tomorrow's Lifetime Fitness Triathlon in Minnesota.
The description of the first meeting between the two families was poignant. The visual of the donor's mother coming up to the recipient, hugging him and then putting her head to his chest to feel and hear her son's heart beating, brought me to tears. Amazing story.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Gopher runner candidate for prestigious national award
Ladia Albertson-Junkans, a University of Minnesota cross country and track athlete, is the Big Ten Conference’s nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award.
According to a University of Minnesota Athletics Department news release, "Each Big Ten institution names a nominee for the award to the Big Ten, which then determines the student-athlete who is the most deserving candidate for the Conference to support as the Award moves to the national level to compete against the nominees from the various divisions of the NCAA."
Read all the details in this gophersports.com release.
According to a University of Minnesota Athletics Department news release, "Each Big Ten institution names a nominee for the award to the Big Ten, which then determines the student-athlete who is the most deserving candidate for the Conference to support as the Award moves to the national level to compete against the nominees from the various divisions of the NCAA."
Read all the details in this gophersports.com release.
Epilepsy, lobectomy = elite world ultra-runner?
Diane Van Deren's story is nothing short of amazing. In this well-written article in The New York Times, Van Deren tells her story of overcoming epilepsy by having a small part of her brain removed. The epilepsy is gone, but many side effects of the surgery have left her with new challenges she is learning to overcome.
Elite athlete without a coach
Interesting Q&A from The New York Times about elite marathoner Hendrick Ramaala of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Grandma's Marathon 2010 registration
Although it feels like the 2009 Grandma's just happened - wait, it did - registration opens for 2010 on July 13. For the first time ever the event is offering an early-bird discount ($10 off if you register by Sept. 7). The race is Saturday, June 19, 2010.
More information is available on the Grandma's Marathon website.
My guess is that this is in response to the fact that Grandma's did not fill this year. We'll see if getting a super-early start on registration helps their 2010 numbers.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Rock for Broc
I'm very excited about this coming Tuesday evening (June 30). Mercy Ray and some other members of the Minnesota running community are hosting the Rock for Broc Fundraising Challenge. It's a series of one-mile track races (plus some shorter distances for the kids).
I'd love to run a race, but I've decided I'm in better shape to volunteer. It should be great fun for all participants, spectators and volunteers!
Proceeds from the race entries, raffle tickets (with some great prizes!), bracelets and buttons will go towards supporting local runner (and snowshoe racer/cross-country skiier/triathlete/volleyball player...what else am I forgetting?) Cindy Brochman as she battles cancer.
Details about the mile events are available in a printable pdf here: Rock for Broc entry form & schedule. More details about some of the other actvities are here: A Few Words With... Mercy Ray.
Be sure to bring extra money to buy raffle tickets, bracelets and buttons. See you out there!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Sidewalk sprinkling season in Saint Paul
Ahh.. spring in Minnesota. The lilacs have come and (almost) gone, I wake up to lovely chirping songbirds every morning, there are more puppies and bunnies running around than I can count on a run, and.... it's time to start tripping, dodging and generally avoiding the lawn sprinklers.
I don't mind them quite as much in the heat of July and August. But starting mid-May - when the weather still swings widely between late winter and early summer temps and conditons - I really am in no mood to get doused.
I'll say it again: when you live in a city you don't own the sidewalk in front of your house. Even if you really whine. And there are now really fancy sprinklers that are directional. You don't have to water your entire front lawn at once.
But the absolute worst offenders are the ones who put the sprinkler right smack dab in the middle of the aforementioned sidewalk. It's even better when it's a house on a corner lot and you turn the corner as a poor, unsuspecting pedestrian and run right into not only an unwelcome stream of water but a deliberate impediment to your progression. One of these days I'm going to break an ankle.
Please be aware of the world around you. Be kind when you water your lawns, knowing that people still want and need to use the sidewalk while you're watering.
I don't mind them quite as much in the heat of July and August. But starting mid-May - when the weather still swings widely between late winter and early summer temps and conditons - I really am in no mood to get doused.
I'll say it again: when you live in a city you don't own the sidewalk in front of your house. Even if you really whine. And there are now really fancy sprinklers that are directional. You don't have to water your entire front lawn at once.
But the absolute worst offenders are the ones who put the sprinkler right smack dab in the middle of the aforementioned sidewalk. It's even better when it's a house on a corner lot and you turn the corner as a poor, unsuspecting pedestrian and run right into not only an unwelcome stream of water but a deliberate impediment to your progression. One of these days I'm going to break an ankle.
Please be aware of the world around you. Be kind when you water your lawns, knowing that people still want and need to use the sidewalk while you're watering.
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