Costs of Running a Marathon

Anybody that can run can run a marathon, right? Right (in my opinion). The amount spent on a jog around the neighborhood is the same as what is spent on a marathon, right? Wrong, wrong, wrong.

I will attempt to quantify the true cost of running my MCM, while highlighting areas of savings and benefits of the marathon.

1. Registration fees for event and training races - The MCM fee is about $100, and race fees for half marathons run about $20-$100(ish). I will do 1 marathon plus 2 half marathons (1 already completed) in preparation. Total: $150-$250

2. Hotel costs for training races - I am lucky that I do not need a hotel for my MCM. However, I did require a hotel for my first half, and I may need one for my second half. Total: $70-$200

3. Food - Thanks to my increased calorie expenditure, I am spending more money at the grocery store. On average, I probably spend an extra $5-$20 on food as compared with before my training. I also get a smoothie once a week from the Smoothie King, which runs about $5.50 per week. With 40 weeks of training, that’s an extra $400-$1,000 spent on food.

4. Newspaper - To cut down on food costs, I started getting Sunday delivery of the Washington Post. I am now clipping coupons like a soccer mom. The paper is 59 cents per paper, but this easily pays for itself.

5. Vitamins - To fill in any nutritional gaps and keep my body running in top shape, I take a Women’s One A Day. Total: about $10 over the course of training

6. Powerade - I drink Powerade on all outdoor runs (7 miles or more). I go through a bottle about once every 3 weeks. At $1 a bottle, that’s about $14.

7. Nathan water bottle plus water bottle holder - This is worth its weight in gold, as it allows me to carry my water bottle plus keys and essentials. Its strap means that I can run without ever holding onto the water bottle. I will use this during my race, and it will eliminate the need to walk through water stations. Total: $18 at the National Marathon expo

8. Running shoes - I am currently rotating two pairs of sneakers. One I got for about $80 online, and the other was $40 at the National Marathon expo. I’ll likely need one more pair before training ends and don’t know of many race expos in the near future - so I’ll put the third pair at about $80. Total: $200

9. Technical tops, tees, underwear, and shorts - Each new garment runs about $5-$30. I’ll take a ballpark estimate here and say the total will be around $300.

10. Socks - It’s $5-$10 for a good pair of running socks. I will need some soon. Total: $5-$30

11. Watch/Garmin - I am currently using a cheap watch that, believe it or not, was originally purchased for my trip to Zambia. It cost me no more than $5. However, I am considering upgrading to a Garmin, which would run me at least $100-$300. Total: $5-$305

12. Nike+ - I decided to try the Nike+ feature on my iPod touch to track my mileage. I still have to play with it to see if it can actually calibrate well, because it definitely did not the first time out. I spent around $40 for the Nike+ sensor, the shoe pouch, and an armband for my iPod touch. The only hidden cost here is my iPod touch - which I won in a raffle. Thanks, Elon Dining Services! Total: $40

13. Medicine - To tame the trots and settle my stomach, I purchased some Pepto Bismol (mild medicine) and some Imodium (strong medicine) based on my needs at the time. Total: $5

14. Massages - On average, I have been getting a 30 minute massage from the Healthy Magic place in Pentagon City about once every two months. It’s $1/minute plus tip. Over 8 months of training, that’s 4 massages (plus I’ll probably get an extra one before my race). Total: $144-$180

15. Vaseline/lotion/sunscreen - These items keep my skin burn-free. Total: about $10

16. Flat shoes - I will likely be purchasing a pair or two of flat shoes soon. These are much better for my feet than the heels that I wear on most days to work. Total: $20-$40

Total costs: $1,391-$2,602

Yuck.

On the plus side, it could be a lot worse. Here are some of my tricks for keeping costs low.

1. Get gear at marathon expos. When the National Marathon came to DC, I knew I wasn’t going to run it - but I knew I was going to attend the expo! Local and national retailers sell staple items for runners at these expos at deep discounts, often 50% off or less. I got a pair of sneakers that would normally sell for $100 at $40. That alone was worth the trip.

2. Buy in bulk at Costco. Some grocery costs can be cut drastically by buying in bulk. For instance, I always save a lot more money when I buy my granola bars and nuts there. As staple foods, I know I will run through them fast, so they won’t take up too much extra space in my cabinets.

3. Do exercises on Hulu/other free streaming sites. If Hulu charged money for Cindy Whitmarsh’s Six Pack Abs routine, they would have made a killing off of me by now. Yet, they don’t, and so I continue to get a great workout cost-free. I will be doing this with my yoga, too, instead of spending $240 for Beth’s class. I absolutely loved her class, but it just doesn’t make economic sense for me right now to take it.

4. Clip coupons. Again, the newspaper that I buy to clip coupons instantly pays for itself.

5. Use a free marathon training plan. Hal Higdon’s plans have guided many a novice marathoner to victory. Best of all, they are free! I know of people that are paying $100 plus for their plan, but I just don’t think it’s worth it when Hal’s plan fits my lifestyle.

6. Live somewhere with gym/pool access and no need to drive or bike to a trail. I pay no gym fee and run straight from my apartment to the trails. I live in a great area that really pays dividends come time for a workout.

7. Purchase Aflac accident protection. I can run all out in my workouts, because I know that if I get injured, I have health insurance through my employer, as well as an even better benefit for the potentially injury-prone: the accident protection plan through Aflac. I can run my little heart out, and if I need to get an ambulance or get hurt, Aflac will pay me cash on the spot. It provides great peace of mind and helps me to avoid huge medical bills due to running.

With all costs, there (should) come benefits. Training for the Marine Corps Marathon is no exception. Here are just a few of the benefits:

1. The MCM experience, as described by an Active.com board poster: http://community.active.com/message/525366
“Provided in exchange for your entry fee: expo; bib; race shirt; timing chip; 5 AM Metro opening; Runners Village; baggage check; zillions of porta-pottis (but never one when you really need it); start corrals; 20000 fellow runners; howitzer blast; timing mats; 26.2 mile police-controlled race course; on-course volunteers, water, powerade, gels, oranges, sport beans and scenery including many monuments; Hains Point; one hated bridge; a hill up to the finish line; finisher's medal provided by handsome Marine; space blanket; pictures in front of the Iwo Jima;a congested finisher area; various finisher food; finish festival, also congested; baggage claim; an absolutely insane line to get on the Metro.” My additions to this list are that the MCM now has a field of 30,000 runners, there is a flyover before the race start, I will get the chance to beat Drew Carey in person, and family and friends will have a great event to attend (and an excuse to attend, in support of me!).

2. The chance to raise money for Periclean Scholars Alumni Association. I am using my milestone race as an opportunity to support one of the groups that is closest to my heart. I know I could not have done this without a milestone race such as the Marine Corps Marathon.

3. An excuse to go on vacation. Ever since I moved to the DC area, friends and coworkers have been telling me about Ocean City, MD. Well, I finally had a great excuse to go there this April, thanks to my half marathon. My second half may also be an excuse to travel.

4. Physiological benefits. Thanks to marathon training, I have better endurance, flexibility, and strength. I also never have to worry about my weight. In undertaking this much physical activity, I also believe it will lead to a longer life - which is a great investment, in my opinion!

5. Discipline. I would not get up on those Saturday morning long runs without a goal like the Marine Corps Marathon. While friends may stay out late or sleep in, I am motivated to hit the trail and get in a great workout. It also keeps me on track to complete - and complete well - my runs during the week.

6. Sense of accomplishment. I have been told that there is nothing like finishing your first marathon. I cannot wait to get that feeling. This alone is worth the investment of time, money, and effort.

Reason #18 to Support Periclean Scholars: No Excuses for Setbacks

While watching the morning news on the treadmill today, I nearly stopped running because of a story that was being covered. After losing 2-0 in pool play to the United States, the North Korean women’s soccer coach, Kim Kwang Min, gave the most bizarre excuse for losing a match that I have ever heard: a handful of North Korean players, including the goalkeeper and several strikers, had been struck by lightning during a training match on June 8, which caused them to perform below expectations.

My first thought was that something in North Korea stopped them from playing well - and it certainly wasn’t a lightning bolt! The North Korean players will never have access to the best soccer training, nutrition, and education as long as they live in a corrupt, feudalistic society with a “Dear Leader” assuming the role of God and trumpeting nuclear power/weapons as the only item the country should value. My second thought was that, if only North Korea had the courage to stop making excuses, the world would give them a little more respect. Yes, they have had many setbacks, and the loss to the United States women’s soccer team is just one more (though a minor one).

One example of living without excuses, appreciating the journey, and putting transparency over pride in the Periclean program is the journey that my class took to get to Zambia as a country of focus. Our first choice of country was, in fact, not Zambia; it was Angola.

The Class of 2009 followed the original model of the Periclean program in which the country of focus had not been predetermined. As a result, we had an additional learning experience as a precursor to reaching our destination (and beginning our journey). It was not easy. It was frustrating at times, but it was honest. We explored our personal and group strengths and passions - among them women’s health issues, education, and the environment. We also took a look at countries of focus, and in a close vote at the end of our first semester together, we chose Angola over another contender, India.

Once we chose Angola, we immediately began to consume literature on the nation and research how best to make an impact. We read passages from Martin Meredith’s The Fate of Africa: From the Hopes of Freedom to the Heart of Despair and kept current on Angolan news. We looked to identify root causes of the country’s greatest problems. As a country that had recently emerged from civil war, we found that many places were littered with landmines and therefore inhospitable to normal human life. We found this issue to be the one most deserving of our time and attention, and so we made it our own. We would work to support groups that remove landmines and improve the lives of those already affected by landmines.

However, in our research we reached one huge hurdle. It would be nearly impossible for our group to gain entry into Angola, even when working with a reputable partner. The government is very wary of foreigners, especially in diamond producing regions and other resource-rich areas (since resources are how Angola gets most of its revenue). Plus, the government is still one of the most corrupt in the world according to Transparency International.

These roadblocks made us face a decision: should we continue with our work in Angola - from afar - or should we choose another route? The Periclean model discourages the dumping of money into organizations without any tangible groundwork produced by the class, so it was a fairly easy decision for our class. We would switch countries of focus.

Our class still hoped to help Angolans, so we gravitated toward neighboring countries of Angola. We looked at working in either the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Namibia, or Zambia. Because of the ongoing war in the DRC, we never truly considered this to be an option better than Angola. We then considered Namibia - a past Periclean partner that experienced great success with the 2006 group’s initiatives. However, we wished to make our own mark in a new land and with new issues - so we considered Zambia. Zambia is an English-speaking country that is safe and welcoming of visitors and foreign aid. We had made our move: our new country of focus would be Zambia.

Our initial goal in moving to Zambia was to assist Angolans - that is, refugees. We began research on potential partners and related issues. Our research led us to the desire to produce something more than temporary. Everything was about to come full circle as we explored rural, sustainable development. Slightly under one year after choosing Angola, our mentor, Steve Braye, announced that he had found a partner for our work in Habitat for Humanity-Zambia (HFHZ). We felt a sense of relief and exuberance as we began to plan our groundwork. We found a country that would work and an eager, well-respected partner.

The journey was not an easy one. Nothing was handed to us on a silver platter. However, the hardships allowed us to appreciate the triumphs. Our journey from Angola to Zambia was an honest journey, and we acknowledge every step in it to appreciate our destination. We now have a sustained partnership with HFHZ and the groundwork to offer even more opportunities - housing opportunities for Zambians and transformative experiences for Elon students.

Now, if only North Korea could understand this concept...

This is reason #18 to support Periclean Scholars: no excuses for setbacks.

Reason #17 to Support Periclean Scholars: Help Achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 8, Develop a Global Partnership for Development

The final Millennium Development Goal (MDG), Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development, is one that I feel is the Periclean program’s greatest strengths in terms of contributing to the advancement of the MDGs.

Target 8.A: Develop further an open, rule-based, predictable, non-discriminatory trading and financial system is rooted in the finance system, but it also sets out a need for measures of success beyond financial. Periclean Scholars has always honored classes that are able to raise a lot of money, but this has always been a comparatively small measure of success. Each class’s success is not going to be in terms of the amount they fundraised during their time at Elon, but rather on the strength of partnerships. Each class that establishes meaningful partnerships with well-vetted organizations and maintains them well after graduation, to ensure project sustainability and growth, will help to achieve MDG 8. These classes will be committed to good governance, development, and poverty reduction for the long haul.

Most of the Periclean countries of focus have fallen into the realm of Target 8.B: Address the special needs of least developed countries. The Pericleans’ work in Zambia, Sri Lanka, and (soon) Haiti addresses Target 8.C: Address the special needs of landlocked developing countries and small island developing states. Though not officially connected to the UN program, Pericleans researched the most pressing issues and worked diligently with their partners to make great strides in working to address these special needs.

Building partnerships is one of the program’s utmost strengths. The program’s sustained partnerships include, but are not limited to:>

• 2006: Ombetja Yehinga Organization, Windhoek, Namibia; Lironga Eparu, Windhoek, Namibia; TKMOAMS NGO in Oshakati (Tate Kalunga Mweneka Omukithi wo ‘AIDS’ Moshilongo Shetu, translated Our Mighty Father help us stop the AIDS pandemic in our country); Catholic AIDS Action, Windhoek, Namibia
• 2007: Hope for Honduran Children, Flor Azul and Nuevo Paraiso, Honduras; Mario Catarino Rivas Hospital, San Pedro Sula, Honduras
• 2008: Schools for Chiapas, Chiapas, Mexico
• 2009: Habitat for Humanity – Zambia; artist Nicole C. Moore
• 2010: Kpoeta Community, Ghana; Sokode Community, Ghana; Johnson & Johnson
• 2011: Mahabodhi School, Sri Lanka; Rainforest Rescue International, Sri Lanka; Panangala Junior School, Sri Lanka; Sri Lankan entrepreneur Rachel Weeks; Graham Middle School, Graham, NC; Loaves and Fishes, Burlington, NC; Will Work for Food, Ann Arbor, MI
• 2012: Comprehensive Rural Health Project, Jamkhed, India; Burlington Housing Authority, Burlington, NC
• 2013: Luna Maya, Chiapas, Mexico; Schools for Chiapas, Chiapas, Mexico
• Pan-Periclean: The Redwoods Group; Park Foundation

This list is by no means exhaustive and also includes Pericleans-in-Residence, fundraisers, family, and friends.

The program teaches humility. Pericleans are capable of doing great things, but we cannot do them without the help of people other than ourselves. This extends out to our many partners, but it also includes how we work among each other in class and developing ideas. We achieve more through actively listening and working with the same goal in mind: advancing our collective success as global citizens. The Periclean Scholars believe that if global organizations maintain the value of humility and the desire to partner, MDG 8 can be more rapidly achieved.

The Periclean Scholars' work to forge strong, meaningful partnerships is reason #17 to support Periclean Scholars: help achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 8, develop a global partnership for development.

Reason #16 to Support Periclean Scholars: Help Achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 7, Ensure Environmental Sustainability

I know that all of my American supremacist readers have been looking forward to this post. (Just kidding.) Believe it or not, one target on the MDGs is one that Americans are significantly worse at practicing as compared to other nations. Yes, we are great at conducting research and development, but in practice, we can be a lot better at achieving Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability.

How often have you heard that it’s important to recycle… that you should take shorter showers… that cycling and public transit are better than driving your own car? The list goes on and on for behaviors that we know we should adopt but do not, for lack of convenience or caring. The list also extends to policies that the United States failed to adopt, from the Stockholm Convention on eliminating extremely dangerous chemicals to the Kyoto Protocol on fighting global warming to the Convention on Biology Diversity for reducing the decline of biological diversity and on and on.

Believe it or not, there are consequences of not achieving MDG 7. Continued greenhouse gas emissions will accelerate polar ice cap melting – which will cascade into increased flooding and displacement of water. (There is no coincidence that we are now experiencing record flooding around the world.) Climate change will create refugees as larger cities are flooded, and conflict over resources could create a new world war.

But – enough fearmongering. That’s not what the Periclean Scholars are about. Let’s answer this question: what are the Pericleans doing about this issue?

The Periclean program’s newly minted alumni, the Class of 2011 Sri Lanka group, made environmental sustainability their primary focus – both in Sri Lanka and in community outreach in the United States. They worked with the Sri Lanka Rangers program and developed a website for collaboration between their Sri Lanka school of focus and their Graham, NC school of focus. They built a partnership with Rainforest Rescue International, a valuable resource for their documentary. They painted a mural at Panangala Junior School, where they painted a mural with the theme of environmental sustainability. The list goes on, as this class accomplished much for environmental awareness for Sri Lanka and in its American partner school.

We can do a lot to clean up our own spaces and live our lives sustainably, but we must also be concerned about the common areas. Discussion and education are paramount to cleaning up the commons. Because of this, the Class of 2011 found a conference to be an ideal vehicle to make progress on environmental sustainability. The Leaders in Environmental Advocacy Forum (LEAF) brought together Elon University, the University of Colombo, the United States Embassy – Colombo, the National Science Foundation – Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Ministry of Environment, and Rainforest Rescue International. The conference was covered by ETV, Business Times, Shree FM, and E FM Radio 100.4. The Periclean Scholars placed the need to sustain our environment into the context of living as global citizens, as they facilitated forums to achieve sustainability on all fronts.

To close, one of the final projects of the undergraduate Class of 2011 tied into the theme from this year’s convocation, “We Can Do Better”, moderated by journalist and Elon parent Brian Williams. The convocation encourages ongoing conversation about how we can confront America’s greatest challenge and continue to be a leader on issues closest to our national values. Scholar Molly Schriber reflected on her shortcomings and opportunities for growth after a visit to the Alamance County landfill with Periclean-in-Residence Dr. Ajantha Perera. I am impressed by her honesty in her exposure. Please watch her video below.

As with other MDGs, the United States is expected to be a leader on this front. If we continue to be irresponsible and not practice the tenets in Goal 7, this goal will never be fully attained. An innovative American program with global feel and outreach on the university level can make positive strides, and the Periclean Scholars Class of 2011 has done just that. I am confident that they will continue to make strides within and beyond their partnerships, long after their graduations one month ago.

The program's strides on improving environmental awareness are reason #16 to support Periclean Scholars: help achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 7, ensure environmental sustainability.

Reason #15 to Support Periclean Scholars: Help Achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 6, Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Other Diseases

HIV/AIDS is the foundational issue of the Periclean Scholars Program. The very first class, the Class of 2006, chose it as its issue of focus in the country of focus, Namibia. Since the beginning, Periclean Scholars has worked to meet Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Other Diseases.

Education and discussion have been the vehicles of choice for this class. More than any disease in the world, the stigma and misinformation surrounding HIV and AIDS have increased its spread and limited protection, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Both those with AIDS and those without receive equal treatment in education, because AIDS affects everyone – particularly in Namibia. The Class of 2006 lives out the belief that the spread of AIDS can be halted and reversed when everyone participates in the education and discussion process. The Class of 2006’s success in HIV/AIDS education and discussion have come primarily through three channels: continued partnerships, a conference, and a documentary series.

The partnerships forged by the Class of 2006 have been a model and a blueprint for all subsequent classes. Out of the four Pericleans-In-Residence that the class sponsored, three were HIV/AIDS experts.

• Dr. Philippe Talavera came to campus on October 2003. Originally from France, he moved to Namibia to fight against HIV/AIDS. He is the Director of the Red Ribbon Campaign and Head of the Ombetja Yehinga Organization. He works with youth and students to spread awareness and education and provide a support network for all affected by the disease. He has produced a documentary and short films in collaboration with the students, with a target audience of adolescents. He made three public lectures at Elon about gender issues, the role of the global community, and the role of the Elon community with HIV/AIDS. He also made radio appearances, spoke with administrators, and visited GST 110 classes.
• Anita Isaacs arrived at Elon in Fall 2004. As the Director of Lironga Eparu, she works to help HIV positive individuals live positive lives. She actively shared her story with the Periclean Scholars cohort, at campus-wide forums, and at several radio interviews. She also recorded interviews for a Class of 2006 documentary.
• Lucy Steinitz served as Periclean in Residence in Fall 2005. She is the Co-Founder of Catholic AIDS Action and the Senior Technical Officer for Faith Based Programs. She has been living and working in Namibia to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic. She provided lectures to many classes at Elon, including my own GST 110 section. She reached out to many Elon students, students at Alamance Community College, and students at the Synagogue Religious School in Greensboro, NC. She was able to create huge paradigm shifts in the way Americans viewed Namibians’ behavior as related to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and she created many new advocates for change. Lucy and Periclean Director Dr. Arcaro have been co-teaching SOC 376, “The Global Impact of HIV/AIDS”, an online course at Elon, since summer 2006. Through these classes, over $2,000 was raised to go to Namibian OVCs (orphans and vulnerable children) in the “Saving Remnants” program.

The class also worked with the TKMOAMS NGO in Oshakati (Tate Kalunga Mweneka Omukithi wo ‘AIDS’ Moshilongo Shetu, translated Our Mighty Father help us stop the AIDS pandemic in our country). In early 2011, the Periclean Scholars Alumni Association sponsored a bicycle program to help TKMOAMS continue its HIV/AIDS outreach in the broader community.

Second, the Class of 2006 was the first class to hold a conference – the Future Leaders Summit on HIV/AIDS in Windhoek, Namibia. The conference brought together Elon University, Polytechnic of Namibia, and the University of Namibia, was sponsored by the American Cultural Center of the US Embassy in Namibia and Family Health International, and was covered by CNN International. The summit highlighted student research and enabled information sharing. It invited experts to offer a deep understanding on various dimensions of HIV/AIDS-related issues. The summit strengthened the power of both the Namibian and American democracies and strengthened university partnerships. It empowered attendees and created lasting networks. The conference brought a lot of redeeming value to the HIV/AIDS fight, and the channel of learning itself has been replicated by the Sri Lanka group.

Finally, the Periclean Scholars Class of 2006 created a documentary series to educate both targeted segments and the general public about HIV/AIDS in Namibia. The documentaries are available for anyone to order and continue to be used as a tool for education in the United States, Namibia, and around the world. Please watch this introductory video, “Maturisa Ehinga” (translated “We are fighting AIDS”), which includes information (and links on the page) about all four documentaries in the series. http://org.elon.edu/fightingaids/about_maturisa_ehinga.html In addition to this documentary series, the class also created the script for “Testing Posi+ive”, which addresses the issues of fear of getting an HIV/AIDS test and abuse toward women. The film is now in use during Elon’s freshman orientation, as well as groups around the world.

Before I conclude, I have to include a graph to project the future of MDG 6 in Periclean program beyond Namibia.

Clearly, the HIV/AIDS epidemic greatly affects Zambia. While in Zambia, I visited an OVC compound developed by Habitat for Humanity. During the May-June 2011 build, the group built housing for people affected by AIDS. Work on this front should continue to progress with future builds, as it will multiply the benefits of the work in Zambia. 

The HIV/AIDS war will be won on two fronts: the scientific front and the educational front. As we come closer to a cure on the scientific front, we must continue to see parallel progress on the educational front for the science to have an effective impact. Myths about HIV/AIDS, its transmission, and its cures must be dispelled through proper education in communities around the world. The Periclean group’s efforts in Namibia – a country highly affected by the AIDS epidemic – and in future groups show that the program continues to do its part on MDG 6.

This is reason #15 to support Periclean Scholars: help achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 6, combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases.

15 Mile Run - Saturday 6/25

Today's entry is going to be a short one, because I have to go help a friend move into her new apartment. This is the first year in about six years that I haven't had to move from one place to another, so I am feeling especially generous and ready to use my moving muscles for the common good.

My 15 mile run took me on a brand new trail. I took the Four Mile Run trail heading west, through Shirlington, and through Barcroft Park. I then turned around and headed up the Mount Vernon Trail to directly underneath the Metro rail, which allowed me to meet my 15 mile goal.

The entire run felt awesome today - legs, lungs, stomach, etc. The only downside was that I got scarred by the seams on my sports bra, but the burns aren't too deep. I should probably ask for advice on the best sports bra. (Anybody have suggestions?) The weather was also just perfect - a light breeze and slightly overcast. It was just the most perfect morning.

I was easily distracted from the running itself this week because I was running such a new trail. Compared to most trails, the Four Mile Run trail had many, many forks in the road. I had studied the map the night prior, so I knew which turn to take for most of the trail. I did take one wrong turn over the wrong bridge, but I quickly figured out that I had made a mistake and only ran an additional 1 or 2 minutes.

My favorite landmarks on this trail - and why I will return to it - were in Shirlington. Next to the river I could see the Shirlington Dog Park and some dogs playing in the river. On the opposite side, I found the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. I enjoy the fact that I can see the dogs and not have to worry about if they are going to run after me and bite me, because they are separated by a river and a fence.

Compared to my other trails, this was also a much more suburban trail. In Barcroft Park, it felt like I was running in the woods. As my runs increase in mileage up to a max of 20, I can truly get the rustic experience along with the city experience, all in the same run.

One other point on the Four Mile Run: it is silly to see signs that say "FOUR MILE RUN - MILE 6.5". I wonder what genius named it the Four Mile Run. Perhaps I should look up the history on that.

Next week, I continue the progression with 16 miles - and then it's a stepback week.

Time to go move some boxes!

Help Me Choose My Next Half Marathon!

One of the items that has been on my to-do list for a while has been to schedule a second half-marathon before the big race in October. As much as I hate paying registration fees and traveling just to run, I know that racing is an important part of training. I wouldn’t get the marathon race day experience any other way – or at least not as close to an experience as what a half can provide. Plus, with one half marathon already under my belt, I can see just how much progress I have made since my April 30 finish of 1:51:02. Perhaps I can get under 1:50!

I am looking at races in August through early September. Five events match my timing criteria and are close enough to me that I would seriously consider doing them. However, I cannot do all of them and must choose the “best” one.

Click on each race name for each race’s website and more information.

Riley's Rumble, Boyds, MD
Sunday, August 7
Pros: Inexpensive ($22.30), 7 a.m. start, hotel not required
Cons: No race tee 

Ben Moore Memorial Half Marathon, Annapolis, MD 
Saturday, August 13
Pros: Inexpensive ($30), 7 a.m. start, Saturday run (normal day for long run)
Cons: Does not specify if there is a race tee, may get a hotel

The Wild Half, Wildwood, NJ 

Sunday, August 28
Pros: Race expo, technical tee, single weekend pass to Morey's Piers included with race fee

Cons: Expensive ($75), later (7:30 a.m.) start, hotel required

Labor Day Half Marathon, Rockaway Beach, Queens, NY 
Sunday, September 4
Pros: Inexpensive ($22), could perhaps get friends and family to watch, hotel not required, lower temperature possible (because of location and weekend), during a long weekend

Cons: Not a lot of information listed on the website

Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, Virginia Beach, VA 
Sunday, September 4
Pros: Race expo, technical tee, rock bands along the course
Cons: Expensive ($110), hotel required

I will likely select a race within the next couple of weeks. If you had to choose for me, which would you pick and why?

Reason #14 to Support Periclean Scholars: Help Achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5, Improve Maternal Health

Today’s post in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) series will address Goal 5: Improve maternal health. It will also address Target 5.A: Reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio and Target 5.B: Achieve universal access to reproductive health.

During my time at Elon, I remember that my class (2009) and other classes had discussed maternal health as a potential area of focus. The gap between the world’s richest and the world’s poorest is unfortunately clear in countries’ maternal healthcare disparities. In developing nations, women lack education and tools to make informed choices about their bodies, to obtain the best care for their fetuses, and to avoid preventable death due to birth. I am pleased to learn that a current class – the 2013 Chiapas, Mexico group – is working on this issue.

The Class of 2013 has created different focus groups for students to research ways for their talents and passions to make the greatest possible difference to the people in Chiapas, Mexico. One of these groups is the healthcare group. Through their research, the healthcare group discovered that women’s health – including maternal health – does not receive adequate consideration across the village, and that there is work to be done on this front. As a result, the group vetted potential partners and decided to pursue a co-op with a birth center in San Cristóbal de las Casas called Luna Maya. Luna Maya’s mission is to ensure that all women in Chiapas have access to humanized health care, including safe and humanized birth. They believe in empowering women to make informed choices and have access to resources for health and wellbeing. They also believe that access to safe motherhood is a human right that leads to the empowerment of women, enhancement in quality of life, and strengthening of families. I am excited to see the work of the Class of 2013 develop on this front. While it is currently a fledgling partnership, I have no doubt that it will become as strong as current Periclean partnerships – and make great strides toward MDG 5.

I will continue with yesterday’s example of including graphs to demonstrate the needs for Periclean Scholars and make suggestions for further action.

For this first graph, a downward slope is indicative of positive strides.

According to this graphic, many of the Periclean nations need help in addressing maternal mortality. The Mexico group’s work will be important in moving a stagnant number in the right direction. Between 1995 and 2008, the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births has held right at 58.

I also wanted to point out that the United States’ maternal mortality ratio – while one of the best in the world – has doubled since 1995. Yes, the number itself is low, but this trend is troubling. Perhaps this is an issue that the 2014 group will find is an issue in Appalachia, and they can work to reverse it.

Next, I will show a graph related to Target 5.B: Achieve universal access to reproductive health. The measure that I am using is contraceptive prevalence (percent of women ages 15-49). It does not measure access; it measures the percentage of women who are practicing (or whose partners are practicing) any form of contraception. In effect, this is a better measure of success because it shows that contraception has become ingrained into a society as acceptable for sexual practices.

For this dataset, an upward slope is indicative of positive strides.

The dataset is not complete; for instance, we have data for Mexico and the world through 2009, but we only have data for the United States through 2002. Regardless, we can conclude the following. The India group’s work with women and health at the Comprehensive Rural Health Project is direly needed, because India has recently reversed a good trend. Mexico’s culture has accepted and is practicing contraception, which means access to contraception can be integrated well with the Class of 2013’s targets and goals. Most of the Periclean nations are on a positive, upward trend with contraception practice, but none are near 100% in practice.

There is a lot of work to be done on this front. The Class of 2013 has taken the lead on this issue. I believe it can be integrated into even more Periclean efforts in the long run, with the proper support. The health of a new family starts with the health of the mother. If the mother cannot survive through childbirth, the family is shattered. Reducing maternal mortality increases the strength of families, and strong families increase the economic and social potential of the world and its citizens.

Because of the work that Periclean Scholars have set out to do, this is reason #14 to support Periclean Scholars: help achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5, improve maternal health.

Donor Acknowledgement - Debra Koch

I truly appreciate the contributions of Debra Koch toward my Marine Corps Marathon journey. Whether Debra's contribution was made for a particular facet of the Periclean program that touched her heart, or because she wants me to succeed in my training and running, or whether she wants to help me reach my $3,580 goal, or whether it is a combination of all of the above and more, I am grateful for the action that Debra has taken. Debra, I hope that I have the chance to meet you and thank you in person on my next trip home to New Jersey.

Thank you, Debra.

Reason #13 to Support Periclean Scholars: Help Achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4, Reduce Child Mortality

This evening, I stumbled across this clever tool, called Google Public Data, that allows you to visualize certain datasets by country. My first thought was to make a few charts to include in today's post on how Periclean Scholars addresses Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality and Target 4.A: Reduce by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate. My next thought was to see if I could craft a post that was completely interactive, so that you, the readers, can discover how Periclean Scholars has taken strides toward this Millennium Development Goal (MDG). My next thought, and my challenge for you, is to take these datasets and provide recommendations on how Periclean Scholars can continue to reduce child mortality. Below is the result, in charts and video, as well as the charge for you, my readers.

The focus of the Class of 2007 in Honduras was on chronic malnutrition. I have included the links to their informational video. Unfortunately, I cannot embed these videos because they are in Quicktime format. Please learn more about their work and see footage on the ground in Honduras by clicking on the link for the English version or the Spanish version.

Next, I have included a malnutrition graph for all Periclean countries of focus - past, present, and future. Hover over the graph for more information on the data.

From this data, I conclude that the Honduras group's work has impacted the downward trend in malnutrition prevalence. Honduras is one of the more successful nations in this regard. Based on this dataset, I also think that we can and should help to speed up the downward trend in our Southern Asian nations.

The next dataset visualizes the under-5 mortality rate. This data ties specifically to Target 4.A, and we can see how Periclean nations are faring on this target.

Zambia's statistics are abysmal, which means that the Class of 2009 is right on target to pursue a clinic in Kawama village. Haiti is next, which means that perhaps this should be an area of focus for the Class of 2015. Ghana is trending in the right direction, but the Class of 2010 is still spot-on in addressing child mortality by building the Kpoeta Community Clinic. Sustaining the Ghana clinic, enacting the vision of the Zambia clinic, and inspiring the Class of 2015 to consider a Haiti clinic all show progress toward this MDG.

Please watch this Public Service Announcement (PSA) on Healthcare in Ghana, developed by 2010 Periclean Scholar Andie Diemer.

Based on the information in the above videos and charts, what would you recommend to the Periclean Scholars as a course of action? As a global citizen and stakeholder in the Millennium Development Goals, what types of activities would best move forward the countries of focus to reduce the child mortality rate? Collaboration, partnership, and listening to all stakeholders is the lifeblood of Periclean Scholars. There are many ways to go about reducing child death, from addressing malnutrition to prenatal care to immunizations and so on. Your suggestions are valuable, as well as the reasoning behind your suggestions. 

The information above in charts and videos, as well as the feedback you provide, are reason #13 to support Periclean Scholars: help achieve Millennium Development Goal 4, reduce child mortality.

Reason #12 to Support Periclean Scholars: Help Achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 3, Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women

The end of poverty will come with the contributions, strength, and empowerment of half of its people - and it cannot come any other way. Women’s equality is not a special interest of just a few; the success of all of us, especially women, will determine our fate as a global society. Women have the same right as men to live free from fear, as world peace begins in the home. Enabling women to live freely with dignity will cascade into the other goals, as they use their skills and talents to help others. This narrative will show how Periclean Scholars works toward attaining Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women.

I will begin with an anecdote from Class of 2009’s experience in Zambia. All of the Periclean homeowners have been women, and this is no coincidence. When Habitat for Humanity-Zambia has the opportunity to give the keys to the man or the woman, they will choose to empower the woman. Why? If the house is in the man’s name and the man happens to die, then the man’s family (parents and other relatives) will try to repossess the house from the woman and her children – and often successfully so. By placing the name in the woman’s name instead of the man’s, Habitat for Humanity-Zambia ensures the housing of its families through generations. This experience has shown us that a woman’s place is building the home – physically constructing it, alongside volunteers and professionals – and becoming its steward (or, I should say, stewardess).

Next, I will continue with the unique work of the Class of 2012. This class has advocated for women under the age of 19 through their work at the Comprehensive Rural Health Project (CRHP) in Jamkhed, India. CRHP is home to the Adolescent Girls Program (AGP), a group that provides health education and emphasizes the importance of receiving education before marriage. Agents known as Village Health Workers (VHWs) are the backbone of the program. The Periclean Scholars saw first-hand how this type of targeted education impacted the entire community. By empowering women through this program, men began to do chores assigned traditionally to women, including child care, and women earned more income of their own.

In order to keep the program strong, the Periclean group in India worked to develop a survey on the VHWs’ self-esteem. They taught the VHWs how to administer the survey and generate data related to the outcome of the AGP. This touches on a critical element of the MDGs: adequate measuring tools for goals. Instituting this measuring tool provides a method of accountability and helps to identify areas of strength and of potential improvement. To quantify this data is to give the CRHP a baseline and target for growth.

Compared to other nations, India has many unique challenges on seeing the value in empowering women, due to the huge disconnect between political directives and practice. Some of these challenges are listed below.

1. When India achieved independence, the Constitution was “caste-blind”, but castes remain as a basis for the wealthy to assert their power. The Constitution’s preamble guarantees gender equality as a fundamental right – yet it allows for legislation that discriminates against women. 
2. The 1994 Prenatal Diagnostic Tech Act mandates the end of sex-selective tests and female infanticide, yet India’s male-to-female ratio among infants is among the most skewed in the world at 914 girls per 1,000 boys ages 0-6. 
3. The government also drew up a national policy for the empowerment of women, which addresses gender discrimination. Due to the demands of husbands and families, women have a particularly hard time rising through the ranks in business – and when they do, there are far too many old boys’ clubs to overcome. 
4. Dowries – in which the bride’s family must pay a hefty sum to the groom’s family for the privilege of marriage – have been illegal since the passage of the Dowry Prohibition Act in 1961. Yet, dowries are alive and well; they are a major reason why families resort to infanticide, and one reason why men and their families pressure women to get married. 

It will not be until Indian citizens incorporate the principles of the law into their lives, to create a system of integrity, will they begin to diminish the challenges in empowering women on a wide scale.

As the Class of 2012 enters their final year on campus together, they are considering the possibility of a conference in India to address women’s empowerment. A conference on women’s empowerment would facilitate public-private partnerships and academic discussion on the best means to achieve this goal. A forum such as this for academic discussion and critical thinking would also work to address India’s unique challenges in an honest way. Since the idea is still in its infancy, Periclean support – both by providing affirmation and by offering financial resources – is crucial to making this happen.

Since I opened on a Class of 2009 anecdote, I would like to close on one. One of the greatest blessings that I received very early on in the program was being able to work with my mentor, Steve Braye. He was the very first man who was ever described to me as being a feminist. At first, I thought this bizarre; how could a man, someone seemingly from the opposite side, be in support of women’s equality with his own kind? Then, when I had discussions with Steve in class, I realized this wasn’t such a strange concept. Steve simply wants women to have equal access to education, access to government, equal pay, and other equalities that are in many places only equalities among men. Steve has even challenged me – a strong women’s advocate and safehouse volunteer – to treat women as equals in all aspects, in ways such as using “first-year students” instead of “freshmen” and in challenging common conceptions of women’s capabilities. I believe that this goal can succeed not only because of the desire of women to see it succeed, but because of model men like my mentor, Steve. Even though women’s empowerment was not our primary goal, it was weaved into everything that we did thanks to Steve’s convictions.

This is reason #12 to support Periclean Scholars: help achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 3, promote gender equality and empower women.

Donor Acknowledgement – Dan Baum

Dan Baum is one of those incredible individuals that I would not have had the opportunity to meet had it not been for Periclean Scholars. Dan is a graduate of Duke who stayed in the Raleigh-Durham area after graduation to make a splash at The Redwoods Group, a certified b-corporation that endowed the Periclean Scholars Alumni Association. Two Redwoods Group employees were selected to participate in the Zambia experience; they were selected on criteria that the Class of 2009 chose, including their adaptability to change, willingness to work with college students and Zambians, and dedication to the Periclean ideals. Dan exemplifies all of those, which is how I got so lucky as to meet him.

While in Zambia, Dan took his mission and role seriously. He stepped up as a leader and frequently led the group in discussions over lunch and dinner. He encouraged us to think critically about the impact of building in Zambia – why we were there, what were the implications of our work, and how we can make our contributions everlasting.

Dan gets it. He understands that he cannot have a life of privilege without immense gratitude and the impulse to give back. He has chosen a career that encourages service. By returning to Duke to get his MBA, Dan has made a statement that he wishes to exhibit these values at ever-higher levels on the corporate ladder – levels that are in dire need of Dan’s caring and compassionate view of the world as a global citizen.

Dan also understands the marathon journey, having run one himself. I know that his donation of $26.20 was no coincidence – that’s exactly $1.00 for every mile. I am so thankful that Dan will be supporting my journey toward support of the Periclean mission, as well as my journey toward 26.2 miles.

Thank you, Dan. (and Go Team Eagle!)

Reason #11 to Support Periclean Scholars: Help Achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 2, Achieve Universal Primary Education

Today I continue with part two of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) series. This post will address how Periclean Scholars has made strides toward Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education, and Target 2.A: Ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling.

One of the most successful of the MDGs has been this goal. As of 2010, a full 89 percent of children in the developing world were enrolled in primary school.

However, there are still significant challenges that need to be addressed in order for the target to be achieved. For example, rural children are still twice as likely to not be in primary school as urban children. Also, girls from poor households are three and a half times less likely to be in primary school than girls in the richest households and four times less likely than boys in the richest households.

The Class of 2008 worked to advance education of Zapatista children in Chiapas, Mexico, who are very proud of their culture and see education in their native language as the best education. They launched a partnership with Schools for Chiapas in Chiapas, Mexico. A major outcome of this partnership was the rebuilding of a school in San Andres, Chiapas, to ensure the educational dreams and rights of the Zapatista people. The Class of 2013 continues to sustain the partnership with Schools for Chiapas, and they are looking into a pen pal program.

Please watch this video for powerful audio and video from the class’s initial groundwork in 2007 that highlighted San Andres’ educational needs.

 

Elon Project Pericles in Chiapas, Mexico 2007

The Class of 2011 (Sri Lanka group) also worked to advance this MDG, by partnering with a few schools. Aside from Sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Asia represents the world’s greatest need to improve pupil retention rates. I will highlight two of the schools supported, as I believe they exemplify the class’s strides toward achieving universal primary education.

One Periclean partner school is Panangala Junior School. Students at this school come from extremely low income households. By focusing on such a school, the Class of 2011 worked to close the poverty gap among those most vulnerable to dropping out. The class funded a library and books in both Sinhala and English – tools and structures that will provide a lasting impact to many classes of students. Through the Adopt-A-Student Program, the Periclean Scholars also purchased school supplies and new uniforms for each student. Unfortunately, in many developing nations, if you cannot afford a uniform and supplies, you are not allowed to enroll in school. While these costs may seem nominal to those of us in the developed world, access to these items truly determines the future of young people in the developing world.

The second partnership that I will highlight is with a school in the Nuwara Eliya region in Sri Lanka. Many of the boys and girls attending this school are from extremely low income families, as well. The Periclean Scholars listened to the needs of their partner, the school’s principal, and found that the students have a strong thirst for learning all school subjects and the English language. They also have a strong interest in environmental studies and thrive in the school’s community garden and ranger program. As the Class of 2011 transitions to the Periclean Scholars Alumni Association, they identified additional areas of the Nuwara Eliya school to develop. The principal would like to see the quality of education and access improved by adding a media center, a better English program, and more science instruments. The school needs structural work and electricity. The students would also like to set up a pen-pal system with American students. This partnership illustrates that yes, strides have been made, but that yes, there are also ways to improve the quality of education for young boys and girls. Improving this school’s facilities and programs of study will improve the students’ chance to have successful futures in a variety of fields. There is more than one path to success, and students can discover these paths by having access to a great education.

As in the global community, plenty has been achieved – but needs still need to be met. By listening to our partners, the Periclean Scholars are better prepared to meet these needs and work to achieve universal primary education.

I cannot imagine where I would be without a solid primary education, complete with all of the tools and support necessary to foster an environment of nurturing learning. It never mattered how much money my family made compared to my peers, what color my skin was, whether I was male or female, or whether I had a disability. I was privileged enough to be born in a land where primary education was guaranteed. No child should be denied an education during these formative years. The Periclean Scholars have recognized this fact and worked diligently toward MDG 2.

This is reason #11 to support Periclean Scholars: Help achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 2, achieve universal primary education.

Reason #10 to Support Periclean Scholars: Help Achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 1, Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger.

Today, I am going to start a post series on how Periclean Scholars works to achieve the Millennium Development Goals set out by the United Nations (UN). 

In September 2000, the Millennium Summit of the UN set forth the United Nations Millennium Declaration, and from this declaration eight goals have been extrapolated to form the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs):

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.

2. Achieve universal primary education.

3. Promote gender equality and empower women.

4. Reduce child mortality.

5. Improve maternal health.

6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases.

7. Ensure environmental sustainability.

8. Develop a global partnership for development.

With the goals and targets that have been set, we as a society can see the end of poverty remarkably soon - if we work diligently toward them through public and private partnerships.

Whether intentionally or not, the Periclean program has done a lot to work toward these goals and their associated targets. This post series will give examples of how general goals or specific targets have seen progress thanks to the Periclean efforts.

I will mention that the Periclean classes have not addressed each of the MDGs. Periclean Scholars is not a cure-all or silver bullet. The group does a lot of great things for a lot of people and organizations, but it unfortunately cannot address all of the world’s issues. I apologize if I ever gave that impression. To me, Periclean Scholars reminds me of the legend of Seymour the Starfish – where, even if you cannot save everyone, your work and efforts still do make a substantial difference for those you are able to help. Since time and resources will always be in short supply compared to the needs of the world, this is why the Periclean method of vetting partners that work by our mission is particularly significant.

Perhaps, in addition to being a chronicle of how the Periclean Scholars Program has addressed many MDGs, the program can consider this post series and determine which MDGs it may want to begin work on (or work on more heavily) in the future. In addition to honoring achievements, this post series is a new challenge.

This post will focus on Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. In particular, this post addresses Target 1.C: Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger.

One of the most significant strides made toward this goal in the Periclean program was made by (and continues to be made by) the Class of 2010, Ghana focus. Under the guidance and leadership of Periclean Scholars Kristin Schulz and John McGreevy and Elon Winter Term leader (and Ghana Subject Matter Expert) Dr. Brian Digre, the Class of 2010 introduced a magnificent tool for development aid in Ghana: the solar cooker.

Solar cookers are simple and effective tools to prepare food. The cook places food in a plastic oven bag to retain heat and then in a covered black pot. The pot is placed on a reflective surface that enables the greenhouse effect as the pot to absorb the sun’s rays. The food is cooked to a perfect temperature that makes it ready to eat. Each “CooKit” provided by Solar Cookers International includes a cardboard cooker, a pot, a few oven bags, a water pasteurization indicator, and informational material.

Access to a solar cooker improves nutrition, because food cooked in this matter will retain nutrients and not stick to the pot. Solving hunger is not enough if nutrition itself is inadequate, as giving starving children French fries will do little to put nutrients back in their bodies. Solar cookers also improve access to potable water, because they allow a mechanism for pasteurization.

The Periclean Scholars worked with a Ghanaian university and technical school professors and village chiefs to offer local workshops in the communities, to be regularly visited by subsequent winter term groups. As a next step, Elon students were taught about solar cookers and prepared to lead the workshops. In winter term 2010, sixteen CooKits were introduced in Kpoeta, Ghana.

The solar cooker has a huge potential in achieving MDG 1, as it can be applied to other areas of focus across the Periclean program. Alumni from the Class of 2010 and Dr. Digre continue to listen to the community to see if the reaction is positive and the demand increases. A technical school in Ghana has begun discussion on whether they can create their own solar cookers for the village. In other areas of Periclean focus where solar energy has a large potential, the solar cooker can be introduced if the community believes that it would be a useful tool.

The example of the solar cooker demonstrates how development aid – not relief aid – will best achieve MDG 1. Take the Chinese proverb: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Long after Periclean Scholars physically leave the village, village citizens will still be able to cook food and eat - because they have tools to eat. If all that the Pericleans provided were meals for the occasions they were there, then the root of the problem would still be there. The Pericleans addressed the root and worked to prevent hunger long after they leave the village.

This is reason #10 to support Periclean Scholars: help achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 1, eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.

14 Mile Run - Saturday 6/18

This morning I logged 14 miles on a new course that took me up the Mount Vernon Trail, across the bridge, around the Tidal Basin twice, up the Rock Creek Park trails past the Lincoln Memorial, and on a 1.5 mile loop in my neighborhood at the end that had a killer hill. I pushed the pace a little, because at different points I felt people right behind me that encouraged me to go a bit faster. As it turned out, I finished 14 miles in the amount of time that it takes me to do 13 on a training run (not race pace).

I definitely started to feel the heat and humidity this week. This was the first week that I drank almost all of the Powerade that I put into my water bottle, just to stay properly hydrated. Each area of shade on the trail was a refuge. I noticed that because of the positioning of the sun, most of these areas of shade were along the Rock Creek Park trail. Each time I felt a strong breeze, I thought about a mantra that Beth taught us in yoga last week - that each breath in is a gift from the universe (or, as I'd say, a gift from God) and each exhale is your gift back to the world. With all of the green trees around me, I truly believed this today. Instead of trying to focus on the weather, I tried to focus on my breath and that mantra. I also remembered how my run last week was and how much better I felt today.

There were not a lot of individual runners on the course today. There were more small groups of runners (2-6) than anything else - even cyclists. I suppose this is because we are getting into the hot, humid summer mornings. Those that are seriously training for a race and have mileage planned in advance will make up the majority of those on the trail.

Many of my run highlights occurred around the Tidal Basin. It is incredible how few people are there when it is not cherry blossom season. In fact, I think there were more ducks on the path than people. I also took note of how, on this one part of the course, I am very lucky to be short. If I were a few inches taller, I know I would have been whacked by some low hanging branches. There are not too many perks in this world to being short, but the ability to run under branches is definitely one of them. I was also excited to see that the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, set to be dedicated on August 28, can now partly be seen from the Tidal Basin. When I did a cherry blossom walk in the spring, the area was boarded up by opaque walls. Now, it is only surrounded by fencing that instructs you to keep out. I was able to see smooth, dark granite walls etched with words (presumably quotes) and two large gray rock formations that kind of reminded me of the tips of glaciers. It will be a treat to see it when it is finally open to the public.

The other highlight of my run was by the river near the Lincoln Memorial. I saw people setting up for a major event: the Washington, DC Triathlon, set to occur tomorrow morning. Buoys were set out on the river for the swimmers, and a launch platform was set up for the swimmers to begin their journey. I also saw a large white tent in West Potomac Park and a large, bold banner for the bike start nearby. I suppose it would be neat to do a triathlon someday, but then I'd actually have to be a decent swimmer (and that will never happen). For the time being, I give all of my respect to people who attempt and complete triathlons. It is a very different challenge from the marathon, but a serious physical test nonetheless.

I am going to head to the pool now and dip my legs in for recovery. Overall, today was a refreshing run, but because of the mileage increase this week, I know I am going to be feeling it tomorrow more than normal. Stretching and recovery is going to be paramount today, as it will be for each week of mileage increase. Next week is 15 miles!

Reason #9 to Support Periclean Scholars: Elevator Speeches!

In fall 2009, Director Tom Arcaro challenged each class to put together a 30 second answer to the question, "What is your class working on right now?" These answers are called elevator speeches, because they are short descriptions of our work that emphasize our value to others. They are quick sales pitches to get anyone - even someone you meet for the first time on an elevator - involved in the good work of Periclean Scholars.

Here are the videos from each of the classes that completed the challenge: 

Class of 2010 - Ghana (skip to 2:18 in the video for the actual speech.)

Class of 2011 - Sri Lanka (with a guest appearance by Smith Jackson, VP for Student Life and Dean of Students)

Class of 2012 - India

Please take the time to watch each class's interpretation of the elevator speech challenge.

The content in these elevator speeches is reason #9 to support Periclean Scholars.

Non-Running Aspects of Training: Part 3

Recently, I tried out two running supplements: pilates and yoga. My apartment complex hosted a "preview week" for fitness classes offered by a company called N2SHAPE. I chose to preview the two that I thought could best supplement my running. (The others were cardio-based, like Zumba and kickboxing.) I saw benefits to each practice, but by far yoga was my favorite.

The pilates class that I took focused on form more than performing the moves - which, for a first class, was actually quite good for me. The instructor, Tatyana, walked around to each student and positioned us into the right spots if we were off kilter. I understood the importance of keeping your bottom wrapped and tucked for different moves and always engaging the core. Personally, I learned that I keep my shoulders too tight, but I am good at pressing my back close to the ground. As for the class itself, I did not come away feeling strengthened, relaxed, or loosened. I learned a little bit but did not feel that my running benefited too much from the class.

I had a very different experience in my yoga class. The yoga instructor, Beth, is quite popular; she hosts sunrise yoga in the Crystal City water park, and she had a large class. I could tell that many were there just to get instruction from her. In the class, form was important, but the moves were performed and shown in a good succession. She would demonstrate the moves and then encourage us to perform them on our own. She taught a lot of fluid movements - the vinyasas that Sarah recommended - and my body did better at them than the static movements. The motions didn't fatigue me, and they stretched areas that I hadn't thought to focus on. Quite a few of the movements focused on the hip flexors, which for runners can get very tight. The only negative of the session was that for some of the poses, my left quad couldn't stop shaking. I think this meant that it was fatigued. However, when I did my morning run the next day, it felt great - even better than on the run prior. I wouldn't do this yoga every day, but I may very well sign up for the once-a-week class with Beth.

I wanted to comment on some of the advice you have given me for my non-running training - thank you to all who have done so. I am always open to advice, so please continue to post if you think of something!

Sarah - The yoga session was great. Thank you for the comment on the vinyasas. I also liked the triangle exercise - it really helps to give a complete stretch in areas I don't always address. I also appreciate your coach's advice. I am definitely running and sticking to my plan, but I want to maximize everything and make sure I am 100% ready on race day. No, I am not a naturally gifted runner, so I will still have to stick to a good diet and lift weights!

CJ - Thank you for the advice on ice baths. I can't do them at 50 degree water temperature, but I think I can dunk my legs into the pool as an alternative. On 90 degree days, this will probably even be a relief. I tried this out about a week and a half ago, and it helped with my recovery the day after.

Megan - I am comforted to hear that sticking to the training plan works. I sometimes wonder if I should run more or even less, but knowing that the plan brings you success on race day is something I will have to trust. My challenge this past week and a half was dealing with being sick, but I was able to make up the one run I missed and not feel fatigued.

Donor Acknowledgement - Gabriella Harrison

Today I was delightfully surprised - okay, maybe shocked is a better term - when I saw that Gabriella Harrison had donated to Periclean Scholars in support of my MCM journey. Why would I be shocked that a donation was made? I do not personally know Gabriella. She and I are complete strangers, and I have neither met her nor chatted with her. Yet, Gabriella and I share something in common: we are both training for the Marine Corps Marathon in October 2011.

Please visit Gabriella's blog at http://gabriellah99.blogspot.com/ to learn more about her and her journey! While I have still not had the opportunity to speak with her, her blog tells me the following things about her:

• She is someone who makes a difference in spite of all of the odds against her - and she wants to help others overcome their own odds.
• She is holistic in her training perspective, and she records anything that affects her running. This shows me that she is true to herself and honest in her journey.
• She is determined to educate her audience about ways to improve their training. One way that I saw this immediately was the soda graphic she posted on April 21. Another way was that she sent me her blog link!

I am still so pleasantly surprised that Gabriella would support a stranger's journey down this road. It gives me confidence that I am not only raising money for Periclean Scholars, but educating people outside the Elon community about the program and its far-reaching benefits.

Come race day, Gabriella and I certainly won't be strangers. We will be part of an elite group of 30,000, with a single goal of covering 26.2 miles in Virginia and DC. Though I won't be running with a buddy, I won't feel so alone  - because a fellow MCM2011'er will have contributed to the cause of the PSAA.

Thank you, Gabriella.

Reason #8 to Support Periclean Scholars: New Students' Lives are Changed With Each Return Trip.

Even though E-net is no longer my home page, I still check it occasionally. This week, I was delighted to find that an article called "Student and faculty build homes in Zambia" atop the site! I hope to get a full report from Tom and Steve in the near future, but for now, this article will satiate my craving for knowledge about the Zambia trip: http://www.elon.edu/e-net/Note.aspx?id=953450

The article made me think about the impact of the build on the eight Elon students' lives. By continuing the work and the legacy of Pericleans, they will become advocates for Zambian citizens and those around the globe that never get to enjoy the privileges that they do on a daily basis.

The majority of Elon students will study abroad at some point during their college career. As the leading Master's level university in study abroad programs, Elon offers many options, from semesters to winter terms and summers. There are so many exciting options - but so few that provide an equivalent of the Periclean experience. Yes, there are other trips to developing nations, but none have the academic history, vetted partnerships, and sustained commitment that the Periclean trips do.

Some of the study abroad options are to Periclean countries of focus, such as the semester and summer programs in Ghana and India. However, in order for students to gain the Periclean experience - working with vetted partners toward a long-term goal that facilitates global civic engagement - they must be Periclean Scholars or choose a Periclean return trip.

What's in it for us, the general population, to offer a trip like this to students? Students that are involved in a sustained service project will feel a connection to the country and issues of focus not just on the one trip, but in the long term. Just one Periclean experience can re-route the career of a young professional. Perhaps instead of joining a large banking conglomerate, one student will become interested in microfinance and work with people like those they met on the service trip to improve their lives. Maybe a student will gain a Master's in public health, instead of working for a large pharmaceutical company. Serving on a Periclean trip empowers students to think outside of helping themselves and toward helping their fellow global citizens. This is a benefit that we should all seek to reap.

I believe in the importance of bringing the Periclean experience to Elon students that want to study abroad. Providing support to Periclean partners, by supporting my training, is one way to do so. I invite you to join me in enabling frequent return trips to all Periclean countries of focus, to continue our good work and to change the lives of students.

This is reason #8 to support Periclean Scholars: new students' lives are changed with each return trip.

Reason #7 to Support Periclean Scholars: Eliminating "The Other".

The idea for today's post came from a TED talk I recently viewed, called "Take 'the other' to lunch" and available at the following link: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_lesser_take_the_other_to_lunch.html I highly recommend it to supplement today's narrative.

For the purpose of this posting, I will define "the other" as a group or individual that you see as not belonging with your core group. Since the other is not you, it is often perceived as being less intelligent, immoral, and not worthy of the same human rights as you.

Unfortunately for humankind, treating the other as less of a human than oneself is a common theme throughout our history. Genocides, denying groups the right to vote or marry, race riots, and more are all extreme examples of "otherizing" that penetrate our societies. Taken to an extreme, considering people as part of "other" groups instead of as one of their own - global citizens - is very dangerous for our world.

Yet, treating a person or group as "the other" is not just a challenge to be overcome by the world's worst. It is something each of us must face, independently and as societies.

Here is a quick litmus test to see if you have "otherized". For people who do not have children, imagine that you do (or that these are your future children):

1. Have you forbidden (secretly or otherwise) your child to marry someone of another race?
2. Have you told yourself that you would disown your child if s/he came out to you as gay (or straight)?
3. Have you disowned or stopped talking to your family or friends because of their viewpoint on any issue, such as abortion or guns (or even favorite sports teams)?
4. Have you held someone to a different standard than you would yourself because of a group you feel they belong to?
5. Have you convinced yourself that life would not be worth living if you lived differently, such as if you were severely disabled or unable to provide for your children?

I could go on and on with questions, but these 5 shall suffice.

If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions, then you are actively placing people around you in a group outside of your own. It is time to get working on eliminating "the other" and bringing those people into the circle of "my own".

In my opinion, "otherizing" is a way of breaking your integrity. Each of us grows up and acquires values - bases for ethical action and prioritization. We each hold different values, which is why integrity differs for each one of us. I will define integrity as living by your values. However, I will say that a universal value is that humans wish to be treated by others fairly, with full human rights, care, respect, and love. Treating anybody other than yourself differently from this is a huge breach of these values - and is exactly what we do when we "otherize".

I appreciate the concept that Elizabeth Lesser talks about in her TED talk: taking someone from your perceived "other" group to lunch. Doing so will not intrinsically change you, but it will change your view on people that may not be your clones. People have their views and live their lives for a reason; it is important to ask why before passing judgement.

Eliminating the concept of "the other" is a huge focus in Periclean Scholars. From the very beginning, with reading and research, to setting foot on the ground in the country of focus, we are taught and challenged to believe that different cultures and groups are not inferior, nor better - but that they are different. There is a lot we can learn from each other, but ultimately we are all global citizens striving to make better lives for ourselves, our families, our communities, and our planet.

There were many facets of my Zambia experience that could have made it easy for me to place the entire nation into the "other" category. To name a few, 15% have HIV and/or TB; women wear chitenges instead of shorts in very hot weather; and Zambian Catholics have vibrant services. These are some defining characteristics of people that I saw and interacted with, but they do not make them more or less worthy of human rights, care, respect, and love. I will say, though, that getting to know people that live differently - having that "lunch" that Elizabeth Lesser talks about - helped me to eliminate any sort of concept of "the other" that I might have carried over with me from the US to Zambia. The other might have come with me, but my inner circle came back with me.

We all want our children - the people most in our inner circle - to be proud of us. Yet, counterintuitively, the most productive way for us to accomplish this goal is by working with, treating, and believing in people very different from us as we would ourselves. Periclean Scholars helped me to realize this.

This is reason #7 to support Periclean Scholars: eliminating "the other".