Many thanks to Chris Jeans for supporting Periclean Scholars in honor of my marathon accomplishment. Mandy and I are lucky to have caring neighbors like you that show genuine interest in how we are doing outside of puppy play time. Your contribution to the PSAA will have many positive impacts on campus, in the community, and in the global arena.
Thank you, Chris.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Thank You
Before I say anything about my marathon experience, I must first thank everyone who helped me to get there:
- Thank you to the Periclean Scholars, partners, and mentors, including Tom and Steve, for being a constant source of inspiration along my training runs and during the marathon. I am proud of all you have done and will continue to do for our communities and for the world.
- Thank you to everyone who came out to the race to support me, including my entire family, Elyse, Jason's family, and more friends, family, and coworkers whom I did not see on the course, including my cousins Kristen and Kerianne.
- Thank you to everyone who donated to Periclean Scholars and everyone who will donate now that I have accomplished this goal.
- Thank you to so many of my coworkers and friends for showing interest in my running and asking me for running/workout advice.
- Thank you to Kate from the Arlington Road Runners for pacing with me for so much of today's marathon.
- Thank you to Jason to introducing me to the Arlington Road Runners, for running with me during training, and for being a constant source of strength and inspiration.
- Thank you to all of the Arlington Road Runners for support on many long runs.
- Thank you to Alex at the FAA for being an inspiration back in February to run this marathon.
- Thank you to all of my friends who posted on my blog and offered advice, such as Steve, Sarah, CJ, Megan, and more.
- Thank you to God and Jesus, through whom this marathon was possible and without whom nothing is possible.
- I finished in 4:13:34, which was enough to beat Drew Carey (at 4:37:10).
- I hit some sort of wall HARD around mile 15. Everything got tight, breathing got a little harder, and I had to suck down Powerade at a more rapid rate. At the half marathon point, my splits were good and I felt pretty good, but as I continued on, my only goal was to finish without walking. I am glad to say I accomplished that goal.
- The signs were hilarious, the crowd support was strong, and I could not have imagined a better marathon experience.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Exemplary Global Citizens: Glocalization
Today's post in the exemplary global citizens series addresses the synergy between the global and the local:
Seven, an exemplary global citizen appreciates and understands the tension between a global citizen and a local citizen, and plays both roles in a synergistic fashion. The local is always related to the global, and vice versa. A global citizen takes seriously the words of Dr. Paul Farmer, co-founder of Partners in Health, who said, “Humanity is the only true nation.”
We hear it all the time now - the world is getting flatter, smaller, and more competitive. What we do at home no longer impacts those just in our community; we need to think about the impacts and influences from partners and competitors all across the world.
The combination of global and local has created the hybrid word "glocalization". By its definition, a glocal citizen thinks globally and acts locally. This citizen takes perspectives and potential consequences from around the world and integrates them into his/her decision making.
Indeed, one can be global in his/her day-to-day activities, especially when consciously internalizing and learning from past experiences with different cultures. Many believe that they are not not “global” unless all they do is fly to different places. However, whenever you go somewhere or hear a new perspective, you internalize it and make it a part of your own. You make the global relevant to the part of the world where you are at the given moment.
When I think of glocalization, I think of the traffic situation display that air traffic controllers view. You see planes from all over flying out and coming in, with various points as hubs. This video gives a good idea of the concept, for the entire world:
Imagine that you are a dot on the map, right where you are now. I will pretend I am a dot in Washington, DC. Right now, my central focus point is in DC - all planes go to me and come out from me at that point in DC. I can carry influences from all over, but my impact is in DC. Now, let's pretend that you physically take a flight on a plane to a different point in the world, such as to Lusaka, Zambia. Suddenly, the point that is "local" for you changes. To act locally, you would be acting in Lusaka and no longer in DC. You would still bring influences from all over, but a place you once thought of as global would become the local.
The Periclean program changes the focus point for students and makes the global local through service that creates broader perspectives. Through the program, I have found that yes, you can have a greater global impact by engaging in the world through service in many different areas. However, you can have a different (and in many cases, equivalent) impact by bringing perspectives from all over into your local community. When we made our countries of focus our "local" for a period of time, it enabled us to bring stronger multicultural perspectives to our homes - places that are local for us year-round.
How do we work to spread glocalization? Not everyone can go on a Periclean trip, but everyone can speak up and work locally. Challenge those who think that their little world, their own activities do not impact everyone else. Help those around you to see the bigger picture and the necessity of becoming glocal - in a way that makes sense to them.
Seven, an exemplary global citizen appreciates and understands the tension between a global citizen and a local citizen, and plays both roles in a synergistic fashion. The local is always related to the global, and vice versa. A global citizen takes seriously the words of Dr. Paul Farmer, co-founder of Partners in Health, who said, “Humanity is the only true nation.”
We hear it all the time now - the world is getting flatter, smaller, and more competitive. What we do at home no longer impacts those just in our community; we need to think about the impacts and influences from partners and competitors all across the world.
The combination of global and local has created the hybrid word "glocalization". By its definition, a glocal citizen thinks globally and acts locally. This citizen takes perspectives and potential consequences from around the world and integrates them into his/her decision making.
Indeed, one can be global in his/her day-to-day activities, especially when consciously internalizing and learning from past experiences with different cultures. Many believe that they are not not “global” unless all they do is fly to different places. However, whenever you go somewhere or hear a new perspective, you internalize it and make it a part of your own. You make the global relevant to the part of the world where you are at the given moment.
When I think of glocalization, I think of the traffic situation display that air traffic controllers view. You see planes from all over flying out and coming in, with various points as hubs. This video gives a good idea of the concept, for the entire world:
Imagine that you are a dot on the map, right where you are now. I will pretend I am a dot in Washington, DC. Right now, my central focus point is in DC - all planes go to me and come out from me at that point in DC. I can carry influences from all over, but my impact is in DC. Now, let's pretend that you physically take a flight on a plane to a different point in the world, such as to Lusaka, Zambia. Suddenly, the point that is "local" for you changes. To act locally, you would be acting in Lusaka and no longer in DC. You would still bring influences from all over, but a place you once thought of as global would become the local.
The Periclean program changes the focus point for students and makes the global local through service that creates broader perspectives. Through the program, I have found that yes, you can have a greater global impact by engaging in the world through service in many different areas. However, you can have a different (and in many cases, equivalent) impact by bringing perspectives from all over into your local community. When we made our countries of focus our "local" for a period of time, it enabled us to bring stronger multicultural perspectives to our homes - places that are local for us year-round.
How do we work to spread glocalization? Not everyone can go on a Periclean trip, but everyone can speak up and work locally. Challenge those who think that their little world, their own activities do not impact everyone else. Help those around you to see the bigger picture and the necessity of becoming glocal - in a way that makes sense to them.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Chitenge Day
I know that many of you had been eagerly anticipating the day I would wear a chitenge to work. (The chitenge is the traditional Zambian dress, and I wore one each day while serving in the country.) Well, that day happened... today! Since I had not made my goal, I didn't wear the red, white, and blue chitenge; I wore the red and orange one.
Wearing the chitenge to work so close to the race helped to put me in the right state of mind. Every person I spoke to about Periclean Scholars as a result of wearing this chitenge made me believe I had done the right thing in choosing it as my beneficiary. Even on my very last work day before the marathon, awareness of the program and its benefits to the global community rose significantly. I believe that I am running for the right group, and I believe that people will continue to support me this close to the marathon.
Here are a couple of extra items from work that I thought you, the readers, would enjoy - and would not require a security clearance for you to view:
My chitenge day reminded me, once again, of just how powerful the influence of those around me has been. My family and friends donated to get me to wear the chitenge to work, which inspired me to write strong posts about the Periclean program for their education. My coworkers asked me about my race and about how to get in better shape, which inspired me to be a model marathoner-in-training for their benefit. These words of encouragement cement my place as a global citizen who uses running as a tool to better not only herself, but the organizations and people she cares most about.
Thank you for the inspiration to wear the chitenge to work, and for challenging me each and every day to live up to and exceed expectations for myself as a human being, runner, and global citizen.
 |
| Welcome to the FAA! |
Here are a couple of extra items from work that I thought you, the readers, would enjoy - and would not require a security clearance for you to view:
 |
| The stop sign at my desk - used in emergency evacuations, it is a "Start" sign the rest of the time. |
 |
| My MCM countdown that I started 100 days out. We only have two more days left! |
 |
| Federal employees are very giving. They take part in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) at the end of each year. |
 |
| Very true! |
Thank you for the inspiration to wear the chitenge to work, and for challenging me each and every day to live up to and exceed expectations for myself as a human being, runner, and global citizen.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
MCM Expo 2011
Today, I went to the first day of the Marine Corps Marathon 2011 Expo at the DC Armory. I figured it would be best to go tonight, while I am not conscious of how much time I spend on my feet and while other runners are still getting into town.
The first stop was to pick up my race bib - mandatory for all runners. At this point, there is no turning back! See how good the bib looks on my tank for the race? It almost looks like the Marine Corps and I were color coordinated on purpose.
Bib pickup was pretty confusing for those who arrived clueless. It was in tents outside across the street from the armory. Luckily, Jason had arrived earlier than me and texted me the location of bib pickup. Otherwise, I would have been like many unlucky runners that I was in line with to get into the armory. They were turned around at the door.
Once inside, I headed to the very back to pick up my long-sleeved MCM participants' tee, and then I continued on to enjoy the expo.
Here are some of the things I did while there:
Other things that I did while there included getting a back massage, having my body mass and bone density measured and analyzed, demonstrating a stretching tool, eating a variety of Clif bars, sampling Nuun beverages, browsing witty t-shirts, and more.
For runners going to the expo on Friday and Saturday, I would recommend: 1) Get your bib and packet; 2) Get your MCM Participant tee; 3) Complete the activities first (such as the massage and the body mass/bone density measurements); 4) Visit the vendors. This is in order of urgency and importance. Following this order should minimize your stress while at the expo with hundreds or thousands of others.
Before the expo, I had this anxious energy like children do when they are about to go trick-or-treating. The preparation of creating and wearing that costume, or in my case of transforming myself into a long-distance runner, is becoming a reality. The expo makes the marathon real. In contrast to Halloween night, the expo leads up to a much more exhausting and fulfilling adventure. Yes, Halloween might be the night when American kids get the most exercise they have all year from running house to house, but I don't think they get in 26.2 miles worth of house sprinting. Plus, their reward is the candy. I might have gotten my bag treats tonight, but the true reward will come in two and a half days when I become inducted as a marathoner.
The first stop was to pick up my race bib - mandatory for all runners. At this point, there is no turning back! See how good the bib looks on my tank for the race? It almost looks like the Marine Corps and I were color coordinated on purpose.
Bib pickup was pretty confusing for those who arrived clueless. It was in tents outside across the street from the armory. Luckily, Jason had arrived earlier than me and texted me the location of bib pickup. Otherwise, I would have been like many unlucky runners that I was in line with to get into the armory. They were turned around at the door.
Once inside, I headed to the very back to pick up my long-sleeved MCM participants' tee, and then I continued on to enjoy the expo.
Here are some of the things I did while there:
 |
| Signed a waiver to have my running gait analyzed |
 |
| Ran on the treadmill so they could analyze my gait. I did this in my flats from work; I should have worn running shoes! |
 |
| The staff analyzed my gait. I have good form but need arch support on my insoles, as indicated by the angles of my feet. Luckily, I have better form when I run with my New Balance shoes! |
 |
| Met the MCM Mascots, Miles and Molly |
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| Checked out some junk marketed to marathoners |
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| Watched people get their teeth whitened (?...why??) |
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| Pretended I was finishing the Athens Marathon |
 |
| Received a demonstration of "the stick". I have wanted one for months and decided to splurge on this item. My body will thank me after the marathon. (Note: I got the devil ears at the booth next door.) |
For runners going to the expo on Friday and Saturday, I would recommend: 1) Get your bib and packet; 2) Get your MCM Participant tee; 3) Complete the activities first (such as the massage and the body mass/bone density measurements); 4) Visit the vendors. This is in order of urgency and importance. Following this order should minimize your stress while at the expo with hundreds or thousands of others.
Before the expo, I had this anxious energy like children do when they are about to go trick-or-treating. The preparation of creating and wearing that costume, or in my case of transforming myself into a long-distance runner, is becoming a reality. The expo makes the marathon real. In contrast to Halloween night, the expo leads up to a much more exhausting and fulfilling adventure. Yes, Halloween might be the night when American kids get the most exercise they have all year from running house to house, but I don't think they get in 26.2 miles worth of house sprinting. Plus, their reward is the candy. I might have gotten my bag treats tonight, but the true reward will come in two and a half days when I become inducted as a marathoner.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Occupy 26.2
I am in the 99.9%... of Americans who have not run a marathon.
Soon, that is about to change, and I will become part of the 0.1%.
On Sunday, I will:
OCCUPY 26.2
In all seriousness, I wouldn't mind if the fitness wealth in this country were redistributed. I'd love to have more fellow Americans on the road to joining this elite club.
Maybe this blog can be an inspiration for the fitness wealth and drive to complete a marathon to trickle down...
Soon, that is about to change, and I will become part of the 0.1%.
On Sunday, I will:
OCCUPY 26.2
In all seriousness, I wouldn't mind if the fitness wealth in this country were redistributed. I'd love to have more fellow Americans on the road to joining this elite club.
Maybe this blog can be an inspiration for the fitness wealth and drive to complete a marathon to trickle down...
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Exemplary Global Citizens: Free Will
The next entry in the exemplary global citizens series addresses item number six: free will.
Number six, an exemplary global citizen knows that human agency exists, that we have free will, and that human history will unfold as directed by all of our actions. It is not cuberous to assume having control over one’s destiny, just the opposite: it is the sine qua non of one who knows that we can change the world with our visionary works. An exemplary global citizen is thus the embodiment of the admonishment that comes from Mohandas K. Gandhi, namely, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.
Free will among mankind means that we have a responsibility and obligation to one another, if our aim is progress. It will not come from denial or laziness. The acceptance of responsibility is linked to success. Similarly, the acceptance of sustained responsibility is linked to long-term success. It is this knowledge that makes the success of Periclean projects so sweet; the long-term successes are directly tied to a deep sense of obligation to our partners. The change that has come from our projects is linked to our free will to live out these obligations.
As I perused the latest Periclean newsletter, I found an article about the Class of 2010’s new successes in Ghana that would not have been possible without a sustained commitment to being the change they wish to see in the world. The class has farmed exemplary global citizens who continue to act on behalf of their partners. Below I share the article, for your education and enjoyment.
Building lasting community partnership in Ghana: 2010s follow a project to an unanticipated turn, bringing healthcare to thousands of Ghanaians for years to come
Written by Carly Tustin, Class of 2010
“At the project’s beginning, those living in rural isolated Kpoeta who were in need of medical attention walked or were carried by others for seven miles to reach Kpedze, the only health facility for miles. During the region’s rainy season, the unpaved road leading to the Kpedze clinic became impassible and, in effect, the 10,000 people of Kpoeta were annually losing access to health care for months at a time.
“In a joint effort with the people of Kpoeta, Elon University’s Periclean Scholars Ghana Class established and opened the Kpoeta Community Clinic in January 2009. Its inception initiated a more stable source of medical care and before most of the class graduated in May 2010, plans were instated to launch a drug store and to obtain additional staff for the clinic.
“Although 29 of the original Ghana Periclean members have graduated from Elon and dispersed across the United States and the world, they have kept the global development initiative a dynamic part of their lives. Over the past three years, six students from the classes of 2012 and 2013 have become Ghana Periclean Scholars and joined Dr. Heidi G. Frontani, faculty advisor to the Ghana Pericleans, to support what was started by the 29 members of the 2010 class and sustain the partnership with the Kpoeta community. The younger members meet every other week and at their September 7, 2011 meeting, they became aware of news from the clinic in Ghana that took the group’s previous sustainability initiatives to a new level.
“Ghana’s Ministry of Health had announced plans to upgrade the Kpoeta Community Clinic to a Community Health Planning Services Center, allowing the facility to add both a community nurse and a National Youth Employment worker to the existing staff, the ability to accept Ghana’s Health Insurance Card, and receive stocks of drugs from the Ghana Health Services for the facility’s drug store. The upgrade will be completed by December 2011. In the meantime, additional on-site housing for the new staff will be constructed and is expected to be completed by early 2012.
“The upgrade to the clinic was celebrated with an official government ceremony and fundraiser (durbar) in Kpoeta on September 8, 2011. Congratulations to all who have been involved with this amazing project and thank you to those who have donated.”
Number six, an exemplary global citizen knows that human agency exists, that we have free will, and that human history will unfold as directed by all of our actions. It is not cuberous to assume having control over one’s destiny, just the opposite: it is the sine qua non of one who knows that we can change the world with our visionary works. An exemplary global citizen is thus the embodiment of the admonishment that comes from Mohandas K. Gandhi, namely, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.
Free will among mankind means that we have a responsibility and obligation to one another, if our aim is progress. It will not come from denial or laziness. The acceptance of responsibility is linked to success. Similarly, the acceptance of sustained responsibility is linked to long-term success. It is this knowledge that makes the success of Periclean projects so sweet; the long-term successes are directly tied to a deep sense of obligation to our partners. The change that has come from our projects is linked to our free will to live out these obligations.
As I perused the latest Periclean newsletter, I found an article about the Class of 2010’s new successes in Ghana that would not have been possible without a sustained commitment to being the change they wish to see in the world. The class has farmed exemplary global citizens who continue to act on behalf of their partners. Below I share the article, for your education and enjoyment.
Building lasting community partnership in Ghana: 2010s follow a project to an unanticipated turn, bringing healthcare to thousands of Ghanaians for years to come
Written by Carly Tustin, Class of 2010
“What the Kpoeta Community Clinic in the Volta region of Ghana is developing into is beyond anyone’s wildest dreams when the Ghana Class of Periclean Scholars was inducted in the spring of 2007.
“At the project’s beginning, those living in rural isolated Kpoeta who were in need of medical attention walked or were carried by others for seven miles to reach Kpedze, the only health facility for miles. During the region’s rainy season, the unpaved road leading to the Kpedze clinic became impassible and, in effect, the 10,000 people of Kpoeta were annually losing access to health care for months at a time.
“In a joint effort with the people of Kpoeta, Elon University’s Periclean Scholars Ghana Class established and opened the Kpoeta Community Clinic in January 2009. Its inception initiated a more stable source of medical care and before most of the class graduated in May 2010, plans were instated to launch a drug store and to obtain additional staff for the clinic.
“Although 29 of the original Ghana Periclean members have graduated from Elon and dispersed across the United States and the world, they have kept the global development initiative a dynamic part of their lives. Over the past three years, six students from the classes of 2012 and 2013 have become Ghana Periclean Scholars and joined Dr. Heidi G. Frontani, faculty advisor to the Ghana Pericleans, to support what was started by the 29 members of the 2010 class and sustain the partnership with the Kpoeta community. The younger members meet every other week and at their September 7, 2011 meeting, they became aware of news from the clinic in Ghana that took the group’s previous sustainability initiatives to a new level.
“Ghana’s Ministry of Health had announced plans to upgrade the Kpoeta Community Clinic to a Community Health Planning Services Center, allowing the facility to add both a community nurse and a National Youth Employment worker to the existing staff, the ability to accept Ghana’s Health Insurance Card, and receive stocks of drugs from the Ghana Health Services for the facility’s drug store. The upgrade will be completed by December 2011. In the meantime, additional on-site housing for the new staff will be constructed and is expected to be completed by early 2012.
“The upgrade to the clinic was celebrated with an official government ceremony and fundraiser (durbar) in Kpoeta on September 8, 2011. Congratulations to all who have been involved with this amazing project and thank you to those who have donated.”
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