For Boston

  As many of you witnessed last week our nation was under attack and it had occured at one of Distance Running's most prodigious events, the Boston Marathon. Before 2:50 PM, when pretty much 75% of the field in the Boston Marathon was finished two suspects who were 19 and 26 years old left 2 pressure cookers explosives in backpacks filled with pellits, nails and other debri, and after they left the backpacks they exploded and the result horrific.  3 people dead(which included an 8 year old boy cheering his dad who was running)  and over almost 260 people with injuries some of them minor but other almost sever to the point of being amputated . It was a devistation not only to the Running Community but to this entire country and I'm sure everyone of us felt affected by it in some sort of way.

Boston, to me was very special. 2 years ago I have displayed my emotions on what it meant to get there along with the experience I've had running in my past blogs.

http://dmoneystwocents.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-blood-sweat-and-tears-literally.html

http://dmoneystwocents.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-boston-marathon-experience.html

Yet, many people who were there ran it for the very first time hoping to have the same positive experiences as I had or there were some who did this yearly and it kind of like a yearly journey for them to run Boston, or there were those running for charity and completed to help support their causes and have a good time. However, the devistating explosions ruined a moment of triumpth and celebration for everyone into heartache, sadness and anger.

Kind of like 9/11, everybody now remembers where they were when they heard the news of the explosions. I was at work listening to 97.1 The Fan getting ready to leave work at 3:30 PM like I usually do when they cut in from the Local Sports Talk Shows telling of the explosions that had occured. I got into my car and turned to News Talk Radio(that I hardly never listen to) and they told of what occured in Boston and got home and turned on the TV and saw the images of what was going on. Pretty much I looked at friends' Facebook updates, who were at Boston, to see if they were ok and they were and got home. They were lucky but those who were at the finish line area at the time were not ok and now their lives are now changed forever due to the acts of these two Chechen brothers.

Thankfully due to social media, cameras and witnesses the Police and FBI were able to make a lot of progress this past week and now one of them was killed early Friday morning but the other was taken Friday evening. The capture wasn't without another loss as a police officer at MIT was killed Thursday by those 2. But, the main thing is one of them is alive and captured.

God will be the one that truly going to judge these two but personally I hope the one who is alive would get the death penality for what he and his now deceased brother has done. That's my personal opinion and I hope many of you share the same thoughts as me.

However, back to the reason I'm writing. Everyone of us as runners had a true place in their hearts for Boston and those that were affected. Even those who didn't compete watch in horror of the images and stories of those victims hurt and prayed for friends who were there. Runners who had competed felt they had their moment taking away from them by actions of those 2 BASTARDS!!

Yet, there have been great stories of heroics that have been told. For example, Carlos Arrendondo, the Cowboy hat wearing race volunteer who was helping runners and watching the race to support a runner who was running the marathon in honor of Arredondo's son, Lance Cpl. Alexander S. Arredondo, who was killed in Iraq in 2004. But instead Carlos was helping victims like this one who had to have both his legs amputated. The victim was one of the first ones to give a description to the FBI of the Tsarnaev Brothers.

There were others as well. Especially one of the first victims that was checked into the hospital thanks to her friend.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/21/boston-bombing-survivor-grateful/2101403/

They're were a group of Army men who usually start the Marathon early and walk the whole course in full gear with their backpacks from Hopkinton to Downtown Boston. After the bombings many of them did what they were trained to help those who were hurt and tried to remove debri caused from the explosions.

 

 

Former New England Patriot Joe Andruzzi who ran the Marathon was carrying and helping people to safety.

 

These were just some of the example of heroism shown in the aftermath despite the turmoil and Chaos. They were a whole lot more I wanted to mention but I didn't want to go on any longer but it shows you the example of what our country can do in a crisis.

The Running Community has been very supportive. Charities have been set up to help those victims in need. In fact this past Monday, Columbus Running Company along with other running stores around Central Ohio and probably the entire country set up a Run for Boston run. In which people signed up for shirts and donated money to the One Fund Boston. Almost 400 people were at the CRC Dublin Run for Boston Run.

If you still want to donate go to
https://secure.onefundboston.org/page/-/donate4.html

Runners come all sorts of different backgrounds. We may have different goals, act differently, and have a different way of obtaining them but the one thing we all have in common is our love not only for our sport but also for our country, our families, and each other. To me that is at least one postive thing I can take from this senseless act of violence. I apologize if I had affended others in my last blog I'm just in a funk at work. But I feel a sense of urgency hopefully as we can all come together and support one another and others in our communities.

I'll leave with what was posted on Columbus Running Company's Facebook Page the day after the bombings

Runners don’t run from things. We run for things. For our dreams & goals. For charity. For our own personal finish lines.

Yesterday’s terrible tragedy has an impact on all of us, and our thoughts are with those suffering in Boston. But we can’t let that change who we are. We’re runners. Step outside today. Whether it’s a block, a mile, or a marathon, go for a run. Run for something.

Run for Boston.

I'll also leave you a video of the National Anthem that was sung by the fans in attendance of the Boston Bruins hockey game 2 days after the bombings. It was a very touching moment.



Let's Make Real CHANGE!!!!

  Hello everyone, it's been a long while, and Happy Easter as I am typing this right now. We have a lot to be thankful for right now. In fact one of the reasons why I haven't been blogging is because of this right now and how it effects my job and other people's jobs within the federal government right now. This has been the approval rating of Congress for the last 2 years with the highest being at 24% one of the lowest in years. Usually it is above 40% or around it but right now with the Sequestration, furloughs, fed employees fearful of losing jobs, and the slowness of the economy recovery  people are getting annoyed at how our government is handling everything.

  I never thought in 2 years blogging I would write a political blog but right now I'm frustrated since it would effect these hard working government employees. Politicians now a days act like kids it seems when arguing over certain issues such as the economy, defense, and gun control. I believe many of them forget why they went into politics in the first place. It's a public service and if the public isn't happy with the job they do then they have the right to vote these guys out.

Well, I also believe the America people are to blame as well. Many Americans for some reason or another keep voting them back in because they are tied to a certain party or they can't think for themselves. These Americans expect the government to fix everything. Too much government can be a really bad thing. Everyone I think has an idea of where I stand, but I try not to post any or if little Facebook posts about certain issues as to where I stand. I respect and honor people's opinions including those friends who have different views than mine, however I hate it when someone stirs the pot. It just divides us as a people and a country.

I mentioned that with what is going on everyone at work is considered down the road with furloughs. Good news is the furloughs are down to 14 days since the delay of notices and possible more funds but still doesn't solve any of our problems. That's my personal opinion.

Lately, on a side note like I have mentioned I have people very frustrated with working here at my job in Dept of Defense at DFAS.There has been a hiring freeze to some hire positions that I think are around my skills, the job I'm making less than what I think I should be making and for the pay position I'm at I totally am getting bored at doing the same thing. I don't like a couple of the people I have to work with from Vendor Pay that our section has to work with. I feel out of place not only in how much education I have and how much younger I am compared to a few of my fellow co-workers.

 Also, I feel my lifestyle is extremely different than many of them. I tend to live a much healthier and active lifestyle than pretty much most of my co-workers. A little bit of negative energy tends to rub off to me and I do not want that for me or anybody else. I only see a few I know that work in different sections that like me love to maintain almost a daily, healthy workout habits. Even my buddies whom I eat lunch with don't usually share my enthusiam for healthy eating. They either are busy with house work,wife, family, girlfriends, and that's ok. I know one of them can do a lot better at meeting other people and just likes to watch movies, play video games, and doesn't necessary eat decently sometimes.

Though, despite work, feeling as if almost everyone around me there is a pain in the ASS, our Congresss has been screwing all of us(fed workers, middle class, other Americans) royally as well. I'm trying to find some positive around me on the outside of work and I want that for my friends, family, or anyone I know to also.

Training so far has been good as to get ready for a Spring Half Marathon. Had some good races last March with Stingray 5k and Beer Bottle 4 mile. However, CRC will not send a Men's Team to Chicago for the Shamrock Shuffle. That's because only 3 guys myself included volunteered for the trip. For the elite team race you need 4 to score. The Women, however are going with a team. It really disappoints me so far that the ladies seem to have it together while I'm trying to be that leader the Men need even though I'm not the fastest guy on the Elite team I want some of the guys to step up now that the weather is getting warmer and we have a chance to kick butt this summer and fall. Hopefully some of the negative influences we had on the team are gone!!!

This right now is a critical time in our country still but at the same time I think it has shown me a little bit of light for me I haven't or refuse to see for quite sometime. I am not happy right now with the job I have and I am 50/50 on staying within the Private Sector. Sorry Mr. President but I feel as if  I'm not a whole lot better off now than I was 4 years ago.

 It seems there really is no middle ground where I work. I hope their will be some job openings for the building next door DLA, it's the Logistics building. My cousin works there. They have a few more miltary over there and from what I've seen people seem to like it over there. My business degree could be useful and I interned over there for a summer before my last semester of college which made me fell in love with living in Columbus. Nothing progressed but I hope to keep my eyes open and get my resume ready if given the chance.

 Like I mentioned I feel not a whole lot of connection with the people I work with in my section. I don't hang out with them after work nor not too close with them. I'm friendly and talkative to them of course and help them like they help me of course. Yet, I still don't hang out with them, have a brew or something like that with my other friends outside of work and you all know who you are. I see my co-workers plus the annoying people in our Vendor Pay section more often than I do my family and friends. Lately the past few months I seem like I have grown very distant to my family and friends and hopefully I would love to see them a little more often as the weather gets warmer hopefully.

Also, I've been meaning to look into purchasing a place a of my own so that one day if I do get hitch I can use that place I own to build it up and make it a rental property by keeping it looking good. Right now it hard to keep up with my own apartment since I'm out training and working so far. Spring is here I would like to catch up.

Another thing I'm trying to do is get back out into Dating. I'm not getting any younger and some days my body feels that way especially. Hopefully God will keep opening my heart a little more and lead me to the ONE!!

However, there have been some positives. I just completed a Level 1 training course with USATF and I'm now certified to coach junior high, high school and individuals in track and field or running itself. I'm getting started into helping out with possibly a few individuals thanks to CRC but right now I would like to use this opportunity right now to speak to anyone who would like to improve their running or their health. I'm really thinking deeply on becoming a personal running coach. This is not limited to only select individuals, but to anyone. This includes beginners, people who want a to finish a half or full, those who want a qualify to Boston in their age groups standards, and especially post collegiate athletes who still want to compete at a competive level. I also hope to get into jr.high or high school coaching this fall in cross country if anybody in the Franklin County area knows any schools that at least would like an assistant.

I'm just getting started with this so bear with me. I'm reading a little more about youth training, marathon training plans, looking for online sources, and going through books my parents have gotten for me in the past that I still have(Heh Mom and Dad those are going to come in handy finally!! :) So I'll be still learning as well. I'll try to make my training plans reasonable but with some workouts to challenge everyone. But I'm open to listen to my clients and athletes. Communication is a great key for it. I can even recommend someone to a nutritionist for diet plan or physical therpist for injury. Trust me I run on a competive team for a Shoe store and develop some friendships and by helping you I can be open to help them with their line of work as well.

That's another message I want to get across in this blog. People helping each other out. Neighbors helping Neighbors and friends helping friends. With so much distrust in society our country has forgotten a little bit about it and I feel because of that not much gets done like it should. Now our country has given aid to other countries but right now we're still in depth but that's for another debate. We should give out of our hearts with nothing in return. God wants us to do that to give our of our hearts.

Though maybe one day you or one of your friends do return that favor.  It's kind of like in that scene The Godfather when Vito told the Caretaker that someday he will ask for a favor in return but Vito accepted the Caretaker's favor since it was the day of his(Vito's) daughter's wedding. Great movie, too!!!

Trust me Change is never easy and it doesn't happen overnight. From what I learn over the years we can't rely too much on our government to make change. They do the best with what they got but politics always get in the way for what they mostly want for people they represent. I don't want to go into any more detail about. Thinking about gives even me a headache. I say just take every change bit by bit or one small step at a step before taking the next. That's what I think I want everyone to learn from my rambling today. All it takes to just one foot out the door, kind of like running.

To close, look around at what you like about yourself and what you would like to change. Sort of like a giving or sacrifice to other as said in Romans 12:1-2. Frienship to other is REAL CHANGE that politicans can not promise!!

That's my 2 Cents!!!