Why would anyone run a Marathon? The daughter of a friend of mine summarized the agony of it for her Dad. He was training for a Half marathon and considered running the Full Marathon instead.

Her advice is absolutely correct but you have to enjoy her description of the physical effects of running past your limits. She wrote:

“Dear Dad, I would really caution you about trying to run the whole thing. If you try to run farther than you’re trained to run, your body will revolt and go into shock. “

“Your bad ankle will start to get weak, causing the rest of your foot to overcompensate and making the ball of your foot sore again. Your other leg will overcompensate as well, making your hips out of whack.”
“You’ll get blisters everywhere (nipples, ankles, underwear line) only you won’t believe me….so you won’t bring band-aids.”

“Your legs will give out from the extra mileage and probably swell up so badly you won’t be able to get out of bed for three days. Even if you could, you wouldn’t be able to leave the bedroom because you won’t be able to bend your knees to go downstairs. And forget taking a crap. You can’t begin to sit down. Your quads will be jelly, especially on your good leg.”

“All of this is nothing compared to the last thing that will happen to you. If you keep your blood pressure up for five hours straight and haven’t trained your heart for that, you’ll have a heart attack.”

“Dad, I don’t care if you want to stay in bed with swollen legs and a messed up ankle, but I would appreciate it if you didn’t die from something stupid when you’re only 50! If you’re serious about this and don’t believe me, go consult a Doctor about it. Any sane MD would agree.”

“The guy who initially ran to Marathon, Greece, didn’t die because he was out of shape. He died because he hadn’t trained for a Marathon. This is way more stupid than parachuting. If you really want to run a Marathon, train for it. I’d love to run one with you. Signed (a loving daughter)”

My new novel: THE NEXT STEP How to start over again…..when life gives you a second chance.
Ebook (all formats) http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/55230
In Print and Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Next-Step-Dennis-Leger/dp/1460939999

In case you missed it, this non-political piece by George Will appeared in the Sunday
newspaper. “Considering What it means to be 70 years old”

He cites Casey Stengel’s reaction, when told he was too old to manage the Yankees,
“I’ll never make that mistake again!”

Then he quotes Mark Twain on his health, “I am not ruggedly well, but not ill enough to
excite an undertaker.”

HERE’S THE QUICK LINK—IT’S A SHORT ARTICLE!
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110509/COLUMNIST/110509632/0/APN

This was a really good non-partisan article. It has to be of interest to everyone, of any age.
I wish those younger than 70 would at least read the last paragraph.

PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT MY SECOND NOVEL available IN PRINT and EBOOK
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/55230
http://www.amazon.com/Next-Step-Dennis-Leger/dp/1460939999/

My Dad always told me “it’s tough to get old!” I didn’t understand until now. I have had a tough Winter season. Although I live in a perfect running climate I have had some issues. Hospital sick in October and a few other little ailments have made my running a little sporadic.

Among other things a persistent Plantar problem. It didn’t want to go away. So for about the third time this season—I am back. But I have to take it slow. Baby steps for now and increasing mileage each week. Even though I worked out in the garage on the stair stepper, my running legs are not what they were a few months ago. So far, I am up to 5 miles.

Yes, age makes a difference. Recovery and rehab will take a little time. Most important, I missed my routine but I will be as steady in 2011 as I have been for 40 years. I have to get back to normal and then start working on improvement. See you out there on the road!

See my post below for links to my second novel THE NEXT STEP

I AM excited to Announce the publication of my second novel THE NEXT STEP.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dennis Leger
EMAIL: dennis@themilkmarket.com
All WRITERS AND REVIEWERS: See Special Invitation Below

Knowing what you know now, Would you be willing to start over? Begin life again?
The Crabby Old Runner’s second Novel, THE NEXT STEP, available now….. is about a second chance.
Could David salvage the life that he had squandered as a youth? The chaplain had rescued him and helped him plan for the future, but he was making new enemies to go with those he had brought with him from Illinois. Falling in love with Nora had raised the stakes. Suddenly there was so much more to lose! But he had been taught to take life’s challenges in steps, one at a time. And he knew he would need help, every step of the way.

THE NEXT STEP can be found on Amazon.com retailing for $ 12.95
http://www.amazon.com/Next-Step-Dennis-Leger/dp/1460939999/
THE NEXT STEP E-book is available in all formats at
http://www.smashwords.com/book/view/55230

Most users understand that Facebook is nothing more (or less) than a large gathering of friends and acquaintances. It is an opportunity to catch up, be social and even pull out the wallet to show pictures. It’s a large Reception like a graduation or wedding celebration.

But imagine walking into this party, getting up on the stage, grabbing a microphone and demanding everyone’s attention. Instead of proposing a toast, you start spouting your religious or political views or letting everyone know you are selling Life Insurance and vacuum cleaners.

You follow up with a rant against this or that. Against Republicans or Democrats. Against Christians or Muslims. Perhaps you want to join the Obama and Bush bashers in that special Purgatory for those who just know they are right and love to share their opinion.

Maybe, for you, part of being “social” is revealing your passions. In self-righteous angst you are certain that all of your friends must agree. You are certain that they see it your way! Well, guess again!

Sorry, for me it’s no longer social when people ask for my soul, my money or my vote. I give them almost as much attention as I give to the zealots in dark suits who bring salvation to my front door. Got an axe to grind? There are literally thousands of blogs, web sites, chats, where your opinion would be valued. Want to direct people to a site that reflects your opinion? I suggest that you post the Link. Then your FB friends can decide for themselves if they want to share.

Here’s mine: The Friendship Rule at http://www.scribd.com/doc/31089871/The-Friendship-Rule

Need a break? A short vacation? Read THE MILK MARKET a thriller about missing children.
Read reviews at http://www.themilkmarket.com
FREE download of the first 100 pages
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/4007

Imagine you’ve found the perfect place to run! You are training for the Marathon or the Half Marathon and have discovered a network of roads and streets with great scenery. There are just enough hills to be a challenge. Although the shoulders are not paved, traffic is very light.

Perfect! Are you ready for the BUT?

Many streets and roads are crowned so that rainwater will run off. They are built higher in the center, sloping away toward the shoulder ever so slightly. Even if you notice this, you can’t imagine what it has to do with you. Nothing, in fact, if you are doing maintenance runs, a few miles a day. But when you begin to stretch it out, putting on a lot more miles, take care!

Your legs are amazing in their ability to adapt to different and uneven surfaces. Fit runners wearing good shoes are able to take full advantage of the human body’s adaptability. When you start adding miles, however, you begin to tax the ability of those muscles and tendons to keep up the good work.

Of course, you’ll think it’s just the extra miles when the aches and pains begin. Or you might blame your shoes. Consider the possibility that it’s a combination of the extra miles and a slanted running surface.

Think of it this way. If you run against the traffic on the left side of a crowned roadway, your right foot may be striking the pavement an eighth or more of an inch higher and a microsecond sooner. Not a problem on maintenance runs, but now you’re putting on the miles! It may not bother your at first. But the last thing you need, preparing for an event, is to develop an ankle or foot problem late in your training program.

During long runs on crowned streets and roads, switching sides gives your feet and ankles equal opportunity to experience the different slant. So when traffic permits, change up and run with the traffic. Naturally, you will have to stay alert to the possibility of a car sneaking up behind you. Be safe! Pull the ear buds out for this part of the run!

Need a break? A short vacation? Read THE MILK MARKET a thriller about missing children.
Read reviews at http://www.themilkmarket.com
FREE download of the first 100 pages
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/4007

They needed food, so we sent them guns.

For as long as I can remember, the U.S. has sent Billions of Dollars to other countries—-to buy peace, influence, popularity and a clear conscience. Included in that foreign aid were billions in cash that enriched corrupt tyrants and billions that purchased military weapons to support their regimes. Since 2007, we have spent more (of our Foreign Aid dollars) for military assistance than we have spent for economic development.

At the same time, we were spending more billions of dollars to subsidize American farmers because overproduction of FOOD had caused its price to fall below the cost of producing it. There were years when dairy farmers were pouring milk down the drain in a desperate attempt to get a fair price for their product.

Elsewhere in the world, while people were starving or struggling to feed their children, we were making sure they were well armed. During the cold war, we competed with the Russians to see who could export more military influence by sending weapons to countries that couldn’t manufacture their own. Afghanistan is the perfect example. So now we live in a world full of military weapons, many of which are ready to be used to kill young Americans.

Even now, there is no shortage of ammunition. When Arabs celebrate a wedding (or a funeral) by raising their automatic weapons and shooting wildly into the air, it is clear there is plenty of ammo. I doubt that most of them have reloading equipment, supplies and expertise. Somebody is still providing rounds for their AK47s, M14s, or their weapons of choice. Someone, probably from our own defense industry, must still be providing ammunition.

I’m not against guns. I love them for sportsmen. I love them in the hands of the law and our military AND for personal security. But moral issues aside, or immorality aside, what happened to common sense? We let potential friends starve while we armed them with weapons that could eventually be used against us! And we still allow ammunition to be shipped from the United States and its allies? Do we have any leaders who can stop the madness?

Where are all the missing children? Read THE MILK MARKET a thriller about missing children.
Read reviews at http://www.themilkmarket.com
FREE download of the first 100 pages
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/4007

How could an uneducated, unqualified Idaho farm boy, still in high school, invent television? Be a world game-changer? At 14, Philo Farnsworth was inspired by his father’s plowed fields. He dreamed that electronic images could be created line by parallel line. His inventive ideas did go to the top, but that was in 1928 and the early 1930s. They were simpler times. Today, a genius needs a PHD and very good connections or his bright ideas will be ignored.

Clearly, Farnsworth was a genius. But was he the last genius? There are no more? Maybe there isn’t a solution out there for every problem, but how will we know if we usually suppress creative new ideas? We will never know if the attitude at the top is expressed like this:

1. You’re not important. We don’t have to pay attention to you.
2. It wasn’t my idea, so how good can it be?
3. Staff doesn’t have time to look at every letter or email.
4. What do you know about it? You’re not an expert.
5. That would never work!
6. That’s never been done before.
7. We’ve always done it this way.
8. When we want your opinion we’ll ask for it.
9. We’re busy here. Don’t bother us with ideas.
10. We’re smarter than you.

Technology firms like Microsoft and Apple frequently surprise us with new developments. Do their ideas all originate at top management? Probably not! If a janitor has a bright idea at Apple, do you think he’s ignored? Creativity has to be appreciated and encouraged in companies that want to be leaders in their industries.

Almost every institution faces problems that management can’t solve. The larger the organization, the less likely a good solution or idea will surface. Of course, some issues are too complex for easy solutions. So the struggle goes on year after year, from crisis to crisis, as mediocrity is accepted and creativity is denied.

Here’s an example: RECYCLE UNUSED MEDICINE
We probably throw away—flush down the drain—send to the landfill—billions of dollars worth of prescription drugs every year. At the same time, people who need them and can’t afford them, go without, in our country and in developing countries. And while toxic medicines are entering streams and groundwater, millions of patients are buying (or going without) drugs to replace them.

With appropriate care and safeguards, we can recycle unused medicine. Several states already permit this with proper care from licensed pharmacists. If a pharmaceutical is in original packaging, can pass a careful inspection and is not out of date, shouldn’t it be made available? If not here, somewhere in the world?

Given a choice between NO medicine—and a medicine that is too expensive—I would gladly take a recycled product that had been properly inspected and approved. Patients in third world countries should have that choice! Among statements 1 to 10 above, which ones will be used to kill this idea?

HAVE YOU SEEN THE MILK CARTONS? Where are all the missing children? Read THE MILK MARKET a thriller about missing children.
Read reviews at http://www.themilkmarket.com
FREE download of the first 100 pages
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/4007

It could have been a great season. But this time, instead of saying “there’s always next year,” I’m looking back through the years. Without Regret.

Take a minute to reflect on some glorious past seasons with Quarterbacks like Brett Favre, Randall Cunningham, Warren Moon, Fran Tarkenton, Joe Kapp, Tommy Kramer, Wade Wilson, Rich Gannon and even Jim McMahan! And with coaches from Bud Grant to Norm VanBrocklin.

We’ve been able to see some great running backs like Bill Brown, Ted Brown, Michael Bennett, Chuck Foreman, Robert Smith, Adrian Petersen many more and (gulp!) even Herschel Walker. I am even old enough to remember “The King” Hugh McElhenney, an incredible running back that came to the Vikings after a career with the Rams.

We can’t forget the great defenses either. From the Purple People Eaters to Matt Blair, Chris Doleman, John Randall, Jack DelRio and certainly to the great defensive players on the current roster.

I have to apologize for not being able to list every great player who has been a Viking. There were receivers, linemen on both sides of the ball and special team players who gave us thrills every Sunday. No, the Vikings didn’t win it all, yet. But we’ve had season after season of at least being “in the hunt,” and cheering for some of the greatest to ever play the game.

We are just fans. The players let it all hang out every season: their playing careers and personal lives. That was their job. Of course they were well paid, but they were giving it all to entertain us and millions of other fans.

Thanks, Brett, and the rest of you. I hope you had fun. We just loved being able to watch you play!

HAVE YOU SEEN THE MILK CARTONS? Where are all the missing children? Read THE MILK MARKET a thriller about missing children.
Read reviews at http://www.themilkmarket.com
FREE download of the first 100 pages
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/4007

And I wish you success in the New Year!

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a little better; whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is the meaning of success.” Emerson

HAVE YOU SEEN THE FACES ON THE MILK CARTONS? Where are all the missing children?

Read THE MILK MARKET a thriller about missing children.
Reviews at http://www.themilkmarket.com

FREE download of the first 100 pages
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/4007