On the road, runners are often alone, isolated and defenseless. How do we protect ourselves? What if there is an accident or sudden illness? Are women safe, running by themselves?

Personal running security is an issue each of us should carefully consider. Too many bad things can happen in traffic. You’ve seen the drivers with the cell phone stuck in their ears. No one knows what they are going to do next! And any runner, regardless of age, can get sick or injured out on the road.

Don’t leave home without identification. You can buy ID tags or bracelets or you can make a simple tag yourself. I spent $5 on a metal tag and necklace. If necessary it could have included important medical information, but for now it has only my name and phone number. So at least the authorities will be able to identify my body.

Women who run, in particular, have security concerns. Most of the women in my immediate family are runners. I want them to be cautious. Their routes should never go through isolated areas. It’s not always possible, but they know there is more safety in running with a partner. Should they carry a cell phone or at least a whistle to attract attention if needed? I believe they should avoid establishing a routine that would make them an easy target.

All runners have to stay alert. I believe that can be compromised by earbuds and loud music. Although tunes are a great distraction, don’t let them put you in danger. After all, you are running for health and pleasure. It doesn’t make sense to put yourself in peril while you are on the road.

In the Post Office, on television, on bulletin boards, even on milk cartons
pictures of missing children.
Where are they? Read THE MILK MARKET a thriller about missing children.
See reviews at http://www.themilkmarket.com
FREE download of the first 100 pages at:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/4007

I was recently involved in a Facebook controversy over the difference between running and jogging. Oddly, one non-runner opined that anything over 7 minute miles was jogging. That was rather insulting to runners. I suggested he go jog a few 8 minute miles to see whether he thought it was running or jogging. Apparently, he did not give it a try.

My answer to the question, running or jogging, is strictly technical. At some point In running both feet are off the ground. With that definition, a runner taking short strides (a child, for instance) may be running 12 minute miles.

What I suggest is that pace is determined by leg speed and stride length. I imagine there are speed walkers who can do 7 minute miles. And there are some runners who can’t do 11 minute miles. But many good sprinters would not even try to “jog” 13 or 26 miles.

I’ve said before that on any long run I do some jogging, some slogging and some running. My guess is that other runners do the same. At least we are out there doing it! We don’t need someone, who is sitting on the porch, trying to tell us what to call it.

Readers wanted! Read a thriller, THE MILK MARKET. See reviews at http://www.themilkmarket.com

New address for this great running video. An inspiration! Runner’s Creed—The Road To Peace
http://www.youtube.com/user/loverunningmore#p/a/u/0/uJkN27qvMNQ

Have you seen the reviews of THE MILK MARKET? Go to http://www.themilkmarket.com

This article about a relay runner fighting cancer is an inspiration!

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700043762/Runner-is-providing-inspiration.html?pg=1

It’s taken a long time for me to figure out, but I am not going to let hills bother me anymore.

Here’s why. For years I listened to advice about changing the running technique when climbing. It isn’t that I don’t go along with a little forward lean, etc. What I have found is that the “hill” problem is more psychological than physical. If you let them bother your run, they will certainly bother your run!

So if hills are a head problem, is there a head solution? I have learned to attack hills by taking them ten feet at a time. I drop my focus from 1000 feet ahead to ten to twenty feet ahead. I am only interested in the next twenty feet. It is important to remember, at the same time, that I am working out on the hill, building my strength and stamina.

Of course, I still need to pay attention to traffic and other road hazards. And on the downhill run that always follows, I can still sight-see and enjoy the scenery.

WHAT HAPPENS TO those missing kids on Milk cartons ?
Great Summer Read for thrill seekers: “THE MILK MARKET” http://www.themilkmarket.com

Impossible? It is, unless it is the runner’s first and last. that’s two. Sorry.

But even if they never run another, you have to give credit to anyone who runs a marathon.
To make the attempt, going through the long training and conditioning, is to show will power and character. It takes persistence to endure pain that could be entirely avoided by staying on the porch. The pain is optional and unnecessary. Those who finish a marathon learn one of life’s fundamental truths: The greatest rewards come from the greatest sacrifice.

“First Marathon” was written for my youngest daughter on the occasion of her first. It was previously published on http://www.runningmoms.com

FIRST MARATHON

Alone in a crowd of strangers,
Anxiously waiting for the gun,
You haven’t trained so well, I know.
I hope you’re ready for the run!
Endure! Endure!

Ahead you’ll find the reality wall
Where hope is lost and daydreams end.
When time and distance become one
Just don’t let your spirit bend!
Endure! Endure!

It’s better to stagger along today
And bear the pains and aches,
Than to wonder for a lifetime
If you have the strength it takes!
Endure! Endure!

Remember this oh lonely runner,
Life teaches us this lesson last:
Its greatest reward comes only
When you’ve done the hardest task!
Endure! Endure!

Dennis Leger

Readers wanted! Read a thriller, THE MILK MARKET. See reviews at
http://www.themilkmarket.com

Free READS for you: Just push play! (click)
HAYSTACKS
http://www.scribd.com/doc/29999848/Haystacks

A KNOCK ON THE DOOR http://www.scribd.com/doc/31515226/A-Knock-On-The-Door

IN PRAISE OF TEACHERS http://www.scribd.com/doc/28827426/In-Praise-Of-Teachers

CHICKEN LITTLE OR PAUL REVERE http://wwwscribd.com/doc/30250504/Chicken-Little-Or-Paul-Revere

THE FRIENDSHIP RULE http://www.scribd.com/doc/31089871/The-Friendship-Rule

No, They are not runners!

J. K. Rowling (Author of Harry Potter books)
Paul Allen (Microsoft co-founder)
Jane Austen (Novelist)
Bill Gates (Microsoft co-founder)
Michael Dell (Computer maker)
Carl Bernstein, (Watergate reporter)
Warren Buffet (Billionaire investor)
Andrew Carnegie (philanthropist, industrialist)
Bruce Catton (Pulitzer winning historian)
Winston Churchill (World leader)
Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
Charles Dickens (novelist)
Walt Disney (creative genius)
Wm. Faulkner (Nobel winning novelist)
F. Scott Fitzgerald (novelist)
Robert Frost (poet)
Ben Franklin (statesman, inventor, publisher)
Eric Hoffer (longshoreman philosopher)
Dean Kamen (Inventor of Segway, more)
George Orwell (novelist)
J. D. Rockefeller, Sr. (early billionaire)
Jack London (writer)
Leo Tolstoy (novelist)
Herman Melville (novelist)
Leon Uris (novelist)
Emile Zola (novelist)

Readers wanted! Read a thriller, THE MILK MARKET. See reviews at http://www.themilkmarket.com

Comments Invited

I hope young people don’t think this is the way it’s supposed to be!

Those of us who have been around for nearly a lifetime are likely to agree that our country is more polarized, politically and spiritually, than ever before. I don’t think historians would argue the point unless they were citing the Civil War.

It must be time to impose “The Friendship Rule.”

We need the rule now to preserve our democracy, our sanity and civility. The Friendship Rule simply asks, in social situations, that we avoid issues that are polarizing and divisive. Its purpose is not to promote friendship, but to prevent conflict and hurt feelings. The rule is simple: offer your opinion only when asked.

It’s not that we don’t have opinions. They are part of our personalities. Although we are free to express……READ MORE:

READ MORE AT http://www.scribd.com/doc/31089871

Readers wanted! Read a thriller, THE MILK MARKET. See reviews at
http://www.themilkmarket.com

I have written before about energy and about people who never seem to slow down. This is about one such person, our daughter-in-law Amy. I am proud of her and admire her relentless energy and accomplishments.

Amy is, first and foremost, a devoted wife and mother. But like many moms these days, she is employed outside the home. As Director of Communications for Team Ortho Foundation, an organization that raises funds for Orthopedic Research, she uses her PR skills to promote athletic events in Minnesota. The mother of two daughters, Amy is a soccer mom, active in her daughter’s school and sings in the church choir. Last school year, she and our son Joel, hosted a Foreign Exchange Student from Norway.

For most women, that would be a full plate. Not Amy. Since our oldest granddaughter was diagnosed with Celiac Disease as an infant 10 years ago, Amy has been a prime mover in raising Celiac Disease awareness and money for research.

Celiac Disease is an intolerance of Gluten. The disease is well controlled by a Gluten Free diet. Gluten is found in wheat, oats, barley and rye and is present in thousands of consumer products from bread to toothpaste. Celiac Disease is much more than a food allergy, however. So Amy has written articles, done interviews, taught classes and taken on the daunting task of educating school district lunch managers about the need to provide for children who cannot tolerate even a “crumb” of gluten. Amy is fast becoming the “go to” non-medical person for Celiac Disease in Minnesota.

Enough? For the last 9 years Amy has been involved in managing “Making Tracks for Celiacs” a walk/run event and gluten free food fair, that raises tens of thousands of dollars for Celiac research.

Amy also maintains a web site called “The Savvy Celiac” to help educate adults with Celiac Disease and parents of Celiac children about a healthy Gluten Free lifestyle. http://www.thesavvyceliac.com

Don’t be surprised, Amy became a runner a couple of years ago. As a runner, she is a partner with her sister-in-law, our youngest daughter Danielle in http://www.runningmoms.com a website dedicated to running mom’s and women who would like to become runners.

And this is just the Amy I see. A very busy lifestyle with two young girls, a husband, two dogs and a cat gives her little time to “kick back”. So to our daughter-in-law Amy I say, take a short break. Remember how much we admire your efforts and energy.