I'm IN to Finish 2012....

I’m feeling so many mixed emotions at this point….  Between feeling guilty that I’m frustrated getting into NYC along with everyone coming with us at different times and making sure everything is set ok for everyone…..but yet I shouldn’t feel “guilty” when my problems are logistics when so many others have problems at a higher level of my silly logistics.  What seemed to be a fun idea in the beginning has turned into a not so great idea of riding the train now when the tunnel is still filled with water into the city.  So given a last minute distress call to the airlines and a hike in airfare during the 15 minute conversation I had with the representative I bit the bullet and said Let’s do this…so JFK here we come.

I’m reading mixed reviews of being accepted as a runner into the city because some feel the marathon shouldn’t go on.  However, some say they need the marathon to happen to boost morale and spirit as well as the economical impact the marathon can have on businesses.  So…what is the right way to feel?

I’ve read blog entries and articles from one extreme to the next.  About booing the runners and throwing the water at them as opposed to handing it to them….really?  At any point in time is that truly what you think someone should do?  I will be happy to pick up my own cup of water if it means a volunteer can be helping someone else in need from the storm; I’m completely ok with that. 

Now given, I’m well aware that’s one persons opinion and sometimes the craziest comments sneak the attention of publicity….but I will say…to claim these runners are selfish is beyond something I want to debate on, I don’t feel it’s a necessary argument.  Many runners have dedicated months of their own lives to raise money for charities (some of which are probably benefiting due to the circumstances right now), spent their weekends doing 3 hour runs, etc. I am not a New Yorker (nor am I claiming some of that justifies what others are going through right now)…. I am a West Virginian so my opinion could be different than a local’s.  I never want to see devastation; I would never celebrate it, nor ignore it which has been some of the claim along the way.  Do people really think we are “celebrating” Hurricane Sandy by running the marathon?

Plain and Simple…I am running this marathon to honor my dad who battles on a daily basis a lifestyle far worse than Hurricane Sandy.  This disease is life altering just like Hurricane Sandy.  But I’m not going to point fingers for things others do while my dad is struggling and say they are celebrating Parkinson’s Disease.  I will do whatever I can to help New York City given the opportunity while there…because that’s what people do.  I’m not there to intrude on your lifestyle and infringe on things that have happened due to the hurricane.  West Virginia has had our share of Hurricane/Super Storm Sandy, as well as a horrible storm this past summer, I never thought once at insulting people coming into our area while we were getting trees removed from our properties and so forth.  I will be the first to admit I don’t understand the extreme of race logistics, this is my first race ever of this size & magnitude…but I’m ok with some amenities of the race being altered so people can be utilized elsewhere to help others….this race means a little something different to me.  I'd even meet a new friend and see if they wanted to run 26.2 miles to still complete what we set out to do, with or without bleachers full of people and parties along every block.

I questioned at one point if I should withdraw from the marathon when the first E-mail blast went out due to everything that has happened, but I realized I’m doing this for a reason…and quitting now is going against everything I decided to prove months ago.  Things will never be perfect, there will always be obstacles and we still have to do what we set out to do.  We’ve raised ALMOST our goal of $10,000 and I have people counting on me to do this….most of all…my dad.  Tomorrow will not be any better for any Parkinson’s Disease patient if I don’t strive to make a difference now.  Now…I may sound selfish that my heart is set on the Parkinson’s Community for this effort, but there isn’t a time if someone needed help I wouldn’t do what I could to assist in it… 

I'm IN to finish for my Dad

Many people who run the NYC marathon do it to accomplish something, to honor a charity/person/a reason, and to prove you CAN do anything.  One of the reasons I love NYC is because they are a city of “do’ers”…when 9/11 happened they embraced community and set forth a plan to recover, which is exactly what they are in the process of doing now.  I just hate I’m feeling “guilty” for still moving forward with the marathon a little bit.    

I’ve been reminded by many…if anyone can do this….Team Foxers can….  And that’s just exactly what Team Spangler is going to do for Team Fox.  So if you want to throw your cup of water at me….so be it…I’ll compare your throw to my dad’s quarterback arm and I guarantee yours won’t be as good.  Ok that was a rant and I take it back J

I suppose this is my most controversial blog post ever….probably will stay that way as well…and I’m certain I’m missing the point of some people’s resentment of the NYC marathon going forward.  Please just know…if there is something my group of 6 can do while we are there…we will do it….but we are also there to prove to my dad he taught us to never quit when we’ve put our mind to something.

So as of today I’m still “IN TO FINISH 2012”

 

Panic Mode....

As many of you have discovered if you didn't know already....I get nervous...almost about everything. I have been trying to keep my hives under control but the buildup of SOOOO many things coming up is starting to ignite this panic mode (however they say that comes with tapering).....

Yes...I know... "Relax...it will all be ok..." (mom has been saying that for 30 years now)  Well, easier said than done. I'm a perfectionist and a people pleaser, we don't really relax.  I really want our event to go well tomorrow…. In case you’re thinking “What event”…well you now have plans for tomorrow at the Parkersburg Country Club! 

 

I wanted this to be a BIG fundraiser for us, but most of all it’s an excuse for an opportunity for us all to get together for awareness.  I keep stressing about the little things, and I know it will all come together. I just hope for a large crowd.  So please feel free to bring a carload of people (and in the meantime tell 5 others) and enjoy the evening! J  We have some great silent auction items (and would always welcome more) and will have T-shirts there and lots of fun!

Now…on the fundraising side of things, I am trying to keep my fingers crossed because if we can make this a GREAT event….this could push us towards our goal of $10,000.  I’ll be honest, I really didn’t think we’d get that far in the beginning….as I said then…dad always said to make a goal, but then push it a little more.  The committed amount needed to raise was $5,000…so in my over-achieving obsession of ways…why not double it…just thinking it would be something to strive for.  With 12 days to go till the marathon….we actually are really close!  (A couple pending donations we are about $6,700)

**Please don't forget tomorrow...I have a Team Fox Banner I want everyone to sign that I will be giving dad before leaving to NYC....he LOVED the poster we did at the Fair...so we hope to fill the banner for him to hang for the race :)

We are currently in 9^th place on the NYC Team Fox Runners (over 200 off them) for fundraising…how awesome is that!? 

I do think having this fundraiser coming up has allowed me to stress about it and not the 26.2 mile run!  It’s been such a mental game, mostly because I have to convince myself…I am not RACING this….I am finishing this.  This is such a new territory of a challenge....I will be surrounded by people at all times of this race (there are 47,000 people you know)….and passing someone and passing the person in front of you take on a whole new meaning….  This will be my motto:

The run last night was scenic and peaceful.  The temperature was perfect, the leaves are BEAUTIFUL…and I “only” had a 40 minute run. 

 

I kept thinking ohhhh legs please feel like this on November 4^th….temperature….please be this temperature on November 4^th….   I think about just how far we have come in this journey.  There are moments I doubt what I’m doing…only because I know I can be overbearing in wanting things to be the best, wanting to make sure all I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed.  Pushing…and Pushing…to get the most out of someone/everything.  I second guess myself at that…but then I realize…I’m exactly that way because dad raised me that way.  Walking off the gym floor after scoring 40 points….and dad’s words to me, “You know….you would have had 42 if you would have made that lay up”….  There is always something better you can do…always….and NEVER chose to be satisfied.  So…. I try not to be mad at myself for pushing for the best, because at the end of the day, I don’t think that’s necessary a bad thing….it will only make me better. 

Now….I hope to see you tomorrow….let’s fill the room!

We Would Never Win a Spelling Bee......

I’ve decided dad and I possibly should have our own sit-com when it comes to us partnering together using his “Spell Chart” Sophie made for him.  For many of you that know, dad can’t actually “speak” anymore to where we can understand him (it is a condition over time with the loss of muscle control that is a side effects of some Parkinson’s patients), so…. there is a Letter chart Sophie made him for him to spell things to us.  Well….for those of you who know dad….spelling isn't one of his best traits (and I think I’ve touched on it before)….  Well if you’ve also picked up from my blog or communicated via Email much with me….spelling isn’t one of my best traits either J  I’m not even sure which words came first in our massive case of laughter during the day…but I fixed dad tomato soup…I was feeding it to him and towards the end of the bowl he kept trying to say something….I thought he was telling me he was sick and tired of it J…..I then got the letter chart…..he started to spell out letters…. C….R…..A…..C….K (well either I interrupted him or he kinda had a paused moment to get his fingers going again…another Parkinson’s effect)…but I kept saying DAD…I don’t have any Crack…what in the world… (laughing of course, knowing well enough I’m certain he didn’t actually mean CRACK) J….but my brain was stuck on CRACK…he was laughing to where he couldn’t spell anymore….then I finally realized he was trying to spell CRACK….ERS….  Oh of course…who doesn’t want crackers in their soup!?

This happened several times throughout the day……it tends to be dad and I’s biggest struggle when we are on schedule together J  I suppose it could always be worse…..you just never know how we may TRY to spell things between the 2 of us, but you’d think we’d be on the same level of bad spellers and it be easier…..  I’m just glad he doesn’t’ have to dictate what is capitalized or not….for those who have received notes/announcements from dad via him being a “coach to athletes” before where everything was in CAPS LOCK…… 

So after dad got his crack…..I mean his crackers…we did what 98% (that statistic is estimated…but probably suitable) of West Virginian’s were doing at Noon on Saturday…..watching the WVU/Baylor football game…our fist big game of the Big 12 conference…..  I will highlight the game in my blog…because we won J  See…. Let’s go back a few years…well…SEVERAL years J…… dad actually went and played his freshmen year at WVU….  He had gotten a scholarship graduating from Sherman High School in southern WV (which is a very small town)….and got noticed by WVU for his athletic talents.  I suppose he’s got some bragging rights…but let’s not get him started  J  Dad discovered though it just wasn’t “him” (And I think he missed playing multiple sports) and transferred later to play at Glenville State where he ended up taking over the record books...and of course the best thing…..he met my mom….therefore allowing me to be here today (and mom to help him with his homework) J  I’ve grown up answering the question MANY times… “Are you Terry Spangler’s Kid?”  When I answered with a “yeap”….it was usually responded very quickly “Ohhhh Man…I remember one time when he…….” (Sports related story)……   We use to tease dad we didn’t believe his stories, and now we have some random person justifying them to us…..   There are very few times we could top dad’s stories that started out...”When I was your age….”

The running continues to go well….I’m just lovin’ this time of year…. This past weekend’s long run was “only” 2 hours….it was funny how my approach to the run was feeling like it was such a short little thing compared to the 3 hours the weekend before….And it will be 3 hours this coming weekend.  Being out at the farm has helped a lot with the mental approach to a change of scenery and being further out where I have the road to myself most of the time.  I had some fun pictures I took to share (and of course have seemed to misplace my camera cord somewhere).  On Sunday I laced my shoes up and got my run in and had them pick me up on their way leaving the farm.    Last night’s run was nice…the sky was beautiful when I returned home, but the picture doesn’t seem to really do much justice. 

 

I’m booking our train tickets today….so NYC Watch out! J  We decided to make it a fun adventure up, driving to DC and visiting a few friends and then taking the train to the city. I’ve never taken a train in the US before (always Europe…but now feel bad not here)…so this will be a fun adventure all around J

We keep pushing towards our goal…..and I finished the flyer for our upcoming event on the 24^th of this Month….so if you’re interested…We’d LOVE to see you there…and make a little party before the trip to NYC.  Sponsorships for the event are available, tickets on sale….and we’ll see you there

AND....today marks the 30 days out.....AHHHHH :)

“Who Let the dogs Out”…No Seriously…..

If you don’t know the song…then I’m sure you’re thinking I have a weird sense of humor and where did she come up with that…if you do know the song…I’m certain you still think I have a weird sense of humor and I apologize that the song in now stuck in your head.  We loved that song in high school because it was just one of those songs that stick in your head and just so happened to be one of our high school rivals mascots so it only seemed fitting (the boys on the team may not have thought so but it was a nice thing to harass them with on long road trips)…. 

I blog with a heavy heart today.  My hometown community has had a rough weekend of tragedy that has struck and it’s always so hard when it hits so close to home.  Please know for the 2 tragedies that have happened that a community of prayers are and thoughts are behind to help through the hard times of all those involved.   

I have had a whirlwind of the last week.  I forgot to warn you that work will be taking me out of town along with a hectic schedule to blog through due to events scheduled for all day.  Now…don’t feel too sorry for me in the meantime, as having to “work” at West Virginia’s Finest and Historic Hotel, The Greenbrier, doesn’t make work all that difficult.  You tend to escape into another lifestyle when going there that it’s almost hard to want to come back to reality.  I will never complain about having 3 gourmet meals provided to me each day that I know I couldn’t prepare myself even with my hardest of efforts.  Believe me when I say I used the excuse “I’ve been running and training for a marathon….I need to eat” every opportunity I had. 

The Greenbrier.....One of the highlights of WV

I can't believe they made us suffer through a dinner event with this view :)
We were told this was a home Jerry West stayed in often before he built a house there....

My side note to all this though and the running side of things, it is truly unfair for a girls legs to even want to cooperate with the concept of running after having to be walking around in heels all day.  Maybe I’m just not use to it, but that is exhausting on your legs! J  Before you roll your eyes boys…you should try it and get back with me on it. 

My running story today reflects my long run…those seem to take precedence most weeks I’m beginning to see.  I was supposed to do it on Saturday….and somehow I hate to admit that I talked myself out of it on Saturday and pushed it to Sunday…if you ask I had about 15 solid excuses as to why….  You know..weather…humid…heat…etc (You get the idea)…..  So thank goodness I stuck to it on Sunday…woke up early….and made myself get to moving my legs before I talked myself out of it….  I had 2 ½ hours ahead of me to conquer what my training schedule told me.  This was my longest run yet so far..and they continue to get a little longer for a short bit more.  I enjoy it once I get going…I love it actually….it’s just some days the mental game is a little more than others.  Sunday was one of them.  I passed by my furthest “turn around spot” so far on this route..and almost seemed overwhelmed that I still had about 20 more minutes to go before I needed to turn around.  So…I obviously just kept running….  Before I knew it….. here comes 2 dogs running towards me.  At first my happy self wanted to think…”Ohhh hey dogs…it’s ok..I’m only running through…with a soft voice”….then realize soft voice or not..these dogs aren’t as friendly as my nonstop licking your face husky is at home.  Apparently I missed the 3^rd dog coming over before I felt a quick nip at the side of my leg….then I got mad.  Beyond the crazy barking and growling the owner who came out on the porch didn’t seem to care too much, mind you it was an older lady…but I referenced still trying to be friendly that your dogs aren’t very nice and you should probably tie them up (I also said I needed to come back through here and if they could to please tie them up)….She never left her porch….  When I came back through…of course the dogs were still out…so my tone of niceness had sense disappeared and my affirmative get back or else seemed to at least get me through without another ordeal and they finally left me alone.

 

Why can't all dogs just be as friendly as "Smokes" :)

For those of you who haven't seen him since my blog post when he was just a little guy....

 

I don’t think I really realized that I should have actually been scared….and it could have been worse.  Ohhhh the life of a runner and random dogs, I’d almost forgotten.  We use to know where every potential dog problem use to be and could have avoided it.  Lesson learned to be better prepared.  It also took my mind off of the fact of my route of running.  The WV Hills are an understatement when you are going for 2 ½ hours…Every time it seems I turned a curve in the road…there was another hill waiting for me!  Don’t get me wrong…it was beautiful scenery….but my gosh! J   I wish I had a picture to share a few images of the run, my cell phone has decided it didn’t want to last long enough anymore to handle the runs with me…so I’ve added a new phone to the wish list/to do list and  left this one at home. (Which yes creates another problem to the planning runs better aspect)

I also made one pit stop at a neighbors for a quick little water break….I of course under estimated the level of “hotness” of the temperature….  So moral of the story…the 2 ½ hour long run is marked off the training list and no records were broke through the process of it J  Now to stick to the training schedule this week so I don’t keep going through panic stages of being prepared for NYC. 

60 days..WHAT!?!….Insert Rocky Theme in my head before nerves set in… J

Gold Medal....

Gold Medal…

Yes I know it’s time for the Olympic hopefuls of gold medalsJ, but I’m referring to Gold Medal Cross Country Camp that comes around this time of the year at Cal PA (California University of PA).  For those of you confused, yes we have camps for running in the woods, LOTS of running! J  I’ve been thinking of this camp since my last blog post in reference to me being an over-packer and prepared.

                One year in high school a group of us were heading off to camp and I was riding up with Vearl and Diane Summers (saving my parents a trip to Pennsylvania as group of us went together), I’m assuming I had 2 or 3 bags all packed full of the what if’s.  Upon arrival of camp and the process of checking in, I no longer had the key to my dorm room for the week and here comes dad driving up the street and parked (I’m sure he had just missed me already).  Apparently of all my ‘bags’ I had packed the one I forgot at home in the pile of things was the bag full of my running clothes and shoes; you know, the important stuff. J I actually don’t even know if I remember dad being mad, I think he just wasn’t even surprised.  I hate to admit this story as well because it’s obvious we didn’t have cell phones like today to just call and say turn around J   Hopefully dad enjoyed the scenery of the trip because it was a long one for a single bag J

                There are so many sore memories of Gold Medal Camp J I can remember sliding down hand rails as opposed to actually stepping down the steps so that is wasn’t as painful  There wasn’t a mile we didn’t run at that camp (running 70-80 miles or so).  I remember being overwhelmed at the understanding of training at that level because at that age, we just hopped on the rails to trails and got our run in, all these other details and specifics were completely new to us. It consisted of morning runs, afternoon trainings, evening runs..a half marathon midway through the week….at that age a half marathon almost seemed like a trip around the world!  It was after that camp we realized just how limitless the opportunities of running could be and what it took to be good, self discipline was a whole new level at that point.

                I can remember another year, dad coming to pick Holli and I up at camp, we were talking non-stop about all the stories etc for 10 minutes straight ….dad always said at 10 minutes we must have hit a brick wall.  We crashed into a sleep that I’m almost certain lasted for 48 straight hours J  They always had a 5K race at the end of the week that was an “Open Race” and dad always jumped right in.  Even though he was my dad, I know from others, having a coach that did what he preached and participated within the sport as well made his involvement and ability to get the most out of his athletes so much more.  

Dad Running the Open Race at the end of Gold Medal Camp

I suppose in regards to the training updates.  On Friday we were suppose to take the day off (schedules orders). The excitement of the weekend was I got to go to Glade Springs for a work event for Brock…so while he was in a meeting I got to allow myself to get lost for 1 hour 45 minutes J  It was such a beautiful day for a long run, temperature, and scenery. 

Yesterday I ran the typical route (about 45 minutes), and to my surprise upon my little stop to catch up with my neighbor I got a bag of tomatoes J  Perfect timing on my part! J

We hope to see everyone at the Ritchie County Fair!  There will be one of us working the “Team Spangler” tent there….we are hosting a ring toss games and lots of fun.  Don’t forget to swing by to get some information and sign the poster we’ll take back for dad! 

Stop By and Show your Support for Team Spangler at the Ritchie County Fair!

Just Being Lost in the Moment

Ryan Hall, on running a marathon: "I don't think about the miles that are coming down the road, I don't think about the mile I'm on right now, I don't think about the miles I've already covered. I think about what I'm doing right now, just being lost in the moment."

What do you do when you’re at a turn-around point with your watching displaying 48 minutes?...Well...you run 48 minutes back...  (ok actually 44 minutes back) No I didn’t really pick up the speed much; I just got lucky that all my up hills turned to down hills J

I almost forgot how accomplished the long run days can make a person feel.  After my 92 minute run on Saturday I felt a little bit closer to the marathon.  I still have moments where I almost get nervous and overwhelmed already at the thought of it...and today we are still 103 days away.  During the run it can easily consume you with what seems to be a slowly ticking watch....I felt great at the point where I turned around last week knowing I was going further this week, even so not having a clue where the road was going to take me.  At times it can seem overwhelming with what lies ahead of me with a long run, but when I saw this quote above; being lost in the moment is one of the greatest things about a run.  

Reflection of goals, aspirations, dreams, fears, memories can consume me and when my legs start to burn a little bit at the start of a hill I realize my reason for running is so different then it was 10 years ago.  When I ran in high school and college I ran for my team, for the name that was imprinted on a jersey, you never wanted to let your teammates down as we depended on each other to perform well to allow the team to finish even better.  I run now because of the pain of someone else. 

This journey is a remedy of something I’m not so sure on an emotional level is capable of being fully recovered from, but it’s a start.  I run to deal with thoughts I’m not certain how else to deal with, thoughts I’m not certain even if I put into words for someone else that it would even make sense or tell the actual story when the words try to flow together.  I run for the moments I’ll never have again running next to my dad literally wanting to walk but knowing I was stronger than the actual reason to start walking...so much of it was in my head, and as I’ve discussed before...that is why I believe that if you truly believe in something, anything is possible.  People always ask me why I’m so optimistic or how I am the way I am when approaching things.....I’ve realized through this...the smallest things that use to consume me because they weren’t perfect...it wasn’t about being perfect, perfect isn’t a necessity.. things in life it could always be worse than not actually being perfect....so find a reason to be optimistic..Because even on your worst day, someone else has it worse.

I know in regards to the training side of things, I left you on Thursday.

Thursday I ran 35 minutes...followed by Friday I ran 20 minutes, (we were suppose to take the day off however I feel like my week was switched around a bit I wanted to do an easy 20 just to feel like I did something).  Saturday was the long run I spoke about earlier, and then yesterday was a recovery run (to say the least) where I ran an EASY 38 minutes.  I will be utilizing some ice this evening forcertain. J

Thanks for listening today, as you can see the longer runs sometimes brings a little bit more of a personal touch to things....  Now...as dad would say...get over it and let’s get going....

Megan...please know we are thinking of you and your family....and your cross country family will always be here for you and thinking of you....  Whenever you need to smile just think about Dad screaming your name creamed out loud with the background music of the Price is Right :)  We are always here to make you smile!

"Change the World" **Charity Miles**

Today I wanted to just send a little note and update on a program I have discovered through this adventure of mine.  The more I have read about the creator and program of Charity Miles the more I love this concept!  (That isn’t just because they sent me a free t-shirt either) J

For those of you who want to “get involved” here is a little way to get out and bike/run/walk and make a difference.  As much as I would love to say Choose Team Fox, this gives you the options to pick something as dear to your heart as Team Fox Is to Mine.  I have mentioned this app before in the blog, but here is a video which helps explain this program much better than my “wordiness” of words.  (Plus we all pay more attention to pictures) J …it’s a proven marketing fact.

Check out the video here:

Charity Miles Video

Also their website is: http://www.charitymiles.org for more direct information

The sponsored Charities represented are:

·         Achilles International

·         Autism Speaks

·         Feeding America

·         The Global Fund

·         Habitat For Humanity

·         The Michael J Fox Foundation

·         The Nature Conservancy

·         Pencils of Promise

·         The World Food Programme
(More to Come) 

Now…my next mission is to get an IPhone (Android works as well), so I can jump in on this madness of lovin’ this program and start practicing what I preach, but in the meantime I’ll feel better if a few others jump in too.  I think the concept of incorporating fitness into fundraising is wonderful (Also truly appropriate for dad’s career as a coach, Health & Gym teacher) J…  He always use to do the project where you could “Run Around WV”…he knew how far each lap around the gym was and then turned the laps into distances so kids could keep track of their travels. Now with GPS options on phones, you don't even have to do any of the calculating...you just have to run/walk/bike!

I would love to hear from you if this program worked for you and keep me updated on the progress J   As the creator Gene Gurkoff mentions, together we can “Change the World”.

As for yesterdays run…yes I ran and didn’t bike for cross training….please don’t tell on me…..  I attempted to defeat mother nature and sneak a run in between storms…I should have known she’d only teach me a lesson by sneaking another storm in on me while I was about a mile away from home, apparently it appears a monsoon was her inspiration.  Needless to say it turned into a great 35 minute run, finishing with a torrential downpour J  Can’t say it was the first time nor will it probably be the last J

If you don't want to listen to me telling you to get out and do this....I'm sure dad is here :)


**Team Spangler**

Let the Icing begin

Apparently I got too excited about the long run Sunday and should have known better as to the soreness that would come next J  I suppose some things you never learn.  (Random) Like eating tortilla chips before a run… I’ve done that a million times, yet, NEVER learn my lesson!?  Maybe it’s just me J

I had a hill workout scheduled for last night that I altered a little bit.  We were supposed to do 8 hill repeats around 1 minute each…I did 6 and added some time onto the other part of the run…our long runs should be on Saturday but since I had to alter days around my legs are still just TIRED…so I didn’t want to do anything too silly.  I suppose nothing a little couch sitting while watching International House Hunters while icing my legs can’t cure J

I am wanting to check in more often as I promised I would with everyone…I want to change these blog entries  around sometimes too so it’s always different J

Yesterday I checked the PO Box (which for me I get excited like it’s Christmas or something)….there was a return address on the envelope around the Pittsburg area that I didn’t recognize so I tore into the envelope and it was a lady in the area who had heard of our story (I believe from my grandma Nelson but still checking that), however she had the sweetest note included that spoke of her husband having Parkinson’s and her daughters are runners and send a little donation to help out with our project here.  I can’t express how the random notes lift my spirits and I always call mom right away to have her relay the information onto dad.  It’s always amazing how connected so many of us are in ways we never knew, and the goal to work together to find a cure for this disease can be discovered $1 at a time.

Tonight we are suppose to do cross training (this storming is aggravating me)…someone please agree with me so I don’t feel crazy that I struggle at the thought and concept of cross training. I  KNOW it’s important, but even in college when we were supposed to do swim workouts instead or something, I somehow always felt I was cheating training because I wasn’t actually running.  I know there are studies done and so forth to prove things….but mentally I still struggle at feeling like it was “ENOUGH” of a workout to mean something. 

I’m trying to stay on the fundraising routine too of keeping up on things we can do and continue to move forward with opportunities to reach our main goal of $10,000.  I’ve discovered I’m going to approach this in 1% increments so I feel like I’m getting somewhere quicker each time….so I’ve broken down my mini goals into $100 which equals 1%.... My cousin Jim has been my email pen pal in planning and he will probably soon regret telling me to tell him what to do… I can tend to be bossy and nonstop J  We are looking to host 1 or 2 after hours/early evening events in Parkersburg so it’s a easier atmosphere to get together mingle/network/visit for a purpose…with the concept of appetizers, drinks etc….we are also working on some sponsors for those events and then obtaining some silent auction items to have at those events to help raise some additional money.  I’m thinkin’ just a little “Shakin it up for Parkinson’s” theme.  We are finalizing some dates so we can move forward and get that going.  Also a scrapbooking crop event is set for October 20^th in Charleston at our other Cousin’s Crop location and she is helping us put this on…so if you are interested in that it will be a all day crop for $30 and will include prizes, some food,  as well as the hope of some silent auction items.  I’ve been asked several times by people what can they do….feel free to reach out to me if there is something particular here you want to be in on, or any other ideas you want to incorporate and I can help you with.  I’m going to be sending out some donation requests and sponsorship letters as soon as we finalize some dates… so just let me know…. ALWAYS feel free to Email me at MissySpangler22@yahoo.com.. I tend to feel like I overwhelm people through all this (I tend to be a non stop go-getter) so I’d love to hear from you J

Just a reminder…we are still doing the dollars for dad project and could still use A LOT of States!... 

If you need the direct website link to the fundraising pages to pass along it is: http://www2.michaeljfox.org/site/TR/Sponsored/TeamFox?px=1007327&pg=personal&fr_id=1210

If you want to write a check please make it out to: Michael J Fox Foundation and you can mail it to our PO Box and I’ll get it sent in with our Team:

Team Spangler

Attention: Missy Spangler

PO Box 403

Ripley, WV 25271

I Heard a GREAT quote the other day and I just wanted to share….

”We run for those who can no longer run for themselves”

  108 Days till NYC….

"She thinks we're just fishing"

Before I get too involved with this story….

**I did run yesterday evening (A little 5 mile run) while stopping to visit a neighbor I always wave at and wanted to at least check in….long story short….he ended up being from Boone County (where dad is from) and we know some of the same people…go figure….funny what a small world)

I heard this song on my way home last night and it seemed appropriate to blog about.  It kinda brought some tears to my eyes as the personal meaning it means to me.  Also, like many other days, the timing seemed funny after my blog I posted, maybe that’s why it caught my attention as much as it did.

A few trips ago back when I was at home visiting…we all were talking about fishing.  I had showed dad the pictures through the TV from my camera of kids at the reunion fishing and all the fish they caught.  We couldn’t help but tell the story of “the one that got away” at Crystal Lake.  You know we all have “that one” that makes a true fishing story exaggerated enough to think it possibly was the biggest fish you’ve ever seen “around these parts”. 

I meant to go through some pictures last night and try to find some photos of fishing when I was younger, so I may need to come back and update some later. 

I have some really fond memories of Crystal Lake (for those of you not from around here, it’s NOT the one from the horror movie Jason)

Dad Being able to fish Shortly after his Brain Surgery procedure (at Crystal Lake).  He was able to get around better for a short while after that.

As kids I was either running laps around the single lane black top path, walking around fishing in all the right spots, laps of riding bike, swimming, in Ryan Jones’s case falling into the lake, soaking up some sun, etc.  It goes without saying as soon as darkness crept up you could find us on the dock setting up camp for a night full of catfishing (don’t forget the chicken liver, my secret hot dog bait, and whatever bait someone mentioned the night before they caught some with).  Sometimes one of us may have taken a break to make a lap around the lake to see how everyone else was doing, but I usually stayed put to show off our catches upon anyone passing by our dock because we had a reputation to keep (ok actually at the time I was too young to drive) J  I think catfishing is a contributor to the lesson of learning patience.  It’s just too tempting to reel a little bit of the line in to see if you just might feel a little tug at the other end, or worry maybe your bait was gone.  Sitting there in our chairs, with our flashlights handy, surrounded by whatever disgusting smell of bait we chose maybe isn’t for everyone, but for me and dad…..it was perfect. 

Now…the one that got away….One day Rick and Isaiah were there for the day visiting (thank goodness they were so I had some witnesses) and I was on the dock casting away.  Upon reeling in one cast I got a bite…a big one…you know one that makes the pole jerk and pull and bend which induces panic and probably a few slight squeals.  Of course quickly followed by the screaming of “DAAAAADDDDDDDD”.  I’m certain those butterflies in my stomach added to the pitch of my voice which created panic to dad and Rick that something bad happened and they came running down the steps.  (Honestly speaking I don’t blame them; we usually were up to something)  This fish jerked, pulled, swam in, swam out…dad kept telling me to let it wear itself out and I kept wanting to reel it in.  We finally fought the fish for what seemed like 3 days….(hence the true fisherman exaggeration here)….  Now…here is where the story goes bad…..  I handed the rod to dad….  Regret #1 (or maybe no regret at all because now I get to place this blame on him).  I was probably driving him nuts upon my way of handling the fish so he decided he better take over.  We finally got the fish close to the dock and dad started to pull it up and it was bending the reel really bad, so Rick decided to reach down and see if he could pull it up.  (It was a bass)  Well Dad thought Rick had a hold of it, so he jerked on the line to do I don’t know what, however that resulted in the hook coming out of the fish and as all big fish stories go….the fish wrestled away and swam off without us getting it out of the water completed to see just how big….But I do promise you it was at least 12-15 inches “halfway” out of the water……  As I type this I feel the disappointment creep back….ohhh thank goodness it was dad holding the pole J

I do think there were a few days of silence between us and I’m almost certain I didn’t allow him to touch my pole after that.  Even though that fish probably would have broken the line far before that if I had been holding the pole, but those are just minor details in the midst of this.

Still Love Fishing :)

Just a little Catch for the Day....notice the 2 chairs sitting on the dock...they always say, try to find a man who reminds you of your dad....(don't worry I reel in my own fish now) :)

Carter's Fish, my nephew, (We may need to stretch the truth on this one when we tell pappaw what we caught in his pond)

Sophie's (my niece) Pretty Fish to tell pappaw About

I treasure all those talks we shared waiting on a pole or bobber to move (even just a little jiggle to stir up some hope) all those nights.  I’m certain that’s where dad and I became best friends. 

Now…I suppose I need to go looking for the next big catch to stir up a good story.  As the saying goes…

“Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught.”