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!

Nerves...100 days...

If anyone knows me…they know I always panic to be prepared, prepare more, and overly prepared for about anything I do.  (That’s probably why in cross country dad got us team bags big enough to fit clothes for a month in, however my argument is you NEVER know what to expect at a cross country meet!)  I realized today we have snuck upon the 100 days till the marathon and I won’t lie, it makes me nervous!  I mean 100 days seems like a lot to some…but I have 26.2 miles to run here!  Fast isn’t my concern at this point J  (Fast was a goal 10 years ago…)  I’m as motivational as can me, but I’m a nervous mess when it comes to myself!

You’ve heard me tell the stories about hives before races and basketball games, while dad had to convince me of everything I can do at the moment before I’d have a nervous breakdown.  When giving a speech at the West Virginia Awards banquet I remember Jim Butta teasing me about the speech notes I had prepared and had organized throughout the page.   When I started my insurance agency in OH, they wanted a 1 page business plan (I didn’t realize at the time they meant 1 page)…so 12 pages later I submitted my analysis of the market and my plan.  So I suppose this process is normal …but….100 days! Ahhhh

Me probably wanting to throw up before the state meet in this picture...dad being side tracked talking (of course) to the Scott High School Coach I believe :) 

We are in the midst of planning a fundraiser for Team Spangler at the Ritchie County Fair…it’s definitely going to be a fun tent so be sure to come out and look for us! We’ll be decorated out with Team Fox colors, mardi gras beads, prizes, while hosting a game! 

We also will have a big poster for everyone to sign for us to take back to dad!

I suppose your wandering about my running….

Monday evening I ran about 30 minutes on the road then came back home to run another 10 with the dog.  He’s been running off lately so we’ve had to keep him tied up more, so I was hoping I’d wear him out a little bit more by running him around.  I think the only person who got tired was me.

Tuesday evening I had enough guilt to consume me as I didn’t have time in the schedule to run….  I did get to see dad however and visit for a short bit while going to meet mom to work on a rental house project o(f course)

Last night I went out for about a 40 minute run…which I had to finish in the dark because the evening somehow snuck away from me by the time I was able to get my run in.

So I suppose I better get off here and realize my triple digit days are gone and tomorrow begins 99 days till the big day J 

100 days     16h     10m     30s

TILL RACE TIME

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….

Long Runs Begin

There is just something about the feeling of running past that 1 hour mark that makes you feel like you’re getting somewhere :) Yesterday's run was 80 minutes and I won't lie, when I first started moving my legs I thought they weighed 1000 pounds and I was worried mentally what this run would do to me. Maybe it was from being in the car most of the day before...but I didn't know if I was going to be able to get that run going. While on vacation I FINALLY got a "running watch" to start timing runs etc. I figured it would be appropriate given the new workout schedule we got.
I actually was hesitant to have a ‘running watch’ while getting back into this, as I was scared if I knew the distances and saw the watch changing numbers I’d be more discouraged at where I use to be in the world of timed running and where I was now given it’s been a few years since I’ve really done this whole training thing.  I think it was the change I needed also to give myself a new approach for training given the countdown to the marathon is sneaking closer and to find ways to stay excited and motivated get to you sometimes.

I was a bit worried once I hit the 25 minute mark yesterday as to still having over 10 minutes of time left prior to turn around and realizing the furtherest I'd ran till now I was already past that point.  So I just kept running and when I snuck up onto the 39 minute mark this was the turnaround spot…..

Feeling like you are at the top of the mountain can make any person appreciate just where they are..And I couldn’t help but smile (realizing just how much the scenery of running had changed in the course of 24 hours was funny).  Then I realized I had that far back to run to the house (the joys of up and back running...but don't worry my legs were feeling much lighter and better at this point) J  Clicking the watch off at 1:20.54 was a great feeling…just knowing I did it and the slight panic of feeling like I won’t be ready for the marathon escaped away for a little while.   

Just a little update regarding the training:

Thursday (July 12^th) - Ran 39 minutes….ran a few side roads along the beach road just to see the beach houses that were down different roads to change up my run a little bit. 

Friday- Ran an easy 35 minutes…I had to switch my workouts around due to fearing I wouldn’t get to run on Saturday as that should have been my long run day…but knowing we’d be traveling.

Saturday-  Took this day off since we were driving back from the beach…..and it was probably a good thing…after our All You Can Eat Seafood buffet on Friday to celebrate our last night there…(we had to make dad proud of course of all the seafood we could consume in one setting)….I’m not certain I could have even ran this day still recovering J

Sunday (yesterday)---Ran 80 minutes and LOVED it..No matter how humid it felt J  It was a nice change of route and I felt accomplished to have the longest run yet of the training schedule…  now just thinking how the next long run is scheduled to be 90 minutes J

I’ll be running an easy recovery run this evening I can promise you that while my legs are still working on recovering from the shock J   I’ve got some fundraising planning to get to work on and start getting closer to our goal….   We need to start added to our fundraising amount J  Who’s with me!? 

I’ll make an agreement…you can help fundraise or run the hour and a half with me next weekend…your choice :)

Team Spangler For Team Fox
Let's Do This

Beach Bums

Oh Yikes!  I’ve been a bad blogger!  Apparently vacation mode changed my routine a bit and I kept forgetting to put all my doings into words.  So today I’m catching up while embracing the view I have at this table, the sounds of the ocean sneaking through the screen door, this cup of coffee, and the joys of memories this week has exposed.  I’ve always been a bit of a toes in the sand beach girl.

Mom had been asking me (with the help of mammaw/papaw Nelson) to come to the beach with them for awhile, but I of course indecisive and always worrying about something kept putting off the decision until the day of departure J  We left in the middle of the night/early morning to tackle the journey to the beach with Mom, Kelly, Andy, and Myself.  It was obvious from the start we missed dad’s packing skills…We got everything in the van but organization wasn’t a factor.  Dad could pack a house into a van; it must be a trait he had to acquire having 4 women packing whenever we went anyplace. 

This week has been a celebration I suppose of caregivers.  Mom, Kelly, and Andy have the day to day duties of helping with the care giving needs for dad.  I think through the struggle of this disease it’s sometimes easy to not fully understand the daily demands that fall within a caregivers day to day operations and it’s something I know me as well as others can easily not fully grasp what that actually takes.  So today we’ll honor all the caregivers J  Dad has been with a program through Hospice this week that helps provide a few days for a caregiver within the program to be able to go on vacation, and I understand just how important it’s been for them this week.  We laughed as it didn’t take but a few minutes for a nurse helping there to already know who dad was.  I can honestly say I’m certain that man has never met a stranger or been at a place someone didn’t know him.  Carter and Sophie have been entertaining papaw with visits with Tara and Troy, and we get updates from Becki, Gary, Denny, Kay, Mammaw & Pappaw Nelson sneaking in for some visits.  We’ve been giving dad all the updates of this week’s activities including of course the most important….were we’ve eaten for his interest.  I told dad yesterday we are lucky we are allowed back into any of the “All you can Eat Buffett” restaurants, they’ve either put us on the “not allowed list” or dad has probably already put them out of businessJ

Kelly, Mom, Me

We grew up coming to Nags Head, NC as kids and as a family.  Maybe that’s why it’s always been a favorite of mine due to the memories.  This week has been full of reminiscing and laughs of the stories we’ve had here.  It’s been I suppose what they call “good medicine” for the situation we are all in battling this disease that can stem bitterness.  Every day on my runs here…I think about my runs here with dad.  We aren’t staying in the same place many of those runs took place, but the smell of the ocean reminds me of me begging in my own head…”Please dad…make that turn movement where it means you are ready to turn around and I can turn around too” …or when upon turn around the back of the Ben Franklin store means we are finally almost back to the condo.  J 

It has been nice to switch up my running routine, some runs in the morning and new scenery, but most of all, and the sounds of the ocean J   Since I am due for a long training update I better get to it:

July 4^{th (}Wednesday)- HOT…. Oh wait that was the story of that week J  I did the usual road run just checking in on a few of the neighbors making sure everyone’s power was back on and alright J  Ran about 40 minutes.

July 5^th (Thursday)-  Today was a fun run!  Went to the Arts and Crafts Fair and got to meet up with Steven Nutter who was working a booth there with his dad and we planned on a run after close of the fair.  We ran out through Cedar Lakes with one of his cross country runners for about 50 minutes with some up & down hills.  It was a nice pace with lots of remember when laughs including telling his runner how old we were getting compared to high school pace days J  Then it was nice to talk to Randy and catch up with them as they were a 2^nd family to us growing up.

July 6^th (Friday)- It was an off day (the training log told me to) J

July 7^th (Saturday)- WELCOME TO THE BEACH!!!!  Ahhh the sun and the sound and the waves of ocean… and heat…don’t forget the heat J  Ran about 45 minutes checking out the new neighborhood and our neighbors for the week.

July 8^th (Sunday)- Ran about 40 minutes going the other direction today to see everything new there was to see.

July 9^th (Monday)- Rain Rain go away J  Ran just 20 minutes today…wanted to do something…but I think the laziness of the day started to sneak up on me.

July 10^th (Tuesday)- The workout said Hill Repeats or 40-45 easy run….seeing as my scenery doesn’t present a hill option I supposed I would embrace the 40 minute run today J  It wasn’t as hot and a little bit easier to breathe without so much of the humidity today.

July 11^th (Wednesday)- Ran 36 minutes….it was going to be 40 but apparently I ran back faster and even tried to loop around to add a few minutes.

Dad would always tease about running so he can eat whatever he wanted…but especially on vacation week and I’ve found myself thinking that a lot this week just for laughs.  Everytime someone asks where we are eating tomorrow we all start laughing.  This week has been good for the sole….I think for more reasons than I can find the words to describe.

The view from one of our Favorite Resturants Growing up: Fishermans Wharf

I hate to leave…but this view now has the sun sneaking through the rainy clouds we’ve had and I’m not certain my attention will last much longer while I see a great spot to sit my chair for the day J  I’ve got a new notebook to work on for a list of to do’s and planning for the next step in our Team Spangler for Team Fox….so many of these memories give more reasons to continue this battle for a cure.  I’d give anything to have our dad here with us eating all he can eat…and knowing he’d want to go fishing off the Piers I’ve found myself running by every day.