We’re crossing the border to Vancouver ….

We’re crossing the border to Vancouver ….  That's right Team Spangler is going International :) 

I'm embarassed to admit, but there has been lots going on…and I’ve been TERRIBLE at keeping the blog up….I keep telling myself I want “time” to make a great post, and then I get sidetracked with another project.  Since Vancouver is less than 100 days away I better get back to being more “blogger friendly” and mile runner focused J

So, in case you didn’t know yet…..I’ve officially signed up for the Vancouver Marathon!!!  It’s outside my “comfort zone” of being ready (Training obsession), familiar with the area, etc….but I’ve already got a passport, a friend who lives there, Team Fox involved, so I’m ready to go! (It's also listed as a top 10 Destination Marathon by Forbes)  I am wanting to challenge us this year to be “Coast to Coast”…..so I’ll be running Vancouver in May….and updates later on NYC In November…I’ll be on the Pacific Ocean and then make my way to the Atlantic J 

So dad, we’ll be coast to coast for you this year J  (Just not running ALL the miles in-between…may have to have some help with an airplane)

I have been trying to get the training back under control, it’s been so hit and miss with this weather and I’ve gotta find a way to be more determined to “get er done” (to throw in a little country slang there).  I hate a treadmill with a passion, but I suppose it’s necessary sometimes.  I somewhat have a fear of falling off the treadmill while running, I just have such a hard time focusing on keeping on the belt, I get sidetracked extremely easy…and how can I multi-task while running on a moving belt I’m afraid to fall of?  I also always feel I’m on mile 10 I’m so board when I’ve barely reached 1 mile point.

The Vancouver Marathon is set for May 5^th so we are 96 days out….it seems "far away", but I’m already scared of the 26.2 miles J  I lost a little bit of training ground after the NYC marathon after getting sick, so I’ve been working on feeling that comfort zone of miles again. 

If somehow I come up missing during the race, I’m pretty certain there is a big possibility you can find me enjoying the views from the race route maybe sitting on a bench in the park.  If you want to entertain yourself a little bit (or become a little jealous…well jealous minus the 26.2 miles it will include)….Here is part of the race route that runs along the Pacific Ocean through Stanley Park….

 

Here is the course of the marathon winding through Vancouver.

 

Here is the Video Blurb from the official Vancouver Marathon Site …..

 

 (If that link doesn't work embedded...here is the direct link BMO Vancouver Marathon 2012 ) 

Now after typing this I feel the need to leave work and go for a run…..I hope this weather sticks out for today.  Keep checking the blog for more updates and stories….I’ve got a lot to catch you up on and a lot to share!  I’ll be sharing info soon of joining the “official” Team Spangler team through Team Fox I registered us for this year.  Also….if anyone wanted to make a donation via the Vancouver Team Fox project here is that website:

Missy Spangler Team Fox Vancouver Marathon Page
(If that doesnt' work the direct link is  http://www2.michaeljfox.org/goto/missyspangler
(Just click on the link)
 

I can’t tell you how excited I am for all the Team Spangler things to come this year! 

Looking forward to this Winter "Heat Wave" approaching

     Ohhhh hello winter and cold air….tending to want to forget what cold air will do to ones lungs is something I believe I purposely forget. (I’m sorry but I’m not a fan of WINTER….after Christmas and snow at that time period…I’m over it…bring on Spring, Fall, and Summer)  I made a few excuses as to reasons not to run a few days the wind was blowing and it was FREEZING (at least compared to my cozy warm house)….so I finally kicked myself out of the house on Saturday to get this running thing back in cycle with a 5 mile run….it wasn’t even that cold and I feel like someone stole the wind out of my chest.  I suppose this is that reminder of what a little asthma will do to a person.  I also love what a little bit of a cold/asthma condition etc will do to a competitive person…..

     Call me crazy…but when my “mind control” starts to sneak away and I’m in my daze of just running and random thoughts, I find that I’m talking to myself (hey…that’s normal right?….I probably don’t want to hear your answer)….but I was occasionally telling myself “this cold isn’t a big deal or my lungs feeling the way they do…..I’ll show you”…. How does one literally have an argument with themselves or in this case a cold I mean I hate to admit it but I seriously was talking trash/competitive to a cold?  Is it a competitive battle as to if the cold will win or I’ll conquer it before it gets to me?  Does anyone else go through this?

    Something about running while a little under the weather maybe brings out the weirdest traits or inner voices in you….but then again I don’t have the time to be slacking right now…I already slacked enough to this point to still want to be able to do what I’ve set my mind to do in 2013…..  So hacking or not….Because if this cold knows it or not…I will defeat it J   I just hope those around me will let it slide when I spend the few hours  recovering from the air in my chest and heaviness….if you hear someone hacking/coughing….it’s me…  Looking forward to getting back on a track (seriously)….I get to go home right after work today and take this little husky (who is growing too fast) on a run with me J

 

 

One of my cold weather memories is always the "Mid East Meet" we had in high school in 2000....The event was held in Dayton, OH (Weird I know...I'd forgotten till later in time after I lived there awhile I had this meet there)  I should have remembered HOW COLD IT WAS THEN...before I moved there!   It's as cold as we look :)  This was West Virginia's team that year when we ran against Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, PA, and sadly I can't remember if Kentucky ran that year with us or not  However...I do recall the "Hill" that everyone made such a fuss about on this course....It gave any West Virginia runner a good laugh at (it was a man made hill created by dirt they dug up to make a little pond...and we ran up and over it for the race course)......  At the pre-dinner when other teams were complaining about the hill, we thought we'd warmed up on the wrong course that day.

2013...Here we come!

2013 Here We Come J

So…everyone is all about resolutions…goals….promises…lists….

All of which I’m pretty sure I’m somewhat obsessed about on a daily basis as it…so therefore the whole “New Year” thing just makes it worse.  (Except I should probably update my blog layout etc to keep it current)…I’ll add that to my “To do List”……  I’ve been debating some serious goal setting for 2013 and some hopeful events we can continue to do for this year.  The battle against Parkinson’s won’t stop until they find a cure….so why should we?  It also isn’t so much everything having to be about the money level we raise….the awareness is so much more to a person searching for peace a mind and support.  One of the greatest things I feel like I got from just last year were a few individuals who found me to discuss Parkinson’s with me that hadn’t even told anyone else yet and was searching for others to understand.  That is what I want to continue to happen because we’ve gotten the word out there that there are others who understand.

I gave dad the picture of mom and I with Michael J. Fox atthe NYC Marathon Team Fox dinner regarding the marathon. He seemed puzzled at first and then laughed when Brock told him He’d have to go Back to the Future for it….  Mom and I have spoken often at how lucky we are regarding disease (not that we are LUCKY)…but….  Depression is something that stems a lot from this disease and it’s so nice to see dad keep his sense of laughing, sense of humor, and still enjoy what is going on around him.  He got the biggest kick laughing at the kids tearing through the wrapping paper.

 
I want that picture of Michael J Fox along with mom and I to stand for a sense of hope….that he can see it and know there are people everyday battling the same thing he is and working towards a cure.  I also want him reminded of all the other people we have met through this journey that have helped us along the way and better understand this disease.  There have been so many inspirational people we've met in just a year through Team Fox and we want to continue to help and support all of them on behalf of our community and to be an active group representing WV for this. 

As for my continued journey…I’m still finalizing the NYC Marathon details for 2013 to make sure of our ability to have a guaranteed spot even through Charity involvement…and then I think I have another marathon in May we are looking at that will be a fun filled adventure to see an old friend J  I better get to running in these cold temperatures though to keep up the training.  Excuses can be so easy if I don’t hold myself accountable.

We should have the ability to register for 2013 soon via Team Fox and get a Team Spangler set up and I’ll continue to pass along that information….I’ve got a few calls out today as well regarding a few other opportunities we can pursue to raise awareness as well as a few fundraisers to keep the spirit going for 2013.   It’s all about being bigger and better then the year before….so that’s what we’ll be doing in 2013 J

Now…I’m off to go to basketball practice and hopefully sneak in a little run on the little path they just built there before the kids arrive.  Actually I should probably have them run with me so they are borderline tired and may actually listen at the start of practice..we have our first game on Saturday and I'm a little worried :)

Happy New Year and I look forward to hearing some goals from everyone and we hope you can jump in on some Team Spangler activities this year!

"You See....Your Dad....he's on the Naughty List"

Just Kidding (Quoted from one of my favorite movied of all times) :)....my dad certainly isn't on the naughty list...at least probably not this year....however you may not want to ask his nurses after some of the jokes/pranks he's pulled on them this year.  One consiting of him hiding a kitten under his blanket so when they pulled it back it jumped out at them and scared them :)

“Ohhhhh A Christmas Tree!!!!!!!”

“I just like to Smile….smiling is my favorite”

“What’s a Christmas Gram?...I WANT ONE!”

“SANTA….I know him…..I know him!!!!”

If you want me to continue I will….I’m certain I can probably site the entire movie to you if you’d like J  If you don’t yet know, It’s Elf….seriously the best Christmas Movie of all time.  Which is why also, this moment while running the “Run it Anyway Marathon” was at the top of my best things to ever happen list J

Christmas is my favorite holiday simply because of the spirit of Christmas.  No, I’m not talking about the grumpy people at the store…..but the sense of hope and excitement in kids.  It brings out the good in people on most things because others put others before them and try to make sure others are taken care of.  I ALWAYS tell myself I’m going to make all these wonderful handmade items I see that I’m inspired by and then of course a few days before Christmas I’m aggravated I didn’t have time or find the time to make it “as special” as I’d hoped.  So here is to good intentions J

I cannot express how much my dad laughs at Christmas Vacation movie…I will probably argue that’s the 2^nd best Christmas movie.  Most movies are the “heart felt warming blah blah blah” (Which is fine..I enjoy my Lifetime and Hallmark movies this time of year)…but Christmas Vacation is hilarious.  We all know we have one Cousin Eddy in every family and you can’t help but laugh.

 

(Well....you know the famous line here I won't quote to avoid offending anyone by the language) :)

Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead? 

I’m looking forward to filling my next few days with more Christmas movies because I haven’t had enough of them.  I can’t wait to stuff myself to the point where I can’t move at my Grandma Nelson’s house on Christmas Eve and catch up with everyone.  It’s easy to tell yourself ‘That’s why I run” so I can eat as much as I want.  Dad always use to say “I run so I can eat”.  He does love his sweets J

 Another thing I’m excited about is this picture I was finally able to find to surprise dad with for Christmas.  Don’t worry…he won’t see this blog unless someone shows him and mom and them know they aren’t allowed so I’m sure we are safe to share J  I want dad to see just where our journey took us this year and how involved we got to be with such an influential person in the Parkinson’s Community, so he can see this picture and be reminded we all continue to battle this together.  Michael J. Fox is beyond a positive person, he’s a symbol of hope to so many who didn’t have a thought of hope at this disease.  They have literally moved mountains in the world of research in their quest to find a cure and continue to progress further every day.  I just wanted to hug Michael J. Fox and fight back tears at just how much it has meant to us to get here.  Our family isn’t much of a crying and sympathetic of moments as we’ve all been raised to be “pretty tough”…..so it goes unspoken with some of our struggles we face seeing our dad battle this….and I hope this picture keeps dad smiling on his bad days so we can continue to hope that “tomorrows” will be better.

 

I hope you all have a WONDERFUL Christmas……and thank you so much for everything this past year…..and I mean it J   

Coming out of "hiding"....

I feel like I need to start this last posting in this manner:

I’m Missy Spangler and I’m disappointed about the NYC Marathon….. 

I almost hate to admit this…and I think I’ve spent the last month convincing myself it was what it was but really not dealing with how disappointed I was….  I’m really not someone who dwells upon things to the point it alters their life…I’d rather just find something else to consume myself in and move along.  However….I’ve found myself making every excuse in the world to avoid days of running….I know it sounds ridiculous and maybe I need to sit down on the couch and have an in-depth conversation with a therapist such as in “Good Will Hunting”….   I know myself well enough to know I’m just being stupid or stubborn (usually they tend to go hand in hand)…..  BUT I find myself disappointed every time I REALLY think about it….I think what the problem truly is….I feel like I disappointed everyone I made a promise to.  No, nobody has said anything remotely like that….I just feel like I spent almost an entire year making a promise of running the marathon….promising….raising money….and everything all to feel like I didn’t uphold my “REAL” promise. 

Now before a critic gets a hold of my “words”, this has nothing to do with the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy and me not being sympathetic about the situation and decision to cancel the marathon.  This is me feeling like I cheated a promise that motivated me to run 3-31/2 hours on a given day telling myself I was running the marathon to honor my dad. 

I find myself getting more and more frustrated with myself with each passing day that sneaks by I don’t put on my running shoes and get back to it full force.  A little while after the marathon I got sick and wasn’t allowed to run for awhile because it was making it worse…and then I just kinda “fell off my wagon” as best as I can put it…..and truthfully it’s not really who I am.  I’ve been timid as to making another goal to shoot for and I think it’s because I’m still disappointed in some realm that I let my last goal down.  The more I recap telling the stories to others who ask as to how great our experience still ended up being in New York the more I kick myself to get home in time to run and then I get to working on something else or pulled in another direction and it’s another “after dark” arrival at home and I need to find a solution to the problem. 

I pulled myself together today to inquire about a few other races I want to set a goal for and get myself going to keep on doing this.   I’ve still got NYC Marathon 2013 (TAKE 2 of course) pending as well as maybe a hopeful adventure to CA to run a race with some fellow Team Foxers we met in NYC.   I also promise to set it prior to any “New Year’s Resolutions” because I feel if you truly want to do something you don’t need a resolution to do it…you’ll either stick to it or not….but if it makes you feel better….I’ll welcome you to join Team Spangler for your New Year’s Resolution J

This is why we do this......Believing in a better tomorrow through Team Fox....

I’ve been in touch with Team Fox and once 2013 arrives we will be able to designate a “Team Spangler” actual Team under Team Fox and have you join to be a part of it if you wish J  I’ll work on spreading some motivation your way and we can look forward to doing things as a group if we’d like J  Show them how powerful we can be!  I am going to limit how thin I spread myself this year with everything and want to focus on what’s really in my heart…..and that being this Team Fox family who has given us so much this past year.

I feel like a lot has happened since I last blogged…which is another thing….I think I kept wanting to hide from being vocal about my current state of dwelling on this and pulling myself together J 

The tragedy that has American’s hearts broken all across the US still tugs at me.  I mean, how do you describe what has happened?...where do we go from here?  I was raised within a family of teachers…and I don’t just mean a few….literally surrounded by teachers J  From my mom and my dad, to my grandma, to my aunts and uncles….no matter which school I was at…I had a family member there.   To think how much of their lives they put into making a better life for the children, I’m devastated to think of that being at risk.  My dad has touched so many people’s lives being the educator and coach he is, and I always hear people speak of my mom and the differences/memories she made in their lives being their 3^rd grade teacher.  Teachers teach for the love of children, not for the salary….otherwise if you broke down the extra hours and everything they do they probably make about 10 cents on the hour.  Being a teacher is almost a version of a small town celebrity….I laugh when I meet a little kid and I say “Well Mrs. Spangler is my mom”….you would think she must be a movie star in their favorite movie….SHE’S YOUR MOM…..oh how cool!  Sometimes I take for granted…thinking ummmm yeah…she’s my mom J.    To know the passion a teacher has for children’s lives….my heart was empty given this tragedy and the familes who have to deal with such a devastating moment, I don’t even personally know any of the victims and to know how much  this tears at me……I can’t even imagine.  Also, say an extra prayer for all the first responders, what close friends I have that have been in that situation I know how hard it is for them to not personally be devastated, this is one of the worst to have to respond to….that is their worst nightmare as well….and I hope this brings this country a little closer together right now….we sure need it….and hope for a better tomorrow. 

On a happier note….for any of those who know me know….this is my FAVORITE time of the year….so I better sign off to finish up my list of to do’s that as always I’m behind on…..and we have basketball practice this evening J  …Yes….I’m coaching elementary school age basketball again this year so Blue Thunder is on the move again! J

Smokes Wishes you a Merry Christmas :)

 

Let them eat Turkey....

Sooo….tomorrow is Thanksgiving and the web is filled with everyone expressing what they are thankful for.  I have to say…I’m thankful for the past year…..it’s given me a new prospective on this journey we’ve been battling as a family.  I think some of it went unspoken because at times we just didn’t want to talk about the obvious, which was hard to face.  I’m thankful that through this journey I’ve had “good news” to share with dad daily.  The positives we have been able to pull from this, the opportunity to be in touch with some we haven’t heard from in a long time, the notes, the encouragement, the stories, the memories, and most of all the laughs at “remember when”.  Sometimes we get so busy in the everyday life of demands we forget the little things.  Trust me I’m not preaching to the choir, I’m probably one of the worst at that so I’m pretty much talking to myself as I type this.  It’s always been about reaching a particular goal but the important thing to get from that is to understand and appreciate how you got there. 

I know I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for my family.  As crazy as we may be J  Ok…we aren’t crazy…maybe just loud… opinionated…poor dad never stands a chance in a house full of woman.  I think of everything he claimed was “his”…he lost over time because we took over.  I remember when building our house he was so proud of the basement getting to be his (it was some sort of agreement mom had with him so no “Hunting memorabilia was in the actual living/visiting parts of the house)…(I suppose now people refer to those as man caves)…a place he could finally hang his deer trophies…turkey hunting whatever…football memorabilia etc.  I can’t say I remember how long he had that “room”…but I do know it wasn’t long J  Sadly the kids started to take over little by little, and then I think I actually took over it with craft projects so much he didn’t even bother putting up a fight about it being “His Space”, now it’s Andy’s room J.  Maybe he just considered the “Hunting Cabin” they built to be his “place”.  Which is another thing this time of the year always reminds me of…..Deer Camp….  Now I must say you have to be from around here to truly appreciate this ritual….I don’t even know where to begin to explain it J  But there was a rule “No woman allowed”  but somehow they always let me sneak in…I think I brought cookies is the reason or I usually wasn’t seen without being attached to dad J

I remember in high school they tried to have school the Monday/Tuesday of what some call Thanksgiving break….We kinda refer to it as Deer Season…. I remember there were so many students absent (they were hunting) they couldn’t even count the days…..so we still get a whole week off for Thanksgiving here…I suppose you have to pick your battles J  Dad lived to be in the woods….I remember questioning all the “tricks” of hunting…. vanilla extract poured all over clothes (you know so the deer can’t smell you)…to “survival of men only” at Deer Camp for the week, but don’t worry we had Thanksgiving Dinner after Dark so they had time to make it to dinner after they’ve come out of the woods for the day J  Dad scheduled basketball practice around deer breaks…..he showed up in camo….had to answer the question everyday if he got one.  I guess that was always the week dad got to “getaway”.  It’s kinda a ritual around here, and growing up around it I’ve learned to appreciate it.

Last year since dad can’t attend “Deer Camp” now….they came to visit him…camo and all J  It’s easy to forget just how fun this week was as a kid and to be honest, it seriously was less than a half a mile from our house, but it seemed like a whole different world.  Some of the deer camp stories I hear now, I definitely don’t remember being allowed to hear as a kid haha….but they are worth all the laughs now that’s for sure.

 

I’d made a big move back to WV last June…so this has been my first full year here being back “Home” in WV and I’m thankful to be here.  I’m thankful to get another Thanksgiving with my family.  I’m thankful my family still doesn’t believe I can cook so I’m never really asked to bring anything J  I’m thankful to be surrounded by people who care about me, to have all the blessings I do have in my life that I take for granted on a daily basis.  It's good to have a day we disignate to be Thankful for and all the traditions that come with it (especially the food part)....we need a certified day sometimes to help us get things in perspective and remind us of what it's really all about.

Here is to everything we all have to be thankful for…but sometimes get a little sidetracked at the little things that bother us and tend to forget all the blessings we do have…..it’s ok…we are human J 

P.S. Turkey trotters don't forget to wear your Team Spangler T-shirts tomorrow! :) (I sadly am side-lined if this cough and repertory whatever doesn't straighten up over night....it's always good when a Doctor tells you that your stubborn and to "just take the medicine already".... a battle once I get to this point I’ve yet to learn to give in and surrender) J  Don’t forget to send pictures! 

 

And just a warning...if ANYONE touches my grandma Nelson's Macaroni Salad that I know she makes JUST FOR ME...we'll have a wrestling war going on at our household :) 

Celebrity Sighting in Central Park

Ok…so what now J

I suppose our Journey can’t just run into the brick wall from the cancellation of the marathon.  Maybe it was a trick to make me feel like the “big” goal wasn’t technically accomplished so we must keep doing more.  Not that I didn’t have that intention anyway….

In regards to the question I’ve gotten a few times….yes donations can still be made regarding our quest for this in honoring Team Fox for running the Marathon (At least in Central Park) J  I’ve mailed in a few more, and also on  behalf of a donor on the Michael J. Fox Board…they chose US (Team Spangler) as one of their 4 teams to donate an additional $500 to on behalf of our efforts in Central Park...how cool is that!?…so with the additional funds I’ve sent in that places us around $10,700 once it gets credited….so maybe we should shoot for $11,000?  Sorry..I know…always asking for more. , don’t act surprised.

I had to share this picture because my first thought was I hope dad doesnt' see this.  I'm in a "race" and I'm smiling...he would quickly respond with..."You weren't running hard enough"....  I actually think he had several talks with me about why I would smile in a race :)  I suppose I've forgotten my "game face" over the years.

 

I’ve been asked a few times what they are going to do about the marathon…to be honest, I have no idea J  We received an email from the marathon stating they were still figuring things out and needed some time and would get back to us. 

I have to share this chuckle from another running/blogger friend I’ve met (via social networking of course), who stated he feels like the email was a breakup email with the typical excuse “We need space…it’s not you it’s me Email” from NYRR (You can check out his NYC Marathon feelings on this post of his…it’s funny) J  http://markmatthewsauthor.blogspot.com/2012/11/never-mind-ill-find-someone-like-you.html

It made me chuckle….I even had a few thoughts of the movie “He’s just not that into you”…the marathon is over ME….so I assume while anticipating what will come of it…hopefully we will just makeshift a project in 2013 with the motto NYC Marathon…take 2…. Who’s with me? J

A few highlights we got lucky with regarding publicity from this is an article ESPN did….YES ESPN J  You can see it here….

 

Also, the Charleston Daily mail did an article on the “adventure”, our cause and still running! 

http://dailymail.com/foodandliving/201211070291

I am working on a few ideas for 2013 for Team Spangler…and I’ll keep you updated J  Just be ready to get your runnin’ and walking shoes on with me J  I probably won’t be doing any more races this year…however I’m working on a game plan for 2013.  It will certainly be bigger than this year (Of course!). 

Soooo…for today’s laugh…because that’s what we do….is for me to share another big highlight for me in NYC (For those of you who know me…know this pretty much is one of the best things that ever could have happened to me in Central Park and my obsession with the movie)

 That’s right…I saw Elf himself while running in Central Park! J  I have abided by the rule of not being allowed to watch it till Thanksgiving Day…..but I just keep thinking I’m not going to make it this year….  I told the guy it’s pretty much my favorite movie ever and I wasn’t afraid to admit it.  Somehow that didn’t creep him out…. Most people would have preferred some big named celebrity while walking through Central Park…but this made my day….I could spot this outfit from a few hundred people back and I made sure I Picked up my pace so I could get my picture with him J 

Just remember….. I just like to smile…smiling is my favorite (I think I'm suppose to put a registered trademark or something on this?) J