Martin Luther King Quote Reflections 12/12/16

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."
Martin Luther King, Jr. Strength to Love, 1963.

As I rode along the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial wall on Friday night (see my previous post), this quote caught my eye and then it drew me in. At first, I read it out loud to myself - and then I rode over to my riding companions and shared it with them. The words are so simple, yet the essence of the words are often elusive.

In my previous post, I expressed my belief that while we won’t always agree with others, we should strive to understand how they think and feel. Throughout the campaign and in the post-election environment, I see very little effort in this regard. In fact, behind the relative safety of a keyboard and computer, many people have freely expressed hatred of those expressing views opposite of their own. Some have been emboldened to express their hate openly, in person and in verbal and physical ways. It is easy to say one side is responsible for the hate. Hate for certain races and ethnicities. Hate for police officers. Hate for certain religions. And ironically - hate for a person’s choice to love. And with this election, hate for a person’s vote.

I want to be clear: Sadness is not hate. Anger is not hate. Fear is not hate. I have felt sadness, anger and fear in varying degrees since the election. However, intense hostility and aversion derived from these feelings is - simply put - hate. And when we express these feelings as hate we will never drive out the hate of others. In fact, the hate for one another will only intensify.

There is a clear political divide in our country. But simple calls for inclusion - to “come together” - will not be enough. We need to bring light into the darkness. We need to bring love to the hate. This burden lies with both sides of the divide. It lies at the grassroots level and with our leaders. Our leaders must inspire us at the grassroots to “come together”, but they can not demand it. We, however, should demand inspiration from our leaders and action from the grassroots.

Martin Luther King Quote Reflection 12/10/16

Last night, Kim and I, along with a couple of friends set out on a bike riding city adventure. Often, when we do these rides, we spend time on the National Mall circling the monuments. There is something special about seeing these national treasures late at night, when the air is still and solitude is achievable in an ordinarily bustling corner of the city. The chilly air amplified the quiet and gave me an amazing opportunity to really take in and reflect upon the quotations engraved on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.

I have been struggling since the election. Who do I want to be in this new social, political and economic environment? I have always been the voice of moderation - challenging others to see a situation from a perspective different than their own. It is my belief that while we won’t always agree with others, we should strive to understand how they think and feel and importantly, why. Equally as important, we need to express ourselves in a way to help others understand our own positions. But after this election, I have vacillated between angry and sad. I have been unable to be a moderator, a position normally so comfortable for me.

To enter the MLK monument, visitors must pass through the “Mountain of Despair” on their way to the “Stone of Hope” - a tribute to King's "I Have A Dream" speech. As I read the quotations etched on the memorial - which are as relevant today as they were 40 years ago - my path to understanding and my journey of expression became clearer.

My plan is to periodically share a quotation and provide my thoughts as a means of personal expression. Unfortunately, I seem to exist in what many are calling the “liberal bubble” - but I welcome thoughts from outside my bubble as long, as they are respectful and expressed in a thoughtful way to help me better understand the point of view. The goal is not to convert anyone - but rather to promote mutual understanding.

The first quotation along the South Wall:

"We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."
Washington National Cathedral, March 31, 1968.

I recently wrote a letter to Brendan and in it I expressed how important I think it is for political leaders to be in front of the social curve. A great leader sees the pathway to future justice, despite the walls that are built with the purpose of blocking the path. This pathway exists on “the arc of the moral universe”. It seems at times the path along this arc is a two way street. The path forward towards justice is not only long, but at times, can be rugged. For some, it seems the only way to go is back. Perhaps the path forward is too hard. Too long. Or seemingly unnavigable. And if you are personally wounded along this path, logic may dictate that you go back to what you know instead of moving forward where your destiny is unclear. But a great leader needs to have vision for those who have circumstances that prevent them from seeing the path forward. A great leader listens and understand the struggles people have along the path so that adjustments can be made and when possible, a map can be drawn, A great leader will not only extend a hand to help others get through the rough patches - a great leader will inspire others to do the same.

Today - the path seems longer and and more rugged than it has in decades. Today - we need a great leader.

2012 Summer Camps

We've made it official!  

2012 SolPlay Summer Camp Program Overview

Our Vision is that SolPlay adventure camps will provide enriching outdoor experiences that will benefit children’s emotional, physical, and educational well-being.   In Spanish, Sol means “sun” and elicits thoughts of the outdoors and its vast resources.  SOL is also the abbreviation for Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOL).  These two meanings converge to form the core theme of SolPlay.  SolPlay will use outdoor adventures to promote emotional and physical development of our campers.  We will also use these experiences as a platform to explore relevant educational opportunities.  These educational opportunities will be seamlessly embedded into camp activities and will be transparent to our campers.


Visit our website: http://solplayadventures.blogspot.com/


I blogged about our C&O Bike experience last year... take a look!

Sol Play Adventures - C&O Canal Kid's Bike Trip

Nine kids, two adults, one teenager, twelve bikes, five days of biking, five nights of camping, tons of support from family, friends and the Arlington community and an idea turns into a reality…

Several months ago, my friend Joey and I came up with an idea to start a kid’s camp that uses outdoor adventure as a means to encourage alternative learning opportunities as well as promote physical and emotional well being.   After talking to friends, family, teachers and school administrators about our ideas for the camp we knew we were on to something that would interest parents and engage their kids.   Word started to spread about our camp - and we needed a name:   Sol Play Adventures.  In Spanish, Sol means “sun” and elicits thoughts of the outdoors and its vast resources.  And Sol Play makes one think of “fun in the sun!”  SOL is also the abbreviation for Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOL).  These two meanings converge to form the core theme of Sol Play Adventures. 

We decided to test the concept with two camps this summer.  In the inaugural camp, held last week, nine kids joined Joey and I on a C&O Canal Bike Adventure where we explored the middle section of the C&O Canal.  We started our journey at the Paw Paw Tunnel (in Paw Paw, West Virginia), and completed our adventure in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Every day was full of memorable experiences.  On the very first night, we witnessed the most amazing natural light show - courtesy 
among the trees lining the C&O Canal tow path.  We hiked through the nearly mile long pitch black Paw Paw tunnel canal at night, our headlamps night vision setting casting an eerie red glow.  Some of the kids, who were initially hesitant about entering the long dark tunnel, found they were intrigued by the structure and started asking questions about it – opening the door for Joey and I to discuss the history of the tunnel and the canal.  The kids were able to apply information they learned in school and explore concepts in greater detail.  Our goal was to never directly answer a question.   As much as we could, we answered questions by asking them additional questions.  It was fun for Joey and I to watch the kids figure out the answers to their own questions.  It was clear to Joey and I from the first night that the underlying concept for Sol Play was a solid one.

As the week progressed and they got to know each other better, the kids had surprisingly deep and mature conversations - like the one they had about what being “normal” means.  These conversations began very organically by the kids and involved little to no adult interaction.  

Competitive Uno

It was equally rewarding to see the kids sit around a single table eating ice cream in Harpers Ferry as we neared the end of our trip.  There were several empty tables available, yet they all elected to sit together at one table – and talked and laughed for nearly an hour with no adult involvement.   They had bonded as a result of the adventure and it was a good thing!



Dam 4 Caves

The day after our return I surveyed several parents to find out what their kids had thought about the trip and I was pleased to hear that overwhelmingly they had a great time.  Some of the stories they told their parents were expected:  “Glow”, the stray cat we encountered at our first camp site near Fifteen Mile Creek;  eating pies at Weavers in Hancock, MD;  fish nibbling on their toes in Antietam Creek, MD;  hiding in the nooks and crannies of the caves we explored along the trail (headlamps off); bragging about being in the “fast pace group” or the advantages of riding in “leisure pace” group; and observing wildlife, and debating who had the “best” and “worst” of everything.  

What surprised me was that many of the kids' stories focused on their newly acquired knowledge of the C&O canal.  They were eager to explain to their parents how the locks worked, the mechanics behind raising a railroad track over the canal so canal boats can pass under it as needed, why the canal was necessary, why it was ultimately a financial failure and the canal’s role in the Civil War.

Operating a canal lock in Williamsport

The trip left me physically exhausted but at the same time exhilarated.  Sol Play Adventure’s next trip will be August 29^th – September 2^nd in Confluence, PA.  Keeping in line with Sol Play’s mission – the adventure will include educational links, physical challenges, personal achievement and lots of fun.  We still have a couple slots available – so let me know if you are interested!

Antietam Creek - Fishy Pedicure

of thousands of fireflies dancing 

How to Run 40 Miles and Still Have Fun - Run Around the Gorge

I am sore.  I mean really, really sore.  More sore than I have ever been.  But if the Run Around the Gorge race had a third day on the schedule - I'd be at the start line ready to go.  And I'd be smiling!

The inaugural Run Around the Gorge race took place this weekend - a two day 40 mile trail run around the New River Gorge in West Virgina (http://www.runaroundthegorge.com/).   It was more than a race - it was an event.  For highlights - jump down to the bottom of this post.

First about the "racing" part - I've linked the course description including the topo maps and elevations for both days - http://www.runaroundthegorge.com/course.html . To say the course was beautiful would be a gross understatement.   At every turn - there was something more beautiful than the last.  I left the ipod at home and enjoyed the sounds all day - birds, waterfalls and rapids.  I ran much of the race on day one alone and I was never, never bored.

I put "race" in quotes, because I never felt like I was racing.  I strained my hamstring in August, so I all but stopped running in preparation for Savageman, which took place in mid-September.  After Savageman, the longest long run I completed was only 12 -13 miles.  I was not in racing shape, but I felt like I had enough base fitness to get through the weekend.  And while there were a couple times I questioned this reasoning, I finished both days in a respectable manner.   But more importantly, the race director had created a light hearted fun atmosphere around this event.  EVERYONE had fun.  There were less than 30 racers in all, and I can't think of anyone who did not enjoy the weekend.

I know that some of my friends question my definition of fun, but I guarantee that anyone who spent time at this event would be inspired to join us next year for the Second Annual Run Around the Gorge!

Weekend Highlights:

1. Arriving at Opossum Creek to a refrigerator full of beer and wine - and looking around the room and seeing everyone with a full glass.  CARBO LOADING!!!!
2. Finding out that I'd be sleeping in a room with seven women and I'd be on the top bunk.  Funny when I was 10, I thought the top bunk was awesome... of course when I was 10, I wasn't tall enough to hit my head on the ceiling when I sat up!
3. Discovering that the other six women in the room over packed as much as I did.
4. Seeing old friends and acquaintances I didn't expect to see and meeting new friends, whom I am sure I will again see at future races.
5. Getting stuck in the downstairs bathroom - not once, not twice but THREE times!  BTW - did anyone ever tell Mark that the door to bathroom didn't work? Because I never did!
6. Hanging out with a bunch of people that didn't get upset when they got stuck in the bathroom... a couple times (yeah - we are all slow learners!).
7. Navigating a spiral staircase in the main house that was far more technical than any downhill paths during the race.
8. Realizing that there were far more women at this race than men.  I think there were 24 racers and only 5 were men.  Women ruled this race!
9. Being the "Meanest Racer"on Saturday.  Which really means that my race time for day one was closest to the average time for all racers. Yeah - I can be mean sometimes but really I'm just average.
10. Taking the "alternative route" on Sunday down the climbers ladder and along the endless wall. 
11. Stepping into a crevice between two rocks hidden by leaves and falling thigh deep, scrapping my shin and and hitting my knee on the way down.
12. Having a mere "flesh wound" that looked a lot worse than it really was - and having Jody tell her version of how it happened. I'm guessing It was far more dramatic from her perspective behind me- one second I was running and the next I was two feet down - sunk between rocks
13. Looking forward to uphills when I had an excuse to walk and give my my quads and knees a rest.
14. Learning that ladybugs bite.  Not kidding.
15. Eating two McDonalds Cheeseburgers on the way home and not feeling guilty about it!

I hope to post pictures later this week!

2010 NFL Flag Football Regional Tournament (Raven's Stadium)

I love it when everything comes together at the last moment - which is exactly what happened for the Arlington Thunder 9-11 Flag Football Team.   Every year, Arlington Youth Flag Football sends one or two all star teams in each age group to the annual NFL Regional Flag Football Tournament, hosted this year in Raven's Stadium. Winners of the regional tournaments, held around the country, go on to the National Tournament in Florida, all expenses paid courtesy of the NFL.

Earlier in the season, the decision was made to send one Arlington team in the 9-11 category, but at the last minute there was a push to form a second team.  Just to provide some perspective - the first team was formed in August, before the actual season even got underway.  The second team, Arlington Thunder, was put together the first week of October and Ethan was asked to join the team.  The tournament was on the third Sunday of October.  In other words - Arlington Thunder had two weeks to assign positions, develop and learn plays and construct a defense.  And to confound matters a little more, the person who volunteered to coach had to back out at last minute. 

So when I got a call from the league commissioner asking if I would consider stepping into the coach position, I was at the same time flattered and terrified.  I was in no way qualified to coach an All- Star team!  Sure I coach a league team - but I was doing that by the seat of my pants.  I knew enough about running plays and setting up a defense not to embarrass myself or the kids!

As it turns out, I'm a pretty fast learner and so were the kids (okay - the kids learned faster than me, but don't tell them that!).  With a ton of help from the league commissioner and and a great assistant coach, we ended up having a pretty spectacular tournament.   Despite our late start, and the challenges of a Columbus Day holiday weekend, the kids pulled it together and exceeded everybody's expectations.  

Funny thing - we didn't win the tournament.  We didn't even win our pool, but after the disappointment of losing the final pool game wore off (which didn't take long) - there was immense pride over what we had accomplished.  We (and when I say we - I'm including the coaches) learned a new and complicated defense and contained the other teams - allowing only two touchdowns during pool play.  Now that's something to be proud of!  And on offense - not only did the kids learn the plays, they executed them well.  It was incredible to watch as I called in the plays from the sidelines through one of the players and then see them line up without confusion.  They we were calm and confident throughout the tournament. 

The kids who did not get much playing time were all mature, upbeat and supportive of their teammates.  These kids let the coaches focus on the game - they were ready to go in when needed and did not distract when they were not.  I have to give my own son, Ethan credit here.  Despite being the coach's son, he was substituted in one game for only two snaps.  And that was only because the assistant coach thought to put him in.  Ethan knew before the tournament that there was a high possibility that he would not play - he was the youngest player on the team and the only one that would be eligible to play in this age group again next season. Quite frankly, for the week leading up to the tournament he was miserable and at times made me miserable too.  But on game day, he learned what it meant to be part of a team.  Best lesson ever!

Savageman Race Report 2010

Savageman is a stupid race.  A stupid, hard race.  A stupid, hard, fun race.  And I love it!  This year was no exception.  For those of you unfamiliar with this race, it is billed as the "hardest half ironman on the planet" (http://savagemantri.org/TriathleteMag_100BestRaces.pdf)  Some even compare the difficulty to an ironman, particularly the bike section that takes you up and down the mountains of western Maryland. (http://savagemantri.org/)  For much of the race you feel as though you are going either 4 miles an hour or 40 miles an hour - and not much in between. 
The quick summary:

Total time: 7:36:44 (scary I know, but it was a PR!)

Westernport Wall:  Third Brick Baby!

2nd in AG (okay there were only 4 of us – but it was a good day!)

The weather for the race was perfect.  If anything, the warmer temps caught some off guard.  In past years, if you failed to wear appropriate outer clothing you would surely freeze during the long descent out of Deep Creek into Westernport.   This year I was overdressed with just arm warmers.  And the air was dry, nearly no humidity - so I never really felt like I was sweating.  I had to be very, very deliberate about hydrating during this race.

Several weeks before Savageman I strained my right hamstring during a long training run.  In the days leading up to the race, I came up with several race strategies - from not doing the race at all to doing an aqua-velo. And under no circumstances would I do Westernport Wall.  I already had two Bricks and I was not going to risk further injury (http://thoughtiknewthen.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html. - last year's rr)

View from the top of the Wall - 31% grade.

The Wall during 2010 race day mayhem.

While I could feel the hamstring biking up hills, it was only when I ran that it really hurt.  I did not run for a week and half before the race and I only did easy, flat rides.  Not the best confidence booster going into the race.  The strategy I ultimately settled on included swimming my normal race, taking the bike section easy, staying seated at all times – and not get discouraged by the number of people passing me.  Run the flats and down hills and power walk the up hills.  I also knew I needed to stay hydrated and fueled – which is surprisingly hard for me to maintain.

Above all else, I had to finish the race to earn the Finishers Shirt.   The shirt is not one most women would wear, including me.  But my kids love them.  The first year it did this race I gave the shirt to my oldest and last year my middle son got the shirt.  So as I left for the race this year, my youngest made it clear that it was his turn.  I did not dare return without a shirt! 

With few exceptions, I followed my strategy to a tee and it paid off.  The one big exception was at the Wall.  As I approached the Wall I had a downright argument with myself.  I had the devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other.  Would I be stupid or smart?  Was it worth the risk to blow my hamstring?  With little training, I probably didn’t have the strength to make it to the top regardless.  But as reached the bottom of the Wall, I took a deep breath and up I went.  Not the prettiest of climbs – as a matter of fact, it was down right ugly.  But I did it.  And I was glad I did.  

I cramped on Killer Miller, but not nearly as bad as I did last year and I cramped on the run only when I tried to run the up hills.  It was clear that I had favored my right leg during the bike because all the cramping was in my left leg.  I only had to stop twice on the run – far less than last year.  In the end it was the run and the fact that I did not cramp as badly as I did in past years that led me to a PR.  Go figure - a strategy based on an injury results in a PR.  

And have I mentioned the volunteers, the spectators and the other racers?  Seriously, I don't think you will find a better group at any other race! 

Will I do the race again next year….  Of course I will!  Want to join me?