Penn State White Out

I swore I wasn’t going to do this – I wasn’t going to weigh in on the Sandusky/Penn State University controversy, but I can’t help myself.  I haven’t blogged in forever (as evident by the date of my last blog post), but the ever-evolving tale of Jerry Sandusky’s transgressions has jolted me out of my blog retirement.

When I first caught wind of the story, I was running on the treadmill at my apartment’s gym, headphones on, the West Side Story soundtrack blasting, not really paying attention to the flat screen at the gym, and the ESPN headline came across the screen:  “Scandal at Penn State.”  Of course my first thought was that Joe Paterno had finally been caught in a recruiting scandal, thus sullying his name and tarnishing his tradition at Penn State.  Though that would have been a blow for college football, I wish that had been the case.

Over the next few days, I dug deeper into the sordid story of Jerry Sandusky’s many counts of molestation against young boys.  I knew if I wrote a post on the PSU scandal, I wanted to have my facts straight.  I started with a series of basic questions.

When?

The alleged incident (I say alleged because of the American “innocent until proven guilty” phrase, though the evidence against Sandusky is damning) occurred in 2002 in the showers of the football locker room at Penn State.  Mike McQueary (a graduate assistant at Penn State at the time) witnessed Jerry Sandusky sexually abusing a boy around the age of ten and reported the incident to his coach.  But this was not an isolated incident. 

Reports state that close to 20 boys have come forward and admitted sexual abuse at the hands of Sandusky (the original report was 8).  Sandusky molested young boys over the span of roughly 15 years through the guise of his charity The Second Mile.  How many boys suffered at the hands of Jerry Sandusky because no one said anything?

How?

How could this happen?  How did Sandusky not get caught?  How did he have access to these young boys?

To answer the first question, this happened because Sandusky was an opportunistic monster in a position of power.  The orchestrator of the famous Penn State defense, of “Linebacker U,” Coach Sandusky could do virtually no wrong in Happy Valley.  The football program at Penn State operated like one at a major university but was even more tight-knit – it acted as a family.  Oftentimes, family members are the last to know a loved one has a “problem”, whether that is an addiction or something even darker.  It’s hard to notice those kinds of things when one is so close to the subject.

Sandusky didn’t get caught because he was smart.  He was sneaky.  He preyed on underprivileged young boys that would be unreliable in court.  He assaulted boys that came from broken homes or single parent households.  He was discreet in his perverse dalliances.  He didn’t get caught because he was a coach at the biggest show in town – who would believe a poor, hysterical child over a well-respected coach at a sterling NCAA institution?

Jerry Sandusky was intimately involved with The Second Mile, a nonprofit organization serving the youth of Pennsylvania.  He was able to bring children from the organization on the campus of Penn State University, take them on road trips with him and have access to them after school.  Though Tim Curley reported that Sandusky had been seen in the shower of the Penn State locker room with a Second Mile child in 2002, he was allowed to continue working with the children until 2008, when he informed the organization that he was under investigation for child molestation.  Even if there was no merit to the initial account, how could the Second Mile allow Sandusky to continue on as a mentor?

Why?

In asking this question, I don’t want to know why Jerry Sandusky molested all those young boys.  I don’t want to step into the mind of a pedophile – I don’t want to know his reasoning or urges; that is one place I sure as hell don’t want to go.  I want to know why no one at Penn State, no one in the town of State College said anything.

Sure, it’s easy to point our fingers at Joe Paterno, former athletic director, Tim Curley, former senior vice president, Gary Schultz, and former PSU president, Graham Spanier, because they’re notable figures, but why didn’t a teacher step in when Sandusky was pulling these boys out of class to molest them?  Why didn’t a parent start asking questions?  Why didn’t anyone notify the authorities?  And if the police were called multiple times, as some accounts say, then why were they unable to do anything to stop a child predator?

I understand that it is incredibly hard to prove cases of abuse, especially when the victims are young, unreliable witnesses.  I get it.  Who would want to put a terrified, abused child on the witness stand to stare at his rapist and recall the trauma he was put through?  No one.   However, I am sure if the police conducted a thorough investigation - if they dug deep enough, Sandusky would have been off the streets a long time ago and behind bars.

Anyone that knows me will attest to the fact that I am an avid sports fan.  I love all sports, but college football has a special place in my heart.  However, I cannot get past the fact that a coach, a team, a university and a town all ignored seemingly obvious signs of child molestation.  Was this because he was a coach at Penn State?  Possibly.  Did knowing individuals not want to get involved?  Probably.  Could many children have been spared from a ruthless child predator?  Definitely.

Instead of stepping up and speaking out, Penn State University did the unthinkable.  They chose to fade into the background and blend in.  They ordered a “white out.”

Back in the saddle...and time to get serious.

Well, it’s been a long time since I’ve posted.  No excuses here. 

The Missoula Marathon is over, completed and Montana can now be checked off the list on my quest to run all 50 states.  Now, I’m getting back into the swing of training with the Marine Corps Marathon officially 95 days out.  One might say that there’s no rest for the weary, but I’m actually looking forward to it. 

What can I say?  Marathoners are masochists.

After running two marathons and trying out different training plans, I think I’m ready to get serious about this (THIS being marathoning).  There’s a difference in training when you’re half in and all in…I’m ready to be “all in”.  And it doesn’t mean just running – that’s the easy part.

I’ve started evaluating my daily caloric intake, eating six small meals a day to maintain a steady metabolism throughout the day and hydrating like it’s no one’s business.  I’m even making an attempt to get more sleep!  Truth is, the additional things (nutrition, hydration and rest) are the hardest parts of training for me. 

I love hot dogs, wings and pizza.  I adore craft beer.  I’m a huge fan of late nights dancing and early morning runs.  But none of these things are overwhelmingly helpful when it comes to marathon training.  They’re actually some of the things that derail runners far more athletically gifted and talented than me.  When it comes to running and shaving minutes off my times, I need all the help I can get.

Over the next three months, I’m going to fully dedicate myself to an all around training and wellness program.  I’m going to focus on my nutrition, try suggestions I find in Runner’s World and on other running blogs and start getting to bed earlier.  It won’t be fun and it sure as hell won’t be easy, but hopefully, I will see the fruits of my sacrifices and hard work when I turn out an awesome time on October 30^th (and an even better one at the Kiawah Marathon in December).

It’s back to business and time for me to get serious.

Happy running!

Random Musings

Two weeks until my race...actually, two weeks until I am recovering from race day.  That means I'll wake up feeling like I got hit by a Mack Truck in a hotel room in Montana.  If I'm not ready by now, I'm not going to be, but you know what? 

I'm ready.

This morning, Cameron and I woke up at 4:41 AM before the alarm went off (that never happens).  Since Cam sleeps diagonally across the bed with her head on the pillow beside me, I already had one foot on the floor when I woke up.  As I trudged over to my phone to check the time, I figured I might as well hit the gym early and get in my 5 miles I should have run yesterday.  Instead of running yesterday, I was busy helping my new roommate move in, putting together a new grill/patio furniture and running errands. 

I couldn't think of a better way to start my day than a good run.

I threw on a pot of coffee before heading out the door, as Cam rolled her eyes at me and groaned sleepily (I swear, she acts more and more like a human every day).

As I was running, I started thinking about this year...I was thinking about how I never thought the marathon would get here and the whirlwind my Winter/Spring/Early Summer has been.  You know when you're little and you always say you're a half year older than you really are (or round up to the next year)?  It seems like time passes so slowly when you're a little kid, but it's exactly the opposite.  I feel like I blinked in January and now, it's almost July.

Tomorrow, Cam turns a year old!  I can't believe it - told you how quickly time passes.

Anyway...those are just my random thoughts today.

Happy running!

The Kindness of Strangers

I haven't felt particularly inspired lately, but yesterday, something happened to me that completely changed my day.

As most (if not all) of you know, I'm from the South, and if there's one thing we pride ourselves on, it's our hospitality, kindness and overall goodwill.  That's not something I see very often here in Washington.  D.C. is in a sort of "no man's land" geographically - I wouldn't call it the North by any means, but there's not much Southern about the city either.  An old friend of mine once wisely said:  "Washington has the charm of the North and the efficiency of the South." 

C'mon, you guys are smart...it shouldn't take you very long to figure that out.  Aha!  I see the lightbulb going off now.

Yesterday, I left work late as usual, and as I was walking out, it began to drizzle.  I didn't carry an umbrella in to work yesterday but a little rain never hurt this girl!  I wasn't going to melt, so I walked on, actually enjoying the fine mist on my skin.  The further I got away from my job (and any sort of shelter), the harder it began to rain.  Now, my work isn't very far from Metro, but in a complete deluge, a few blocks seems like 3 miles.  By the time I reached 7th Street, I was soaked to the bone and a rather unhappy camper.  I stood on the corner waiting for the "WALK" signal with my head down and droplets of rain running down my nose.

"You look like you could use a friend," a voice said from behind me.  About that time, not one but TWO umbrellas covered my head.  I was in the middle of an umbrella sandwich, flanked by a lady with a hot pink umbrella on one side and a polka dot umbrella on the other.

"Yeah, I could use a friend with an umbrella," I said, smiling.  And on we marched to Metro, a multi-colored canopy above my head. 

I might not have gotten those ladies' names, but I will never forget how their small gesture changed my whole attitude.  Thank God for the kindness of strangers.

Happy running!

Swimming Laps

I've been woefully negligent in updating my blog.  Truth is, I can't blame my server this time or travel...I really don't have a good excuse.  Call it the doldrums of training or the heat of summer (supposed to hit the century mark today), but I've been a total slacker.  Oh well.

Let me see if I can catch you up to speed.

After my travels to Korea (I still owe you guys one last post), I hit a little speedbump with my training.  Either I couldn't get out of bed or if I did, I didn't sleep well enough to get a good run.  Then, Memorial Day Weekend came along, and yes, I ran...but it was hot and I certainly didn't push myself hard enough.  If I were in a pool, I wouldn't be drowning, but I wouldn't be swimming laps either - let's say I was "treading water" with my running.  With roughly a month to go until the Missoula Marathon (admit it, you guys thought I'd never get there), treading water just wasn't going to cut it.  I needed to get back on track.  And fast.

That's what this past week has been for me.  I've worked hard to rededicate myself to my training schedule and reestablish my wounded work ethic, in addition to putting in the necessary miles.  Sometimes it's more than the miles - it's the attitude with which you run that's important.

Sunday marked the first 20 mile run in my training, and thank God, it was a (slightly) cooler, overcast day.  I set out from my apartment for the Mount Vernon Trail thinking I might run a loop or wuss out before I reached Mt. Vernon, but no, I made it all the way!  After a few weeks of slackerdom, I had no idea that I would actually reach my destination.  Now, I'm not saying that I ran it fast (slow would be the understatement of the year), but actually finishing was quite an accomplishment.  In all honesty, I still had some "gas in the tank" at the end of my run, which is a very good sign!

I have one more 20 miler before race day, and I can use that run to work on my speed and pacing.  I need to figure out when I should use my energy gels, where I should conserve energy and when I should go all out. 

Running this race "blind" (without having seen/run the course before) will have its fair share of advantages and disadvantages.  The disadvantages are easy to name.  I won't know what to expect; I won't have landmarks; I'll be traveling across the country to the race; I'll be running at altitude...the list goes on and on.  But a major advantage is that the course will be new to me, and I will be exploring the whole time.  Anyone that knows me is well aware that I'm infinitely curious, and that may be a big plus since I've never run this course before.

This weekend, I'm running the Lawyers Have Heart 10K in D.C. Saturday morning, then running 13 miles on Sunday.  I am really looking forward to my runs this weekend.  You know you're wired differently when 13 miles seems like a Sunday stroll to you.  I guess that's just being in the marathon mindset.

Over the next few weeks, I will begin developing a packing list and do my final shopping for race day.  My plane ticket has been purchased, hotel reservation made, days taken off work, etc., so it looks like I'm actually going (you know it's not real until you are standing in the airport wondering what you've gotten yourself into)!  I still haven't found the perfect shirt for the marathon, I need to buy energy gels, new socks, possibly a lightweight pullover...you know how it is.  If given the opportunity, I would buy three possible outfits for the race, but I'm going to try to use some self control.

I'm rambling now...but you can see that I have a lot to do before I'm sneakers on the ground in Montana.  It should be an interesting few weeks - stay tuned.

Happy running!

Americana (somehow makes me think of Tropicana)



Cam rules the Shirlington Dog Park.

 Okay, so there's been a bug with my blog for like the past week.  That is not an excuse - I'm serious.  I haven't been able to post.  I know that I have one more Korea installment to post, but I thougth I'd interject a quick Memorial Day post just because I have cute pictures.

It was so hard to come into work today.  After such an amazing weekend when my alarm went off at 5:00 AM, I rolled my eyes and Cameron groaned.  She has become such a good snuggler (other than the fact that she takes up the entire bed), and I actually let her sleep in the bed this whole weekend.  I don't quite know how I'm going to break it to her that she can't sleep with me every night.  I'd be more inclined to let her cuddle if she didn't find it necessary to stretch completely out and take up the whole bed.  When she sleeps in the bed, I wake up with one leg hanging off the bed about to tumble out of my slumber.



We are SO starting a band.

On to the weekend...if I could sum the weekend up in one word, it would be perfect:  grilling out, pool time, running, hanging with Cameron, eating outside, playing guitar, baseball games.  I swear, it doesn't get any better than that.  Why am I at work again today?  In hindsight, I probably should have worn more sunscreen, but at least, now I can say that I have my first good "burn" of the season.
It's funny what a difference a year makes.

On Memorial Day Weekend last year, I went to my first "branding" in Idaho.  If you're in doubt, yes, I'm talking about an actual branding where the cattle are branded with the ranch's identifying mark.  No, I'm not talking about some ritualistic branding where a bunch of drunk guys brand one another (though, I think that happens occasionally as well).  I must admit that I didn't really know what I was getting myself into, but I loved the people, the horses, the food, the ranch - really just the West, in general. 
 

Cocktails outside with Cameron.

This year, I spent the weekend celebrating a different slice of Americana.  Friday night, I grilled out.  Saturday, I fried by the pool all day and grabbed cocktails al fresco with Cameron.  Sunday, I went to the Nationals game (it seriously seems like they're trying to lose sometimes) and caught some indie rock at the Iota Club.  And Monday, it was back to the pool and grilling out.  No, I wasn't a part of Rolling Thunder, and I didn't even get into downtown DC (didn't want to deal with the traffic).  But for me, this Memorial Day was about celebrating the things that I love and those that have died in the service of this country.

During a Moment of Silence to remember the fallen at the baseball game on Sunday, I looked around me and realized once again how proud I am to be an American and how lucky we are to have brave men and women overseas fighting for all that we love.

Happy running!

Up All Night...

Day Four

The absolute worst part of international travel (besides the security screenings and long, cramped flights) is jetlag.


The bed I barely slept in...so sad.

 It is now 2:49 AM, and I have been up since midnight.  I laid there staring at the ceiling for awhile and answering work e-mails (it's around 1:00 PM in Washington) before I made up my mind to call the front desk and see what time the fitness center opened.  If I wasn't going to sleep, I might as well put my time to good use and run.

When I called the front desk, I was extra careful to enunciate and ask when the FITNESS CENTER opened (I don't know if it's my Southernness or just being an American, but Koreans don't always understand me), but to my surprise, the concierge quickly replied "24 Hours".  Sweet!  Quickly, I pulled on my running shorts and tennies and headed down to the fitness center.  I don't know why I was in such a rush because when I arrived down there (six floors down and all the way across the complex, mind you), the doors were locked and lights off.



Pink, pre-dawn light casting a romantic glow.

Puzzled, I looked around for someone, anyone to ask about the gym, but of course, no one was around.  Great.  I jogged up to the front desk (the only jogging I was going to do at this hour apparently) and a very nice lady was pleased to tell me that the BUSINESS CENTER was open 24 hours.  Well, that wasn't going to do me much good.  Agitated, I stomped back to my room, and I here sit at the desk waiting for the sun to come up so I can run...hurry up Sun!

Okay, so it is now 5:32 AM, and I'm sitting on the edge of a cliff overlooking Jungmun Beach waiting for the sun to peek out from behind the mountains.  Everywhere is aglow with the faint, pink pre-dawn light - without a doubt, this is my favorite time of day.  It's those moments somewhere between night and dawn, dream and reality, when it seems as if anything could happen...yuck, now I sound like a romantic.  Forgive me!



The sunrise I was waiting for...since midnight!!!

 You might wonder how I found this perch, and that, my friends, is a very good question.  After my fruitless trip down to the FITNESS CENTER, I still couldn't find anything to do.  Korean television was getting on my nerves, I didn't feel like listening to "Defying Gravity" anymore on my iPod and it was hot in my room.  Around 4:00 AM, I found a small, lit trail meandering through the woods.  Hmmm...  I saw it from my hotel balcony and knew I had to check it out.  I'm a woman, so of course, I'm naturally curious.  Talk about some hills...whew.



Creepy statues all over Jeju Island.



After about thirty minutes of running, I stumbled upon this spot, high above Jungmun Beach.  At that time, the silver moon was shining down on the sea below, and I knew it would be a beautiful place to watch the sunrise.  I didn't have my camera with me (who would at 4:00 AM?), but I knew I'd be remiss if I didn't take the opportunity to snap some photos at sunrise.  I was a good distance from The Shilla when I thought this, so I started really hoofing it back to the hotel to grab a quick shower and my camera before I missed daybreak.



My actual work:  IFNEC Steering Group Meeting

I know there's a long, stressful day of work ahead of me (first day of the actual conference), but for this second, I feel completely at peace.  It is an amazing feeling, and one I don't get too often amidst the hustle and bustle of DC.  It's funny that I have to go to the other side of the world to hear myself think.  Let's hope I can carry this feeling through the day and not get too stressed out. 

 

On that note, I need to snap some pictures and find coffee.  My boss likes to act like the meeting can't start without my smiling face.

Happy running!