Marathon Man

Marathon Man
Originally uploaded by sunspotting.

Yeah! There he is!! That's my Speed Racer! I'm so proud of him.

He's the one in the burgundy shirt with the helpful fluorescent orange "arrow" pointing up at him.

The jersey he's wearing is for RunMS, the next marathon he'll be running. It's in Columbus, and it's to raise money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Role Playing during MS Activism seminar

Role Playing during MS Activism seminar
Originally uploaded by sunspotting.

During the course of this exercise, I learned startling things connecting MS and military service. Which is why NMSS pursues research and services funding from the DOD. Eye-opening stuff.

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Paladin Moon

We are home, the car is unpacked, the dog (collected from my dad's) is delighted to have her realm back, the cats have emerged from all hiding places (on seeing the dog, have now returned to them), and we are finally making our way towards actual possibilities for sleep.

It was a good weekend, but very hectic.

I have pictures from today to post but they can wait until tomorrow's clearer, better-rested mind can sort them.

Arrival of my heart

Rick arrives at lunch.

OH COME ON. Is this REALLY necessary?

Why, oh WHY, would it occur to me to worry about 100% fruit juice being laden with fat?

So you might be wondering why there's suddenly a picture like this in the middle of bike-riding pictures? We were in a grocery store, augmenting our Saturday night pizza party with a veg tray and some fresh fruit.

OK. Some beer too. Carbo-loading, you know.

 

Day is done.

Today's MS150 ride was fantastic.

That could be the adrenaline talking, though.

 

Sage advice.

I always find wierd stuff in bathrooms.

She's a Paladin!

Yay! She raised over $7000 last year!

Rick B. left us some cheer!

LUNCH.

HoHos and water ahead!

Beautiful.

Paul at 2nd rest stop!

Made me laugh on the MS150!

So funny (and somewhat reassuring) to see that some things never change!

 

Helpful signs on the MS150.

They also had some identifying loose gravel and dangerous intersections. I paid close attention to my safety and the safety of the riders around me instead of taking cameraphone pictures, so you'll just have to take my word for it...

 

First reststop! 12+ miles down.

Not bad. Not bad at all. Completely fun, in fact!

 

A fine day to kick some MS arse!

An absolutely beautiful morning. Perfect weather, all conditions are ideal!! We don't always get this, so we are taking it in with enormous enjoyment.

 

Stil w the pack! But it s early.

I think this is Prospect St., just before West. Still in Berea.

 

Center St.

... and that's Rick and Mike in the blue Paladins jerseys directly in front of me. Neither they nor I would stay still for the picture, so it was a team effort to make it so blurry.

 

MS GREAT-8

This guy -- Mike Zimits -- and his organization, MS Great-8, is BRILLIANT. He and his friend Cat organize riders to join them on eight other NMSS fund-raising rides during the course of a calendar year to raise funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The money raised will stay local, even though the ride is not.

For example, I live in Cleveland, but would love to ride in the NYC event. Funds raised to participate in that event would be sent in to the Ohio Buckeye Chapter, and I get the benefit of meeting all sorts of riders from way out east.

Did I say benefit???? My benefit today was to ride part of the way with these very fine people. I am humbled by their charity, I am overwhelmed by their friendship!! What warmth.

Plus, they very generously donated $10,000 to our own Buckeye Chapter.

Good people are a delight to find.