Teaching Cancer to Cry - For Bobby and Ezra

As I mentioned in my earlier post tonight my 4 hours in Hopkinton before the race were all about meeting and catching up with the other 700 DFMC runners. Balancing the needs of 2 munchkins, 2+ start-ups, the sanity of a husband and pooch, PLUS the polar vortex winter weather, I decided early on not to try and make one of the training runs in Boston. This made things a little lonely, but definitely saner, and all the more important to soak up as much as I could glean from the other runners while waiting for start time.

When I arrived, I settled into a circle of chairs and as I was puttering and eavesdropping caught sight of the back of a shirt as it went by "Teaching Cancer to Cry"

It triggered something in me, but I couldn't place it then. It just resonated and echoed my constant "kicking cancer's butt" motto of both this race and my mindset about cancer. The shirt sat down nearly in front of me and I met Bobby - who after a few sentences, opened a rush of memories and the real reason Teaching Cancer to Cry rang such a true tone in me.

Bobby was running for Ezra. The Ezra who taught me to dance with cancer with his amazing post from 2012: http://rowgirlgoesrunning.blogspot.com/2013/01/sitting-on-sidelines-of-cancer-its-so.html

I don't question these things any more, just suck them in and enjoy the light, the laughter, the love. Thanks Bobby for bringing Ezra right to me. And thanks again Ezra, for your words that helped so much. Glad we were all in the "same" place for a few hours. :-)

#DFMC25 - Boston Marathon 2014 Race Report

The Swift-Herzog DFMC25 team travelled down to Boston early Easter morning after a quick examination of the Easter Bunny’s gifts - new hiking backpacks, water bottles, bread bunnies, and, of course, the traditional chocolate and jelly beans for breakfast. It was a beautiful morning to travel.

Somehow all that sugar did not make for a crazy car ride and we were cruising into the Back Bay by 11, very excited to see our host for the next few days, Lisa “Lili” Cloitre. Lisa is a friend of mine since 1st grade, and an amazing supporter herself of Dana Farber through her Pan Mass Challenge rides and SwimAmerica swims. Hey, between the two of us we could probably make a pretty decent Dana Farber Ironman Team or maybe Half-Ironman...but I digress. :-)

While the rest of the gang went off to burn some energy at the playground, I was off and running to get my bib number and check in at DFMC25 headquarters - ie get all those last few details done and taken care of. I snuck a peek at Boylston Street and knew I just had to go back, not alone, but with Brynna at least, so after a yummy lunch, Bryn, Nate and I left Lili and Grif “napping” and headed towards the finish line where Nate caught the perfect picture.

Nothing like 6yo energy and smiles to sum up all of the feelings of Boylston St just perfectly.  

Then on the way back we stumbled across a pack of obvious elite athletes talking on the corner and I just had to interrupt to get this picture of, um, yes, MY current running idol, Kara Goucher and Bryn. Kara was so amazingly gracious and kind to do it too. Felt like my race had been blessed after that encounter.

Last, but not least, the ribbons went onto the singlet. Ended up with about 70 names. An amazing source of strength and encouragement throughout Monday’s run - thank you all for their stories and the love that carried each one.

With all the details taken care of, now it just come down to waiting. Waiting until bed time, waiting for the busses to leave, waiting to get to Hopkinton, waiting at the DFMC church. I was very, very patient, but I was definitely ready to run! Thank goodness I was getting tweets, emails, donations, words of encouragement from all of you and from my fellow DFMC runners. Being in VT, I don’t get to come down to the training runs they offer to support the runners, so those 3-4 hours were a wonderful catch up and inspiration.

Then it was time to head to the starting line (finally!!) The temps were warm even at 10:45, so I soon left my long sleeved shirt in one of the donation bags and worried a bit about my capabilities to deal with the “heat”. Running in temperatures over 50 degrees had not been part of my training this winter. We were the 9th correl in the the third wave - pretty far down the street and there were people ahead as far as you could see.

As soon as they started the wave though, we got moving - walking and then running steps from the starting line. Perfectly coordinated BAA, yet again!

Boston is a tricky course - the elevation gain is negative for the first 16 miles, giving you a false sense of easy cruising, often at split times you haven’t seen in training yet. Then the hills hit in Newton, 4 of them, nothing that wasn’t comparable to those regularly in my hill repertoire in VT, but still hard if you don’t rein yourself back a bit. So that’s what I tried to do from the very start - feel like I was running slow, slow, slow - and enjoy the trip.

The Boston course is lined with fans, 2-3 people deep from the start to finish. Each town takes their role very seriously and the town lines and centers were huge parties. I missed Julie so very much right then. All these celebrations for a city we both “grew up” in, met our life partners in, and would always love. Our paths never crossed during each of our 10 years there, but those years were integral to who we were when we did meet in VT. Somehow I knew that she would have been there at my side, running and celebrating our Boston Strong, while doing our best to kick cancers butt too. A touch of grey on an otherwise, beautiful, beautiful day.

The miles cruised by and I was soon in the shade of Wellesley College and the sound chamber of 100’s of cheering Wellesley women - as I promised myself and a few others, this time I did do the high-fives and gave a few kisses. Nothing like a tunnel of female power to push you over the halfway mark. Thank you ladies!

Then I got the best cheers of the day: Lisa and Nate got my gang to Wellesley and not only did I get my hugs and beautiful smiles from Grif and Brynna, but high tens from everyone. My second half started on a huge high! 

As I ran out of Wellesley, I spotted a bank temperature sign: 69 degrees. Wow. I was drinking, fueling, and running a steady, reasonable pace, that included walks along each water stop every mile, but my body was just not ready for the heat. I got a funny little chill run through my body at about 19 miles and made the decision: I’m going for a finish, not for time and started to walk/run at shorter intervals. My Vermont runner side is a little mad that I didn’t crush all of those hills, but as Lisa told me at 23 miles, “You look SO much better than everyone else” I think the decision was the right one for many reasons, not the least of which, I really, really got to enjoy the journey of those last 6 miles from BC to the finish. Even took some pictures.

Citgo sign getting bigger at 1.5 miles to go! Almost there!

I savoured that last mile. First, thanks and high fives with the DFMC gang at Mile 25. Waving to Fenway - Go Sox! Cruising the downhill into my first Boston neighborhood, Kendall Sq. Down and under Mass Ave and around the corner onto Hereford and up to Boylston - a silent thank you to Engine #10 as I rounded the corner on to the home stretch. Got a funny little worry looking down that corridor, but then utter defiance took over: This is OUR finish line! I must not have been the only one thinking this, as I made my way closer the crowds would roar in waves, the sound wave pushing us along on its crest. Then across the finish line, just under my goal of 11 minute miles in 4:45.09.

It was a really, really great day.

Thank you, thank you, thank you all for your virtual watching, cheers, and incredibly generous donations. I’m pushing $12,000 raised and have checks ready to send that will get me solidly over that hurdle. Donations are still welcome though (through September!) and I’m still focused on getting to $15,000. So, if you have friends, family, anyone who might donate to the ‘cause, please don’t hesitate to forward this along or post on Facebook/Twitter/Google+! Any amount and publicity helps and is so appreciated.  Donations can be made either at my DFMC webpage or through the mail. Checks should be made out to "Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge" and sent to me at 35 Crombie St, Burlington, VT 05401.

Many hugs and thanks from Vermont, Kerry

#DFMC25 Why I Run.

Over $10,000 this week - what a milestone! Thank you all who have believed in both my ability to conquer this marathon challenge and in the DFMC mission. There is still plenty of time to contribute, both before Marathon Monday and afterwards! Until then, some pictures of the two incredible spirits that I miss so much every day.

www.rundfmc.org/2014/rowgirlgoesrunning 

Why I Run.

We run with their love with us, always and forever.

Be Love. Be Loved. Always Blessed.

Taper Crazies and One Week To Go!!

When I was a swimmer at UNH, I had the privilege of being trained by a coach who knew how to do a taper. For two years, I peaked and then tapered two weeks for the AmericaEast championships and for two years, I nailed my times, PR-ing in every event each year. Those taper weeks though, were misery. Nothing felt right both in the pool or out. I was over energized and grumpy. Lord help everyone around me - luckily I lived in a single the first year and had a former swimmer as a roomie the second year.

Rowing never had the same sort of taper events - mostly because we were often preparing for races all season, not focusing on one particular event or maybe because those tapers were not done as well as my UNH swim coach's workouts. I'll never know.

What I do know is that I've had the taper crazies for the last week or so. Running has felt awful at times, I'm grumpy, and I've even been planning the next training cycle. All true signs that I think I did something right this time in spite of this winter's extra long cycle of ice, snow, and bitter cold. We'll see if that's really true on Monday!

Yup, Monday, one week from tomorrow. We are already getting weather reports from Matt Noyes of NECN and it's looking like shorts and singlet weather in the high 50's and partly cloudy....have I even worn shorts yet this year? Will test the singlet tomorrow when it's 77 and make sure any important parts are not going to get worn away after 26.2 miles.

I'm also hitting the big time fund raising $9243.20 by the official total, but about $650 in checks are headed their way, which means I'm very likely to break into the $10,000 realm on or before Marathon Day and it would be really great to hit the half-marathon mark $13,100 by then. Donations don't have to be large. Every little bit helps. Every little bit gives a little kick in cancer's butt and lets it know that we are coming after it, just like I'll be coming after that Boston Marathon finish line. Slow, but strong, and never ever stopping.

Thanks so much to my amazing 80+ supporters already. Let's get it to 100 by Marathon Day and onward to $15,000! Thank you again and again!

Over half way!

I'm past the $7500 mark. Over $8000 and headed towards the Newton Hills! It's getting real. Boston in 3 weeks. Until then, this beautiful song. Go buy it. 

3 Weeks to go!! - Update Letter!

It’s a bit hard to fathom right now here in Vermont, with 6+ inches of snow still on the ground, a lake frozen solid, and temps just climbing into the 30’s today, but there are just over 3 weeks to go until April 21st and the 2014 Boston Marathon!

It has been a very, very long, cold, snowy and icy winter. Definitely a challenge for marathon training, but I have managed to keep to my long run schedule with minimal changes and will basically complete the “real” training this weekend with a second 20+ mile run tomorrow am. I am overjoyed to say that temps are supposed to be in the 40’s and winds under 10mph! Balmy!

Kudos and thanks also go to my amazing donors - I’ve raised $6898 so far. Nearly ½ the way to my ultimate goal of $15,000. It’s definitely not too late to donate and 100% of any donation you make goes directly towards innovative research and new understanding of all types of cancer. When you give to the DFMC team you are directly funding experiments that could be the foundation of the next chemotherapy, the next diagnostic, and the next therapeutic treatments that we aren’t even aware of yet.

Celebrating the strength, love and joy Julie Kelliher and Brian Swift gave to us all is why I run, but they are just two of the many incredible individuals I have known and know who live or lived with cancer. Too many of us find ourselves, our loved ones, confronted with a cancer diagnosis, and while years of study have brought amazing therapies to many types of cancers, there are still more that need their cure brought to light by new research and new therapies. This is what the DFMC team runs for and is why I am again taking on the challenge.

Thank you so much for any amount you can give and for supporting my run and the DFMC team. You can make a donation either at my DFMC webpage or through the mail. Checks should be made out to "Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge" and sent to me at 35 Crombie St, Burlington, VT 05401. In addition, when you make a donation, I will attach a ribbon to my singlet in honor of an individual or individuals of your choosing. Those names, each story, and the love that connects them to me gave me such purpose and courage throughout the 2009 DFMC. I know I will need them in 2014 too!

It's official: my bib number is 26391 and I will be in the third wave departing Hopkinton at 11am. Using my name or bib number you can follow me on the www.baa.org webpage the day of the race or AT&T has an Athlete Alert program as well: http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/participant-information/att-athlete-alert.aspx

Please email me too if you will be watching anywhere on the course April 21st and let me know about where you will be. Expect a hello and likely a big hug too! My goal is to run strong, but also to enjoy every crazy, wonderful moment of this challenge and amazing course.

Finally, a last shout out to Nate, Brynna, Griffin and Hailey-dog for their patience and support through the last two months of ever increasing miles and hours on the road, but I think they get it.

Momma goes running

Mentally going long

As I wrote on Sunday, I've had to rejigger my training a bit to stop the excuses and to ensure that I get in the miles both during the week and on my long run days. 'Cause that's pretty much what marathon training is - getting in the miles and making them "good" miles so you get stronger and can go longer.

I'll be honest, it's been hard this time around.

I'm chalking a bit up to age. Definitely my slower time per mile is due to the additional 5 years on this body (not to mention the extra 20lbs and additional child birthed), but that's physical and if there is anything those ladies at anothermotherrunner.com have told and showed me, there are things you can do (speed work anyone?!?) to get back to those 30 something speeds.

Nope, this has been mental.

Don't know really how to describe it, but the best description is: I'm bored. I switch up routes, I throw in some great podcasts (yes, that's me, giggling down the road with Dimity and Sarah and with the WaitWait gang) I've got music that within the first bars, no one, I mean no one, can stop their feet from moving. I meet friends along the route to run with. I even take the most-opinionate dog for part of the run.

I just haven't been able to find my long run mojo.
Anyone else lose this?
Did you find it again?

It's not that I can't do the runs, I'm just not able to start cruising around mile 6 and just let the miles go one by one past me until I either hit that last struggle or cruise the last mile at race pace. I came pretty close during last weeks 15 miler. Maybe it was the fact I was back on Cilley Hill and that I can run that road in my sleep, but it was the first run where I was cruising, body moving, mind at rest or at least paging through the thoughts mindfully.

I'll take that as a good sign. We'll see if I can do it again this week.

Another Mother Runner - that's definitely what I am

When training in 2009, my poor, post-preggers feet fell to pieces under the strain of too much relaxin and too many miles too soon. I was in terrible pain by the end of February and just assumed the worst: a stress fracture. Instead, after a visit to a sports ortho/podiatrist and with the insight of his PT (another new mom!), we diagnosed instead a ligament strain.

The relief!
The joy!
I could still run!

It did though mean about 2-3 weeks of cross training to give that ligament time to heal and to maintain the fitness that I had built up. Now how was that going to work? Something pinged in my head and I dug through two years worth of Runner's Worlds to find the article I was looking for: Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea's article about training for the 2007 Nike Women's marathon. Not only were these two inspiration as mother runners, both were taller than me, both were recovering rowers and both spoke that ex-rower language: a mix of supportive, smart, but don't you dare be a wuss smack talk that, well, spoke to me.

Those who know that article also know that Dimity had to cross-train through much of her training for that marathon and I took the plan they laid out and made it mine. I had another month longer to train than Dimity did so I got in my 20 miler, but that plan was what got me back on my feet (stronger, less painful feet!) and to the finish line in my first DFMC in 2009.

Dimity (@Dimityontherun) and Sarah (@SBSontherun) are now the creators and force behind an amazing resource for mother runners, actually any runner, that started with their book: Run Like a Mother and now can also be accessed via their website http://anothermotherrunner.com/ and all of their various social media channels. Both continue to train and inspire with their own stories: Dimity the Ironmother and Sarah the BostonQualifier, but they have also created a tribe of both writers and runners that are proud to put #BAMR on any tweet, post, and instagram.

So it's really with a lot of pride, a few tears, and many many thanks to the #AMRtribe that I'm pretty amazed and happy to say I'm this weeks "AMR Follow this Mother":

 http://anothermotherrunner.com/2014/02/12/amr-love-week-follow-mother/

Amazing kudos too to author, Heather Johnson Durocher (@MichRunnerGirl), who handled my crazy emails with total class and produced a beautiful blog post out of them.

Thanks ladies for both unknowingly supporting my 2009 #DFMC and now, going above and beyond for another mother runner for this years #DFMC25

#BAMR forever

No more hockey, no more FUN!

Sigh. The worst part about marathon training is the lack of FUN sometimes. 'Cause...

You can't fall down.
You can't tweak your knee, hip, ankle, back....
You can't aggravate old muscles, already tired.

I played hockey on Sun - nothing crazy, just passing the puck to 4-5yos, so they could line themselves up for the goal shot or chase a puck across ice sparkling in February sunshine, but one thing leads to the other and suddenly you're dodging little bodies, back and forth, left and right, and lining yourself up for your own shot. Goal!

Nope, I didn't fall, didn't make a misstep, but I did push the connective tissue on the right side of my left knee just a wee bit too far.

It hurts. It's hurt for 2 days now.
Getting better, for sure, but I'm hesitant about running on it and won't for another day, I think.

And the decision has been made:
I'm going to be BORING until April 22nd.

February 10th - One year.

Grief sneaks up on you and I have noticed through the years that it often doesn't arrive right at the exact date you expect it, nor in the way you predict it.

So much of this year has been hard, but I think that the times that really hurt were the birthday weeks. 3 weeks of birthdays, 3 little ones turning a year older, all on the same day of the week, starting with the first due date: Julie's. And that day the loss whacked me hard: all the potential, the dreams, the love she had for her amazing little girl. Her joy - "to the moon and back"and how she, all three of us really, grew in so many ways with the births of those individuals and how, like we expected them to, we expected our own lives to keep wonderfully changing.

Changing, but not ending.

And now here it is: one year. Funny, it's stuck right in the middle of the VT winter and you'd think it would be terribly dark, but it's also a time of year when the temps are warming, the days lengthening, and it's snowing a bit more. The anticipation of spring, although a long way off, tinges the cold days and is often my favorite part of the year to get outside.

It's been hard to think about where Julie was during these weeks last year. I, in fact, did not see her for almost two weeks prior to the day I was scheduled to pick up Riley for a Sunday at our house, part of a calendar of care and meals. I knew as soon as Julie got out of the hospital that there would be an outpouring of care and sign ups, but as the weeks went on, then I'd be needed again. I also needed time - the week at the hospital had been hard on everyone - unknowns, turning into knowns, becoming a battleground, then all of us trying to find space for the acceptance, the understanding, that we were going to lose her.

Especially Julie.

You did not make decisions for Julie. You gave her information, which she accepted with care, a smile, and then took it in with loving and thoughtful consideration. I can only imagine she was doing this every second of those last weeks and days.

As she surely was on that last day.

I called and arranged to pick up Riley mid morning. Came into the house, gave hugs to Julie's dad and scooped up Ri in a hug and bustle of questions of what we'd be doing that day. It was in the midst of that conversation when I walked into Julie's room and knew instantly where we were. Holding Julie's hand I chatted with her and Rick, goofed with Ri, and finally as exhaustion quickened her breathing, gave her a kiss, told her I loved her, and headed out to home and a day of typical 3 and 5yo craziness and loveliness.

That afternoon, while my munchkins took their naps, Ri and I read on the couch. Restless, Ri went to the window, looking out on Mt. Mansfield and a forest full of snow. "Kerry, what is that red animal?" I went to the window and there, glorious against the snow, was a beautiful red fox. Our dog, typically ready to defend her yard, didn't move from her bed. And the fox looked us and then gracefully, with strong, purposeful strides, ran up through the woods to disappear into the trees. "That was beautiful" we both sighed.

And then the phone rang a half hour later.

I often joke with friends who knew her well that Jules planned that day perfectly, but I honestly believe it too, as I believe that her spirit and love lives through all of us still. Perhaps too, it lived a bit in that fox, on that bright, bluebird, February day, saying goodbye, but also showing us a path we could live by too.

Be loved. Be love. She is safe.

Getting myself out the door

As a working parent, my life can get a bit time constrained. Add that to the fact that I HATE BEING LATE, I've got a nice set up for brilliant excuses for not running or getting to a yoga class or doing my core workout, especially during the week.

I've also got a nice set up for getting hurt again.

One of the great pieces of advice from Jack Fulz in our #DFMC25 training guide was to sit down with our plan each week or so and really look at what was working and what wasn't and adjust accordingly. So after realizing my long runs for the last two weeks were longer than the total mileage for the rest of the week and that my hip wasn't ever "feeling better" it was time to revisit and refocus things.

First goal: return to getting 4 "run" workouts in a week.
One thing I have found this year is that the first run of my week after the long run on the weekend is one that I avoid doing on the road, so I've made it officially an inside workout: 5-6 miles on the elliptical and preferably in the morning. Get her done! Those following me on Twitter know this week the am workout did not happen, then the run didn't happen, but the workout still happened, just at 8pm. Never again. Morning it will be.

Second goal: yoga, yoga, yoga. I am not a weightlifter, hate doing my core, detest the "pre-rehab" that I know I should be doing, but get me into a yoga class and I feel like all of that is taken care of, along with my mind too. Finding classes though, that didn't again require me to arrange for kid care or a crazed morning routine was getting hard at my favorite studios, so I bit the bullet and bought the semester fitness card so I could catch classes at work. Even so, it's SOOOO hard for me to kick myself out of the office mid-day even for something I know will make both my body feel better and likely get my head back into gear for a good afternoon's work. I have 3 classes identified: made one this week. A step in the right direction, but 2-3 classes would be even better….and allow this old lady's poor bones and tendons to survive the miles.

Last, but not least, I've finally admitted that swimming in the winter time is just not my thing. Yes, it's indoors, but I was just not getting to the pool. Ever. So trying a few other things to fill in 2 out of the 3 "non-running" days. This week - skating w/a little hockey moves thrown in today and earlier this week: biking and…drumroll please…10 minutes on the erg! A first for me in over 2 years of dealing with this SI joint misplacement. Will start inching that up over the next few weeks…in hopes that rowgirl will start rowing again, when this #DFMC25 adventure is over.

So 7 "workouts" this week, rather than 4, a body that has recovered better than past weeks, no sore hip, and seems to be ready for next week, rather than dreading it. I think the re-haul might have made some good changes worth keeping.

Now, if I could only get my taxes done. :-)

Why is the DFMC funding so critical?

Last night I got together with a group of Vermont healthcare innovators and it came out that I was training for the DFMC and running the Boston marathon in April. Per usual, folks were pretty excited and supportive, but since this was a group of Vermont innovators, the questions arose: what's the DFMC and what does it fund that's worth running all winter for?

Happily I had an answer that this group understood fully: it's one of the few funding sources that funds initial new experiments in cancer therapeutics or diagnostics. It fills a funding gap that allows a "crazy" idea get traction, get data, and then proceed along the bumpy, long path of drug or diagnostic development.

Now, plenty of folks, I'm sure, hear about that "drug development" path, but unless you are a part of it, I don't think people really understand what it means. Two great resources explaining it, came my way this year and if you have the time, take a look.

The first is not about a cancer drug, but does nicely describe how a set of pre-clinical compounds (yes, haven't even gotten into humans yet) went from an initial basic science discovery of a potential target to finally get in the hands of the clinical trials folks at a large pharma company.

http://cen.acs.org/content/dam/cen/92/3/09203-bus2.pdf

The second is a Thompson Reuters ad for its research and IP databases and how those help guide the folks involved at each step in the drug development pathway for a cancer drug. Yes, an ad, but it really does a good job of showing the numerous steps and work it takes to get from "discovery" to drug.

http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2013/09/22/video-highlights-the-innovation-lifecycle/

So there you have it.

Now remember that nothing gets into those pathways without enabling those with the initial idea to do those first experiments, gather the first data, see the first results. As the DFMC site says:

"The Barr Program exemplifies the power of philanthropy in propelling completely new lines of research. It plays a pivotal role in the development of early-career scientists who work on a broad range of research investigations in order to yield new clues about cancer. It is also critical for conducting basic research, which is not eligible for federal fundraising until well along in proof of principle. The program enables leading-edge, highly-innovative research up to the point that it may be possible to attract government or private support, allowing Barr Investigators to bring promising studies forward and make major scientific breakthroughs."

This is why I run.

Thanks for any support you can give.
rundfmc.org/2014/rowgirlgoesrunning

January 24th Julie Kelliher Appreciation Day

Last week's mid-week runs were uninspired or avoided and I finally came up against the fact that it was Friday and I had put in 4 miles since Sunday's 10 mile long run.

Not good.

Somehow though Friday morning my body woke me up at 4:30, I wandered downstairs to the ready coffeemaker (thank you wonderful Nate for making coffee every night!) and by 5:30 I was ready to go - still too cold and dark to run, so I headed up the hill to UVM and my friend, the arc trainer, for 5 miles.

Slowly, but surely the fog that had been hanging over me that last week lessened and I watched the sky lighten at 6:40 over Mts. Lincoln and Ellen in the Green Mountains. Say what you will about UVM's sports facilities, their rec fitness center has one of the best views in the world, especially at daybreak.

Then this song came on:
http://youtu.be/fQ3wpjdYMqk

Kind of wish at that point that I was on the road.
So much easier to cry when the wind blows the tears away.

It was good.
It was exactly what I needed.
A "run" and a moment to touch the love they left me.

And later that day I got this email:

Today is Julie Kelliher day!  By virtue of the Official Proclamation made by our esteemed and fearless leader, ACCD Secretary Lawrence Miller, January 24^th is Julie’s day.  So, maybe take a moment, read the attached Proclamation, admire the beautiful images of Julie, her husband Rick and daughter Riley, and reflect on how we live – here and beyond our work.  And how Julie was a shining example of the way we touch so many lives, and that every encounter with another person is an opportunity to impart a measure of goodness.

In Julie’s honor, enjoy the day, as she would have.

So I did.
And may you.
PS - thanks Lawrence....

S T A T E   O F   V E R M O N T

AGENCY OF COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

A   P R O C L A M A T I O N

WHEREAS,    Julie Kelliher on June 21, 2004 was appointed, and has served loyally, faithfully and meritoriously as General Counsel for Vermont’s Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development through January of 2013; and

WHEREAS,    under Julie’s skillful leadership and expert advice, the Department has delivered exceptional service to the people of Vermont across a variety of housing, community development and historic preservation programs, particularly through her steady counsel and oversight provided to the Vermont Community Development Program and the Community Development Board that annually award millions of dollars in grants to municipalities to help strengthen their housing, economic and community development resources and opportunities; and

WHEREAS,    Julie’s passion for her work was evidenced by her tireless dedication to upholding laws, regulations and policies intended to protect the interests of Vermonters, often some of our most vulnerable citizens facing significant threats to their homes from both natural disasters such as flooding, as well as man-made causes such as environmental hazards and inadequate and unfair operation; and

WHEREAS,    the Department and its Division for Historic Preservation are particularly indebted to Julie for her effective counsel provided to the Vermont Downtown Program and the Downtown Development Board on behalf of many of Vermont’s historic downtowns and villages as well as Vermont’s historic sites and resources; and

WHEREAS,    Julie’s service to the people of Vermont has included numerous acts above and beyond the scope of her official duties, including developing guidance documents to help better inform the public and regulated communities on significant legal matters and giving presentations thereon; and

WHEREAS,    Julie brought to the Department her keen mind, her courage to take on all challenges, no matter how great or novel, her engaging personality that impressed and won over many a legislative committee, her Irish passion and humor, and a compassionate ear for anyone in need of wise counsel,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Lawrence Miller, Secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community

                                                 Development, exceeding all power and authority of my office, hereby proclaim January 24 as

                                                JULIE KELLIHER APPRECIATION DAY in Vermont.

Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of Vermont this

24th day of January, A.D. 2013.

_____________________________

Lawrence Miller

Secretary

 

Ice Ice #BTV

I'm a little tired of ice. Don't get me wrong, I love to skate, I've played some hockey in my past, and nothing beats you, a frozen river, and the feeling of flying on water.

I ran my first ice run in early December on the bike path when a half inch of fluff decided to thaw and quick freeze into a black ice layer on the untreated pavement. I joked that it was going to be the first of many ice runs this winter, but didn't understand how true this was going to be. #VTIce13 hit later that month and we just can't get rid of the stuff. We have an almost two inch layer in our driveway ice rink and with this cold even good Kahtoola microspikes just skate on the top of any trail, let alone our sidewalks….

I'm a little tired of ice.

Give me snow. Give me cold. Slushy, messy roads. I can deal, I actually thrive in that stuff. Ice though, that's just waiting to snatch me up and land me hard on a hip or a knee.

Hmmm, maybe I should try running in my old hockey pads….

Until then, the arc trainer and elliptical have been my friend during many of these week days and so far, my Sunday long runs have been in the 30's. I've had no problem running through the slush for 10-12 miles, but then it all freezes hard again.

I'm a little tired of ice.