Just noticed the second US tropical storm of the year is named Hurricane Bud. Already category 2. Could dump alot of rain and cause some damage.
Not sure what the big deal is... I've been living with Hurricane Bud for 28 years.
LOL
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Ready to run
Tucked in, running gear laid out, and marathon course plotted. The best part I am 300 meters from my hotel bed to my marathon corridor starting gate.
All is right in the world!
Taking it one step at a time!
HY
All is right in the world!
Taking it one step at a time!
HY
Friday, May 11, 2012
Trials and tribulations of UK immigration
I get that the current state of UK Immigration and Border Control is not good. The agency has had to cut budget, lay off staff, and do more with less.
Trouble is more people (residents and non residents) enter the country more each week at LHR than ever before. Recently, immigration queues have been 2+ hours where hundreds of people wait on 2 immigration officials to process everyone. Literally.
Thankfully, for 6 more months I can enjoy IRIS and bypass the long lines...when it's working, that is.
When not, I come mentally prepared and make sure I have a book handy.
Imagine my surprise when departing LHR tonight to find 4 immigration officials checking passports of travellers leaving the UK, not entering. And this was after previously being checked and going through security. What gives?
Gotta tip for those UK immigration lads and lassies. Send those dudes to the arrival hall.... Please!
Trouble is more people (residents and non residents) enter the country more each week at LHR than ever before. Recently, immigration queues have been 2+ hours where hundreds of people wait on 2 immigration officials to process everyone. Literally.
Thankfully, for 6 more months I can enjoy IRIS and bypass the long lines...when it's working, that is.
When not, I come mentally prepared and make sure I have a book handy.
Imagine my surprise when departing LHR tonight to find 4 immigration officials checking passports of travellers leaving the UK, not entering. And this was after previously being checked and going through security. What gives?
Gotta tip for those UK immigration lads and lassies. Send those dudes to the arrival hall.... Please!
Dr. E - my "Prague" honorary person
Thanks to everyone who continues to support my cause by donating to Cancer Research UK as part of my "12 marathons in 12 months in 2012". I certainly could not have done it thus far without you all!
Donations hover at 57% of goal...just a few pounds shy of £7000. I am humbled by the generosity of those who have contributed in memory or honor of a loved touched by cancer, or who have simply been willing to support my crazy scheme. Please know that your donations do and can make a difference - all donations are still welcome!
http://www.justgiving.com/Holly-Young2012
My bags and "remembrance team" list is packed - currently there are 58 names that I remember in few moments of silence as I wait at the start line. These special peopel are with me again this coming Sunday.
However, this race will be a little more special because I am running in honor of a high school/Baylor friend, Doug (a.k.a. "Dr. E" for the purposes of this blog) who was recently diagnosed with and is successfully battling bladder cancer. You know who you are and the Budman and I love you and your family to bits! Just know that I will be dedicating this race to you; when the race gets a little lonely or I get a little tired, I'll be spurred on by the courage youare displaying as your face your bout with cancer right now!
So, for all of those who know Dr. E or simply want to show your support, no better way than by a donation to Cancer Research.
Taking it one step at time!
HY
Donations hover at 57% of goal...just a few pounds shy of £7000. I am humbled by the generosity of those who have contributed in memory or honor of a loved touched by cancer, or who have simply been willing to support my crazy scheme. Please know that your donations do and can make a difference - all donations are still welcome!
http://www.justgiving.com/Holly-Young2012
My bags and "remembrance team" list is packed - currently there are 58 names that I remember in few moments of silence as I wait at the start line. These special peopel are with me again this coming Sunday.
However, this race will be a little more special because I am running in honor of a high school/Baylor friend, Doug (a.k.a. "Dr. E" for the purposes of this blog) who was recently diagnosed with and is successfully battling bladder cancer. You know who you are and the Budman and I love you and your family to bits! Just know that I will be dedicating this race to you; when the race gets a little lonely or I get a little tired, I'll be spurred on by the courage youare displaying as your face your bout with cancer right now!
So, for all of those who know Dr. E or simply want to show your support, no better way than by a donation to Cancer Research.
Taking it one step at time!
HY
Marathon #5 - Volkswagen Prague
Hachie Gal is Prague (otherwise known as Praha) bound...yes, marathon #5 is looming large on the weekend horizon. Actually, the race start is this Sunday at 9 AM in the Prague Old Town Center. (Check)
I have felt good the last three weeks, experienced no muscle soreness after the London marathon (amazing), and have slept, ate, and hydrated well. (Check)
As for the race itself, it is a relatively flat, looped course which should be ideal for the 9000 +/- runners on the day. Weather temps on Sunday are expected to be sunny and highs of 56 degrees. PERFECT! (Check)
Catch you on the flip side of the race....
Taking it one step at a time!
HY
I have felt good the last three weeks, experienced no muscle soreness after the London marathon (amazing), and have slept, ate, and hydrated well. (Check)
As for the race itself, it is a relatively flat, looped course which should be ideal for the 9000 +/- runners on the day. Weather temps on Sunday are expected to be sunny and highs of 56 degrees. PERFECT! (Check)
Catch you on the flip side of the race....
Taking it one step at a time!
HY
Wednesday, May 09, 2012
Never underestimate the impact one person can have
Running my marathons for charity has been very rewarding and has certainly sustained me during the training and all the actual races by simply reflecting on the postive impact these monies can make. In the London marathon alone:
* Marathoners who ran on behalf of Cancer Research UK, of which I was one of 800 runners, raised over £1.5 million (that is USD 2.4 million).
* In 2010, over £50 million (USD 80.8 million) was raised by runners for charities.
* Since its inception, London Marathoners have raised over £450 million (USD 727 million).
That is a chunk of change raised by people just like me....doing nothing but running marathons.
Perhaps my little £6800 raised to date this year does not go far by itself, but never undestimate the small efforts of many people. When combined with "other small efforts", the results can be inspiring. Never underestimate the impact that one person can make.
Many of you are aware of a young woman who died while running last month's London marathon. She had less than 600 meters to go before crossing the finish line when she collapsed on the course and died shortly thereafter. Her fundraising goal of £500 for her chosen charity had been reached by the time she ran the race; today, thanks in large measure to 80,000 strangers donating mostly in £5 or £10 increments, she has raised posthumously £1,126,193 (or $1,819,970). Never underestimate the impact that one person can make.
This holds true for so many things in life. For example:
* if everyone picked up 3 pieces of trash a day, what an amazingly clean place we would live in.
* if everyone donated 3 cans/boxes of food to a food bank, our food banks would be overflowing.
* if everyone donated just their smallest denomination loose change to worthy causes, think of the the charities those "pennies, nickels, dimes" or "pence" could support...money that otherwise often ends up in money jars or cannisters on a shelf in closet or cabinet.
* If everyone donated 3 hours a month to help someone else, a senior citizen, a physically or mentally challenged individual, or just someone who needed a little extra help...cleaning a yard or garden, running some errands, cooking a meal, visiting someone who is ill...what a difference this could make in the life of someone else.
* If everyone encouraged 3 people a week...to achieve a goal or dream, to get through a rough patch, to let them know they are loved and appreciated, the dark days would not be as dark and the mountains would not seem so high or the valleys quite so low.
Never underestimate the impact that one person can make.
Taking in one step at a time,
HY
* Marathoners who ran on behalf of Cancer Research UK, of which I was one of 800 runners, raised over £1.5 million (that is USD 2.4 million).
* In 2010, over £50 million (USD 80.8 million) was raised by runners for charities.
* Since its inception, London Marathoners have raised over £450 million (USD 727 million).
That is a chunk of change raised by people just like me....doing nothing but running marathons.
Perhaps my little £6800 raised to date this year does not go far by itself, but never undestimate the small efforts of many people. When combined with "other small efforts", the results can be inspiring. Never underestimate the impact that one person can make.
Many of you are aware of a young woman who died while running last month's London marathon. She had less than 600 meters to go before crossing the finish line when she collapsed on the course and died shortly thereafter. Her fundraising goal of £500 for her chosen charity had been reached by the time she ran the race; today, thanks in large measure to 80,000 strangers donating mostly in £5 or £10 increments, she has raised posthumously £1,126,193 (or $1,819,970). Never underestimate the impact that one person can make.
This holds true for so many things in life. For example:
* if everyone picked up 3 pieces of trash a day, what an amazingly clean place we would live in.
* if everyone donated 3 cans/boxes of food to a food bank, our food banks would be overflowing.
* if everyone donated just their smallest denomination loose change to worthy causes, think of the the charities those "pennies, nickels, dimes" or "pence" could support...money that otherwise often ends up in money jars or cannisters on a shelf in closet or cabinet.
* If everyone donated 3 hours a month to help someone else, a senior citizen, a physically or mentally challenged individual, or just someone who needed a little extra help...cleaning a yard or garden, running some errands, cooking a meal, visiting someone who is ill...what a difference this could make in the life of someone else.
* If everyone encouraged 3 people a week...to achieve a goal or dream, to get through a rough patch, to let them know they are loved and appreciated, the dark days would not be as dark and the mountains would not seem so high or the valleys quite so low.
Never underestimate the impact that one person can make.
Taking in one step at a time,
HY
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
