Going for the Long Run

"Ode to the Long Run"

Wow my feet are soar

Only three miles more

I can't wait to be done

this is no longer fun

Geez, that miles was tough

But I can coast from here

2 more and I've had enough

One step after another

Have no Fear

Last mile to go

on an 18 mile tour

my legs say no

remind me again

what did I do this for?

Finish Line in Sight

My body can begin to slow

and for a brief second I know

Everything is alright

GO DO SOMETHING FUN TODAY

New Poster, and Why Local Businesses Rock

THANKS FOR THE DONATION!

Read a Book or Two, or Twenty... Double Header

This go around we are featuring not one, but two great books. Flannery O'Connor's "Everything That Rises Must Converge," and Stuart Dybek's the coast of Chicago. Both books have their own taste, their own artist, but they share one common connection. They both are authors who graduated from the Iowa Writer's Workshop.

Flannery attended the workshop in the early years of the program and although she passed away at the young age of 39, she left behind a legacy of work that ranks in top of literary genius. Her gift of storytelling is rival to Mozart's gift of music. She paints a multitude of characters into her stories, all with such level of integrity and all integral to the unfolding plot. It's unbelievable to read about the worlds she creates and the characters that inhabit them. Each story left my mouth open due mostly to the astonishing last paragraphs that so well rounded off each story. Absolutely unbelievable, a must read for fans of fiction.

The second book to be featured is Stuart Dybek's "The Coast of Chicago." A definite contrast to the morbid worlds Flannery O'Connor created, Stuart Dybek poetically shares his love for a city. A city that under the pen of this author breathes with the life of missing love and late night piano recitals. Stuart does a fantastic job of using the English language as beautiful landscape to cast the image of his beloved hometown. Sentiments of the mid-west ring tried and trued through out his narrative, and for a moment I found myself lost down the back streets of Chicago, wandering through concrete neighborhoods leaving my tracks in the snow. A beautiful journey from a wonderful artist.

If you haven't found the time to read lately, to read anything that isn't directly connected to your day-job, what are you waiting for? Go pick any book, any book that sparks an interest or a passion and open the first page. And just like riding a bike, it will all come back from there.

Explore and Enjoy,

Brad Lane

If You Build It, They Will Come

It has now happening whether I work on it or not. The snowball is beginning to roll.

It has been an exciting week and metaphoric step off the plank. I am now at the point where I have not only invested enough time into this fundraising endeavor, but I have also told way too many people to reconsider my obligations.

I am trying not to worry about the final outcome at this point in the race (an endeavor I fall short on sometimes.) To re-quote one the greatest Iowa movies ever created, "If you build it, they will come"; I'm banking on it mysterious disc golfer in the shadows.

The wheels are turning though. I've collected one corporate sponsor already ($100) and a fair collection of raffle prizes (BECAUSE LOCAL BUSINESSES CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY). I've handed out the first initial launch posters (above), and am diving further into the disc golf nation that resides in Iowa. I am currently searching for a new poster design if anyone feels they are a qualified graphic design bad-ass and want to contribute.

Time is a ticking though and their is a lot of work yet to be done. Not to mention the newest fundraiser on the horizon, one that will get a total update later on in the week, the Dash-N'-Dine.

Here is hoping to finish the long run,

Over and Out,

BDL

Day of Labor

It happened...


The signs are pretty clear. The way my sandals no longer suffice, an occasional leaf dropping from the tree, and of course, college football has started.

It just might be that time of year, it just might be Fall. Although by the calender, Fall doesn't truly take its position for almost another three weeks (September 23rd), come on' people lets face the facts and enjoy it.

I love the fall. It's chilly enough that it is easy to get warm, a different shade of scenery emerges on the trees, and the cool weather starts to slow everyone down a bit. Almost as if we are getting ready for some sort of hibernation...

Labor-day weekend marked the official end of summer for me. Time to put the boats up and unpack the long-sleeves. I was fortunate enough to spend a couple days at one of Iowa's premier Great Lakes (yes, Iowa has great lakes (and they are indeed great)), Lake Okoboji. A gorgeous way to bring in the new season. We ate, we drank, and we rested. Sometimes a nap is all you need.

On a side-note, Lake Okobji has a secret to it. Underneath the waters on the West Lake, lie buried treasures. More than a handful of boats and a Ford Truck stay hidden in the depths of Okoboji collecting moss and feeding fish. I wish I could say that I discovered this myself over the weekend but in fact it came from an article written in "Iowa Outdoors." Cool magazine that celebrates the conservation and recreational aspects of Iowa. Here is the link to the article:

"Exploring the Hidden Okoboji" - Iowa Outdoors Magazine

Adios Amigos,

BDL

One Step at a Time

And so it begins. I have started my fundraising quest to raise $1,000 for the American Cancer Society. The countdown is ticking and I have less then fifty days. I have to admit, I am somewhat nervous about this endeavor. What have I gotten myself into? Can I really raise all this money I impulsively pledged to raise? It's questions like these that can keep me rolling awake at night, fidgeting underneath the sheets of commitment. It is the worry and the anticipation of the unknown that make me sit down for a second and think about the big picture. After all, it takes a lot of steps to run a marathon...

Here is the progress so far: I have made donation jars (-->) and started to go around to local businesses to see if anyone wants to become a "donation location." Big thanks to The Running Room (West Des Moines), Play-it-Again Sports (Clive), and Fitness Sports (Windsor Heights) for not only accepting the jars but encouraging me as well. Also big thanks to Kelly Cooper who helped me out of a jam when I locked my keys in my car (it was a long morning).

Second initiative: Put on a Frisbee Golf Charity Classic. This one is taking some more work. I have made numerous calls out to different Des Moines Disc Golfers who have had a lot of experience with the sport and tournament hosting. They have all been really helpful but it is growing clear that it is really going to come down to me taking charge and stepping up. The blind leading the blind. All I need is some more momentum though. Expect posters by the end of the week!!

So yes, I feel the water slightly rising over my head, the salty taste of defeat not far away. But all I have to do is make progress, to run uphill and out of worry, all I have to do is keep at it. Right???

Good timber does not grow with ease. The stronger the wind the stronger the trees.
~ J. Willard Marriott (cheesy?? I hope so!)

Gotta Love It

Over and Out,                                                        

BDL

Brad's Fundraising Page

Running Saves Lives

It's True isn't it? Running does save lives. But this time it's going to be more.

I have joined up for the DetermiNation Team to run the Des Moines Marathon. This team will cover my entry fee as long as I donate raise $1,000 in 50 days. All proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society.




I have some fundraising ideas brewing and in the first part of the works. Expect a Frisbee Golf tournament one of three Sundays in a month's time. (Sep 25, Oct2, or Oct 9th, T.B.D). I have a few office connections w/ possible raffle opportunities. And at some point the e-mails and letters will be sent out. I'll keep everyone posted on events that will be taking place.

If you would like to help out the cause you can find my donation page here:
BRAD'S FUNDRAISING PAGE

Thanks!

Brad L.