No Place Like Home

"When I think of home, I think of a place where there's love overflowing. I wish I were back there, in that place I've been knowing."

Thank goodness for cool climates! I went home to the Bay Area for the weekend and welcomed the cool SF Bay breeze. Goodbye to the choking humidity, rising body temperature and profuse sweating that has been LA. As Dorothy said, there's no place like home Toto!

Off I went, trekking through my hometown of Fremont (former home of such diverse talents as Kristi Yamaguchi and MC Hammer) early Saturday morning where a comfy 68 degree temperature welcomed me. I decided to run at Lake Elizabeth, the site of many a game of dodgeball, kickball, tetherball, volleyball, soccer, ballet lessons at the dance center and tortuous study sessions at the library, in my otherwise blissful childhood. Sadly, in all my years I never took the time to learn the actual distance of the path around the lake! So, there I was runnin' my 2 miles to the lake, 4 laps around the lake at 1.5 miles each (or so I thought) and 2 miles back home for a total of 10 miles. Thought I was snug as a bug in a rug - not! Come to find out the perimeter of the lake is actually 2 miles, which means I ran 12 miles! Amazingly, I was no worse for wear - it felt good! I guess you can chalk it up as a lil' extra credit - I see it as a lil' extra play time in the park, just like old times.

Check out the pictures I snapped below to view one of the most beautiful lakes I've ever seen, and one which holds a special place in my heart.

Ciao,

Rochelle


(Note: click on the pictures to make them larger.)

Sunshine and Summertime

"Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up and knows that he must run faster than the fastest lion or he will be eaten, and every morning a lion wakes up and knows that he must run faster than the slowest gazelle or he will starve to death. It doesn't matter whether you're a lion or gazelle, when the sun comes up, you'd better be running." -Unknown

Well, the sun did come up and I was a runnin'! If only I could have run somewhere where there was no sun! I'm sure I echo the sentiments of many, as we go through this seemingly interminable heat wave. Every week I hear there is a supposed cooling trend coming, but a friend told me there are reports this heat could continue until October. Yipes! I like a sunshine-filled day and all, but this is more than we should have to endure! Who can I talk to about this?!

Alas, I did get my 9 miles in with sweat dripping from every imaginable crevice of my body! There was no reprieve, even at the beach in Santa Monica at 7:30am in the morning. I have to admit it was a challenge and I was definitely sluggish. It felt like I was carrying an additional 20 pounds. Normally, I don't drink much water when I run, preferring to hydrate plentifully the day before and afterwards. I may sip here and there during the run, but yesterday I downed five bottles of water -- 3 to hydrate the inside and 2 to douse the outside. Everyone on my team struggled it seemed. The toughest parts were the stretches where we ran in direct sunlight along the beach trails and up the hill onto Ocean Blvd. from the beach. Our goal was to try to stay together, so we took walk breaks where necessary. It felt so good to cross that finish line!

The funny thing is in Italy we won't be running in the sun. Last year it actually rained and in general its around 60-65 degrees in Florence in November. I sure look forward to that after Saturday. Next week -- 10 miles!

Congrats to my team, "German Silva" -- great job people, honored to be in the hot, sweaty trenches with ya!

Let's all try to remember those who are unable to truly escape the heat and are suffering the most during this time. On Sunday I served at a mission in San Bernadino and it broke my heart to see people coming in for food and shelter, literally drenched in sweat from the heat. Their clothes clung to their bodies and some were clearly suffering from severe dehydration. One woman came in with a tiny baby and the best she could do was keep a wet cloth on the baby's head. Unfortunately, we did not have air conditioning but we were able to keep the ice water and ice tea flowing. They were very grateful. So, I implore you to keep an eye out for people who may have a need as you go about your daily travels.

Best,

Rochelle

Victory!

Whew, my feets did not fail me - I beat the heat. In order to avoid dehydration and heat stroke, I took to the streets at 5:45a again. It was warm, but not completely unbearable. I logged in my 8 miles in just about 90 minutes with nary a sweat on my brow. Overall, the runs are getting more comfortable and I'm feeling light on my feet, particularly in the last half of each run. So, this bodes well for me in terms of my finish at the actual marathon. The finish line closes at six (6) hours. If I remember correctly, I finished the half-marathon slightly above three hours. I feel like I'm in much better shape this second time around, so I have no fear that I can wrap up Florence within the timeline.

My biggest concern right now is FUNDRAISING. I checked my total donations and got a huge shock. I have to re-double my efforts and get creative to get my totals up. If anyone has any suggestions, send 'em my way. Or better yet, if you know of someone with deep pockets that's even better!!

Well, that's it for now. I'm going to go out and have some fun to celebrate my progress!

Be Well,

Rochelle

PBS Special: Frontline - The Age of AIDS

In May 2006, the PBS program Frontline aired a comprehensive special on the AIDS epidemic called "The Age of Aids." I did not see the program, however I became aware of it while watching CNN. I am posting here an excerpt of the Introduction to the series below, as well as a link where you can view the entire program online and read related materials.

Introduction:

"Before we knew what it was, it was already with us. Before we knew how to halt it, it was with the world.

On the 25th anniversary of the first diagnosed cases of AIDS, FRONTLINE examines one of the worst pandemics the world has ever known in "The Age of AIDS." After a quarter century of political denial and social stigma, of stunning scientific breakthroughs, bitter policy battles and inadequate prevention campaigns, HIV/AIDS continues to spread rapidly throughout much of the world, particularly in developing nations. To date, some 30 million people worldwide have already died of AIDS.

Filmed around the world in 19 countries, "The Age of AIDS" features interviews with major players in the battle against HIV/AIDS: scientists, including Dr. Jim Curran of Emory University and formerly with the Centers for Disease Control, and Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institute for Allergic and Infectious Diseases; political figures, including former President Bill Clinton, U2 front man and AIDS activist Bono and evangelist Franklin Graham; and innovative activists, including Cleve Jones, creator of the AIDS Quilt; Noerine Kaleeba, founder of Africa's first AIDS support organization; and Mechai Viravaidya, "the condom king" of Thailand."

Link: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/aids/

We're Havin' A Heat Wave

Looks like the weather will present a formidable challenge this weekend! The forecast is temperatures in the 100s on Saturday. Last Saturday, Week 6, I was able to beat the heat by shifting my run to early Sunday morning. I hit the road at 6:00 a.m. for my 7 mile trek through the streets of Pasadena. There is nothing like getting started on the day, before the hustle and bustle of local traffic clouds the streets. I was able to complete a course from Alhambra to the edge of Old Town and back just as the sun came up. Even with my start, it was still pretty warm, probably around 70 degrees as the hour approached 7am. I laced up my old Asics, which I had used to run the Half Marathon in October 2004 and they did not fail me. No aches and pains to report on Monday or Tuesday, nor on my maintenance run during the week.

My strategy for the Week 6 run is to try and arrive in Santa Monica at 5:30 a.m. and set out by 5:45 a.m. I need to complete 8 miles, so I hope to be wrapping up as the sun peeks over the horizon. I don't know if any of my fellow runners will make a similar adjustment, but I think its the smartest move considering the forecast.

Otherwise, all is well on the marathon journey. I've lost a considerable amount of weight so I'll be working with my nutritionist to beef it up, literally and figuratively!

My major concern now is fundraising, as I've hit a wall. To date I stand at $250, which is far afield from the $3800 I need to raise. I've come up with some ideas to put monies into the proverbial fundraising coffers which I will be sharing over the next few weeks. But, if you're reading this blog and haven't donated, I'm counting on you so please take a moment to do so. Donation instructions are listed in my introductory statement. And also, please do share my blog with other friends, family, and foes who can lend to this effort. Thanks!

Ciao for now!

AIDS at 25

Here are two articles that show us where we are after 25 years in the fight against AIDS.

Disease Denial in the African American Community http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/06/05/MNGJ0J8H7P1.DTL

The World Still Trying To Catch Up http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/06/04/MNG6EJ88TR1.DTL

Off and Running!

Hello!

Thanks for stopping by my blog! Why 'Tuscan Sole' you may ask. Well, 'Under The Tuscan Sun' is one of my favorite films and I have always wanted to visit Tuscany. Looks like I'm going to get my chance.

Its week 5 of training for the big marathon. We're running 7 miles this week which will be a challenge considering I haven't worked out in MONTHS. I'm a little concerned about the hot weather so I've decided to switch training sites to Santa Monica. The ocean breeze should help keep my body temperature under control. And you can't beat running along the beach, right?!

I'll be reconnecting with my ace buddy from law school, Rebecca, the person who first introduced me to marathon running. She is a veteran having run several marathons over the years. I'm looking forward to seeing her again - its been ages - and getting some running tips. ;-)

So, I guess I'd say all is well. A few aches as my body adjusts to actually having to work out. But, its no problemo - I'm up for the task!

Feel free to write back with words of wisdom, running tips, thoughts on fighting AIDS, travel advice, etc. I look forward to hearing from you!

Rochelle