The Happiest Place on Earth

This year, our family fulfilled a rite of passage by taking a pilgrimage to the happiest place on earth, DisneyWorld. Our girls, who just turned 6 and 4, loved every magical minute. Mom and Dad did too. And while we did our best to single-handedly save the U.S. economy- in a place where consumer confidence is still very high- the memories we brought home were more valuable than any of the souvenirs. A big thanks to our Florida friends who helped make our family vacation truly "priceless."

Rim Rock Revisited

Last weekend, I participated in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, to go back in time and relive some of the glory days of my past. Well, not exactly. As an invited member of the KU Alumni Cross Country Team competing at Rim Rock farm (KU's famed home cross country course) against current college athletes, I was not exactly reliving the same experience I had a younger, fitter collegiate runner. My body had aged, but my competitive spirit and love of running hadn't diminished a bit. So, how did it go?

In an earlier blog post (Glory waiting to happen), I described the anticipated event: Regardless of fitness or injury, you can bet I'll be there to run alongside some of the best runners to suit up for Kansas. Just as appealing is the opportunity to run one of the most beautiful- and toughest- cross country courses in America. Add to that a heaping dose of pride, tested against a crop of current, enthusiastic Jayhawks, and I have all the motivation I need to get ready. I have 7 weeks. When I described the experiment to my wife, she said, "well that's an injury waiting to happen." I said, "No dear, the word you're looking for is 'glory.'

So, which would it be? Glory or injury? Believe it or not, a fair amount of both. In the first half-mile of the race, an old injury resurfaced from a workout leading up to the meet. A strained hamstring tightened, but allowed me to continue running. I decided to go with it, benefiting from the knowledge that I didn't have another one of these meets next week, or possibly ever again in my future. I ran easy, winced through the pain, but knew the worst I could do was pull it or tear it. In the meantime, there was a race to be run.



Although I had friends betting I would not break 30 minutes for the 8k race (which is about 4.9 miles), I stuck to my plan. First mile in 5:45, 12 minutes at the two-mile, 18 minutes at the three-mile. Right on 6 minute pace. I started to fatigue, hit the four-mile at 24:30, then passed a few more straggling freshmen from nearby community colleges to cross the line in 30:17. Fortunately, the Alumni Team did not need the services of its oldest member, as Paul Hefferon won the race, and the team placed 2nd behind KU's varsity squad by a mere 3 points.

I attended the post-race tailgate party with my wife and kids, catching up with former teammates and friends, and relishing whatever glory we had achieved. And although an injury had been sustained that day, my pride, at least, was still intact. I would live to run another day. (Photos by Chris Ronan. Top: Colby Wissel finishing. Middle: Joshy Madathil competes for the Alumni Team. Bottom: Chris Jones (right) and the author emerge from the covered bridge. Video by Lori Montgomery.)

Let the games begin

Today's opening ceremonies will usher in one of the most celebrated and controversial events of the new millennium. The Beijing Olympic Games, as IOC President Jacques Rogge has said, will provide an opportunity for the world to gain a better understanding of China, and for China's 1.3 billion people to better understand the rest of the world.

Should China have won the opportunity to host the Games? That's debatable. But I believe in the old adage "be careful what you wish for, because it may come true." China, famous for its strict and oppressive rule, has invited the world to its so-called coming out party. The awe-inspiring show, however, may not generate the intended effect, as China will be demystified before the world and ultimately held more globally accountable. That's a good thing.

In the months leading up to the Olympics, many called on world leaders to boycott the games. But to me, this is not a place for political posturing. (Imagine if Jesse Owens had not competed at the '36 games in Berlin.) The Games, and the spirit of Olympism, are dedicated to the highest ideals, set forth in the Olympic charter:

"Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles."

The pursuit of excellence. Mutual respect and fairness. Global unity. Let those ideals be the legacy of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

2008 LIVESTRONG Summit

Earlier this year, I was chosen by the Lance Armstrong Foundation to be a delegate to the 2008 LIVESTRONG Summit, which is being held this weekend at the Ohio State University in Columbus. I'm excited to meet other cancer activists from around the country, particularly those from other research universities. Although we'll hear from some famous folks and leading cancer experts, including former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, Senator John McCain and, of course, Lance Armstrong, I think I'm most excited about the workshops.

Sessions will focus on topics like grassroots advocacy, building a volunteer army, organizing community events, engaging voters and holding leaders accountable. I know I'll learn a lot, and I'll be eager to get back to campus to enlist KU students, faculty, staff and members of the Lawrence community in this fight against cancer. There's a lot we can do. Watch this space for more. In the meantime, enjoy this video about the 2008 LIVESTRONG Summit.

KU Fights Cancer

The University of Kansas is emerging as a leader in the fight against cancer. Last month, KU announced the opening of a Phase I clinical trial for a new ovarian cancer drug, Nanotax, developed by researchers at the KU Cancer Center. The new drug is a reformulation of the common chemotherapy drug, Paclitaxel, which is administered intravenously. Unpleasant side effects have been attributed to the solvent mixed with the drug for delivery.

The development of Nanotax by KU researchers was significant for two reasons. By breaking Paclitaxel to nanopartical form, they were able to mix it with water, allowing the drug to be administered to a patient's abdomen.

"By removing the source of the negative side effects, we believe Nanotax will be a less toxic treatment," said Roy Jensen, director of the KU Cancer Center.

Nanotax is also significant because it is KU's first "bench to bedside" drug, which means it was discovered, tested and brought to clinical trial by KU scientists at the KU Cancer Center. This fact significantly enhances KU's quest to obtain NCI designation for the KU Cancer Center. Kansas City remains the largest metropolitan area in the U.S. not served by an NCI designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the university has made attaining the designation it's top priority.

KU has had a lot of big wins this past year, but this news was truly worth celebrating.

Olympic Hero: Eric Shanteau

Have you ever heard of Eric Shanteau? If not, you will soon.

Eric Shanteau trained his whole life for a shot at making the U.S. Olympic swim team. Although he was not picked among the favorites to make the team, he qualified for the trials this year, and came in prepared to swim the race of his life. He stunned everyone, save perhaps himself, when he touched the wall in second place, earning a trip to Beijing. Imagine, the weight of preparing your entire life for one short race.

Now imagine the weight of learning, just one week before that race, that you have cancer. Shanteau, diagnosed with testicular cancer just before the trials, used that knowledge to inspire the performance of his life. Then, almost immediately after making the team, he faced an agonizing decision. Skip the Olympics–his lifelong dream–to have surgery to remove the cancer as quickly as possible, or prolong the potentially life-saving procedure to fulfill his Olympic dream.

He chose the Olympics. Cancer would have to wait.

Although doctors will monitor him closely and pull him out if the cancer appears to be spreading to quickly, Shanteau's brave decision will bring national and international attention to a disease affecting 1.4 million Americans. He will not only be swimming for his country, he'll be inspiring cancer survivors worldwide and motivating leaders to join the fight.

Sound familiar? Since starting the Lance Armstrong Foundation in 1997, the 7-time Tour de France winner–and cancer survivor–has focused the spotlight on a disease that hits 1 in 4 families. Through his celebrity and the popularity of those now ubiquitous LIVESTRONG yellow wrist bands, Armstrong's fight has enlisted other notable cancer activists, such as Elizabeth Edwards, Ted Kennedy and the late Tony Snow. Last night on the ESPY awards, many people probably learned for the first time that ESPN personalities Stuart Scott and Robin Roberts were also recent cancer survivors when they presented the Jimmy V. Award for Perseverance. No one is immune. It's everyone's fight.

Although cancer affects millions worldwide, I am encouraged by the increased visibility the cause is receiving, thanks to those who are brave enough and able to capture the spotlight and keep it focused where it should be, on ending this dreaded disease. I've highlighted the efforts of Lance Armstrong before in my blog, as well as those behind Stand Up To Cancer. At the Olympic Games, Eric Shanteau will make his mark on the world, and his contribution will be greater than gold.

It's Complicated

To prepare quickly for the Aug 30th cross country race at Rim Rock, I knew I'd have to adjust my regular summer training, consisting of moderately paced runs between 6 and 10 miles. Time to step it up with some interval work. Besides, I remember I used to visit a track near my home. It sounded like a good idea anyway, but, like so many things, my relationship with the track is complicated.

I used to love the track. Back in college, we had a very close relationship. I saw her everyday. We spent a lot of time together- sure there were some rough patches, but we had some great times too. Unfortunately, some time after college, I fell in love with other things, like cheeseburgers, a good beer, and well, we stopped seeing each other.

So I was a little apprehensive visiting the track last night for the first time in years. Would she even remember me? Would she be glad to see me, or not? Maybe, I thought, I could just pick it up where I left off...

No chance. Turns out, the track did remember me, and she wasn't happy about the way I had left her. Now, I found myself pleading for her forgiveness, and mercy. No such luck. She kept reminding me how long it had been, how I was taking things too fast. She said, "take it easy, we've got a lot of catching up to do." She was right. I was jumping the gun, so we slowed things down.

After a long night of getting reacquainted, I think we may be able to patch things up. I don't think I'll ever love her the way I once did, but maybe, one day, we can become friends again. We'll just have to take things very slow. One step at a time.

In defense of logos

Yesterday, a jury sided with the University of Kansas in its lawsuit against Joe College for selling t-shirts that infringed upon KU's trademarks. This should have been an open and shut case. Still, there are a lot of people out there who just didn't get it and viewed the case as an example of a big, bad university out for profits. How can you own the word "Kansas?" they wondered. How can you own the color blue? Simple. You can. You can within a given context. Put Kansas on a blue t-shirt and sell it in Lawrence, Kansas, then yes, common sense tells you that's a KU t-shirt.

What about letters- can you own a letter? If so, who owns the letter A? Sesame Street? Well, if you're in Oakland, selling green hats with As on them, I'm guessing Major League Baseball will have a problem with that. If you're in Tuscon, Arizona selling navy blue hats with a red letter A on them, the University of Arizona might believe they have the right to do that. In Big 10 country, how important is the letter M to Michigan? Or the word "Wisconsin" printed in white on a red shirt? Now, put Wisconsin on a green shirt and sell it in Florida- not only will no one think it's a Wisconsin University t-shirt, no one will buy it. Why? Context.

Context matters. Now I'm no attorney, but I know that sometimes the letter of the law is what matters. Other times, it's the spirit of the law. Larry Sinks, owner of Joe College sold shirts that clearly were intended to capitalize on a local affinity for the University of Kansas. He would admit as much, so the context here is obvious. But rather than obtain an official license granting him the right to sell KU merchandise, he willfully tried to skirt the system by selling shirts KU would never approve under a licensing agreement. Sure, there's a market for tasteless, inappropriate t-shirts, but this isn't a "free speech" issue. It's commercial.

It's not free speech for me to sell a basketball jersey that says "Jordan" with the number 23 on it. I'm pretty sure Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls and maybe even Nike would have something to say about that. Sinks knew what he was doing, and he foolishly believed he had every right to do it. It reminded me of the man who ran across the street when the light was red and the sign said "Don't Walk." The man argued, "well the sign didn't say anything about running!"

Context is important. The law is important. Certainly there are more important things than logos to defend in the world, but I believe there are two kinds of people. There are those who endeavor to understand and do the right thing, and there are those who will try to get away with things, using whatever justification they can. I believe yesterday's ruling was more than just a legal victory for KU. It was a victory for common sense.

Glory waiting to happen

In the fall of 2007, Colby Wissel crossed the finish line at the NCAA national cross country championships to end his prolific career as KU's last cross country All-American, and the sport's first back-to-back All-American since 1959. Now, the KU alumnus is forming a team of KU alumni to compete again at Rim Rock Farm in the Bob Timmons Invitational on August 30th.

Regardless of fitness or injury, you can bet I'll be there to run alongside some of the best runners to suit up for Kansas. Just as appealing is the opportunity to run one of the most beautiful- and toughest- cross country courses in America. Add to that a heaping dose of pride, tested against a crop of current, enthusiastic Jayhawks, and I have all the motivation I need to get ready. I have 7 weeks.

When I described the experiment to my wife, she said, "well that's an injury waiting to happen." I said, "No dear, the word you're looking for is 'glory.'" I'll keep you posted.

Kindred Spirits

Last night I watched one of my favorite movies from my teenage years, The Natural, starring Robert Redford as Roy Hobbs, an aging, journeyman ball player on his quest to become the best who ever played the game. I always loved the movie and was drawn to Hobbs' character for some reason, but I never really understood why until last night, when he uttered the famous line, "God I love baseball."

Roy was no saint, as this espn.com article attests. But what I admired about his character was not his virtue; it was his unapologetic passion for the game. Sadly, it's all too rare to find this characteristic in others, since so few people are willing to wear their loyalty on their sleeve for fear of public scrutiny. If you were to simply ask people "what are you passionate about," many would find the question invasive and awkward. But I recently met someone who, like Roy Hobbs, was so dedicated to her passion that I immediately connected with her.

I met "Tanya" at a training workshop for LeaderShape counselors. LeaderShape is an immersive week-long leadership camp that is a transforming experience for participants. Tanya was the co-lead for our session, and the very first thing she said when introducing herself to us was, "LeaderShape is my favorite thing in the world. I love it." So in the first minute of knowing her, I knew everything I needed to know about her. I knew her passion.

At the conclusion of the camp, she said we had a "kindred spirit," which was flattering. It told me she understood my passion as well. But to those who know me, and even those who have just met me, it's not difficult to figure out what I care about. After all, I'm not a tough nut to crack. I don't care about much, but the things that are important to me, I care deeply about them, and people know that. I find that I relate well to those who are similarly unapologetic about their passions, whether they are educators, politicians, athletes, ...or, apparently, even fictional movie characters.