Run Some Sherman Alexi Through Your Brain

I just finised Sherman Alexie's novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. I also just decided to have my freshmen read it at the end of the year.

There are distinct and gaping holes in the diversity of literature at the high school level. Everything seems to be written by, about, and for white men and a glaringly obvious lack of varied cultures and races are positively portrayed in main stream literature. For probably every ten books on our "approved core literature list" there is one book by and about minorities. When other races and cultures are represented, it's either about the Holocaust or Civil Rights. While these are extremely important--and I wouldn't dream of eliminating these pieces--there is still a lack of fair representation.

I teach in Lakeside near the Barona Indian Reservation. There are a lot of negative stereotypes about kids from the "rez" (reservation). I feel that Alexi's book addresses these stereotypes, pokes fun at them, and at the same time debunks them and sheds light on an institutionalized form of racism most (white) American's have trained themselves to forget about and not even notice. Furthermore, I'm excited about this book because there are so few books by Native American Indian authors who speak the truths of today's American Indian experience--and does it in such a funny/heartbreaking way.

Basic Plot: Arnold Spirit (Junior) is an uber-nerdy high school teenager living on the "rez." When he decides, after the promptings of the rez teacher Mr. P, to attend the "rich, white school" off the rez, he struggles with persecution and rejection from two worlds: his tribe for betrayal and his new classmates because of their ignorance and racist stereotypes. Yet through it all, Arnold keeps his optimism and off-the-wall-brutally-honest sense of humor. You will laugh out loud at his teenageryness (I know that's not a word, but it should be) and weep at little inside about it as well. Chris Crutcher, author of Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, said it best, "I know Sherman Alexie is on his game when I'm reading his book, laughing my ass off while my heart is breaking."
I dare you to not laugh out loud when Arnold's quasi-friend Gordy teaches him about the "metaphorical boner" he gets from learning or refrain from showing the person nearest you Arnold's cartoon about the conversation concerning said "joy." You'll metaphorically die in about 100 different ways throughout his journey.


Pick up a book. Turn off the TV.
Don't forget that your brain needs to workout too!

Missing Runner

A couple months ago I had a strange run at Lake Poway. If you didn't read that post, or don't remember, click HERE to read about it. Long story short: it felt like someone or something was watching me the entire time. I felt panicky for no reason that I could see (well... besides the fact that I could see no one). One small comfort was the cell phone I carried in my hand. I don't believe that my feelings during that run are connected to the missing girl I'm going to talk about; however, my instinct told me to get out of that place. I fought against that instinct when I should have ran with it. I'm very thankful that my instinct didn't prove to be correct that day; I made it back to my car. For one unfortunate runner, this is not the case.

Yesterday, Chelsea King, a 17 year old long distance runner, parked her car near Lake Hodges in Rancho Bernardo Community Park, left for a run and didn't return. Her cell phone was found in the car. At first I thought, Foolish girl! Why didn't you carry it with you? But then I thought of all the times I've left for runs and didn't feel like carrying my phone: I run these roads and trails all the time...they're safe. Nothing bad could ever happen to me.

Well, they're really not safe and it can happen to anyone. I may be comfortable with the roads and trails I run, but (sadly) that's a dangerous state of mind--it's more likely to make me careless.

There are really only two things that could have happened to her: she fell and is out on some trail gravely injured or she has been abducted. If only this could be some dramatic teen stunt--a young girl who just desperately needs attention, because the alternatives are tragic and unimaginably sad.

While it's true that danger can lurk around every bend, we can't let it keep us off the roads and trails we love or away from the sport we're addicted too. This is why it's so important to be aware of our surroundings (as my dad told me nearly every day of my life growing up and is probably why I'm paranoid in all parking lots-- in broad daylight), and it's also important to be prepared. Carry a cell phone! Women: if you run in rural or partially secluded areas consider carrying pepper spray. (You can get it at any sporting goods store.) I have the kind that clips onto the waistband of my pants and my shirt hangs low enough to keep it concealed. You'd never know it's there, but if you wanted someone to see it, it sends the message: Don't mess with me, I'm running here and I plan on finishing today.

At the Gorge this afternoon my friend nearly stepped on on a young rattlesnake stretched across the road. If she had stepped on it and been bit, I could have called 911 immediately because I was carrying my cell phone. However, had I left my phone in the car--as I almost decided to do--we were two miles from the nearest phone. Two miles too far from help.

Again: Be aware of your surroundings and listen to your gut! If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't, so get the hell out.

Keep this young girl and her family in your thoughts and prayers. And if you see anything suspicious in any area, report it immediately. To read more about Chelsea King click HERE.

So many bays to choose from

This weekend I disappointed myself when I left the house at 6:30AM with the intention to run some distance between 18 and 22 miles, but instead quit after only 13. I was "playing it by hip" to see what it would let me do, but in the end it my IT band forced me to stop. Since my hip flexor injury, (which by the way felt perfectly fine for those 13 miles) I've become hyper-aware of tweaks and pains during runs.

What does that clicking mean? Is it bad? Do I ignore it? Push through it? Do I stop? Do I go? Does this qualify as pain? Is it just sore?

These questions--mostly in other forms involving swear words--run through my mind with nearly every step. I never used to doubt my body's ability to perform...and now I feel old. I'm turning 30 (in a year and 21 days) and my body's recent betrayal makes me feel much older. And! I completely believe in the power of thought, so the more I dwell on how old I feel...the older I feel. I should be thinking "young" thoughts and about how amazing I felt after 13 miles and that I actually wanted to run another 5 miles and could have done so--had my knee not had other needs (homophone intended). That's pretty cool and not something I could say four months ago. But instead of focusing on this like I should (like Kara Goucher would!), I fret and worry and sigh about all the aches and pains that are coming my way with every day that I get older.

Granted, my hobby is hard on the joints...but still. It's hard to imagine a day where I'm not looking forward to the next race. I want to be one of those old ladies in her 80's qualifying for Boston...or at least winning my age bracket because I'm the only old bag out there still gettin' my run on. What's the secret to running forever??

Anyway, below is the route I ran this weekend. As promised, this is my weekly-new-run-route addition:

San Diego's Mission Bay (Approximately 13 miles):

Begin at Dog Beach in Ocean Beach. Run east along the San Diego River Trail to the Sea World Drive bridge (1 mile)-- hang a left over the bridge. On the other side, veer left and take the foot/bike path to go back under the bridge and continue running east along the River Trail on the other side. (Note: After a hard rain the San Diego "River" smells like San Diego doo-doo.) Continue until the river trail dead ends into Friars Road (2.5 miles). Turn left onto Friars and cross Sea World Drive at the light. Continue running east on Sea World Drive (there is a dirt trail off the main road) to the next light. Turn left onto E. Mission Bay Drive/Fiesta Island Drive (1 mile). Stick to the left and run along the bay's run/bike path (3 miles). (To see a map click HERE.) **Side Route: If you want to tack on an extra 4 miles, when you turn left onto Fiesta Island Drive, follow that out onto Fiesta Island. It's a big loop--watch out for cars veering around blind corners and spitting bicyclists. There are outhouses on the island, but no drinking water.** This path will take you all the way around the bay--you'll get a good view of Fiesta Island. When the path ends run diagonally through the parking lot to the Rose Creek Trail. This winds behind a small golf course and a boat yard and spits you out at Grand Ave. Hang a left on Grand. Continue about .5 mile then turn left on Olney St. This will wind it's way through Crown Point. Go right (at Campland on the Bay) onto Pacific Beach Dr. Veer left onto Crown Point Dr. and keep an eye out for the footpath that runs nearest the water. (When in doubt in Crown Point always turn toward the water.) After about a mile, you'll see the Ingraham Street bridge-- you'll veer off the footpath and run up a small hillside to get this bridge--you want to run across it and head south on Ingraham. Go over two bridges (2-3 miles) (spectacular views!) and cross to the west side of the road. Take the (small and slightly precarious) foot path at the Sunset Cliffs Blvd exit. When possible cross all the way over to Quivera Lane (the western most road you will see after you run under the overpass). You'll be on Quivera for maybe .5 miles and then look for the Sea World Drive footbridge entrance on your left. Cross the Sea World Drive bridge and hang a right onto the San Diego River Trail. Continue west to your car parked about a mile away at Dog Beach.

**Tack on more miles and see more bay: Continue running under the Ingraham Street bridge, rather than going up the hill and crossing the bridge. If you continue on the footpath, you will enter the Sail Bay in Pacific Beach. You will follow this around and into Mission Beach, where you will meet up with Quivera Way mentioned above. (Adds approx. 3 more miles)

There are drinking fountains and bathroom facilities along this route at the skate park in OB near the Sea World Drive bridge, at the Mission Bay Visitors Center and in the park at Crown Point.

Voice of SD Blog: Being Earnest About Class Size

What is happening to classrooms in San Diego...I can't decide if this is my statement or my question. I am curious to know what the public's priorities are for education. What do you want education to look like for your kids?

Click HERE or above to read the article.

Feed Your Brain

I like to read. It's one of the reasons I became and English teacher. I've decided to review the books I read every once in a while because I firmly believe that we need to turn off the TV and pick up a book more often. Every day our brain loses 50,00 cells to atrophy--and one of the ways to counteract this loss is to stimulate your neurons with activities like reading or doing crossword puzzles. TV, however, progresses atrophy. So, here's my first book review-- I'm no critic-- just offering my opinion on what's out there. Please share a good book you have read recently; I'm always looking for my next read.

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King


I've never read a Stephen King novel. Strange, I know. It hasn't been a conscious choice...it just never occured to me to do so. I did, however, pick up his memoir On Writing recently at the book store and found his life fascinating. He has helpful insight into the process of writing and someday I will follow his advice... but I found the snippets of his life much more interesting. If you see this book the next time you're in Borders or Barnes and Noble and don't want to buy the whole book, just flip to the the last section called "On Living: A Postscript" and read those 20 pages. That's all I'm going to say. Well, it's inspiring. There, that's all I'm going to say.

I highly recommend this read for anyone who likes to write fiction (or even nonfiction for that matter). He provides philosophical advice for writers as well as concrete examples about how to improve your writing and get it published. I also recommend it if you simply like Stephen King. It has no buckets of pig blood or haunted hotels, but there are moments when his life is horrific enough.

Again, please share a book you have read and liked recently. I'm finishing up The Know It All right now, and then will probably read Born to Run with something else...so your suggestions would be fantastic.

Dear Hip,

Tomorrow is a big day for us--our first long run in over two weeks. I've done everything I can possibly do to help you heal. Given you the best care I could afford for two whole weeks. So psych yourself up for tomorrow's early run to La Jolla because it's time to hold up your end of the... body. If you get me there and back again, I promise you an extra long foam roll and a real ice bath this time--not just 10 minutes in the freezing cold pool. I appreciate you, Hip and Flexor, and am looking forward to our time tomorrow.

Sincerely,
Me

In this month's issue of Runner's World, there is a great article about how to ease your way back into training after an injury. The article is 6 pages long, but if you click here it will take you the "Listen to Your Body" section I found most helpful. This is how I am approaching my post-injury-countdown-to-the-start-line training program. Perhaps some of my fellow injurees will find it helpful. (Though chances are high you, too, subscribe to Runner's World and already read this).

In any case,
Keep on truckin'

Focus on the Teacher

This will be a big ol' vent fest...and maybe you'll be disappointed in me for some of the things I'm going to say, but I can't hold it in anymore...my husband (whom I usually vent to) is asleep. If my hip weren't so touch-and-go right now I'd be pounding this out on the roads instead, but the keyboard will have to do for now.

I'm working on a piece for Voice of San Diego and it's difficult for me to refrain from getting soap boxy...but the beauty of having my own blog is that I can live in a soapbox if I so choose.

Two separate issues running through my mind involve 1. teacher pay and 2. the so-called "great" teachers who inspire films like Dead Poet's Society or Dangerous Minds.

The first thing I'd like to vent about is how every year our class sizes get bigger--and while YES this is bad for the students, it's also bad for the teacher. But I can't talk about the needs of the teacher in Voice because the public doesn't care about that... the public mentality is: Get over it, that's what you have summer vacation for, and We all have tough jobs so what? Well public, you get what you pay for. And I am going to say publicly what teachers are afraid to admit to anyone but their colleagues: I do the minimum amount of work to be effective and competent.

I am a damn good teacher: I can create meaningful assignments and simulations in less time than the average teacher (that's so arrogant, but I'm being honest), and I can grade essays just as effectively as the average teacher--in half the time as well. My point is not to toot my own horn, it's simply to demonstrate that it's a good thing I'm fast and effective, because I do not and will not kill myself doing uncompensated work that gets little to no respect from the community and less than that from the district. (And I'm certainly not going to miss an episode of "Cougartown" over it.)

A school in New York opened this September that pays 125,000 dollars for its teachers. Of course, these are highly qualified teachers getting these jobs, but if it became common practice that only the "best of the best" make this amount, then I guarantee you teacher bitterness would decrease. (I could go into merit pay right now, but that's a vent for another day.) The way it is now, larger classes mean more paperwork to take home. It means more stressful classroom management issues. Larger classes mean that some teachers have so many extra students it's like teaching a 6th class-- with no added compensation for the time and effort that goes into this.

However, these issues would not be so bad if they were compensated. Then, at least, we would be getting paid for our work. Teachers already work beyond their contract time. Somehow the public believes that when the final bell rings at 3:00 pm teachers are off duty: careless and fancy-free. This is simply wrong... I don't want to go into all the details of how much time teachers spend preparing lesson plans, grading papers, making phones calls or writing emails to parents, counselors and administrators during their "off duty" hours...because I know you will believe me when I say we put in more hours than we should. And for anyone who says, "At least you have summers off," my response is-- first, most of us have already put in enough hours during the school year to compensate for the time off and second, that break is the only thread holding our sanity in place. I'd bet a year's paycheck that if breaks were taken away, DUI's would increase, assaults and "drunk in public" violations would increase, and spousal abuse would skyrocket. I'm not being funny.

The other issue that crossed my mind--and I think I might write something about this for Voice--is that great teachers are no longer in the classroom (quite the oxymoron, wouldn't you say?).

Take for example the Freedom Writers teacher, Erin Gruwell. She isn't in the classroom anymore. As soon as she was able to, she high-tailed it out of the classroom and into a program that trains teachers in her methods. I always find it amazing how this same life choice applies to nearly every "teacher" who presents at our teacher workshops. They all "used to be great" teachers; however, they've all traded the classroom for the conference room. And the cherry on top is, that the methods they teach can't be maintained--that's why they aren't doing them anymore. The amount of energy it requires is impossible--and is one of the reasons Erin Gruwell's marriage failed. Yet, these quitters try to inspire us jaded teachers on the brink. For many of us, it only fuels the bitter flame.

Anyone else want to vent about their job? I'd love to hear about it!

To Do

If you don't already know this about me...I like To Do lists. And, I've only just realized why I like them: Goals.

I talked to a professor of mine from college a couple weeks ago and told him about my frustrations with teaching high school and how I'm thinking about grad school. His eyes lit up and he agreed so whole-heartedly with the idea of me becoming a professor it almost made me cry. He told me (he's a psychology professor by the way) that I am the type of person who will never be content unless I am working toward something bigger and better. Good to know that about myself, but that also doesn't sound like contentment to me. Does this mean I'll never be happy? Never be content with anything?

It's true. I went straight from high school to college to credentialing program to master's degree, to 80 units post-grad to move up the salary scale...and now that all of this is finished, I'm unhappy and feel useless. I spend my downtime thinking, "So, is this it for the rest of my life?" I need a distraction or something to overcome. This is most likely why I signed up for the Napa Valley Marathon a few months ago. I need something to distract me from the bells that run my life every day. I need the next big challenge.

That challenge is proving to be quite an adversary. I told you that the Sport Med. Doc gave me the green light to keep training. So, I ran 3 easy miles the very next day and my hip flared up as soon the run ended. Thus, I've decided to take a few more days off and keep the ibuprofen and Inflamend regimen going and I've moved from Arnica to Icy-Hot...I'm pretty much over the herbal/all natural bullshit...give me the chemicals that burn and ice at the same time!

Without running every day I have noticed some changes in myself. For instance, I'm not as creative-- I haven't been able to write a decent article for the Voice of San Diego this week. I usually spend my long runs composing them in my mind. I don't know how to do it on the couch with ice on my hip. But, I also realized that without my training, I don't have anything to say on my blog either... and with or without training for Napa, it shouldn't be that way.

This blog is supposed to be for you the reader. Not for me. I've become incredibly selfish. I started it with the intent to run new trails and roads in San Diego and then offer my critique and helpful suggestions about each one. Instead, I've been selfishly talking about my marathon training and now my injury. I'm sorry San Diego runners (and other non-area readers who happen to read this--despite that fact that it probably bores you) I have let you down.

So I've come up with a new To Do list and it's not for big ol' selfish me (except it is, because I need Goals to be Happy):

1. Review one new trail/road next week
2. Review one new trail/road the week after
3. Repeat number 2 as many times as needed until task is complete

I have to get back to my original intent here because if I can't follow through on that promise, then how can I expect to follow through to the finish line in Napa? (There I go getting selfish again.)

Green Light!

Went to a Sports Medicine Specialist today. He gave me the go-ahead! to continue my training with the promise that after the Napa Valley Marathon I'll back off enough until I have no pain in my hip. I don't care if he's a quack-- he told me what I wanted to hear and I'm stoked about it! He gets it because he's a runner too, and he is also certain that I wouldn't be doing any permanent damage to my hip. OH! And he told me I can take back my size 12 men's clown shoes and run in a size that feels more comfortable to me. Did I mention I LOOOVE this doctor?!

The last thing he told me to do was get a foam roller.

Got it. Used it. LOOOVE it almost as much as I love him.
My hip already feels 90% better after only 5 minutes of use.

I'm terribly sorry to my fellow running blogging buddies who are injured and are suffering through slow recoveries...I wish I could give you a doctor like mine who can magically make everything better. (I know it doesn't work that way. But, I kind of feel that way about today.)

Before I get too excited (too late)...I will wait and see how my runs go this week... I'll be back on the road tomorrow!