Running Report: Seaway 5k

Date	Distance	Time	Effort	Route	Comment
6-28-08	5k	36:03	8/10	Race	1st mile was 11:30, last was 12:00 so middle mile was something like 13. Out maybe a little fast. No knee pain, personal best. Enjoyment 5/5
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Quote

"I don't suppose for a moment that she has mastered the Critique of Pure Reason ; still she is not unattractive."

Within a Budding Grove

Also Liked

Rogue Medic posted a good comment about EMS. Part of what he writes is, "Reading a journal article or a book is looked at as doing nothing by too many.Some employers are horrible about this. You are sitting, so they must find something for you to do. Wash the ambulance again."

I find this too true. Washing the ambulance need it or not is the type of busy work that is preferred to reading etc. If EMS wants to make the progress it often carries on about then such attitudes need to change.

Not Apathetic

I was reading WamBamtheAmbulance and really like his post about apathy in EMS

He begins by saying, "After working in Information Technology for about six years, I was presented the opportunity for a career change. " I too worked a computer centric job for a number of years. And yes I got a career change chance, too.

He writes about wanting to help and also, "I also knew that I did not want a career where my purpose was to help people attain more "stuff." People get lost in "stuff-ness" and lose track of what's really important." I worked in the recreational boat business. Nobody needs a boat, they are nice and enjoyable but not necessary. I was tired of helping people with their toys. I needed a more essential job.

At the time I was regularly attending a Unitarian Universalist church. It's first principle is to affirm and promote, "The inherent worth and dignity of every person."

I thought that entering EMS would be a good way to help every person. Looking at the medical system calling 911 is one of the few times you get 1 on 1 attention. When you lie on an ambulance cot you have the full attention of a paramedic who typically has one patient. You won't get this from a doctor or nurse. It's during this transport time that I get the chance to do all I can to affirm and promote every person's worth.

Similarly, I think wambam writes, "In order to be satisfied, I knew I'd need to devote myself to something sustaining what matters: Community. Loving your neighbor. Using your talents and abilities to support your brothers and sisters. That's what matters. That's 90% of the reason I chose EMS."

Off I went to school and an EMT-B licence and that an EMT-P ticket. And along the way I learned that the pay isn't great, the hours can be awful, you take a lot of calls that make you wonder why and you learn just how dumb people can be. No matter I am happy for the time I can give the patient that one on one attention, learn about them, improve my skills and hopefully improve their condition.

EMSers are a cynical bunch, but for me it has proven a good fit.

Running Report

Date	Distance	Time	Effort	Route	Comment
6-24-08	3 miles	40:39	6/10	Lakeside Trail	Did 4/1's. 32 run 8 walk. 2nd day off work. Last big run before seaway. 60's and calm. Enjoyment 3/5
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Quote

"Genius having the widest experience of the human intelligence, can best be understand the ideas most directly in opposition to those which form the foundation of its own writings."

Within a Budding Grove

Another One

George Carlin has passed away at 71. Previously Hunter S. Thompson and Warren Zevon passed. Carlin was born in 1937 as was Thompson, while Zevon was a 1947 kid.

One and all were favorites/heroes of mine. They were of a generation that really was parents. They made interesting art and seemed to live in more interesting times than I do- or at least made them more interesting.

Jim Harrison my favorite writer was also born 1937. '37 was a fine year for creatives.

From reading and listening to them they have felt more contemporary to me than people my age.Their careers were started in 1971 when I was born.

Perhaps their passing makes me feel a bit older than I am as I related to them....

Running Report

Date	Distance	Time	Effort	Route	Comment
6-21-08	-----	30:00	5/10	Neighborhood	Did 4/1's. Ran with dogs. Enjoyment 4/5.
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Quote

"that, as a general rule, 'impossible' marriages are the happiest of all."

Within a Budding Grove

A trifecta of sorts

Hit in the face by a 90 year old lady with Alzheimer's, had a patient shit in the back of the rig and transported a 2 year old with a serious foot injury from falling in front of a lawn mower. A vision of the dream, eh?

These Things Will Happen

Here are some calls I have either been on or heard dispatched lately:

-Girl who was injured by a gravestone falling on her.

-I'm drunk and I can't move my arms.

-Standing on fish tank to clean filter. Tank falls apart, pt. suffers lacerations.

Running Report

Date	Distance	Time	Effort	Route	Comment
6-17-08	2 miles	25:17	6/10	Lakeshore path	1st mile 12:30 no walk breaks. Then 2 4:1's with a final quarter pick up on 2nd. WX 60 and breezy. Enjoyment 5/5
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Quote

"I think some of the most celebrated moments in human achievement should be those times when everything is going against a person and they are down in the dumps but they simply choose to get up. That's real greatness!"

Ryan Hall

Running Report

Date	Distance	Time	Effort	Route	Comment
6-13-08	---	20:00	5/10	Neighborhood	Ran 4:1 sets. Knee felt good. Slow pace but good rhythm. Enjoyment 5/5. WX 70 degrees, 78 pct humidity.
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Quote

"The bonds that unite us to another creature receive their consecration when that creature adopts the same point of view as ourself in judging one of our imperfections."

Within a Budding Grove

Running Report

Date	Distance	Time	Effort	Route	Comment
6-10-08	1 mile	14:00	4/10	'Round Park/Cem	Nearly a month no run to to rt. knee pain/weakness. Normal MRI so try again. A little unsure still, but it's a start.
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Quote

"He had become imbued with that negative methodical, conservative spirit, called 'governmental', which is common to all governments."

Within a Budding Grove

Quote

"I've totally eliminated the idea of dropping out of races, because when you give yourself that option it's all you can think about."

Ryan Hall

Quote

“My brother need not be idealized or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life, to be remembered as a good and decent man, who saw wrong and tried to right it, saw suffering and tried to heal it, saw war and tried to stop it.”

EMK on RFK