So it's Sunday evening, and I am procrastinating...I need to pack a suitcase and finish some 'round the house stuff because I'll be gone most of the week, but instead I find myself online. One of my friends posted the 2003 re-edited video for No One But You that was done for World AIDS Day that year. The re-edit has more footage of Freddie than the original, and you can see how he goes from being a fit god of rock to being the skeletal and heavily made-up wisp of himself in those last months. A lot of people were shocked that Freddie recorded video when he was so ill, especially given how fiercely the band and his friends were protecting his privacy against the (as Roger Taylor called them - f*cking wankers) press.
No One But You is one of the most beautiful songs Brian has ever written. I still remember the first time I heard it; I stopped in my tracks and stared at the speaker it was coming from and burst into tears.
The Official International Queen Fan Club has a long-standing tradition of messages from band members at the annual conventions. Yes, 20 years after Freddie, the fan club is still going strong. I believe it is now the longest continuously-running band fan club ever. Not bad for a band that has spent 40 years being uncool, eh?
Here is Freddie's 1991 Fan Club message :
I'm Going Slightly Mad (Totally Bonkers Version)
Keep in mind that he was terribly ill when he recorded this and probably knew it would be his last fan club message. He kept his sense of humor right up to the end. This and his "I still love you" at the end of the Days of Our Lives video were his last goodbyes to us mere mortals.
We still love you.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
10 Miles!!!! (16.09km)
This was a milestone run. Few of us who started training together believed we could run 10 miles so soon. But we did it, and we did it on or better than pace! Next week we get a break - a recovery run of "only" five miles. Today Teri joined us from one of the other sites, and she did a fab job keeping up with Mary & me. Her usual group is a minute slower. We discovered that each of us is blogging about our training.
We're also starting to dedicate our runs to someone living with or who has lost their battle with HIV/AIDS. I'm not sure who I know that HASN'T been affected or known someone affected by this disease. My ex's cousin, who was infected by her husband and who left two children to be raised by their grandparents. My friend Robin, who donated to honor her dear friend John, an early casualty. My bff from high school - her husband's HS buddy, also John, a hemophiliac who received infected serum. My employee and friend, Carter. So many stories, so many lives.
A lot of people seem to think that this disease is no longer a big deal, yet every 9.5 minutes someone in the US is infected with HIV, and AIDS is now the top cause of death of young people worldwide. People still stigmatize those with HIV/AIDS, believing that it's their own fault or that they somehow deserved this.
30 years later, there are still people who believe that this disease is punishment from God. All I can say to that is that the God I believe in does not work that way. But for every person with no compassion for their fellow person, there is someone who cares.
Be someone who cares.
We're also starting to dedicate our runs to someone living with or who has lost their battle with HIV/AIDS. I'm not sure who I know that HASN'T been affected or known someone affected by this disease. My ex's cousin, who was infected by her husband and who left two children to be raised by their grandparents. My friend Robin, who donated to honor her dear friend John, an early casualty. My bff from high school - her husband's HS buddy, also John, a hemophiliac who received infected serum. My employee and friend, Carter. So many stories, so many lives.
A lot of people seem to think that this disease is no longer a big deal, yet every 9.5 minutes someone in the US is infected with HIV, and AIDS is now the top cause of death of young people worldwide. People still stigmatize those with HIV/AIDS, believing that it's their own fault or that they somehow deserved this.
30 years later, there are still people who believe that this disease is punishment from God. All I can say to that is that the God I believe in does not work that way. But for every person with no compassion for their fellow person, there is someone who cares.
Be someone who cares.
Monday, June 20, 2011
National HIV Testing Day - June 27th
National HIV Testing Day is June 27th. Know your status.
When was your last test?
When was your last test?
Sunday, June 19, 2011
8 miles - Whoot!
The good news:
- my strategically placed bandage stayed in place in spite of extreme sweat
- we finished
It was a hot and humid morning, and my running partner Nicole was really feeling it. We let Mary go on ahead with some faster runners and I slowed up to stay with Nicole. She realized about halfway in that she hadn't taken her thyroid meds this morning, and she felt so bad that she was slowing me up...but I just kept reminding her that it didn't matter if we were fast today, it only mattered that we finish. So we averaged about 18 minutes/mile (my target is 15, hers is 15:30).
I've been averaging 14 minute miles on my short runs during the week, so I don't think our slower long runs are a problem. I know when we get to race day that I'll be able to keep a pace that'll allow me to finish without getting swept off the course.
On an entirely different subject...won't get results of biopsy until late in the week. Keep your fingers crossed for me, please!
Next Sunday we run 10, can't wait!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Headed for 8 miles (12.9km)
Our six miles last week seemed SO slow...but the coaches keep telling us that while we are training, we need to stay at or below our target pace. Not easy!! We'll see how it goes this Sunday with 8 miles.
I watched the recent BBC documentary "Days of Our Lives" for the third time...and I cried, cried, cried again. My Queen-fan friends understand...doubt I could explain it to any of you who aren't fans. Those of you who are will know why I plan to run the race with FREDDIE on my arm. Every time I get sore or tired, I think of how courageous and dignified he was, right 'til the end.
Running on Sunday will be...um...interesting. I had a biopsy today, so I have a bandage in a spot that tends to rub a little while running. I am pretty sure that as long as I keep it protected and bandaged, it will be ok, but right now it hurts like the dickens!!
And last but not least, check out Freddie For A Day...special thanks to them for supporting my run on their page !
I watched the recent BBC documentary "Days of Our Lives" for the third time...and I cried, cried, cried again. My Queen-fan friends understand...doubt I could explain it to any of you who aren't fans. Those of you who are will know why I plan to run the race with FREDDIE on my arm. Every time I get sore or tired, I think of how courageous and dignified he was, right 'til the end.
Running on Sunday will be...um...interesting. I had a biopsy today, so I have a bandage in a spot that tends to rub a little while running. I am pretty sure that as long as I keep it protected and bandaged, it will be ok, but right now it hurts like the dickens!!
And last but not least, check out Freddie For A Day...special thanks to them for supporting my run on their page !
Monday, June 13, 2011
The Mercury Phoenix Trust
The Mercury Phoenix Trust is a UK AIDS charity founded after Freddie Mercury's death; it was founded originally to distribute the monies raised from the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. MPT hosts an annual "Freddie For a Day" fundraiser, among other things, and I have been emailing back and forth with them about running with Team to End AIDS here in the US.
While I don't think I can manage to run the Marine Corps Marathon as Freddie (Stuart Jones did the 2010 London Marathon dressed as Freddie in aid of MPT), I wanted MPT to know that they are at the heart of my choice to train for MCM with Team to End AIDS. On race day, I'll have Freddie's name on my arm, and I know it will keep me going.
MPT have graciously agreed to help me publicize my run...and I am pleased to be running and raising money in their name.
While I don't think I can manage to run the Marine Corps Marathon as Freddie (Stuart Jones did the 2010 London Marathon dressed as Freddie in aid of MPT), I wanted MPT to know that they are at the heart of my choice to train for MCM with Team to End AIDS. On race day, I'll have Freddie's name on my arm, and I know it will keep me going.
MPT have graciously agreed to help me publicize my run...and I am pleased to be running and raising money in their name.
Friday, June 10, 2011
You Can Call Me a Quitter!
No, not of running. Nope, not of training for a marathon. Today is my fourth cigarette-free day.
I haven't bit anyone's head off yet, though I have had some mild cravings and some super-vivid strange dreams (anyone who has ever quit smoking knows what I am talking about).
I ran 3 miles on Weds and 3 miles this morning, and I have to say that I can already feel the difference. As my friend (and motivator) Steve Senes has been repeating for the past several days "F&^% you, cigarettes!"
Looking forward to six miles on Sunday.
I haven't bit anyone's head off yet, though I have had some mild cravings and some super-vivid strange dreams (anyone who has ever quit smoking knows what I am talking about).
I ran 3 miles on Weds and 3 miles this morning, and I have to say that I can already feel the difference. As my friend (and motivator) Steve Senes has been repeating for the past several days "F&^% you, cigarettes!"
Looking forward to six miles on Sunday.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
5 miles (8km)
All I can say right now is...owwww. Mary and I made the five miles in an hour and nine minutes, a bit faster than our planned pace. We'll have to really slow ourselves a little as the distance builds or we'll wear ourselves out too quickly.
One of the reasons I decided to run is that I know it will force me to quit smoking again, which I haven't been able to muster the willpower to do. Today's run definitely convinced me it's time to quit. Several of my FB friends have quit recently, so I thank them for their inspiration.
I am proud of myself for getting out there today...my back has been bothering me for a couple of days, but they say it is better to keep moving than it is to lie down. My back is still bothering me, but it didn't hurt while we were running. And my glutes are now sore, distracting me from my back, lol! I am reminded of my Dad's cure for all complaints not requiring stitches..."Here, let me step on your foot, you'll forget all about it." Miss you, Dad.
Today, by the way, marks the 30th anniversary of AIDS. Let's not give this disease 30 more years to wreck lives.
One of the reasons I decided to run is that I know it will force me to quit smoking again, which I haven't been able to muster the willpower to do. Today's run definitely convinced me it's time to quit. Several of my FB friends have quit recently, so I thank them for their inspiration.
I am proud of myself for getting out there today...my back has been bothering me for a couple of days, but they say it is better to keep moving than it is to lie down. My back is still bothering me, but it didn't hurt while we were running. And my glutes are now sore, distracting me from my back, lol! I am reminded of my Dad's cure for all complaints not requiring stitches..."Here, let me step on your foot, you'll forget all about it." Miss you, Dad.
Today, by the way, marks the 30th anniversary of AIDS. Let's not give this disease 30 more years to wreck lives.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Hot, hot, hot!
We did a "fun" run on Tuesday evening...in temps with a heat index of over 100F (38C for my non-US friends). It wasn't really all that fun! We hit a hill, and for the first time in over a year...I wheezed. It was a little disconcerting...for those of you who have never experienced the joys of asthma or COPD, it can feel like you are trying to breathe underwater. It hurts. Thanks to Coach Karen and our running partner for getting me through. Ran again this morning in much more bearable weather with much better results. I know we're all going to have to acclimate to running in the heat, as we train right through the summer, so even though I struggled with Tuesday's run it was still good conditioning.
Within the next week or two, I may be strong enough to add some cross-training to the 3x/week runs. I hope so!
Within the next week or two, I may be strong enough to add some cross-training to the 3x/week runs. I hope so!
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