Family

On Sunday, I got to spend the morning in San Francisco with Kim, who I haven't gotten to spend much time with in years (its felt like years). I easily lose track of what and who matters in the craziness of my over-scheduled life.

Running with Kim along the Embarcadero was beautiful. Perfect weather, loads of time to share and catch up on things, big and little things...Kim is really like family and its great to be reminded of that.


Monday, I flew to Chicago for work. I made plans to meet up with my mom's cousin, Peg. We got to walk along the lake and catch up...

I also got to meet her husband, and her two kids Louisa and Luke, and Luke's wife and baby. We got to talk about family history, we each have different stories and history...some of it overlaps but not much. It was wonderful to find out that there are more activists in the family. Great to know that civil rights and activism are in the genes.

I knew that my grandfather fought for civil rights, went to jail for not naming names...but I didn't know that my Great Uncle marched on Washington in the early 70's and was a lifelong progressive. Peg went on marches and rallies with her parents...love that.

I also found out I have several more relatives that live in Berkeley, barely 15 minutes away. My family just grew larger. In a good way.

Here we go again

So, I didn't make Round Two of the Netroots Nation Scholarship competition. They have added 8 more spots and have cleared all of the remaining competitor points. Which means, I start from scratch. Do I have it in me to bug people to vote again? It seems so obnoxious...

This past week, BZ and I went to go see President Obama speak in San Francisco. It was pretty exciting to see him in person. I will admit, he was quite the hotty, or as Jessie says, he's definitely a PILF.He addressed our liberal frustrations and acknowledged the slow pace of change and the disappointment of compromise. But I was also reminded of how many things have gotten done over the last 2 years. And, what would have been without him. As overwhelming as it seems, I know that I will be back on the volunteer bandwagon, fully supporting him for his second term.


So do I go for the final scholarship round? Probably. I just need to get my head back in the game, and keep asking the way politicians naturally (or un-naturally) do...over and over again.

So when's the next run?

I must continue running. Apparently I am still running for the Netroots Nation Scholarship, round 2 of the competition ends April 17th. You can read all about it HERE.

And I am busily looking for other 1/2 marathons to register for. Its like an addiction. So, here are a few I am considering:

5/1 Big Sur Marathon Relay-registered
6/5 See Jane Run in Alameda-registered
8/27 The Giants Race, SF
10/2 Rock & Roll San Jose
11/20 Big Sur 1/2

I'm just thinking about these...I will probably sleep it off in a few days....

13.1 miles!

I ran. I ran 13.1 miles and was still smiling at the end.

Really smiling...and crying. It was an amazing moment(s)...running down that last stretch, all those people cheering us on, and to the left, finally seeing my cousin Pat with Max and Aiden, seeing their faces light up, hearing them yell out and wave...nothing better. Those final moments were so moving and I made it across the finish line with a ridiculous grin on my face or maybe it was crazed laughter.
Who would have believed that I, Margaret Schultz, would have EVER run a 1/2 marathon? Seriously. Ask anyone who has known me longer than just a few years...

Its true that back in 1998 or 1999 I rode in the AIDS Ride from San Francisco to LA on my big heavy bike. Its also true that those seven days of riding led to knee surgery. but I would not have traded that experience back then for anything at all. The training, the friendships, and the accomplishment were life changing. As I rode my bike down that final stretch, I think it was Avenue of the Stars (no kidding), I was crying and laughing and beyond joyous. And not just because I could finally sleep in a real bed and take a real shower after 7 days. I proved to myself that I could do anything, even it hurt, even if it was hard.

So this half marathon deal? It feels great too. It feels a bit less extreme, a bit more doable on a regular basis. I can't wait for the next one.

Here are my long run training run buddies, Sheila and Dana.

And of course, Coach Erin, my early morning run buddy.


So a big thanks to my friends for keeping me going even when I didn't want to. Can't wait for our next run.

16 More days

Really?

16 more days before the voting cuts off. I have to keep the momentum going and continue to find more online votes if I want to remain one of the top three vote getters for the NetRoots Nation scholarship. Eesh. 16 more days to gather votes...

Below is a description of the competition:

What is the DFA Netroots Nation Scholarship Competition?

Every year, the Netroots Nation Convention has provided progressive activists and candidates for office a forum to strengthen the online community and grow the progressive movement while inspiring action and growing new ideas to affect change.

Democracy for America members have helped to make the convention a success every year by attending, contributing funds and participating in discussions. Since 2008, DFA members have helped grow Netroots Nation by finding and supporting activists who couldn't afford to attend the convention on their own.

Thanks to the tremendous support of thousands of DFA members across the country, last year DFA sent a fantastic group of progressive activists to Netroots Nation in Las Vegas, NV. This year, we're working to do it again at Netroots Nation 2011 (in Minneapolis from June 16th-19th). You can join the competition or contribute online to help send an activist to the convention.

How does the Competition work?

The contest is broken into two rounds. The first round begins on March 4th and runs through March 28th. During that time applicants should encourage their friends, family and networks to vote for them. At midnight on March 28th the top three vote getters will automatically be selected for a scholarship. The remaining winners for Round 1 will be chosen at the discretion of the selection committee based on the criteria below. The Second Round kicks off on March 29th. All votes from Round 1 will roll over. The contest will conclude on April 17th. The top 3 vote getters as of Midnight on April 17th will automatically be selected for a scholarship and the remainder of the scholars will be chosen by the selection committee.

What does the scholarship provide?

The DFA Netroots Nation Scholarship covers the cost of one all-access pass to Netroots Nation 2011 and hotel accommodations for one from June 15th - June 19th 2011, as well as a few select meals and outside events sponsored by Democracy for America. Scholarship winners will be responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the convention and all remaining meals.

So you can see, I can really use this scholarship. Have you voted yet?

I need 100 more votes!

“Netroots Nation is a gathering of our nation's most important truth-tellers -- courageous visionaries who birthed the blogosphere. In a wilderness of untrustworthy news outlets and corrupt politics, they build a yearly campfire around which the hope-roots can gather and speak the truth. It is always an honor and a privilege to be a part of this event.”
—Van Jones

For the past 6 years Netroots Nation has put on national conventions focused on supporting and training online and offline activists. I am applying for the DFA (Democracy For America) scholarship program that provides 40 folks with assistance to attend the conference.

The winners will have the opportunity to gather with progressive bloggers, community organizers, online strategists, union members -- even a handful of candidates and electeds -- for four days of smart panel discussions, hands-on training sessions and networking events. By joining and participating in this conference they’ll be helping to build a more cohesive, more powerful and more inclusive progressive movement.

To win a spot, I will probably need at least 150 more votes. Here's the link:

DFA Scholarship for NetRoots Nation Convention, June 16-19, 2011.

I'd love your support. Spread the word. I will do you proud.

And running some more

Last week was a busy one. We went on a family trip to Monterey. It was a quick and fun getaway.


When we returned, a few days later BZ and I went to see Prince.


A few days after that, we went to see Bernie Sanders.


Over the weekend, I ran 11 miles. Not sure what happened to the sunglasses...a lot can happen in 11 miles...

I think its time for a nap.