A personal service annoucement

Greetings and salutations everyone,

I come before you not as a runner but a person who has been dealing with an effect that is an epidemic across the states and other parts of the counties. And that effect is, suicide.

I was notified yesterday that a good friend of mine who I met through running many years ago had passed away, from suicide. He was only 26 years old and a fantastic runner, he was always a tough runner when I met him because of his attitude and his ability. We shared many good moments together with encouragement. Even when I went through my neck injury, he was there with many emails telling me that it wasn't over for me. I just wish he would've told himself that when he needed it, or maybe I should've. There is a part of me that feels guilty because the loss of contact between us and if I was around to talk or listen to him when he was going through a hard time but it is a burden I shouldn't carry because guilt can lead to depression. And from what I heard, he got depressed for losing a race he was good at, he was looking for that perfection. To me, he is still a strong runner and always a champion, no matter what place he took.

Did you know that in America, for every 2 people killed by homicide, 3 people are dead by suicide and that over 300,000 Americans take their own lives every year? I did not know much about that facts because when you are hit by suicide, you think of everyone around you but not everyone in the world.

To me, that is not right at all because life should be embraced by everything, life, love, happiness, joy, family and friends. And sure, there are bad times in the world where you feel like you do not matter but to everyone else, you do. There is help and asking for help is not a sign of being weak, it is a sign of taking a step to being better.

Truth is, I can read you so many facts about the leading causes of suicide and sadly, that list can go on and on as things are added like depression, mental state of mind, anger, or thinking that death is a way out of life when you are having a bad moment. It is not a way out of everything bad because it creates more bad in the world as younger generations or those of the same age level think of it as an example and that leads on to more related deaths.

Growing up on the reservation, it was something I would see and hear about and the community was shocked, just like everyone in the world. I lost friends and relatives to suicide and I have to tell you, it hurts and the effects are still hurtful years later as they did the first time you experience them.

Even though there is a national Suicide Prevention or Awareness day in September, I think that there should be one every month. Just a personal opinion because I believe in life.

And I know some of you may ask, "What can we do to help prevent this?" And that is, if you know someone who is depressed or having a bad day, do not add to it. Make that person's day by telling them something great, to boost their confidence. Studies show that those who attempted suicide and still surviving gave life another chance to live and found someone who made them happy. Goes to show you how far a smile or gesture can take someone. And for those who read this who feel less than perfect in life, you are perfect to me and many others.

There are many websites, counselors, phone numbers to call to seek help. And it is never too late to do so, it does get better and I do mean that. You are not alone.

Even if you need someone to talk to, I am here for you as well. And I don't judge or tell anyone of the conversations we may have.

Here are some links if you need them:

http://www.afsp.org/ Toll-free: 1-888-333-AFSP (2377) American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ 1-800-273-TALK (8255) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Thank you for all who read this, I appreciate this because even if this was on my charity list or not, this is an issue that I will do my best for, for suicide prevention and awareness. Give life another chance.

The hot pink mohawk and other stuff!

Greetings everyone,

Sorry that my postings have been within a week apart from each other, and yet again this time....I got an upper respiratory tract infection and my breathing has been off and on like usual. However, I did happen to keep on running when my breathing was a bit strong and made it through. Weekly average so far is now 22.3 miles. Not bad for a person who was just ill.

On a different subject, I have done it, the mohawk is now dyed hot pink and I have to thank the lovely ladies at Hair We Are here in Washburn, ND. They were awesome on how quick they were to make my mohawk was just that perfect pink color to help motivate for breast cancer. And so far, there have been many feedback on the color and such. Some were very awesome because they are my friends and some who live here in Washburn. And some have been....quite interesting because they don't think that men should have a pink mohawk and I just chuckle because I told them that if you are a man, you are comfortable with everything, color or the person. I do enjoy it because it is out of my ordinary. I am not the flashiest runner, I don't wear all that bright clothing or shoes. But now, I see a complete change because I am now sporting the hot pink mohawk, the pink or tye dye socks and bright colors of clothing and I have to say, I like being goofy to help catch the attention to tell them why I am wearing crazy stuff, to help boost information on the charities I am running for. Fun times, I tell you what.

Other than having a hot pink mohawk and feeling quite awesome, I am doing awesome. Despite anything that kept me down for a bit, I am doing quite alright.

And there it is, in all it's glory....the hot pink mohawk. What a lot of people were awaiting and it is here. And I am very proud of it too.

Do not let anyone tell you that you can't do this or anything because it's you. Even if they think it is negative or crazy, in other people's eyes, it's pretty awesome to them.



If you like this blog and want to check out some other interesting blogs, here are a few that I highly recommend because they have helped me with the attention to my blog and I appreciate them and all that they do.

http://thefirstscout.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/119180393762/

http://www.shutupandrun.net/

To my fellow runners all over, keep on running, eventually....you will get somewhere!

And to all my friends and family who read this, thank you as I am thankful for you in my life.

Upcoming and a switch

Hello all! And yes, before you throw rotton tomatoes at me for not posting later this week but hey, I was busy! Busy with forming new alliances with organizations, busy with phone calls, runs and workouts but I know, there is no excuse and I should't be making any but my apologies, nonetheless.

With the last posting of going home, I was inspired (once again!) by talking to a great guy who I got in touch with about running for the Med Center One Cancer Care Center and he is the Executive Director of the Med Center One Foundation who helps many in different areas and we shot out a bunch of ideas and got to know each other more. And it was fun because we have that same energy with everything we do!

So, look forward to me running on behalf of the Med Center One Foundation and trying to keep everything home based or nearby. Next stop will be the North Dakota Diabetes Coalition with helping out with them and then, helping out my Reservation where I grew up on. And it was quite funny that I called on my lunch break to talk to someone who could help me out with running for the reservation for diabetes prevention and awareness but after being routed to many different numbers, I got the right location and sure enough, after being polite and introducing myself, and explaining about me running for charities....he hung up on me. Rude, yes but will it stop me? No.

Coming in September is a race that a lot of people have been waiting for, Jeff Turning Heart Sr. vs. Jeff Turning Heart Jr., and you don't need to adjust your eyes, I said it, Senior vs. Junior, to run for diabetes during the Labor Day Fair in my hometown, Eagle Butte, South Dakota. Senior agreed to it and I will send out more information when time gets near. A race that I am looking forward to because we have never EVER raced against each other. We tried but failed at times to get this race going but now, I will do my best to keep it active on my roster.

Another switch I have is that I was intended to run the Chicago half marathon, the Bank of America Marathon in October but they closed the registration because they have capped out, meaning that they filled all the slots for the race. But have no fear, I will be changing it to the Twin Cities Marathon, on the same date, October 7th. Good planning on my end but still a bit sad that I will not be running in the Chicago Marathon, my dream run but next year.....it will happen.

Now, after reading through the online newspaper, the Bismarck Tribune, a story caught my eye that dealt with a fellow runner, a teacher out of Montana who went missing during her early morning run and so far, the details are quite sketchy because they found her shoe and then have suspects in custody and the FBI came in to investigate as they found a body part and it has spurred a lot of people to care for this lady and her family and I feel for her and many other female runners that are attacked or kidnapped.

So, after reading the online article, it mentioned that they are going to have a virtual run in honor of her, her name is Sherry Arnold and this run is however you want to approach it, run a mile, run 20 miles or beyond because just run for Sherry, and if you go to http://www.shutupandrun.net/, they have a printable bib to wear on your run and this run is not only here in North Dakota but in the town where Sherry lived at and even in Canada, and if you want to see the article, it is online at http://www.bismarcktribune.com/ and donations can be made on the Shut Up and Run website and bracelets are available too. You can bet that I am wearing my bib proudly on Saturday and even donating to the family she left behind.

So, I encourage you to do your part in honoring a wonderful woman during the dark time and sad news. Be the miracle and be the strength for others. God bless you.

The trip home

Greetings to everyone, and yes, I know it has been awhile since I have blogged and it is because of the fact that I have been busy, which is a story of my life so far.

And what has happened since I got busy? Well, a lot. I have been training like none other, with the warm weather has blessed my feet with good running conditions. And with a recent trip back home on the reservation has opened my eyes back up again to focus on what needs to be done with my running ability.

To be able to go home and take in all what I went through as a kid from the rez was great because overlooking the track I used to run on constanly and to go inside the school where it has been close to 10 years since I have graduated from. To talk to students on not giving up on their dreams and to tell them that there is life off of the reservation. To follow a dream and take it by storm. The feedback was great and so was the interaction between both myself and the students. And the questions were great because I wasn't lecturing them, I was talking to them as if they were adults. Some students had great questions and some were happy to know that Native Americans can do what they thought was impossible. I just told them that I am not the first and I will not be the last.

To see locations I have ran at before and to touch the pavement like I did once before too was great because that environment is what got me through the hardest times of life. I enjoyed seeing everything and meeting everyone I could and I will have to say that in March, I will be back, for many reasons.

I missed my sisters, my brother, my mother, my grandmother and the rest of my family because they are what keeps me going in life. Even back when I was younger.

My mother has been great because she never gave up on me and never will. I admire that because I know that it is instilled in all mothers but as a person, she will never give up on me. And for my sisters, they are all different in many ways but I love them the same. And I could ramble on and on about my wonderful family because they mean the world to me.

Like I told many on facebook, I stand at 6 foot 1 but with my family and friends, they make me feel like I am 10 feet tall and growing. It is quite true.

As of today, 87 more days until race day and I am prepared to make that journey because I have been training well for it and when it comes to 30 days til race day, I will be training like a mad man because there is no stopping me and will be a new runner. Patience is the key.

I invite you all to do one thing, rewind your life to when you were a kid and remember what it was like to walk into something brand new and run with it and see how proud you were when you took something and make it your own. And how excited you may have been to try something new. That is how I felt when I went home and be reminded of my roots. Never forget your roots, they are your foundation.

Thanks again for reading this random thought and experience I have encountered and hope you stay tune for more. Take care and God bless.