It's a Draw

I am very excited that December will mark the 10th Annual Dean of Students Half Marathon Challenge and Kayla Mire Food Drive. This has been an important program to me, having trained with nearly 500 runners to run the San Antonio Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon. I get a lot out of spending lots of time with dedicated runners who pursue this milestone. For the 10th Annual program I want to have a special shirt for those who sign-up and run. I thought a caricature would be appropriate for the publicity and the shirt. Until I had someone draw me. I was told the image made me look meaner than I am, apparently. So, like getting a second opinion, I had another artist do another one.

I don't think there are enough artists in San Antonio to fully satisfy me. I have faced the possibility that in addition to be not being photogenic, I may just be a poor candidate for a caricature. I think you can see where this is leading. Ouch. So, I will leave it to the people. Please view the images below and vote for Image 1 or Image 2 on the poll at right.

IMAGE 1

IMAGE 2

Rain and Shine

The Ninth Annual Dean of Students Half Marathon Challenge is officially in the books as of December 4, 2016. Over 70 runners in all were part of the program which is run in connection with the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon series. Several others trained on their own or from afar. This year's race marked yet another new route and starting/finishing area. As a result, race day was not without some logistical challenges.

Probably the biggest challenge was the weather, as we ran through a downpour and 50 degree temperatures. This certainly made for a very wet and memorable run. It began to drizzle around the 7:30 a.m. start time and then the skies opened up within an hour. The rain persisted until the end for most of the runners. Then, the reunion area featured many of us shivering as we waited around for the group to finish and to make our ways to our vehicles.

I will remember this group for its positive attitude, persistence, and resilience. It was such a nice group! There were concerns but no complaints about the weather. This year's program featured the annual traditions: Taco run; pasta dinner; Halloween Hill Hell; IM Turkey Trot; Alumni Weekend 5K; bookstore running shirts at a discount; and Siclovia. We added some new twists: monthly ("run-thly") reports; the "Get Lit" run through the Christmas light displays at Incarnate Word; and an awards ceremony at the pasta dinner. 

Once again, our charity was the San Antonio Food Bank. During the Kayla Mire Food Drive we collected 599 pounds of food and $417 in donations (which is 4,170 in food pound equivalents) for a total of 4,769 pounds. That is nearly 78,000 pounds over nine years!

Once again, we did the "hunger run" of ten miles that showed the socioeconomic diversity within running distance of campus, including richer and poorer areas, our campus, tourist areas, and the Haven for Hope area.

Next year's Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon will be on December 3, 2017. It will be the 10th Annual Dean of Students Half Marathon Challenge. It will include the "drive for 500" total participants over the life of the program. That should be easy as we are up over 450 right now! Plans are under consideration for a specially designed 10th anniversary running shirt.

See pictures from the 2016 Dean of Students Half Marathon Challenge here.

Half full

The Eighth Annual Dean of Students Half Marathon Challenge and Kayla Mire Food Drive is in the books! What a wonderful group of running partners (several shown above at the starting line). We trained from September through the culmination of the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon on December 6, 2015. The highlight was running through campus with about 25,000 of our new friends and a very supportive cheering section.Great touch, too, that Trinity alumnus Mark Greene won the full marathon.

We had about 75 people participate in the program this year. Runners ranged from steady participants to those who jumped in near the end after training a lot on their own. The group included students, staff, faculty, alumni, parents, friends, and Rachel's boyfriend Marc. Our charity was the San Antonio Food Bank and the runners and TUVAC collected the equivalent of nearly 15,000 pounds of food ($1 equals ten pounds). The Kayla Mire Food Drive is named for alumna Kayla Mire, who died in 2010 and was an advocate for the homeless.In eight years we have collected nearly two semi trailers of food.

Highlights of our training included a session on running form; a session on running gear; the Alumni Weekend 5K; a Halloween Hill Hell run; the Trinity Turkey Trot; a run around Woodlawn Lake followed by a taco breakfast; and a pasta dinner the night before the race. Kayla Mire's parents attended and Mr. Mire offered a few very touching remarks about Kayla. 

In assessing the program, 85% of respondents said they would do this again. The rest say they are graduating or moving away. Nearly all the students would love to receive a PE credit for the program. Of the 42 respondents, 40 said they would continue to be runners and two were unsure.

Please view the slide show below to gt a sense for the spirit of our runners. They look pretty happy - even in the post race photos. Mark your calendars for December 4, 2016 for the Ninth Annual Challenge.

Distance Learning

In a parking lot north of downtown we stopped to discuss the day's run before heading back to campus.Some of the responses: I am surprised that in our own city that this happens; It is amazing that just a few blocks away, life goes on - on the river walk - and people have no clue...; The smell of urine is what sticks in my mind; I felt like an outsider - like who was I to RUN where they were; It was depressing; I said hi to people and tried to look them in the eye; Gratitude. I felt grateful for what I have; I want to get involved - I want to volunteer and help; I can't believe this is so close to where we live...

Training for the Dean of Students Half Marathon Challenge offers an opportunity to teach participants a number of things. The goals of the program, now in its sixth year, are to teach students their mental and physical capacities of resilience. Indeed many feel they would never have imagined running 13.1 miles. For others, the goal is to achieve a milestone and check something off of their bucket lists.

Because training groups usually run for a charity, we do a food drive. The Kayla Mire Food Drive is named for 2010 graduate Kayla Mire who died in a one car accident shortly after graduation. She was an advocate for the needy. A food drive requires a light commitment of time and money for our students and supporters, so is perfect for those in college.

San Antonio provides an outstanding classroom for issues related to socioeconomic disparity, especially when it is in evidence all within walking - or running - distance. Our training starts in August with runs through the wealthier neighborhoods of Olmos Park and Alamo Heights. In late October the group does the annual homeless run. The participants this year are pictured above. We run downtown on Main Street and then turn toward the area of town where Haven for Hope and other services are based. And we run through streets where the poor and homeless are just hanging out.

What impressed me most about our young scholars was their empathy, the depth of their reflections, and how easily they went from person to person to discuss what they noticed and what they felt. Their professors and families have taught them well. The run isn't made to put the homeless on display. We are just running where we live. I look forward to it and dread it every year. But the jolt helps us break out of our bubble and see that right here, where we live, people need us. We get to go home, and eat, and rest comfortably. They don't.

Please consider contributing to this year's food drive by contributing online at this virtual food drive link from the San Antonio Food Bank. (After you click on Start you can click Skip if you want to pass the shopping spree.)

Finished

Leia and Evan, above, reflect the spirit of the Half Marathon Challenge, after finishing the run on Sunday, September 11, 2012, at the Alamodome. Over 75 Trinity runners competed in the half marathon - many for the first time. The Dean of Students Half Marathon Challenge and Kayla Mire Food Drive has taken place for five straight years, coinciding with when the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon series came to San Antonio. Around 20,000 people compete annually.

More and more, the highlights for me are all the attention the Trinity runners receive. Running in our maroon shirts draws lots of attention and the people on the PA systems at the start and finish acknowledge our presence and participation. The runners get lots of encouragement along the way for representing TU as well. We placed second in the city-wide Get Fit Challenge large division group. We have been first and second in that before, but now must find a way to beat Incarnate Word!

I also really appreciate the growing family involvement of the program. We had many parents and some siblings participate and many alumni as well. What a commitment from families who fly in to town to run with their Trinity kiddos! I love that.

This year's program was a little smaller than the past couple of years, but it was as meaningful as ever for me. I love the connections that are formed between the runners and my own connections with them. You get to know people well over ten mile training runs. Students Lucy Cevallos and Morgan Jackson ran the race for all four years while they were enrolled here. Congrats to them!!

We also did what I call "boutique" runs this year, just to mix things up. These included a run at a local park, a "hill-hell-hall-oween" run that was brutally fun, and an iPod Shuffle run where we traded iPods to be inspired by the music other runners listen to. (And yes, we use our own headphones.)

Finally, it is pretty moving to see all the causes and individuals that people run for - whether to fund-raise or memorialize lost loved ones. Our charity, the San Antonio Food Bank is a great fit for our program, and we donated several hundred pounds of food and several hundred dollars from generous donations of our runners and Trinity community members.

The 6th Annual Dean of Students Half Marathon Challenge will be Sunday, November 17, 2013. It's never too early to start training!

Fun Run: 4th Annual Dean of Students Half Marathon Challenge

The Fourth Annual Dean of Students Half Marathon Challenge featured accomplishment, exhaustion, and most of all, fun! Rachel Barnes, Matt Mitts' hat, McKenzie Quinn, and Nicola Hill, pictured above, get their motors running at the Saturday packet pick-up and expo. The Trinity training program culminates in the 13.1 mile San Antonio Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon.

This year's run again featured about 100 Trinity runners. The crew made a big splash in their maroon Trinity shirts and somehow stood out in a sea of 25,000 runners. The program featured long weekend runs, weekday training, a pre-race pasta dinner, speakers, and many post-run meals. One highlight was the ten mile run at Woodlawn Lake on October 29. After the run 30 members of the training crew were treated to breakfast tacos at a nearby Mexican restaurant. As the video below shows, despite the early hour, the group was treated to some pretty unique karaoke.

The group collected over $1,800 and 700 food items for the San Antonio Food Bank in the Kayla Mire Food Drive. Kayla, a supporter of the homeless, died last year following graduation. Her folks talked about her at the August info session and the runners responded with record-breaking donations.

I love spending time with students, colleagues, alumni, and others over the several months of this program. Thanks to everyone for making this a special event. Check out videos of runners crossing the finish line!

Half Marathon Challenge 2010 ROCKS!

The 3rd Annual Dean of Students Half Marathon Challenge and Food Drive is officially in the books. The program has grown from 40-some participants, to 80, to 100 over three years. What's more, some of the people who have done the half in previous year have come back to participate in the full marathon. Trinity's team won the city-wide Get Fit Challenge in the large group division of the San Antonio Rock 'n' Roll Marathon!

There were about 50 regulars who trained with the group at various times, and our biggest training run had 33 participants. The others trained off-site (parents and alumni out-of-town) or trained on their own, but signed up through the Get Fit Challenge, attended the pasta dinner on campus, and/or purchased the official Trinity running shirt from the bookstore.

Over 1,000 food items and $600 were donated to the San Antonio Food Bank. Special thanks to the Trinity University bookstore, Athlete's Foot, Coach Derick Lawrence, and the YMCA for supporting this program.

I want to personally congratulate the runners for their awesome spirit, drive, and enthusiasm. It is a great pleasure to get to know people over both easy and grueling runs throughout the city. Our training took us past mansions and homeless shelters. We saw the Riverwalk, the Alamo, the the Tower of the Americas, and ran through a market and around a lake. Nevermind that a guy in a turkey costume passed me at mile 11. See the slide shows at right for a sense of the experience.

Next year's race is scheduled for November 13, 2011.

Strides: Mother and child reunion

This is a series on runners participating in the 3rd Annual Dean of Students Half Marathon Challenge on November 14, 2010. The final feature is about a new student from San Antonio, Arlyne Martinez - above left, and her mother, Yvonne Martinez (Class of 1976) - above right. Yvonne was diagnosed with stage four cancer five years ago. She is a tough cookie. Try running with her. They answered the questions independently by e-mail.

Why are you running the half marathon?
Yvonne: I am running the half marathon because my daughter encouraged me to do so. I really was only going to run the half marathon relay, but didn't have someone to run it with. I had decided I would run next year. Then my daughter, Arlyne e-mailed me not to forget about the early registration deadline. This is a challenge I never thought possible five years ago when I could barely walk.

Arlyne, your mom is running to keep cancer at bay. You motivate her. How does she motivate you?
My mom motivates me because shes does what she wants. She isn't pushy and tells me to just do my best.

What do you feel lucky about?
Yvonne: I feel lucky that I am a cancer survivor. I see life with a different perspective (almost as if I am living on borrowed time). This ordeal has brought our family closer together. I am so lucky to have my family.
Arlyne: I feel lucky about a lot of things; I have a lot of good things in my life, like my family, my friends, my cell phone, and much more. I’m very happy that I have what I have, and am able to do the things I do. Even like simple stuff: walking, seeing, eating, reading, some people can’t do those things.
Editor's Note: Really Arlyne? Your cell phone? Kids...

What about the other person makes you smile?
Arlyne: A lot of things about her make me smile, like how small things make her happy and how proud she is of our little dog.
Yvonne: Arlyne makes me smile when she is happy, successful and silly.

Mother, daughter or friends?
Arlyne: I’d say we’re both. She is always my mom and does mom stuff for me, like make me food. But I tell her stuff and she tells me stuff like friends do.
Yvonne: My role in Arlyne's life is of a mother first. We are close and I will be there also as a friend. Arlyne is my only daughter and there will always be a special bond between us. She has been my companion and my inspiration in much that I do.

Why did you each decide to go to Trinity?
Arlyne: I decided to go to Trinity because it is a good school. It will get me where I want to be in the future.
Yvonne: I decided to go to Trinity because of faculty and student ratio and its reputation.

Strides: Hunger, drive

This is a series on runners participating in the 3rd Annual Dean of Students Half Marathon Challenge on November 14, 2010. Laura Yeo Perez graduated in 2006 with a BA in Sociology. She grew up in Houston but lives in San Antonio now. Laura is an LMSW, works as a case manager at Haven for Hope. (Laura is pictured above after finishing the marathon in 2009. She is on the right with Trinity alum Elyza Sanchez, shown left.)

Your job overlaps directly with out food drive mission as the charity we do for our run. What do you do at Haven for Hope?
I work with about 45 single adult men and women, helping them navigate their way out of homelessness by working with them to create a vision for what they would like their lives to be, establishing a plan on how to get there, taking action on that plan, and eventually transitioning out of homelessness.

What is it like working there?
Never a dull moment! The homeless individuals that I work with are all incredibly diverse and have very different needs, but I am lucky to be a member of a great team of case managers, and part of an incredible network of partners that provide everything from counseling to resume writing to culinary arts training.

How important is it to feed those in need?
Without the proper fuel, it's impossible to search for a job, go to school, go to work... anything. The meals that the San Antonio Food Bank provide to the members at H4H as well as to the community of San Antonio are intended to be a catalyst for self improvement and reaching goals for a better future.

What connection do you see between running and the food drive?
We have a running group at Haven, called Street2Feet. The physical and emotional benefits to the homeless members of this group are AMAZING.... and a huge part of it is the lifestyle shift to conscious healthy eating, which the food bank provides through their meals and donated food to the community.

Strides: Happy Feet

This is a series on runners participating in the 3rd Annual Dean of Students Half Marathon Challenge on November 14, 2010. Today's post features Phil Beyer. He graduated from Trinity in 1999 with a BS in Physics. Phil is training for the full marathon. On one nine mile training run he showed up with nine miles already under his belt. Phil trains in FiveFingers running shoes (gloves for the feet!). He is cheerful.

The background
I was then and am now, mostly a science nerd. I love exploring the universe... small, large, close, and very far away. These days my learning takes the form of securing information from prying eyes in the professional world, and teaching my children how to learn and explore for themselves.

When did you start running and why?

I started running to chase my lovely wife, Jean (Higdon) Beyer '96, but I slowly grew appreciate its effects (read: it took a few years). A little over a year ago, I felt moved to give long distance running a try, so on a Saturday morning, I just ran as far and as long as I could. For future reference, I don't necessarily recommend that 2.5 hr experience to anyone, since my lack of training, a good pre-run meal, and any water resulted in significant pain. However, I did emerge with a new found enjoyment of the practice. I've been running farther and faster ever since.

What is something that other half marathon Challenge runners don't know about you?
Half Marathon last year... Marathon this year... Ultra Marathon next year... Ironman after that... Grand Slam of Ultrarunning... Badwater...

What is it like to be an alumni running with the Trinity group? Strange?
The runs have been quite fun. I expected it to be more awkward, but instead, it has turned out much the way I hoped... comfortable, social, educational, a little nostalgic, and marked by a subtle intensity. We all have our sights set on a respectable goal, requiring focus and a little levity from time to time.

What advice would yo give non-runners?
I recommend running to just about anyone who is willing to listen. It is a rewarding activity that returns in health and energy much more than the time you put in. Start slow, very slow, and just keep going. If running with other people helps, there are groups all over the city, state, country, and world who can motivate you. If it's inspiration you need, read Born to Run by Christopher McDougall or watch Spirit of the Marathon .

Editors Note: Links by Phil.

Strides: Intestinal Fortitude

This is a series on runners participating in the 3rd Annual Dean of Students Half Marathon Challenge on November 14, 2010. Today's post features Morgan Jackson a sophomore Biology major with a Sociology minor from Colorado Springs, Colorado. Ben Newhouse is the Associate Director of Campus & Community Involvement. He graduated from trinity 1999. They had not known about their common ground. They do now.

Morgan Jackson
Why do you run?
I played varsity soccer and swam on the varsity team in high school and swam and played soccer while dancing all throughout my life. So I have always run to stay in shape for those activities but when I got to college I knew I wasn't going to do either at the collegiate level. I got the e-mail from Dean Tuttle about running a half marathon and decided to give it a shot. I ran the half marathon last year and will do it again this year and hopefully many years to come.

Talk about how running relates to your health issues.
Well the summer before my senior year of high school I started having excruciating stomach pain for three weeks and saw several doctors before being diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. So during that initial three weeks I could barely walk let alone run or do any of my favored activities so that set me back a little bit. Currently I haven't had many issues with my Crohn's, however, sometimes when I run I do experience some pain. Unfortunately, it often does cause me to have to stop and walk a bit before I can resume my run. Thankfully, it doesn't affect me on every run and so most runs I am able to run like normal.

What's on your running playlist?
As far as my music play list goes I don't really have one. I tend to just put my iPod on shuffle and skip the songs that aren't working for that moment. However, I do like to listen to a lot of Trapt, Skillet, A Bird a Sparrow, The Hit, Maroon 5 and Mayday Parade. Anything with a steady and peppy beat is good.

Ben Newhouse
Why do you run?
I was never a runner, and I got tired of all the excuses I was using for not getting out there. So I chose to do something drastic by signing up for the half marathon. My motivation is--I may not look the part, but I'm out there.

How is your experience training a second time?
Last year, 13.1 miles was intimidating. It's amazing how much more confidently I train knowing that I succeeded last year. I wish I could pass that knowledge on to the first time runners. I know they can make it!

Tell me about Crohn's and how it relates to your running?
Crohn's disease is a GI disorder that causes a person's immune system to attack their own body, which in short turns the intestines into Swiss cheese if untreated. Symptoms include intense abdominal pain, rapid weight loss, vomiting, and well, you get the picture. Five years ago, I was diagnosed with Crohn's. I had lost 80 pounds in 3 months because I couldn't keep anything down. Fortunately, with surgery and ongoing treatment, I have been relatively symptom-free (or as Crohnies call it, flare-free) ever since. Many don't fare as well and have endured repeated surgeries and aggressive drug therapy with little to no relief. Five years ago, I was so weak that I could barely walk. Today, I run because I understand that the ability to do so is a gift. I run because so many of my fellow Crohnies are still too sick to join me.

What is the best thing about running with students?
I love hearing about their week--the successes, the challenges, and the drama. I find that I am much better listener during runs because talking would waste precious oxygen.

Editors Note: Student Bart Davis has gathered about 12 students to run the half marathon to raise money for Crohn's research. Bart has family members with the disease. Ben Newhouse is helping the group.The Dean's Half Marathon Challenge runs for the San Antonio Food Bank.

In Stride: the Long run

This is a series on runners participating in the 3rd Annual Dean of Students Half Marathon Challenge on November 14, 2010. We begin the series with senior Jessica Long, a Biology major from Arlington, Texas.

Why did you decide to do the half initially?
I had run off and on for years. Then you sent out an email saying if we could run three miles by the end of the summer we should be able to train for the half, and I love a challenge.

Why a full this year?
A half was no longer a challenge distance-wise. I knew I could do it, so I needed another challenge.

What motivates you?
I’ve always been self motivated. I have a strong need to succeed that drives me and keeps me going.

What are you proud of?
I’m proud of being at Trinity, especially since neither of my parents went to college, my baking abilities, and the two half marathons I have run.

Tell me about your grandparents and what they mean to you.
My grandparents mean the world to me, and I don’t know what I would do without them. I have lived with them since I was 13 years old, and they have always supported me any way they could. Because of them I have had countless opportunities I would not have had otherwise, including Trinity. Technically, they are my grandparents, but, for all practical purposes, they are my parents. I know they will be sitting on the front row at graduation in the Spring cheering me on now and always.

The Sky's the Limit!

The "Dean of Student's Half Marathon Challenge for Health" wrapped up on race day, Sunday November 16, 2008. This inaugural program coincided with the first Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and Half Marathon in San Antonio. Pictured above are a handful of the 50 Trinity runners who completed the Challenge. Most runners from Trinity finished within 15 minutes of the two hour mark (1:45 to 2:15 for the 13.1 miles).

The primary goal of the program was to help students develop healthy lifetime fitness habits. In a follow-up survey this week 92 percent reported they would continue to run in the future. Thus far, 38 of 39 respondents have reported they would participate in the program again or would attempt the full marathon next time.

The group generally trained together on weekends and in pairs or alone during the week. The program included presentations on running gear, technique, nutrition, and strength training. The bookstore on campus discounted Trinity Under Armour shirts for us to wear (and Trinity got lots of shout-outs during the race when spectators saw us). A food drive was generated as part of the program to give something back to the San Antonio community and 279 pieces were collected for the Food Bank.

Probably the best indicator of the success of the program was on race weekend itself. The group had a pasta carbo-loading dinner (see photo at left) at the Dean of Students' residence on the Friday preceding the Sunday race, and a group went to the marathon expo on that Saturday to pick up information and check-in for the race. Mostly, however, the spirit of camaraderie and accomplishment was evident on race day, when twelve weeks of training culminated in all of the runners crossing the finish line.

On a personal note, this was one of the most positive experiences I have had as a member of the Trinity community. I really enjoyed this group. You get to know a lot about people when you spend a couple hours a week running together. They were all so nice and gracious and positive. I also appreciated the role some of my colleagues played in helping pull this off, namely Pete Kelly-Zion, Rick Roberts, and Harry Wallace. The greatest thrill of all, besides my pride in all of the runners, was completing this run with my 16-year-old son Nathan, who was participating in his first race!

Announcing the Half Marathon Challenge

I am excited to announce the first Dean of Students Half Marathon Challenge. The San Antonio Rock and Roll Marathon will be on Sunday, November 16, and all members of the Trinity community are invited to participate. A half marathon is 13.1 miles short. With a decent running base and some training, anyone can do one! One of the best resources out there on this and other running topics is Runners World. We will wear Trinity gear and show San Antonio that Trinity Rocks! Okay, well, maybe it will just be me. Most students I have mentioned this to have seemed enthusiastic. I hope they were being true and not just "yes-Dean"-ing me. This year, the goal is to determine the interest level, have fun and develop camaraderie by training together, and focus on personal health. The long-term goal will be to connect with some sort of charity and community service project. This year's group will offer recommendations for that. We will have some guest speakers and do a pre-race pasta dinner from the Dean's Office. This program is in line with the Student Affairs values related to health and wellness, and in the future, social responsibility. If you have a hint of interest, please sign-up to be placed on the e-mail list.