The Long Run

Call For Help From The Running Community - Seriously Injured Runner Kevin McDermott Could Use Your Help

I got some bad news recently. Kevin McDermott, a former teammate of mine at Duke, had an accident diving into a pool and is now paralyzed from the neck down. His condition seems to be improving (he moved his fingers a few weeks ago), but he needs all the help he can get. There is a website set up to help raise money for his treatment. Please check it out and donate if you can:

http://www.kevinmcdermott.org/

To find out more, below is a copy of the post his brother Sean made on LetsRun.com.

Call For Help From The Running Community - Seriously Injured Runner Kevin McDermott Could Use Your Help

By LetsRun.com
September 15, 2009

Today we received an email from Sean McDermott, brother of Kevin McDermott, a distance runner graduate of Chaminade HS and Duke University. The email reads:

Hi guys,

This is Sean McDermott, Kevin's brother.  He was a former Chaminde '07 (NY State Champ in steeple, 3rd in XC) and Duke '09 runner. Kevin was involved in a bad accident July 5th, diving head-first into a pool, paralyzing him from the neck down instantly. He's been in an acute rehab in White Plains, New York since. Kevin has made some progress, slightly moving 2-3 fingers, and 2 weeks ago, he lifted his legs a few inches! But it's just painful to see Kevin in an electric wheelchair, not able to lift himself out of bed, being cathetered, etc.

I've been working on setting up fundraisers to help pay with all the costs that are quickly adding up. The running world as we know is a tight-knit community. If it's possible, do you think you guys could share with your readers this website I've set up to help with donations? It would mean so much for my family. The website is www.kevinmcdermott.org   

We are also sponsoring a golf outing Oct. 26th if people are interested in that. Donations are on the site as well.  Thanks guys!

Sean McDermott

Back in the USA

The picture is a little blurry, but in case you can't tell, we're quite excited to be back in the U-S-A. This is us enjoying brunch at Sarabeth's in NYC on our first morning in the States.

Pictures from Zurich & Rieti

I just posted 15 new pictures to my Facebook Fan Page from my travels in Zurich & Rieti. Check them out at the link below.

Shannon Rowbury: Eye on Olympics 2012

Berlin Photos on Facebook Fan Page

Hi everyone,

I just posted some photos from Berlin on my Facebook fan page. Click on the link below to check them out & become a fan.

Shannon Rowbury: Eye on Olympics 2012 Fan Page

The name game

I didn't realize my name was so confusing, but since my credential for Rieti lists me as Nicole Gregg, it appears that the name game continues. Good thing I didn't need to use this for race check in. It would have gotten me nowhere.

Observations during my travel to Rieti, Italy

I'm sitting on my Alitalia flight, waiting to take off, and I find myself thinking...I've seen patches on a bike before, but never on a plane.

At the airport, I was met by some lovely men and women who were working for the meet. As we drove from Rome to Rieti, they practiced their English, sang American songs (The Circle of Life; Maria Maria; That's Amore), and gave me tips on Rieti. The funny part though was that we were riding in a Polizia Penitenziaria bus. I couldn't decide if that made me feel powerful or scared.

Up up and away

Yesterday there was so much wind on the track at St. Mary's that we had to postpone our workout until today. The clouds were flying through the sky, the trees were bent over, and I felt like Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. When we held up a key chain it flew at a 90 degree angle. We tried to get a picture to capture the moment, but it doesn't quite do it justice.

Travel Tips

After I told my friend my bed big horror story, she sent me this New York Times article by Matt Gross entitled "Health Advice from the Frugal Traveler's Doctor". Perhaps it will save some of you from a similar fate as me.