Aztec Wonders
Posted by Allison Mack | Filed under Thoughts
by Havelock Ellis
Okay, so I am sure you are all wondering what this quote on failure has to do with traveling in Mexico. Don’t worry, I will explain.
I failed today… miserably. No “ifs”, “ands” or “buts” about it. Failed. For the last six months, I have been training for a half-marathon that was to be run this morning. And so I did… out there in the rain, ready and willing to go. About 2 kilometers into the 21 kilometer run, my knee started acting up… but I pushed through. Then again, acting up, kept on pushing. Then around kilometer 6, I thought I should probably stop to stretch it out. Well, once I stopped, there was no starting again. My knee completely seized up and I couldn’t even walk. I cannot tell you the feeling of disappointment that washed over me. It was brutal. As I was hobbling back to the car, my lovely trainer was reminding me that it was not about the race, but the process of training that was what was important and impressive. I tried to buck up, but man was it ever hard when I couldn’t put weight on my left foot to save my life.
But then, I got home and I started looking online for other races, and I found this quote. I thought to myself, “You know what? He is so right! I can just fix whatever is wrong with my leg; do a little research about what is up with my leg and how I can prevent this from happening next time.” If I choose to look at the bright side of this whole ordeal, I really did learn quite a bit about where my body is right now, and the things I need to do in order to get into the most ideal shape so as not to hurt myself. So there is a silver lining!
I just wanted to share that with all you. I found it quite inspiring and so awesomely profound. I get so caught up in the result “the race” and I completely overlook the amount of triumph and learning that I gained during the process of training and even failing. It is such a gift and this whole experience just supports the phrase that I am trying to live my life by, “Life is a journey, not a destination.”
So true, so true.
Okay, so, enough of that failure talk, back to my trip to Mexico. The Aztec ruins were awesome! I woke up early in the morning after having an evening of incredibly strong cactus alcohol and traditional Aztec dancing, to go for a beautiful sunrise run around the temples.
There are two temples in this specific spot; the sun and the moon. They almost look like natural hills because of all the trees and nature growing over them, but once inside the park, you can see evidence of a truly amazing and sophisticated community of people. I was so amazed by the art and architectural design of the place. It was truly overwhelming. I will admit that the human sacrifice table was a bit creepy and the fact they the world is predicted to end in 2012 is also a bit unsettling, but other than that it was fantastic.
I have attached a few pics of the trip and some fun stuff from the day! Enjoy and let me know your own thoughts and experiences around failure. I’m sorry to keep bringing it up, but it was really a cool experience today.
Ciao, my fellow thinkers!
Allison
Click here to view all 22 new Photos!
Tags: Aztec, Half-Marathon, Havelock Ellis, Photography, Travelling
174 Responses to “Aztec Wonders”
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Sandra Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 12:13 amyay a fellow runner! I’m addicted to running right now, but I never even considered doing a marathon. Although I’ll have to google the conversions of miles to kilometer, sounds like a long run. Very awesome, Ms. Mack!
And I agree with you, you didn’t fail at all. Taking on such an awesome goal and training for it makes you a winner in my eyes.
Lovely pictures, I’ll have to go through them all in a second
But I can already tell the black/white ones will be my favorite even though the colored ones are so bright and vibrant, blk/whites are ALWAYS my favorite.
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lasko Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 12:29 amThe Aztecs sound awesome.I’m always intrigued by world history.
I’m currently in Iraq do the military thing and some of the buildings here are actually quite beautiful. As far as the race goes I’m paid to exercise and there are times when my body won’t let me finish running but I always rise above the next day.Thanks for the pictures and the great insight.Your reader A1C Brandon Johnson dobry den -
Lydia Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 1:19 amBelgium
You’ve learned to know your body. That’s a valuable lesson and not a failure. I give you kudos for your efforts. You’ll do better next time.
I totally understand how you feel. I felt the same after I had to give up my training for a run and stop working out for a while. My body needed to rest. I overdid it.
Now I’m easing back into a daily workout and I’ll make it progressively harder. I do some consistent form of aerobic exercise (DVD workout at home, go swimming, walking…) coupled with strength training (lifting weights at home). I want to improve my stamina and fitness and I’m not giving up. Maybe later I’ll be able to run again too.
I love it that you live your life by “Life is a journey, not a destination.” I try to do the same. It has motivated me never to give up and to get moving.:-)
Thank you for sharing this. Don’t give up and continu to enjoy your training.
Thank you for the beautiful photos.
Enjoy the rest of your holiday.
Lydia
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Elizabeth Moser Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 1:26 amAllison,
So sorry to hear about your knee injury. You must be in agony. I am glad you have found the inner strength and wisdom to realise that this is not a failure. The fact that you took the time and effort to try and compete. You worked towards a goal – that takes dedication and a lot of hard work. You may not have succeed this time, but you will in the future.
It’s really hard to fail. I fear failure. I have always been good at everything. I excelled at school, was good at sports (until a knee injury stopped me). I was never pushed to “be the best”, and I never tried… I just wanted to do good for myself. If you are good at everything though, people expect a lot from you. My famliy were great and never expected or wanted me to be great. They just wanted me to be happy. Friends…that was different, they wanted to see me fail, and said so publicly, which hurt my feelings.
Then I did make a mistake when I went to uni – I picked the wrong course and was faced with what I thought was failure at dropping out and taking a year before picking a new course. Yes some people were shocked and disappointed in me, but those were the people who pushed me to taking the course as it was at “the best university”. My family supported and encouraged me, and told me I had to do what I wanted and they would help me all the way.
So while some saw my departure from my degree as a failure, I believe it was part of the making of me, and I have no regrets at all.At present my life is full of ups and downs and what ifs due to my current job. I am sllowly learning to relax and just be part of the ride, and not worry about the destination…what’s meant to be will be.
Thanks for sharing with us Allison. I love your honesty. I think it helps people realise that they are not alone in how they feel on a day to day basis. You always write about things that people can relate to. The commenst from you fans helps to demonstrate that people may be from different cultures and countries, but essentailly we are all the same. I think the web site is great.
Oh and huge props to Chad on the pictures. I love how he seems to capture the beauty in ordinary people.
Hope you knee is better soon
Elizabeth
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David Dwight Hayes Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 2:41 amGood Morning Allison,
Having reached 50 and after losing most of what I have worked for though years of heavy overtime, I think about failure a lot. What amazes me most is that when I have totally given up, nothing falls apart. People too young to remember the Ed Sullivan Show might not remember what used to be a classic act – plate spinners. A man would spin the tip of a flexible rod and spin a plate on top of it. He would put more and more plates onto rods and run between the all keeping them spinning so that they wouldn’t fall. In my life, I have so many plates spinning that I could just loose my mind, but when I have given up and stopped trying to keep everything going and in balance, I am surprised by the lack of crashing plates. I don’t like the idea that all my careful planning in years past was for nothing – that it wasn’t my brilliance that kept things going. But somehow the world goes on, my family gets fed, the bills get paid and there is something left to help others worse off than I am. It’s a mystery that I won’t solve through simple logic.
I used to hear how lazy large cats are when they are kept in captivity. I’ll wager that most humans would be just as lazy if they were kept – all their needs met. Had I become rich and successful, could I even get out of bed in the morning? What would light a fire under me? Had I felt loved, what would have pushed me on to create excellence when nothing was ever expected of me? It’s the old question of how would you know what pleasure is if you have never suffered. How would you appreciate success if you have never failed? Still, I’d like to give it a try.
But for now, I will pretend that the world still needs me to go out and spin some plates today. Otherwise, I would be in bed right now. Thank God I can still pretend!
Take Care,
David
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Birdmanjhl Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 3:05 amHi, Allison:)
As a former marathoner, let me say to you, “Congratulations, for all your preparations leading up to your run.” Having a goal as you did is not failing. All of your training you did is not failing. Not completing the race, although you thought so at the time, is not failing. What you did is listen to your body when it was acting up so you wouldn’t injure yourself further. I would say that’s smart.
I had a similar experience when I ran in the Philadelphia Marathon years ago. I felt really great at the beginning of the race, and I thought to myself…this is the day I complete my first marathon. Well, it seemed like a monsoon hit after the race began. It rained so hard that water was gushing on the streets and in some areas the water came over my ankles. As the race progressed, my socks slid down and bunched up. Rather than stop and fix them in the rain (the smart thing to do), I kept running. After about 15 miles, blisters developed. At 18 miles it felt like the entire soles of my feet were rubbed raw. I made a decision to stop at that point before I inflicted too much more pain and injury on myself and count that day as a good training run and learning experience and race a marathon another day. Although, I admit, I was disappointed at my performance that day, I learned things about myself and later I completed marathons in Las Vegas and Boston. It is important to learn and grow from these temporary setbacks.
You have shown that you are wise beyond your years. Thank you, Allison, for sharing your experiences with us.
I wish you continued success with your running. It’s a fantastic exercise and a great mental stimulation as well. Sometimes, early in the day, you gather some great ideas while running through the countryside.
All the best,
John L
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David Dwight Hayes Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 4:09 amHello Again,
Like always, my drive to work gave me time to think more about what I posted.
This has been on my mind a lot lately: If Jonas Salk could dance, maybe a lot of us wouldn’t be able to. I have nieces and nephews that are geniuses. Maybe one of them could help cure cancer one day. But more than half of them want to become entertainers because being a celebrity seems to be the highest attainable goal for someone in this country in the last several decades. I wonder if Jonas Salk could dance or sing or act, would he have made a go of it as an entertainer rather than as a medical researcher? Could someone’s failure to make it in show business lead to a cure for a horrible disease? How many people have been put in places where the world needs them due to what they might consider a failure?
As to giving up to succeed, I remember a harsh winter in which I had to make long commutes over roads that tended to ice up. One time I ended up in a ditch. Another time I hit a guardrail. Every time I struggled to pull out of a spin, I failed. Finally, on a road that was drifted over and (without my knowledge) had been closed to travel due to weather conditions, I started to spin and gave up. I took my hands off the wheel and relaxed in defeat. The car stopped spinning and ended up pointed in the correct direction. The only conclusion to be reached from this is … I’m a bad driver.
Take Care,
David
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aqgalaxy Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 5:16 amBella,
First off, I hope your legs feels better.
Second, life is full of failures, it’s whether you learn from your mistake, or not. If not, then hey sulk hehe. But since you are learning that is a great thing. So you not really a runner yet, now you know which leg you need to work up and how well if you are still interested in running. But note, the knees are the main weak-spot in the human body, your whole body is basically supported on those two knees. They also serve as in a way shock absorbers every time you take a step, so becareful with them. Take it from someone recovering from having both of their legs broken. The knees were always the problem, for me. But have faith in yourself and all that cliches sweetie, you be fine.
Failure is also a nothing to be ashamed of, if you don’t fail that means you are perfect, and guess what. No one is perfect, I know I’m not. See if someone accepts failures, then that means they acknowledge flaws in them, meaning you can now find a way to improve yourself and find away to adapt around the flaw.
Mexico sounds like a beautiful country, rich in history. Reminds me of Italy with some of those traditions you perhaps witnessed there. I had a feeling you were going to mention the December 25, 2012 world ending date. Yes some say it is unsettling, and yeah the calender is off by only a matter of seconds, but note, if I am not mistake, the world ended twice for them already, and this is supposed to be the third time, if I remember my history lessons.
HOWEVER, the only thing that is actually gonna happen is, we will lose some stars in the sky, Astronomers predict that in 2012 our system will be entering in a type of void because of our place in the actual galaxy. What will happen is, effectively some of the stars’ light won’t make it to Earth for a while. Also since the Aztecs were huge on astronomy this could be the case… That was the Lunar calender and all.Well I hope you rest those legs and keep up living life hehe.
Ciao Bella and God Bless,
Gabriela
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Veronica Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 6:15 amCiao Allison,
I’m from Italy and I adore when you say CIAO )
I hope you are happy to know that your blog it’s the only blog on the web that I read constantly. I envy you for your trip, I have to work at least until August! Sorry for your knee, and stay happy!
I miss Smallvilleeeeeeeee
(Kisses and CIAO
Veronica
P.S. I wonder if you read our comments…. :p -
ClarkandChloe06 Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 6:41 amHey Allison,
So your a runner,I’ve thought about running in our towns annual Sunburst run but never have. Sorry to hear about your knee,that really sucks.I hope it feels better soon.Mexico sounds like a really beautiful country.Hearing someone tell you the world is predicted to end in 2012 is very unsettling. Thats the first time I’ve heard that. I’ve faild at several things and it really brings you down.Then I keep trying til I succeed. Never give up,thats what I’ve aways been told.
I love your pics their all great. I look forward to your next blog. Take Care
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Adam Anouer Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 6:53 amHi again allison
That marathon you practiced for…you shouldnt really blame yourself because your knee failed because in that kind of situation there comes a point where you just can continue no matter how much you want to if you had kept running odd’s are you would’ve pulled a muscle if your leg was really that bad. As for the saying i assume it means learn from your loses which i fully understand as it is a key factor in life. Anyway atleast as you said if it happens again you’ll know what to do. As for the aztecs they sould really really fun but thats only based on personal oppinion. On that note im also quite sceared of aztec sacrifice.
Have a great week i look forword to the next blog so
Ciao allison
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Rochelle G Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 7:10 amHmmm, failure is a hard thing to deal with for sure. I find that even little commitments to myself can be hard to keep, like getting outside everyday and getting some exercise, or keeping myself from sleeping in throughout the summer. I totally agree with what David Dwight Hayes said about, how would you know what pleasure is if you have never suffered? And, how would you appreciate success if you have never failed? Well I’m going to look at those pictures now.
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Dnomal Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 7:13 amAs I read you blog, I couldn’t help but laugh, let me explain:
“About 2 kilometers into the 21 kilometer run, my knee started acting up… but I pushed through. Then again, acting up, kept on pushing. Then around kilometer 6, I thought I should probably stop to stretch it out. Well, once I stopped, there was no starting again.”
Six Kilometers in a single day is no failure, especially when four of those kilometers is ran with a questionable knee is even better. If i ran 6km in a day I’d be damn pleased, it shows commitment and hard work, it’s a good thing.
Did you complete the Marathon? No
Will you one day????People are a sum of their experiences and actions, your “failure”, means you can always look back on it, think of the satisfaction when you DO complete the Marathon. It will be worth so much more knowing you’ve overcome that problem, that despite “failing” last time, you came back and worked and got it done.
The more you work for something the more valuable it is to the person, this is (i think), best summarised in:
the value of an acheivement is equal to the ammount of work put into attaining it
You trained for something, which must have been hard, and then you tried, which in the end is all anyone can do, try.
I’ve always believed my biggest failure was failing to talk to a freidn of mine properly after a traumatic experience, i was needed, someone shared something with me, and i had no idea what to say, i failed to help.
Anyways I wouldn’t worry about the world ending in 2012, I’m sure if the end of the world was coming there would be signs, odd weather, wars etc…..
P.S. Intersting info. the word “Armagedon”, is derrived from Greek, but it doesn’t mean “end of the world”, it just means change.
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Alan Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 7:18 amhello Allison,
I’m glad to hear that you’re feeling better now. It’s good to know that you haven’t given up hope. In life, sometimes failing can be the best thing that ever happened to us because it is what makes us stronger. It makes us realize that there is always a path to succeed and we always end up finding a way. Right now, I play tennis and I’d fail and lose a match or two once in a while, however it always inspires me to play better. Although I tend to get frustrated with myself, I always try to find a way to up my game. Although failure is always in our lives, it is never something that should bring you down. In fact, it seems as if failure is there to test our willpower to fight. Overall, I’m happy for you of the fact that you have gotten back on your feet =] And sorry for popping out of nowhere cuz you prolly know the fans that are commenting already ^^;
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Lisa Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 9:10 amWell, your situation kind of reminds me of a poem we are required to memorize in school. It doesn’t exactly relate to your position in the race, but it makes me think either way. Here goes:
Whenever I start to hang my head in front of failure’s face,
my downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.
A children’s race, young boys, young men; how I remember well,
excitement sure, but also fear, it wasn’t hard to tell.
They all lined up so full of hope, each thought to win that race
or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place.Their parents watched from off the side, each cheering for their son,
and each boy hoped to show his folks that he would be the one.The whistle blew and off they flew, like chariots of fire,
to win, to be the hero there, was each young boy’s desire.
One boy in particular, whose dad was in the crowd,
was running in the lead and thought “My dad will be so proud.”
But as he speeded down the field and crossed a shallow dip,
the little boy who thought he’d win, lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself, his arms flew everyplace,
and midst the laughter of the crowd he fell flat on his face.
As he fell, his hope fell too; he couldn’t win it now.
Humiliated, he just wished to disappear somehow.But as he fell his dad stood up and showed his anxious face,
which to the boy so clearly said, “Get up and win that race!”
He quickly rose, no damage done, behind a bit that’s all,
and ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win,
his mind went faster than his legs. He slipped and fell again.
He wished that he had quit before with only one disgrace.
“I’m hopeless as a runner now, I shouldn’t try to race.”But through the laughing crowd he searched and found his father’s face
with a steady look that said again, “Get up and win that race!”
So he jumped up to try again, ten yards behind the last.
“If I’m to gain those yards,” he thought, “I’ve got to run real fast!”
Exceeding everything he had, he regained eight, then ten…
but trying hard to catch the lead, he slipped and fell again.
Defeat! He lay there silently. A tear dropped from his eye.
“There’s no sense running anymore! Three strikes I’m out! Why try?
I’ve lost, so what’s the use?” he thought. “I’ll live with my disgrace.”
But then he thought about his dad, who soon he’d have to face.“Get up,” an echo sounded low, “you haven’t lost at all,
for all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
Get up!” the echo urged him on, “Get up and take your place!
You were not meant for failure here! Get up and win that race!”
So, up he rose to run once more, refusing to forfeit,
and he resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn’t quit.
So far behind the others now, the most he’d ever been,
still he gave it all he had and ran like he could win.
Three times he’d fallen stumbling, three times he rose again.
Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end.They cheered another boy who crossed the line and won first place,
head high and proud and happy — no falling, no disgrace.
But, when the fallen youngster crossed the line, in last place,
the crowd gave him a greater cheer for finishing the race.
And even though he came in last with head bowed low, unproud,
you would have thought he’d won the race, to listen to the crowd.
And to his dad he sadly said, “I didn’t do so well.”
“To me, you won,” his father said. “You rose each time you fell.”And now when things seem dark and bleak and difficult to face,
the memory of that little boy helps me in my own race.
For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all.
And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
And when depression and despair shout loudly in my face,
another voice within me says, “Get up and win that race!”~Unknown~
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Kyle Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 9:29 amDidn’t know you liked to run; very savvy. Anyways, there’s something about failing that makes us human. If we succeeded in everything we did there would really be no point in trying anything new and exciting.
“What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger” — I think you’ve shown that well in your blog and I have no doubt you will try your best and make the next marathon.
-da!
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Natalia Prata Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 10:14 amHi Allison!
Well, first of all I don’t think you have failed. It’s not like you could have known your knee would start acting up!
I usually try to look for the silver lining when those things happen to me, there always is one, in every situation.
For instance, when I first applied to Med school I didn’t get in because my high school grades weren’t as high as they should have been, so I studied really hard for a whole year and even explored other options, other schools, actually considered studying abroad. When I applied again last year I got in, not in England, although that would have been nice but I’m with my family here and that’s cool too. What I learned from that experience is that we should always aim for our best and not be content with average because average doesn’t get you anywhere.
Nowadays I try to live my life aiming for the best grades I can but I try not to beat myself up if I don’t get them because there are other important things in life, now that I’m already in Med school
(like acting )About the Aztecas, that end of the world thing really made an impression on me the first time I heard it! I even marked it on my calendar! HeHeHe Just to know if something catastrophic is going to happen on that day, but I’m hoping it’s not really the end of the world
Hahaha It’s 23rd December 2012 (according to the Discovery Channel).
That picture with the temples on it is so great! I watched that documentary on the Discovery Channel and it made me want to go there, now I want it even more! I loved the pictures, all of them.
Keep on training! I know you’ll do so much better the next time.
Have fun for me, I’ll be studying for my exams until late July! =/
I’ll be free by your birthday though. YAY! Beijos (kisses in Portuguese),
Natália -
Sarah Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 11:01 amhola!!!
well about the marathon, i think that you don´t failed!! because the most important think is that you try!!!!
and i´m glad that you knee is ok now!!!….:D
i luv all the photos that you upload!!, and i´m so glad that you like our city, and i hope you can back again and visit cancun for the lovely beach,veracruz for all the boats.
now about the aztecs my mom say that they always right…personaly i don´t know but , you should come in april, whet the sun is up and they do the purification, like the aztecs did.
hey and if you ask what day is 21 st of april!!! there in the ruinswell, is always nice read all that you write for us, your fans!!!!!
nos vemos!!!………take care señorita!!!
besos!!!
ps: sorry
…..i´m was wondering if you learn some spanish wordswell that´t all!!!
adios!!!!
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Rens Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 11:23 amHi Ellison
Your trainer is so right, you know you can do it! One big blow in the face and a realy painfull injury (little kiss) is not what you had in mind, but it won’t stop you from running a lot further next time. I see no failure in quiting because of an injury. I walked once about 20 km’s and had no practice at all (so this is really something different, a bit unprofessional) but I can imagine what pain it must be like. Taking part in such a mass event was superb! I could laugh for days about the stumbling way I walked :p. Next time it’ll be different, and surely with your professional attitude!
I just love your stories, so optimistic! I can’t wait to see the world and all the people like you’re doing. The first step in the right direction is my new education! Much creativity required. Maybe see you in about… four years :p
till then,
Rens -
hastyle89 Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 11:26 amoh man, i totally know what your talking about with the running. Ive had problems with my knees since gr9. And im long graduated now lol. Ive had hyper extensions, cartilidge problems, twists and outer muscle spasms. Ive managed to never pop one out though, baseball, basketball and volleyball really do a number on you. I usually jog every now and then to keep the heart going strong, but sometimes it just doesnt work for ya. I think its neat all the traveling you get to do, haha must be nice to have the money for it. I just got myself a new job actually, finally got something fulltime with decent pay. WEll just saying my bit, ttyl
Mikeeee*
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Aileen Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 12:22 pmAllison,
I can totally related to failing at a race. I raced my bike throughout college and after each race that went horrible wrong. I would feel so defeated and wanted to stop altogether. But, talking with my coach and other teamates helped me realize how much I did achieve just to get to the point of racing a bike. I mean I never played any sports in high school, sans bowling, shotput, and drumline/marching band. So the fact that one day I went out and spent my meager savings on a new road bike, starting a sport to I knew nothing about, and in 3 months was winning my 2nd race ever, showed how much I accomplished. It wasn’t about the race itself, it was about the journey and the hard training it took to get there.
I’d like to say that I look failure in the eye a lot and try to over come it, but that’s not always the case. I feel bad and horrible and scared of failure. Sometimes it gets the best of me. Other times, I try to beat it. It’s so psychologically damaging to get down on failure. That’s what I struggle on daily basis. No matter how cliche it sounds, it really is the little things that tend to make a situation not seem like a complete failure.
The mexico pictures are so awesome. The architecture is amazing. I hope one day I get to see it too.
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Alexis Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 12:42 pmHi Allison,
I’m greek and here it’s the middle of the exam period which will last until the middle of July (you cannot imagine the heat, today reached 42 C) so wish me luck!!!!
I just discovered your blog and read about your effort to run a half-marathon. I wanted to tell you that reading it, it reminded me of an incident that took place three years ago! I was in Athens to watch the Olympic Games and I witnessed one of the really amazing moments in the history of sports. In the 23rd mile of the women marathon, Paula Radcliffe (a british world record owner) had to finish her race because of exhaustion. I will never forget the picture of her crying because she had given every drop of her strength. I wish there were words to describe these moments. I want to tell you that in my eyes she didn’t fail but I am gratefull to her because she made me feel things that are so rare and so unique. In a similar way you didn’t fail, you did your best and that makes you a winner.
Since you are a runner I would like to provide you some information about the marathon. Marathon is a place near Athens (capital of Greece). In 490 BC a great battle took place there between the persian invasion troops and the greeks (mostly Athenians) leaded by Miltiades. The result was a spectacular victory for the greeks. After the battle the Athenians sent a military courier to anounce the victory to Athens. His name was Phidippides. He reached Athens so exhausted that before he died he managed to say only one word “nenikikamen” which is ancient greek and means “we won”.There are many versions of the story but this is the most popular and most wellknown.
Well, that’s all. I hope your leg is better and maybe someday you will be able to run the real marathon here in Greece.
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elroyofkrypton Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 12:51 pmAllison,
I really messed up my back in 1991. I spent two horrendous weeks in Brooklyn Hospital, and checked myself out when the service got unbearable. No surgery, but then, back in 1991 surgical techniques left your spine immobile and shrunk you by four inches. No way I was going through life at 5’11″!
However, my life since then has been incredible. This “failure” forced me to look at things I had ignored up until then. I had been so used to being very big and equally strong, and it had never really crossed my mind that this was going to end someday. I am going to end. How does a person deal with that? I’ve learned so much about life since then, and have a much richer, more abundant life. At the time of the accident, I was so depressed and shocked by it that I could not see the road ahead as positive, but that incident (three herniated disks in the limbar spinal region!) was a godsend.
Now all you have to do is get ready for the new season and get that knee looked at. Knees are not to be trfiled with. Remember Dean Cain!!
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Douten Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 1:23 pm‘Morning,
I’m sorry to hear what happened at the race. You didn’t necessarily fail, it just wasn’t your time to shine. As long as the problem is not serious, I’m sure you’ll figure out a way to finish another race. Though the benefits must have been much more than the failure, even if it’s not evident at that moment. The training, your endurance, your fitness, your spirit, the list can go on. So I hope your leg heals, and may you succeed at your goal in the next race : )
As far as failure concern, I’ve never really felt too let down by it to remember any significant one. I mostly just forget most of them, and move on. There is a story of my friend that I wanted to share, it doesn’t have to do much with failure.
My friend was a volleyball player. She much enjoyed the sport, and participated in many games. One day in her gym an accident happened. Some type of bar, over head, was loose and was about to fall on a little kid. So she jumped in and push him away, and in doing so she damaged her leg. It cost her any sport participation. Her leg can no longer be supportive enough to allow her to participate in her love for volleyball no longer. She mourned over this for some time. Sometime life just seem unfair. When you worked hard for something, and it’s just taken away in an instant, you start to question your place. She later took on new things and discovered her love for singing. I must say she is quite a good singer, I actually have one of her song if you’re interested in listening to it. So as one door closes another opens for her. Life is just full of opportunity. Her story is quite inspiring : )
Also when speaking of failure it reminds me of a quote which goes somewhere along the line of: It very easy to lie after a fall, but it takes a character to get up after one. Or the proverb of fall seven, but rise eight. Reading them refreshes me.
Have fun and stay safe.
Best regards,
Douten -
David Marriott Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 1:29 pmAny experience that teaches you something shouldn’t be counted as a failure. Failure is repeating the same mistake, over and over. Experience, even bad experience, is the beginning of wisdom.
When I was in my twenties, I went through a series of bad relationships, so that by the time I was thirty, I had given up on love. I then met the woman who became my wife. We’ve been happlily married for seventeen years. I’ve often thought that I wouldn’t have had the sense to recognize all of the wonderful quailities in my wife if I hadn’t gone through all of those “failed” relationships.
Your pictures of Mexica are wonderful. What is the name and location of the museum shown in the pictures?
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Amy Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 1:37 pmhey Allison,
I know what failure is like not at running due to the fact running and myself is like unmixed things totally un natural.. unless its to save myself anyway not the point, Failures are there to overcome and achive things in a higher and new possitve point and say yeah i overcome a failure.. its just a road block doesn’t mean it has to end there.. Failure can be a fear that is easy over come my determination, its a part of sucess..
love the pictures of Mexico, it looks like a amazing place to vist.. I have to vist it one day..
AmzxXx
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Bruna Souza Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 3:25 pmHelo!
alisonIs beatifull!!!
Love the Pictures of MexicO
ARRIBA ALLi!!
kisss
from Brazil
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Darwin Seed Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 3:43 pm“I wish to preach not the doctrine of ignoble ease, but the doctrine
of the strenuous life.” Theodore RooseveltKnees?
Been there done that.
Cure?
What worked for me: Lay on your back on the floor, with your legs against a chair and your calves resting on top.
Tie legs together (no flopping to the side).
Cross arms across chest (hands by each shoulder)
Relax.
Twenty minutes in the morning, twenty minutes in the afternoon.
Everything in the knees relaxes and falls back into place were it should be.
Don’t “spring” back up after relaxing…get to feet carefully.
This works. I injured my knee within 2 miles of a ninety mile run,
but not being smart like you, I didn’t quit until the 40 mile mark.Soon after went back to university situated on the side of a mountain. PAINFUL getting around. Stairs everywhere!
Learned this trick from my Movement for Theater prof, who also helped rehabilitate injured dancers.
Try it. You’ll like it. You’ll heal.
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Keri Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 3:46 pmhey allison,
the world will end the year after i graduate high school, great.
failing sucks, but you gotta kind of roll with it. i hurt my ankle one time in 6th grade and the next year i made the basketball team. i kept irritating it because i didn’t want to quit because that would seem like i failed. now i can’t play sports as hard as i want to or practice as long as i need to. take care of your knee, you’ll kick butt at the next race
sounds like mexico’s pretty cool. i’m gonna go check out the pictures.
ttyl,
keri -
Carrie Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 3:47 pmLooks like you had a wonderful time in Mexico, I will have to go there one day in the future.
You didn’t fail, trust me when I say that, most people I know wouldn’t even get up early in the morning to go and walk around the block, training for a a half-marathon is a big deal, and your doing a great job.
I have real bad feet and leg problems, because I was born with clubbed feet, never had them fixed until I was four, but anyway.
My Point is that even though I have those problems, I never let it keep me from walking, I love walking, I could out walk a lot of people, I once walked over 3 1/2 miles, and it felt great.
Keep your head held high, and keep on training, we have faith in you, kisses
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Robin Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 3:56 pmHi Allison,
Well done for sharing this event with your readers/fans.
Now on to the quote you’ve chosen, well failure is something most of us humans face on a daily basis, just read the comments from everyone here, but hey, it’s no big deal I do think we learn more about ourselves through failure.
In many of my actions in my life I have viewed MYSELF as a FAILURE, after all (as i’ve stated before) I resigned from the Met police force after three years, and at times I have felt depressed and distraught and doubted my actions , but as the saying goes, you only get one life.
I just keep in mind that today I will try something new, I might (and usually do) fail, but tomorrow I can find something NEW to fail at!
I guess what I mean is take satisfaction in the doing and don’t let the result be the only thing that matters.Thanks for posting your pics of Mexico, well done for at least training (takes a lot of will power alone) and attempting a half marathon, rest that knee and have a great week.
Keep your spirits up,
Robin
England
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Sue Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 4:21 pmThe only true failure in life is not to try.
Thats what I believe..and you know the saying…If at first you dont succeed try try again.
I always tell my twins, give it your best shot and no matter the outcome you are winners.
It is much better for our self esteem if we view it as a learning curve not a failure.
Ok thats all the platitudes I have for today lol
Hope your knee heals soonBlessed Be
Sue -
Medina Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 4:25 pmNice photos !
your fan from Amazon
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Joy Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 4:41 pmAh failure. That word to me is well known. (And if only I knew how many miles are in a kilometer or visa versa. (??) ) But you know, I wouldn’t really call that a failure because (like you said) you gained and learned things out of the training and exprience of the whole ordeal…so really I would call it a success encouraged by failure. :p And running?? Not exactly my favorite activity in the world but (since I’m a huge soccer player) it kind of comes along with everything else. Its not so bad once I get going, its just having the initiative of going out and doing it. “Getting started” I guess you would say.
Anyways, I was heading towards “I think its cool that you have a huge self motivator installed in your body” and “I’m glad you had a great time”…and since I can’t find any other way to put it, there ya go.
And you certainly made the Aztecs a whole lot more interesting than my history teacher did.
JOYps. 2012 is a little early for my taste..I guess we’ll just see
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sheryl225 Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 5:24 pmAlison, I liked your attitude about the whole experience. Instead of focusing on the fact that you didn’t finish the race, you are choosing to focus on the things you learned & gained.
My daughter is an inspiration to me. She was a competitive gymnast for several years. She was competing level 6 at the beginning of freshman year and had every hope of competing level 8 or 9 before she graduated. At the beginning of that year she had to have a pacemaker put in for her heart. She has the typical gymnast’s build–very short and very skinny. To insert the pacemaker the surgeon gouges a pocket into the muscles under the left shoulder and collarbone. In someone as tiny as she is that left a considerable amount of damage. The muscles eventually healed, but she could never (and she worked hard for 6 months at practice) regain the strength in her left side that she needed. And gymnasts depend on that arm & upper body strength! She decided to give up gymnastics. She didn’t fail–she faced strong adversity & went in and gave it her best effort. She realized that she would never be able to compete again. She stuck to it, kept her feelings as upbeat as she could & moved on. She is doing some dance stuff and working at a job. She misses her gymnastics teammates, but she goes to local meets to watch them and stays in touch with some of them.
When your body and your mind have different ideas, it’s not failure to listen to your body and take another road on the journey.
Enjoy the rest of your hiatus! The pictures were totally awesome. I love that you take pictures of the people as well as other things–not just the postcard shots of famous places!
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Knight1 Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 5:53 pmWell look at you…a runner that’s so cool. You are so multifaceted.
I couldn’t run if my life depended on it. I like walking and can walk comfortably about 4 miles. I haven’t walked in a while and feel guilty every time. I guess with learning comes growth…and what I learned is that I’m gaining some weight so I better get back to walking because this ain’t the kinda growth I want…lol
The only failure is never trying…so you’re a winner in my book because you challenged yourself. Kudos!
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CoReY Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 6:32 pmIsnt a failure. you learned things that can help you the next time, Im sure you will do it. you are too brave to run races like that, i like running but its too much for me jaja
About mexico, yeahhh we want photos and we got them thank you very much for share your experiences around the world with us….Thank you very much AllisonGreetings from Chile
PD: sorry for my bad english
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Hannah Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 7:46 pmHi Allison.
This is my first time visiting your website. I still can’t believe its actually you. Its a nice feeling to have someone so beloved take their time out and create something such as this for fans to enjoy. I hope you will always keep it up.
You truly are a beautiful person inside and out and THIS is what makes you LOVED by many. I enjoyed your blogs and interviews. It is inspirational and you make me want to run a marathon too!
Thanks.
Hannah
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Lauren Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 8:16 pmHey Allison,
I have bad legs, so I can not walk for a very long time without getting unbearable pain. I try to push through it, but it’s noticable in how I walk with a limp(when the pain comes along), and fall behind everyone else. It’s a bad feeling because people make fun of me but I don’t consider that a failure, or what you did a failure. You pushed yourself further then what I would have, or what most people would have in your pain. That’s not failing.
I love the pictures you took.
Take care,
Lauren
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Sarah Philly Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 8:22 pmHey,
Yeah I echo everyones sentiments about hoping your knee feels better. And yes, how well we’re able to rise after we fall – in terms of any measure of failure – truely shows us what we’re made of.
The Aztecs do sound amazing. I’ve always wanted to see it. The pictures are beautiful. Do you post any that you take yourself? Anyhow. Glad you’re back and posting Sarah Philly
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Jonathan Roark Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 9:15 pmHi Allison,
(I’m calling you “Allison” again despite your love of pineapple on your pizza… I’ve accepted the fact that we all have our flaws, and that sometimes we simply have no other choice but to accept the flaws in the people we care about, regardless of how egregious they may be)
I’m sure with so many fans it’s hard to keep track of who said what, but to refresh your memory, I’m the EMT who was reminded of an experience I had in Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina by your incredible acting. Your thoughts on failure jogged another EMS-related memory I have…
About 8 months ago me and an old partner of mine were called lights and sirens to a “pt. experiencing difficulty breathing.” I’ll say! When we arrived at the house we found a 60-something year old male, unconscious, white as a sheet, lying supine in a mechanical, hospital-style bed, breathing maybe twice a minute. Within a minute of us being there he stopped breathing altogether. Another crew arrived on scene to assist us, and we went about the frantic, messy, chaotic experience of intubating this man, pumping air into his lungs, lifting him onto a spine board so we could perform adequate chest compressions, sticking electrodes to his chest for the EKG, starting an IV, etc. I can’t really remember if he was flatlined or not, I think he still might have had some electrical activity in his heart, but regardless, he was clinically dead as were were loading him into our ambulance. I got into the back of our rig with my partner and another medic from the back-up crew, and we had his partner drive. So three medics in the back, one driving. About 3 minutes from the house and roughly 1 mile from the nearest hospital we got a pulse back in this guy. The ER had a crash cart all ready to go when we arrived, with a huge amount of doctors and nurses ready to work this guy, and by the time I cleaned our cot and repacked all of our supplies for our next call, our patient had a better blood pressure than I do. It was something like 124/68. Awesome, right? We saved a life! Hooray! We were giving ourselves high fives and very pleased with ourselves (actually, that’s just a figure of speech…I feel really dorky giving high fives and try to avoid them whenever possible).
What we didn’t know at that time was that our patient had been suffering and bedridden for nearly 30 years, and it was his wish not to be resuscitated should he pass away. His family who was in the home did not tell us this–they supplanted his wish to go peacefully for their own selfish wish not to see him go–and as a result we revived a man who did not wish it. The family deliberately kept his DNR–do not resuscitate–wishes and paperwork from us.We didn’t know it as we worked on him…we did what we were trained to do.
This was early in the morning. He died later that night, but not before his life was prolonged a little bit longer… not before he had a little bit more time to suffer (which, I don’t know, maybe/hopefully he didn’t…the doctors pretty much had him drugged out of his mind on morphine…I’m not sure he ever regained consciousness again).
The point, however, is this: sometimes when you win, you really lose. Sometimes when you lose (fail), you really win. Sometimes you just need the fresh, distant perspective that only time can give you to differentiate between the two.
So in your own life, even though you thought you failed yourself today immediately after you pulled out of the race, you were able to see with the clarity that only time and distance can give you that you actually succeeded. Life IS the journey, and not just the destination. This race was another step in your journey… one that you’ll learn from and that will act as another building block upon the foundation of future successess. Just don’t give up! One of my favorite quotes is attributed to Henry Ford. It goes: “Anyone who says he can’t do something is absolutely right.” Stay postiive!
Jonathan Roark
P.s. I’m glad you enjoyed your vacation, but it’s nice to have you back. If your knee continues to bother you, DO NOT stop training. Simply begin cross training…do exercises that don’t impact the joint so much while doing lightweight strength training exercises to stabilize the knee joint. And I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of A.R.T., Active Release Techniques, but it’s an amazing, relatively-new technique that a lot of chiropractors, physical therapists, etc., are incorporating into their practices. It’s simply amazing. I highly recommend you try it. What have you got to lose? I went to an ART practitioner after a car accident in 2002 and my back was better AFTER the accident than it was before. And remember: RICE! Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation…add popcorn and a movie to that, and you’ve got good times.
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MK Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 9:24 pmTo tie into the failure aspect, that’s been on my mind today too. My company is producing a show as part of a theatre festival in August and today was our venue walkthrough. My concept for the show involved using projections along the length of the stage instead of a back wall. For a festival environment, I’m being told this is pretty ambitious. I have no idea because I’ve never used media components before.
As I was talking to the technical folks whose job it is to help me make my show happen and look good, I found myself saying, “I’m prepare to scrap it all at the last minute if it isn’t working, but I want to at least try it. Isn’t that what this festival is for?” That’s a switch in attitude from before, where I wanted this show to be my calling card with artistic directors who hopefully would then be interested in either mentoring me or hiring me, as well as something to generate good reviews for future grant applications.
I can only see the switch being to the good. And hopefully in the pursuit of pushing myself in a new direction, I’ll accomplish all the other things I wanted this show to do as well.
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Heather Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 10:48 pmThe inspiration to just do something and try it shows the true character of a person, whether or not they make it to the finish line or not. Life is filled with roadblocks and I am sure like everyone else who has commented we have all had our fair share, but it is nice to hear that like us, you are such a grounded, down to earth person! Congrats on even attempting and training for the marathon. The pics are wonderful and it is so cool that you are taking time out to share your experiences with us! Can’t wait to see what you are up to next!~Heather
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Puffy Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 11:28 pmSee, I’m just dead impressed that you got up to run around the temples… at sunrise! After drinking mexican booze! I certainly would have “failed” to even wake up at dawn, let alone haul a hungover body out of bed.
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Tony Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 11:39 pmHi beautiful (Allison),
Sounds like you did fine Allison. Maybe you should consider getting a new trainer. Remember – Everything in moderation. That includes working out. Also remember, not everyone’s bodies are built similar. Some people can naturally do things that other can’t. That doesn’t mean much, other than – you might not be able to run such long distances – or perhaps shouldn’t. Just because a trainer or marathon runner says you can do it, doesn’t make it so. Everyone is different. You just have to find your comfort area, stick with it until you feel comfortable advancing. Or, just stick with the comfort area and maintain that consistency. Sometimes, doing too much of something can be a bad thing. There’s gratitude in doing something practical, the journey still exists.
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aggalaxy wrote:
“Mexico sounds like a beautiful country, rich in history. Reminds me of Italy with some of those traditions you perhaps witnessed there.I respectfully disagree aggalaxy. Though beautiful and rich in history, I do not believe there are similarities in comparison to Italia’s traditions. Worlds apart.
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -Veronica, help me convince Allison that she should be saying Ciao tutti, instead of simply Ciao when addressing a group of people.
Ciao tutti (tutti pronounced – 2tea)
Essentially means – (ciao) hello/goodbye (tutti) all or everyone.Similarly, if you are sitting around enjoying a nice bottle of red wine and pour some for all your friends. Before drinking, you (Allison) can say:
Salute tutti!
General translation: To good health, food/drink, everyone! -
Natália Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 2:55 amHi again Allison
David Dwight Hayes’ second post kind of got me thinking.
I got in Medical School last September and I am really happy for it but this has never been my dream, you know? I see most people around me so happy that they are finally making their dreams come true that I can’t help but thinking “what if I did go and persue my own dreams, instead of just settling for what I have now and imagining what it would be like?”.
I mean, I love Med School and I think I could become a good doctor but ever since I can remember I wanted to be an actress. I have done a couple of school plays and stuff like that and when I’m on stage I just… It’s the most amazing feeling I’ve ever felt! And I know I’m good at it, I just need more technique and some connections, because you have to know people, right? I don’t know…
Anyway, maybe I could find the cure for cancer but would I really be happy knowing that when I had the chance to go after my own ambitions I did nothing? Or would it be too selfish of me to care about myself more than about others?
I’ll let you know when I figure that one out; don’t think I ever will though
I’m going to keep studying for my Anatomy exam tomorrow, that’s what I’m going to do for now…
By the way, I hope your knee gets better Beijo (kiss in Portuguese),
Natália -
Redsuiko (Rheiner) Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 3:11 amOnly those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly – Robert F Kennedy.
A failure is a man who has blundered but is not capable of cashing in on the experience – Elbert Hubbard.
The most exciting thing about life is not the end result, its the journey toward it, keep going hunni, make us all proud.
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David Dwight Hayes Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 3:57 amNow that we’ve discussed failure, what about success? Imagine a poor stone carver with a chisel working on one of those Aztec structures that survived until today. He might not have thought he was very important but how many of us have created something that will last and still be beautiful hundreds of years from now? Today, we don’t make anything substantial. The less material we use making anything, the higher the margin of profit. So, what will survive us? Future archeologists will probably seek out our landfills to find out about us. Surprisingly, some landfills have perfect conditions for preserving what we “store” there. What I am told will be available in abundance is, not the disposable diaper that we have been warned will fill our trash sites, but our phone books. So, there is our immortality! The ‘hero’ in the movie “The Jerk” was right. A phone listing may make you important in the long run. But who will not survive to be recognized in the far future? The celebrities! They have unlisted phone numbers! Something to think about … or not.
Take Care,
David
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Charlie Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 4:50 amHi Allison!
Sorry about your leg!
I love that phrase and it is really true!
Once I did horrible in a Maths test because I didn´t understand the subject.
But then I started looking it and I did the Test again a few times and when my teacher gives another test I got a 10 (or A in USA) So when somone fail you have to learned from it to base a new and different and better success as Havelock says! he is a genius!
Really creepy that “the end of the world in 2012!” but i love your new mexico´s trip story! that place must be great i would love to visit it.
By the way! when are you coming to Argentina?
Waiting for more entries!Good bye
Charlie! -
Rebecca Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 5:12 amAllison, thanks for sharing about your experience and what you learned!
I’ve done things like that where I practiced really hard for something and then, the outcome wasn’t what I had hoped for.
Just get back up and keep trying and take care of yourself And, yes, I would think human sacrifice would be a little creepy…
Your run around the temples made me think of Forrest Gump
Sounds really beautiful.Glad you had a great time!
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Sarah Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 6:34 amWell, I first have to applaud you on attempting the 6k…that in and of itself is an accomplishment! And even though you didn’t get completely through it….I still think you should congradulate yourself! Everybody fails at something and I completely agree with that quote.
The Aztec stuff sounds amazing!
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Kasey Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 6:37 amThank you so much for posting your thoughts on failure.
I’m in the process of directing the show “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” at my hometown community theater. It’s a great show and a fun show, but I’ve been met with challenges at every corner ranging from no piano player to 4 Schroeders quitting the show to getting my reluctant production team to work on the set. The whole project seems like an expensive endeavor that’s doomed for failure. There are times (like this morning) that I just want to give up and run hard and far. I feel like failing at this is failing at what I do best and that’s hard for me. But, we keep on keeping on because as much as we hate the difficulties associated with the job, we still love the job.
Glad you had a good time on the trip. I’m still jealous. As always. -
David Dwight Hayes Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 7:04 am… As to the Aztec’s prediction that the world will end in 2012, I prefer to believe Nostradamas was correct and the world ended in 1999. We just failed to notice.
[The Aztec's world came to an end a lot sooner than they thought it would.]
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John Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 7:51 amA friend recommended your site. Pretty cool blog! Sorry to hear about your half-marathon experience. I had a similar mishap � pulled hamstring just past mile 11 in a half. Hang in there. Running is one of the greatest things I�ve found for clearing the mind and cutting through stress.
It�s great to see you are enthusiastic about the micro-financing movement. Grameen is a great catalyst for change. There are a number of companies involved in similar work in the US/Canada on a local level. If you are interested you should check out the Vancouver area and see who operates a program of this type there. In my area it�s a bank called Self-Help (self-help.org). They make it possible for lower income individuals to set up a bank account, establish credit ratings, get loans, etc. These are things that we probably take for granted but many people aren�t able to get.
It sounds like you are a travel junkie too. Isn�t Mexico great? Guatemala is also incredible — especially around Lake Atitlan and Antigua. I highly recommend it. I am trying to plan a North Africa excursion with a buddy later this year. I am totally excited about it. I have traveled in Europe and South America quite a bit, but I�ve always wanted to go to North Africa and the Sahara (not necessarily everybody�s idea of a great vacation).
Since you like quotes, I thought I�d send along one of my favorites. It�s from Jack Kerouac�s book, On The Road. He had a singular ability to capture the raw essence of people in his words.
�The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes Awww!�
BTW, if you like Madeleine Peyroux you should check out Everything But the Girl. Great vocals. I think their first album, Eden, is the best.
Regards,
John -
Kathy Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 8:04 amFirst, I think your attitude regarding failure is very positive. I have a tendency to swell on the negative too much. I will eventually look on the positive, but it takes me some time to bounce back.
Second, I admire your attempting to run a marathon tremendously. That takes a lot of training and you should be quite proud of yourself. And I also hope that your knee injury isn’t too serious.
And lastly, your trip to Mexico looks quite interesting and I thought your pictures were just lovely.
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Steve Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 8:18 amThat sounds like quite a pickle you had for yourself ma’am. I wish I could offer some friendly running advice, but seeing as I haven’t gotten off of my couch for eighteen years, maybe I’m not the right person to be giving any. It’s amazing you were able to brush that off so fast ma’am, especially since you must’ve worked so hard training for that run. I’ve never been able to do that, and I know failure. Failure and myself, we go hand-in-hand like pizza and hot dogs (that may sound odd, but trust me, I’m from Chicago and there is nothing better than a Chicago dog followed by some deep dish pizza).
My own failures might sound shallow and trivial compared to these other people’s, but trust me, they hurt just as bad. I’ve always been good at school and stuff like that, but those things have come pretty natural to me. Whenever I’ve really wanted to do well though, to reach out of the comfort zone, that’s when I crash and burn. Badly. During my last year at high school, I was named editor-in-chief of the school paper. Journalism was something I’ve always wanted to try, so naturally I got psyched and really believed I could revamp the paper, which had lost some steam the last few years. Anyway, by graduation, we had released only one issue of no more than seven articles, none of which had been properly edited. And since it was the first time we self-published from the school, we didn’t get the resources we needed and ended up far short on the amount of papers we needed. It was a complete disaster, and all of my friends made sure I knew it. They’re all good guys, but we find it a force of habit to just tear into each other now and again. Add to their criticisms my own realization of failure, and you can guess pretty easily how I was feeling. I still haven’t gotten over that whole thing.
It seems a bit like chance that I read your post after a few really bad days of looking back at all those times of failing at my goals. I must say ma’am, you are a much stronger person than I am to be able to get right back on your feet like that, and it’s pretty inspiring. I’ll try not to sound too much like a loser fan here, but you have a talent of writing with a wisdom that seems beyond your years, and I have to thank you for deciding to share that with the rest of us. Every once in a while you’ll find you say just the right thing, and motivate someone to push on. Who knows, maybe I’ll give journalism another shot in college. Thanks, and keep at it. -
davidh1113 Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 9:36 amTake it easy on that cactus alcohol!!! Remember you’re really giving your liver a workout with that stuff!!
Thanks for the new pictures Allison. They sure have some unusual architechture down there. Sorry to hear about your knee freezing up during the run, still it’s good to hear you’re taking the right approach to it. I’m reminded of the saying that we all have to fall so we can learn to pick ourselves up. Personally, I was afflicted with a lower back problem that manifested itself my junior year of high school. Which, by the way, killed my chances of trying out for the varsity football team, I was really bummed out about that!! Anyhow, this condition forced me to go to a local University instead of the school I wanted to go to as I literally scheduled classes around doctor appointments. Well, to make a long story short I finally got the problem corrected, but only after over 7 years and multiple surgeries. I remember each time I would go back to a doctor (in fact I saw numerous doctors) and they would tell me the problem was back after they thought it was resolved. I really got angry, this dumb thing was taking all my time, and to some extent controlling my life. I attribute prayer making me realize that this problem was an opportunity for me to improve myself. That is, to stop feeling sorry for myself, focus on bettering my patience, and looking at all that I could do. What’s great is now I can talk with my parents, and we’ll joke about different incidents that occured at different points in dealing with my lower back problems. I have full confidence you’ll get your knee issue resolved, so don’t give up!!All the best.
David Harvey
Morrisville, NC -
Snickle70 Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 10:29 amFirst of all, congrats on your running. I used to run all the time, but haven’t lately. A severe ankle injury 5 days after the birth of my son has been a thorn in my side for a year and a half now. What I miss most is that feeling you get once runing for a few miles. Almost like you can conquer the world.
Anyway,
Loved the pics from your trip. I have never been to Mexico but it seems awesome. Thought I might share with you an idea for future travels……
Back in 2000, I was presented with an opportunity of a lifetime: to go to Thailand for a month. It was related to my job and I jumped on the chance. I don’t know if you have ever been there, but I would highly encourage you to go sometime. The people there are amazing and there is so much to do and see.
I wouldn’t know where to begin, but say to go to Bangkok. The Meridian hotel is fabulous and a trip to the floating market is a must. As well as visits to the Rose Garden and the temple ruins at Attuiya (might have spelled that wrong, it is the former capital of the country……)
I was lucky to spend a whole month there and it was great. I even had my Wedding gown and Bridesmaids dresses made there…very unique.
I returned with albums full of photos.. I would share but they are “low-tech” and my scanner is broken right now. Hopefully you will consider a trip there in your future. Like I said, the people are amazing and there is so much to see.looking forward to your next blog and to wishing you a happy finish to your time off.
J.
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topher Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 10:37 am“The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure.” ~ Sven Goran Eriksson
Congratulation on your first half marathon, but I have to disagree with your post, this was not a failure, in fact I would classify it as a great success. Given that there must have been some seed of doubt in your mind as to whether you could actually run this distance at all, the simple fact that you overcame that fear and tried should be a source of great pride for you regardless of the outcome. Additionally, the fact that you are willing to get up and try again especially after, what in your eyes was a failure, speaks directly to what Eriksson is referring.
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Agustina from Argentina Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 11:38 amHello ! first sorry por my English!( I live in Argentina)
You have very interesting thoughts about life, Allison. I really agree with you. Don´worry about the race, the most important is to learn, and find the best in you.
thanks for share your experiences with us.I hope your knee gets better .
CHAU!! (THAT IS HOW WE SAY BYE, in here)
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luigi Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 11:56 amrelax, relax, and run to the light of the universe.
you can relax with the pink floyd music ( the great gig in the sky, shine on your crazzy diamond, come back to life, echoes ) and run your mind.bellisima ti saluto from URUGUAY ( THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON)
BESOS Y TE ESPERAMOS EN TUS VACACIONES AQUI.Luigi SHINEFLOYD
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Kassee Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 1:00 pmI really thought that that story was great
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Krista Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 2:23 pmHi Allison,
Great quote! I used to have a t-shirt that read “Failure is not an option.” It was my mantra. But life’s lessons, the really good ones, usually only come through some failure or struggle. Amazing and true quote you shared – thanks for the story and the silver lining – there always is one, isn’t there! In an ironic twist, now the word failure permeates my every thought lately having recently been diagnosed with Kidney Failure (even tho I’m only in my 20′s!). And while it totally sucks – there is always the silver lining! My brother is donating his kidney to me and all will be well! But I’ve learned much and we’ve become much closer – more appreciative. Sorry for the tangent, just what ‘failure’ brings to my mind lately.On another tangent, a quick note about Fair Trade: I’m a teacher and an advocate for the arts in our schools. As Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” One great way I just discovered to promote both Fair Trade and arts education is through a chocolate bar called the “Art Bar”. Checkout the website:
http://www.ithacafinechocolates.com. In addition to supporting Fair Trade, a proceed of all of the profits go towards arts education. It’s win-win because who doesn’t love chocolate!
Thanks again for the blog and the inspirational thoughts!
Best wishes for a full knee recovery,
Krista -
Ace Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 7:07 pmFailure is a pain, isn’t it? When I fail, it usually takes me a little while to work up the courage to try again. But I usually manage it. It doesn’t matter if you fail the first time as long as it doesn’t stop you from having a second go.
I know a girl who failed to get into medical school. But that didn’t stop her. She studied hard and tried again next year. And she succeeded. You have to find out where you went wrong and work on it, so you’re ready next time. Because if you don’t succeed the first time, you work out where you went wrong and have another go.
And when you finally do achieve what you were aiming for, it makes it all the more rewarding.
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GIR Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 7:09 pmIm not sure I believe in the concept of “faliure”, in terms of ones life as a whole.
When I was young I had a definite idea of what I wanted to do with my life career wise and I spent many years striving towards that goal. And, as you put it, I “failed”. Not through lack of effort or commitment, but due to a factor completely out of my control, one that even if I had know about in advance, i could not have altered.
For a number of years, I looked back on this as a failure on my part, a wasted effort.
Then one day I came to the realisation that although my life had taken an unexpected direction, I shouldn’t be regarding this as a negative. Many of the people I have met, the close friends I have made, the extrodinary experiences I have have had, would never have occured without this life change. One door closes and another opens as it were and those skills I developed while attempting my original goal, I still put to use to this day. For all its ups and downs, I love my life and would not wish it to be any other way.
Your absolutely right when you say “Life is a journey, not a destination”, and I believe if you do manage to live your life by this priciple, you will never “fail” again.
Hope your knee sorts itself out and as others have pointed out, be kind to them.
Best of luck on your next run and all your future endevours.
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Lauralea Sharra Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 7:50 pmHey Alli,
I’m so sorry to hear how your day was ruined because of your knee. It sounded like you were so looking forward to it and then BAMM! It gets ruined. lol..
I had a similar experience but i pushed threw it.. it wasn’t as harsh as yours. — I’ll share.
It was about two 2 years ago. (when i was in 8th grade) i was in the middle if a field hockey game.. and i was backing up to block someone who had a foul shot and right when i moved in front of her( still back up ) she slapped me full force with her stick in my leg (shin). OH MY GOD, it hurt so much.. lol, && my coach wanted to take me out but i refused..
i was limping when i was running though.. i was so mad, i wanted to hit that chick in the face, but i knew that wasn’t the right thing to do so i took it out on the ball lol and got a goal! WOAH MAN! lolBut anyway.. My thoughts on failure.. Hmmmm? *scratches chin*
Well i think everyone needs to experience failure. .I think if you experience you’ll be able to find whats right and whats wrong.. If you never experience failure you wont know life… & whats good about it and whats bad about it.
-In some way its kinda finding your true love. If you never experience all the bad ones you’ll never make it to the Right one.BUTTTTT, if AND when you DO fail, you should never ever ever give up. EVER.
well, lol i was just thinking off the top of my head what that means since you wanted to know.
It might not make any sense to you.. but anyway, i just wanted to show that i actually read that you write and think about it.
lol i wonder if you read this… :-/
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RJChasez Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 7:52 pmI don’t really see that as a failure. As long as you put your all in it, that’s all that matters. And you obviously did. Everyone’s bodies have weak spots, and they can give way and you can end up hurt. It just happens. I hope your knee starts feeling better, or that it already has. I have weak knees, because I have tendonitis in both of them, so I can understand that kind of pain. It SUCKS majorly.
“Life is a journey, not a destination.”
Have I mentioned I love the way you think?
I think that way myself, and I’ve restated that at least ten times in some of my stories. I believe my own exact quote was “Life is about the journey, not the destination.” In a way, it doesn’t matter what your destiny is. It’s about how you got there, about all the twists and turns that led you to your fate. In a way, it’s a beautiful thought.Until next time, much love, and take care of yourself.
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Jeremy Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 9:06 pmHi Allison, New to Smallville and to your website. Have enjoyed reading your blog. That’s too bad about the bum knee. I’m sure it’ll be feeling better after some rest. One thing that might help is buying two sets of running shoes. Alternate them each day so that they have a full day for the midsole of the shoe to recover. Your shoes will last three times as long and you will have better cushioning/support from the shoe. If you never fail anything you probably haven’t tried enough things, so kudos for starting something new.
Enjoyed the Mexico pictures by the way. Have you given any thought to hiking the Inca Trail? Best experience of my life. Take care.
jg
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Matty / inLove_with_Chloe Says:
June 28th, 2007 at 1:05 amHi Allison,
sorry to hear about your knee acting up……I hope you’re better now.
May I just say that it seems to me that you ALREADY ARE in perfect shape? Hehe…. I really see no need for massive work-outs, except of course if you simply enjoy running.About failure, I only have this to say:
EMBRACE FAILURE, BECAUSE IT SHOWS THAT AT LEAST YOU TRIED.
(Quote from a tall, largely unknown German guy…..).Until next time….
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Stephanie Says:
June 28th, 2007 at 3:35 amHello Allison!
thnx so much again for sharing your thoughts and stories!
I think failure is something that makes you stronger.
Because of failure you learn more about yourself.When I fail at something I sulk for a few days, and then go and find a way to succeed my goal. I think its amazing that you set a goal for yourself, it shows that you are not afraid to fail.
Wich I dont think you did, you didnt fail you just havent succeded your goal yet!You should be proud that you tried, I think that is the hardest part about something you dont know you can do.
You did it! Now you know what you have to think of the next time!
Its amazing to me that you dindt stop after you didnt make it, you just went home and looked at the things you can do better next time! It shows your a fighter and I think that is amazing!Till next time!
much love,
Stephanie -
Natália Says:
June 28th, 2007 at 4:58 amHi Allison
This is already my third comment on this post. I don’t know if we can do that but I really had to share this with you.
I just took a Human Anatomy mini-test. This test is supposed to be quite easy and we do it more like a self-examination of our knowledge of the subject before the big exam (on Monday! AHHH!). Well, it could have gone worse since I got an 11 out of 20 but stilll…
I feel like I have failed in the worst possible way! I’m so disapointed at myself right now! Really, I mean, I just wanted to study hard and get recognition for it for once. Maybe I should have just studied harder because most of my friends got good grades, way better than mine. yeah, that’s what I’m going to do now. I’m going to study until I know everything extremely well so that I can have a great grade on the exam tomorrow! You’ll see! That’s exactly what I’m going to do!
Ok, I guess I have just found the silver lining!
Yay!Hope you are feeling better!
Write soon Hugs and kisses,
Nat -
viviana espina Says:
June 28th, 2007 at 7:19 amhi interesting trip
and you blog is amazingi would like to invite you
to my fotolog about you and tom wellinghttp://www.fotolog.com/allison_tom/
i hope for you
see you -
Amanda Says:
June 28th, 2007 at 7:26 amThank you so much for sharing your gorgeous photos. Your stories are wonderful in print, but the photos make it extra special. They are so rich and beautiful. I feel as though I walked in Mexico today, even though I’m sitting in an office in Alabama. It’s amazing what a camera can capture. Chad should really consider publishing a book of his photos.
I applaud you for attempting the marathan. The only way I’m running is if my life depends on it. haha
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Doug A. Says:
June 28th, 2007 at 11:56 amI wrote a Havelock quote on my board at work the other week:
“What we call progress is the exchange of one nuisance for another nuisance.”
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Alyson Lindley Says:
June 28th, 2007 at 1:55 pmHello, Allison
I enjoyed reading about your trip. The pics are lovely. My friend Melissa got back from Germany on June 12th . She sent me some great pics. I visited Mexico when I was sixteen, now I’m thirty eight. The trip seem like a life time ago. You mention that you fail,because you did’nt complete the race. You did’nt fail , because you had the desire to go for what you wanted. We learn are mistakes through our failures,and that is the only way we can successly achieived our goals. I also wanted to tell you that I’m a avid watcher of Smallville.I’ve watch it since the pilot. Hope your knee gets better. Take care Alyson -
Jeremy Says:
June 28th, 2007 at 3:43 pm“Gentlemen, if we do not succeed then we run the risk of failure.”
- Dan Quayle
I don’t have any advice on running, or failure, or stretching, or running shoe selection, but I will say that the fertile food producing regions of our country are losing topsoil at a frightening rate. You may want to pick a better time to tell your friends this fact than round the campfire at ghost story time, because not one of my friends found it particularly scary.
I don’t know much about long distance running, but I have a passion for cycling. One of the lesser known advantages to cycling over running is that you do so nude with very little effort. Keep that in mind if this running gig doesn’t work out and you want to try cycling.
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hugesmallvillefan Says:
June 28th, 2007 at 5:50 pmHi Allison,
When i was in Mexico back around New Year i went to the Mayan ruins, but i think it is probably like the aztec ones. One thing i remember about the ruins was that every where there were lizards. It was good that i liked lizards, otherwise i would have been freaked out.i sometimes run, but i have never run more than 3 km. its too bad that your knee stopped you from running after all your hard work.
I’m glad you had fun on your trip.
can’t wait for your next blog,
hugesmallvillefan(Craig) -
Krystal Says:
June 28th, 2007 at 6:57 pmAllison,
I am having, perhaps, a similar experience currently. I made this promise to myself about six months back to do something in theatre before I turn 26.(I will be 25 on 07/21) I think it is such an amazing creative outlet but one I have never really explored due to fear. My fear being that I don’t “Look” like someone who would be on stage. So, in my attempt to throw my inhibitions to the wind, I started taking voice lessons and reading books and what ever else I could do to follow through on this goal. In March I heard about an audition to be held near where I live for West Side Story. My voice teacher encouraged me to do the audition. I was TERRIFIED! To my shock, I actually got a part! Here is where it ties into the quote. As is the nature of this particular production, there is much dancing envolved. We have had quite rigorous rehearsals and I have been fighting to hide my inexperience in each one of them. In the process, I managed to injure a muscle in my arm. It never would have happened had I not been so reluctant to just ask about the proper way to execute the move. There was a simple way to prevent the injury. Now I know,right! All this to say that through this failure of sorts, I really have learned how to be a better success. Yay! Well, after lots and lots of ice I will have better success. =)
I know you will do it again and have better success! As the saying goes, we live and we learn. Hooray for experiences and second chances!
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Wendy Says:
June 28th, 2007 at 7:49 pmHey Allison!
I hope your knee is okay and that it’s nothing serious. I have problems with mine and it’s not fun so I hope you’re doing well.
Your pictures are gorgeous! I love reading about your travels and how much you appreciate your surroundings.
Thanks for sharing a piece of your adventures with us!
Wendy -
Barry Says:
June 28th, 2007 at 8:11 pmGood evening
you probably heard this before, when you exercise, its always a good idea not to overdo it. take your time, there’s no shame in losing.
Nice pictures though.
From the looks of it, I think you got more than enough material to write something other than a blog. A screenplay or a draft, perhaps. who knows how it may it turn out.
anyways I should get going, have a wonderful weekend and may the weekend inspire you
sincerely Barry -
Aysha Says:
June 28th, 2007 at 8:57 pmHey Allison,
I hope that your knee is feeling a lot better. It is an honor that you would share your feelings about your failures with us. Just talking about them alone says that you have accepted them and the fact that you have learned from them is what many people spend their entire lives trying to do and you did it!Failures truly are blessings in disguise and I am a big believer that everything happens for a reason. It’s from the failures and downfalls in your life that you are able to appreciate life even more and see it through a completely different lens. I can testify to that personally and I would never dare to live in regret for my past failures because otherwise, I wouldn’t be who I am today.
Keep up the healthy attitude you have on life. It will always keep you sane and on the right path.
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maroon-snapple Says:
June 28th, 2007 at 9:16 pm2012 you say??? eek… better get what i want to say out now then! :] jk.
i really loved the optimism in this blog. i can relate on the whole exercise thing though. see i was in dance for quite a while, but after that, i kind of got lazy and didnt really exercise for 3 YEARS!!! :O so this summer ive been really trying to get back into shape. i went to this gym and spent like 40 minutes on the eliptical today, along w/ some arm strengthening equipment. i was all like, “oh yeah, this is easy!”. until i tried this crunch thing. i laid down on the equipment and could make it budge hardly at all! i felt SO pathetic!!! i was then pointed out that there was a giant weight on it, only meant for the fittest of men. IDIOT! even when i took it of though, i could only do about 5 at a time. i was so depressed. i took a break and looked at some pictures and saw all these really fit people (which didnt really make me feel any better if u can imagine). then i turned around and saw the following quote. “One person’s success is another’s proof that it can happen” this quote was my silver lining. i went back and practiced my heart out and finally did it right! i still have a ways to go, but now i have a start! thanks for further proving my hope and motivation!
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julie Says:
June 28th, 2007 at 9:27 pmIn reading your story of what you saw as a failure, I was struck by the fact that your knee seized up completely. That says to me that you were not meant to run today. The journey in my opinion was in the training and maybe the willingness to even try. I was in the Navy when I was younger and when I went through boot camp I was amazed at what I could do physically. I tried running the mile and a half at the track of the university I had attended and I couldn’t even go halfway. I thought how will I ever do this. But when the time came it happened. It was to show me what I was capable of. It seems to me there is a common thread in some of your posts of fear of failure and that is what most people fear. I don’t think we would be human if we didn’t. You saw what you were capable of doing today and in the journey of preparation. That is the lesson and because you succeded in that the race was not necessary. It was not a failure. Life is constant learning and growing and you never finish that aspect. Your lessons and experiences become different when one is accomplished you move on to the next. Your story and your trip somewhat tie in together. I am studying Archeology/Anthropology. I like to know what makes people and cultures tick, why some succeed and others don’t. Just like the Aztecs. You could say because they are gone that they must have failed too. But we know how innovative they really were from their ruins and what they gave to us that we still use today. Time does not always mean more success. Maybe ease up a little on yourself look at things as a journey and learning process. Your life is extraordinary at your age which tells me your lessons will be hard but very rewarding. Your passion for knowlege will open up experiences and lessons that some people will never experience because they don’t have that desire and passion to want to become their highest self if you will or get the most out of the human experience. When a whole culture like the Aztec have this goal it is extraordinary and that’s why we are fascinated by them still today. I really enjoy reading your blogs and I am looking forward to what is next.
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Eileen Says:
June 28th, 2007 at 11:36 pmHello Allison,
This is really cool how you have the blog on your website its really great and a nice way to say hi, relate to situations, and share ideas and stories. Your trip sounds amazing the pictures are very cool I hope your knee gets better soon and I love Smallville it is my all time favorite show I can’t go one day without watching an episode or two or three I have every season on dvd and its great. You are very professional in your work. My saying always is keep on trying and never give up at what you love.
Take care and enjoy life,
Eileen Lenzner
Wausau, WI -
mark Says:
June 29th, 2007 at 6:57 amhola allison espero que tu visista a mexico aya sido placentera esperamos que regreses pronto pero que esta ves llegues a visistarnos y a visitar chichen itza ok que va a ser una de la maravillas del mundo ok aqui te esperamos tu visisata pronto en yucatan te queremos allison
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ChloeFan07 Says:
June 29th, 2007 at 7:46 amHi Allison,
First off great quote.Sorry about your knee thats a bummer,it sounds like you really wanted to complete the race. Failing is really hard on a person,I’ve failed many times in the past doing something I really wanted to do right.I’ve learned you have to put it behind you and try again. One thing I failed at was my drivers test when I was 16,I was so upset. All my friends had passed but me. So a week later I went back and tried again and passed with flying colors. I felt so proud of myself. I bet the Aztec ruins were amazing to see. And the Aztec dancing sounds like fun. I checked out all your new pics and I love them. Have fun on your travels and keep safe. -
Dave Says:
June 29th, 2007 at 11:28 amAllison,
Congratulations on keeping up with the training. There will always be setbacks, but unless your knee falls off, you’ll most likely recover. Keep up with the training, you’ll really be thankful as you age
Thanks for the interesting blog, I’ll sure we’ll all be reading
Dave
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Maria Says:
June 29th, 2007 at 12:55 pmhola allison
though i doubt you’ll read this since there is 50 updates before mine still im going to write anyway.I love the quote and im going to use it for my myspace, im kinda doing a blog but im only using your quotes its just the quotes you use have such a deep message that i like sharing them in my myspace i hope you dont mind!
Considering failure
In my school they do a field day every year,and they choose two different color teams. four years in a row they did two teams, orange and yellow. i was EVERY YEAR in the orange and EVERY YEAR we would lose, no we lost four years in a row. The third year i was upset and came home crying because not only have i lost three years in a row i felt like i failed not only the team but myself. my dad saw me crying and told me something i will never forget.“Failure isn’t not winning failure is not trying. and you tried you know you tried. Since you know you tried and did your best forget about winning and the competition and just have FUN.”
Fun. So i changed the word Failure and turned it to Fun. so orange team lost two years more though i still felt bad i just concentrated on just having fun with my friends and then the year after i finally won! and i felt great because i won but the best thing was that i had fun. i hope that didnt sound corny but thats how i see it lol.
The aztecs were amazing and i loved those pictures!
Adios allison,
Maria -
João Rômulo Negri Says:
June 29th, 2007 at 3:35 pmOi Allison, how you´re doing??
I liked this quote. Is something right but, is so dificult to execute. I mean, we give so much importance to win, that, we forget to see that fail is something good because makes us learn more. I´m not saying that we have to fail all the time. I´m saying that sometimes failing, is something that will help you.
I´m sorry for the late. I don´t know when you make this entry but this week is being so crazy for me. I will dance on a DANCE FESTIVAL On Sunday. So i think you know what i mean: practice, practice and rehersals a lot of time. I´m so excited but i can´t wai to rest because I really need.
Well, how are your life? Is everything ok with you. I really hope so. What are you doing now? I can´t wait to see you on a new project.
I guess i have to go now. Thanks for be a special person.
I hope you have a great weekend.
Tchau
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BOUROUX Says:
June 29th, 2007 at 9:23 pmHi Allison.
I hope your knee is okay and that it’s nothing serious. The failure bring to you some lesson. Our body has forces and weaknesses.
It is important to listen our body.
The 6 months training is something very positive. For me it is important to practise a sport. In my country we have a quote that resume well my thinking.”a healthy spirit in a healthy body”. The sport is a good antistress. It is important to find a sport that you like.
I realy liked your interview in the last Smallville Magazine. In the episode Noir you are amazing and charming with Jimmy.
Thanks for the Mexico stories and pictures.Have a good day and takes care of your knee.
Claude.
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Magie Says:
June 29th, 2007 at 10:19 pmAllison, the fact that you got yourself signed up and got over 1/4 of the way done is a MAJOR accomplishment! I mean I can’t run to save my life, so I admire your attempt! And I also love that you can look at the positives and not the negatives, they only bring your accomplishments down.
Mexico sounds AMAZING! I soooo wish I could travel and see all the beautiful things there are to see in this world. You are lucky, and I am living vicariously (sp?) through your tales!
Those pictures are simply beautiful as well!Hope you continue to have an amazing break!!
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Angel Says:
June 29th, 2007 at 10:27 pmHello Allison, It’s a pleasure to write on your blog…
I’m new to the smallville stuff and just by luck I found this website
I am from Mexico and well to hear about your knee as a first new from you wasn’t kinda the best you know hehe…But anyways I hope you’ll recover soon and then you can win all the races that you want.Ok damn… I had like a whole page thought of what to say…And I don’t know why it just flew off…
Well it would be nice to have you as a friend
I trully admire your work and wish you the best of luck. -
Skittery Says:
June 29th, 2007 at 11:35 pmAllison
I hope everything is okay with your knee. I’ve been dealing with knee problems for over a decade now after a fall while dancing as a teenager. I gave up hope of being as active again after doctors told me to “take it easy” and “don’t put strain on it”. In the last 2 years I’ve decided to see what I’m made of and have been pusing myself to my limits. I’m hoping by the end of the summer I can make it all the way around the SeaWall in Stanley Park without taking a breather (although it looks like it will be taking another year of training – 9km is a long way).
I’ve read every post so far, but this is my first time leaving a comment. I’m so glad there are other people out there around my age who aren’t afraid to think and speak out about said thoughts. I feel so fortunate to work in an industry that allows me time during my workday to read, knit and share ideas with others (I’m a permittee with the IATSE costume dept.). I am always shocked and pleasantly surprised when another crew member or an actor sees what I’m reading and stops to discuss their thoughts.
The pictures you posted were amazing. I never got the chance to visit the Aztec ruins – the closest I got was the Mayan ruins, which were amazing. I’ve ben fortunate to visit over 25 countries from spending 3 years with Princess Cruises and I really enjoy reading your stories about places I’ve been to as well.
Since you always start with a quote, I’ll end with a favorite of mine…
“Whenever you find you are on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” – Mark Twain
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David Dwight Hayes Says:
June 30th, 2007 at 6:45 amThere once was a god
Quetzalcoatl.
He asked just a little
Not a lottle.
He built many roads
Without potholes.
In return for fresh hearts
In clay bottles. -
gégé Says:
June 30th, 2007 at 11:22 ambonjour,
I hope that your knee will get better after some rest.
You didn’t finish the half-marathon but as P De Courbetin said “L’important est de participer”. You’ve learned how hard and important it is to have a good trainig before a competition. You trained to give the best of yourself for this event. Unfortunately, you failed and hurt your knee. We can find many reasons to explain it: stress, not very good physical condition,…With this experience, you’ve found to learn your boby limits. So your failure here, will bring you knowledge and information about yourself for an other half-marathon.I’m a sport teacher and I was faced with failure, injuries and hope that didin’t realise. It’s hard to admit a failure but that’s life. we’ve got to think and try to find why we don’t reach your goal (stress, too difficult for you,…). This way, we’ll learn and discover ourselves and think, behave different next time.
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Barry49 Says:
June 30th, 2007 at 3:17 pmatleast you didnt do what I did a few years back. Ive been in the military for 7 years now. When I first started out, I could run for freakin EVER!!!! Then I just kinda stopped. No injury, just lost motivation, and started paying more attention to my career. Now, I can barely run down the street without feeling like I’m gonna pass out. So keep up the motivation!!!!
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alli Says:
June 30th, 2007 at 4:13 pmeres muy bonita allison mack
en la serie smallville eres la mejor
deberian de sacar a lana(kristen kreuk)para que clark se enamore de ti porque claro esta eres mas bonita que lana
tu forma de actuar es impresionante ojala todos y todas tuvieran tu talento y belleza
tu sonrisa me fascina y tu cabello ni se diga
te quiero tu admirador number 1 por si no sabes leer español
ojala y pudieras mandarme algunas fotos tuyas a mi correo oziel_08@hotmail.com -
Bob Beaumont Says:
June 30th, 2007 at 8:12 pmAllison,
This is the first time I have read your blog. I think it is absolutely amazing. Good for you on being so interactive with your fans.
So my comment…..
It would only have been a failure had you not tried. Running 6 out of 10 K.m. in a marathon through a knew injury is awesome. I’m proud of you, and mostly I feel where you are coming from. It’s so easy to let things fill your schedule to the point where one looses the time to train and keep the body fit. This is my goal for the year, and next. You are a very inspiring actress with amazing talent & I love smallville!!! hahaha. Keep being positive and keep up your amazing life work.
All the best,
Your Canadian Fan
Bob Beaumont -
Jodie Says:
July 1st, 2007 at 12:58 amAllison,
Wonderful pics of Mexico. The black & white ones are beautiful being contrasted by the vibrancy of the color ones. You really captured the culture and the history of the Mexican people. -
ricardo villarreal Says:
July 1st, 2007 at 9:00 pmhello once again!!
its good that you know a bit of our beautyfull country mexico
i just wanna cheer you up for the effort of the race;and icant wait for smallville´s new seasonget your knee better, theres more time than life.
believe me cant imagine how much i want to have a picture with you.
saludos from monterrey; mexico.
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whitney Says:
July 1st, 2007 at 10:23 pmhey allison,
i’m pride of you on the fact that you kept up with your goal of training your butt off and running the marathon, and all though you messed up your knee it was just a minor set back and that should always be expected in life. When set backs happen you can just learn from it like i always say ” things happen for a reason,So Don’t Freak when Things don’t go as planned because its just another life listen.” Well i hope your knee gets better and thanks for sharing more on your trip to Mexico, the pictures you posted up are so awesome i love the black and white one its really cool. And oh ya I can’t wait till Smallville comes back on I want to know who actually died… which between you and me I totally don’t think Lana’s dead nor Chloe…Whitney–
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Nadia Says:
July 2nd, 2007 at 8:43 amHola, no se si sabes algo de español, tratare de escribirte la proxima vez en ingles…Soy una de tus admiradoras en el mundo. Soy de Argentina…y se que nunca podre conocerte, pero al menos tengo este medio para poder leer lo que expresas día a día.
Tenes una voz muy hermosa, y ademas sos portadora de una personalidad admirable.
Muchos éxitos en tu vida y en tu carrera…si podes, escucha la cancion: Una palabra- Carlos Varela, es una cancion muy linda.
Un abrazo en la distancia Allison…Nadia
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Ward Says:
July 2nd, 2007 at 9:00 ami read somewhere that you alison were going to appear at wizzard world in texas in november, i this true? that would be awesome.
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joey Says:
July 2nd, 2007 at 10:39 amjust remember failure leads to perserverance, which leads to character, and then into hope. hope your ok.
joey
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Emily Says:
July 2nd, 2007 at 11:17 amI know how you feel, and I believe you did not fail. If something physical happens to stop you from completing your goal, then there is nothing you can do about it. I tore the tendon in the bottom of my foot a couple of years ago. It takes a very, very long time to heal, especially when I have to be on it constantly, like I always am. I’m a cheerleader, and one time I had to sit out half of a basketball game because it was hurting so bad and I couldn’t walk on it. There’s nothing I can do about my ailment, but maybe you’ll be a little more lucky than me and be able to do something about your knee. I wish you the best of luck in your next race!!
I also love the pictures from Mexico. It is such an intriguing country with the different culture and everything else about it!!
Love from Arkansas!!
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Medina Says:
July 2nd, 2007 at 4:30 pmHi allisson
Acctually im a journalist, but dont worry because im here just like a fan
from Amazon
peace
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Bilal Says:
July 3rd, 2007 at 1:04 amhi…..Allison Mack
You have done a great job ok………..
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bourdieu Says:
July 3rd, 2007 at 4:32 amOuch. Postive though the lesson might have been, still sounds like it hurt.
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alfierys Says:
July 3rd, 2007 at 5:14 amHi, Allison and everybody, I new here site.
Es de mi agrado el interés que guardas por los viajes, todo país es muy rico en su cultura, su gente, sus sitios históricos, veo que te gusta la fotografía al igual que yo, me gustaron las fotos de China son fabulosas, leí hace un tiempo un libro Titulado “A China en Bicicleta” de un periodista español que dejó su trabajo y se aventuró desde turquía a China, pasando por Pakistan, Uzbekistan, varios otros países y todo en bicicleta hasta China, y sus narraciones transportan a lector a un viaje tan maravilloso como si lo fueramos nosotros mismos. Me encanta tu página, esta fuera de serie porque es distinta al resto, quieres expresar lo bueno en ti y agradar a tus fans. Gracias por ser tan única como tu sonrisa.It is of my affability the interest that guards by the trips, all country is very rich in its culture, its people, its historical sites, I see that you like the photography like I, I liked the photos of China are fabulous, I read a time ago a book Titled “To China in Bicycle” of a Spanish journalist who left his work and she was ventured from Turkey to China, happening through Pakistan, Uzbekistan, several other countries and everything in bicycle until China, and their narrations transport to reader to a so wonderful trip as if the fueramos we ourself. It enchants your page to me, this outside series because she is different from the rest, you want to express the good thing in you and for pleasing your fans. Thanks for being as only as your smile.
My English is not very good. I sorry. -
Izzy Says:
July 3rd, 2007 at 8:52 amI personally don’t like running at all but I still admire people who do. My left ankle gives me a lot of trouble too as does my knee a bit, so I guess I can relate to your pain and irritation. I am severely overweight so I suppose that means my knee will probably give me more trouble and my ankle will never heal the way I’d like it to.
I sprang my ankle a few months ago, right after an exam. It was my second before last French high school exam. I called my mom afterwards to ask if she could pick me up but she said she was at our old house’s ruins cleaning up. So, I was ready for the rather small walk towards the house and for the afternoon of cleanup. Unfortunetly, I didn’t get far when my foot caught the side of a huge hole into the pavement and folded on the inside.
I scraped my knee in the process and had to walk with crutches for the next two weeks. All in all, I’m better now but I wish I was much greater.
When I said house ruins, I mean the remnants of my burnt house. Four months ago, on February 24th to 25th at 1:53am, my house was burning from the ground up.
The funny part is, we got to borrow my ex sister in law’s Smallville seasons. We love it. Yesterday we finished watching season five and we’ll have to wait until season six to keep up the fun. I must say, the smooch Chloe had with Clark while Metropolis was going berserk, was awesome! heheh.
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David Dwight Hayes Says:
July 3rd, 2007 at 11:34 amHot off the Presses:
Archeologists have discovered that the word “Aztec” has been greatly misunderstood for centuries. The correct translation of “Aztec” is “A-Z Tech” or “A to Z Technical Services.” Ancient Mexico was actually a stop-over for intergalactic spaceships on their way to Alpha Centauri. The “Aztecs” would do any spaceship repairs that were required. But as time passed, the spaceships became more advanced and were able to repair themselves. More and more of the technical jobs dried up or were handled by ports that were off world by aliens that charged far less. Many of the Aztecs were forced to find work selling food … or as greeters at AzMart. AzMart was a filthy place to work and many that got jobs there came down with a then-new malady called Az-Ma. When the new intergalactic by-pass left Sol off the main routes altogether, many of the Aztecs migrated north or caught one of the few ships still using the spaceports and left for other worlds.
…. I could really use a good night’s sleep!
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brenda margarita macias sanchez Says:
July 3rd, 2007 at 1:19 pmHello allison like these. before nothing I mean that you are an excellent actress and that you are very good person .
he enchants your paper to me in smallville, I am Mexican and my English not this very good as we say
I hope that you follow thus and you are super happy, good the reason by that I write to you is so that you can send greetings to him in your next post to a Castilian friend who is called Oscar calderon, is that he is your fan and you enchant much to him and what but wishes is that you send a greeting to himI hope that it you can greet allison you take care of much and many congratulations by your work in smallville and all your projects hugs and greetings from Mexico
thanks allison I trust that you will make good bye will visit your page every day
xao.!
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Curlyqlink Says:
July 3rd, 2007 at 4:35 pm“That which does not kill me, makes me stronger”
–NietzscheOr was it Arnold Schwarzenegger? Anyway, running is one of those activities that almost invariably seems to spawn a Truimph of the Will kind of spirit. Great stuff for Nike commercials but a thing it’s best to be wary of, IMHO. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy running and I’ve been doing it for the last 30+ years. But if your knee hurts, stop. Let it heal. It isn’t failure, it’s just cartilage.
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AaronC Says:
July 3rd, 2007 at 4:47 pmAllison,
When I was 10 years old my knee dislocated (but didn’t pop totally out) when I was on a field trip hiking at some trails near where I live. By the time we got to the hospital (I wasn’t the only reason we went. A girl who was allergic got stung by a bee) my knee felt soar but fine, and I don’t really like hospitals, so I decided not to go in. Especially considering that my knee looked fine since it didn’t pop totally out.I didn’t really like PE when I was a kid. I was smaller then all the other kids my age, and was never able to keep up to them. I also tired sooner then anyone else, and I could never seem to manage push-ups and sit-ups. So I hated PE with a passion, and unfortunately people new it. The reason why I say unfortunately is because after the knee incident at the field trip, my knee would do the same thing when I was at PE, and you see since everybody knew I didn’t like PE they thought I was faking it, but I wasn’t. They knew I didn’t fake it the first time when I was hiking, but they figured I was using the idea to fake it then.
It wasn’t until my knee dislocated racing my cousin down a hill to my Grandma’s house, that I was able to convince everybody of the truth, you see I fell backwards and landed right on my back a certain way, that my cousin from behind me knew that I wasn’t pretending. But oddly enough, we still didn’t do anything about it except that I got compassion at PE. And my knee kept dislocating well into my teen years.
It wasn’t until I was sixteen, that we began to take my knee more seriously. You see I was in England (remember England) and I was racing with the youth I was with to catch “the tube”, when as I was running, and jumping down the stairs my knee dislocated, but this time it was a bit different. First of all it was far more painful, and second it popped totally out, and everyone could see it out of place. I was wearing shorts at the time too.
I was with a group of Christian Youth (I was one too). We were their speaking in schools on the subject of comparative religion. We also performed dramas as well. Anyway, the reason why I bring that up is because of the first instinct of the rest of the youth I was with was to pray and lay hands on my knee. As one of the guys did so, my knee went back into place. Whether this was really the “Power of Jesus”, “Positive Thought”, or just the fact that they relaxed myself and my knee, I’ll leave you to decide.
After I returned to Home (Canada) from England, I knew I had to see a doctor about my knee. I’m rambling, so to make a long story short a general doctor, a knee specialist, and a genetics lab later I find out I was born with a rare syndrome called Brachman-Delang that effects both the organs and skeletal structure. That explained a lot. Now I knew why I was short, ill a lot, and why my knee dislocated.
The good news. Most people with my syndrome die as infants. I’m still alive. 32 now. Not Perfect, but Healthier then I’ve ever been thanks to the right combination of Faith and Natural Food Supplements.
Overall I have enjoyed my life, but I can’t say it hasn’t been full of its fair share of failures. Including the “failure to launch”. As mentioned in a previous comment I am still living with my mother, I don’t drive, and I still haven’t got my career off the ground. And even though I graduated from High School. (It was a small Christian School). I don’t have any other degrees besides that.
I’ve been trying to start a career as a writer for 13 years now I have had so many “false starts” and “new beginnings” that if I had $100 for every time I have failed and had to start again, I wouldn’t have to begin a career. I’d be rich.
And guess what? At the time that I am writing this, I have failed in a business plan I was supposed to accomplish for a Program I’m in, and now they are placing me in a new program. How many times have I done this?
But you know what? There are lot of people who have commented on this post and they say that “It’s the Journey, Not the Destination”. I beg to differ. I believe the Journey IS the Destination. No ends. Just experience after experience. I know God has me in his hand, and that He has a plan for me even though it seems hard to figure it out at times. As a result I embrace each experience even the failures, knowing that it is not “The End of the World”, but simply a time for “Change”.
So Armageddon(according to Dnomal) might not necessarily be a bad thing.
Hmmmm…. Kinda looking forward to Christmas 2012.
Well, I hope I you read all this Allison, and that it blessed you in some way.
Hey, I just realized. I did succeed in one thing. I caught up to your posts.Till Next Time…………..
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michelle dimeo Says:
July 3rd, 2007 at 8:09 pmDear Allison,
Im so sorry about your knee ! I know how you feel , i have knee damage as well except i hurt mine while walking LOL ! Don’t worry when you get better you can retrain and try again . I have no doubt that you will suceed . Even being in our early 20′s our bodies can do crazy things and get hurt in the oddest ways, this IN NO WAY MAKES YOU A FAILURE !!! Your body is just letting you know how far it can go and with training you will have better luck next time ! i wish you all the best . You will run again , take care of yourself . -
Izzy Says:
July 3rd, 2007 at 8:09 pmJust a question by the way, I was wondering if you could e-mail me some time, I’d like to talk to you if you don’t mind or if you’re not too busy. If you can’t I’d understand. But know that I admire you a lot anyway. By the way, beautiful hair you have in season five, near the end. I wish I could find pictures of it since my screen printing won’t work…don’t know why…
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Devin Says:
July 3rd, 2007 at 9:36 pmYou fascinate me. I wish I knew how to turn that into a paragraph long comment, but I don’t. You’re pretty deep Miss Mack and I dig it.
~Devin -
Karthik Says:
July 4th, 2007 at 6:14 amHi Allison,
Well I come all the way from a tiny country called Singapore. Oh I’m a guy btw…indian guy…hence my Name.
Well your knee screwed up, during your marathon. What did you do for training? I mean you did kind of crash-train…
See I happen to be a personal trainer myself. But I advocate all natural training…. Anywayz…no problems…coz the solution (as your trainer might have told you already) is to rest your leg for the week and start with slow stretching.
You know how to stretch the knee don’t you? The healthy ideal would be a basic full squat knee supported and a quad stretch. But given your knee is in bad shape, here are some stretching exercises:
1. You lie on your back and fold your knee to your chest…GENTLY.
you see, most people tend to just stretch till it aches…which is raw hard strentching. But if you breath normally (conscious and slow) while focussing on very light gentle pressure (about 60-70% or less based on your comfort stretch level) and hold for the usual 10-15 counts or whatever comfortale for you for 3-5 sets.2. Don’t forget to straighten your leg up too (without locking your knee). I mean, hey, you need to balance it out.
it should be fine in a week–latest. then you can do a supported version of the ideal knee exercise as part of your warmup or stretching routine.
Aren’t you wondering, why am I advocating knee exercises when half (or more?) trainers and ‘experts’ claim such things are bad for the knee and all? Here’s why. I believe that a whole lot of the concepts are safety features to shield you from overuse…problem is they cause you to pamper yourself so much that you basically don’t reach your peak functionality.
How do I know what I am tellin you works? Coz I personally use it to great success AND when both my friends and new acquaitances try it…they tell me that it’s more invigorating than anything tried before. These are techniques partly proven by my own research and exercise combining both western science and eastern sciences. I mean for reference go ahead check them out! but you’ll have to match the right techniques together using your initiative.
So get well. All the best for your next run. start slow jogging first ok?
Regards,
Karthik. -
Karthik Says:
July 4th, 2007 at 6:47 amHi Allison,
That was my radical Personal Trainer pitch earlier…with some errors in english (careless mistakes).
I was really surprised to find your blog online. Frankly, you are doing a great job of entertaining/acting, especially in Smallville which is one of my favourite shows.
Well I am basically a Smallville fan. My intro to Superman, you know was first from the movie (superman 1) before I even set my eyes on a cartoon…that too during my teenage years. So its wierd because my perspective about Superman comes from looking at it from a future-science&probability angle. So its mostly a serious/analytical view first (kind of like the fiction turning to fact variety).
So now you guys are shooting the 7th Season already? Is it due out in October? thought I read it somewhere.
Actually, I have a request…though it seems to be a tall order. it’ll be nice of us to be friends (just as it is) and get to know each other better. [well this should set the 'wat the heck' bells]…but here’s why: On one hand I may be a fan of Smallville.
But I don’t like being just a fan, of you guys acting the role, whether its smallville, heroes or bollywood. I’d rather be a valuable friend to you guys…that’s why. It makes more sense to me interacting with you guys as friends than just going all appreciatey and do the usual fan stuff. In short I don’t want your (you guys) autograph, I’m looking for something more interpersonal (as a friend). Hey friendships too start from a start point!
Not just you btw…but Tom Welling, Kristin Kreuk, Michael,… . i don’t see their blogs…so I am starting with you.
So you can just email me a reply to kick off. Because, you see I love writing or designing plots or stuff…so I also have plenty of ideas from smallville (not wild ideas…but relevant ones). I’d actually posted some on Superhero Hype under the name mano012sg. But I guess it will reach in easier with us being in contact.
I know people come for auditions to clinch the roles…. I’m not too pariticular about how gets the credit for my ideas…so its more like an additional hand helping you with brainstorming and stuff for plot ideas.
Anyway take care,
Regards,
Karthik -
David Dwight Hayes Says:
July 4th, 2007 at 11:20 amHi,
Since this has been mentioned a couple times, I thought I would comment. It doesn’t matter what the meaning of the word Armageddon is. The term supposedly comes from the location where a final battle between good and evil is supposed to be fought – the mount of Megiddo. So if the final battle was to be fought in Toledo, Ohio, the term might be Artoledon. What really matters is what people think when they hear the term.
About the saying about what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, sayings like that have a point, but don’t think about them too much. If you lost all your limbs in an accident and survived, short of being the new Bionic Woman, you won’t be any stronger physically. You might be stronger mentally, but that is a CHOICE. Anything that happens to you good or bad can make you stronger or weaker depending on the attitude you take towards it. I know people who have suffered terrible losses and have persevered. I know others that have been incapacitated by a zit or hang nail. I can even imagine that there are people born with a silver spoon in their mouth that feel that the money has kept them from becoming who they could have been … and has kept them from knowing if someone really loves them for who they are rather than for what they’ve got.
Sorry, that’s all I’ll say on the subject. My left pinky finger is a little sore so I can’t type any more.
Take Care,
David
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Chris Says:
July 4th, 2007 at 7:29 pmAllison,
I used to run quite a bit and developed wha is called “runner’s knee.” It can be a bear at times because it will act up if you don’t train properly. But the good news is that you can do different types of training that strengthen the muscles around the knee joint, which will be a huge help.
Keep up the good fight. You are amazing to take on such an endeavor considering the hectic schedule you keep. How do you do it? I would enjoy it if you touched on that in one of your future blogs.
Again, all the best.
Chris
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Rhonda Says:
July 4th, 2007 at 8:28 pmHi Allison,
Beautiful story, sentiment, and photos, as usual.
As soon as I read the quote, one thing kept running through my mind—a moment from last year when I was learning to walk again. Yeah, yeah, pitiful, I know, but not the point. I can walk now, thank goodness.
As I was practicing standing up and sitting down, standing up and sitting down, all I could think was, “This is ridiculous! I can’t even friggin’ stand up and sit down without practicing! Ack!” On the outside, of course, I was smiling and trying to be positive. Up-down-up-down. The therapist wasn’t even watching, so I could have stopped. I didn’t, though, because I was getting out of that rehab hospital, and I had a date in my mind! This was near the end of April, and my son’s first birthday was May 7th. So, as far as succeeding, I really had no choice, right? Still, though, it sometimes scared me that it might be impossible, or I was so angry, I didn’t want to try. Other times, I wanted to party like no pity has ever partied before.
Now the real story.
Soon, another patient was wheeled over in my direction, maybe only five feet away. There we were, obviously about the same age. 30-ish. But there was a big difference. He was strapped rigidly into a special wheelchair, a drainage bag hanging down because he was unable to even use the bathroom himself. His head turned my way, arms sort of tense and moving awkwardly.
It was hard to take in, even though some were probably thinking the same thing about me. I know they were. “Poor you. So young. I’m sorry. Ok, uh, I’m going for ice cream. Bye.” Yep, we were both one of those people now. The kind that makes a person want to turn away and forget. Can’t be helped. Nope.
Up-down-up-down. I think we both knew we’d strike up a conversation. Why not? Hey, at least we could talk, right? How he started it, though, really threw me.
“You’re so lucky you can do that.”
I can’t stop thinking about that, Allison. It’s been over a year and I can’t get his voice out of my head. He said he had a little girl, about the same age as my son. But he wasn’t getting out for her birthday, I’m sure, no matter what amount of effort he put into it.
How does this even relate to the quote? It took a few minutes for me to figure that out. Why did the words on your site trigger his? I guess my mind got ahead of itself. And here it is—-
Because sometimes, we don’t even know we’re succeeding! I was pushing and pushing, but still, I had a stupid feeding tube that caused incredible pain, one eye was covered with a patch, I couldn’t swallow even a drink of water, and one ear was suddenly deaf. Sometimes, I didn’t feel like pushing anymore!
But when he said I was lucky, I thought, “Wow, I’m doing SO well! Last week, I couldn’t do this. Last month I couldn’t even sit up!” My spirit was set on fire, but at the same time, he was there, watching me, and I couldn’t help but hold all my feelings in. Later, though, there was no feeling sorry for myself. How could I?
The point is that your trainer was right. You accomplished a big feat by just having the guts to get ready for that run. Then, an even bigger one by setting out to cross the finish line. So what if your knee blew out this time. I’m telling you, right now, “You’re so lucky you can do that.” Now, back to training, little girl. Scoot!
Love,
Rhonda
)
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Cassie Says:
July 4th, 2007 at 10:55 pmThat’s good you at least tried to push through. What ever you do, don’t give up. If you need to take a break, take a break just don’t completely stop. You see, right now my arm is broken in two places, I have a complete fracture on one bone and on the other bone in my arm it’s and imcomplete fracture. The day of my accident my bone was dislocated but the next day the doctors popped it back in. I cried like a five year old when they get a shot. But even though this happed to me, in the future it won’t come in the way of my love for sports, especially volleyball. So keep doing what you’re doing don’t let anyone or anything keep you from doing what you love to do.
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Lee Says:
July 5th, 2007 at 7:23 amHi Allison,
I have been running since I was a kid and I have been training for a marathon for about ten years. in that time I have run many half marathons and even run 26 mile in training but every time I am about to run an official marathon which is usually Boston because I am from there I get some injury that prevents me from running but I haven’t failed yet just as I don’t believe you have because I will run one someday. But the most important reason for me to write you is because of something I read years ago about running which has allowed me to get as far as I have.
I read something written by an olympic gold medalist, he said the biggest mistake people make running is over doing it. And that he knew people who ran 5 miles everyday and asked him how come they couldn’t improve and he told them that it was because they ran every day and they weren’t giving there bodies time to recover.I have followed that advice and never run two days in a row infact I have taken two months off for the winter and within two weeks I ran a ten mile run like nothing. Also I just wanted to say you have a personallity that jumps off the screen and a smile that literally could light up any room. I love you as i’m sure all your writers do. Love, Peace, and good luck on your running.
P.S. come to Boston you haven’t run a marathon until you run this one.
Lee -
LDL Says:
July 5th, 2007 at 12:55 pmI love to run. I tend to worry a lot whenever I get the slightest pain in my knee that it will be something serious. It’s enough to drive me crazy.
Exercise is one the greatest things for the body and mind.
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Elsa Says:
July 5th, 2007 at 3:30 pmAllison,
your pictures are beautiful.
I don’t understand everything you say because i’m french.
Me i travel in Africa (Gabon) and its realy beautiful.Maybe a day you come in France to take picture of our beautiful landscapes.
Last thing: you are brilliant in Smallville, I hope that you’ll have beautiful and long career .
A French Fan Who wait you in the Festival Jules Vernes Award 2008
Elsa -
davidh1113 Says:
July 5th, 2007 at 7:31 pmHey Allison,
Hope you had a safe and fun 4th of July!! I know I have already commented here, but I had a quote to come to mind that fit what you went through with your run. “You only fail when you stop trying.” – Author Unknown. As I see it Allison, you are continuing to try by exploring other vestitures/avenues to help prepare yourself, and to keep from having your knee give you difficulty. Keep up the good work, and keep that awesome attitude!!
Kind Regards.
David Harvey
Morrisville, NC -
Pablo Says:
July 5th, 2007 at 7:46 pmHi, I actually have a knee injury myself, left knee as well. it was pretty hard at the beginning although after some time I got use to the idea of running the least possible. Then the doctor told me i needed to operate and I was not comfortable with the idea so his advice was to workout a lot and I’ve doing that for the last 2 years. So after all I actually feel a lot better now. So, my point being that knee injury is nothing you can not overcome. By the way I’m glad you liked Mexico I’m from Monterrey.
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Lee Says:
July 5th, 2007 at 9:24 pmHi Allison,
I think i can speak for all your fans when I say we would like to be kept up on the statis of your knee. I hope it heels fast.
Lee -
Jorge Mario R Says:
July 6th, 2007 at 9:52 amHola hermosa allison,
La verdad quiero decirte que eres la mujer mas linda carismatica,inteligente,muy profesional en su trabajo,el rostro mas angelical y nunca acabaria de poderte decir todas las cualidades que te rodean. Quisiera conocerte algun dia,yo se que si. Un beso y un abrazo. Ees un hasta luego,mas no un adios. good bye
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Hannah Says:
July 6th, 2007 at 10:20 amI love how you never give up. I too try my hardest to reach my goals. I love to swim. When I broke my arm. I tried my hardest to never give up swimming. But, right before I started swimming again I broke my arm one more. I’ve been strong through all my hardships and I’m glad to see you don’t give up either
Hannah -
Raquel Says:
July 6th, 2007 at 11:43 amHi, I’m from Brazil and I love your work on TV! I’m a big fan…kisses
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Natália Says:
July 6th, 2007 at 12:18 pmHi Allison
I feel like I am thinking more clearly now.
In one of my comments to this post I said that David Dwight Hayes’ second comment had gotten me thinking because I have always wanted to be an actress and getting into Medical School last September was making me question that, mostly due to fear of what my family would say if I simply gave up something that they put so much effort onto.
I have decided that for now I will join the School Drama Club as I did in High School (the only reason why I am not currently a part of it is because they had rehearsals until half past midnight twice a week and I had classes at 8am the next days) even if the rehearsals are until three in the morning. I don’t care. I am joining the club to have someone to teach me. I feel like I have so much to learn and I am eager to do it.
I have decided it is not imperative that I start my acting career right now, even though I am turning 20 in October (God, 20! *gulp!* I have never thought of myself as someone in her twenties!
), mostly because I still have a lot to learn and I should improve my technique before I actually audition and stuff.In my heart I feel like acting is what I’m supposed to be doing because when I’m not acting for too long I feel like I can’t breathe, like I’m stuck or trapped and can’t find a way out of the labyrinth. Which is sort of how I am feeling now and that is why I freaked out a little.
I tried telling my mother and she seemed to understand me, although her reaction seemed a little fake to me. I really care about them and really wouldn’t want them to think they failed me if I quit Medical Shool to fight for something that I feel passionate about, something that would make me happy. Actually, I would feel like I had failed if I let them down.
Is the fear of failing worst than failing itself?
Anyway, I’m not thinking of quitting for now, so I don’t have to worry about that yet. I will deal with it when the time comes.
Write soon!
I am starting to miss you hahahaLots of kisses,
Nat
P.S.: My mom and my sister are starting to think I’m crazy because I talk about you all the time. Hahahaha!
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The latinamerican guy Says:
July 6th, 2007 at 5:18 pmHello allison my name is dario and I am of Uruguay (I do not believe that you know my country jaja) I do not speak very well English so I almost do not understand anything of which you write but i wanna tell you something, I am a fanatic of you and you are very pretty was single that, I hope that you read it so that you know that of this side of the world also you have fanatics ok! good bye honey
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Erika Says:
July 6th, 2007 at 9:49 pmHey Allison, hope your leg is feeling better and that you are back out there giving it your all.
As I read your blog post, I’m reminded of a time in my life where I was afraid of getting behind the wheel of a car. I was in a bad car wreck when I was 19 years old and everyone who was in the car walked away with no bodily harm, but it left me petrified to drive and that just felt like the ultimate failure. The thing that brought me out of it was actually a teasing from my mother. I needed to run some errands and she handed me the keys to her car. Of course, my mind automatically went numb with fear and the one thing that you said to me is that “it’s like riding a bicycle or a horse, when you fall off, you’ve gotta get back on and try again.” Ever since then, I’ve done just that and now, driving has actually turned into a hobby for me in some ways.
Now if I could just afford a vehicle that will always let me engage in my hobby!
Thanks for reading, can’t wait for Season 7 of Smallville!
ELP
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Ryan Mc Says:
July 7th, 2007 at 7:07 amUna volta… Evil had taken control of the government, and it was up to me and a colleague to put a stop to this tyrannical, draconian uprising that had taken place, and we, and only we, could restore peace. My understudy was tasked to take the understudy of our foe, but I had to face the leader face to face, not knowing what fate lay in front of me. After an intense battle, and due to an ill turn of events, the enemy acheived the position of hgher ground, a definite advantage, but give up I did not. I fought my hardest, for the fate of the galaxy rest primarily upon my not so broad shoulders. Finally, I could see that victory was not possible; the situation had grown dark, bereft of hope. I knew at that point that failed I had. The entire galaxy as I knew it would succumb to the maniacal antics of my foe, and it was because of my failure.
Wait a minute…
That was Yoda (I always confuse him and me.)
Anyway, what good is any situation if a sense of levity is not present? What good is success if one does not know how to appreciate it? And how can one appreciate it if one does not experience the oppositer: failure? How can one learn anything about oneself if one doesn ot experience everything; how can one learn anything about life? If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. Anyone can overcome any failure with dedication, perserverance, a positive attitude, and support(a huge necessity, I think). But failure should be just a learning experience, a stepping stone for a person striving to acheive their greatness, their potential. And even if failure happens, looking back, it is always worth the try. Like Vergil wrote, “Carpe diem,” not just seizing the day but plucking it like the choice fruit from a tree: something to enjoy, something with which to nourish yourself, to help you grow; view it as an opportunity to see the world, to show the world of what you’re made, for this day as is for everyone else is your own day, cherish it, and let failure become success.
Tua via levis et amans esto.
Columbia, MO, US
-Ryan Mc -
Steve Belleguelle Says:
July 7th, 2007 at 1:55 pmHey Allison,
I remember reading a book and it saying something along the lines that failure isn’t in the falling over, it’s in the failing to get up again when you’ve fallen over.A couple of years ago I got a fortune cookie in a really lousy Chinese restaurant in Lloydminster (Canada) that I thought was so profound I popped it in my wallet and look at it every now and then. It says ‘Risk may cause failure, but success cannot come without it.’ If you’d never started the marathon there would never have been a chance that you’d have finished it. If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it, aim higher and you might miss, but you’ll have achieved more than nothing!!
Life is indeed a journey, we’re often so obsessed with getting to the destination that we miss the pleasure of the journey itself.
Hope your knee’s okay now.
Love the photos by the way!
God bless you,
Steve B (Morpeth, UK) -
jewels9 Says:
July 7th, 2007 at 4:54 pmHi Allison and Everyone,
This is my first entry. In fact, I just registered today! First, I want to say that I am so impressed by your maturity and thoughtfulness, Allison. You sound like a young woman with a lot to say and a lot to offer others and I acknowledge you for creating this venue to EXPRESS YOUR VOICE and give others the chance to do the same! Thanks, Chica!
As for the topic of failure. This is a soft spot for me for sure. I hate to fail. Terrified of it, in fact. But I do enjoy a good risk now and again and I’ve learned that anytime I take a risk, I risk failing. So, what’s a girl to do? Take a leap because it’s always worth it! One failure I was just talking about with my sister today is how I’ve been unable to help some of the people closest to me who struggle with their self-image and feelings of worthiness. I know it’s not my responsibility to make their lives better, but it hurts when I can’t help them. I feel like a failure because I see the beauty and worthiness in them–so why can’t I communicate that to them or make them see what I see? This is a tough one for me. I know I must let go and refocus on me and that’s what I’ve been doing over the last few years. But I’ve found that letting go is a journey too. Thanks for listening. Love, Julia F.
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Justin Says:
July 7th, 2007 at 9:42 pmHey Al,
I hope you are enjoying ALL your adventures. I am really jealous. I’ve only made south to the border, and that was, of all places, Rocky Point, Mexico (little America!) HAHA
Thanks for tuning me on Ghandi, his quotes and his life are such an inspiration. I encourage you to read my blog about it. Talk to you later. PEACE!
Papi Chulo
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Emily Says:
July 8th, 2007 at 10:47 amI guess we are who we are for alot of reasons, and we may never know most of them. Even though we can’t choose where we come from, we can always choose where we are going.
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Alicia Says:
July 8th, 2007 at 12:00 pmhi i lov u u’r so beatiful.oi saw for the 1st time et the serial smallville.say me are u dead at the end of the season 6 say me not and tell me your next project please answer
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megan Says:
July 8th, 2007 at 2:21 pmI was reading your blog and a couple entries back you talked about having a war going on inside you own head. I am reading this amazing book by Joyce Meyers called” Battlefield of the Mind” I recommend that you read it, You may find helpful ideas in this book to help you on your journey.
I really looking forward to the new season. You guys (and girls) are doing a fantastic job!!
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Ahmed Says:
July 9th, 2007 at 9:37 am“Life is a journey, not a destination.” That’s a nice word.
Nice to read your adventure to Aztec. How lucky you are… I’m so jealous.I’ll wait for your next post, Your Wonderful Journey.
Ciao Allison…Akhmadi
http://dee.web.id
Semarang City
Central Java
Indonesia
South East Asia -
Lee Says:
July 9th, 2007 at 11:07 amHi again Allison,
I was just thinking of what you said about failure and it reminded me of an old twilight zone episode that your probably to young to know of even though i’m sure you are aware of the show. In the episode this man who was not a good man dreamed he could have anything he wanted and never lose. And one day he woke up and everything he competed at he would win. At first he loved it but after a while he started to get upset because everything was so easy there was no point so this strange man told him he couldn’t lose and that he was dead and when he died he was granted his wish. So he asked the man if he was god and if this was heaven. And the man replied no this is hell. So take from that what ever you want. I just thought you might find it interesting.
Lee -
baique Says:
July 9th, 2007 at 5:48 pmHi, I’m from Brazil and I love your work on TV! I’m a big fan…kisses^^
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Levi, Sweden Says:
July 9th, 2007 at 11:09 pmHi Allison, first i would like to say i really like ur carachter in “smallville” ur such asweetheart, probably in real life to!!
I´m seeing season 6 right now probably seen 10 episodes in 2 days, then u really get in to it. It´s kind of surreal that u maybe read what i post here.
Ok, Mayas . It´s such a huge subject, but the The Mayan calender, the Temples, How they built a room covered with some strange and fragile metal, The strange Crystal skull, that scientist says it should NOT exist, because it was created in a way that would shatter it and impossible to do today… Love to spend hours watchng these ancient marvelles of Stone, like Angkor Wat etc, but in comparision to the beaty and splendor of our planet and Makro and Micro cosmos, Woow!
didn´t Einsteiin, say that he did not called it mistakes, I have just
tried a way that did not work.
About not giving up, I pushed myself over the line and got a Burn out, or exhaustion depression. That i am to this day fighting.
There has been literary 1000s of times I just would like to end it.
But there is also beauty in the pain and processing, reevaluation and so forth!! But one thing that often comes to mind when there is a set back, i learnd from a pin-ball machine.When I lost, there were that tough voice saying
-Dont quit now, winners never quit!
They just wanted me to put more money in, but I have used it to my advantage.
Hope my spelling is not to bad. Abd here is a last comment in Swedish for U to solveJag tycker du verkar vara himla gullig, älskar att titta på dina uttrycksfulla ögon.. det skulle vara så kul om du skrev, om än bara säga hej, till mig om du har möjlighet och tid
Ciao
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Mark C. Potts Says:
July 10th, 2007 at 5:09 amAllison,
Sweetheart, failure is when you want to do something but don’t even try. You tried, found your weakness, and now you can build on your strengths. From what I’ve seen so far, you have gone the extra mile to push yourself. Absolutely no failure there.
For years I wanted to go in the Navy, but bad knees kept me from going into basic training. But I got involved in life-saving at work and camp with little kids, they seemed far more important. Now I also belong to the Coast Guard Auxiliary and can be involved in patrolling and lifesaving.
Also now I’m trying to help this world by introducing new drive systems that allow no pollution.
What I’m trying to tell ya, just like your quote, the low valleys of our life make the mountains bigger. You can do it!
On top of that, the ruins in Mexico and elsewhere are amazing. It’s wild to see what the ancients were able to create.Peace,
Mark -
Giovanni Says:
July 10th, 2007 at 2:54 pmSo I got it….
And I quote “It is on our failures that we base a new and different and better success. ~Havelock Ellis”
I would say it`s not only in our failures, but it`s more of a character based thing. If you think about the why and the how…. you will be bound to get to the same answer you got from that quote of Havelock Ellis… Having said that That`s a great quote thanks for sharing it with us.hahaha So Ms mack YOU HAVE FAILED!! But If you think about it isn`t it just the same as not failing? It`s no big deal for you only for your sense of self satisfaction you don`t have to proof …. to anybody you have to do what you want to do ,for one reason or another… there are lots of reasons do do thing… everything has a reason…. and you will want to do it based on the person that you are. And obviously you are a thinker and it`s a common thing that thinkers are people that think about others and not only themselfs so that makes what you will want to do what is the right thing ( that you tought about…based on your thought patterns )
I play the classical guitar I thought myself how to play it…so at times I was feeling kinda tired of not being able to play a piece… I found a nice quote…
So I`ll leave you with this quote : Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm. – Winston Churchill
Ofcourse there are more things than this alone but I know you already know many…. so girl keep doing your thingHave a nice day.. I hope to be able to read more of your adventures soon…
hmm Maybe I`ll put some of my thoughts online ( yeah you inspire me hehehehe…. ) byeI really hope you read this.. I`d like to know what you think about the above…
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Andrea Says:
July 10th, 2007 at 3:58 pmHello
I am from Brazil.Here thousands of fans of you exist, besides me!!
for me you are the smallville best!!
I find you very beautiful and talented!!
A lot of success for you!!
: * * * -
DANIELA Says:
July 10th, 2007 at 7:31 pmHey Allison!
Im from Mexico!!
im glad you like here..
is a great country, with big troubles!but ilove it!!
how people treated you??
You must come to Monterrey, Mexico!!someday!
i wishyou the best, as always
enyoy you vacations!!we are dying for seeing you in Smallville!!
SALUDOS DESDE MEXICO !!
SALUDOS DESDE MEXICO !!
SALUDOS DESDE MEXICO !!
SALUDOS DESDE MEXICO !!Daniela Sandoval.
Monterrey, Mexico -
Deon, S.A. Says:
July 10th, 2007 at 11:03 pm“Success is not measured by what a man accomplishes, but by the opposition he has encountered, and the courage with which he has maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds”
-Charles LindenberghI would like to think that we shouldn’t devine ourself’s in our failures, but how we succeed indespite our failures and what we learn from them.
This should apply to our humanity as well.Just keep on trying – you’ll succeed.
Remember
“Many of life’s failures are people who dit not realize how close they were to success when they gave up”
-Thomas A. Edison -
Pablo Says:
July 11th, 2007 at 2:53 pmHi, I posted some days ago sorry to bother again but I was thinking that if you liked Teotihuacan you would love Chihen-Itza it’s one of the seven wonders now
You should come back to Mexico to meet it. And while you are at it you might as well come to visit Monterrey too I think you will like it. Well, take care and get well soon. Bye
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Jendi Paterson Says:
July 11th, 2007 at 7:01 pmDon’t take this the wrong way, infact look at it as a complement. I know the show Smallville, have watched it a few times, but to be hnest I don’t watch a lot of TV, but I do recognise you… So to say I was your biggest fan wouldn’t do your true blood red fans justice…HOWEVER (theres always a however:)
I’m 23 and live in a far far away country called New Zealand.. somewhere that you really should travel to! Currently I am in Queenstown New Zealand but spent the pas two years of my life living in New York at a top marketing corporation. I was working insane hours, weeks month I swear those two years are a blur. While I loved my job and was very god at it something was missing; life. While I had many wonderful material things my life was just passing me by. i’m so glad I realised it at this age and not in 10 years time ( I have a point I swear).
I was a top athlete at school and competited Internationally; however I chose my career over furthing that; don’t get me wrong I don’t regret it.
So to my point I was googling half marathons as I’m currently training for one and some how your blog came up. I got completely into it…your a wise young lady you know and from what I can see a fantastic role model to young people which does tend to be lacking at times in your industry. while I majored n Marketing etc I doubled with anthropology; something from your travel and experience I believe you would excel in. I think we’re similar in age and theres to things I love the most about life…
1) running, you must agree that there is nothng like the freedom and alone time with your brain and thoughts when your running, it’s not just physically healthy but also mentally!!
2) Learning, many human beings study and hit the work force or what ever and thats it. There is so much in this world, so many different races, cultures lives that we can live and learn from…my mother still says to me ” you wont live long enough to make all the mistakes in life so learn from others” (i.e don’t do a Paris Hilton on us:)So basically Allison Mack I just wnated to say I respect your prospectous on life… keep living it….keep running and you have the means to see the world so do it while you can. And if your ever in need of seeing some beautiful green country side, New Zealand is the place you need to go… theres always plenty of half marathons… September 9th my one but there constantly running and take care of your knee; if you do head over here at any stage and need a place to stay or a jet ski or someone to point you in the right direction let me know… I’d love to sit down and hear about your travels and maybe show you some local sites, through you off a bungi bridge etc etc.
Kind Regards
Jendi -
Ryan Says:
July 16th, 2007 at 6:57 amproverbs 24:16 “for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again…” – this part of this passage helps me to remember that mistakes will happen, but only giving up marks your defeat. I get pretty hard on myself to be a good to everyone including friends and family. I wish i could do more to change the entire world. I think of things like finding a cure for cancer, or get all nations to make peace. But really the biggest difference a person can make in the world is to touch another persons like for the better. Like throwing a pebble in the pond and seeing the ring ripple from it to the shore. Just as the little pebble made such a big effect, so too can one little good thing make a huge difference in the world
a big fan
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Jonathan Says:
July 19th, 2007 at 11:19 amAllison te amo!!!!!!!!! y aunque no entiendo mucho del idioma ingles, te aprecio mucho, me encanta como actuas, eres bellisima, tengo casi todas las series, peliculas y escenas en donde sales, te amo!! te tengo de wallpaper en el fondo de mi computadora, me encantaria que algún día me escribieras pues yo te admiro mucho, soy de México, el 8 de agosto cumplo 16 años, espero algun día me escribas, te amo!!!!
I LOVE YOU ALLISON!!!!!!!!!
PLEASE ACEPT THIS MEXICAN FAN, MODERATOR, POST MY COMMENT PLEASE.
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BOUROUX Says:
July 22nd, 2007 at 9:48 pmHi Allison
I live in Montreal.
Here we have extreme temperature.
Minus 30 c during the winter and 30 c during the summer.
During the winter we have snow storms with 30 cm of snow and last friday 30 mm of rain are fallen on us. The water and the snow. 30 seems to be an extrem number.
For the sports, it’s fantastic.
During the winter, I do alpine ski and during the summer I swim in my swimming pool. I am passionnate by this 2 sports. During the summer I swim at least 1 hour each day. Because I have a circular 24 feets swimming pool, I turn in round.
During the last week of april and the first of may, it’s possible to practice my 2 favorites sports in the same day.
The ski station Mont Sauveur is 40 minutes from my home. My swimming pool is heated by thermo pump.
My season of swimming is between april 20 to the beginnig of october. My season of ski is between dec 1 to may 10 depending of the temperature.
During the summer Mont St Sauveur have one of the most beautiful Aqua park in North America.
I realy like live in this country.
The secret of the adaptation in cold country is the sport. It’s possible to do ice skating and nordic ski near my home. Without sport we have only the consequences of cold.
In the sport as with work, it is necessary to pay attention to the repetitive actions. Certain actions are harder than others for the articulations. In water our articulations don’t have to support our body. The water do the job. I can swim one or two hours during a day without pain to my arms , my legs or my back. For the alpine ski, I like the slopes with moggles. When I was 20, I decided that the ski is not a competition but a fantastic hobby. I decided to ski slowly but with style. Today at 49, I ski again in the same moggle slopes with the same style. The moderation prevent injuries in sport. This summer in Montreal, we have a great exposition.
Body Worlds 2. The anatomical exhibition of real human bodies. Last week I visited this exposition and it was a fantastic experience. Learn to know our body is fabulous. I give you a link.
http://www.centredessciencesdemontreal.com/LMC2/en/index.html
Allison, take care of you and have a good week.
Claude. -
PEDRO CORONADO Says:
July 24th, 2007 at 11:06 amGRACIAS ALLISON POR VISITAR MI PAIS… MEXICO
Y PUES SI TE GUSTÓ VISITAR LOS TEMPLOS Y LAS PIRAMIDES DE TENOCHTITLÁN… TE INVITO A VISITAR UN LUGAR SUPER, SUPER MARAVILLOS SE LLAMA REAL DE CATORCE, S.L.P. QUE ES UN PUEBLO FANTASMA EN DONDE UNA VEZ HUBO MUCHA PLATA, HAY MUCHAS HISTORIAS, UNA IGLESIA IMPRESIONANTE LLENA DE ORO, Y DE LEYENDAS TE PASO EL LINK “PLEASE ACEPT” http://www.realdecatorce.net PARA QUE VEAS QUE NO MIENTO Y OJALA ME PUEDAS CONTESTAS MUCHAS GRACIAS Y SUERTE EN EL CAP 7.20 QUE VAS A DIRIGIR, Y PUES ERES MUY TALENTOSA Y ME ENCANTA SMALLVILLE. TU ERES MI #1. BYEEEEE GRACIAS
ATTE. PEDRO CORONADO VALDEZ “ALLISON, ALLISON, ALLISON YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA”. -
PEDRO CORONADO Says:
July 24th, 2007 at 11:17 amHELLO…
Y SI ALGUN DIA LO DECIDES VISITAR PUES ME DICES Y YO TE LLEVO A CONOCER TODO EL LUGAR CON MUCHO GUSTO OKKKK?? EN UN LUGAR DE COMPLETA PAZ Y RELAX 100% Y PUES AHI SE ENCUENTRAN ARGENTINOS, ITALIANOS, SOBRETODO, PERO HAY GENTE DE MUCHAS PARTES, VISIT PLEASE, JAJAJAA, BUENO… GRACIAS ALLISON ERES SUPER MUCHA SUERTE EN TODO ME ENCANTÓ EL FOTOBLOG DE LA CD. DE MEXICO Y TENGO MUCHAS FOTOS TUYAS JUNTO A KRISTIN QUE PADRE QUE SEAN AMIGAS, ERES UNA GRAN PERO GRAN ACTRIZ MUCHA SUERTE OK?? BYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE ATTE. PEDRO CORONADO VALDEZ MATEHUALA, S.L.P. MEXICO
BYEEEEEEEEEEEE YOU # 1. -
Juan Carlos Says:
July 26th, 2007 at 5:57 pmI’m really happy that you had visited my country Mexico, I live in Guadalajara, Jalisco, the second city in my country, I’m a great fan of you and I hope you are so good and you come back to Mexico soon. I’ll waiting for the seven season for Smallville and I can to see your smile again on TV.
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daphne Says:
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David Dwight Hayes Says:
July 30th, 2007 at 3:00 amOkay. The party’s over. Now, get back to work! Break a leg.
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rehochipe Says:
August 3rd, 2007 at 1:48 pmokay señorita alli, estoy encantado de que hayas visitado mi paia, México es un pais con muchas bellezas, (aunque como tu ninguna), solo quiero felicitarte por tu trabajo y hacerte saber que aqui se te quire mucho y se te admira…
saludos y besoso desde méxico df.
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Milena Says:
August 9th, 2007 at 6:53 amHey!, Im from Bogota D.c, Colombia I hope you come some day is a beautiful country, I love smallville, so continue your trips arround the world and add my country you will soprise with it.
felicitaciones, adios. -
Ted Says:
September 2nd, 2007 at 5:01 pmSorry this is a little late, but I’ve not been here before! I just wanted to send a little encouragement your way for your next attempt at a half marathon. You’ll make it. Really. It’s not just mindless words here — you can do it, the knees will come around.
Suggestion? If you haven’t done it yet, go to a running store (not a sports shop, but a store that does nothing but running stuff!) and have them work with you to pick out the right shoes. That, and starting too fast are the biggest challenges we face as new runners.
But you know that, now at the very least. And *that’s* how I know you’re going to succeed sometime in the future.
Consider, I’ve run… seven marathons in the past four years. Not fast, no. And certainly not pretty. But that medal they give you at the end shines every bit as much as the one they give the first person who crossed the finish line two hours before you. And though I’ve got to take some time off from running right now (recovering from cancer surgery, but hey, I get to wear one of these swang LiveStrong yellow rubber bracelets), I’ll get to do it again.
You’ll get there. One step at a time.
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Kal-El secort name Alexander Johnson Says:
October 15th, 2007 at 11:22 amHi Allison Mack Its me Alexander Johnson but Alex for short I have a few more Quastions for you if thats all right. 1 If you draw what do you draw.2 In your spear time what eles do you and Kristin Laura Kruek do besides reading do you both travel some? 3 What kind of poems do you like and I was woundering if we share some.4 What eles did you do in Mexiceo while you were there its a reall fun place when i went to Mexiceo city.5 If you dont watch your performence of the Smallville show do you read the Smallville books?6 Do you love to cook if you have the time because I love to cook and if so what is it?7What season of The Sopranos do you have because I would like to get you one of the seasons if you dont have it. Allison Mack I would like to be firends wiht you if thats ok Take Care and Be Safe and have a Happy Halloween because I would like to send you a 22 by 24 drawing of you if thats ok to, if you have the time could you give me a messege in my email its mecool123002@yahoo.com
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Hal Says:
October 25th, 2007 at 7:52 amHello, Ms. Mack:
This comment is pretty stale, I’m afraid. I hope you are well recovered from your injury. If you are looking for a half or full marathon still ahead, how about the Diamond Valley Lake races out in the Inland Empire? It’s on January 19. If you schedule permits, it’s a good race. Small, not too hilly and sponsored by Habitat for Humanity. Not in LA so I don’t think you’d be mobbed with press. Here’s a link:
http://diamondvalleylakemarathon.com/I ran the half marathon last year and can attest it was well run.
PS: I like Rumi too, though I confess to being lost in much of his stuff.
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C. Says:
November 10th, 2007 at 1:51 pmSeems bit behind on this one. I apologise but I just found the website. (Very nice by the way). Your post definately rings true. I found the part about getting so completely caught up in the idea of “the race” that you overlooked the journey it took to get there to be such a common a theme to us all. To me anyway. Our entire life takes place in this present moment , and the future and past, while nice to look to with hope or reminice about with fondness, are not really here and now in reality. So in your example, truly eperiencing the journey of training is not only the means but the end itself. What a nice lesson. Keep up your training (in running and in life)! I’ve got a bad case of tendonitis in my right knee keeping my on the eliptical for now but I’ll be back on the trail soon enough!
C.
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david Says:
November 22nd, 2007 at 8:25 amhola me llamo david soy fans de allison soy de venezuela pienso que es la mujer mas bella que hay!!!jajaj quien esta de acuerdo con migo??quisiera q alguien me mandara mas foto de ella a mi correo sii pueden claro
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david Says:
November 22nd, 2007 at 8:27 amhola sy david se me olvido un detalle mi correo jajaja. es reinaldomaduro@hotmail.com
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Chad Stuart Says:
January 15th, 2008 at 9:23 amAllison,
Have you attempted another distance run? As a distance runner myself I would encourage you to do so. It is the greatest sense of accomplishment I have ever experienced! I know about the fragility of the knee though; after my last race I went out for a simple training run and the next thing I know I could barely walk…I was shelved for 2 months. I am now back at the training and I hope you are as well.Chad
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Aztec History Says:
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:58 amI need to go and visit those temples someday. Not just through books
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Robyn! Says:
March 12th, 2008 at 10:03 pmThat story about the marathon was soo inspiring! particularly since im going into junior year next year and im reeeally worried about testing and colleges-this keeps me in touch with what its really all about (no not the hokey pokey)
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Jordi Says:
June 29th, 2008 at 12:23 amHello, Ms. Allison and congratulations for what you did. I have tried to run that distance but on the first 5 miles my brain starts to throw me sentences like that: Are you crazy? If you want to go that far, why don’t take a car? -and i stop running, jejeje!! But next year I will run it. My father, who runned a marathon when he was 60 years old, used to run half-marathons, specially one in my town (Granollers, close to Barcelona), which is known as one of the best here in Spain, and next year he won’t run it because his disease (cancer) and I want to run it for him. That point brings me to tell you:
I invite you to run this HALF-MARATHON in my town next week. When I say I INVITE YOU means that exactly: come to my town (if you want, you can stay in my house, which is not as big as an hotel but it’s my house, and you’ll have all the things you wish, food, a bed, friends to talk with, peace…), I’ll show you Barcelona if you haven’t still been here, I’ll cook for you (or my girlfriend, who cooks thousands of times better than me) and I’ll give you a little holidays knowing a new country (maybe a new language?) and enjoying the peace, the sun and the half-marathon run. If you accept, you have my e-mail. If not, don’t worry, I understand you have work to do or maybe you can think I’m a mad man obsessed with a famous actress and wishing to kill her or something.
Anyway, if you read this and you don’t get angry or afraid of me, thank you and consider the invitation (I’m not a bad guy, truly).
See you (on TV)… kisses!!!
PS: Strength and honor!!
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Jordi Says:
June 29th, 2008 at 12:32 amHi! It’s me again!! i didn’t mention the half-marathon in my town is on january or february (it’s not already dated). Some years it’s on january and some other years it’s on february. And don’t mind you’re knee. It’s sad and painful but you must not give up with the idea of leave the running. As Chad said (another mail below) try other distances and you can go step by step, and you will see how your knee reacts.
Sorry if something in the first comment disapointed you. It was not my intention. I only want to invite you to visit Barcelona and try this half-marathon (it’s not complicated at all).
Buena suerte (Good luck)!!!
And besos y abrazos (Kisses and hugs)
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