December 16, 2007

Jingle Bell 5k



What a wonderful event the Jingle Bell 5k was! It was held this past weekend in Austin, Texas and the proceeds from the race goes to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)


I got up early and did a 17 mile long run from our home to downtown Austin. It was a clear cold morning but that did not deter the 2000+ runners they had!


After the race lots of folks stopped by the Dick Beardsley Foundation booth and asked lots of questions, picked up flyers, took lots of pictures, and learned more about our foundation.


I met a few folks that have dealt with chemical dependencies over the years and they are all doing well now! It was very encouraging getting their support for what we are trying to do!


It is a huge mountain to climb to get a foundation up and running, but it brings me great joy to know that with the help of generous donations and public awareness, we will make it happen "One day at a time"!


Thanks to all those who stopped by our booth and a big big thanks to my family for making it all happen!


Have a great day! Dick

December 10, 2007

Dallas White Rock Marathon






What a wonderful couple of days I had in Dallas this past weekend! My wife, Jill, was able to join me on this trip which was really nice!

Friday morning I had the opportunity to visit the kids at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas...talk about inspiring!

The rest of the day I spent at the Dallas White Rock Marathon Expo. I was at the Marathon & Beyond booth and the New Balance booth selling books, signing race numbers and just talking to folks.

Saturday morning I went for a nice 10 mile run with my good friend Mark Bravo from Oklahoma City. Mark had a total hip replacement done not all that long ago but you could never tell as we ran 10 miles together and he did not show one sign of compensation from it....amazing!

Saturday I spent the afternoon back at the expo and for awhile spent time in the New Balance booth with my good friend Bill Rodgers. Bill and I have know each other for 25+ years now and we still both really enjoy the sport of running!

Saturday night was the pasta dinner. The head table was a who's who of legendary runners from the past. It was a honor to be seated at the same table with Autoro Barrios, Bill Rodgers, Joan Benoit Samuelson, and Frank Shorter.

Race day morning Sunday, brought cold, windy, rainy conditions! Myself, Bill and Joanie all ran in the half marathon while Frank helped with the TV coverage.

It was a awesome fun weekend and a big thanks goes out to Marcus Grunewald, the race director, for inviting me to this years Dallas White Rock Marathon!

Have a great day! Dick

December 6, 2007

Mid-West Dairy Expo - St. Cloud, Minnesota

I was the invited keynote speaker for the Midwest Dairy Expo held in St. Cloud, Minnesota. I flew into Minneapolis on Monday evening and spent the night at my sister's house. I had a great visit with all of the family!

The next morning I drove to St. Cloud in a good ole fashioned Minnesota snowstorm!

Tuesday evening I was the featured speaker at their banquet. Being a former Minnesota dairy farmer, I really enjoyed being with some of the nicest, hardest working folks you will ever meet!

Wednesday morning I gave the keynote address at the breakfast in front of a few hundred folks, it went real well and I could tell from the comments afterwards, they really appreciated my talk!

I was very honored to have been introduced by a old friend of mine, Jeff Renault. Jeff is with the University of Minnesota-Extension and works with dairy farmers, in fact he came to my farm in the mid 80's and helped me become a better milk producer.

Jeff was also a accomplished runner back in the 60's and competed in the first U. S. Olympic Marathon Trials in 1968.

His son, Mike, is a very elite runner now and just competed in the recent Olympic Trials Marathon in New York City.

Thank you to the Minnesota Milk Producers for making my trip possible!

Dick

December 3, 2007

California International Marathon

This past weekend I was the guest of the California International Marathon and Fleet Feet Sports in Sacramento, what a wonderful time I had!

I arrived on Friday morning and after checking into my hotel I went for a beautiful run along the American River. Sacramento has miles and miles of great running and bike trails.

I spent Friday afternoon at the expo in the Fleet Feet booth, right across the way from my good friends at the Grandma's Marathon booth. I spoke with lots of folks and signed lots of New Balance cards.

Saturday went for a nice 10 mile run along the river. At noon I spoke to a large audience at the expo. My talk went very well, afterwards I spent the afternoon at the Fleet Feet Sports booth and sold a signed a whole box of books!I saw some old friends that have attended some of my Marathon Running Camps! It was great to see them!

Sunday morning I did a nice 14 miler along the river and then helped with the TV coverage of the race at the finish line.

What a wonderful weekend I had and also received some generous donations for our foundation!

A big thanks to New Balance for making my trip possible!

Have a great day!
Dick