My heart touched by a Marathon...

Wow, I've announced professional, college summer league, and collegiate baseball for nearly 30 years. I've announced A-League Soccer in Seattle. I've announced Semi-Pro Football in Syracuse, NY. I have announced awards ceremonies for The SLO County Special Olympics. I have done bike races, fun runs, roller derby, competitive 5K's, fundraising walks and even a fashion show or two. But, never in my nearly 30 years in this business have I done a three day Marathon event. I've run them, but I have never announced a 26.2 mile Marathon or a 13.1 mile 1/2 Marathon. This weekend's festivities included a packet pick-up expo, a 5K, a kids 1-mile run, a kids dash, a half marathon and a marathon. It basically put our small beautiful California city on hold for hours and man was it worth it! I have never seen more determined athletes of every age, setting goals, pushing through the pain and making it happen even in difficult weather conditions. The rain on Saturday didn't stop anybody running in the 5K, 1-mile or kids dash. I was competing in a personal marathon myself, challenging my vocal cords for 10+ hours on Friday, 15+ hours on Saturday and 9+ hours on Sunday, and it was awesome! The faces of the competitors before, during and after their races inspired me to push through my own exhaustion. Watching the teams compete together, waiting at the finish line for their teammates was so cool! Seeing the Team for Riley of over 70 people running, walking, and crying all in memory of teenager Riley O'Donnell who died in February of 2014. They battled tears and sadness all weekend long. But, it was healing for me and warmed my heart as I remembered my family's loss, my 11 year old nephew Tanner less than two years ago. No matter what they ran for, no matter who they ran for, folks of all ages kept me and my voice going and alive for the 35+ hour marathon. Here's to next year, hours and hours on the microphone at the 5th Anniversary of the SLO Marathon & 1/2 Marathon. Kudos, congrats, good on you. Without the runners and walkers, I may not have made it all the way through my own finish line at 5pm Sunday night.

Staying professional...

I hate to say it, but sometimes in my business people aren't so nice. I keep telling myself that it's 2015, times have changed, people are good at heart and want people to have a fair chance to succeed in this life. Men want women to make strides to earn equal pay. People of all colors, of all lands and of all ethnic histories have given up the hate and everyone looks to be treated the same. Women are free everywhere to be and do anything. That's when I'm thought of as an idealist, a dreamer, a little naive. Well, I'm okay with those labels, but I'm not okay when anyone is treated badly, patronized, condescended or disrespected based on color, gender, status or how big their pile of stuff is. Recently, I was proven wrong...darn it! I've been in this business, a predominantly male field since 1988, when I started at an NPR radio station in Syracuse, NY. The sports department was run by students. I was the only female on the staff. Since then, 26+ years ago, less than 20 women have trained and worked in that department. Radio is a slow business to accept females. Sports TV is far ahead of the game. But, either way, on a regular basis we run into men that aren't interested in hearing what we have to say. It doesn't bother me, I'm used to it. What does irk me is when I am looked down upon, ONLY because I am a woman. I can't change people, I can't adjust their attitude or behavior. I can only do my best, be my best and not take it personally. There are those moments, and one happened to me just a week or so ago. I did take it personally and it was uncomfortable and I thought better of the person who treated me that way. He apologized, I think he meant it. But, I cannot wait until those moments are behind me. I'll stay optimistic that I won't have to deal with it forever. I must admit and be transparent...I'm doubtful. Especially when it's someone in power and considered a leader. I will move on, I will persevere and I will continue on my journey. Because I sure love what I do, even if I run into folks that don't get it or treat me differently just because I am a woman. I hope for the younger females in this business that they enjoy full careers without many of those negative moments. Because sports radio and TV can be so much fun. It's those few that are insecure or threatened by us that make it less than fantastic. Walk tall, keep your head up and remember who you are. Be bigger than the moment!