Afghan Female Olympian Missing

I know this is last week's news, but I'm just catching up to speed. I wanted to share this story with anyone who also maybe missed it last week or who is just interested in how it continues to develop. It saddens me when I realize that we still live in a world where not all female athletes are supported and encouraged to excel in sports and take pride in such accomplishments.

Mehboba Ahdyar, a 19-year-old track runner who competes in the 800 and 1,500 meters disappeared from the training center she was staying at last week. Her luggage and passport were gone and rumor has it that she is seeking asylum in Norway. She had been training on an International Olympic Committee (IOC) scholarship. The IOC scholarship program assists athletes from smaller, under -developed nations.

With the 2008 Summer Olympics less than a month away, it seems as though there is little hope of her participation this year. The Afghan Olympic body, Sayed Mahmoud Zia Dashti, said Ahdyar had suffered a leg injury and was receiving treatment in Italy. The linked article quotes Sayed Mahmoud Zia Dashti saying, "I can confirm that she has injured her leg and that she has will not participate in the Beijing Olympics and that her family in Italy is taking care of her,". However as of last week, no one had heard directly from Mehboba Ahdyar as to her where abouts.

This more recent article states that Mehboba Ahdyar has been in contact with her family she in formed them that she was seeking asylum because of fears for her life. She has received death threats on her mobile phone from Muslim extremists who object to a Muslim woman participating in sports. The article further reads that "...earlier this year, her neighbors called the police, claiming she was a prostitute -- a charge that landed her father in jail until the matter was cleared up."

And to add another twist, I found this article which states that her parents are "reportedly" under pressure from members of the Afghan Olympic Committee who are telling them that they risk being thrown in jail if Mehboba does not come back to participate in the games.

This sounds like an awful situation and my heart just breaks for this poor young girl and her family. Being able to represent your country in the Olympics should be a joyous event for everyone, but this is clearly not a joyous experience for Mehboba and her famly.

AWESOME!

I can totally get through 3 miles. :)
Almost Famous is one of my favorite movies!
What a great event! Go Nike!
LOVE IT!

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"The only true currency in this bankrupt world...
is what you share with someone else when you're uncool. "
- Lester Bangs, Almost Famous

MRI - Arthrogram - Postponed!

Not that I was really looking forward to having dye injected into my hip (sounds lovely huh?), but I was very interested to see what this image would show. It seems that I will not have that opportunity, well at least not right now. As it turns out, the price of the Arthrogram was about $3,000! This is about $2,400 more than what the same imaging center told me it would cost the day before (when I called to find out). Plus, that price doesn't include the x-rays I'm schededule to get done as well.

Interesting how no one seems to know what they are talking about when it comes to medical billing and insurance. It seems like everyone just guestimates and hopes they are right. I imagin the United Health Care - customer service center as a whole floor of cubicals filled with customer service reps all sitting around chearping in the phone their best bullsh*t guestimates. With the corporate moto hanging on a banner over head, "Do your best to make sure the customer thinks you know what the hell you're talking about!" or "when all else fails, talk in circles until they give up".

Anyway, after going back and forth (on the phone) with my Doctor's office and the "peach" of a lady behind the glass at the imaging center, I decided to reschedule at a later time. I need to first figure out how I will pay for this.

It just frustrating knowing that I could shell out $800+ for MRIs and x-rays and have them turn out normal. Is that worth the peace of mind? I'm still trying to figure that out. Seriously, what do people do that have SERIOUS medical issues. On a scale of severity, my issue probably wouldn't even qualify as a "2" out of 10... and yet I want to scream.

I left the imaging center and sat by the east river watching a few trash barges and a couple yahts move up and down the river. I watched the happy runners trotting along the river path below and along the edge of Roosevelt Island on the other side of the river. I sat there for about 20mins hoping no one would come over and question why I was bawling like a big fat baby and that's when it started to rain, hard. nice. Anyway, the rain was enough to make me laugh at the entire situation. And then I started my trek back to the subway. Btw, who puts an MRI imaging center 3/4 of a mile away from any subway? idiots! This thought made me laugh too. The walk gave me enough time in the rain to notice that my leg hurt just walking home and that I probably need to cough it up and get the test done. Today just wasn't the day.

On a positive note, this morning is the most gorgeous day I've seen in a while. The skies in NYC are clear, bright blue and there's a slight breeze. GORGEOUS! :) Nothing like a fresh start of a new day to make you feel a whole lot better.

Let me see those hips!

I made a visit to Orthopedist#3 yesterday and he is sending me for an MRI arthorgram of my hip and x-rays of my hip and pelvis on Wednesday (tomorrow).

Doctor #3 was my favorite so far. He seemed to probe further and really listen to what I was trying to tell him. Also, he seemed impressed with my marathon time which I must admit is an easy way to win me over.

Doc #3 is a hip specialist and I was originally referred to him to be tested for Piriformis syndrome, but he immediately ruled that out. He said that his gut instinct is that the muscle pain is being caused by minor deficiencies in my left hip.

So, at least this test will rule that out and we can all scratch our heads again. .We'll just have to wait and see. But for now, I need to get back on the phone with my insurance and figure out how I'm going to pay for this next MRI. Have I ever mentioned how much I love united health care? :)

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So you won't be an Olympian

Here's the e-mail Kathryn Bertine sent her supporters today:

My Dear Friends and Readers,

While I do not want to give away the ending of the article, I will say this: I am preparing to represent St.Kitts and Nevis at the World Championships in Varese, Italy this September. Tnities. ESPN thought this E-ticket series might make an interesting article or two. Not thirteen...and maybe more. I hawo years ago, when I started this Olympic quest, I never would have guessed my life would see such incredible opportuve not one regret, one inkling of disappointment.

www.espn.com (Just click on E-ticket or put my name in the search engine)

I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you who wrote to me, for all of you who cheered me on, and even to those who didn't...you motivated me in equal measure. The kindness and encouragement of strangers was more than I ever imagined. Coming home from a long day of training or a difficult race, it was truly a gift to turn on my computer and have supportive emails pour in from all over the world. Now and then there were some not-so-supportive emails, but the random marriage proposals definitely made up for it! :) Thanks, guys. You're awesome.

In addition to racing, I'll be working on the manuscript of this book for the next six months, which ESPN/Random House will publish in March 2009. At the moment the working title is So You Wanna Be an Olympian? but it will change when we think of something better. Any ideas are welcome. If my editor uses your suggestion, I'll give you more Sport Beans than you could ever digest. :)

Also, a lot of you have written to inquire about St. Kitts and Nevis...

I will be doing The Nevis Independence Day Cycling Road Race on September 6-7. www.neviscycleclub.com There are two events; a 60 mi Road Race and a 20K two person Team Time Trial. If you would like to come down to wonderful Nevis and partake in the race (or just have a super vacation), please let me know. Winston and I are planning to put on a cycling clinic/camp, beginners to experts welcome. This is one of my chances to "give back" and I am so excited to help the SKN cycling federation grow. If you are interested in ordering a SKN Cycling Federation team kit and/or tee shirt, we're getting ready to take orders...all proceeds to benefit the SKNCF. Will keep you posted! Please forward to your favorite cyclists and tropical island enthusiasts.

Have a wonderful summer and thank you again for all your kindness and support. See you in London 2012. ;)

March forth,

Kathryn

KB's 2008 Race Calendar

Fitchburg Longsjo Classic: July 3-6 Fitchburg, MA

Various Arizona races: August Tucson, Phoenix, Flagstaff

US 100K Classic: September 1 Atlanta, GA

Nevis Independence Day Road Race: September 6-7 Nevis, West Indies

World Cycling Championships: September 24-27 Varese, Italy

Looks like she will not be representing St. Kitts and Nevis in Beijing, but making the team to represent then in the World Championships isn't half bad. Either way, I think her story lasted longer than most people thought it would, which is fantastic.

PS: In Olympic track and Field news, did anyone see Marshevet Hooker fall over the finish line of the Women's 200m finals yesterday? Unbelieveable! Just shows how anything can happen. You can be as prepared as ever but there are so many other uncontrolable factors. At least in Marshevet's case, fate worked in her favor.

Pure Central Park Therapy

My run last night with RUNNYC was a bit painful, but I'm glad I did it. It was fantastic seeing a few of my homies and also the post run trip to POP BURGER was worth any amount of hamsting pain. I'd run miles and miles for some "Luscious mouth watering warm buns"! My fav is always the "Gobble gobble!" Turkey burgs. Wow! it's 9am and I already want another. ha!


Anyways, a good friend of mine recently sent me this article on Central Park. For any of you who share my love for this gorgeous oasis, this NYC runner paradise, give this interative map a gander. Maybe you'll learn a few new trails.

Also, you can click the map below for a larger view of the park. The one below is not interactive, but does have so you can listen to stories and view pictures from around the park. Have fun!

Oh and Happy Gorgeous Hump Day!

"You're not going to like what I have to say", says Orthopedist #2

Okay, I think it's safe to say that anything that starts out with the phrase, "you're not going like what I have to say" is pretty much the making of a crap day. I'm starting to not like what most people say. Does this make me bitter? Probably. ha! So what?

The Orthopedist behind door #2 said that he thinks there's a good chance that I'll have to deal with my hamstring pain forever. He told me that he wants me to see another orthopedist who specializes in hips problems and diagnosing Piriformis syndrome. Hmmm? Sound familiar? It's like deja vu or something!

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On a positive note, he also had the same analysis of my MRI films (as Orthopedist #1), "No structural damage" and "Everything looks normal". Well, thank goodness for that, I suppose.

So, now we have to wait to see what the Orthopedist behind door3# has to say next Monday. Stay tuned. I bet the suspense is just killing you!

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I swam my little heart out last night, just for therapy. And my hamstring/left leg felt awful today. Not just my hamstring, but my left calf locked up too. The build up of not running regularly is pretty much killing me. After the two weeks of being pretty much off (apart from those two short runs), I've been out there about 4x's a week and alternating cross training and pity parties on non-run days.

There's a few things I'm thinking right now, One, maybe I can become a gym junkie, like a total body building muscle head or an aerobics instructor who just doesn't kick her left leg. This is totally not the former me, but maybe I can start a new chapter in my life as "Buns of Steel Chick" or "Little Miss Muscle Head".

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I mean, this chick's hot, right? No, seriously, do men actually like when chicks wear their bottoms wedged up in their who-ha like that? That just looks uncomfortable. But yes, her abs are undeniably kick ass.

And my second thought, actually, there is no second thought. I can't stop laughing over the fact that I just wrote "who-ha". Whatever, I'm not going to hit the gym for infinite hours on end. Let's get serious, I like being outside too much!

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Ahhh... F- it! Pain or no pain, I'm running my little left leg off tonight. I just have to!

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I'm off to see my chicas at RUNNYC. I need some Central Park/NYC lovin' somethin' fierce!