Ways To Survive The Dog Days Of Summer

July and even early August are the toughest parts of summer oftentimes. They are referred to as the "dog days of summer." Many of your favorite TV shows are on summer hiatus, there aren't as many big summer blockbuster movies, and sports are simply monotonous at best. Many have already taken their summer vacations. Baseball is not nearly as interesting and NASCAR has possibly two or three exciting races before Bristol in mid August. It can often be a good and a bad time.

One good thing is the 4th of July of course. You seemingly have parties and celebrations everywhere.

Here are some ways to fight off the dog days of summer. Many of these are similar to my post from 2012 regarding top date ideas for the Spring and Summer months.

1. Go swimming and/or to a water park/lake.

This rarely gets old and is often inexpensive. You and your family are hot and want to take a dip and be around cool water. Many water activities remind you of how great summer is.

2. Don't wait for an invite, have your own cookouts!

I feel grateful to be invited to summer parties and cookouts. However I realize all do not have this luxury. Therefore, buy some meats and charcoal, invite some friends over and have your own BBQ. No grill, no worries. Walmart has cheap but effective kettle grills for around $30, and they are easy to assemble and use. Many of you know I love grilling, it's relieving and an awesome way to get folks together.

3. Do some early morning/late afternoon workouts outdoors.

This is a prime season for this. It is usually no lower than 65 degrees during the dog days in the morning, and cools down as the sun sets. Working out outside, whether be running, walking, hiking, cycling is hard to beat. Summer flies by so take advantage while you can.

4. Stream plenty of movies and TV shows from the source of your choice (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, or Kodi).

All of these streaming services allow you to catch up on TV and movies, and even view new ones. Season 4 of Orange is the New Black is currently available and many (myself included) are watching this.

5. Go to amusement parks, drive in theaters and even local festivals.

There is usually something happening within close driving distance. Get out and experience and enjoy what is going on, and see other people as well. It is fun and healthy.

Ok now that you've read this piece, get out and enjoy the dog days!

Why I Love Running So Much

I've been so blessed to be able to run, and run actively. It has become a lifestyle, a hobby, and many other things.

We have just had a controversial NBA Finals where the favorites (Golden State) couldn't close out Lebron and Cleveland. Many factors intervened that wouldn't happen in competitive running.

That being said, here are some of the reasons why I love to run so much: 

1. It's cheap, quick exercise that can be done almost anywhere you have a road or treadmill. You may pay extra for accessories such as nicer running shoes, Fitbit/Garmin watches, and utility belts and packs. Overall, running is very inexpensive.

2. When you're out on a run or especially in a race, it's you versus time. YOU are the ultimate one that controls your pace, training regimen, and such. There are no refs, no one picking favorites or playing bets. Either you can run or you can't, you can or cannot finish. Running is one of few sports/activities that is contingent upon the individual's true prowess.

3. It is awesome for networking. Over the years, I have connected with many folks through my gym, running club and various races I run. It's like a huge society or family. You begin to recognize folks and running groups in your area that run the same races as you. The faces and their times become familiar. It's almost expected to see them at a certain race.

4. Running really disciplines you, from your eating regimen, to getting up early for training runs and races. You haven't felt dedication until you see runners that are willing to get up on a frigid February morning at 5am because they know they have a big race in March or April. Also, those that run at 7pm in the middle of the summer to avoid the heat. Running is a huge sacrifice, and takes careful time and even money management once you start racing. It's all worth it though.

5. There are sponsors and such, but outside of the big races such as Boston and NYC, the sport doesn't receive a lot of media attention. Therefore those that do it can do so without being in the limelight or politics that have wrecked other sports.

Running has been a blessing to me. I would advise anyone with a healthy body and a decent pair of shoes to try it. Be careful, it is addictive, especially after running a race!

Jared Earley: Winning The Race Of Life

It is often said the decisions we make five years ago are the result of how we are living now. Local runner Jared Earley can certainly attest to this.

In 2011, Earley was at work at The Robert Allen Group, where I met and worked with him. He had suffered a minor heart episode that kept him out a few days and could have killed him.

He decided at that time he was too young to be a statistic and needed to make some life changes. The 30 something fun loving, Gaffney Indian, South Carolina Gamecock and New York Jets fan had to get more active. He won a bet with some friends and began running. Now not only is he running, he is sprinting. Earley went from hardly exercising to winning and placing in road races across the Carolinas, including winning the 2014 Peach Festival 10K with a time of 45 minutes.

The bet was actually for $20 to see who could lose the first 20 pounds. The feeling Jared got after he began running was indescribable, and he wanted to kept getting that feeling.

Fast forward to June 2016. Jared has ran over 20 half marathons (his fastest time being 1 hour, 30 minutes), 1 full marathon and he's far from done. He would like to qualify for Boston and run an ultramarathon before the end of the year.

Jared's love for speed, health and running has definitely grown. He said he plans to continue running until he can only crawl.

Earley has got fitted to a neutral shoe. He likes all brands but specifically for 5ks, Jared goes with the lightest shoe possible with little cushion. For halfs and up he goes with more cushion. Nike peg and the Vomero really fits his foot right and compliment his running style.

Jared has gotten faster by doing intervals and a lot of hills. He likes hills better than flat surfaces because they give different muscles rest, while flat surfaces use the same muscles and it gets more tiring. Also, in Cherokee County, there isn't a lot of flat ground. Most of the time it's either you run hills, or you travel somewhere with flatter grounds.

Jared not only does intervals to stay fit, he has become involved with mixed martial arts. It's hard to balance MMA with running.  Therefore, on the days he trains MMA, he has a short running day of no more than four miles at a easy pace.

Earley's most difficult race to date was the Assault on Black Rock, it really took a lot for him to finish. The race is only a seven mile run but it hurts the body more than a full marathon as it is three and a half miles uphill and three and a half miles down, not to mention an elevation of 3500 feet. Wow, just a couple of thousand shy of a mile!

Jared runs alone most of the time, and has never been apart of a running. group. His musical playlist consist a lot of Atmosphere, Kid Cudi, Macklemore and Lil Wayne. Earley's advice to someone who is just starting out is don't get down on yourself when you can't run as far as someone else or as fast  He states that will come with time. Also, brace yourself as the pain is only temporary so start off slow and you will get better.

It's been a pleasure knowing this person and watching his journey. This is only the beginning for Jared Earley. He continues to run, and will scorch any finish line there is.

Karina Chery: Making Small Steps and Giant Leaps Towards Hollywood

Most people think of a few things when they think of Gaffney, SC. The giant Peach off of I-85, high school football, and of restaurants such as Daddy Joe's and Harold's. Acting wise, the medium size town has produced Andie Macdowell, as well as been the site for filming The Abyss and parts of House Of Cards.

Young lady Karina Chery is a proud Gaffney native who is working to become the next great acting talent out of Cherokee County.

Karina recently appeared on an episode of Snapped: Killer Couples, after years of doing theater and drama.

She started acting in 7th grade where her teacher Mrs. Ivey signed her up for WINGS drama. Ivey said she thought Chery would do great and she was right. Karina absolutely fell in love with it and wanted to do more acting.  She did theater and drama throughout junior high, high school and even some during her time at Limestone College. Karina then started doing background work two and a half years ago where she met some really amazing people such as Tyler Perry, Oprah Winfretly, and Ice Cube.  Her biggest role model is her amazing older brother, who continues to follow his own dreams and has become very successful.. This has aspired Karina to keep pushing and make her acting dream come true. To date, Chery's most notable was her role on Snapped as Terri Jackson. This was a great way to introduce herself to everyone as an actress on television. Karina has also been cast for two supporting roles in two independent horror films.

Karina may have started out with theatre but film and television is what makes her happiest and that is the route that I'm going to continue going in.

Karina Chery is a very talented, lovely, determined and driven young lady. Check her out as she continues to take the acting world by storm, one show and movie at a time!

Donielle "The DON" Spears: Running And Inspiring In The USA

Charlotte, NC runner Donielle Polk Spears (bka: "The Don") has made quite a name for herself and a brand. She has turned a regular workout into a lifestyle, running races almost weekly. At press time, she just completed her 18th full marathon in Vermont. She balances all of this while teaching at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, coaching other runners, and being a wife and mother of two sons.

I have been following the petite, positive runner for a few months on social media and got to meet her when I ran my first full marathon back in April. She graciously agreed to a sit-down to answer a few questions regarding her passion.

Don began running in May 2013. She had lost a significant amount of weight and needed to find an exercise to help her maintain this healthy lifestyle. She became burned out of going to gym and doing cardio classes and wanted something new.

In additions to the 18 full marathons and 28 half marathons she's completed, Don has also finished one ultra marathon (50K)

Currently, Spears have no plans to qualify for Boston or New York (the big time marathons). With children and her daily schedule, the time needed to spend on qualification guidelines would be an overload. However, Don does plan to run in Boston through a charity and she will continue to lottery to run NYC.

Mrs. Spears is still young, and therefore has no plans to stop running. She may slow down during the summer months but will kick it back up in the fall. However, even in the summer, she'll still run and train (just shorter distances due to heat).

Spears's shoe of choice are Brooks only. She purchased them about a year after running and loved them. The Don hasn' t tried any other brand. She had a Gait analysis done finally (recommended for any runner) and they recommended Brooks as well.

Don's basic weekly running consists of three days of training (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) and a race day. She runs a race almost every week. On weeks where she doesn't have a race, The Don is still in training on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, vital since she does so many races. She focuses on fatigue legs to help with the back to back races. One main thing Spears does are recovery runs normally on Mondays after the race.

Don can be spotted during races looking stylish with her monogrammed sports bras, lipstick and small hoop earrings. It is definitely a ritual for her that she wears lipstick and earrings during a race, her personal MO.  Spears even carries her tube of lipstick in her sports bra and reapplies during the race close to the end. On Facebook, she has taken full advantage of FB live by giving her followers a post-race recap. Running isn't easy and neither are marathons. However, the Don never looks like what she goes through.

Spears has currently ran in 23 states and in DC and Canada as well. That number will increase before the end of the year.

Don mostly runs marathons now and even has a "twentysixpointtwo" tattoo on the inside of her right bicep that she often flexs in photos.  Spears used to run a lot of half marathons but has now gained a love for marathons over the past six months.

Currently, Don's overall health is great. At a recent visit with her doctor, her numbers are great and she feels greater.  She gained some muscle from running longer distances. People find it hard to believe that she ONLY runs, her only form of fitness.

Despite her success and noterioty as a runner with Black Girls Run in Charlotte and her reputation as a strong finisher and coach, Don is a very approachable person and her personality has never changed. She has always been very sweet, genuine, helpful and humble.  Spears enjoys meeting and talking with people, even being known to snap a picture with friends/fans/others. What has helped her stay grounded is knowing where she has come from and never forgetting that, realizing that this place is a place that God set forth for her. It was a path He created and she is walking and running in His path. Don knows that God uses her to bless others, and she knows that her blessings are rendered to bless others. People are so appreciative and love for all that she does, and her support system is phenomenal.

Balance is key regarding her busy lifestyle. There are a few factors to are important far as when balancing her personal, professional, and family life. First, planning ahead must be done. Most of the races for 2016 were planned out last year. Even Don's weekly run schedules are planned out a week or two in advance. Here and there, things may be altered but for the most part, planning ahead has worked. Don also have to budget. Because of her children, they have needs and a budget must be set. She sets this budget far in advance and tries to stick to it as best as possible. Spears also prioritizes, realizing that family comes first. Their needs are met first and then hers.  Working part time as an ESL (English as a Second Language) instructor definitely helps with her flexibility.

So there's the lowdown on Mrs. Donielle Spears. Phenomenal runner with phenomenal support, but an even better person. She loves running and to see others excel. The Don's impact on the sport of running will be felt for years.

Claire Blanton: New Ultramarathoner, Long Time Runner

Claire Blanton is definitely a quiet force on the local running scene. She not only has competed or is training for every race in the sport, she crushes them, often placing high in her age group. Claire possesses speed, endurance, experience and determination. She completed her very first ultra marathon (50K) over the weekend of May 19-20th, placing 5th in her age group.

Blanton began running her freshman year in high school. She ran cross country and track all four years. Claire had a spinal fusion at 15 years old but continued to run three months later for track her junior year. She has completed three marathons to date (including Asheville and Kings Mountain, two of the toughest around)  and has two more scheduled this year. In July she will run the Jack and Jill marathon in Washington State in hopes of a 3:40 PR to qualify for Boston. Then in October, Claire is running the Chicago marathon.  She hopes to qualify or win the lottery into New York in 2017.

Blanton would love to continue running forever but it will depend on how her back holds up. Her shoe of choice are Hokas for the past three and a half years. Claire usually purchases her shoes at REI because she's a member and receive wonderful discounts and money back every year.

Claire is a solo runner, running whenever she can. She improve speed and endurance by simply running. Nothing special,  just pounding pavement. She would love to coach others but being a single mother with an active child makes it a no go.  However, she did coach her daughter for cross country this year as she was the only runner from her school. Claire has also have run races with her patients at Greenville Memorial Hospital to assist them with goals or safety. She also attends a boot camp group most mornings at 5am before work. Claire started cycling last year and rode 252 miles over 3 days for the Alzheimers association.

Runners often have a prerace schedule/ritual. Blanton's is different depending on location. If she's away from home,  she gets everything ready the evening before. She used to get prerace jitters but that seems to not be an issue lately with longer distances.

Her advice for a new runner is to never give up. Always set new goals whether it's a distance to complete or a new PR.

Claire is very phenomenal and humble. She doesn't run a lot of races but she is in the front of most that she does run. I'm pleased and blessed to know her. I predict she will be at Boston and/or New York within two years so look out.

I'm Too Old For This Crap!

This has become my latest saying.

Also, this isn't because I'm turning 38 in less than two months. There are some things I am growing way too old for and out of. Here are some of the following things.

1. Unnecessary drama.
2. Ratchet behavior
3. Ignorance
4. Ignorant rap
5. Pettiness
6. People ignoring me
7. Being talked down to or at
8. Too many late nights
9. Letting little things get to me
10. Hanging around folks that treat me as a priority and don't enrich my growth
11. Eating whatever I want all the time
12. Hating and constant negativity
13. Boring, repetitive nonsense
14. Lying and dishonesty
15. Showboating
16. Bad grammar

There are plenty more but these are few of the main ones.