Updated April, 2003
Go to www.laceyville.com/aggie for the latest news on the hero-cat!
Lynn Seely is a popular published author and ardent runner. She has been published in "Runner's World" - "Runner's Gazette" - "Footnotes" Marathon & Beyond" - as well as many other runner publications. She is the author of "Running Forward ~ Looking Back" a running book that was released early in 2000. The book is packed full of true stories and was released into the running world to critical acclaim. If you like the type of book similar to the inspirational Chicken Soup series of books, you will like Seely's book!
Seely is an entertaining speaker and has been a guest speaker at various events. One trip was to Canada to be part of the 2000 "Edmonton Festival Marathon" where she was a guest with Joe Henderson, Jeff Galloway & Rich Benyo. She has been a guest at various book signings and speaking engagements - including the Steamtown Marathon Expo. Seely was a guest speaker along with Jon Sinclair in October 2000. The very next day Seely competed in the marathon.
Seely not only speaks to Running Clubs and at Race Events, but also speaks at women's groups and to book clubs. Her book includes real stories about men and women who have found the courage to overcome adversity and obstacles. She may be contacted at 4everun@usa.net for a book signing or to be a guest speaker.
Guidepost Books (in association with Guideposts Magazine) published a series of ( 18 total )her animal stories in their delightful hard-back book series; "Listening To The Animals" during 2001. This is another subject that Lynn enjoys writing true, inspirational stories about. The non-fiction book series shows how animals impact the lives of the people they are around - sometimes in very surprising ways. "City Dwellers"- "Faithful Guardians" -"Their Delightful Ways" - "Soul Menders" - "Animal Familes" - "Against All Odds" and "In The Spotlight" are just a few of the books that feature one or more of her entertaining tales.
"Whispers From Heaven" (August 2001) features the true story "A Grandfather's Dream" an unusual story of faith, hope and a miracle for a young boy and his grandfather.
Note:
Seely hopes to finish her second running book by December 2001; and is currently working on several other books. One book that is due out in early 2002 is: Cat Aggie; The true story of an amazing - brave feline. Aggie is a most remarkable cat. How many cats do you know that have attacked and thus foiled a robbery attempt? And Aggie is a BLIND cat! Also, Aggie is featured on a TV program called Miracle Pets!! Visit her welcome page for more information! You can also find information here at: http://www.laceyville.com/aggie if you want to see pictures of Aggie and see that dates and times of her International TV appearance!
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More about Lynn Seely, in her own words:
With regards to running; at the age of twelve I read a book that changed my life. It was about Glenn Cunningham.
When Glenn was a young boy he was badly burned while attempting to save the life of his older brother. Glenn was not successful and was not expected to survive.
A doctor explained to Glenn's mother that amputation of both legs was probably the only way to save the life of her son.
Upon hearing the news, Glenn begged his mother to prevent the
amputation. Against her better judgement, she agreed and refused to give her permission for the surgery.
After a period of time it was clear the boy would indeed survive, but according to the doctors, would never walk again.
The struggle Glenn went through over the years was intense. He refused to give up the hope that he would walk again. It is an inspiring story and touched my heart.
In the 1932 Olympic Games he placed fourth in the 1500-meter and he later won the silver medal in the same event at the 1936 Olympics.
Glenn's story reached deep into my very being. I was amazed at his courage when he tried to rescue his brother and profoundly affected by his struggle to walk, then run, when no one else thought he would. His story became a part of me and would serve me well in later years.
At the age of thirteen I was told I had a heart murmur and had to refrain from sports. Upon hearing that news, I promptly went out and joined the track team. Sheer good luck prevailed and my heart condition improved dramatically over the years. By the time I was seventeen, my times in several track events were among the best in the nation. In one unofficial event, my coach said, with stop watch in hand, I was the best. My heart murmur was gone! Not bad for a girl that had been told to avoid strenuous sports!
In the decades since; my life has been quite an adventure! I married, lived overseas for eight years in various countries, became a parent, attended college, was published, tried sky diving, backpacked in the Smokey Mountains, and at the age of 40, rediscovered my love of running.
From April through November you may find me at a race most
weekends.(Unless I am training for a marathon.) I love the camaraderie, competition, food and festive atmosphere. I love the excitement that's in the air and the tension just before the gun goes off. I also relish the miles I run in the country and the health I have at 52 years old. I suppose I consider myself an ambassador to the sport I love so well.
I have had my share of adversity. In fact in 1997 I thought that perhaps my ability to ever run again was over. Intense pain as well as back surgery took a toll. One year later I had recovered enough to consider the possibility that perhaps I could resume running again. Two years later, in October 1999 I stepped up to the starting line of the Steamtown Marathon. I was able to run and finish the race course. My story may be found in my book or here at this web site under the article title of "Best of Times, Worst of Times."
This year, on October 8, 2000 - I was at the starting line again. I was stronger, leaner and better trained. And it looked as if I would be able to set a PR when I ran the Steamtown marathon. Alas, it was not to be. At mile 22 my knee finally gave out and I had to quit. This was the first race I had started but never finished. It was another hard lesson to learn. And now another hurdle, another injury to overcome. I'm hopeful that I will not require knee surgery - but only time will tell.
Over the years I have admired many runners. Runners who have had a remarkable impact on running. Although there are too many to list, I will mention a few. Ted Corbitt. Wilma Rudolph. George Sheehan. Joe Henderson. Bill Rodgers, Jeff Galloway, Rich Benyo. (Each has had a particular influence on me.) The full list would be too long to print here.
As an author and free lance writer I have found a great joy in the art of writing, or as I prefer to say "the art of story telling" secondary only to running. My newly published book, "Running Forward ~ Looking Back" was a joy to write. You may find out more about the book by going to my "Welcome Page."
I enjoy talking to other runners at races, running club events or on-line and will cheerfully listen to "their" story as they share how much running has impacted their life, and in what way.
I plan on running as long as I can. As long as possible. As long as I can move this body fast enough for it to be called a run.
After that, I guess I'll just shuffle.
Hey, there is nothing wrong with that!