In the Middle of Something Beautiful

Unfortunately, the last day of our delightful European cruise arrived. I worked out and welcomed the new day. Our boat had docked in Barcelona, and a cemetery built into the mountain gave me pause. I took time to cherish life and the natural wonders of creation. We later learned that people buried in this cemetery can face either the mountain or the Mediterranean Sea. Believe it or not, it costs more to face the sea, but that does include a window (see picture).

As I circled the top deck of the ship I realized something lovely. Along the port side of the boat, the morning sun crested the horizon in a marvelous display of colors. In contrast, while on the starboard side, a full moon remained and was illuminated in the sky. Being cradled on the Mediterranean between the rising sun and a lingering moon filled me with the zeal for life. I don’t have the words to get at what a wonderful journey it had been. I ran and savored the poetic moment.

Enjoy precious moments in time.

Tom

Naples New And Not So New

I cannot tell you how happy I was to find a nice wide sidewalk in Europe. Cheerfully I strode out of the port of Naples, Italy, in a spot where much construction was underway on the Via Nuova Marina. If not a new marina, as the name suggests, Italy’s largest and busiest port was undergoing a face lift. I marveled at the handy work as I cruised along the busy multi-lane road. Work was far from complete. I noted the opposite side of the road being torn up as I ran. On my side and in the median new additions included lovely decorative lampposts and lots of trees along the sidewalk.

It was great while it lasted. To my profound dismay, the sidewalk had not been fully completed, and much work remained. I ran up to a construction gate that barricaded the sidewalk. I quickly found myself on the road, a place where drivers acted like pedestrians were a nuisance. I clung to the side of the road until I encountered street venders who were literally set up in the street, which nudged me further out into traffic. I ran pigeon-toed, hugging the edge of the road with angry car and bus drivers honking their horns at me. For those of you wondering, no, turning back was not an option.

Trying to keep my mind away from imminent death, I enjoyed the sights of this populace city that has managed to use every inch of available space. Attached homes and businesses reached high toward the heavens. A gas station operated right on the main thoroughfare, providing only enough room for cars to pull off the road and pump petrol. Civic pride boomed as residents and merchants proudly displayed Italian flags in support of their team at the World Cup. Medieval watch towers stood as a memory and a link to the majesty of the past. Unfortunately, all the interesting and unique parts of Naples I encountered on this run were cluttered by trash. I mean piles of actual litter. I had never seen anything like it, especially in an international tourist destination. I’m talking hard core garbage, like used feminine napkins out on the streets. I hadn’t seen the worst of it yet.

At long last I saw a fence that opened to a trail of stamped down grass. Needing no further prompting I exited the roadway and followed the path. It led to a tent town of sorts. Homeless people had built shelters from every conceivable piece of junk and trash you can bring to mind. By this point, I’d had my share of fun for the day and decided to go back to the dock to finish up the run.

Since the opposite side of the street was in worse shape I had no choice but to return by the same harrowing route to the ship. I arrived no worse for the wear and spun around the dock for a turn or two. A port guard wouldn’t allow me to jog down to the edge of the dock. I promptly went around a different route and found a lovely view of water fowl jockeying for food between the ships. This made for the most aesthetically pleasing view I had in Naples.

Run and enjoy the good, bad and everything else.

Tom

22 and Counting

Ahh, a nice shady corner where Shannan can read and enjoy the Mediterranean beach town of Porto Christo, Mallorca, while I zip away for a run. A great start turned into a silly little outing. After no more than five minutes of running I ran out of road. That wasn’t so bad, though, as I landed on a working pier. I jetted along the marina, enjoying the people, outdoor cafes, fishermen, tourists happily ambling along in the midday sun and an occasional stray dog. Urg! I soon happened upon the end of the pier. No problem. Across the street I spotted a nice wide dirt path along the shimmering waters of a canal.

I didn’t need to know Spanish or Catalan to translate the “do not enter” sign posted on the internationally recognized octagon of a stop sign. I pretended not to see it and continued forward. The path gradually narrowed and abruptly ended in a marshy swamp. Of course that happened just when I was enjoying ducks and other water fowl frolicking in the canal. Dang!

I turned back, ran a circle or two around a city park, and headed toward to my beloved Shannan. My short jog in Porto Christo was not an Olympic one, but more than enough to count as the twenty-second country where I have had the chance to go for a run.

Once reunited, Shannan and I enjoyed shopping, walking on the beach and an ice cream. Porto Christo really is a lovely resort town. If ever you’re out this way, make sure to visit the Caves of Hamm. The beautiful site is between the cities of Palma and Porto Christo and it has gravity-defying stalactites.

Life is good!

Tom

Preparing for Palma

Like the previous six mornings, today started with getting up at 5:00 a.m., milling around, reading a little and beginning to exercise at 5:30 a.m. As I mentioned in an earlier blog, on the second day of the cruise I found a place I liked to set up to exercise on the top deck, as the gym didn’t open until 6:00 a.m. (see picture at right). I quickly realized how nice it was to do the Insanity exercises with the cool ocean breezes. Plus, it was a sheer pleasure to watch the sun rise over the Mediterranean Sea each day.

Shannan and I tend to pack in activities on any vacation, and especially while we are on cruises. We usually walk a mile or two per day on the ship. That has not been the case on this cruise, as we have been moving from one event to another with little opportunity for breaks between. That notwithstanding, I think we have both lost weight on this cruise. We have opted for healthy meal choices (not forgoing moderate desserts), we always use the stairs and stay on the go. I recently learned that there are fitness cruises that take place on some cruise lines. I may look into the concept when we get home.

As for today, I have completed Shaun T’s Cardio Core and Balance, had an easy run on the boat and we soon dock in Palma de Mallorca. I have it in my mind to run on the beach while there, but of course that’s always subject to change.


Tom

Spend a day in Pompeii

Spend a day. Spend an entire day. You need at least a day. I’m like a broken record. I realize that saying is on its way out, but saying “I’m like a skipping CD track” doesn’t have the same appeal. Oh well, back to my point. I hear myself saying “spend a day” all the time when talking about historical sites or museums. I implore folks to spend as much time as possible. It’s never enough. This especially holds true for the archeological site at Pompeii, Italy.

I did some running on the grounds, but not in the formal sense. I kept trying to catch up with my group as I continuously lingered too long, staring, thinking, note taking and constructing theories. I did however have a run in nearby Naples, more on that in a separate blog.

Prior to going to Pompeii we went to the top of Mount Vesuvius, which erupted nearly 2000 years ago and literally froze the Roman seaside towns of Herculaneum and Pompeii in time. As a student to history and archaeology I found looking into Vesuvius’ crater and the touring the ruined city fantastic and morbid all at once. One horrific moment in life has been preserved for future generations to remember, memorialize and mourn. At present, Mount Vesuvius emits steam regularly and is expected to push pyroclastic material out in rage and fury yet again.

There is a small museum with artifacts from Pompeii and Herculaneum. Unfortunately, we did not have that on our overly packed itinerary. As you might imagine, I hope to return to spend much more time.

Maybe I need to spend a week!

Tom

Sacred Spaces

Many exist and I hope to visit them all. Yesterday we had a hurried, yet delightful, tour of Vatican City, a chief pilgrimage site for Christians worldwide. Shannan and I have been fortunate to visit many sacred places for people of faith across numerous religions. In Rome I wore running shorts under my pants in hopes of a quick jog in the world’s smallest country, the home of the Pope and the keystone for the largest and oldest organized Christian denomination. After arriving and seeing far too many disrespectful tourists, I thought better of it and passed on runnig.

I found that touring the grounds and the museums of Vatican City gave a little credence to the vast conspiracy theories about religious artifacts hidden on the premises. The simple reason is that the Vatican’s collection of international sacred and pagan relics boggles the mind. Seriously, I know many people who have chosen not to visit Vatican City as a part of their travels because they are not members of the Catholic Church. You must put that aside. Come to this place of astounding political, historical, architectural and religious importance. Saint Peter’s Square alone is a testament to the human spirit and the belief in something greater than ourselves.

 

Run with respect.

 

Tom

End of Insanity

I’ve been reading reviews of the Insanity program from various sources. It’s clear to me that like many things in life you get what you put into it. I took a lot away from the 60 day challenge. Physically, I am at a personal peak. I noted much of that in the blog before the last week of the program. Furthermore, I improved on my Fit Test at each two week interval and made significant gains from beginning to end.

It wasn’t a joy ride, though. I sustained minor injuries to my toe, hand, and wrist, as well as irritating my right knee. So many times I wanted to stop, not just the program overall, but actually stop mid-exercise. I wanted to throw up my hands and scream, “Why am I torturing myself?” Honestly, I can’t tell you how I found the will in those moments to “dig deeper,” but somehow I did. However, I can unequivocally tell you I am thrilled I did. Now, not only do I feel good, but I know there is something inside of me that can go further and push harder.

I did decide what to do next. Shannan and I discussed many options over a couple of days and I’m going back to my first love. I’m going to participate in a twelve week running clinic that begins later this month. I took part in a clinic like this a couple of years ago and sustained a serious injury at the end, two weeks before the half marathon we had been training to run. With the core and cardio strength gained from Insanity, I’m now poised to run my best half marathon ever. So, now it’s time to see if I can push harder and run faster.

I have learned that Shaun T will release Asylum, a follow up to Insanity, in the winter. Interesting timing. Hmmm.


Tom