Changes in Cruising

Though I've mentioned it all before, I find it worth restating. Cruise ships are most commonly known for the copious amounts of food available night and day. Don't assume it's an utter sloth's paradise. Physical activities abound, so much so it's easy to maintain or even loose weight while indulging in hedonistic consumption. I have done just that on eight separate occasions. Among the many options on board: one can walk, run, do yoga, take part in a spinning class or play games like basketball, ping pong or the cruise ship favorite, shuffle board. Surprisingly, this is not an exhaustive list. Of course different ships will tout differing options.

Shannan and I have enjoyed most all of the options aboard the various vessels we have sailed. I wrote the first piece of this journey about change. Times have changed indeed. I didn't run a mile on the boat and only little more than one in Juneau, AK. Just a year ago, the idea of using the gym treadmill seemed odious to me. I only ran on deck and couldn't rest until I ran in each port of call.

Unfortunately, on the boat impolite and discourteous walkers frequently clutter the VERY narrow jogging track for the view, rather than using the wide walking deck. The jogging lane has signs on the track and on the rails denoting "Joggers Only." Rather than complaining bitterly about the people who disregard signage and good manners, this time I decided to avoid frustration while on vacation. I didn't use the track at all. I must admit I appreciated not having the daily hassle.

Then there's the running in the port issue. Its always a problem of sorts. Shannan has to wait alone in strange places while I find somewhere to change, run and clean up afterward. Having run in the amazing state of Alaska before I chose to skip the traditional 1 miler at each stop. Another big hassle avoided. Writing about all these changes makes me realize I'm getting old.

Embrace change. Exercise.

Tom

The road previously traveled

Clouds and the sun played a fantastic trick. It looked like a light emanated from the bottom of the sea illuminating the coastline of this the marvelous Alaskan morning. I went out early to enjoy the scenery before exercising. I took time to reflect on life since the last time I visited America's Last Frontier. At my age too many people mark time by the lines on their faces or the dreams lost when life got in the way.

Like others, I have dreams not yet achieved, but I'm much more interested in the ones that ten or twenty years ago had not yet been perceived. No one, including me would have guessed travel, running and general health concerns would rule my life as they do. Previous trips to the west carved meaningful marks in time for me. This morning I looked back at the profound and extraordinarily positive impact those visits had on my life.

Our current trip began in Seattle. Truthfully, I don't know how it came to us, but over ten years ago Shannan and I read a very short self-motivational book, FISH!. It centers around the World Famous Pike Place Fish Market. The book promotes a simple four step concept. Reading the book didn't change my world view, but it certainly was the impetus for me to change my behavior on a daily basis. Looking back I recognize the change as one of the most important ones I made as an adult. After reading FISH! we went out to Seattle and saw the fish mongers in action. Ten years later we returned, and along with a crowd of others, came to experience the FISH motivational magic. It was nice to think back over time and how well the premise of the book works. Read it!

Now, back to Alaska. It's one of those places in and of itself that can have a powerful effect on the human spirit. Many people come here and never go home. I understand how that happens, but the cold is a deal breaker for me. Previously, I posted a piece about my experience with Mount Marathon in Seward, AK and its force in my life.

Generally, when presented with the option I like to run on unmarked trails. This trip has started as a nice reminder of the road previously traveled. Today, I saw this quote on a card in Juneau, "All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware."

Regardless of the road, stay on the move.

Tom

Multitasking

Too much to do and too little time. Most would probably vote that saying as an American mantra. It was Shannan’s actual birthday (using the word “actual” is necessary as Shannan’s birthday takes on a season) and I had a mountain of tasks to complete. Seeking the highest and best use of time I decided exercising had to take on the form of multi-tasking. This meant using the elliptical in order for me to complete my daily readings at the same time. I set the program for “fat burn” and cranked out thirty minutes. That helped me to check off three of my seven daily tasks- exercise, reading and reading the Bible).

Here I am again. Shannan’s birthday came and went and as always, it was a blast. Now it’s the following day. Once again, I have a ton to do and the clock’s ticking away. So at stop lights I’m re-working this piece for the blog. Yes, I know it’s reckless and dangerous, so I’ll end here. Too bad there’s now way to write while running.

Exercise. Get things done.

Tom

Freedom Run

I complain, perhaps too bitterly, about the face of the nation morphing into one big strip plaza void of local character. Ah the joys of being wrong.  A visit to Jackson, MS kept hope alive. Surrounding neighborhoods of Jackson State University pose an intriguing exception. Many of the well-known social ills plague this area. Yet, it marches forward like so many women and men of the past did in this very city seeking full fledge freedom.  Civil rights markers dot Jackson’s roadways, demarcate empty lots and identify buildings keeping the present mindful of a movement of the past that paved the way of progress.

Here’s an interesting tidbit. Mississippi, a state notorious for brutal and horrific lynching, has a main thoroughfare in its capital city named for John Roy Lynch. As I ran along “Lynch Street”, a road filled with civil rights history, it seemed oddly morbid that in honoring a former political leader the street also stands as a reminder of some of the worst atrocities on American soil.

Nearing the end of the outing Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run cued on my MP3 player as I re-entered the campus. How could stop running or thinking about liberty with this song playing? I didn’t. Instead I increased the volume and had a strong finish to the morning run. I couldn’t help but to reflect on the appropriateness of the song, for this time, for this place, for me. I thought about physical and intellectual health, the tremendous opportunity to be in civil rights town on an academic fellowship and all that as a man of color who grew up in poverty on par with the area around Jackson State University.

Run for Freedom.

Tom

Travel Trumps Terrorism

I have written two previous pieces for this blog noting my enthusiasm and appreciation for running in Marrakesh, Morocco. I have never brought up political issues in these blogs. Intrinsically, politics are tied to this one. I'll try to tread lightly. April 3, Shannan and I joined another couple for a long leisurely lunch on the terrace of the Argana restaurant in the main square of Marrakesh. The café came highly recommended by tour guides and hotel staff for first time visitors. And so it should. The food was great and the view was astounding. The upstairs terrace looks over the Djemma el-Fna Square, one of the most culturally rich and fascinating places on earth, home to indigenous dancers, snake charmers, henna painters, souvenir vendors and more.

During lunch service April 28 a bag exploded in the very same popular tourist destination killing fourteen people and injuring more than twenty others. News of the explosion left us unsettled mentally, psychologically and spiritually. I truly felt sick to my stomach as the reality of the event became clear, the act of violence, terrorism, loss of life, the whole thing. Something awful had happened in one little corner of the world in a far away place. We had been there. It could have easily been us. We had been to Egypt, but long before and the riots there. Make no mistake, the recent North African revolts gave pause to our friends and family as we traveled to Morocco. We assured them no indication of such a thing existed that far west.

I am so grateful to have experienced Marrakesh and would happily go back in a minute. Shannan and I will not be imprisoned by terrorists. We will continue to travel. We’ll have long leisurely lunches. I’ll run on dark streets.

Life is precious. Live it.

Tom

High Altitude in the High Atlas Mountains

In a very puerile manner personal satisfaction washed over me as it only took a couple of minutes to adjust my breathing when running in the altitude of Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains. However, the winding roads, sans sidewalks, offered no cause for celebration. I scurried through a small village in the blink of an eye. Unlike its not so distant neighbor of Marrakech, mornings in Ourigane were calm and near silent.

Hemmed in by towering mountains, some snow capped, I enjoyed the surrounding beauty and mindfully took in as much as possible. Seeing a beautiful orange groove, I turned off the narrow road only to quickly learn I had ventured on to private property. Working double time I returned to the street. Few vehicles passed, but the ones that did blazed by at high speeds. Around another mile or so I tried my luck again and veered into an evergreen tree grove.

My luck paid out, Las Vegas style. The trees were fragrant and striking. The path provided some safety from the cars barreling along the tiny road, which I’m sure seldom has joggers at the first light of day. Down a ways a nice stream provided a natural border between the trees and a farm. The property held a small Berber house. I mused at how people accessed the home as no road, paved or otherwise, led to it. I let that thought linger as I turned back toward the hotel to prepare for a day of hiking and local expedition.

Tread new trails without trespassing.

Tom

Road Warriors

Greetings! Several weeks ago I posted a piece celebrating the beginning of summer. Even with a severe cut to my finger I had a great summer of exercise, but an even better summer of travel. I admit, I'm not a fan of road trips, but with Shannan's help I pulled it together and enjoyed the highways through the heartland of this fine country.

Thankfully, our first trip did not include air travel, as we went to Seattle prior to a cruise through the sublime Inside Passage. After that we began our efforts in earnest to be bona fide road warriors. Shannan really wins the award. She drove me to Mississippi to participate in research with a National Endowment for the Humanities program. She then drove on to Pensacola, FL, from there to Clearwater Beach, back to Atlanta and met me a week later in Memphis, TN. Hands down, Shannan's the Queen of the road.

Once reunited, we traveled to Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky and back through Tennessee. On this whirlwind trip I ran along a couple of America's great rivers, through severely economically depressed neighborhoods and passed well-to-do country clubs. I cruised over sidewalks, trails, bridges and parking lots. I ran amid corn fields and on a college track. The runs were as different and exciting as each destination. I think I look forward to exploratory runs as much as visiting landmarks, museums and new places.

Run for a great view of the world around you.

Tom

All Hail Mother Nature

Last year I wrote about an amazing moment between the sun and moon on the Mediterranean Sea in Barcelona. I referred to it as, "being in the middle of something beautiful." Today, I worked out while sailing on the Straight of Georgia in the middle of the Inside Passage in route to the great state of Alaska.

Dolphins splashed while Sitka Spruce and Western Hemlock-covered mountains posed with their very best snow-topped peaks. Life in its various forms framed my field of vision. What a treat! One thing I have learned from traveling is to never say, "It doesn't get better than this." Mother Nature has a bounty beyond my imagination. I have also learned to acknowledge and appreciate all she has to offer. Today marked one of those times.

Thank goodness.   

Tom

Enter the Asylum

I gave in to market hype and pre-ordered Shaun T’s much anticipated follow up to Insanity, Asylum. Based on prior experience, I thought it wise to preview the workout routines before diving in whole hog. Okay, I’m not sure that was the best plan. I couldn’t resist temptation and tried to follow along. Another mistake. Without question this program is geared toward physically fit people, but to do these exercises a person must also be mentally twisted. Shaun T. and company named the program appropriately.

Over the forty-five minutes of very hard work I had flashbacks to day one of Insanity when I laid on the floor breathless and in a pool of sweat. The first disc of Asylum, Speed and Agility, is a nonstop cardio and plyo workout filled with plank and core moves. The overall program mercifully only lasts 30 days, though I did notice on the packaging the program is entitled, Asylum VOLUME 1. I can’t decide if I want to follow the sequence or to do a P90X hybrid. I’ll keep you posted.

Be insane. Workout.

Tom