RSS Readers

Most often I write a piece for this page based on an event or an idea I encountered related to health and fitness. Since this is not a revenue generating site, only readers with an interest check in time to time. Knowing this I don't cater to a specific audience with language or comments in a particular blog post. Of course I'm mindful of some regular readers. I try not to be offensive to my aunt in Puerto Rico, my sister-in-law here in Georgia and my friends the Fitness Fanatics, across the pond in the UK, lest I forget my dear friend and instigator of the site, Kim.

It’s odd at times to think about the notion of posting for an unknown and irregular set of readers. Statistics for site views vary from very low to very high. Some weeks I get no response, others folks have much to say. All in all it's a very interesting endeavor. Today's note is just to say hello and thanks for reading.

Read and Run. They make life worth living.

Tom

Atlanta Motor Speedway

Way back in 1999 I ran a 5K race on the Atlanta Motor Speedway race track. It was an interesting change of pace from the standard road race. I recall having fun during this one. Once we arrived on site I discovered a surprise that stands out in my memory. NASCAR enthusiasts (which I am not) know the curves on the race track are inclined. I did not have that piece of background knowledge. I must say it took a minute to negotiate that situation on actual approach. As I remember, the morning was both cold and rainy. Those components added a little something special to the novelty of running on a race car track rather than a 440 field track.

After the crossing the finish line runners huddled inside of a small enclosed area waiting for the awards ceremony. Between the physical aspects of the race and the weather the race memory will last far longer than last December's visit to Atlanta Motor Speedway to see holiday lights. The Gift of Lights, as the display is called, would have been a real gift would if it didn't cost $15. Shannan and I toured other holiday light displays this season and have many times in the past, but I have to say this was by far the most commercial. The Speedway had light displays for the sponsors (did I mention they charge- not sure why they need sponsors for this lame light display). The Gift of Lights turned out to be capitalism at its ugliest. In their defense, it did happen during the holiday season, which is when the dark underside of commercialism peaks. Perhaps the Speedway is best for racing, by car or on foot.

Run fun races.

Tom

One Simple Solution

Undergraduate sociology students regularly include the following issues when asked to list the top concerns facing the U.S. These are not in any particular order:
Cost of living
Childhood obesity
The Environment

Here's a thought that could tie all of the above together toward the end of reducing each concern.
If restaurants, independent and franchises, reduced portion size a ripple effect can follow. For example, the total amount of fat and calorie intake per meal can be reduced, thus directly impacting childhood obesity. Cutting back on the amount of food presented on a plate or in a bag lowers the product cost for the business owner which can in return decrease the price per serving for the consumer. Clearly, this carries a positive impact on the cost of living. The extra money can go toward family savings, or for discretionary spending, thus stimulating the economy.

Smaller food portions most certainly will reduce the need for left-over boxes and packaging. This is another savings to the owner that can be passed through to the customer. Without question such a practice will lower the rate of material being discarded and making its way to landfills, littering Interstates, cities, towns and neighborhoods. It's an easy train of thought to follow: less food, lower intake, money saved, reduced shipping, less energy, more money for the business and customer, less detritus in the world. Simply put, the process is great for people and the planet.

Of course that's a pipe dream. In a meager attempt to break the patters Shannan and I have developed an environmentally friendly set of containers, Eco-to-Go. These include a handy a reusable carrying case to deal with the leftovers from grossly over-sized portions at most restaurants. The extra food generally makes for the following day's lunch. Eco-to-Go helps us to nosh on health portions, save money on meals, contribute toward reduced use of Styrofoam and plastic.

Trickle down health, economics and environmentalism.

Eat healthy and exercise.

Tom

Standards of Beauty

Time worked in my favor. Our first session at the Antiquities Center didn't begin until 10. I took advantage. In the early pre dawn hours I sipped coffee in the hotel lobby enjoying a bit of reading and writing this blog entry.

As light began to tickle the skyline, I lit out to join it in welcoming the morning in Lagrange, GA. I shot down an industrial avenue, which ended abruptly leaving me on undeveloped property. Ruts from utility vehicles used to maintain sewage lines marked a path. Red clay and truck tracks into the woods might not beckon others, I followed.

I chose wisely. Along the way I shared the trail with a wild rabbit, lots of white tail dear and a flock of birds, all milling about at the break of day. In the most peculiar way the mix of winter browns and grays combined with budding greens and colorful blossoms. They delighted the eye. For the nose young fragrant pines filled the air.

I crisscrossed a stream which placed me parallel the Interstate. I have often seen trails like this one from the road and thought I'd run there if I lived in the area. Now, I know that to be true. Baring the wildlife, it nothing moved in the calm of the morning. The woods gave off a serenity that set the tone for a relaxing day of learning.

Later we drove through various parts of LaGrange, not my favorite way to see a city, but a viable method nevertheless. I hope to return soon to see more by any means.

Look for beauty. Run.

Tom

Running in Morrow Today

I have lauded the psychological benefits of running many times. I must say that the 15th anniversary of The Streak preserving run in Morrow did much for my psyche. Some say you can never go home. Others say there's no place like home. I'll quickly admit much has changed in Morrow, and not all for the best, since we moved away seven years ago. In growth and other factors the city stands worlds apart from the tiny town my grandparents called home over fifty years ago. Yet, Morrow has a distinctive element and a feel that screams home to me.

I loved the homecoming run. I completed my classic 4.5 mile route. This is the path that built The Streak. It's a loop around the east side of town. I trotted taking in the new and old. I saw a few familiar faces, and relished in the legacy of the things I helped to build in the city. In a spiritual kind of way my body and legs knew the inclines and turns like I had only ever run this route. I've run that route in the rain, snow and in oppressive heat and all conditions in between.

Morrow is where I fell in love with running. My world literally changed over those years in that town; among them I added exercise as a permanent part of my daily life. I have to say, the run was far from the same, but boy did it feel good to be home.

Exercise every day.
Tom

Health Foods

How did this happen? The least healthy foods for young people to consume happen to rank high among their favorites. A short list includes chips, chicken nuggets, fruit leather (aka fruit rolls), and cereal bars. In all honesty these items are tasty. Their manufacturers and retailers know that as well, and thus aggressively market said items to a target audience of children.

Last week our school "celebrated" healthy lifestyles. During our morning announcements I added the above information. Wow, was it a hard sell to pass off bananas over cereal bars and carrot juice over sugar filled boxed drinks. Not only do the kids like the taste of the bad stuff, they have the false notion that cereal bars and fruit leather and similar snacks are good for them.

By using words like chicken, fruit, and cereal seems close to illegal. To a degree such advertising is tantamount to the Smoking Joe Camel ad which appealed to teens with cigarette ads.

Healthy names. Unhealthy snacks. Read ingredients. Try to eat well.

Tom

15 Years and Counting!

Here we go! It took a while to determine how to best preserve The Streak for its 15th anniversary. Shannan came up with a grand idea. We had a health screenings scheduled in south Atlanta. She suggested that afterwards we slip down to Morrow so I could run where The Streak began. Symbolically that sounded perfect. The day set the stage with sunny 64 degrees at midday.

I'm writing this in the waiting area of the health assessment. I just completed my process and have FANTASTIC cholesterol (good and bad), blood pressure, and blood glucose numbers. The wellness advisor said, “You are doing something right.” I happily responded, “Yes, I exercise daily.”

Although exercise works, I must confess I have increased my Body Mass Index due to muscle formation from programs like Insanity and P90X. This placed my BMI 2 points over the normal range, a number I’m somewhat proud to have

Exercise daily. Live well.

Tom

4 Days and Counting

It looks like I’ll complete another year of successfully preserving The Streak, four days and counting. Better yet it looks like a picture perfect afternoon. Forecasters call the low 70s. I feel a strong run in my future. The only bad bit is I have class this evening so it won’t be a long run, but a run nonetheless.

Another year of The Streak. Another beautiful spring. Get out and run.

Tom

Ashburn Under The Light of Day

Waiting for the sun to give a good morning kiss to the sky, I sipped coffee and read the news before my run. Determined to have a better view of Ashburn, I dilly dallied until the light of day. Then I dashed off down a lane cradled by fertile farms. Feet landing on soft grass and my own breath were the only sounds in the stillness of the early hour on this country road. It was divine and well worth the wait.

This marked our fourth stay in the small town of Ashburn, GA. I had a frosty tour of the quaint downtown the first time. The second go around I covered much of the same ground before turning around. It was the reverse track that took me down the country road I enjoyed this morning, however last time I could hardly see the road under my feet at 4:00 am. It was much too dark to notice and appreciate the fabulous surroundings.

This day I made a huge difference. I ran alongside peanut and cotton fields, watched farm animals feeding and frolicking. I delighted in the natural beauty of Ashburn. Later in the morning Shannan and I stopped in the Chamber of Commerce and toured the Crime and Punishment Museum. The latter was a real treat. We learned a great deal about Abshurn and her fascinating history.

Run. Tour. Enjoy.

Tom

The Day is Close at Hand

Greetings! Here we go again. It's the final countdown to cross into another year of The Streak. I admit this is the time when I get nervous. This morning I completed P.A.P Lower in P90X2. That stands for Post Activation Potentiation. I don't come up with the names, and truthfully I have no idea what that means. I just push through the hard workout routines. This one is just that. The lower body routine includes four moves in four sets, with no rest. It's a bear!

Now that I’m post P.A.P, I feel energized for the day. The best part is knowing that in nine days I’ll change the name of the blog to 15 Years and Running.

Exercise. Run. Count.

Tom