Fun Running

Greetings! Of late I have giving lip service to running unusual races to break the monotony of the traditional 5K. You can follow the link below for a number of very interesting races. My favorites are the Krispy Kreme race and the Carry Your Wife Run.

Enjoy.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/19/health/gallery/crazy-races-fun-run/index.html

Running is fun.

Tom

Friends of Nature

Edison, Eastman and Ford stand as immediately recognizable names with worldwide acclaim. Each of these inventors and international businessmen also experienced great success as serious naturalists. Visits to theses industrialists’ museums and homes show their commitment to flora and fauna as much as visits to exhibits for George Washington Carver or Charles Darwin. Within the last two years Shanna and I have visited sites or exhibitions for all the above, the most recent being the Edison and Ford winter estates in Fort Myers, FL. 

Each man's passion for the natural world remains infectious long after their deaths. Shannan and I coupled our tour with a trip to ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization), a sustainable garden education center. We already have a strong appreciation for the world around us, but days like these really make us stand in awe and wonder of our mother earth.

Getting out and seeing the world with the help of running shoes is one of the great gifts of my life. Days like today, I certainly appreciate the tropical climate of SW Florida, including the pop up showers, but mostly I am grateful for the chance to get out and enjoy nature.

Celebrate creation. Run.

Tom

Wonderful World of Road Racing

After 20 plus years of road racing, I lost some of the excitement and for the process. Instead of getting hyped up for the race I found myself caught up in worrying about application fees, time lost traveling to and from the event and other nitpicky little things. In an effort to maintain the joy of racing the last couple of years, I only participated in oddball races, ones on unusual tracks, at strange times and the like. I admit these weird races are fun and help maintain interest level.

The joy of a 5K race returned to my life recently, though, and I didn't have to lift a foot. My friends new to running participated in a 3.1 mile race last weekend. One and all they ran well. Each of them beamed when talking about the race. In the midst of their excitement, I recalled what a delight running can be in so many ways.

Jog for exercise. Run for fun!

Tom

Trying Trails at Banning Mills

It's a wonder not every creek, stream and river in the world carries the name "Snake." The name seemed appropriate as I ran along numerous bends of Snake Creek, the natural engine that powered Georgia's first industrial park. While in west Georgia, Shannan and I stayed at Banning Mills Resort, the present day home of former mills and industry. The weekend held our standard fare of museums, lectures and the like. However, our stay at Banning Mills added a couple of new and exhilarating components. In the name of fun and adventure we crossed a variety of suspended bridges, one of which was only a wire AND had a tree in the path midway. These and step bridges added a little excitement to our zip line outing. We both enjoyed "zipping" across the beautiful wooded property, over Snake Creek and taking up stations in trees like Jane and Tarzan.

Banning's property houses the ruins of an old mill, pulp plant and a dam. Its 1000 acres also contain a lake, horse paths and plenty of hiking trails. The latter are not the best for jogging. In fact, they can be treacherous. I learned that the hard way Sunday morning. Nearly every step of the way included steep hills, mud, or craggy rocks. When good footing presented itself I delighted in running under zip lines and wire bridges and I saw a very handsome and large buck. Later in the morning, after the sometimes lovely and occasionally terrifying run, I found the exact same paths to be much more enjoyable on horseback.

If you haven’t visited Banning Mills give it a try. The resort has something for everyone.

Happy Trails.

Tom

Dr. Web

Many people use the Internet to "research" symptoms and remedies for any aliment imaginable. From hypochondriac to minimalist, Internet searches provide return after return offering information for readers of all desires. I tend to fall into the minimalist category. When I seek online medical advice I tend to search for articles until I find a source, with an ounce of credibility, which suggests the situation will dissipate or most importantly does not require medical attention.

My recent issue with my mysterious and dreadfully painful lower back proved to be no exception. I spent several predawn mornings scouring through web based articles. Living in pain in not my thing. It was my initial plan to seek medical advice after the fourth day with no relief, especially since the Internet gave me little hope.

Listen to your body and to actual medical professionals.

Tom

Contagious Running

In the past I've happily served as a volunteer coach with people training for the Peachtree Road Race 10K and the Atlanta Half Marathon. I enjoyed working with folks who had caught the passion for running and set goals of participating in major races. Recently, I've been encouraging some of my colleagues to embrace running as a means of weight loss/control and fitness. Most of them have not done much in the way of jogging previously.

In this situation, I've found it's a hard sell to get people to sign on to think about running as a part of their lifestyle. Road blocks in the process include running takes a fair amount of time out of a daily schedule, initial shoe costs and of course the ubiquitous physical aspects. Breathing is difficult at first, and for some throughout the run. Aches and pains come in places one never considers (ear and belly button) these and others have been issues for my friends.

I've suggested they keep an exercise journal; write down their weight weekly, take measurements and before and after pictures. Last week we implemented interval cardio cross training. My ultimate goal is to get them through the initial difficulties and encourage them to be long term runners. To my delight they keep coming back to run. Each outing begins with high energy and a positive attitude. My favorite part is an institution they started. After each two mile run/walk the group sprints up a hill. I find this a great symbol of triumph and victory for the day.

Run with friends.

Tom

Bike Today. Run Tomorrow.

Much has been written in journals and magazines noting stationary bikes provide low to no impact on the lower back. I know this, and I today it echoes through my head like a freight train, which does nothing to ease the ache gnawing in my back. April 4, my mind raced with unsettling notions. First, like most folks I dislike pain. Secondly, I'm a bit of an exercise classist. I subscribe to the school of thought that if you are not lifting your feet off the ground, pushing or pulling, then it is not exercise. One final little thing prodded at me a bit this particular morning, our location.

On a whim Shannan and I altered travel plans seven years ago. We were in White Sands, NM and we decided to add a day trip to Los Alamos. We drove in and out of the planned community, which remains in a high degree of secrecy today as it did in 40's when it served as a laboratory for the Manhattan Project. I mention all this as I did not have time for a run on the amazing mesa in 2005. Its majesty called to me and I have long hoped to return. As it turns out one of the museums was closed during our impromptu visit. Shannan enjoys reading and learning about the nuclear program, so I knew it was only a matter of time.

That day arrived. April 3, we returned to the past and present hub of nuclear energy research in Los Alamos. Just as I remembered the mesa top hide-away gave way to stunning views in every direction. Perhaps the scenery was even more beautiful as I knew from arrival running would yet again elude me. Amid my anguish surrounding the unexplained and very uncomfortable back injury I had sustained a very calm Shannan suggested, "Bike today so you can run tomorrow." I listened to her sound advice.

We love the desert and New Mexico, in particular. I don't know when, but I will be back to Los Alamos, if nothing else for that long overdue run.

Nurse injuries today. Run safely in the future.

Tom

Awake in Albuequerque

Raised in a fundamental Baptist Church, in the south might I add, I've been socialized to watch for a Road to Damascus experience. Educated in a liberal arts college and theology school I admit that I often muse about a spiritual awakening. Given Shannan and I travel a fair amount it seems logical, or perhaps hopeful, that revelation, if any, would come outside of our normal place and patterns. We visit to the Southwest regularly, the romantic notion of being in the desert and having a defining moment has great appeal to me.

My long awaited epiphany arrived in Albuquerque. Seven years ago we enjoyed a week long trip in New Mexico. I had a theoretical eye-opening in the natural history museum on that trip. Today's realization was not very poetic. I couldn't sleep due to excruciating pain in my lower back. Never before had I so clearly understood the impact exercise in my life. We all know back injuries are not to be taken lightly.

A serious injury to the back can very well end the type of exercise I enjoy most, running. Back surgery would destroy the personal and professional plans I have for the year. The Streak is far more than weight management and a means of promoting wellness, after 15 years, it has become a defining element in my life. To miss a day would be one thing, but to lose exercise altogether, well it's that very thought that has me writing at 3:00 AM rather than running in the desert.

We all have things that matter, perhaps petty to others, but profound to us. Exercise is that thing for me. Find your thing and enjoy it.

Tom

Back to Pain

February 12, 2011 I posted a blog noting October 16, 2005 as one of the worst mornings in recent memory. That day I stepped out of a hotel in Arlington, VA for a run only to experience excruciating pain brought on by plantar fasciitis. The run did not happen. The Streak was in jeopardy until I arrived home later that day and used a stationary bike to exercise.

March 31, 2012, while preparing for a trip to the Southwest, I felt a sudden tightness in my lower back. I had exercised earlier, so I thought nothing of it as an occasional pain, twinge or spasm is common place. What is not par for the course was the arresting pain that followed. Like a caricature of a goofball man, I forged on with my activities, including a flight to New Mexico.

By the time we reached the hotel, late that night, I was nearly immobilized. My back radiated with pain and I tried to sleep gripped with fear of what the morning would bring.

Listen to your body.

Tom