The wrong side of the river

Some eight years ago I discovered a riverside park while it was under construction. Although the sports fields took nearly a year to complete, trails exited along the river and through the woods. ATV and horse riders had carved out and maintained the trails. In previous writings I lamented this wonderful location has terrible water runoff. Even a slight rain will make it a slippery and muddy mess.

This past weekend the mid-January temperatures were in the upper 60’s and low 70s. I really wanted to have a nice run to enjoy the weather. However, it had rained a couple of days in the week, so the river was out, at first. Then I decided that mud was no longer an issue thanks to the Vibram barefoot shoes. Furthermore, there are trails on the other side of the river I have never explored in all these years. I could cross through the water in the Vibrams.

Off I went relishing in running through puddles within the first 60 seconds of entering the park. I picked a place to cross the river only to find the water stronger than I expected and worse, deeper. I was wet waist high. The warm air was nice the icy water was a terror. My MP3 player was destroyed. At this point, there was nothing to do but to get in at least thirty minutes, twenty-seven more, and call it a day.

The trail opposite the river was a delight. I ran up hills, over dirt and rocks. It had twists and turns and splits. Unknown to me, the river split as well. I came to a bridge I couldn’t place. I crossed the river and headed back and ended up at another sports complex, one I had never seen in my life. I decided to back track, only to get lost again in the maze of trails.

After pushing through brush, sliding down a steep part of river bank crossing the water (again) up steep bank on the other side, and crashing trough briars and other uncomfortable stuff I finally found my way back, an hour later.

Whew! The shoes held up well. If not for the stress, this would have been a stellar run.

Tom

Ripper

Name brands have a tendency to become synonymous with a product or object. Examples include Jell-O for gelatin, Band-Aid for an adhesive bandage or Q-tips for cotton swabs. Growing up in Atlanta every drink we called everything Coke or Tea regardless of the beverage. I'm trying to set the stage to claim a predisposition for continuing the practice into adulthood. Ripper is a brand name I have always used in reference to a product, a Velcro pouch for your shoe strings to hold keys or small objects. When I was in middle school Zipper was a highly popular name brand. To have one carried a desirable social status. At the time, the highest status was to attach the Ripper to a white canvas Nike tennis shoe, the one with the light blue swoosh.

 

As a runner I have always had a Ripper (for practically purposes only :-).  For over twenty years I have placed car, house, hotel and work keys in the little pouch and have run many miles all over the world. Prior to yesterday the Ripper has always worked perfectly.  I had been out for well over forty minutes of running hills, in grassy parks, on volcanic debris, gravel and on streets in Easter Island. As I was running I felt something akin to my shoe coming untied. To my surprise the Ripper had loosened and was swinging across the top of my foot. 

 

I was so happy to have realized it before the pouch completely came off the shoe. I stopped re-affixed it and continued running for another mile or so. When I arrived back at the hotel I thought again about how fortunate it was not to have lost the key on a trek I'm not sure I could retrace step for step. Then I discovered the Ripper was empty. Yikes!

 

I turned and ran, fast, back to the spot where I noticed the loose Ripper. Luck shined upon me. The key was about three yards away. I was deeply grateful and relieved to have found it. Now, I am left to wonder if the Ripper's status value is greater than its utility value.

 

Style? Run!

 

Tom

More than Moai

Running on cliffs of jagged volcanic rocks makes for a dangerous endeavor in any footwear. Today the Vibram all-terrain barefoot shoes didn't bode well with the coast of Easter Island. My feet took a beating during the run and were sore afterwards. I am to blame. I openly admit it wasn't the best choice. I knew discomfort would come as I chose my destination for the morning run. I assumed the grandeur of the view from an outer edge of the island would linger in my mind far longer than temporary pain. I chose wisely.

Gazing over the endless horizon, hearing the waves crash into the cliffs to form fabulous sprays and a foamy pool was a joy. I breathed air free of city pollutants and cruised the shore watching the sun makes its glorious appearance for the day. All the words I'm privy to in the English language fall short. Eden, Jenna, Heaven, utopia, and paradise all come to mind, but do not do justice to the wonders of unmolested creation found at Easter Island.

Mixed in this buffet for the senses are Moai, erected and in various states of disarray. Many questions remain about the huge statues, who made them, why, how they were moved to the platforms from the quarry, who did they represent, were they deified, why did construction cease and why were they painstakingly toppled? In addition to that list of mysteries, Easter Island has an entirely different cultural tradition from later generations related to the Bird Man Cult. It, too, is shrouded in folklore and the best guesses of social scientists. What stands without question is the beauty of Rapa Nui. Albeit far from the rest of the inhabitable world, this island is one of the most delightful specks of land I have ever been fortunate enough to visit.

Run in beautiful places.

Tom

We lived to run another day. Saturday December 22, 2012 gave way to another day.

We lived to run another day. Saturday December 22, 2012 gave way to another day and the start of a new epoch of Mayan time. I count that as fortunate. I found it unfortunate that my morning run in Santiago was so short. Pedestrians were out in large numbers for an early hour of the weekend, however automobile traffic was considerably less than the previous day. I enjoyed looking about the city, which dubbed itself "San-Hatten," the Manhattan of South America. Buildings stretching to the heavens along with masses of retail and restaurants gave credence to the moniker. 

 

I enjoy exploring new places via a morning run. The guideless tour makes for interesting thoughts about the area. Then it’s nice to get the information ex post facto. For example, a large building under construction of which I marveled will be the tallest in South America. An old adobe style mission in downtown turns out to be the oldest continuously used structure in Santiago. On a bus tour I learned that structure in the central plaza melded old and new. An original cathedral and several government buildings kept their exterior, but much had been altered inside for the sake of progress.

 

Progress shall continue as the last epoch of the Mayan calendar ended yesterday, but it didn't take the rest of the world with it. So, gratefully I enjoyed putting up even a small number of miles on this day some thought was not to be. I especially cherish the notion of running in Santiago today and the promise of jogging on Easter Island tomorrow and countless destinations in the future.

 

Run today and tomorrow.

 

Tom

 

Stellar Sunday in Santiago

Sunday morning in Santiago exemplified why I run. The weather was lovely, and once again I took the opportunity to explore more of this new local. This city, like many others around the world showcased the work of human hands and the masterpieces of nature in the same place. Santiago proper sits in a narrow valley created by coastal hills and the Andes Mountains. The Mapocho River cuts through the city. It's a work of natural art. 

Engineers harnessed the power of the water with viaducts and yielded to the river’s power with bridges. Both added to the wonder of the rushing water. Artists designed abstract sculptures and religious symbols, including a pagoda dedicated to Korea, to beautify the city park that straddles the river. Here people can enjoy the works of the earth and humans. 

Beyond this marvelous run to see and appreciate the city, Shannan and I took a half-day bus tour. We also toured the country's largest vineyard and participated in a wine tasting. Later we spent the evening taking in a cultural dinner and dance (typical tourist experience). 

Easter Island is next on the itinerary.

Life is filled with beauty. Get out and see it. Run.

Tom

Bienvenidos a Chile!

A sunny warm morning and a 5 mile run kicked off our South American Adventure. We arrived in Santiago, Chile at 10:30 am and I was on the road by 11. Unfortunately, many other people were out as well. Santiago radiated with life. I worked hard to find space within the highly populated downtown area at mid-morning. While being transferred to the hotel I noticed a river with a park and path system stretching for miles through the city. That was my goal destination.

 

It was a harrowing trek to get there. Road construction caused the sidewalk to be closed in a couple of places. Friday, and the weekend before the holiday, brought throngs of people out on foot, car, bus and motorcycles. Santiago reminded me of Damascus or Cairo, sans the immense number of cabs and the ever blowing car horns. I began to realize that a city run right out of the gate was not the best plan.

 

Once I arrived at the trail it was all worth the risk, to me anyway. As I breezed through town I tried to take it all in: the sculpture, people, paths, water, buildings scraping the sky, and a figure of Jesus similar to the one in Rio de Janeiro stood high on a hill. The turn around provided a divine view of the massive snow covered peaks of the southern end of the Andes. This was a great run and a fine bienvenidos a Chile!

 

Ver. Encantar. Correr!

 

Tom

Off to Chile

Here comes the miles. Even with very nice weather in the late Fall, I've been exercising a fair amount indoors while trying workouts from Les Mills. As I noted in the previous post, I plan to create a hybrid of Pump and Combat to jump start the New Year. Winter seems like a good time to exercise indoors for the majority of sixty days. I'll run on the off days.

All that said, for the next eight days I'll be racking up miles running in Santiago and Easter Island, Chile. Warm climate and exotic location make a superb combination to be out on foot. I'm in the airport writing this with great anticipation. Bring on the southern hemisphere, sunshine and mileage.

 Enjoy the run.

Tom