Unforgettable runs

While heading to the airport, Shannan and I chatted about previous trips and unexpectedly delightful runs. In the mix we discussed some times when my runs went badly. A couple of them are worth noting. We took a trip to Fairfax, VA early on in my experience as a runner. At this point I had never run more than a 10K (6.2 miles). While Shannan attended a meeting, I went out to run on a magnificent path system through a big park and around the Fairfax. I found myself lost. I kept running trying to find our hotel, of which I did not know the address. I did know the name of the hotel, so I started asking walkers and other joggers. This didn’t prove to be helpful. Being the person I am, I kept jogging, two hours and forty minutes later I managed to find my way back to the hotel. My legs were spent. That night we went to a banquet. I was so stiff it was very difficult to move.

Another time I lost my way on the streets of Istanbul, Turkey. Once, again I did not know the address of the hotel. To make it a touch more fun, I didn't even know the name of the hotel, not mention I don't speak Turkish. It only took about an hour to find my way back. Albeit my legs were much stronger on this mishap, I missed breakfast and had only 10 minutes to towel off and get dressed to meet our tour bus. After this I learned to take hotel information with me when running out of town.

The other stand out was a 2:00am run in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. There is absolutely no light pollution there. Hence, the dark of night is pitch black. I couldn't see anything. I fell down three times trying to gingerly have a three mile Streak preserving run. The funny thing is I didn't trip over anything in particular. I was so disoriented by the total darkness that I simply fell over my own feet.

Make memories. Run.

Tom