Kickin’ down on Bourbon Street

Up and out at 4:00 a.m., I wanted to make the most of running in New Orleans. I planned to complete each turn of Jackson Square, pass through the French Market and run along the mighty Mississippi. Thirty seconds into the run I wondered how I had forgotten to include Bourbon Street. I spun down St. Charles and headed toward the world renowned party road.
En route I wondered if anyone would be out and about at the early hour. As if on cue, I came into earshot of music, which I soon realized was a live band. As I approached, other tunes from various bars mingled and filled the early morning air. Far more than a critical mass had taken the night life and turned it to day. Dancers kept the beat in clubs and on the sidewalks revelers pumped eclectic life into the predawn. Intrigued, I kept running down the south's version of the Vegas Strip.

Many of the energized partiers made some sort of comment as I jogged past. Mostly the words were humorous or supportive of exercise rather than drinking and debauchery. Suddenly I had a thought crash in on me. Most of these folks had been imbibing for an untold number of hours. I followed that thought with the consideration of a lecture I give on New Orleans as a place where people go on “moral holiday.” In short, norms and rules are suspended and impulsive actions are the standard. I decided not to roll the dice.

I had seen enough and didn't want to test my luck. So, I continued toward the other destinations on this Taste of New Orleans run. I scooted around the places previously planned. Along the way I passed the Cafe du Monde, which had just been cleaned for the night. For a few fleeting hours, the patio wouldn’t be covered in powered sugar. People staggered along the sidewalks, lovers cuddled in breezeways, cars and bikes traveled as if it were lunch hour. I think New Orleans can rival New York or Las Vegas as the city that never sleeps.

Tom

Run for the Ruah

Many years ago I attended a religious education class. That’s grown up speak for “Sunday School.” Our priest, Ken, opened each session by inviting us to close our eyes and breathe deeply as he said, “Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.” Some time later in the class I learned that the soothing line came from a hymn. Since the time with Ken I’ve always found that closing my eyes, breathing deeply and repeating the chorus of the hymn has a calming effect. Whenever I have utilized the practice it has helped me to be mindful of the presence of God.

Some years later when I attended theology school my favorite professor, John H. Hayes, talked about ruah, a Hebrew word for the breath of God. The concept reminded me of the hymn, “Spirit of the Living God.” Hayes likened ruah to the air we breathe. He went on to further suggest the notion that the very air we breathe fills us with the spirit of God.

Recently, I finished a strong run on one of the many beautiful afternoons we have had. Afterwards, I walked back to my classroom dripping in sweat. A cooling breeze blew. It refreshed me. I opened my arms, mind and mouth and breathed deeply the ruah of God.

What a feeling! The best part of running is being outside.

Tom

Battle at Big Creek

Fortunately, it didn’t turn out to be as cold as predicted in the Decisions blog I posted last week. Battle at Big Creek race day morning brought a nippy temperature of 37 degrees. As I expected, my throat did not miraculously cure itself, but it didn’t bother me enough to call off the race. I geared up and headed out to run on a mountain bike trail. I must admit I felt more anticipation than anxiety.

The only problem came via the race day packet pick up system. The desk closed at 8:00. An 8:30 start time left a miserable thirty minutes to warm up in the less-than-desirable conditions. On the way to pick up the race packet of bib, timer, goodies and a very nice runner’s shirt, we saw Lee. He was smart enough to go for a warm up and to check on the course. I made the mistake of staying in the car too long and pulled up to the race right at the start. This put me in the back of the pack.

After the race, another friend, Brian, pointed out this was a mentally engaging race. He was dead on in his assessment. Every step had to be fairly well calculated. The narrow path was filled with roots, rocks, uneven surfaces and other surprises for your footing. Add to this watching the person in front of you, listening to the runner behind, anticipating gaps through which to pass and knowing when to surge or slow down based on the sudden change of the terrain, it made for a very different kind of run.

From time to time during the race I would look up. I found it odd to see a human chain winding through the woods (see pics). Other times in the midst of all the strategic mental work I managed to look around and admire the natural beauty of this fantastic bike trail.

It was well worth the time, effort and chill, although I’m still coughing and living with a sore throat as I write.

Run. Bike. Do something!

Tom

Decisions

Decisions. Lee, a coworker and fellow runner, suggested we break out of our ruts in running and try a new style of race. Following his lead, we registered for the Battle at Big Creek. This event has a 9 and 5 mile race on a hilly and rock-infested bike trail. Lee and I decided to go for the shorter distance since it was our first time out in a race like this one.

Neither one of us had been training properly for the terrain, or preparing for an astonishing finish. In fact, Lee declared he would not wear a watch on the day of the race. He planned to simply go out and run a new and interesting course. It sounded like a good plan.

What is it they say about the best laid plans? The day before the race, I took on the early signs of a cold. I have a scratchy throat, mucus build up and am coughing. Moreover, out of nowhere the temperatures plummeted nearly twenty degrees compared to the averages over the last two weeks.


The race day forecast calls for a freezing 32 degrees that will “feel like” 26. Friday, Lee and I lamented over the prospect of running in the cold. Neither one of us are deeply excited about the winter climate for the race. Another twenty hours will hold the answer as to what we decide.

Tom

Cellular Health

It has always been the intention of this blog to provide a connection between health and wellness. As I write I’m aboard an airplane. Captain and crew have prepared for pushback. Five minutes ago the flight attendant announced all electrical devices need to be turned to the off position. She especially noted cell phones need to be turned off, not placed in plane mode. Immediately following her announcement a young man to the left of me and two adults to the right all began quickly jabbing at keys sending one final text, e-mail or making a last call.

One of the adults had two (2) cell phones and a digital music player. Another flight attendant passed through the cabin and reminded the man to disable all three devices. “Yes, ma’am,” he said. Yet, his action belied his words. He shut down one phone, but never turned off the power on the other two. He placed the phones out of sight and put on headphones to enjoy his music and jeopardize the safety and well being of over two hundred other passengers.

It’s not a long leap to decide that since I celebrate health, I in turn cherish life. We all know the repeated message that electronic equipment can interfere with the plane’s navigation system has merit. Thus, the admonition to power off electric devices of all sorts is not a power struggle, but a precaution for the safety of all. Situations like this one leaves passengers with no choice but to be a pill and inform the airline attendant.

If you want to be rebellious, defiant or plain old stupid, I recommend you do so when it only puts your own life in peril.

Follow the rules. Live longer.

Tom

Tip of the Day

When will I ever learn? Unfortunately, my bizarre little exercise slump continues to linger. Yesterday, I didn’t start out on my run until after 8:30 p.m. I rarely ever wait that late to exercise, largely as I go to bed relatively early. The running clinic plan I’m using called for a five mile run today. In an effort to finish quickly, so I could get back to my normal routine, I ran the required mileage with a little pep in my step.

Once I finished I cleaned up and immediately prepared for bed. Here’s a no-brainer Tip of the Day: NEVER finish a run and then go to directly to sleep without stretching. The whole four to eight minutes of time I saved cost me a very achy morning the following day.

I really must break out of this cloud.

Tom

A slump in the streak

I have hit an unexplainable little slump. For three days in a row I failed to get up with the alarm. Moreover, I have procrastinated greatly with regard to my daily exercise. I can’t figure out this mental oddity. I have a weekly exercise plan with my running clinic. I know what needs to be done. I can’t account for why I keep delaying the inevitable. Temperatures have remained in the 90’s, and no meaningful excuse exists. I must say this is working me over mentally.

Each day I feel great once I got started with my exercise, but the getting started took a while. Cathartically, I write this blog in hopes of uncovering the psychological obstacle on my running path. It’s late in the day and I haven’t preserved The Streak today. I guess I’ll get going as no lighting bolt has come crashing in to help me better understand my current situation in the last few minutes.

I’m off to run; perhaps an epiphany will occur on the road.

Tom


Postscript—

**As you can tell from the mention of warmer temperatures, this was written a month ago. I have since found an answer and will share it in an upcoming blog post.