Running with Deer

Oh, the joys of summer time. I knew I wanted to wait until around noon to run. Most of you know I love the heat. After much deliberation, I decided to go for a run in a neighboring subdivision. The Homeowners Association there maintains a terrific wooded nature trail along creeks and a river. I hadn't been there in some time.

As I crested the first hill I saw a deer nibbling in an overgrown field. I slowed down and resolved to change directions so as not to disturb her. In the process, I made enough noise that three other deer poked their heads up from the grassy knoll. What a lovely sight! Regrettably, I scared them and the foursome galloped off into the safety of the woods.

 Like many other areas in our county, subdivisions continue to be developed. As a result, my running routes keep getting altered, more often than not in a negative manner. I mentioned to a friend who recently bought a home that I used to run on the trails and by the lake of that property before it was purchased and cleared for new homes. She said, "You're like the deer. You keep getting pushed out."

I have thought about that a lot. It's so true, but I can run anywhere. My furry four-legged friends are losing food and housing.

Run in harmony.

Tom

Good things will come

I had hoped for a sub deciduous tropical forest run while in western Mexico. After hiking an hour or so we learned about the forest’s abundance of ticks, snakes and spiders. Over the years, I’ve battled many a snake for the right of passage. Slithering reptiles rank low on the fear factor, but arachnids land at a solid ten. I saw tons of the eight legged creatures in webs and crawling under foot along the way. Midway through the hike, I was introduced to a baseball sized spider, up close and personal. This gave me cause to rethink the topical forest run.

I struggled, seriously I did, but I found solace knowing we had time scheduled on a secluded beach in Nayarit. We turned up on a romantic dream come true--waves crashing on shore, soft tropical breezes, warm rays of the midday sun and a stretch of flawless white sand. Did I mention this outing took place during the week of our thirteenth wedding anniversary? Anyway, upon arrival Shannan and I relished the privacy and beauty of our remote destination. Mentally, I bemoaned the lack of open space. Only a quarter of a mile or so made up the beach, captured within rocky outcroppings. Given its surreal beauty and charm I considered running back and forth twelve to sixteen times. That thought waned as quickly as it came.

Vacation expectations reigned supreme. We strolled along the beach hand in hand, took a self timer picture or two and chatted about our dreams and visions. Time passed much too quickly. I had noticed a wash-out gulley midway on the beach. It cut a small path into the dense green growth. Shannan knew I wanted to explore, I wanted to run. I ambled to the opening. I looked at her and held up two fingers. She smiled.


I disappeared into the tree line. Shannan knew it would be many more than two minutes before I emerged. She took a seat and left me to my obsession. A sight to behold, yes, but a path to run, no (see photo to the left). Rocky, uneven and low lying palms made it nearly impassable, but definitely awe inspiring. I hiked five minutes or thereabouts before turning back. Even Shannan has her limits.

Not to be denied, later in the day I enjoyed a short run along the beach, across the pier and through a resort. Each gave way to beautiful views of nature and people. I slowed long enough to snap a few photos of the mesmerizing sunset (see picture below).

All in all it was a great day exploring diverse regions and enjoying creation.

Explore, love and live.

Tom

Slow out of the Gate

Greetings! When I know I have a long and fully-packed day, I make every effort to get up early and exercise first thing in the morning. This practice has had me up as early as 1:00 am on International travel days to ensure that I meet my self-imposed exercise requirements for the day. Today, I needed only to get up slightly before 5:00am, my normal wake-up time, in order to exercise before work. I did not get up with my alarm, however, and as it turns out nothing about the morning has been normal.

I’ll spare you the bizarre set of circumstances that led me astray, stretching from the pre-dawn hours until just before now. Suffice it to say the day moved like a whirlwind. Then my lunch break arrived and I found myself staring at a blank word processing screen. For more than twenty minutes I nibbled at my meal and was completely unable to think of a single word to write. I hadn't exercised, had been off kilter all morning long, and I just wanted to tap out. I was empty. I had nothing in the tank.

Then it hit me. Nothing--that’s it! I decided to blog about the reality that there are MANY days when I don’t feel like exercising. On those days, the thought of running in the rain or cold seems deplorable, hearing the repetitive noises of exercise equipment works my nerves and the time and pain of resistance training hold absolutely no appeal.

Fifteen minutes ago I didn’t want to write, but now the words are flowing. Here in my neck of the woods it’s a fairly chilly day. That notwithstanding, I am inspired and invigorated to go for at least a 5K jog after work. This epiphany was just what I needed on all fronts. I find that invariably, once I get started running, it’s never as cold, the machines are not as loud, or the workout is not as hard as I imagined. Truthfully, it’s the first step that’s the hardest. Today, I hope that step is an easy one for you.

Let’s get out there and let’s keep moving.
~Tom

Run for Life

Shannan and I completely enjoyed the Guy Fieri Foodapaloosa Road Show in Atlanta on November 23. It was a multimedia entertainment event not to be missed. Nonstop amusement flowed for nearly two hours as the Food Network Star and self-proclaimed “rock and roll chef” commandeered the stage of the Cobb Energy Centre. In that span of time he barely touched the two entrees prepared on stage. Instead, Fieri danced, told stories, made jokes and brought well over the ticket price of happiness to 1200 plus foodies in attendance.

Guy even mocked a blogger who had complained about the second place status of cooking from a previous show. I can certainly see where one might expect a celebrity chef to be cooking and sharing recipes for two hours, and Shannan and I would be just nerd enough to appreciate such a thing. To that end, let me make this public service announcement. If you have tickets for the Foodapaloosa Road Show a cooking lession is NOT what you are going to get. You get something much better--the circle of life that forms around food and cooking.

The Road Show encompassed the full scope of cooking and eating in our society. Music, singing, memories, family, friends, meeting new people, learning new things and living in the moment all came to forefront in the show. I have come to realize Guy’s Road Show’s is not just a marketing ploy or concept to sell ticks, books or increase viewership. He helped me to understand that cooking and eating are a way of life.

I felt the message strike home in a profound way. For me, running and exercising are a way of life that include: music, friends, travel, family, celebrations, adventure, discovery, aspirations, nature, prayer and health. I run to be healthy. I run to challenge myself. I run for pleasure. I run because I can. I run for life.

During the show we learned two new recipes. We enjoyed the company of 1200 other Atlantans, and under Guy Fieri’s guidance Shannan and I lived life through the common ground of food. I hope via the blogs to come I can raise the level of my posts to make this a rock-n-roll site that helps you to be happy as a runner or an active person and happy to be alive.

Until next time, Run, Cook, Eat and LIVE!
~Tom

Life gets in the way

What about……

Oh ye of little faith. I understand The Streak isn’t for everyone. For some, exercising every single day certainly falls in the category of “ill advice.” However, trust me when I say that exercising every day doesn’t dwell in the realm of impossibility. In response to that very position I have heard a mountain of scenarios over the years such as: What if you’re sick, or injured? What about when you travel?

Time management and commitment are paramount for me, but mostly I employ common sense. I have exercised after major oral surgery, with colds, sinus infections and a whole host of injuries. Suffice it to say that I engaged in low impact activities in those situations like using a stationary bike or Nordic Track ski simulator.

I know when to say no. I once planned to run in three different half marathon races over one Thanksgiving weekend. A few days out I found myself with a chest cold. I ran the local race, at a slower pace, and cancelled the other two, losing my registration fees and hurting my pride, but not my body.

In 1997 I trained for a half marathon and a couple of weeks before race day decided I could run the entire 26.2 miles. Bad choice. Following the race I found myself severely dehydrated, tired and sore in places I didn’t know could be affected by running. The next morning I could barely walk. So for that day’s exercise session I took a hand saw and worked without stopping for thirty five minutes clearing our back yard. Believe you me, I worked up a hearty sweat and later had sore hands and arms to go with the rest of my body.

I’ll post What About scenarios related to travel later in the week.

Until next time--Read. Exercise. Live!

~Tom

Simple Obsession

Greetings! 50 marathons in a year?! To me that’s as extreme as it gets. Believe it or not some folks add to the ante and run 50 marathons in fifty states in a calendar year. Still, the super extremists take it to the limit and spend a year running a marathon in a different state every week. For those of you doing the math, that’s 26.2 miles per race. Many avid runners only log about 25 miles per week. Running a marathon is no minor undertaking. Imagine going the distance, at a race pace, and then you only have a week to recover while training for the next 26.2 miles. You don’t have to take advanced biology to know the human body is not made for that sort of thing.

I have an obsession of my own and it’s a little more time and energy friendly. I affectionately call it The Streak. Though I don’t run a marathon a week, I do exercise every single day and have for over twelve 12 years without fail. In the blog entries to follow I intend to chronicle interesting events along the road and post insights on how The Streak relates to topics covering nearly every aspect of life.

Read, run and enjoy.

Tom