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

Mexico City Day 2

Greetings!  Day two of running in Mexico City went much better. I ran along Paseo de la Reforma, the longest street in town. The sidewalks still presented a number of problems, however the large divided roadway was well lit which allowed for enjoyment of the surroundings. The road took me past museums and the very big and very nice Chapultepec Park.  Other people seemed to know this road made for a better route. I encountered a number of folks out for a morning jog at 5:00AM.

The morning was a little cooler than the previous one. I might have worn gloves had I ventured outside prior to running. Many of the other runners had on long sleeves, pants and a few had hats. I think most of my friends from the American South would have found the temperature quite pleasing.

Like any mega city, construction and traffic remained constant through most hours of the day and night. Many businesses touted signs noting round the clock service. Given the high number of people out at any given time, Shannan and I felt comfortable walking to dinner and others destinations, and I had no concerns exercising before the light of day. Today, caused me to rethink my previous, and a bit more critical post on running in Mexico City.

Run around the world!

Tom

Running in Mega-Cities

Greetings! Over the years I've had the opportunity to run in cities with serious air pollution, at high altitude, as well as some with very heavy traffic. Today's outing provided some of all three. Given the large number of commuters in Mexico City I planned to get in my run first thing in the morning. I had been advised drivers begin the daily road war as early as 4:00 am. Also, it had been suggested to me to wait until sunrise to run for safety's sake.

I had been reading near a window in the lobby starting around 5:00. Indeed, the number of vehicles on the road grew steadily. In fact, they appeared so fast I became nervous. So, I decided I'd rather risk the dark than a horde of cars. It was a difficult run. The sidewalks in the Zona Rosa area are uniformly uneven. To add to my distress I didn't have a clear sense of the direction of cross streets. Also, I had to focus as pedestrians, dog walkers and shop keepers kept appearing out of nowhere. Along with all that there was my first concern, the many drivers hurrying about the thoroughfares. 

Of course with all that said, I thought it would be a “good idea” to cross a very large roundabout to get a closer look the Angel monument in the middle of a very busy interception. It was here I learned cars split sides and some even go against traffic in the roundabout. Scary! Getting back to the sidewalk was a perilous endeavor.

Even with a myriad of obstacles I chalked up four miles. The air quality presented no problem, and running at nearly eight thousand feet didn't create any noticeable breathing issues whatsoever. Yet, the sidewalks and traffic put Mexico City in league with Damascus and Cairo as the most difficult runs in my experience.

Be careful. Run.

Tom

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

Shannan and I recently completed What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by, Haruki Murakami. I think it’s a good read for runners. Folks who don’t have a long standing commitment to the sport may disagree. Many times I found myself in complete accord with Murakami, however, his abiding love for the marathon is greater than my own. Many times in the book he reminded me of experiences I had while running. Many proved so important that I chose to talk or write about them. It is sort of odd that a solitary sport like running leads to many conversations and communal activities.

Here in GA, our wacky winter weather appears to be behind us now. Spring has me excited about increasing my time on the road. Luckily, pollen doesn’t present a problem for me. I don’t have races or events in mind for this year. Perhaps something will present itself to me. At present, I am just excited about being outside, running, thinking and later chatting about the experience.

Find something to talk about. Run.


Tom

21 Day Fix

Greetings!  We purchased the 21 Day Fix exercise and meal program. Perhaps Shannan will like the 30 minute workouts. Surprisingly, I want to follow the nutrition plan. It's basically a plan that allows you to eat six "small" meals a day. We intend to start the 21 day program after spring break. Just for fun, we have sampled three of the exercise routines. The first two were interval style and they got the job done. Today, we tried Upper Fix. Wow, if you use the right weights and push, this is a fantastic workout.

Don't let the bikini champion trainer, Autumn Calabrese fool you. She provides a real deal intense workout suitable for women and men and any level of fitness. 

Bring on the 21 Day Fix!

Eat right and exercise for life!

Tom

Encounters

Today I worked with a group of students considering the notion of encounter. We thought primarily about early encounters of Europeans with Africans and people of the Americas. We mused over the possibilities of gods, savages, delight and terror. I couldn't help but to reflect on the many encounters I've experienced here and there over the years, especially when running off the beaten path. 

Thinking of gods, I'm so very grateful that we have been able to travel to places so I could run in sites sacred to me. I've been fortunate to jog in areas sacred to others past and present. A few people have yelled ugly things as they drove past me on the road. For the most part, the only savages I have encountered have been a few dogs. Thankfully, in every case I kept moving unharmed.

Delight. Ah, here is the real joy of being a runner. To me the run itself is a delight, still there have been landscapes, events and personal records that were absolutely delightful. Terror? I've had a handful of injuries related to running. The terror it strikes in me is the fear that somehow I will not be able to run again. I felt that when a podiatrist told me that Plantar Fasciitis would bring an end to my running (that was nearly 10 years ago). The worst moment I remember is when I was training for a half marathon. The race was two weeks away and I was in the best condition ever. One afternoon, while one a five mile easy run I stepped into a hole on the street and severely twisted my ankle. The pain was immense.  I was a mile able from work. I hobbled back in terror that I would not only miss the race, but that I had seriously damaged my ankle and would have stop running and possibly have to end The Streak. My panic was more than needed. I gave the ankle plenty of ice and extra attention. As scheduled, I ran a very good half marathon.

I’m grateful to have encountered a great deal more of the divine and delight that savages and terror.

Live is a grand encounter. Enjoy it. Run!

Tom

17 Years and Running

Greetings!  The seventeenth anniversary of The Streak has arrived. 17, what an interesting number? For most this is not a significant birthday or anniversary.  When I was seventeen, my world changed forever. I was the textbook young punk who thought everyone else didn’t know nearly as much as I did. I changed my program at school to study half time and work full time. I had a job as a stocker at a drug store, big time! I made my first attempt to take my HUGE paycheck and live on my own. When that failed after a few months, I lived in my van until winter. Then I went crawling to my brother, Tim, who bless his soul had mercy on me.

The year I was 17 proved to be one of interesting pop culture history. We watched Live Aid on MTV, Coca~Cola introduced New Coke, Madonna appeared on the cover of Playboy and Penthouse, and I decided to let my hair grow way down my back.  In the last 17 years of The Streak MTV rarely broadcasts music, Madonna continued to raise eyebrows, Coke long since ditched New Coke, but has introduced a bevy of new products, and it would take me 17 more years to grow even a handful of strands of hair down my back.

Since my brazen teenage years, I did go back to school fulltime, and I seem to keep going back to school. The only sleeping in vans happens on camping trips, thank goodness.  Seventeen years ago I ran my first half marathon full out and thought I was going to die. That same year I ran my first marathon, and at the end was hallucinating as if I was having an after death experience. The years of The Streak have seen many great physical accomplishments as well as some setbacks. Like when my brother, Tim, passed away four years ago. At his funeral I announced to friends and family that he saved my life when I was a young punk. That’s the truth, and I remain deeply grateful.

In my eyes 17 is a fairly interesting number.  I am thankful for the year I was seventeen. It was a rude awakening to the realities of life, but that year prepared me for the road ahead. The last 17 years have been a journey of incredible learning, exploration, fabulous travels, extraordinary runs, many laughs, and filled with much love and happiness. Would I go back to being 17 years old again? Not on a bet. Do I want to live the next 17 years on a wide open path like the last? Absolutely yes! I’d gratefully accept 17 times 17 more years of life as it has been since The Streak.

Enjoy the odd numbers. Run.

Tom