Check. Plan. Run.

Greetings! Weather in Atlanta has been erratic at best of late.  This is not new for us in the City too Busy to Hate. Many years ago I learned to plan for my run. Once you get started the elements will not be as bad as your psyche makes them out to be. For me, it’s cold or rain, especially in combination, that cause delay in actually heading out to run. Usually within a few minutes my mind and body adjust. That is not to suggest I take off in 32 degrees in a tank top. I do check weather reports and plan accordingly. To the surprise of many, I always run in shorts no matter the temperature. 

Tina, my running coach, from some years ago made a case for shorts. Since her admonition I've run in sleet, ice (not too smart regardless of apparel), snow and at the frozen base of Mount cook in New Zealand. Tina is correct. The legs take care of themselves. I find fingers and ears to be a different story. I steer away from winter running without gloves and something to cover my ears.

As noted above, I live in Atlanta. Here, heat and humidity seem to encourage many female runners to hit the road in job bras and guys to go shirtless.  Bad call. I think at this stage of medical advice everyone knows of the sun’s potential to damage human skin. Furthermore, wearing a tee shirt will actually keep your body cooler. It helps to create a natural air conditions system in tandem with perspiration. 

Whatever the weather, take a minute to check the forecast and dress for a comfort and safety.

Check. Plan. Run.

Tom

Clebrating Days

Traditionally birthdays make for a good time for reflection. This year my birthday fell on rather busy day. Shannan had an all-day event and I was scheduled to participate in a professional conference downtown. As is my standard, I headed into the city early to avoid traffic. Time worked to my advantage, so I used the excess time to drive around the area where I was raised. It was nice to be there on this day. Memories flowed.

The juxtaposition of then and now suited me better than previous nostalgic rides through the old haunts. All in all, life has been good and I am extraordinarily grateful. I intend to celebrate a great many more birthdays. I pray each year will be better than the one before, and that I have the wherewithal to never forget the long and magnificent journey of life rooted in a working poor neighborhood in Atlanta.

Of all that has changed in my life since childhood, The Streak is the most influential. I’ve taken opportunities to go back to run in the area. This day, I marked miles in the car. It was nice, not to mention is t was below freezing outside.

Celebrate. Remember. Run.

Tom

The Power of the Universe and Gratitude for It

Greetings! Great things keep coming. At present, I'm deeply immersed in a sea of academic success. Our digital archive continues to grow and receive accolades. It's a delight to be on a team of insightful and innovative scholars. On the personal front, Shannan has really embraced exercise and made a serious transition in her lifestyle. Having my life partner committed to health creates an atmosphere of sheer bliss. 

On many occasions I have posted about prayer and clearly placing my intentions in the Universe while running. It's a powerful combination. The practice changed my life for the better and I am deeply thankful. I strongly advocate it for others.

Make like a joy. Run.

Tom

Here we go again!

Greetings! Here am I, again.  What a wonderful place to be. In less than one month The Streak will celebrate its 18th birthday. I used very intentional language there. The Streak really has taken on a fabulous life of its own, which complements my life in so many magnificent ways. In years past I wondered how long I could sustain exercising every single day. The Streak has since become a lifestyle. It happens. It will happen. For me, The Streak is. It’s as philosophical and spiritual as I make it sound.  

As I have posted many times on this site, it is during exercise that I think clearly. I pray. I reflect. In heat, cold, darkness, blistering sun, in unsettling environments, exercising--preserving The Streak animates the senses reminding me I am alive. Little else can provide physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health all at once, and at no cost whatsoever.

Running is free. Live. Run.

Tom

Reason For a Watch

Greetings! Fitness bracelets and other devices to monitor steps, energy and sleep have saturated the market. Health and tech analysts cite the benefits of knowing and tracking such information for short and long term fitness goals and general wellbeing. Both groups have also noted how data related to good and bad choices are stored and sold to third parties.

I’ve been running for twenty years. I have a very good sense of pace, so I have never wanted a watch that serves that purpose. Also, I feel very comfortable in identifying my heart rate and levels of intensity while exercising.  The GPS on some of these devices has a small allure as I have gotten lost more than once when running out of town. However, the piece that brought me into the wearable smart device is simply declining eyesight.

I’ve been checking in person and online for a watch for over a year that has a big, bold and bright display of the time and date.  The Pebble smartwatch delivered on those counts and more, and for significantly less money than most.  

At present, I don’t have any of the fitness apps to go with the Pebble, but I confess I am more than a little curious. More to follow.

Keep Time. Run.

Tom

Dec 26

Cold, dark, and lonely, that's how I would describe Paris at 5 AM the day after Christmas. It was nice, however, as I retraced our steps from the previous day without the crowds of people. I truly enjoyed the solitude and the time to carefully look at the magnificent architecture and fantastic cityscape. Unfortunately, at that time of day the Tuileries Gardens were locked. I breezed by the Place Vendôme, another strike, as the column was covered during repairs.  Nonetheless, I had a great jog past ornate churches and through the quiet streets.

As noted previously, Paris conducts business as normal on Christmas day. December 26 was a full on mad house. Shannan and I arrived at the Musee du Louvre forty-five minutes prior to opening time. Many others arrived even earlier. We waited just shy of an hour before entering the world famous museum. Side note, Paris may well keep going on holidays, but they sure don't get started early. We could not find a cafe in our area that opened before 8:00am, sans the great American Ambassador of fast food, McDonald's. Luckily we caught onto the late rising concept early and purchased croissants and muffins the previous evening.

Our pre-purchased breakfast served us well while standing in line. Once inside we toured the museum for nine hours. After all that time, I already have a long list of pieces we missed. It looks like another trip to the Louvre is in our future.

Get going early. Run.
Tom

 

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Poking around Paris

Bon Jour!  Do they know it's Christmas at all? Shannan and I arrived in Paris, France around 9:00am. I was on the road for a mid-morning run by 11:00. The city streets teemed with activity. Local shopkeepers, tourists and Parisians carried on as if it were business as usual rather than a major holiday. Not much seemed out of the ordinary for this 25th of December compared to any other day. So much for opening gifts, sitting by the fire or being with family for a Christmas lunch. Masses of people were out and about during the chilly day.

Our quaint hotel was tucked in the Saint Germaine district. A quick jaunt on Rue de Seine took me to the Love Lock Bridge crossing Paris famed river. Along with a large number of others I had great fun looking at the tremendous number of locks. I hope all those folks remained locked in love. While gazing at the symbolic pairing of countless couples suddenly my musing ended with the sight of Notre Dame of Paris. Off I went. 

Long lines cued to enter the majestic cathedral renowned for is architectural grandeur and Hugo's equally compelling tale. I looked forward to visiting the sacred space myself during our stay. As for the moment, I had grown weary of zigging and zagging to maneuver among the crowd. I found the respite I sought as I dipped down a flight of cobbled stairs to run along the Seine. Time blew by in a whirlwind. I rushed back to rejoin Shannan and begin our official sightseeing venture. 

We retraced some of my steps, including the Love Lock Bridge. However, rather than turning toward Notre Dame we scurried off into the courtyard of the magnificent Musee du Louver. We ambled through the Tuileries Garden up to Cleopatra's Needle (a misnomer- It really belongs to Ramses II). For the holidays the city brought in a Ferris wheel much like the larger one sent to Atlanta earlier in 2014. From there we followed the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Next, we made our way to the great icon of France, the Eiffel Tower. Along the way we went through two Christmas bazars and a horde of people. If I didn't know for sure, I would have never guessed it was Christmas Day.  Nonetheless, it was joyful indeed.  

See cities from the road. Run. 

Tom