Ode to Al

Greetings!  Over the years I've posted a handful of times following a funeral of in remembrance of someone who recently died. Today, I am thinking not so much about death of a person, but of a loss for sure. I want to pay homage to a truck. Yes, I understand my true southern heritage is showing through. Twenty years ago I walked onto a car lot, determined to buy a brand new truck. I did. I purchased a bright blue Ford Ranger. For reasons unknown to me, many people in my family name cars. From my very first car when I was 16 to my current vehicle, I have followed the tradition and named vehicles. This truck was immediately named Al, which I am not ashamed to admit was influenced by the then burgeoning Fox Network and its anchor show of the day, Married with Children. 

 

As we all know, folks tend to experience a great deal in the span of 20 years. Al, the truck, was along for the ride during many major and important changes in my life, including the beginning of The Streak. In the later years I would always take Al when I went for a long run, as it didn't matter so much when I hopped in the cab dripping with sweat. Al never left me stranded. The truck was a symbol of growth and strength for all the years I drove it. 

 

Last week I donated Al to the Atlanta Humane Society. I hope Al can keep doing good in the world. When the tow truck drove away I realized how much the Al had, and still does, mean to me.

 

Thank you, Al.  I wish you good luck and I know you will do noble things.

 

If you can't drive, RUN.

 

Tom

 

16 Years and Running

16 years of an unbelievable journey, and I am profoundly bewildered by the road traveled, literally and psychically. I am delighted with the previous 16 years of The Streak and determined to keep going and going. I think everyone who has encouraged and indulged me in the years past. I deeply appreciate those who have read the postings on this site over the years.

Good health is a great thing and I try not to take it for granted. I look forward to countless more years of the uninterrupted Exercise Streak.

Thank You!

Tom

Celebrating and Appreciating 2013

Greetings! In my sphere of influence there is much to celebrate. Several birthdays take place in my family around now, including my own. Also, it's less than a month until the 16th anniversary of The Streak. As I age, I really have been pleased with life and the direction it has taken me. Good health has played a key role in that. I am proud of The Streak, and grateful for its many benefits.

I am so grateful for the many magnificent opportunities of 2013 so far, and I am thankful for the ones to come in the year.

I know exercising every single day is not for everyone. However, I strongly encourage you to engage in regular physical exercise. Whatever you do, find something that brings meaning to life. Do it. Enjoy it. Give thanks for it.

Celebrate Life. Appreciate Life. Exercise.

Tom

Wait for it!

Advent, for Christians marks the beginning of waiting. In four weeks’ time they celebrate the birth of Jesus. The long awaited day is close at hand. I awoke on Christmas Eve morning long before dawn. My excitement stirred, but not about ripping into wrapped holiday gifts. I anxiously waited for a morning run as the sun rose over Easter Island.

As I ran I noticed a very large Christmas tree brightened the darkness high on a hill. I wish it had been bright enough to illuminate the tough coastal road under my feet. A mile or so of it that was paved was filled with potholes; the remainder was rough rocky terrain. I turned away from the coast and inland toward the glowing tree.

On approach I realized it was a live tree that had been strung with lights in front of the Naval Base. I stayed the new course, which eventually looped back to the heart of the Hanga Roa village. I took note of where to run for the next day. Just as I was leaving, in the distance I saw a battered Moai. This being my first morning on the Island, how could I resist?

I sped up and ran toward the sculpture. Of course this was in the direction I had just determined would be good for the next day, and the turn added another thirty minutes to the morning run. This was a half an hour I will always cherish. It was glorious to be in sacred space on a sacred day. A smaller Christmas Tree stood on the coast. I ran in line with the two Christmas trees and a row of Moai that stretched from the shoreline to the highest hill in Hanga Roa. It was a vision and experience worth waiting to have.

Wait. Run.

Tom

Natural Strides

Here's an update on barefoot running. As mentioned previously I purchased a pair of all terrain barefoot running shoes. They are not the best for running trails or over leaves as they tend to slip a bit in those situations. There is a barefoot trail shoe, which does great. Back to the all terrain shoes, I took them with me to South America for an eight day trip. Over the course of time I had the opportunity to run in a variety of conditions and settings. Overall the report is a really good one.

I had worked up to regular runs and high mileage with the barefoot shoes before the trip and strongly encourage others to do the same. The reason is the barefoot shoes allow for different parts of your feet, legs into play than traditional running shoes. You will feel this as you begin using the barefoot shoes. I felt tightness in my ankles, a slight sensation in the top of my feet and a touch of muscle soreness in my back. All of these subsided with continued use.

In Santiago, Chile the shoes were put to work on streets, sidewalks and on pea gravel trails. I experienced no problems whatsoever. However, Easter Island has few paved roads. There is volcanic rock everywhere. I was able to feel a good deal of that through the shoes. The bottoms of my feet didn't bruise, but I knew I had run differently. I became very aware of my strides. Being so focused carried a wonderful byproduct- I was super mindful of the surroundings, which are stunningly beautiful from rolling hills to the ever-on-guard majestic Moai.

Run Naturally. Run Barefoot. Run.

Tom

Running is a Gift

It's been said many times by many folks, “Running is a gift.” I concur. Running is a gift which allows for good health and a superb way to explore of the world around us. I have had the opportunity to run in many places from the Grand Canyon to Mount Cook, New Zealand. This spring, if all goes according to plan, I'll visit the Salisbury Plain in England. As you may know, this is the location of Stonehenge. If at all possible, I'll run there. Someday I hope to run on along the Great Wall of China. That is high on my list. Unfortunately, the list is a long one.

For me, it's not just a check it off kind of list. As I wrote at the beginning, I value running as a gift, a great blessing in my life. To combine running with travel and study of sacred places is deeply spiritual to me. I'm grateful for the wherewithal to engage in such endeavors. I’m mindful socio-economics doesn’t allow everyone to engage in this sort of thing. Oh that everyone who desired could have the time and resources to travel, think, study and reflect. I delight in the chance to recall everything from the ground, hills, water, climate and communities that make places memorable while out for a run.

Experience. Run.

Tom

The wrong side of the river

Some eight years ago I discovered a riverside park while it was under construction. Although the sports fields took nearly a year to complete, trails exited along the river and through the woods. ATV and horse riders had carved out and maintained the trails. In previous writings I lamented this wonderful location has terrible water runoff. Even a slight rain will make it a slippery and muddy mess.

This past weekend the mid-January temperatures were in the upper 60’s and low 70s. I really wanted to have a nice run to enjoy the weather. However, it had rained a couple of days in the week, so the river was out, at first. Then I decided that mud was no longer an issue thanks to the Vibram barefoot shoes. Furthermore, there are trails on the other side of the river I have never explored in all these years. I could cross through the water in the Vibrams.

Off I went relishing in running through puddles within the first 60 seconds of entering the park. I picked a place to cross the river only to find the water stronger than I expected and worse, deeper. I was wet waist high. The warm air was nice the icy water was a terror. My MP3 player was destroyed. At this point, there was nothing to do but to get in at least thirty minutes, twenty-seven more, and call it a day.

The trail opposite the river was a delight. I ran up hills, over dirt and rocks. It had twists and turns and splits. Unknown to me, the river split as well. I came to a bridge I couldn’t place. I crossed the river and headed back and ended up at another sports complex, one I had never seen in my life. I decided to back track, only to get lost again in the maze of trails.

After pushing through brush, sliding down a steep part of river bank crossing the water (again) up steep bank on the other side, and crashing trough briars and other uncomfortable stuff I finally found my way back, an hour later.

Whew! The shoes held up well. If not for the stress, this would have been a stellar run.

Tom