Think It. Do it!

I often exercise without listening to music, which seems quite odd these days, especially to the younger generation. On trails, the road or in gyms most folks are plugged into some electronic device. Even when I do run with a MP3 player, I do so to allow the music to provide background while my mind wanders and wonders. More times than not, I take time to pray while running. Along with prayer, I've noted many times how much I appreciate connecting to nature while running. Other than that I tend to muse, recollect, construct sociological and religious theories or plan for things I need to do. These tasks can be in the short or long term. I “run” through mental checklists of what has been accomplished and what needs to be addressed. In short, it’s like doing a progress check on my goals. I'm a firm believer in setting positive goals and using affirming mantras with great regularity. Over the years one of the things I visualized while exercising was participating in a community of scholars. In 2000 that goal came to fruition, and continues to evolve. I’m delighted at the to be participating in research and educational settings. These achieved goals did not disappoint. Still, each day I am mindful and fairly intentional about thinking through my to-do list and my dynamic list of goals. Also, I tend to rotate mantras. Here are two quotes that I like. “Take the first step in faith. You don’t’ have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “When you visualize then you materialize. If you have been there in the mind, you’ll go there in the body.” ~Denis Waitly, Jr. I’m not suggesting things just happen. I support being a positive advocate for what you want and actively being involved in making things happen. Think it. Do it. Run. Tom

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