Chilly Cleveland, TENNESSEE

Like many times before in frigid weather I read and tended to various tasks early in the morning waiting for the sun to rise. Usually this gives the temperature a slight bump up a degree or two. This day it increased from 27 to 30 degrees. I lamented more than necessary before finally leaving the hotel for a run in Cleveland, Tennessee.

Upon exiting the hotel I noticed an addition to the cold and windy morning, a constant stream of snow fell. Oddly, my immediate thought was this will be nice. Cold is not of any interest to me whatsoever yet since we see so little snow in the Atlanta area the novelty of it held a strong appeal. Make no mistake the excitement of snow wasn't as powerful as the joy of running in a new city. I got going and took it all in, the rolling hills and falling snow.

In a mile and a half I entered the Bradford County Greenway.  I watched a magnificent Great Blue Herron gliding in for a landing near a small stream. The bird descended as effortlessly as the frozen white flakes. The Heron landed in a landscape that could easily have been the backdrop for a Thomas Kinkade painting. I enjoyed the experience of the cold crystals, including the ones landing on my face. All my senses were engaged and invigorated. 

The chilly run left me ready for a great day of exploring even more of Cleveland. Shannan and I visited a local museum, ate lunch at The Spot, an historic diner, and made some purchases in local shops. We had a riverboat cruse planned, but it was cancelled due to inclement weather. Who's afraid of a little snow?!

Do something different. Run in the snow.

Tom

Marking my place in the world

12 years ago I arranged a birthday day party for myself, one of only two. As party favors each attendee received a small booklet entitled, 3 Decades of LaPorte: Poetry, Pictures, Prose and Propaganda. During the evening I read two short pieces from the collection which I wrote especially for the occasion. One reminisced about a tattoo of my initials on my shoulder. I mocked it as immature, yet honored it as marking my life as it was in my teen years.

That tattoo was homemade and didn’t cost me anything more than a little pain and time. Today I had my first (more to follow) visit with a professional to have the tattoo removed via laser. The pain was less this go around, but the cost was much more. I know tattoos continue to grow in popularity and cultural meaning in this country and others. For me, the ink on my arm represents a social location far removed. I don’t wear short sleeve shirts because of the tattoo. I decided it was time to make a change. The tattoo served its purpose, sometimes better than others. Nowadays I look for new, less permanent ways, to identify myself in the world, like posting a health and fitness blog.

Run well.

Tom

Running with the Roosters

Istanbul has many mosques and masjids, including the Hagia Sofia and Sultan Ahmed, better known as the Blue Mosque. When the call to prayer comes in Istanbul, it is overwhelming and powerful. I felt the voice of the Adhan reverberate in my very being as I ran in the early morning. It made the trip memorable.

A sunrise run in the Village of Fair Oaks, CA worked my auditory senses in a similar manner, yet not religious or human driven by any means. Roosters, many roosters announce the new day with the classic onomatopoeia: cock-a-doodle-do. The crows of the feathered males echoed across every city block of downtown of Fair Oaks. I heard them long before I entered the town square. Closer and closer the volume grew as well as the number. Along the way I passed a few rosters waddling about yards, businesses and sidewalks. The intensity and repetitiveness of their morning call was compelling. When I reached the center of town it was like a surreal dream. Roosters roamed everywhere. Most passively went about their business, others aggressively protected their domain from other roosters and from me.

I noticed many business and signs that had images of the roosters. The creatures were indeed a symbol of the town. There was a rooster shaped stop sign to allow the birds to cross the road, and a shop filled with chicken related paraphernalia. It was sort of neat to see this symbiotic relationship. This beckoning to start the day is much different than the Islamic call to prayer, but I found it a very nice way to welcome the day.


Start the day with a run.

Tom

Waiting and the American River

A temperature of two degrees below zero and darkness kept me sitting around very early in the morning in a suburb of Sacramento, CA. Around 6:30am I bounded out toward the American River. Fishermen, boaters, runners, dog walkers and an abundance of wildlife awaited. I navigated narrow dirt trails, river rocks and gravel as I deeply appreciated the surrounding tapestry of options for the naturalist and exerciser. Mist rising, the sun cresting and a variety of creatures singing songs of the morning inspired and invigorated. I never tire of opportunities in life like this one. Many of them take place when we are out of town, yet another fabulous benefit of travel. Other than the lovely morning run, we had a day planned to visit Shenandoah wine country. The day’s agenda caused me to spend less time along the American River than I wanted. I hurried back to join the group. By the time I arrived they had breakfasted and were ready to go. Regrets? Not a one. If I had started sooner I would not have been able to enjoy the fabulous scenery in the light of day. It was a perfect way to start the day. The memories linger much more so than the fleeting irritation I caused. Start the day with a run. Tom

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