Got to Run

I was re hydrating in the kitchen after a run the other day when number 2 son asked how far I had run ? Followed by why? Well, running is a lot better than not running. It takes me places. to a better place someimes, more of a recalibration than exercise. A systems check physically, mentally and spiritually. I focus not only the task at hand but refocus on life. I've had my most enlightened, creative and brilliant brain storms while running. One or two I even remembered at the end of the run.
But , that's not why I started and the reason I started is not why I continue to this day. Since then with the exception of a 2 year period I've been pounding the pavement. Reckon after you hit fifty, 2 years becomes a short period. One of the common threads running through my life has been running
When did I start and why ? I started in the fall 1973. Why? Survival, not just a Mary Decker fixation or advance studies of road kill.
I played Jr High basketball and it was no preparation at all for the introduction to High School soccer practice Mr Peterson gave us.
There was still a couple of weeks of summer vacation left when practice started in the evenings. I worked for Hammond Hill Farm owned by Mart Hammond's ( from 7th to graduation ) which sets on the side of a mountain. The mountain which is central feature of Path Valley is locally referred to as the Knob and on maps as Rising Mountain part of the Tuscarora Trail.

I remember walking to or actually more like crawling to the barn the next day. Stiff & sore, I hurt and had a couple wagons of hay waiting for me to unload and mowe. I decided not to suffer like this again! A day after like that one has caused more then one person drop out of organized sports . It only encouraged me to do more of the same. The Maximum Workout Theory which will be elaborated on in later blogs was in the embryo stage.

F.M. played an aggressive style of soccer, referred to by some opposing teams as killer soccer and our coach appreciated and encouraged hustle and quoted a lot of warmed over Bear Bryant. Which may seem odd in the heart of Penn State country. Except can you give me a Joe Pa. quote not mentioning Nittany Lion Franks.

Skill and finesse were really lacking in my game. If only my parents had put me on a travel or at least a club team by first grade I may have been a real player. But hustle. I could do.
I guess I am lucky not to have started earlier soccer being one of the rare occasions I ever used my head. What short term memory I have would now be nonexistent.

Not being the most skilled or efficient player I realized conditioning was the only edge I would ever have. I even ran after practice at night when I got home. Which if Mr Peterson would have known about would have no doubt added a few more sprints to the end of practice.

Running suits me. it is something I can do. It enables me to do the things I like to do . Simplistic, self paced, Though I have run with partners at times on a regular basis you can do it alone. I may be addicted, its a healthy addiction if it is. I've run in 12 different states three foreign countries. On board ships. Eventually it may become a walk but like both feet hitting the floor in the morning, You need to get out the door and into the world. I ride the bike in a haphazard schedule. If things start wearing out I'll have to up the bike mileage.

I used to ride with the Harrisburg bike club. Jim and Martha kinda adopted an older ( 70 something ) gentleman Eddie. Or he adopted them. Eddie had a modified gear ring. A granny gear that dropped so low it practically screamed when he shifted. He also had Jim and Martha , one of the secrets of staying active is staying with active people. There I have a couple of role models. Not everyone rides their bike to and from chemo treatments!
When I run.I relax. I get lost in the cadence or rhythm, footfall, breath. my thoughts. Moving meditation some times in prayer , sometimes praise.. I am able and thankful. My mind is running faster along with most of the world than I am actually moving. I know that when I unable to run for periods of time. I get really irritable. Maybe I am addicted? ( Actually I read the criteria and I am only borderline ). It's a lot cheaper than meds & therapy.

Addicts will go to great lengths for a fix. Ten years or so ago when I started the stay at home dad and blacksmith gig. Running a start up business with a 3 and 6 year to run after. Left little time to run. Some how leaving the 6 year old in charge while I ran for an hour did not seem responsible. Not that they ever came close to burning the house down or getting the cat into the washer. Then one day it hit me. Like manna or a rock. We live on a 2 &1/3 acre chunk of North Alabama , I called it 4 laps a mile. Actually had a couple 5 mile days. We have a nice stand of pines on our north and south boundaries. Its just about like trail running. At times!
When you can no longer snap the top button of you bib overalls its time to do something. I've come to these cross roads or mile markers of sorts more than once . Do you continue the down hill slide or start digging your way out. So far I have always dug out.

Things have improved over time. the 6 year old is now driving himself to school. The 3 year old drives up the driveway from the mailbox. I can go for a long run now and not feel the need to look over my shoulder for smoke or listen for sirens.

Gotta run now.