Old Track New Feelings

I went back to the place I called home for 13 years, Shoals Indiana. A couple of weeks ago I took my off day to see a member who had moved to Indianapolis and was in a hospital. I made spontaneous plans to have supper with my son who still lives in Shoals and so I had a couple of hours to kill when I completed the 5 and a half hour trip from Mansfield. I hadn't packed any running gear but had a deep desire to return to my old running route again.

After a couple of stops along the way I crossed the line into Martin County. It was a warm, humid afternoon when I was greeted by the "Welcome to Shoals" sign. After passing the Gypsum mines I hung a sharp left from US 50 at Shoals Community Schools. Into that familiar parking lot along side the school track, I parked anticipating my first run in over 2 years. There were two people on the track already and I didn't know them. As I got out of the car I went into the stretch routine I had done at least a hundred times and then descended down the hill to the entry gate where I once again place my feet on familiar ground. This was the place my running passion was ignited. It was the track I lapped endless early mornings and late nights.

It took no time to feel home with my running again. As I began my run the afternoon heat awakened my senses to sun beaten rubber beneath my feet.The rubber coated track was kind to my weary,slow mending feet. The air on the south end of the track was wonderfully familiar with the fragrance of honeysuckle. The whine of the crickets could be heard from the west end.

I gazed below at the lines and markings that guided me repeatedly around this place for years. I thought of the goals I set out to reach as I'd head to the track again and again. I thought of those cold winter days when I was so absorbed that I ignored snow covered lanes and defiant northerly gusts that could not squelch my passion. I remembered nights when I'd run when I was frustrated, restless or sad; when I could not distinguish between teardrops and sweat drops. I remember times when I ran just wishing I could go until I could not take another step. There were songs I'd run to that were so worn and ingrained as I took each stride (Coldplay, Journey, Goo Goo Dolls, Train, U2,etc)I mostly ran alone and mostly liked it that way. It all came back to me when I returned to that old track.

Much has taken place since those days when I started on that old track. It was part of my training to do what I once that far-fetched, to run and complete a marathon. I backed way off after that because of a foot injury and have just really made my way back over the past few months. I am not as fast and not as goal oriented these days. Part of me misses that too! But to go back to the SHS track and just run it for fun and to return to the place where I fought through many battles and reached many milestones was rewarding enough. You don't realize how much of yourself you've really poured out until you get the chance to go back to where it all began.

The question these days is: Where can I go to find that old feeling once again?

Another Son Heads For the Army

This morning it's Brad's turn. He is on a van heading for Evansville Indiana and then routes to Indianapolis to catch a flight to Atlanta before landing in Columbus Ga. and more specifically Ft Benning. Like his brother Andy, Brad is getting ready for intensive basic & AI training to become a soldier in the US Army. I sit here wondering, how did we become such a military family? I know that I had a grandfather who was a Navy Sea Bee and Kelly's father was also in the Navy but I never dreamed of having two sons who set their sites on becoming soldiers. I don't recall any GI Joes in their toy boxes. Kelly wasn't big on toy guns when they were little either, although I think they were inclined to use their imagine to fashion weapons out of sticks, broom handles, etc. I am very proud of them and also scared at the same time. What a dangerous time to volunteer with all the troubles in the Middle East. A year ago we were sending off Andy and feel extra proud of the man he is becoming. I know the discipline and structure have made a big difference. Next week he also heads to Benning for Army Ranger school, which is quite an honor to be recommended. I know that Brad has what it takes to become a great soldier. I may sound like a proud Papa when I say this but- the Army is very fortunate to be getting such a young man to serve and protect our country. In the end, while enlisting is not the first counsel we would offer to our sons when considering a life-path, I know it's what they strongly feel they must do. We proudly support them in this decision and yet it is tempered with much prayer for a hedge of protection about them and godly wisdom to make wise choices with each opportunity that comes their way. May God bless all of our troops who serve all around the world.

500 Hundred Long Miles Between

Today I cross another milestone, 1500 miles. It was September 2007 when I cross the 1000 barrier. I lived 300 miles from where I do today. The day was gorgeous, as I ran on a gravel road beside a train track where I had my moment of personal victory. I thought the next 500 would come easy but found the road turned into a steep incline over the next 33 months. Amid that stretch was an inconceivable marathon in Akron. Unfortunately my feet paid the price for that once unreachable goal as I developed an injury that refused to leave me for 20 months. I was convinced it would never go away. I am thankful to God that He healed me of it in His time. Those months I was forced off the roads were hard because it paralleled some monumental challenges in ministry I was facing at the time. It was hard not to take my frustrations to the streets as I had before my injury developed. The last 500 were adverse-filled miles but they also included some other changes in my life. I became a grandfather. I became a proud Army parent and this gives me new incentive to run as well. I got to see my last son graduate from high school. I have left many running friends in one state to find new ones in another. Though the last 500 miles were long and at times appeared unattainable, I am renewed with vision and passion to run far and accomplish more once again. My thoughts are already turning to my next goal of 2000 miles and the prospect of another marathon somewhere out there. I am grateful that God has freed me to run as I've longed to once again. While I hope the next 499.2 miles ahead aren't as steep as the last, I hope that they are full of great, unexpected surprises along the way.

Running These Days

I really thought the plantar thing was going to be a part of me for the rest of my life. While trying for my first marathon in 2008, I developed this problem, though not aware what it was initially. I thought if I just ran through some of foot pain, it would subside eventually. Training to go 26.2 is going to invoke some aches along the way.

When I started running in 2005 I made a decision to fight through pain and soreness and endure the elements knowing it would develop a mental stamina needed if I really wanted to break through self-imposed limitations. Little did I know that the plantar fasciitis problem was suppose to be an exception. Soon after the Akron marathon I was radically slowed and hobbled by that foot pain. It would not quit and I finally caved in to a friends suggestion to seek out medical treatment & therapy.

The next year was spent trying foot treatments, orthodics, therapies and night splints. There was intermittent running that year but not very much. In fact from the September 2008 marathon until March 2010 I was only able to squeeze out 117 miles in that 17 month span!

In the last 2 plus months things seem to be turning around finally. My runs have been almost pain-free and I am have switched from fighting to get going towards looking forward and enjoying it once again. I am far below my monthly running averages from my peak training but am happy to experience that good runner's feeling once again! In the last two weeks I enjoyed 2 runs of longer distance 6 miles and 7 miles! The legs & lungs are coming back and a little speed is returning too as I lose some weight.

I think I am well on my way once again to a normal running life. If you call a running life normal!

Andy & I Ran a 5K Together

Last Saturday I ran my first race since last September's marathon. Never mind that I was wheezing up hills and that packs of runners breezed by me as I felt like I was running in sand up to my knees. Or that I felt like a fish out of water running trails instead of roads. Forget the fact that it took so much out of me to run a 10 minute pace for 3.1 miles.

The reason it was truly significant is that I was able to share the experience with my son Andy who is heading to the Army in 2 weeks. We had dreamed about running a marathon this fall but time and injuries to my foot made that impossible. Knowing we were running out of time, we registered for the Camp Mowana Run Through the Woods 5k.

When the horn sounded Andy darted to the front of the pack. I had a great view of him reaching the top of the hill as I was climbing the first 3/10ths of a mile. In the end he received a 3rd place medal in his division and finished 7 minutes ahead of me! I was proud of the race he ran and was thrilled that he received some hardware in this shared moment.

I will have plenty of opportunities to run better but on that day my position and time took a back seat to a great dad/son event. I am proud of him and how far he has come and how far he will go in the next chapter of his life.

Too Many Byes

I'm saying good bye too often this year. This time I write as I reflect the passing of Duane Bates. He was my step father during those wonderful teen years of my life. Affectionately known as "Pa" not only to family, but to the whole neighborhood. If you ever saw Pa from the Waltons, then you would know a little of the nature of this man. Duane was as earthy as they come. He modeled a strong work ethic and was a lineman for the New York State Electric & Gas. He enjoyed a simple country life, loved John Wayne and enjoyed fishing. He was quite good with a harmonica too.

A few memories I recall with Pa include riding to Canada in the back of his old Chevy pick up to spend a week on the lake. It was the same truck that I would learn to drive a standard with shift on the column. This was also the same truck I got stuck during a late winter snow.

We lived on a farm with a few animals. I remember how amazed I was when he'd yell "Ka-boss!!" which was followed by cattle heading to the feeding troughs. He loved dogs, especially a dog named Poochie. He would talk to it like a baby as it wagged it's tail in delight at the lavished attention. As I mention this I am realizing that I picked up this mannerism from Duane.

He had a hilarious sense of humor. One joke in particular was quite effective on me. With absolute solemness he told me how he had this puppy he loved that was out in the garage while he was repairing a gas tank on his truck. He had drained the tank and had left the pan by the truck when the little cuss jumped in it and then started to run in circles until it just slowed and quite. His voice broke off as he told how awful it was. I was caught up in the story and asked what happened to the dog. He looked tearful and then said, "He ran out of gas!" which was followed by him slapping his knee and roaring in laughter.

While I definitely had a good relationship with my dad through my teen years, the miles between us certainly made it hard to seek his daily guidance in my life. For this I was grateful to have Duane as my step dad during this period in my life. I'm glad I got that Kelly got to meet him when we got engaged. I'm thankful for the family Bible he gave us on our wedding and for the visit we had shortly after we got married.

When I went off to college Pa no longer was my step dad as things changed during my freshman year. Yet I look back at that span from 1974-1980 and was grateful for the man who worked hard to feed us and keep us warm through the long winter nights in upstate New York. I read his obituary which reported that he died at 80 years old. It was hard to imagine because I was thinking of him as he was last time I saw him and maybe that's the best way to keep him in my mind as a post the tribute for yet another person whose life left an impact on mine. I hope this will be the last one I need to post in 2009.

Life Without Running

It has been a very long while since I posted a running thought for good reason. My running has come to a grinding halt! I have made several attempts at it but each time I pay dearly thanks to a foot injury that refuses to leave. I really miss it and the doctor assures me I will be able to return to this love.
Thankfully I have a new interest I have settled on as a substitute, cycling. I have been at it for 4 weeks now. This week I biked on an 18 mile trail in Mansfield. The weather was perfect and by the end of the day I was content to have broken the 50 mile mark for the day. It seems I have to become obsessive with distance on a bike just as I have with running.
The very same trail I ran last summer is now being covered on wheels. I wish I could have run as quickly as I biked.