Taking it for granted

I live in an area of exquisite beauty and on at least daily marvel at it. I think, how many ways can I describe a mountain view or the mist on the flood plains in the morning sun or the morning clouds that hang over the river at the base of the ridge? Each time I look it is different: the light, the colors, the breezes, the position of the clouds. I am in awe. But for some the repeating of these themes I am sure is boring. Oh well………

For the past several months I have taken to running in the mornings. While I am not the athletic type I have enough serious swimming, cycling and volleyball in my more distant past to know that I have the leftover muscle structure and can be disciplined if I am so motivated. But for the past several years the will and spirit for serious exercise has eluded me and as one would expect, it shows on this mature body.

But as the sun has just begun to rise I now find my self drawn to the street. The feel of the air, the morning view of the ridge, the sounds in the woods, the back streets with few if any cars and almost no people. As nature draws me out, a strange thing is occurring. The many hills (it is hard to find “flat”) I have to traverse starting at my driveway and that so discouraged me at the start are now almost unnoticed. The one mile of run stop and walk and stop and walk and then collapse at home has become 3, 4 and 5 miles of steady running up hills and flats and along long stretches that border wetlands and pastures with an occasional walk of no more than a half a minute or enough to add some stretching. Listening to NPR on my MP3 but also able to hear the birds. On days when I know I have to take as a rest day to avoid injury and not burn myself out I miss being out there and somewhat resent when I only have a half hour of time or the schedule is so chaotic that it completely squeezes out this time. Having kids who run for track also helps because I became more aware of the need for good shoes and shelved my K-Mart specials for a pair that is meant for the task. The kids and my wife are also the cheering squad when I add another half mile to the trip though I know the kids don’t comment on my times. My time is “ok” for a starter and for someone my age [it makes me feel old just saying and thinking that] and as I track it in my log it gets very slowly better. So my goal, as I am putting it out to more people, is a 10k by the end of the summer in under 60 minutes. So if you’re a runner reading this you are laughing or if you have ever been in a dormant phase you are not. You gotta start somewhere.

So what is this post really about? It’s about never taking for granted this beautiful area that, for at least for this phase of my life, I am able to be part of and to be motivated by. The second is in setting goals and at first working quietly towards them but then not being intimidated to put them out there as a way of keeping on track and seeking new strides. So when I start with my first 5k hopefully in a couple of weeks, with two teen escorts, the first part of the goal will be met. Then on to the next.

So what is the picture about? It’s the last picture out of my trusty camera. I thought it was back but now it is down for good and no tinkering seems to make it wake up. So I’m scanning ebay for another cheapo camera. Sure I could go for something serious but then where would be the challenge and also I’d be less willing to haul it around everywhere afraid I would drop an expensive one. So probably no pictures until a replacement is found.