Friends, Lines & Porta-Johns

What goes on in & around lines is a study in humanity . I enjoy being around folks ( for the most part) & conversation is a significant part of my career & social life.

I have enjoyed quite a few "conversations" this week. The subjects have ranged from the financial crisis , football, work related, this Blogspot (thanks to Bill , my P.R. director!) & of course during our running. It seems to me that we are defintely created to be "social creatures" to one degree or another.

I met some new folks this week @ a meeting & of course talked w/ old friends @ work & while running. I even had some brief conversation in the lunch line & of all places ,while waiting to use the Porta John ! BTW , have you ever been in that line ? !
Anyway , the art of conversation is becoming a lost art. Blame the Ipod generation or whatever you choose. We have simply gotten away from it @ times.

I am thankful for conversation this week. I am thankful for friends that listen & talk back while we run or waiting in line @ a meeting. So, "thanks" ( you know who you are ! ), for the "words" ...even though you might have been bored or"pre-occupied" w/ something else !,@ least you "faked"it !!!

Seek some conversation, encourage someone, slow down & have some coffee on the porch ....it will be worth it to all !!

Proverbs 17:17: A friend is always loyal, & a brother is born to help in time of need.
Proverbs 18:24: There are "friends" that destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

The Trail of Blood,Sweat & Tears !

Ok....I admit the title is not original, but there is an

element of truth to it ! BTW, I do remember the band Blood, Sweat & Tears.

Yesterday, a couple of members of the Kickin' the Rooster Ninth Ward Social Club & I participated (key word!) in the Bays Mt. 15 Mile Trail Run.

This is no "pattie cake" event....it is 15 miles of trails , some single track & plenty of rocks & hills.

Did I mention that there were HILLS ?

The day was humid, but otherwise perfect for a trail race. Plenty of fun was ahead for all !

The race starts w/ an immediate 4.5 mile plodfest up to a fire tower & then goes pretty much "solo backwoods " for the next 7 or so miles & comes back around a lake & finishes @ a wildlife exhibit.

It is some of the most beautiful country one can see in this area. The mountain views ( when you aren't gagging to breathe & can look up !) are spectacular. The backwoods are a welcomed "quiet place" where running is truly a pleasure.

I didn't have quite the day that I wanted, but the "boys" & I will be back ! ( remember Thin Lizzy!) I finished in 2:26, after running ,walking ,falling & praying & running again.

My friends Bill , Jon & David had a great race...finishing in the 2:37 area. Congrats to them ..the first time @ that distance for all !! We all had a hard working fun time , but there was a sense of accomplishment w/ this one.

I say all of that to say this:

I am a Christ Follower & I am in absolute awe on days like yesterday of His Creation ! The scenery was beautiful , the plants & wildlife were all on display. What about the human body ? What a "machine" !!! The man that won the race was 1:35 !!! All of those different created "machines" pushing themselves to their personal limits for the day. Makes one feel humble indeed !

Don't be in such a hurry that you can't check out His creation this week. We are truly blessed , if we have sight to see! Read Psalm 19 & check out verses on His Creation.

Psalm 19:4-5

The sun lives in the heavens where God placed it. It bursts forth like a bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run a race.

"You Started When it Was Raining"?

"You started when it was raining" ? That was the question asked by a fellow "runner" that I talked to tonight @ the gym. As I mentioned previously we " runners" tend to be an obsessive lot...sometimes borderline idiotic i.e. "running when it started" !

It has been another terribly dry summer here...thankfully today we had a nice , much needed rain. Which brings me to our run this morning:

A charter member of the Kickin' the Rooster Club & I headed out this morning while it was raining steadily. ( Some members of our "club" were "no shows") attributed to the rain or simply being smarter...you decide ! The longer we were out , the harder it rained...it was a "soaker" & we were in the middle of it ! Now I realize that this is no great accomplishment , BUT , when is the last time that you did something that didn't make sense just for the heck of it ??!

Don't be afraid to "start when it was raining "....do something for the sake of the puddles !

Psalm 118:24 This is the day that the LORD has made , let us rejoice & be glad in it !

Taking Things for Granted

"People that run " OR "runners" ( whatever the case may be ) tend to be obsessive about the sport. I know, I claim one of the above titles ( whatever the case may be ) , so I can say w/o a doubt that this tends to be true.

After yesterdays 10k, my Running Buddies & I ( all members of the Kickin' the Rooster Ninth Ward Social Club) , were re-hashing our times. What went right , what went wrong, how we felt, who we beat & who we couldn't believe beat us & "where did he come from"? & on & on...you get the picture !

As we were walking toward the water & fruit tents, I spotted one of our local Heroes . He is a young man about seventeen or so that is well known in the area. He had just participated in the 3k event & was talking w/ some folks as my freind & I walked by. The thing about this young Hero is that he is a double amputee...running on prosthetics ! He was enjoying the "congrats" from folks as they passed by.

My friend & I were whining & moaning about how we could have done better etc. , when I realized that we were missing the whole point of the moment. We take so much for granted ! Here was a man w/ prosthetic legs & I was whining about my race time. I bet he wasn't concerned about next time or how he could overlook the joy of the moment & instead focus on "getting better". He was taking it all in !!

What all do you take for granted ? Why not challenge yourself today to be thankful for the day & be content w/ what the moment gives ?

Focus on the race yes, but be happy you are able to run !!
The Apostle Paul put it this way: " ......I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances ." Phil. 4:11

Pretty Good Time !

Pretty Good Time for me today @ the 10k considering a summer cold & running on 1 & 1/2 lungs ! 42:45 (plodder's time)...8th in the age group...strong group this year w/ the top two under 40 minutes.

My lovely bride won her age group & brought home some hardware ! ( It's the training!)

Good turn out on a humid , overcast day. No one puked except my friend's daughter !

15 mile trail race next...Good Times ! This is a tough one !

New Adventure

This is a new adventure for me....We will see how it goes & maybe have some fun & share some runnin' tales & stories !