Think about it

Up ahead along the the right side of the road, a cyclist rode his bicycle. This was no ordinary cyclist. His legs showed no muscle tone. The size of t-ball baseball bats, his thin limbs pumped up and down as he moved down the road. In stature, He was the size of a small child of maybe 11 years old. I was overcome with sympathy for him. He seemed to be afflicted with a spinal disorder. His upper back was larger and higher on the left side and his torso was short. As I passed him, I noticed, this was not a child. It was a man. A young adult.
Joy riding? Or getting to where he must or desires? I don't know, but he wasn't letting his limitations hold him back.
Most of us are very fortunate in that we can move freely, effortlessly, and painlessly. Sure we have difficulties now and then. But how many of us have serious physical limitations? We may have physical limitations that were self inflicted but those we can usually overcome. Many times we take for granted the fact that we can get out of bed on our own, groom ourselves, or not. Head out the door to work or play. choose what we will eat and the fact that we can feed ourselves when, where, and how we please.
My youngest sister was born with severe physical and mental disabilities, but she was alive. My sister needed the attention of a baby all her life. Doctors said she would not live past adolescence. She proved the doctors wrong. Mom tended to her in a very caring and loving way until she could no longer handle the 24-7 attention my sister required. Mom was aging. Reluctantly, Mom and Dad placed our sister in an assisted living facility for the remainder of her life. Minnie lived to be 45. She lived 11 years after Dad passed and 9 years after Mom passed. Today we laid her to rest. I can't help but to feel guilty for taking my physical abilities for granted as well as not giving much more attention to my little sister. I wish I could have been there for her more. I am guilty of thinking "oh, She's Ok." But not checking on her more often. The people at the facility she resided at were with us today as we laid our sister to rest. These are exceptional people. Those who devote their lives to working with people who cannot care for themselves are to be commended. They are devoted to their work, and to those that need the most help. We don't think about these people much, the ones needing help and the ones providing that help.
Think about how fortunate you are next time you walk out the door. Think about those who care for those who can't care for themselves.
Think about that young man riding his bicycle down the road, not letting his physical limitations hold him back.

"I have to keep moving, or I'll catch up with myself"--Ray Romano

I heard this quote this morning and I think it's great!
Recently I was involved in a heated discussion with family members on what causes disease in our human bodies. It was stated that diseases we develop "are in our genes." I disagree.
I say what we have ingested through out or lives and what we now put in our bodies directly affects our health. The reason some diseases or medical conditions exist and remain in families is because most often eating habits and physical activity or inactivity remains the same.
In "The new Detox Diet" By Elson M. Haas, M.D.
Dr. Haas describes how it is important to keep a healthy, balanced GI function. A GI tract imbalance can lead to systemic disease. Maintaining good bacteria in the gut by consuming healthy nutrients and a healthy lifestyle leads to balanced GI tract.
"Over consumption of non nutrient compounds, and under consumption, or under assimilation of required nutrients may produce deficiencies and may lead to allergies or other immune system problems." Elson M. Haas, M.D.
It was also stated in our discussion that as we age, "something's got to give."
This is true. But we can keep moving and try to keep eating healthy to stay ahead of that "something" that's gonna give!
Keep moving, or you'll catch up with yourself!

101 degrees in the shade!

It has been very hot very early this summer. The trees are starting to feel the effects as their leaves are drooping. The bank sign read 101, so I thought I'd run in the shade of the Leon Creek bed. It was breezy when I started out at 5 P.M. on the road. Once I was down in the lower creek bed the shade was a relief but only for a short time. I realized the breeze was no more! My water was room temperature at the start and almost hot midway through my 7 miler. I hesitated to drink but knew I had to.
The past few months I've been running short races and going all out. Pushing the envelope. Now I have to learn to pace myself (something I struggle with) on long training runs in my preparation for the Cactus Rose 50 miler in October. In today's heat, I had no choice but to slow down.
Deer were roaming around this afternoon, a rarity. They are looking for water no doubt. I saw a fawn I'd seen about two weeks ago in what must have been it's first or second day on this earth when it could barely walk on it's new legs. Today it bolted through the brush, ran, and was long jumping like a pro. I figured it was the same one I'd seen two weeks ago, it was in the same area and it's spots looked the same. If Santa sees him jump and leap now he's got Rudolph's job. I'd bet he'd enjoy a north pole winter better than a south Texas summer.
Studies reveal that heat training improves performance and benefits are reaped during the cooler months. I look forward to those cooler months. In the meantime I'll tolerate the heat of summer here in South Texas.

great weekend, great people

I feel very fortunate to have such wonderful friends. Old and new. Friday I visited with a friend I've had since early childhood. Very Early! Nancy and I have been friends since pre-school (when I used to sing to her). I was sweet on her then. :-) We continued a great relationship through the years. You know you have a true friend when although you have not spoken in over 15 years, you can pick up where you left off. Nancy and I visited for over two hours and every moment was very enjoyable. She's still sweet.
Saturday I volunteered at the Texas Folklife festival. Helping my old church to raise funds for the parish. An old friend showed up! I have not seen Joe C in more than 30 years! He strolled in ready to help and politely said Hi to everyone. I said "hey Joe how's it going?" He took a second look and with a smile on his face responded "Maldonado!" We caught up.
Working the Gordita booth was interesting. But not as interesting as the people watching at the Festival. People are so funny. The majority are very nice. The little old lady who wanted a specially prepared fruit cup was sweet and patient. The young Asian girl with the perfect Spanish pronunciation, The lady who wanted to be positive her Gordita was made with PURE corn masa. The young ladies "strutting their stuff."
Later in the day it was our running group's inaugural picnic. A fantastic time with great people and great food. We have such a wonderful group. We recognized the group's grand Pu-Ba, John P. who is responsible for starting the group 6 years ago. It's grown from 3 members to about 15. Tom presented him with a gift we can all contribute to in the future, One of HIS TOENAILS! Long distance trail runners lose toenails all the time, so John can rest assured he'll add to his collection.
Today Tom and I ran in Leon Creek. We headed south from Bandera road. Usually we head north. It was a nice change of pace. We ran beyond the paved trail and into the Leon Creek rock bed. Tom and I engaged in great conversation.
Another friend I can share myself with. The best possession one can have, a truly wonderful personal relationship. And I am fortunate to have several.

Heat, drooling, treasures

Running shirtless in today's heat felt good. I only run shirtless when they're aren't too many people around and in 90+ degree weather, but it feels so nice. We ran our usual pre-boot camp road route today. E, O and I have run this route so many times and only today we noticed a pomegranate tree on our route. We decided to pick a few (they were hanging out into the street), as we tried to be quite and stealth like, E, who's wearing head phones, shouts out to O, "WE NEED TO GET YOUR MOM TO PLANT SOMES SEEDS!" SHHHHH!
After boot camp back at work I headed out to IKE to run trails with our group. Arriving I saw Kelli's SUV and my jaw dropped and I began drooling as I saw the decal on her rear window! R2R2R! Where did she get that? I want One! I've got to find her on the trail NOW!
I met up with Tim and his G'friend in the parking lot. We talked about Tim's upcoming Ultra. His first. I offered some advice as I accompanied them for 3 miles into Tim's 12 miler today. I didn't see Kelli and her SUV was gone when I got back to the parking lot.
I caught up with her, Joe, and Chris at our usual watering hole. I pleaded with her to tell me where she got the decal! Another friend had them made after he also ran the Grand Canyon from the South rim to the North rim to the South rim. She'll try to get me one.
We spoke of her and Joe's recent experience and I reminisced on mine. We agreed it was an experience like no other and how we will always remember it and those that were with us.
You never forget those that experienced the same feat with you, and or helped you complete a long distance event. Whether your first 10K, Marathon, an ultra or an adventure run. These are people and memories you will always Treasure.

Injuries abound

Seems like most of my group is injured. Broken bones in the foot, detached tendons in the ankle, pain on the ball of the foot, stitches on the top of the head due to a run in with a low hanging branch on the trail. Well, That's the nature of the beast. Run long enough and you're bound to have an injury or two at some point.
Me? No injuries, just can not get in any kind of rythym. Oh, I've been running 20 to 25 miles a week which is "ok" but there is no set pattern. And I've been road biking on some Sunday's. I guess it's ok. Maybe I'm out of whack because I've been following an exercise program from Ben Greenfields book, "shape 21." it's an exercise program that changes everyday and geared to someone trying to lose weight but I find it beneficial to build strength too. I've lost a little weight. Maybe too much. A coworker asked me yesterday if I was at the company boot camp in hopes of gaining weight!
I can definitely tell I've gained strength. Maybe the workouts coupled with the bootcamp have contributed to some fatigue, thus hindering my running training. I'll stop the strength training soon to begin training for my next BIG trail run, the Cactus Rose 50 Miler.
Today I ran alone thinking of my running buddies, fantasizing about running into one. Then I saw an image of one in my mind wearing a cool looking blue cast around his ankle.