July 31, 2016 OoooH OoooH------THAT SMELL

Different fragrances dance in my nostrils when I run in the warmer weather.  The aroma of lilac, honeysuckle, lavender, peony, and roses is  intoxicating. I literally stop my run just for an extra whiff--nature's perfume. On many days, the ocean also smells salty and clean as the tide beats against the shore-- unless it's low tide. On those  hazy, hot, humid days when the sun bakes the mussels and seaweed-- that's a whole different kind of smell. Another aroma of the season that runners face is skunks. They seem to leave their stale eau de cologne everywhere--it permeates the air and even burns your eyes at times. BUT believe it or not, there is a smell that makes the skunk smell like a rose--GARBAGE. Running by overflowing garbage cans on garbage day is bad-- even worse though is getting stuck running behind the garbage truck --it is a fate worse than death in the summer. Ooooh, the woes of a runner!  God Bless the sanitation workers--I don't know how they do it.
Speaking of garbage, Juan Diego, the main character of John Irving's new book The Avenue of Mysteries, grew up in a garbage dump in Oaxaco, Mexico, in the 1970's. I should probably let you know  that John Irving is one of my favorite writers but he's not for the casual reader. His writing style is reminiscent of Charles Dickens because Dickens was his favorite writer as a kid and he made the decision to be a writer like Dickens when he was all of 9 years old. Imagine that! Irving writes very quirky stories with strange characters and funny situations. As a reader, you have to just let Irving take you into his strange world--it might not seem to make sense--but every quirk, character, scene--however odd--will fall into place by the end of the story. He is a wonderful writer. Anyways, back  to Juan Diego. He is an aging writer who seems to live more in the past than the present. He is on his way to the Philippines to fulfill a promise he made back in his years as the "dump reader" of Mexico. While traveling, he reminisces about his childhood. While living in  the dump, Juan Diego collected books and taught himself to read and write in Spanish and English--a feat--for an orphan living in a dump. His sister, Lupe, is also gifted but in another way--she can read minds. We learn all about his life and the people who helped shape it while he lived in the-- dump--orphanage--circus and finally the United States with his adopted family--a very odd but loving  couple.  It is a strange but wonderful story reminiscent of Irving's characters from other books; especially,  Garp and Owen Meany. It is also a thought provoking, empathetic story  about fate and the importance of memory, childhood and the people and experiences that shape our lives. Although it's only 440 pages, it is a commitment to a degree--a 10 mile run--but enjoy it because there is only one John Irving.

July 28, 2016 CAN'T FIND MY WAY HOME

I have a disease. It's called "Directionality Deficiency." I'm pretty sure it's genetic and has something to do with being left handed. Being directionally challenged can cause complications, especially, when running a new race or in a new area. This is when I am most  thankful that I have a comrade with a good sense of direction. Recently, I spent a few days in New York City with my comrade--since we were on the upper east side---so she told me---we ran in Central Park. I have run in Central Park before, but that was for a half marathon about 8 years ago in  torrential  rain--all I can remember from that race is being frozen and soaking wet. I would have given away my left arm for a hot shower that day.  Anyways, running in Central Park is beautiful even in the heat. There are so many people out enjoying themselves that it is intoxicating-----BUT it is a prime place for the directionally challenged to get lost. I have difficultly keeping my left and right straight , but add to that east, west, south and north and I could get lost in the park for 50 years. Thankfully, my comrade took charge as we ran around the park. It was fun because I didn't have to worry about a thing. We weaved our way left, right, north, south,  east, west--I don't know-- but an hour later we were back where we started from. It was one of the highlights of our  trip because it is  always great fun to explore new places.
Harold Fry has a problem much like mine when he decides to walk 627 miles across England to visit  a long lost friend in, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce.

Harold is a recently retired man with too much  time on his hands. His wife can't seem to stand him and every day is virtually the same. One day, Harold receives a letter from an old friend named Queenie. She tells him that she is very ill and dying. Harold immediately writes back, but while bringing the letter to the post office,  he changes his mind and decides to hand deliver his message. He doesn't have any money with him--he literally has only the clothes on his back as he sets out on his quest. Many interesting people help him along the way--giving directions, food, advice or a place to rest his weary feet. Harold's journey becomes a second chance--he reexamines his life and really starts to live again with new hope and direction for the future. Joyce writes a wise, funny story--you will crack up--Fry is a quirky character--but you will love him and never forget his story. This novel is about 380 pages--only a 5k--as it is easy to read and hard to put down. There is also a surprise twist in this book that makes it even more delicious. If you love Harold Fry, the sequel came out last year which is equally wonderful. Have fun, but don't get too lost in the story! Follow my blog with Bloglovin

JULY 25, 2016 CASPER THE FRIENDLY GHOST

During my first year as a runner, my grandfather, who had been diagnosed with diabetes, not only lost his sight but his ability to walk too. I was devastated  when his health declined. For some reason though, this fueled my running. I would tell myself, don't quit now-just one more block--do it for Ump because he can't. My grandfather was my real life hero. He was a man who was up with the rising sun working his cow and chicken farm for over 40 years. He was a hard worker who enjoyed the outdoors and his family. I have great memories of grading and selling eggs, feeding the cows and swimming in the pool with my siblings. Wonderful memories. Anyways, he's been dead 18 years but when I am out running tough runs, I think of my Ump--he is my friendly ghost. He gives me the push I  need to put one foot in front of the other and carry on. I guess some ghosts can be a good thing.
I have always been intrigued by stories about ghosts. I don't know if they exist, but I imagine them as sort of like angels who watch over their loved ones.

This fascination led me to read The Mercy of Thin Air by Ronlyn Domingue. This beautifully written tragic, love story takes place mostly in New Orleans but spans several decades. The main  character is a beautiful, young woman named Raziela Nolan who dies in a freak accident but will not go beyond because she is heartbroken at the loss of her love, Andrew. She stays in-between. While in-between, Razi haunts a house that is eventually occupied by a young couple named Amy and Scott. Their problems mirror Razi's from years ago-- enabling Razi to finally search for Andrew, to see him one last time, before she passes over. This 240 page novel  is a story about love, loss and redemption---it's about a 4 mile run--but you will not want it to end. I almost forgot---the ending has a a great TWIST--it will  haunt you the way it lingers--almost ghostly.

JULY 22, 2016 I'VE FALLEN AND I CAN'T GET UP

Falling is an inevitable part of running. It's going to happen to everyone sooner or later. Little kids fall all the time and just brush it off---get up and start running around again. It's different for grown ups. Falling is a frightening experience and seems to happen in slow motion (like the six million dollar man or bionic  woman) and there is no way to stop it from happening--you just have to go with it and try not to get hurt. I have had 3  falls that I can think of off the top of my head. A few years back I took a fall --I was pretty scratched up but not really hurt. The only reason I remember it is because I landed about 2 inches away from a giant pile of dog poop--people really need to scoop!! The next time I fell, I really injured myself. I tripped while  hopping onto a sidewalk. I was really banged up. I bruised my rips and tore up my shoulder, knees and arms. It took about 6 months for my ribs to heal--they may have healed sooner if I took more time off from running but runners do not often make good decisions about these things. Anyways, I fell again last week. Luckily, I fell mostly in the dirt. I re-injured my shoulder and ribs a little but thankfully missed hitting my head on a the guardrail by 6 inches. The funny thing about falling is trying to get up. Cars are driving by--it's embarrassing--trying to shake it off--assess the damage--what to do next? Anyways, I had no choice but to run to a local gas station covered from head to toe in dirt, cuts, and blood.  Thankfully, they had a hose and I was able to clean up--so now I was soaking wet from head to toe and had to run about 3 more miles to get home. At least I felt good enough to finish the run--- a  more sensible person would have called it a day though!
The whole idea of falling makes me think of the famous explorer George Mallory. In 1924 George Mallory  fell while on his third attempt to summit Mount Everest. Unfortunately for Mallory, it took 75 years to find his body. I read about his incredible journey (during my non-fiction phase about 15 years ago) in Last Climb The Legendary Everest Expedition of George Mallory by David Breashears and Audrey Salkeld. This is an excellent book about the race to be the first to summit Mount Everest. Although Norgay and Hillary were credited with this feat in May of 1953, there is still debate as to whether Mallory and Irvine reached the summit in 1924 before falling. Not sure anyone will ever know. The book is about 240 pages of vintage pictures, letters and diary entries of Mallory and the other climbers on the expedition. It is an excellent read full of interesting information. Early exploration is fascinating and can in no way be compared to climbers today with all of their modern technology. Just one look at their equipment and gear and it's a wonder they could summit any mountain. Sheer will and determination, reminiscent in many ways to running.  On a side note, George Mallory II (grandson of George Mallory) reached the summit on 1995 in remembrance of his grandfather. What a way to honor one of the most famous explorers in history!

July 20, 2016 HELLO

When you run in the same neighborhoods for several years, you start to ask yourself, Why don't people just say hi?  Just because someone says, "Hi," doesn't mean they want to be BFF's right? Anyways, a few years back, I made a bold move---I would say good morning or hello to every person I saw while out running. Of  course, my comrades thought I was crazy, but they accept my idiosyncrasies--so they went with it. We see many people when we are out running including the young, old, homeless, lonely, helpless--you never know. I remind myself that  I may be the only person acknowledging that person on a given day-- and a kind word can go a long way.  Many people are shocked and taken aback  when I look at them and say good morning, some ignore me, but others smile back with a kind reply.
One morning I think it was last year, I was running my usual route which goes under a train overpass. Train overpasses are a little creepy, especially, if you are running under one at the same time as a train flies through. SCARY. The whole thing rattles and shakes and you feel like the train is going to fall on your head. Anyways, I ran  under the overpass and came upon a man sitting in a little alleyway crying hysterically. He looked strung out--I frightened him  as much as he frightened me. I looked at the man and spoke a few kind words. He looked in my direction in acknowledgment. I don't know why, but I still think about him every time I run under the overpass. I wonder if he ever got the help he clearly needed. I hope so.

While on the subject of trains and overpasses, one of the main characters in the psychological thriller, Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins reminds me of the man I ran into that day. There are actually three main characters in the story who take turns telling their story in first person narrative. Rachel is a 32 yr old alcoholic with a myriad of issues--she's obsessive, compulsive, lonely, self-destructive--you name it.  One day while riding the train to work, she believes she witnesses an event that is important to a murder investigation. Anna, another  character, is a young mother married to Rachel's ex-husband ,Tom, who is a neighbor of Megan, the third  character telling the story.  She is beautiful and seemingly perfect to Rachel who watches her from the train each day. Rachel becomes obsessed with Megan and her husband and her perception of their life.  These three women's lives become intertwined in unimaginable, frightening ways. I don't want to say more than that because I don't want to ruin it for you. I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy, quick read of 336 pages--only a 5k--and worth every step. I didn't figure it out until almost the end which made it even more fun to read. I really loved the ending too--So hop on the train--you'll be glad you did. Also, remember to spread a little kindness today--just say hello.

July 18, 2016 COMFORTABLY NUMB

Ran about 8.5 miles yesterday with my comrades in excruciating heat--okay not Badwater---but HAZY, HOT AND REALLY HUMID. It was a tough run  that called for a stop at a local convenience store to buy a gallon of  cold water to pour over our heads and a  very quick dip in the ocean (JAWS) at the end of the run. It is on runs like this that I am thankful for music. I know there are two trains of thought on music and running--the serious runners believing that if you are tough enough you don't need it--and the wimpy runners including myself--who could never fathom running without music. We started the run without music--talking--laughing about the heat-- but by mile 3 I knew that I needed to turn my music on --hunker down--and just get it done.
People listen to all type of music when they run. My comrades listen to Indie, Reggaeton, Classic Rock-- including Bob Dylan and Van Morrison.  I listen to Pink Floyd probably 90% of the time. When I am on a longer, or slower run, I usually listen to The Final Cut, Wish You Were Here, or Dark Side of the Moon because I can match my pace to the music and it is comfort music from long ago.  If I am running for speed, I always listen to The Wall--side two--my go to song-- Comfortably Numb. I am not sure why, it just gives me the lift I need to run my best.
When I think about music, I inevitably think about Jennifer Egan's Pulitzer Prize winning book of 2011 called A Visit from the Goon Squad. This is an interesting novel that can be read as a collection of short stories or as a novel. I read it as a novel.  The book centers on two main characters, Bennie Salazar, an aging rock music executive, and his assistant Sasha. There are several other supporting characters that appear throughout the book--you might want to keep a list. The story spans 40 years-beginning in the 1960s. It is a story about growing up, growing older and the unexpected turns that life can take. It is also about changes in musical tastes, aging rock stars and the difficulties they faced as the world moved to the digital age. This is a slim book of about 270 pages--well written--so I would call it a 5 miler. It is just a glimpse behind the scenes of the music world. Hope you enjoy---    Longfellow once  said, " Music is the universal language of mankind."----I wholeheartedly agree.

July 16, 2016 DYSFUNCTION JUNCTION

I've been running with the same group of women on and off for several years all over New England including Central Park, Boston, Providence and Hartford. There is one thing about logging many miles together--it builds camaraderie. We know each other well--every idiosyncrasy!! We have laughed AT each other and WITH each other thousands of times. We have shared births, deaths, graduations and the everyday drama of being married for a LOOONNGG time---with kids that NEVER seem to leave.
One of the best parts of the long run is time. What a luxury. We have time to talk and reflect. It's a great opportunity to discuss family dysfunction-- gain a sense of humor-- make peace--and let it go.  Every family has dysfunction, those living in tents, duplexes or even mansions---which is a relief to me --because I thought my family's picture appeared in the dictionary next to the word.  Anyways, when I think of family dysfunction at it's best, I think of Jonathon Tropper's hysterical book, This is Where I Leave You, because frankly, I would rather laugh than cry!! It is the best medicine.
After the death of his father, Judd Foxman and his siblings come back to their childhood home to sit Shiva . Each sibling come complete with baggage including ex-wives, spouses, and disappoint. While sitting Shiva for seven long days, the siblings re-examine their shared history and dysfunction and learn to reconnect and let go of childhood animosity. This is an easy read at about 360 pages---a 5k---with an important message. Although Tropper's book is laugh-out-loud funny, you might learn several lessons about life--if you listen.