AUGUST 18, 2016 PROTECT YOURSELF

Because I run in the same neighborhoods over and over, I have become a de facto sentinel--an unofficial member of the neighborhood watch. I know the comings and goings of the neighborhood--which license plates belong in which driveway--where the dogs live--who has kids-who is painting their house or needs to paint their house--who takes care of their lawn and who needs to hire a lawn service--EVEN--who needs help in the decorating department. EVERYTHING-- down to the recycling bin--which tells a whole other story.

 Don't get me wrong, I don't stop and look in them or anything, but they're out there--like everything else--kind of like information on the internet AND there are people out there, everyday,  shopping in recycling bins--hopefully ONLY looking for cans--SORRY--that's just my paranoia getting the best of me again--but I often wonder what the recycling bin shoppers think of MY recycling bin--filled with empty beer cans, bottles and other questionable things--HONESTLY--they're not mine--well not most of them.............Getting back to the job-- I didn't apply for it, it just happened over time.  I can't help but notice things, especially, in the summer when I run through several neighborhoods almost every day. Good thing I'm going back to work soon and can get a REAL life! Anyways.......I just finished reading a book last week about a man who REALLY believes he is the neighborhood police entitled A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman.   Ove, the main character in the story, is a cranky, lonely old man. He dislikes most people and rubs others the wrong way with his callous remarks. He is a strict rule follower who patrols his Swedish neighborhood each morning looking for wrongdoers. Underneath his bitter exterior though is a kind-hearted, sad man who wants to end his life because he can not get over the death of his wife. When a new family moves into his neighborhood--a quirky, free-spirited lot--Ove's world is turned upside down. They crack through his shell and teach Ove how to live again. This is a great, funny, heartfelt story of about 360 pages. It is an easy read, about a 4 miles run, that will have you shaking your head, laughing and shedding a few tears. Enjoy!!

August 15, 2016 WHAT IN DAMNATION IS AN OUTLIER???

While out running over the weekend, to get my mind off the scorching conditions, I started to think about elite runners. FYI-on the totem pole of running, I am at the bottom covered in the dirt they use to keep it from falling over--but anyways-- while I was "shlepping" through my five mile run at a 9:30 pace--Almaz Ayana of Ethiopia ran the 10,000 meter (6.2 miles) in 29:17.45. --- UNDER A 5 MINUTE MILE--setting  a world record! IN CASE I HAVE CONFUSED YOU--a "shlepper" is a Yiddish word--my grandfather always called me a shlepper when I was a kid and told me it meant lazy---anyhow--sorry to digress. And just yesterday, Jamaica's Usain Bolt won his third straight 100 meter title with a 9.81 second sprint--setting another world record. TOTALLY AMAZING--again while I BARELY schlepped through my 4.2 mile run in  the blazing heat--even walking the last half mile home........... So I had to ask myself, What do these amazing runners have that I don't?  TO BEGIN WITH-- genetics, youth, training experts AND I am sure the list goes on and on. BUT WHAT MAKES THEM THE BEST? This question led me to the book OUTLIERS-The story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell. SORRY TO DIGRESS AGAIN--but the word outliers is a strange word which means, "Those people whose achievements fall outside normal experience." In his book, Gladwell seeks to understand why some people succeed while others never reach their potential. It is divided into chapters where Gladwell examines why Asians excel in math, Canadians are better at hockey,  why brilliance doesn't guarantee  success, and even why Jewish lawyers are so successful in New York City. Gladwell believes there are many variables to success--- birthplace, birth order, birth year, family, culture, generation, opportunity.  I especially enjoyed the chapter on the"ten-thousand-hour rule." In this chapter,  Gladwell looks at the Beatles, Bill Gates, Bill Joy, Mozart  and even hockey greats and measures them against this rule. This is a fascinating read at 336 pages, a lazy 4.2 mile run, but it is filled with interesting ideas that will give you a whole new perspective on what it takes to be successful--it's more complex than you think!

August 13, 2016 OWEN MEANY--EMBRACE THE CHAFE

With extreme heat and humidity, comes the dreaded chafe-- inner thighs, armpits and bustline!! It is inevitable--even if you smear yourself with glide and vaseline. OUCH--it is raw and sore and it sucks but it is part of summer running----so I try to embrace it. Too soon, it will be over and I will be back at school. CHAFE, SCHOOL, CHAFE, SCHOOL-----I'll take the chafe anytime. Don't get me wrong, I love teaching but working full-time cuts into my running routine and stresses me out. That is  why I EMBRACE THE CHAFE--I can run every morning--something that is impossible to do during the school year. Chafe can mean many different things depending on the context. Literally, chafe means to become sore or damaged from rubbing or friction, but when talking about people, chafe is more metaphorical.
 In the book A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving--the main character Owen Meany is a "tiny person" with a "wrecked" voice that rubs people the wrong way. I should let you know that this is a top 10 book for me and Irving's character, Owen Meany, will stay with me forever. This unforgettable  story is narrated by John Wheelwright and is told in retrospect in 1987. He tells the story of his friendship with Owen Meany growing up in New Hampshire during the 1950's and 1960's. Owen, a dwarfish eleven year old, and John Wheelwright are best friends who love baseball. In an unfortunate accident, Owen kills John's mother with a foul ball in 1953. Owen takes this incident as a message from God---he believes that he is an instrument of God and will be redeemed in martyrdom. This novel is about faith, friendship, fate and the wisdom that comes with experience. There are several interesting, laugh out loud plot twists and quirky characters which are a must in any John Irving novel. Remember every person, and event in the story--- no matter how insignificant they may seem---because everything is important in an Irving novel and will come back around in the end. That is one of the reasons his books are so incredible.  I have read this novel twice and will definitely read it again because it is so special. It is a bit of a commitment, maybe a 15k, but the 630 pages fly by--- you will not be able to put it down---and Owen Meany will stay with you forever too--I guarantee it.

AUGUST 10, 2016 THE CAPED CRUSADER

Most of the time, I am a caped crusader--SUPER MOM--I  can produce scrumptious meals, fold 10 loads of laundry and chauffeur my fledglings all over town--faster than the speed of light. Fortunately for me--I have an alter ego. RUNAWAYMOM appeared as my alter ego several years ago. The demands of parenting and working weighed heavily and I NEEDED ALONE TIME. As much as I loved my family and job, I felt smothered at times and running afforded me the only time I could be on my own. I needed to do something for myself that did not involve anyone else--Call it selfish--I call it survival. Although  I enjoy running with my comrades, I still need those runs by myself.  They give me the opportunity to reflect on my day, work out problems or just think without being interrupted 100 times. When running alone, I get to know myself better-- attitudes change and develop-- helping me become a better mother, wife, friend and citizen of the world sort of like the main character of Antoine de Saint-Exupery's classic The Little Prince.  Although  Saint-Exupery "supposedly" wrote this story for children, it is actually written for grown-ups as it is meant to be read metaphorically.  In the story, the little prince decides to leave his tiny planet to travel the universe--alone-- in an effort to understand adults and the world around him. His adventures take him to several planets and asteroids. Along the way, he meets a strange assortment of people-- a king, a conceited man, a businessman, a drunkard, a lamplighter, a geographer and finally a pilot on the planet Earth. An astute reader will realize that each person is an allegory for human nature--a child will read it more literally though-- as just an adventure story.  Even though this story was written in 1942,  its message is even more important today than when it was originally written. It is a cautionary tale to grown-ups to remember childhood, innocence and imagination. Adults often get wrapped up in material things, power, and wealth--Saint-Exupery saw this 74 years ago. This novella is only 96 pages and has great illustrations to accompany most pages. This read is a short jaunt around the block but its message is a marathon--Take Heed.

August 8, 2016 I WILL SURVIVE

I ran a very difficult race over the weekend--WHY-- I don't know--because it's a tradition. I was nervous about the run because it was supposed to be hazy, hot & humid--I am a terrible runner in that kind of weather. So I did what all masters of denial do-- I tried to ignore the weather predictions all week hoping they would change. I also had to drive my daughter to work several times last week--UNFORTUNATELY the route happens to also be the first 4-5 miles of the race I had to run--which gave me anxiety--especially--after they spray painted the arrows on  the road  bright green so runners wouldn't get lost.  I am a person who functions BEST in DENIAL. I don't want to know the weather, I do not want to see or think about the route--I want to pretend it isn't happening until I get to the race and register-- 20 minutes before it starts. Anyways, all of these things conspired against me as I waited for the race to begin. I had a terrible race. I was dehydrated, nauseous and delirious--and I'm just talking about the first 4-5 miles. It got worse. I WALKED. I have never walked in a race before. I lost the mental game. Although running is physical, it is actually more mental. My mind played tricks on me and I was weak--beaten down by the run. In the grand scheme of things--I know this is just a tiny hiccup in my life--I will survive--I'll be back-- better than ever--I hope.

When I think of the word perseverance, I always think of  Louis Zamperini. Zamperini is the subject of Laura Hillenbrand's inspirational non-fiction book entitled Unbroken, A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. Zamperini was a great runner--he ran almost a 4 minute mile--he even appeared in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. During World War II, Zamperini put he running career on hold and entered the military serving as a bombardier for the Army Air Force.  While on a rescue mission in 1943,  his bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean. Zamperini and two other men spent several weeks--47 days-- at sea in a small raft-- before being rescued---by the Japanese. Unfortunately,  he was imprisoned, tortured, beaten, and starved for 3 years before being rescued.   His story is unforgettable. It is a testament to the resolve of the human mind, body and spirit. It is a story of a man who would not be broken and Hillenbrand's writing is flawless. It  is about 400 pages including pictures--about a 10k--I literally couldn't put it down and it will stay with me forever.  On a side note,  Zamperini died I few years ago--he was 94--look him up on the internet-- he is a true war hero, a legend.  

AUGUST 5, 2016 OLD MAN

I see many of the same faces while out pounding the pavement because I live in a great area where people truly enjoy getting outside. Whether walking their dogs, strolling their little ones or riding their bikes--there is always someone else on the sidewalk.  Several years ago, I met an older man--I would say he was about 70. He walked every day.  I looked forward to seeing him because he reminded me of my grandfather-tall, thin, erect and proud--with a determined countenance. He walked at a good pace too--like he had somewhere to go. Anyways, when I saw him we said hello and continued on our merry way. FAST FORWARD MANY YEARS--I hadn't seen him lately and often wondered about him-- until this morning.  Although his frame has withered with age, and he now uses a cane--he is STILL WALKING--sort of shuffling is more like it.  I admire him though because he is still out there. I watched him in awe from across the street-- his concentration complete with clenched jaw and very serious eyes-- as he willed one foot in front of the other--something he has done a million times in his life--now proves quite difficult. I don't know his name or where he lives in the neighborhood, but he inspires my to persevere.
My elderly neighbor reminds me of Allan Karlsson, the main character of Jonas Jonasson's novel The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed out the Window and Disappeared. On the day of his hundredth birthday, Allan decides to runaway rather than face a ridiculous birthday party. Escaping in his slippers, Allan embarks on an unlikely journey involving  a suitcase full of money, criminals and an elephant. Set in Sweden, this enjoyable read is reminiscent of Forrest Gump as Allan recounts his escapades which include making the Atomic bomb, befriending United States Presidents as well as dictators and tyrants from other countries because of his knowledge about the bomb. Allen gets himself involved in many of the major events of the twentieth century and comes out on top much like Gump.  This is an enjoyable, funny read of about 400 pages--about a 5 mile run. WARNING: This book is historically accurate (except for Allan Karlsson and that Albert Einstein was his half brother) so you might learn something about a very interesting time in our World's history. Enjoy!

AUGUST 2, 2016 THOSE WERE THE DAYS

Went out for an easy run this morning with one of my comrades. It was raining a bit but it felt good --67 degrees with a nice breeze too. My kind of weather. Easy runs are fun because they give us a chance to catch up and chat about what's happening in the world. Anyways, one thing led to another and we started reminiscing about the good old days--which we do quite often. I think it all started when I said something about a woman who got arrested for leaving her child alone in a car. My comrade immediately spouted something like-- Back in the day, my parents left us alone in the car--a Comet-- for hours at a time while they shopped--NO one cared---it was survival of the fittest. Then I came back with--I remember sitting between my two brothers in the car--a Datsun-- and punching them and vise versa  if they so much as touched me or even more annoying--breathed too loudly.   Before we knew it, we were hysterically laughing---When women are trying to run and laugh at the same time--ESPECIALLY after having a few kids--well that's like sneezing when you have to go...... Enough said. Of course, these runs often lead to all kinds of crazy stories about the "olden days." I have found that the older I get, the more I take solace in the past--longing for the "good old days"--Unfortunately, we never understand the good old days until they have long passed.

If you're feeling a bit nostalgic, check out Bill Bryson's hilarious memoir The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid. Bryson's trek through middle-class America in the 1950's and early sixties is LAUGH-OUT-LOUD funny. He is a great writer who seamlessly infuses hyperbole throughout the story-- guaranteeing a fun read. He grew up during the advent of the frozen dinner--the television series-- reading with Dick & Jane-- and bomb drills-- where he hid under his desk--not sure how that was supposed to save anyone? His stories often center around major events of the time including the Atomic Bomb, Cold War and the Civil Rights Movement-- a true baby boomer. There are also great pictures and advertisements from back in the day including one from Camel Cigarettes where a doctor appears to enjoy a cigarette as the ad says: MORE DOCTORS SMOKE CAMELS THAN ANY OTHER CIGARETTE! Wow!! This is an easy to read book of about 260 pages--with pictures--a mere 4 mile easy run. So,  enjoy his trip back through time--it will bring you back--and crack you up along the way. WARNING: Do not read this in any place deemed quiet because you will NOT be able to control your laughter. Seriously.