Running up a Six

Today was a gorgeous day in Naperville, with the temps hitting a downright steamy 70 degrees. After I got out of my office and came home at 5:00 PM, I put on my shorts and went out on a 6 mile run. It felt absolutely fabulous- but more sunny was the outlook of people everywhere. The tellers in the bank, the assistants in the school, the servers in the restaurants- everyone had a glowing outlook...sunshine runs in the people.

Summer Runner

Today the Goddesses decided to bathe Chicago in 70 degree weather..the first time this year in Chicago that I have gone running in shorts and a T-shirt (I did do that in Konya, but it was in 50 degree weather...). It is truly a "moving" feeling, but runs by really fast!

The Running Machine

Today BQ from LifeFitness came and talked to my students about doing business internationally. He talked about treadmills and spinning bikes and Hammer Strength equipment...I simply cannot tolerate the boredom that accompanies indoor exercise. Running indoors is not for the free spirited.

The loneliness of the long aching runner..

As winter draws to a close, I am getting more regular in my running. As I went out to run on a dull, drab, dreary day, I felt quite well and the mind was interested in running a distance. However the aches and pains resulting from years of pounding the pavement apply rather painful restraint. 

Given that I first ran "officially" in 100 metre heats in sixth grade and then stopped running until I was twenty three, it has been a long interesting journey. Have covered a distance, but a heck of a long way to go further. That's the trouble with expanding one's horizons...

Having a run-off

Today It was dark by the time I came home, and my running went dark as well. As I reflect on the glories of my running past, I remember the time I ran a 10K in under 40 minutes and a 5K in less than 19 minutes.  While they are good, what was memorable was running with some good people and having fun while doing it. Metaphor for life- share what you are doing with good people, and have fun doing it.

A fumbled run...

After a long day spent scrubbing the floor of my garage and removing all the salt and grime from the winter, I went running this evening. As I struggled to keep a semblance of pace through my "run"ning nose, my thoughts went fumbling back to 1993. I remembered a woman I was interested in then. Both of us had hit it off rather well. We both liked the music of a then new artist called Sarah McLachlan who had released an album titled "Fumbling towards Ecstasy." In this particular relationship my pride and ego was the stumbling block, something that one recognizes and controls over time. In memory of that quite nice person, I took out my Sarah M. album...The lyrics of Fumbling towards Ecstasy...

All the fear has left me now
I'm not frightened anymore.
It's my heart that pounds beneath my flesh.
it's my mouth that pushes out this breath

and if I shed a tear I won't cage it.
I won't fear love
and if I feel a rage I won't deny it.
I won't fear love.

Companion to our demons
they will dance and we will play.
With chairs candles and clothes
making darkness in the day.
It will be easy to look in or out
upstream or down
without a thought

and if I shed a tear I won't cage it.
I won't fear love
and if I feel a rage I won't deny it.
I won't fear love.

Peace in the struggle to find peace.
Comfort on the way to comfort

and if I shed a tear I won't cage it.
I won't fear love
and if I feel a rage I won't deny it
I won't fear love.
I won't fear love.
I won't fear love...

AyRan to I-Ran

On my recent trip to Turkey, I had the yogurt drink Ayran multiple times in a day and loved it. Tastes a little like buttermilk but has a different consistency.

On a different but equally wonderful level, I nostalgically remember the wonderful 1997 Iranian oscar winning movie Bacheha-Ye Aseman or Children of Heaven. One can watch a bit of it here..