Category: RunVinceRun

Facing a Cold Wind

It was a cloudy, cold 28 degrees, wind chill factor 17 degrees. The Sleighbells on the Square 5K had been postponed because of December snow and ice. It wouldn’t be postponed because of January cold. Sometimes weeks are shrouded in a montage of grey clouds, uncertainties, immobility, and moroseness. Such can seep from one day to another, then another. It’s cold and very windy. No one will know if I show up or not. I’m almost 68 years old. Who gives a rip? The run cause is good, contribution made. Who needs another t-shirt? In the quiet darkness of a warm bed, I remember. I care. No one else, just me! We are not racing against anyone except one’s self. Final conclusion — I’ll know. Life is so often like that. We know. No one else may know, but we know. Bundled, layered, wrapped, and gloved, I quietly leave in the darkness. With a cold wind in my face I run the fierce Marietta hill on which I injured a knee three years before. I noodled, today, where is that fierce hill? And, so another race is run and done. Good 2nd Place time in the old men’s age-group. On my way home I stopped by my WW Group location. There was a meeting in progress. I smiled. Today, is the 4th Anniversary of my waking through that door. Thanks Lisa and Nan for the ongoing WWencouragement. Today’s run was therapeutic; pure therapy! #JourneyOn #WW #RunOn #RunStrong #RunATL

Six Hours One Sunday

On Sunday, 9 October 2016, I began what I thought was the the final leg of a journey that had begun on 14 January 2014. I wasn’t the only one on the streets that day. Many share the six hours both virtually and beside me. It was reality for all. Much to my surprise and utter amazement, “final” was not in the thesaurus of that experiential journey. Rather, it was six hours of a continuing flow of life’s new minutes, thoughts, serendipities, pains, breaths, meltdowns, multiple finish lines, faces, heartbeats, great cloud of witnesses, limps, tears, smiles, grins, runs, and all-in moments.

The writings that will continue from time-to-time during the next weeks will underscore the difference that a moment makes when held in the hands of the Holy One. Life is often like drops of water that connect with the ocean. The identity of the “drop” is unique for a moment, then suddenly they are part of a larger cosmos. It is in that “dripping” moment that the “drop” is seen, felt, known, and unique. It is only an instant, a scant moment in time. What we do with and in “that” moment, makes all the difference.

The questions are real. They are direct. They are penetrating. They pierce to the core of ones being. They emerge as one’s life canvas in all its multiple strokes and hues. I invite you to join me in exploring these questions that provide insights to THE ultimate question, “what’s it all about?” Alfie wasn’t the ONLY person of whom this question is asked, to be sure! We muse it daily and it becomes ever more consuming as the “drop” gets closer to the ocean cosmos.

New insights, renewed perspectives, deepened awareness, and some answers are found in “street life.” Let’s trek and run on, together, mates. Your presence is needed. We may even discover that from time-to-time we run strong, as we run on! See you on the streets, mates! StreetLife emerges once again.