A Track Workout, A Long Run, Two Opening Sentences, My Running Family, and an Injury

It has been longer since my last writing in this blog than I am used to.  I hope not to have that happen again for several reasons. First, I lose track of some ideas that I have had for writing (although if I start writing notes on what I want to write about I should be able to figure out a way not to lose interesting ideas).  Second, I think that this writing helps me to get things out of my head.  And one of the distractions I had in my writing this week was an injury that happened on Thursday and that I am still resting from (today is Saturday).  On Thursday I have a bad fall that has led to my needing to wear a wristbrace for four weeks.  I hit the ground hard enough that I smashed the face of the watch I was wearing.  And I seem to have damaged the cartilage where the ulna meets the wrist.  That is not going to be fun--especially when I run and sweat.

So, on to my other things to write about.

(1) Since the last blog entry when I was at 1348 miles, I have run 8 miles (track workout), 12 miles (long), 6 miles (maintenance), and 10 miles (progression).  The progression was hard as I was just back from a "day trip" to San Francisco.  I was supposed to be running 7 on the day I fell.  I missed yesterday's 12x400 (damn!), and I am resting today.  That puts me up to 1384 total.  That puts me on US 54/US 400 west of Wichita and southeast of Dodge City.  I hate to use this term but pretty much middle of nowhere.

(2) I have taken (in the spirit of the comment about the crane) to writing first lines for four of the last five runs.  Not much to write about on a progression run on the treadmill.  But here is what I have written from my last four runs:

8/14 As I came down the home stretch finishing the first lap of a sixteen lap workout at 4:57 AM on a surprisingly cool mid-August morning, my eyes drifted up toward the eastern horizon and I saw Venus to the north and Orion to the south with Saiph hanging low in the sky.

8/16 During an early Sunday morning run, I shuffled my feet on the ground a bit as I climbed Roland Avenue north of 36^th Street trying not to scare the second pedestrian whom I saw outside my neighborhood that morning who was walking about 20 yards ahead; she was dressed in one of the dandelion yellow shirts worn by employees of a large supermarket chain, clearly on her way to work, and carrying an iced team from a competitor’s local convenience store in her hand. 

8/18 As only his forefoot gently struck the sloped pavement where the driveway met the curb and he launched into his next stride, he recognize that the morning was quieter than usual—both because there was an unusually small number of runners out on this Monday morning and because many of his footsteps, like the one just passed, were gentler than normal on this day when he was running a full minute slower per mile than his typical workout pace. 

8/20 He had so much on his mind that morning that when he came to an unusual upslope in the sidewalk during his run, his foot got caught on it, he stumbled and tried to catch himself, but ended up falling and hitting the ground hard enough to shatter his watch’s face, tear the skin on his elbow, cause abrasions on his leg, bicep area, and hip, and have the wind knocked out of him; as he rolled to his side on the pavement he wondered if this would be the beginning of a downward spiral for his running. 

To me, it is mostly interesting to think about the stories that could be told with each of these as starters.  The first one focuses on the sky.  Saiph is the "right foot" of Orion assuming we are lookign at him "face on" when we see the constellation.  The second captures the familiarity of being in a city for 18 years.  The third on reflects the elegance and ease of running and easy pace.  The last one suggests the negative feelings toward running itself that I had as I fell and worked to recover on Thursday morning.  These could be used as the start of four very interesting stories.  Or maybe (like in my life) tied together for a complex story.

(3) Finally, I want to make a comment about mass last Sunday.  At that mass, the Gospel reading from Matthew told the story of a non-Jewish mother who wanted healing for her child.  Her faith was put to the test by Jesus several times before he healed the child.  This suggests the importance of faith and family.  On Sunday at mass, when mass started, we were the only "family" (in the sense of two parents with non-adult children) there.  We were asked to take up the gifts.  That is always an empowering experience to be an active part of the mass.  It also makes me think about the meaning of family as I have many times.  I recall at the end of 2013, writing about how family is the people with whom we eat meals.  (Thanks to my friend Alex for that quote.)  But family can be so much more than immediate family and blood relatives.  But our "church family" included the piano player and the sound guy.  It included several peopel we'd seen at mass for the past 18 years.  It included a number of members of the mission and planning committee I serve on.  It included, a couple of rows behind us, the woman I taught Sunday school with in the first year I taught.  Immediate family over the past year ahs grown stronger.  I've worked longer at the office but concentrated more on family at home.  So many changes we've all gone through.  More changes on Monday--when our oldest starts at Peabody.  Work is even like a family.  And my running group is like a family.  Recently, the running family has become a bit more fractured.  We don't have easy access to the Dunbar track any more--which limits access to my Tuesday running group.  My main training partner is still out.  Other training partners have different goals right now.  But there are many more years to run and rely on  my running family to help with running--always remembering that the most important family is the four peopel with whom I share the home we have lived in for 18 years.     

Leg-Tired

So, I last blogged early on Saturday morning.  Since then, I ran 6 miles on Saturday, 17 on Sunday, another 5 on Monday, a 7 mile progression on Tuesday, and an easy 4 today.  I find myself at 1195.2 miles on my question for 2000 miles and my virtual pilgrimage to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  That puts me somewhere a bit west of Yates Center, KS, on US 54.  In Yates Center, KS, the church is St. Joseph.  Perhaps we was the first saint about whom we could say, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."  He accepted the plan that God had after Mary found out she was with child and he persevered.  What is most interesting about that is that on Sunday when my friend Joselyn and I were finished our run, we met up with the coach for a team we had met before but not introduced ourselves.  Several weeks back, this gentleman commented on how we had almost run from mile 2 back to the 0.5 mile mark of the Paper Mill parking lot faster than he had driven.  This time, we found out that he leads Team Persevere (http://www.teampersevere.org/Team_Persevere.html) which is a group that focuses on running and Hebrews 12:1.  And I am so glad to find others who are on a spiritual journey with running.  While I imagine that given the time at which I run, I may always be running back as members of the group are headed out, that I will see this group many times, and I have begun to engage with a couple of members.  It is, as I said, fascinating to find others who try to link running and spirituality in meaningful ways.

Speaking or spirituality, I attended my second Mission and Planning meeting at St. Pius X (where I began my virtual pilgrimage) last night.  Among other things, at each meeting, we review the Gospel reading from Sunday's mass and comment.  This Sunday was Matthew 13:24-43.  The short version was read last night.  I commented on a verse from the long version.  The verse (borrowed from usccb.org) is

He spoke to them another parable.
“The kingdom of heaven is like yeastthat a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.”

I commented on how the yeast leavens the entire dough--even though the yeast is only a small fraction of the amount of flour in a dough. It is pretty amazing to think that it is capable of making the dough rise where it is touching and where it is not. Thus, yeast affects the flour directly and indirectly. What we do as followers of Jesus can have both direct and indirect effects.

That leads to my title for today, "leg-tired".  My works affects some areas of my life directly and some areas of my life indirectly.  Yesterday, I was talking about a small modification I wanted to make to my Philadelphia Marathon training plan.  When the person with whom I was speaking asked why I wanted to make a change, I explained it in terms of how my work was affecting other parts of my life indirectly.  My boss has me focusing on quicker decisions, quicker implementation, and getting to win this year.  All of that is well and good.  And most of that would carry over to my running as well.  However, it can be exhausting--particularly when combined with the number of other family and community responsibilities I have or have taken on.  So, I told the person with whom I was speaking that I was not "leg-tired" (in other words I think my legs could have handled it if I asked them) but just wanted one morning on which I could feel that I was not rushing.  I also said that if I got the advice to stick it out, I would.  That is the when life give you lemons make lemonade appearing for me.  But I was able to make a small modification and it worked out well.

So, it is interesting to think of perseverance, connectivity, direct and indirect consequences of actions, and how that plays out in so many things beyond my spiritual and baking life.   

The Spirituality of Advent, Day 1, Week 3

Today, the pink (or as some priests call it "rose-colored") candle on the Advent wreath was lit.  Gaudete Sunday.  The beginning of the week of joy.

And while I am writing this from a British Airways lounge waiting for a flight that is delayed by over two and one-half hours, I have had a day of joy.

Joy of little things.

We got everyone where they needed to be for this morning.  My eight year old was at Patterson Park by 7 AM to get in the ice rink for a game at 8.  And his team won!  He played a great defensive game.

I went to meet a friend to run at the Charm City Run store in Timonium.  I did not have a working cell phone this morning, so I was not able to get the message that the streets were still pretty bad where my friend lives.  As it turned out that was okay.  The streets in Timonium were wet but not icy but I did feel the need to look carefully as the temps were still around 32 degrees.  And once I realized just how many things I had on my to do list before the flight this evening, the lack of someone to run with as a blessing in disguise.  I ran just 3.1 miles in a little under one-half hour rather than 8 or 9 miles.  It just felt good to get my legs going after the race yesterday.  And watching the sky grow light as I took an easy tour around the Timonium/Lutherville area just from the store to Charmuth and Seminary and back again was relaxing.

Then I stopped at Giant on the way home. When I reached home, I had my 14 year old unpack the groceries for me.  I found joy in his ability to identify what I planned for the three meals starting tonight and concluding with the evening of my return on Tuesday.  I also found joy in the fact that when I realized I had forgotten to buy rolls for the steak sandwiches that we served before my ride picked me up tonight, I decided just to whip up some dough.  In less than 10 minutes, we had enough water, yeast, sugar, flour, and salted mixed and kneaded to eventually make six reasonable sized rolls to serve what ended up being open faced steak sandwiches on.  My 14 year old tells me I'm one of the only people who would just do that.  But that shows why baking is such a joy for me and why if I ever get a second tattoo (debateable whether I will or not) it will include breads.  I sometimes feel like Peeta in The Hunger Games--in terms of my ability to make bread.  Not sure I've ever thought of any other similarities.

Then there was the Christmas program.  In all honesty, if our director of religious education ever put it to a vote among catechists, I might just vote to skip Christmas programs for religious education in the future.  But this year we had carols and cookies. And as the director said to me--the kids were cute as anything if nothing else.  A lot of craziness and noise and difficult transitions, but a lot of people sand along and it was just plain fun with a reminder of the real reason for the season.

Then there was mass said by a priest who is 90 years old.  First time I remember seeing him at St Pius and he said a really good mass with a great homily.  More on that tomorrow.

Next we got our tree.  It was an easy choice as this year there was exactly one criterion--narrow.  We found two good candidates within the first minute we were there and quickly made a choice that pleased everyone in my family.  It went up easily with our new (second year) Christmas tree stand.  Some of the moms at ice hockey call it the "marriage saver tree stand" as it is so much easier than the traditional style.

Then, we got to see a great concert of the Wind Orchestra for Peabody Prep.  It was great to see my son and his girlfriend of 2.5 years play again (we just saw them last night too).  They did a great job with the theme from 2001, some songs from the original Star Wars trilogy, songs from Les Miserables, and an incredible clarinet concerto.  More on that later in the week as well.  The other two ensembles that played were also very good.

Finally, making dinner with my eight year old before getting picked up was a blast.  

So many simple things.  And also just appreciating my wife for taking Daniel, for taking Christopher downtown while I dealt with a dead cell phone, for my wife picking up Joshua while I made dinner and got ready to go on my trip.  For my kids in religious education who brought me small gifts.  For the beautiful weather most of the day.  For a trip to Milk and Honey with Sherry and Daniel.  

Joy.  Joy!  JOY!  My heart is filled with joy and I hope it will continue to be.  But a lot of that has to do with me.  Am I ready to take what life gives me and call it joy regardless of what it is?  Obviously some things wouldn't bring joy, but there are many other ways to take the long series of events today that may not be thought of as joy.  I am lucky to see things the way I do.

Looking at Today's Catholic Mass Reading as a Runner

Today's reading for those who attend a Catholic mass is Hebrews 12:1-4

Brothers and sisters:Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to usand persevere in running the race that lies before uswhile keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus,the leader and perfecter of faith.For the sake of the joy that lay before himJesus endured the cross, despising its shame,and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

What caught my attention about today's reading was when it got to, "and persevere in running the race that lies before us." I don't often think of Jesus as running (a race or otherwise) and I realize that the part about running is for the sake of imagery and symbolism, but it is a wonderful image. Having faith in both the highest times and the lowest times is something that can cause some people to grow weary and lose heart (see near the end). Running a very long race is something during which a runner knows the joy that lays before him but also knows that he must endure. So, the images that are used here are definitely images to which I can relate as I try to strengthen (realizing I will never perfect) my faith. I also know that my races have been relatively easy ones (even my marathons in comparison with some people I know) and I have not had to work to the point of literally or symbolically shedding blood.

It is days like this when I try to break open the word and think about how it relates to me and how I can bring my experiences to what I read to help me understand how the wisdom of what I read fits into my life that I am amazed.

Too Much Reliance on Technology, A Missed Mass, and A Question About My Tattoo

One lesson my boys learned today--don't always rely on technology.  We are on vacation in a city we've never been to before.  We tried to find Food Lion today to go grocery shopping (we are staying in a condo unit and prepare quite a bit of food for ourselves during the week) and we found one--but not the one that had originally been recommended to us.  How?  Relying on the maps app on my iPhone.  Now, we did benefit from finding an outlet mall and seeing nearly every business along the main strip in town, but we went a little out of our way compared with what we'd planned.  Then later we tried to go to mass.  First, we went to the old St. Bede's rather than the new one.  Then, we looked for the new one and missed it.  We relied a bit too much on the mapping technology when having an actual hard copy map and looking up where we were going in a phone book may have saved the day in both cases.

Since we missed the mass, we had a chance to make a slightly more elaborate dinner.  You can see what my 16 year old and I made together here.  He cooked the pork.  I chopped the pepper and carrot my from 12 year old's garden.  My 16 year old stir-fried the veggies and I added some parmesan.  The potato salad was store bought.  As we worked together and my 7 year old set the table and we all sat at the table together for dinner, I felt a sense of renewal.  We often eat together but with one person or another always getting up to get something.  This was a true sit down together dinner.  And the joy of cooking even extends to vacation.  It is a nice and inexpensive way to eat to save money to use on other things during vacation.

The missed mass led me to look up the readings.  I've been reading over the readings outside of mass anyway lately.  That doesn't make me better than anyone else.  It simply reflects my efforts to integrate my faith into the rest of my life.  It doesn't even mean I understand it any better than anyone else.  All it really means is that I take a bit more time to ponder about it and write about it.  It certainly doesn't mean that I have all the answers.  In fact, more often than not reading things over and over again means that I have more questions.

Still, when I read over today's readings, the Gospel is a continuation of the theme of Jesus as the bread of life whose sacrifice gives us the opportunity to have eternal life.  But what I find more interesting to observe this week is the first reading.  Interesting for two reasons.  First, it is a story of Elijah--1 Kings 19:4-8.  In this story, Elijah prays for death but interacts with an angel to prepare for a trip to Horeb. Elijah was given a hearth cake.  According to one website it is a cross between a cake and a biscuit.  Interesting--and another type of bread.  We now have (in the last three weeks) rolls, manna, and hearth cakes.

The other interesting thing is that after Elijah ate twice he walked for forty days and forty nights.  I never plan to walk or run that far.  I never plan to walk or run even 40 miles--26.2 is enough for me, thank you.  Although if we were in the metric system the marathon distance is not too much over 40 km.  So, it is, once again, a way in which God reaches out and speaks to me.  Even the 19:4-8 made me think of running.  As I have set a goal of breaking 20 minutes again in a 5K and 19:48 wouldn't be a bad thing to run.

Finally, I mentioned my tattoo in the title of this entry.  Someone asked about my tattoo today and commented favorably on it.  He said, as several others have, that I'll likely get more as they are addicting.  This gentleman indicated that he had 13 and that each tells a story.  My first tells a story.  I had a fledgling idea for a second that will also tell a story.  And it will begin with multiple breads.  Not necessarily the three breads from Bible stories of the past three weeks but definitely varieties of breads.  Once again, God communicating to me (although I am never sure exactly what is being said) in ways that are relevant and meaningful and touch my mind and spirit.