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Category: RUNNING STREAK (Page 28 of 34)

The trials and tribulations of running every single day

Retirement is not without Hassles: Global Pursuit #857

March 2, 2019 / / 0 Comments

Global Pursuit is a trivia game about geography from National Geographic, although I’ve never played. We have our own real life travel challenges that will never end until the end, and I’m not talking about when “The Fat Lady Sings.” It’s when the money or life clock runs out. In the meantime, we’re on the go, pursuing places like Granada, Brazil, St. Moritz, Dubai, and Wales. These were this week’s desirable destinations from the pages of the 1000 Places to See Before You Die calendar.

Although none of these “must-see” sights are yet on our radar, it’s been an active week of travel planning. I booked three flights and some related hotels for excursions to Chicago, Maui, and New York City. We’ve been to all three of these popular locations many times already, but once again business calls. My working wife simply allows me to tag along for the ride. There will be no bucket list write-offs or game pursuit achievements in conjunction with these plans, but all are still exciting adventures in the life of a retiree.

We’ll be away from home 25 of the next 75 nights. Catching up on the old Western movies will be soon replaced with the sights of Bangkok and coastal Thailand to start this road trip. It will be strictly vacation time for my wife before the three business trips soon follow. For me, they’re all just days away from my lazy homebody routine of reading, writing, collecting and TV. I feel as though I’ve earned this somewhat sedate stage of my life, but I do continue to run and exercise every morning like clockwork. My wife grows more and more envious, as she trudges off to the office, leaving the pets and I home alone to fend for ourselves.

The snow flurries have stopped, along with my recent chauffeur service on the icy, steep roads to her workplace. I spent three straight mornings on the treadmill, extending my running streak to 3,715 consecutive days. This keeps me from becoming too lazy and has been part of my daily routine for over ten years, spanning the transition from employment to retirement. There was a recent article about my efforts in the USRSA (United States Running Streak Association) newsletter, along with the hundreds of other stories about similar accomplishments and comparative lists of longevity. When we travel, I get to run in new places as part of my own game of Global Pursuit. Ten years of running every day has taken me at least 8,500 miles on foot, or a third of the way around the globe.

Last night, we went to see Come From Away, a Broadway Series musical about an airport in Newfoundland that was forced to handle incoming flights unable to land in the US because of 9-1-1. This reminded me of the potential hassles with travel and the possibility of getting stuck in a remote location. The local community came together and somehow supported the needs of all these stranded travelers for 5 days until the air space finally opened up. I’ve not been to Newfoundland and certainly wouldn’t want an unexpected extended stay. It’s all part of the game of Global Pursuit.

Retirement is not without Hassles: Steps #812

January 19, 2019 / / 0 Comments

I bought an iWatch nearly 3 years ago, and one of its many functions is to track steps. The gold standard for daily steps is 10,000, according to most health experts. I’ve had some 25,000+ step days and only a few sub 10,000 days, but overall I’ve been fairly consistent with my daily performance. That means in the last 33 months, I’ve taken at least 10 million steps.

There was a two-week stretch when my Iwatch was not working, and I had I had to return it to the factory for repairs. Other than that, the fewest number of steps I’ve taken in a day was 6,806, followed by 7173, 7347, 7406, 7709, 7796, 8673, 8782, and 8127. This includes my six-hour stay in the ER a few days ago that resulted in the step total highlighted in bold, and prompted this post. Most of these other 8 sub-par performances were the result of long flights and time changes that limited any time on my feet. In over 9,000 days since my watch has been accounting for daily steps, I’ve missed the mark only 9 times! My record appears to be 32,453 steps while we were visiting Paris and seeing the sights on foot.

Prior to the Iwatch, I wore a Nike Fuel Band. It allowed me to set a daily workout goal, but on too many frustrating occasions it failed to track my performance accurately. I liked the fact that it kept a running total of my fuel points, steps, and provided rewards for achieving goals. As it was being phased out, I reluctantly switched to Apple, since the two companies had created a fitness partnership. The Iwatch allows me to also monitor pace, although at my age the results are hardly inspiring.

My running streak has now transcended ten years and a number of different devices to monitor my progress. I think I used just an ordinary watch when I first got started at the age of 57. At that time, a ten-minute mile was my daily pace that would quicken to eight minute miles on race day. In my thirties, it was closer to eight and six respectively, and I could easily get in 8 miles over my lunch hour. Nowadays, that same 8 miles often takes two and a half days at 3.1 miles a crack. I can’t even remember the last time I did eight miles in a non-stop run. Also, a mile now often sadly averages about 12 minutes. It’s the best an old man can do, but I’m lucky to just keep stepping!

Retirement is not without Hassles: Treading Along #811

January 18, 2019 / / 0 Comments

I continue to “tread” along after another morning on the mouse wheel, keeping my 3,673 day running streak intact. At least, I was able to read another few chapters of The House Next Door by James Patterson. I’m nearing the end of the second in the trilogy of crime stories. It kept my mind off the fact that two days ago I got dizzy during my morning run and staggered uncontrollably before stumbling to the pavement. I ended up in the ER without any answers from attending doctors on why this happened? The last two days, I’ve spent on our upstairs treadmill in case it happens again.

I remain convinced that it was inner-ear related, affecting my balance, but my wife claims I’m in self denial. I’m taking Mucinex and squirting Afrin up my nostrils, hoping to relieve an annoying sinus headache that I’ve experienced since the incident. I refuse to believe that it’s anything serious:

I’ll live many more years,
If I had to bet.
Despite this set-back,
I’m not Dead Yet.

Life goes on…regardless. I have my weekly “Leadership Meeting” today, and my wife has a rare three-day weekend. Coincidentally, she did have me complete some paperwork on a life insurance policy that she took out on me. It was a work perk that she signed up for a few months ago. Ironically, one of the questions was “have you had a stroke or TIA?” I answered NO, since there was no evidence of either and numbness or speech was never an issue throughout this ordeal. At least, I’m now worth something if “yet” finally happens. Hopefully, it won’t!

Anyone can suffer a stroke at any age, so it’s nothing to be ashamed of, yet I refuse to believe that it could happen to me. I run to help prevent it from occurring, but you can’t outrun what’s in your genes. It’s the mystery of life that’s locked inside you, and is often more powerful than eating right or exercising more. I go back to the doctor in a few days, and hopefully after that visit I’ll be able to get off the treadmill and hit the streets again.

Retirement is not without Hassles: Treadmill #809

January 17, 2019 / / 0 Comments

If you ever had a pet mouse, as I once did, then you know that as they spin on their wheel they go nowhere fast. I feel the same way any time I run on a treadmill. My preference is to run outdoors, but after yesterday’s incident, I need to build up my confidence. (See Post #808). The only other times I use the treadmill is in really icy weather for fear of falling, since I don’t have the same resilience that I enjoyed even 10 years ago. In addition, my speed is slower and my balance has suffered. I assured my wife that I would get in my miles on the treadmill the next two days with the emergency stop clip attached until we both do this weekend’s planned “Schnauzerthons.” She’ll be able to keep an eye on me as she walks with our schnauzer Tally while I run, pushing Tinker securely in her stroller.

I woke up this morning with the same dull sinus headache that I experienced after yesterday’s spell of dizziness. Since I wasn’t diagnosed with a stroke, it could be an inner ear infection. I’m surprised with all the tests that they performed that they didn’t find something wrong. The MRI was a strange experience with the banging and high-pitched noises that accompanied the thorough examination. It was like something was looking into my very soul, searching for a flaw. I couldn’t help but think of all the people who spent time in that very tube only to learn that their insides were being ravaged by some cruel disease. I was lucky to escape unfazed.

I’m a little more sensitive about cancer and heart problems than I was a few weeks ago. I just learned that my suspected birth father was affected in later life by both of these afflictions that eventually led to his passing at age 79. As an adopted child, I had no concept of these genetic family health issues until just recently. Neither was a factor with the parents who raised me, but our genes were not connected. They both lived into their early 90’s, and their parents also lived healthy, long lives. By the same token, my presumed birth mother is reportedly still alive and well at age 85 but will not acknowledge our relationship despite confirmed adoption records. Yesterday’s time in the Emergency Room, contemplating a potential stroke, was my first eye-opening brush with mortality, so a few days on the mouse wheel is a small price to pay.

Retirement is not without Hassles: Emergency Room #808

January 16, 2019 / / 0 Comments

Today started out like any ordinary day. I got up at the same time, did my strength & stretching exercises, took our two schnauzers outside, and started my 3-mile run. It was day 3,671 of my running streak, a ritual that continues to be an important part of my life. Does a mile or more a day keep the doctor away? Well, I guess not.

It was bitter cold for Portland, Oregon this morning with strong winds and spitting snow. Believe me, it was much preferred over the typical light rain at this time of year. I have a 3.1 mile route that I follow religiously every week day. If time is short, I will cut it down to just over one mile, sticking to the minimum daily requirement for membership in the United States Running Streak Association (USRSA). Their website is www.runeveryday.com. It’s the same acronym as the United States Racquet Stringers Association, so you don’t get confused. And no, we don’t run naked – just every day. On weekends, I run with our dogs, sometimes pushing a stroller for aging Tinker, and my wife. We call it our “Schnauzerthon,” for lack of a better word.

I got through the first mile this morning in typical fashion, but shortly after a school bus loading kids slowed me down. While I was waiting for it to pass, I began to feel dizzy and used a mailbox for support. As I attempted to restart, I began to stagger wildly to the right and eventually stumbled. Fortunately, several cars stopped as a crawled to get off to the side of the road. One woman in particular, who I believe was named Amy, was very concerned with my condition and offered to get me to the hospital. There was no sense of numbness or loss of vision and I never lost consciousness. Nonetheless, I had her take me home so my wife could drive me to the Emergency Room.

I’m very appreciative that she stopped, and maybe some follow-up appointments will determine the cause. CT and MRI Scans showed no evidence of a problem, and X-rays proved conclusive that I definitely have a brain and a heart. I spent about 6 hours at the hospital, with my wife faithfully beside. She was much more concerned than me, and was disturbed that I didn’t give her the details of my need to see a doctor until we were in the car. I was pretty nonchalant once Amy got me home – perhaps a bit stunned. My wife was still getting ready for work, so I changed out of my sweaty clothes and waited patiently for her to finish. Once all the doctors, nurses, and technicians converged by my bedside, she was suddenly remorseful that she didn’t react faster. That was my fault, and we learned that you have an hour to get medical attention after a stroke. This was not a stroke!

I was trying to think of things I did differently that might have spurred this attack. Was it the fact that I started drinking tea? Was it because I wore my socks to bed last night for the first time ever? Both are sure signs of old age, but shouldn’t have triggered an ER visit. Maybe it was because I substituted medicinal hot tea for my usual Diet Cokes yesterday and didn’t have enough caffeine or chemical additives? (See Post #806). Could it have been the meatloaf I made for dinner last night? My wife seems to have survived my cooking, and the dogs sure enjoyed it.

The doctor’s solution was to chew a single Baby Aspirin every day. I had already tried switching from Advil to Aspirin, but it led to chills and unstoppable bleeding after a shaving nick. I also couldn’t fulfill my personal pledge to give blood regularly. My personal doctor felt that if I was having the problems with Advil that others were experiencing it wasn’t critical to change. I did not have any Advil or Aspirin as a bedtime snack last night. I did, however, have a headache after the incident this morning, and complained of a sharp pain in my side. A urine test did not reveal signs of several other trips to the Emergency Room – kidney stones. The only other time that I remember was a hard-hit softball to the family jewels. There’s not enough Advil or Aspirin for that!

I will probably run on the treadmill tomorrow morning to relieve any relapse concerns from my wife. It’s always a last resort, but allowed by USRSA rules. At least on Day 3672, I won’t need assistance getting home and no one will have to risk letting a stranger in their car. The question now remains will an Aspirin a day keep the doctor away? When I called my son to give him a final report on my condition he said, “well at least you got your mile in!”

Retirement is not without Hassles: Ten Years After #788

December 29, 2018 / / 0 Comments

When I first became aware of the every-day running challenge, I was immediately intrigued. We were at dinner with the Anderson’s at Eddie V’s  in Austin when the subject was discussed. I decided to wait until the first of the year, along with my other New Year resolutions to get started. I also planned on just earning the certificate for completing 365 consecutive days of running at least a mile. I never expected to continue for ten years.

As New Year’s Day approached, I expedited the start, beginning my daily runs on December 29, 2008. As it turned out after the fall-out from ten years of pounding the pavement, one other runner started on that day, while five began their streaks on the 1st. As a result, my overall ranking has improved because of that decision. It’s interesting to note that of those five, one is from Austin where I started my campaign and one is from Portland where I currently reside. One of the consequences of moving from Austin to Portland was reluctantly giving up my top-city ranking.

In moving from “Proficient” to “Experienced” status, I’m currently tied for 203rd on the Active Running Streak List. I’ve noticed that my position hasn’t changed much in recent years, as habits are now well established above me. It’s sometimes sad when I gain a spot, knowing that someone has given up due to injury or worse. I can’t imagine life without my running streak – it gets me going every day. In fact, I’ve carried-over my daily discipline from when I was working into retirement. With a wife that’s still working, it gets me out of bed before her and keeps me out of her way while she’s getting ready. Otherwise, her occasional envy of my newfound freedom might lead to even more resentment. Fortunately, she enjoys her career for the most part and tolerates the only benefit of my older age.

I returned to my northern Indiana home for day 3,563, meaning there was a dusting of snow for my ten-year anniversary. I ran the usual 3.1 miles (5k a day) that I religiously maintain, with the exception of an occasional early morning flight. Tomorrow, I’ll get up a 3:30 a.m. Central Time and probably barely exceed the minimum mile as part of the scramble to get to the airport. This is particularly painful considering that it’s 1:30 a.m at home. As always, the first mile is the toughest, and I won’t get the rush of a longer run to start year 11.

I would probably have a longer running streak if I had known of the challenge earlier in life, but ten consecutive years is an accomplishment at any age. I salute those that have toiled longer and encourage those that have just started. I’m grateful to have avoided injury and laziness and look forward to many more years of what makes my friends giggle – being a streaker.

The first thing that comes to mind on this eventful occasion is Alvin Lee and Ten Years After, although rockers typically aren’t runners. Music is an important part of my run every-day and gets me through some of those tough moments. I’ve sadly transitioned from sprinting to running to jogging, and now simply chugging along. It takes a lot longer to run a mile these days, but I’m still making the effort every single day without fail.


Retirement is not without Hassles: Holiday Headaches #780

December 21, 2018 / / 0 Comments

It’s “Leadership” Friday, the calm before the storm. Soon, I’ll be caught up in the hassles of the holiday, starting with a flight into Chicago on Sunday night. While my wife heads to the Garrett’s Popcorn store, I’ll load up on Bears Championship gear, providing the airport stores are still open. It will be close to midnight when we arrive, and we’ll lose another hour after crossing the Indiana border. Hopefully, there will be no hassles at Hertz like there were last year. Much is dependent on the weather.

I’ll wake up the next morning in Hammond and run through a neighboring park, extending a “high five” to Flick whose tongue is permanently stuck to a flagpole in front of the Indiana Welcome Center “Christmas Story” display. This little gesture has become a holiday tradition for me before we make the drive to pick up my 97-year old mother-in-law. Once she and her wheelchair are in the car, we’ll then immediately head to Indianapolis for my first glass of wine.

I will wake up the next three mornings and suffer through my runs as a result of overindulging, ultimately achieving 3,653 consecutive days (10 years) of streaking. In the meantime, baby Cole will have had help unwrapping hundreds of gifts. For once, it will not be a group of grown adults, and a few dogs, exchanging elaborate gifts. A new child will learn the meaning of spoiled. It will take a lot of wine to get through this experience.

During the course of the week, I have new relatives to get acquainted with, old friends to meet, and a quick rendezvous with my sister’s family. It will be a track meet, combining many miles of driving, handshakes & hugging, endless bottles of nerve-settling wine, and excessive eating before we ultimately end up back at the airport, wondering where the time went. It gives me a headache just thinking about it! I will have to get up in the middle of the night to get my run in before our early morning flight out of O’Hare. The good news for me is that I can come home and rest, but my poor wife will have to go back to work the next day. Ouch!

Retirement is not without Hassles: Sick Days #770

December 12, 2018 / / 0 Comments

My wife is taking a sick day today from work, so I guess I’m having one, too. The dogs are excited because they know that when she doesn’t get dressed for work, they typically get a long walk (Schnauzerthon). They’ll be disappointed when she doesn’t get up at all, but are currently content with her company in our bed. They certainly haven’t been in to see me. I think I understand how she feels, I was having the same symptoms that caused her to come home early from work yesterday.

I rarely missed a day of work in my career. In fact, I can only remember one occasion where I stayed home to work the phones instead. I think it stems from missing out on a perfect attendance certificate in the first grade. I just didn’t know until then that there were incentives for being perfect. Plus, I didn’t like having to explain my absence or the thought of calling in. As a result, I always tried to make an appearance at the office, even though I might end up in the Emergency Room later. This happened at least twice with kidney stone problems. Although these are not contagious. 

Perfect attendance somehow didn’t apply when I went to college. Professors didn’t take attendance and I would often sleep through early classes. I managed to pass the tests but occasionally would get caught missing a pop-quiz. The problem was that I was not necessarily there to learn, but knew that I needed to get a degree (the incentive certificate). Both of my parents earned degrees and expected the same from me and my sister. I never cheated but deprived myself of knowledge and badly misused the hard earned dollars of my folks. I also made a lot of friends, but not in the classroom. 

Other than self-esteem, education never played much of a role in my career. I spent many years in sales before naturally evolving into management roles. I suppose I could credit the college experience with my people skills, but my parents deserve the biggest honors for the manner in which they raised me. I don’t ever remember my dad ever staying home from work. He was also a stickler for punctuality, These two basic fundamentals go a long way in achieving success. 

My wife is much more practical when it comes to being sick. Admirably, she doesn’t want to spread it to the office. As a responsible manager, she protects their overall welfare. I guess I was just taught to just show up, and in the process probably made others sick, as well. My insensitive philosophy always was that “somebody gave it to me.” I also tended to frown at people that didn’t show up at the office, skeptical of their Ferris Bueller ways. However, in the world of outside sales you can rarely track each activity and the bottom line is always what they deliver in the end.

I’m driven to perfection, as evident in maintaining my daily running streak that reached 3,636 consecutive days this morning. It’s something that I simply have to do every day, and has become a part of my purpose in life. This means that even if I’m sick or injured, I have to find a way to run at least one-mile. On the majority of days, it’s 3.1 miles – 5k a day. To me, it’s the same as “an apple a day. It keeps the doctor away.” Also, I’ve found that if gimpy or sick at the start, I feel much better once it’s done. ‘The Streak” has spanned both my working and retirement days these past ten years and an essential part of my being. There are no sick days on this personal quest!

Sick Day

When I see you,
Suffering in bed.
I’m thinking it should,
Be me instead.

You don’t deserve,
To feel this bad.
And as I watch,
I’m feeling sad.

Cough and cold,
Fever and chills.
Upset stomach,
Doctor bills.

There is no need,
To update the will.
But nursing duties,
I poorly fulfill.

You’d likely starve,
To rely on me.
At least my services,
Are mostly free.

I’ll keep our pets,
From bugging you.
And run some errands,
For you, too.

No, you can’t,
Go out and play.
Because you’re taking,
A paid sick day.

But your boss feels,
You’re trying to fool ‘er.
She thinks your name,
Is Ferris Bueller.

copyright 2018 johnstonwrites.com

Retirement is not without Hassles: Keep On Truckin’ #760

December 4, 2018 / / 0 Comments

According to Wikipedia, Keep on truckin’ is a phrase from the 1930s song “Trucking My Blues Away” by Blind Boy Fuller. It may also refer to:

  • Keep on Truckin’ (comics), a comic and visual motif of underground comix by Robert Crumb
  • “Keep on Truckin'” (song), a 1973 song by Eddie Kendricks
  • “Ja-Da”, a 1918 song written by Bob Carleton, also recorded under the title “Keep on Truckin'”
  • Keep on Truckin’, an album by Dave Dudley, or the title song
  • Keep on Truckin’, an album by Larry Scott
  • “Keep on Truckin'”, a song by Pnau from Sambanova
  • “Keep on Truckin'”, a song by The Road Hammers from The Road Hammers
  • Keep on Truckin’ (TV series), a 1975 American comedy series
  • “Keep on Truckin”, a song recorded by Hot Tuna on Burgers 1972
  • “Truckin'”, a song by the Grateful Dead

I heard a Grateful Dead song on the radio this morning, as I was doing some stretching before my run. It set the tone for the day and thoughts of where I’ve been and where I’m going next? It’s one step after another – one mile at a time, as I Keep on Truckin’. Day-after-day, I put on my running shoes to keep my USRSA streak intact that now stands at 3,628. It’s taken nearly ten years to accomplish this personal mark and in 25 days will unceremoniously move from “Proficient (5+ years)” to “Experienced (10+ years)”. It will take another five years to move to “Well Versed” on the list, assuming that I avoid injury or illness and live to be 72. An 81-year old female is currently the oldest streak competitor following  14,110 consecutive days of daily Truckin’.

Truckin’ also applies to travel and the miles accumulated by plane and car as the years go by. To me, another retirement badge of honor. I’m approaching 140,000 miles in my first two years, and well on the way to the million mile goal that I have in mind. I initially figured 50,000 miles annually over 20 years. As I continue to keep a log, year one was 59,150 and year two is projected to be 78,650. Year three will involve at least three trips back to Chicago plus mileage to Phoenix, Bangkok, Phuket, Los Angeles, New York, and Orlando. We’d also like to go to Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami and venture down to Key West, plus my wife’s youngest daughter is moving to San Francisco. I can foresee several long drives with the dogs to see her and stops along the coast. What a long strange trip it’s been….and continues to be. Here’s to many years more of Truckin’ and singing these lyrics:

Truckin’ got my chips cashed in. Keep truckin’, like the do-dah man

Together, more or less in line, just keep truckin’ on.
Arrows of neon and flashing marquees out on Main Street.
Chicago, New York, Detroit and it’s all on the same street
Your typical city involved in a typical daydream
Hang it up and see what tomorrow brings.
Dallas, got a soft machine; Houston, too close to New Orleans,
New York’s got the ways and means; but just won’t let you be, oh no.
Most of the cats that you meet on the streets speak of true love,
Most of the time they’re sittin’ and cryin’ at home.
One of these days they know they better get goin’
Out of the door and down on the streets all alone.
Truckin’, like the do-dah man. Once told me “You’ve got to play your hand”
Sometimes your cards ain’t worth a dime, if you don’t lay’em down,
Sometimes the light’s all shinin’ on me,
Other times I can barely see.
Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip it’s been.
What in the world ever became of sweet Jane?
She lost her sparkle, you know she isn’t the same
Livin’ on reds, vitamin C, and cocaine,
All a friend can say is “Ain’t it a shame?”
Truckin’, up to Buffalo. Been thinkin’, you got to mellow slow
Takes time, you pick a place to go, and just keep truckin’ on.
Sittin’ and starin’ out of the hotel window.
Got a tip they’re gonna kick the door in again
I’d like to get some sleep before I travel,
But if you got a warrant, I guess you’re gonna come in.
Busted, down on Bourbon Street, set up, like a bowlin’ pin.
Knocked down, it get’s to wearin’ thin. They just won’t let you be, oh no.
You’re sick of hangin’ around and you’d like to travel,
Get tired of travelin’ and you want to settle down.
I guess they can’t revoke your soul for tryin’,
Get out of the door and light out and look all around.
Sometimes the light’s all shinin’ on me,
Other times I can barely see.
Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip it’s been.
Truckin’, I’m a goin’ home. Whoa whoa baby, back where I belong,
Back home, sit down and patch my bones, and get back truckin’ on.
Songwriters: Jerome J. Garcia / Philip Lesh / Robert C. Hunter / Robert Hall Weir
Truckin’ lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Retirement is not without Hassles: Lucky Man #754

November 27, 2018 / / 0 Comments

I’m back in the routine, enjoying the retirement life at home. It was great to get away for a long weekend and certainly a refreshing change for my working wife. We’re on the road again in a few days, so I intend to get the most out of my comfortable office chairs. I just got back from my daily run (3,621 consecutive days) and will soon settle into my television soap operas. This week it’s Vikings, Outlander, and Curse of Oak Island. They are really modern versions of the shows I used to hypocritically condemn housewives of getting hooked on at home: Days of our Lives, General Hospital, As The World Turns, All My Children, Guiding Light, Search for Tomorrow, The Edge of Night, The Young and the Restless, and The Bold and the Beautiful. I would have never wasted my time on any of these shows, but here I am in front of the boob tube again this morning. I consider it a temporary privilege in being retired and promise to find more constructive ways to use my freedom in the future.

Just like the housewives of my childhood became the stay-at-home parent of today, the television often becomes a close companion. There’s no longer a water cooler to gather around with co-workers. I don’t have kids to watch or even grandchildren nearby, plus I’m just not ready to volunteer for anything. My running, travel, writing, reading, and collecting, along with regular “Leadership Meetings,” that also occupy the time in more “responsible” ways. There’s also that feeling of guilt when other people have to come to my home and do the projects that I’m not skilled enough to accomplish. We’ve had painters, cabinet repair specialists, and cleaners give me “the eye” of either envy or pity as they witness my laziness. I hope they realize that I put in my time in “punching the clock,” but many of them unfortunately will never get to enjoy a comparable retirement. I’m a lucky man, for now:

He had white horses
And ladies by the score
All dressed in satin
And waiting by the door

Oooh, what a lucky man he was
Oooh, what a lucky man he was

White lace and feathers
They made up his bed
A gold covered mattress
On which he was laid

Oooh, what a lucky man he was
Oooh, what a lucky man he was

He went to fight wars
For his country and his king
Of his honour and his glory
The people would sing

Oooh, what a lucky man he was
Oooh, what a lucky man he was

A bullet had found him
His blood ran as he cried
No money could save him
So he laid down and he died

Oooh, what a lucky man he was
Oooh, what a lucky man he was

These lyrics from Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, released in 1970, start on a positive note but take-on a sad twist at the end. They remind us that fortune is fleeting and we have to enjoy it while we have it. I woke up this morning with soreness in my right leg, knowing that any injury could suddenly end my running streak.  I felt lucky to even struggle through the miles. By the same token, there are many my age that unfortunately can’t even walk or get out of bed. The same is true for people of all ages afflicted with disease and other physical handicaps. Running is my way of defying age, and I do it every day knowing that I am a lucky man. 

I’m blessed to have a comfortable home, food on the table, cute pets, a loving wife, friendship, family, children, and grandchildren. I’m fortunate to be in good health, financially secure, and happy. We have the resources to travel where we want and have journeyed many places together. Running every day is my way of celebrating the freedom, prosperity, and success that I’ve achieved in life. It’s up to me to make the best of every precious day, and realize that I don’t always accomplish this mission by watching soap operas. I know that someday people will say, “what a lucky man he was,” but it’s up to me to continuously remind myself what a lucky man I am today!  And now…back to Vikings. 

For a poem I wrote years ago also see Post #22.

 

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