Most of us wish that the year 2020 was over with so we can move on to better times. However, days are precious in the twilight of your life. Each needs to be appreciated, even in these viral times of self isolation, hand-scrubbing, and mask wearing. Today was another running milestone for me, as “The Streak” reached 4,250 days (11.64 years). This morning was memorable because my clip-on radio keep slipping off my belt. It might have shattered on the pavement if it weren’t for the ear bud wires  that served as an umbilical cord. Each time it fell, the plastic casing dangled inches from the ground until I finally got it properly secured. With this distraction, the first mile took 13 minutes to complete. 

I’ve faced a lot of back and leg stiffness these past two weeks that continue to slow my pace. As my mother used to say, “old age is not for sissies.” I’m just two weeks from beginning my 70th year of life. The everyday aches and pains do not speak favorably about what tomorrow will bring. With this in mind, it’s even more important to appreciate the fact that “The Streak” has lasted so long. My wife’s daughter is in a leg cast after falling from a horse. So far, I’ve been fortunate to be able to run through my injuries.

I’m reading The Luckiest Man, the story of Yankee baseball great Lou Gehrig. He earned the nickname, “The Iron Horse,” with a playing streak of 2,130 consecutive games. The record stood for 56-years until Cal Ripkin, Jr. came along. Gehrig’s ended with the onset of Amyotrophic Lateral Scleriosis (ALS). It’s known today as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He should be an inspiration to all of us when it comes to discipline. I look forward to reading about how he handled life once he could no longer play. 

We watched the movie, Motherless Brooklyn, last night with Edward Norton. It involved life with the challenge of Tourette’s Syndrome. It was another reminder of how lucky I am to beat the streets every day. Today, is not just another day, it’s a new week, and time to sign the paperwork on our forever home.