Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid

Well, it finally happen.  I am truly afraid.

Since you are an avid reader of my blog and more than likely a friend, you may ask why?

• It is the European financial situation. No.
• It is the decline of the U.S. stock market? No.
• Is it because the housing market continues to sputter? No.
• Is it because the U.S. job growth continues to stall? No.
• Is it due to the downgrading of the U.S. debt? No.
• Is it related to China? No.
• Is it due to the failure of the Congressional super committee to cut $1.2 trillion from a projected $44 trillion expenditure over 10 years? No and I could have told you it would fail.
• Is it because the new season of American Idol starts in January? Is that show still on and no.

So just what is it?  My son taught my daughter how to drive.  He took her to the same church parking lot I taught James.  It is a really big lot that offers several driving options.

Now I know my son is a very good teacher and very patient.  She could not have asked for a better teacher than him.  He is very conscious about safety and even waited to get his license because he was not sure he was ready. Of course that is half the equation. The other half is my daughter. 

She is determined, smart, impatient, and hard headed.  She equates driving a car to driving a golf cart.  She multi-tasks.

In all fairness, I should withhold judgement since I have not been in a car with her, but I will soon.  She deserves the opportunity to demonstrate how good a driver she is.  Perhaps her first driving lesson with me will rid me of the chill I get every time I think of her behind the wheel of a car. Hope springs eternal.

A Small Accomplishment

In an era of constant contact, Facebook, Twitter, smartphones, etc. we seem to celebrate major accomplishments.  And consider almost every accomplishment as significant. What I sometimes forget is that it takes several small victories to achieve a big accomplishment. 

Now this may start off like a previous post on running, but it looks at a different aspect of running. In fact, this blog post could apply to numerous hobbies and other activities. This blog is about a small victory I achieved today.

First, some background (and you should not be surprised).  I decided to lose weight 18 months ago. No fad diet, just watching what I ate, the quantity, and exercising. It is amazing when you actually measure a single serving (this could also be called how I learned to really love vegetable).  The exercise was primarily a spinning class. This may surprise people, but I cannot tell you how many pounds I lost, but my waist line is 6-8 inches smaller. This is not meant to impress or brag. I tell you this because it plays into my small accomplishment.

For a long time I wanted to run. When I was a student at Texas Christian University and living in Fort Worth, TX I used to run and I really enjoyed it (yes it was a long time ago). Fast forward to 2010 – after a 15 year hiatus I tried to run but could not get around the block.  It was that hard and painful.

And now we are at today (more or less). Since I moved to Prince William County, VA I decided to try running again.  That was eight weeks ago.  My son and wife told me the only equipment I absolutely needed was good shoes, which I purchased.  And I am glad I listened to them.

Before I go too far into this, I need to set the background on my running regiment.  (Yes, I know it is taking many paragraphs, but eventually I will get to today’s victory). As noted in an earlier post, I have a trail I like to run in the Manassas Battlefield Park.  It is well marked, easy to follow, and diverse. Most people would say I have a somewhat moderate paced jog.  I run as far as I can and then walk. If I can run again, I do.  Sometimes I can and sometimes I cannot.   

My first run eight weeks ago was very short and difficult.  I almost gave up, but I was not in pain. What I realized is that I could run again.  And I bought the new running shoes.  That was a small win.  So each time I tried to go farther.  

(Hang on, we are almost to the point).  Two weeks ago I found a stopwatch. So I decided to see how long I could run right out of the gate. My first timed run was 6 minutes.  It was less distance than I had previously run.  The second timed run was 7:20 minutes.  My third timed run was over 8 minutes.  Today I ran 11:35, my best timed run and best run ever. I know it was my best because it was also the farthest I have ever gone.

Now I know most of you can run much farther than I can. But be warned, I am catching up.

For me running farther and longer each time is a small accomplishment.  We all have our own ways to measure personal progress.  Even when I do not go as far as I did on the previous run I know the next run I could go even farther.  This is somewhat of a change. It is easy to get discouraged, but I view this as a journey. Some days are better than others. 

That is why this blog is titled “A Small Accomplishment.”  It could have been also called a series of small accomplishments.  With these small victories I am stumped as to what my significant accomplishment will be.  No matter, I will eventually think of it. After all, it is just part of the running experience on the trail.

Postscripts

November 27, 2011.  A very good day, I posted my best run time. It was 14:06 minutes.  It was a Sunday and I was not sure I wanted to run, but I was glad that I did.   It is a journey and one I am enjoying.

December 20, 2011. I was on vacation in my hometown of Midland, TX.  My best run time, it was 19:40.  Of course part of the reason was I could not find the car.

December 22, 2011. Still on vacation in Midland, TX.  My track is the Midland Community College campus.  My best run time to date:  21:44. And yes, I did know where my car was parked.

January 1, 2012.  I ran on my favorite trail in the Manassas Battlefield Park and posted my best time to date: 24:21.  It is a great and refreshing way to start the new year.

A Very Special Brunch

Today was very special for me. I got to see my cousin, we grew up together in Midland, Texas.  She has lived on the East Coast since graduating from college and is a very successful and respected journalist.

I have not seen her in a long time.  She had her daughter and son with her. Her son is one (or as she tells me, 15 months) and I have never met him.

It was so enjoyable to see her interacting with her kids and watching them at the restaurant.  The restaurant was the Silver Diner and the food was excellent.

As usual, I digress.  Watching her kids really brought back memories of going out to eat with my kids when they were that age.  You do not finish your meal, you are constantly interrupted, you continually pick up utensils and other items dropped on the floor.  You NEVER have enough napkins. The food cannot come soon enough, and then they do not really eat. In fact, you are fortunate if the kids eat half the food. Be assured, whatever is on your plate looks better than what is on theirs, and they are always reaching for it. The seats are uncomfortable. They want to walk around to other tables (my son was notorious for that). The kids grab everything in sight. Examples include all silverware within reach, any bottle, salt and pepper shaker, (you get the idea). 

My cousin’s kids were pretty well behaved. So do not think what I wrote applies to them, it is meant to be a comprehensive list.

She sat with one kid to her right and one to her left.  I was next to her daughter.  When we finished her table with her kids was pretty clear. It did have paper cars, crayons and a drawing place mat. My table on the other hand, well let me just say I looked like the biggest hoarder and most selfish man in the restaurant. Every cup, plate, salt and pepper shaker, bottle of ketchup, etc. was in front of me. I used to see other adults like that and say to myself, "I know who you had brunch with." Experience really counts here.

Back to my cousin. She looked great and really handled every challenge with grace and humor.  Of course we were able to talk and I think she is doing great.  I think I will see her more often; she only lives 6 hours away from me. Take in mind 6 hours if traffic is kind. Whatever the time, it will be worth the drive.

Running - It is All About Taking One More Step

For those who follow my Twitter or Facebook accounts know I recently started running again.  I was unable to for years, but after losing weight, I am hitting the track and trails again.  Running is more or less a solitary activity. I prefer solitary exercises because I do not like to depend on anyone else. Hence, I gravitate to running on trails and lifting weights.

My preferred trail is at the Manassas National Battlefield Park and it is called the First Manassas Trail. It has bridges and gentle hills.  Often on this trail you see families, hikers and other runners. 

Today I was running and I went farther than I have ever gone.  I was feeling pretty pleased with myself.  My run back was harder than when I first started (it is always that way).  Having reached my peak, I downshifted to a slow jog. Behind me I could hear two young voices chatting away. They were coming up fast and did not sound winded.  I thought they were young ladies having an easy training day. No, they were slightly older females and had excellent running form. They were not winded and swept by me. One did laugh when I said between heavy breaths "You are making me look bad." 

This is not the first time I felt this way. It has happen on other trails in the park.  So many of the runners I see have such a professional form and make it look so easy.  What I must constantly remind myself is that the only person I should really try to pass is my longest run is me.  In that respect I can see real improvement from when I first started.  I am less sore and going farther with every run.  In the end, that is what it is about - taking at least one more step than my best run.

Back to the ladies. Needless to say, I was impressed.  No doubt in my mind these were serious runners.  As my son tells me form is important, and so are the shoes. Perhaps if I keep running, I will pass someone and they will admire my form and ease in running.  I do not say that to show that I am better, but hope they can see if that gray haired man can do it, then so can I.

When In Doubt...

I have a friend who is a really serious runner and he also climbs mountains.  We recently had dinner and told him that I just started running. He offered excellent advice, like do not scrimp on shoes and eat protein bars. 

Often I have found that when highly experienced people offer counsel, they do not necessarily know your frame of reference. My knowledge compared to his is miniscule. He has forgotten more about running than I could learn in several years.  His experiences alone could be an outstanding reference book for serious runners and me.

He said to eat protein bars. I thought I had some, until I read the nutrition facts on the product label. So I bought some today. Before this I would eat a handful of almonds after a run. I panicked and decided to make sure I was getting it right as to the bars and the time to eat it.

So I did an internet search on Google, found several articles all pertaining to marathon runners. So I did another one, again a bunch of links and somewhat conflicting answers. 

Well, I decided to try something I have not done in a while. I picked up the phone and called VA Runner. The person on the other end was a runner and very helpful.  He was patient and answered every question I had. I read the nutrition facts and he said it was a good choice. He told me the importance of why it is necessary, when the best time is to eat a protein bar, and how it helps.  He was very encouraging. 

Hmm, talking to a person instead of conducting an internet search. Perhaps I should try that more often.  In fact, maybe we all should.

Fork in the Road

Our son gave us quite a scare. He told us he doubts the existence of God.  Interestingly enough, my wife was very upset.  I was not.

Perhaps because when I was a little older than him I too had my doubts. Unfortunately I listened to people that were strident in their beliefs. As I would later say, I would rather be in hell without people like that than with them in heaven. Besides, I know hot, I was raised in West Texas.

The reasons it does not bother me are numerous.  First, he is actually thinking why.  That is not necessarily bad. Second, I think he will discover as I did that the road to an enlightened religious life is a journey. I take great comfort in that. 

I cannot tell you the date or the month I felt it. I can tell you the year. It was 1999. It was several events. The first one was my doctor told me about a song the choir would sing that Sunday. It was hard and beautiful.  We went to the same church.  Second, I went to a Sunday School gathering with my wife (she was miles ahead of me on her journey) and actually enjoyed the people. Third, I took a course at Eastminister Presbyterian Church called Alpha. Finally, and I may not recall this correctly, but I was listening to a GOP debate on the radio and Gov. George Bush was asked who was his favorite philosopher. His answer was Jesus Christ. He got some ridicule for that, but after I thought about it, I think he was right.

Why? If you consider Jesus Christ a philosopher, then Christianity is a philosophy.  If that is so, then it is a choice you make to follow. While I heard vague references to that, I never heard it so eloquently stated as then Governor Bush did over a decade ago.  As I reread the New Testament, I found this philosophy quite engaging. Jesus Christ is a knowledgeable and compassionate spokesman.  You see, it is a choice he will make at some point.  My money is on his discovering why as opposed to doubting. Perhaps that will make him a better Christian.

A Troubling Situation

One of the reasons I like running is the lack of distractions. As you know, I do not play music when I am on a trail.  You can hear birds singing, leaves rustling, and my shoe hitting wood chips, gravel or soft ground.  You can see leaves falling (at least this time of the year), a butterfly, numerous trees and occasionally a deer. I let my mind wander and percolate. Or as Jack Welch, former GE CEO, used to say, "Let's noodle it."

Several weeks ago i went to the Smithsonian American History Museum. You may recall on my Facebook page I posted pics of Julia Child's kitchen.   

I "noodled" over this for several weeks. What troubled me happened in another part of the building. The museum had an excellent exhibit on Southern culture in the 1850s and slavery. I was looking at one piece and standing next to four young ladies also looking at the exhibit (see below).

The young ladies were in high school and talking about how bad slavery was and that they would never approve.  You must admire their sense of fairness and justice. 

As I listened, I realized these intelligent ladies had no sense of history.  They did not know why slavery existed, the economics of slavery, how the slave trade worked, only one knew what Eli Whitney's cotton gin was but not how it impacted slavery, how the country struggled with slavery for over a century, or other times the U.S. treated a race cruelly. A couple of the young ladies asked a few questions and I think were surprised at what they did not know. 

One asked me has the U.S. recently treated any group as badly as slaves.  I think they were again surprised at my answer. Basically I told them other races the U.S. treated harshly were the Indian and the Japanese after the start of World War II. Those are two examples. 

I spent 20 minutes with the young ladies.  It was fun for me and I think for at least one of them. 

I bring this up because I recall the famous saying by Edmund Burke, "Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it."

We need to teach kids history so they have an appreciation of sacrifices older generations of Americans (and others) made to offer them the potential of a better life, the mistakes we made in building the U.S and the importance of their participation in our country and the social fabric. I sometimes think we take this for granted.  But then consider this, how many of your friends' children know their family history and history?  Yes, it may be boring to kids, but later in life these children will be grateful for learning it.

In a broader sense, how can we know an injustice if we are not educated to see it? At its very best, history offers all Americans a sense of perspective or a touchstone. It allows us to contrast a current situation to past events.  That is why history is important. History is a timeline usually in a book that all of us can share, contemplate, discuss, debate, contribute to, and learn from.