Sunday run 11-21

Capturing the run today, after a slammed week-  5 days at the regular work gig,  and now the 6th day at Pines.  Yesterday I saw 5 clients/families back to back, listening, engaging, finding more room in the infinite mental vault for more back-stories, emotional/defense patterns, family systems...the enormous minutiae of the counseling profession.  It takes tremendous presence of mind to juggle what is now 40-50 clients all together;  is it any wonder I continue to use running as my place to unravel the mental apparatus, and give myself a Right Brain break?

Today, the weather was unusually moderate; after a coolish spell where the night temps dropped into the 60's, it is back to small modulations, meaning now the nights are 70's, and starting out today I was warm in my summer gear.  I decided to take it one part at a time, and after heading out Emerald Hills, took the southern route over to John Williams as the main pit stop.  The 2 day break (a regular thing now that Saturdays are booked) seems to give me a necessary recovery period, and one I probably wouldn't give myself otherwise.  I notice less chronic aches and pains, even if my endurance is down.
I had several nice stretches up to JW, then down to hit W Park and make my way home.  On the way I realized I am ready to accept that this is NOT looking to be the year I'll do Miami.  Instead,  it looks like a far wiser plan to sustain moderate, regular miles, allow my body to continue to adjust to all it's various and sundry mid-life, elder physical adjustments, and give myself the run as the RB break it needs to be. 

As long as there are so many other professional 'pushes' in my life, and with Mom and the condo project still ongoing, the need for attention to the down/rest side of my life is paramount.  I've had 15 years of pushing towards many Big Goals which took all my time and attention.  The time hasn't decreased, but now the goals are shifting once more.  The stress of training can be one more 'thing'...and most of all I need running to be my Refuge.

Sunday long run 11-14

Just some of the amazing things I see on my Griffin loop....I never take for granted having the opportunity to run in a climate that allows me to see this 365 days a year, and revel in the modest temp ranges.   The beauty of my environment 'calls' me out every time just for the pleasure of the run.  How can folks run on treadmills, in the gym???

World Run Day at Hugh Birch 2010

One of my favorite spots, it was great to see Hugh Birch state park, now green and lush after all the heat and rain this year...a gorgeous hideaway on the east edge of Ft. Lauderdale, and staging area for my homage to running this WRD.  When I first began to run, I used to come here to feel at peace in a deep pocket of Nature while learning to ramp up my endurance and miles.  For this year, it was an easy, breezy 2 loops with the few fellows who joined me, conversational, convivial, with all the great stuff a group run has going for it- cementing our love of running

The fact that we ran at the same time as the NYC marathon was a nice bonus;  and though I haven't yet read the whole story, our elder hero Haile had to bail at mile 16 giving newbie Geb a surprise win- the Ethiopians still rule!  It goes to show how much can change despite our best efforts and expectations.

Once the boys left, I did a lazy final loop with my camera, catching all my favorite little spots, the magic that makes this park special;  from the intercoastal, to the wild little patch of woods, and sunlight drifting through trees now arcing their way across several stretches of road...the bladers, the bikers, and yes the runners circling their way round and round this oasis of bliss.

We run, us roadsters, to get OUT and into the world.  To experience, on foot, the relaxed attention of taking things in on the move, meandering our way around.  Jim was the real champ- running TO our meet-up over 9 miles, then leaving to complete his designated mileage for another oh, 13....no biggie to him!  You are a real inspiration, Jim!  Your relaxed attitude reminds me that no matter what level I choose to run at, it must retain this core of unexpected pleasure- or else there's no point to it for me.
I have time this week, to organize my runs with a bit more thought to the miles.  But it was good to share the road, and the passion for running with kindred souls.

The Time is Right

Left/Right Brain

While the Reds celebrate their ongoing corporate take-over of democracy (excuse the political rant), Higher Forces are apparently pulling us onward into a direction that will inherently utilize the amazing capacities of the Right Brain to adjust and adapt Wholistically.

It was many years ago in my artist days that I first felt a psychic and intuitive understanding about my life mission;  that what I was able to do/access naturally was a Process that can be augmented and encouraged in others.  As a child,  'natural mystic',  a 'sensitive' and artistic soul who felt more at home in nature, with art, music and books, I knew there was something I was connected to that kept me alive on a broader deeper level than most others.  My path in life has led from one stepping stone to the next, as part of the alchemy of my own development in the healing arts.  First, though I had to learn to live with my own left brain, and forge an alliance between the two hemispheres, which often worked at cross-purposes and created the many 'symptoms' of my younger years.

The times have conspired to lift us all into an awakening of consciousness and awareness- not just of ourselves but of our global reach and responsibilities, our place on Mother Earth and within the very Galaxies.  Where mind and intellect can sometimes grasp the concepts of change, it is heart and soul which leads us into new places.  The Right Brain, as holder of the Big Picture, and its ability to 'translate' experience in ways which anchor it to our personal purpose, is coming into a greater role.   We have 'demonized' the feminine, intuitive, instinctual, cutting ourselves from the font of meaning.  If ever there was a time to galvanize your creative, intuitive self, its NOW.    Whether your means is the arts, athletics, interpersonal or spiritual, take this opportunity to GET into YOUR RIGHT MIND!

There is unprecedented 'help' from unseen and benevolent forces which seek our safe passage into the future.  Tap into them.  Tell them your secrets and dreams.  Write them, paint and dance them AWAKE and seek the highest vision of yourself, your families, your world.

Long(er) Run at Last

This piece was done in '09, an homage' to long runs, specifically the Dania Beach route I used to do in preparation for MCM.  The stretch on Dania Beach Blvd, before the Intercoastal and the beach used to mesmerize me in a kind of blanket of atmosphere;  the briny smell of ocean, crustaceans, sandy soil and sprawling vegetation mixed with the impression of fog and mist....thus the image of -just that.  Those long runs used to take me all the way around the greater Hollywood area, east.  Today, it was just a taste of that as I wound around the Griffin loop...setting off pre-dawn, welcoming a rising sun in clear skies, setting a rhythm in amazingly moderate and pleasant temps;  not chilly, not warm, but 'just right.'

I know it sounds old, but my constant ambivalence about the Miami marathon continues.  I'm enjoying these runs right now and know fully what it would take to ramp sufficiently up to 'marathon training' and the necessary miles to handle it.   Working 6 days a week, adjusting the new reality of my physical changes (post-menopause) and trying to interpret my attitude and willingness has put an ultimate decision on hold.

Somehow I'm no longer a fan of 'forced' or obligatory running.  I may be rationalizing- and please tell me if I am- but as time has now caught up with necessity,  the idea of 'mandatory' runs are beginning to change my attitude towards running for the worse.  It's been about 7 years now;  working from pure walking, to 5ks, 10ks, half and full marathons.  I am a turtle.  I do not run for speed.  I love the 'theater' of races, the democracy of group runs.  But deep down I am a solitary runner just as content to take off for whatever route beckons and as far as I'd like...my dreams are still to find off-road places where quiet trails or roadways will bring me that lovely loneliness that the long-distance runner craves.  The space for wishful thinking and dreaming of all kinds...the chance to stretch out tired legs, weary mind and let loose into a rhythm of movement.

If anyone can convince me to grab on to the marathon, I am open to your feedback.  Meanwhile, see you on World Run Day at Hugh Birch Park - Sunday Nov. 7 @ 9AM.  Don't forget the gate fee.  And whatever you do, ENJOY THE RIDE!