A Time Time Running

Well, it was bound to happen. It was inevitable really. And this morning, after a long time coming – it did.

To jog your memory a bit, a lot led up to it.

There was running mornings, afternoons and evenings for 12 months. Running before breakfast, during lunch and after dinner. Jogging through rainstorms, blizzards, heat waves and even one hurricane. On the 4th of July with fireworks bursting in the distance. While kids trick or treated on Halloween. Before Christmas dinner and right after the ringing in of the New Year. Easter and Memorial Day too. The first day of summer, the last day of winter, the blossoming of spring and the falling leaves of autumn.

A 5K before a Madonna concert. During the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. After the New York City Marathon. Moments before my birthday party started.

Traipsing outdoors with the flu, food poisoning, aches, pains, the chills and one severely bruised knee. Before having a tooth pulled and removing my tongue piercing…forever. Right after getting tattooed.

Jogging over 15 New York City bridges and through the Lincoln Tunnel. Next to a congested city highway, a country dirt road, many suburban neighborhoods and even a nude beach. Running in 4 states, a few major cities and more locales than I can count. On a boardwalk, converted elevated railroad track and around Central Park. Through a zoo to see pandas, downtown to see a passenger jet submerged in the East River and to the corner deli to pick up dinner.

Looping around running tracks, up stairs, down bleachers and over uneven sidewalks. Past a heliport, an airport and even a place where blimps take off. What are they called?

After a half marathon, 5-Mile Pride Run, Pumpkin Run and many other organized 5Ks. Through desolate parks in the dark of night and on a crowded river walk on clear weekend afternoons. Maneuvering around other people, children, dogs and bikers. Watching out for baby pigeons, unsuccessfully avoiding a rotting onion and tripping over my own feet while ogling at shirtless hunks.

Jumping in puddles with my new sneakers. Getting ‘coached’ by my boyfriend’s 5-year-old nephew.

Running and finding a child’s lost art project in a puddle and remembering my own foray into the art world. Seeing that Matchbox car on someone’s lawn and thinking back to when my collection was unintentionally destroyed under the wheels of my Dad’s bright orange station wagon. Spotting items such as a domino, 4-leaf clover and an entire grilled cheese sandwich neatly cut in half and perfectly laying in the middle of the street. Having each one fascinatingly stir up a memory. A lost emotion. A smile and even a tear.

Running on the morning of my great niece’s birth and afternoon of Michael Jackson’s death. After losing my job. Before starting my new position. And all the days of unemployment in between.

The night I moved. The morning I voted. The day I had to put my cat to sleep.

More running while visiting my Mom, my sister, my boyfriend’s family, friends and other assorted family members. After seeing someone I hadn’t seen in almost 15 years. Jogging day after day of seeing the man I love – and realizing no matter how much I see him, I can never get enough.

The night where everything seemed to unravel. And the morning where it all seemed to make sense again.

13.1 miles. 12 miles. 10, 8, 5.5 or just a little over 3 miles a day. But always at least 5K every day.

After 366 runs over 365 days, it happened. I finished my last run this morning, thereby completing my 5K-A-Day Year Long Challenge.

I have never felt prouder.

But now what do I do?

I guess I will try to figure that out during tomorrow’s run.

You didn’t think I was going to stop now just because I hit 365 5Ks, did you?

I don’t want it to end. Even when I was running on empty, it felt so good. There is too much to see and experience to stop now.

Plus, there is so much more I can learn. Especially about myself. And even more to remember…

I’m not done “Jogging My Memory” yet.

One year of 5Ks down. A lifetime of running to go…

-Qraig

You Better Run. You Better Do What You Can.

Yesterday, I slept late and didn’t get a chance to run before work. Not a big deal because with no evening plans and great weather (finally!), I would have no problem fitting one after work. What I didn’t realize was that this run would end up turning into something of an impromptu funeral march.

At about 5:30, I started packing up and getting ready to leave work for the day. Right before signing off my computer I checked one of my favorite gossip sites and saw an entry saying Michael Jackson was rushed to the hospital. I did a little internet searching and found that he was in cardiac arrest. Information at that moment was scarce, so I turned off my computer and went home.

Upon entering my apartment, I turned on CNN and was amazed at how the story about Michael Jackson became so serious, so quickly. I was immediately intrigued and instead of quickly changing into my running gear, I took a seat on the couch and began absorbing all the “Breaking News”.

Like most people my age, Michael Jackson played a big part in my childhood. Though I was more of a Madonna fan in the 80s (and 90s and still today) there was no denying Michael’s grip on all of pop culture back then. “Thriller” was on top of the charts and its songs were played everywhere. His videos were cultural phenomena and all the kids I knew wanted to be like Michael. Junior high was filled with children in black and red zipper jackets. My friend Jason was Michael Jackson obsessed and would actually wear a white sequined glove to school which we all thought was so cool. He also could dance like Michael and would regularly have ‘dance offs’ with other kids in junior high.

Jason and those dancers were considered the ‘bad kids’ of Christopher Columbus Junior High. Sequined white gloves and all. No joke.

Also during this time, my friend, Michelle and I would constantly reenact the beginning ‘dance’ sequence of the “Thriller” video. You know the part where Michael is walking home with his girlfriend – before the zombies show up. Like Jason, Michelle was a giant Michael fan and always insisted on portraying him. I ended up being the girlfriend. “Oh Michael,” I’d say to Michelle/Michael in my best Ola Ray breathiness right before we began our pantomime in the middle of the street.

This is time of my life that instantly flashed into my mind the moment CNN confirmed Michael Jackson had died. That was around 6:30pm. I turned off the TV and got ready for my run.

After changing into my running gear, I loaded my iPod with Michael Jackson’s greatest hits. When I got outside I just started to run. I again thought about junior high, “Beat It”, the “Thriller” video and dance offs. Then other Michael Jackson memories began flooding my mind.

I recalled how me and Michelle rushed to Sam Goody the day ‘Moonwalker’ came out just so we could be the first ones to see it. And then we watched it over and over again, laughing at the lunacy of it all – and ultimately loving every minute of it. I remembered watching the premiere of the “Black or White” video while in college and not understanding why there was so much fuss over the ‘violent’ ending. Then there was that time my fraternity chose “The Wiz” as the theme for our Homecoming float. I must have viewed that movie at least 50 times that fall. “Can You Feel a Brand New Day. Theta Chi and Sigma Tri. GO PROFS!”

As I ran, the hits and memories kept coming. “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough”, “Bad”, “Scream”, “Dirty Diana”…I wasn’t stopping because I didn’t get enough yet. And I laughed thinking about what I used to believe the lyrics were to that song.

“Keep up with the post office. Don’t stop til you get enough” ‘Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough’ misheard by Qraig de Groot

“Say Say Say”, “Rock With You”, “In The Closet”, “Remember The Time”… I distinctly remembered the last time I ran with Michael Jackson. It was a couple years prior when I was still living in New Jersey. The night was chilly and damp. I was tired and my running was unenthusiastic. My iPod was on random when the Michael Jackson Megamix off the “You Are Not Alone” CD single popped up. That medley is over 10 minutes of non-stop energy. My feet immediately ran faster. After the first listen I was pumped up! The second and third kept me going. And by the fourth and fifth, I felt like I could run forever. And I did run a lot farther that night than I usually did at that time.

“I had to tell them I am second to none” – ‘Black or White’ by Michael Jackson

“Leave Me Alone”, “Jam”, “Thriller”…There was also that dark Halloween night when I was living in Los Angeles and still running with a Walkman radio! If that wasn’t scary enough right when I hit the darkest, eeriest part of my run down a factory lined road the dj queued up “Thriller”!

“Realize there’s nowhere left to run” – ‘Thriller’ by Michael Jackson

After hearing that, I ran just a little bit faster down that street hoping Michael wasn’t serious.

“Off The Wall”, “The Way You Make Me Feel”, “PYT”, “Wanna Be Startin’ Something”… I then cooled down to the inspirational, “Man in the Mirror”. It was my own man in the mirror that started me on my 5K a Day running journey almost a year ago. “Take a look at yourself and make that change,” Michael sang as I ended my run in his honor. I never realized I was heeding his advice. But, I guess in some way I have always been – especially while running.

With all the scandal, accusations and mystery surrounding Michael Jackson it was easy to forget why he was such a big star. And I am kind of disappointed that it took his death to remind me.

Love him or loathe him, there is one thing you can’t deny about Michael Jackson. He made some great music to dance…and run to.

“You better run, you better do what you can.” – ‘Beat It’ by Michael Jackson

-Qraig

5K-A-Day Update

I have been concentrating so much on bridges, bad weather and entering races (I have another 5-Miler on Saturday) that I have been neglecting the real reason I have been running. That is, running at least a 5K a day for an entire year.

Can you believe I have less than a week left until I am done? July 1st is quickly approaching and I haven’t really thought much about the significance of the fast approaching date.

Last July, I really had doubts that I would be able to actually complete my goal. Hell, I’m still having doubts and there is less than a week left. I still get up certain mornings and think, “I can’t do this today.” But besides that one morning in January when I really couldn’t run due to a horrible case of the stomach flu, I did it. Every day, I have run at least 5K or 3.1 miles. Every day, I put on my running sneakers and clothes, went outside and ran. Every. Day. (And on 2 of those days, I actually ran twice. Once in the morning and again in the evening – just to make up for that one day I missed. I’m an overachiever that way.)

I don’t want to jinx things by praising my accomplishment before I have actually completed it, but I did want to reflect on what I have already done. And to paraphrase Ron Burgundy, it’s “…kind of a big deal”.

Look at the time. I gotta get my run in for the day. And this one, just like the rest gets me at least 5K closer to my goal!

-Qraig

So, to add it all up for you:

I have run 359 days in a row – one day sick day + 2 extra runs = 360 runs in a row of at least 5K A Day!!!

Bring on my last week!

Cross That Bridge When You Come To It (Part Deux)

With 9 Manhattan bound bridges crossed, as well as one tunnel I was more than halfway done with my goal of running over every single bridge that leads into Manhattan. But, I wasn’t done yet…

(Dateline: June 6th – New York City) I tied up my sneakers, ran to the 1 train, took it up to 215th Street and ran over the Broadway Bridge. Then I headed south and crossed the University Heights Bridge, the Macombs Dam Bridge where I got caught up in Yankees Stadium traffic mayhem, the 145th Street Bridge, the Madison Ave. Bridge and the Third Ave. Bridge again – just for good measure. Back in April I crossed an unbelievable 4 bridges in one day. But on this day I shattered that record with 5 bridges! And not only that, I ran under the one bridge that I still needed to cross to finish my goal.

It was the first bridge to elude me. You see, I was running on a path near the Harlem River in the direction I thought the entrance to this bridge would be. Little did I know when I got the bridge in my sights, I would be so far from where I needed to be. And instead of being able to cross it, I just went under it. Though I went on the cross 5 bridges that day, that one bridge continued to bother me.

And I knew this bridge would haunt me until I crossed it.

So just one week later, that is exactly what I did – along with satisfying another one of my ‘bridge related issues’.

Technically, there were 2 bridges that lead into Manhattan left I could run across. But, I read on numerous blogs and websites that the Henry Hudson Bridge was closed to pedestrians until June 2010. But I kept wondering, “What if it wasn’t?” What if it had actually reopened and I didn’t go check it out. I really needed to see the closing with my own eyes or it would eat away at me.

Yes, this is how much this goal had taken hold of me. Just 4 months ago I didn’t care all that much about any Manhattan bridges and now I had a list containing every single NYC bridge, which ones I crossed, which exact one I still needed to run over and another that I was concerned might actually be open to pedestrians even though I was heard wasn’t.

I knew these things would bother me until I met them face on…so, I turned Saturday June 13th into something of a ‘bridge therapy session’ when I decided to tackle both my ‘bridge related issues’ firsthand. I was going to burn every bridge once and for all.

On that morning, I traveled by subway up to the Washington Bridge stop at 181st Street. This was the bridge that I missed a week earlier. But as I exited the station and prepared to cross what I thought to be the last bridge I needed to, I convinced myself to make a ‘pit stop’. Instead of running directly across the 121 year old bridge, I found myself jogging in the opposite direction down to Inwood Park where I got proof with my own eyes (and a camera, if anyone is interested) that the Henry Hudson Bridge will be closed to foot traffic until at least June 2010.

With that tidbit of news, I was able to run back up to Washington Heights and cross the Washington Bridge, which towers 134 feet over the Harlem River. To say the views are spectacular would be an understatement. To say that it is also a wee bit scary would also be an understatement. I looked down over the railing a couple times and I have to admit that though I am not normally scared of heights, looking off the side of the bridge was very unsettling. But in a beautiful way…if that makes any sense.

And as soon as I stepped off the Washington Bridge, my goal of crossing all accessible Manhattan bridges was complete. I felt proud.

In a little over 4 months I completed my goal of crossing all the bridges I was allowed to on foot that leads into Manhattan. And what did I learn? Just like the inhabitants of New York City, each bridge is unique and stunning in its own right. They all have rich, complex histories and are defined by what neighborhoods they connect. Some are small and unassuming while others are towering and striking. Some are more well-known, traveled and cleaner, but not one bridge is better than the next. Why? Because each bridge helps ‘bridge the gap’ between Manhattan and the rest of the world. And vice versa.

But, above all I realized that bridges can be some of the greatest places to run – even if they are crowded with tourists, covered in graffiti, off the beaten track, out of your way or hundreds of feet in the sky.

Sorry hill work. Move over speed work. Now the time for something new – Bridge Work.

Forget jumping off a bridge. My hope is that everyone starts running across them. And I will gladly follow.

-Qraig

Cross That Bridge When You Come To It (Part One)

(Dateline: February 1st, my birthday – New York City) – After running over the Queensboro Bridge linking Manhattan to Queens I decided that I was going to run across every single pedestrian accessible Manhattan Island bridge.

When I first decided on this idea, I didn’t realize how many bridges there were that actually connected Manhattan to the outer boroughs and even New Jersey. My initial count was about 7. Come to find out, in 2009 there were 15 bridges I needed to run across. (There are usually 16, but the Henry Hudson Bridge that spans the Harlem River to connect Manhattan to the Bronx is closed to pedestrians until next year.)

Upon discovering that my bridge count more than doubled, I almost gave up on the spot. But, then I started doing some research and perused maps of the island. A few bridges, especially those in Upper Manhattan over the Harlem Bridge were pretty close together.

I mentally crossed a few of those bridges even before I got to them and thought maybe it wouldn’t be as hard as I was thinking. So I gave it a go.

My second bridge run took place a week after my first – on February 7th where I easily crossed the bridge closest to my apartment, the Williamsburg Bridge. I have run under this bridge many times, but I never was on it before. I was surprised that the support beams on the pedestrian walkway are painted a deep red. And since the bridge connects Manhattan to trendy, hipster Brooklyn I saw many people wearing ironic thick black glasses, skinny jeans and ‘vintage’ coats. Oh, and there were quite a few Hassidic Jews too.

The next bridge I crossed was the Manhattan on March 1st. It kind of reminds me of the poor, unknown cousin of the Brooklyn Bridge which picturesquely looms further down the East River. I saw a lot of colorful, fascinating graffiti on buildings surrounding this bridge – beautiful graffiti really. Is that an oxymoron? Perhaps. Also, the Manhattan Bridge is accessible on the Manhattan side through Chinatown – which, on a Saturday is packed!!! But, I managed to cross another bridge off my list.

I waited over a month to conquer my next bridge. But, I had to find a day that was ‘perfect’ for this one. And when I woke up on Thursday April 9th to a chilly, overcast day I knew it would be perfect for the Brooklyn Bridge. This bridge is a massive tourist destination. On a summer weekend afternoon, a person couldn’t even walk over it much less try to run through the throngs of people clustering on the walkway. Even on a cold Thursday afternoon in early spring, I still had a difficult time keeping a running pace when I first stepped on the bridge. Luckily people thinned out the farther I got on the bridge. And people were nonexistent on the Brooklyn side. And that was bridge #4.

The following Monday – April 13th the weather was a complete opposite of the 9th. It was sunny, warm and gloriously beautiful. And I knew which bridge would go perfect with the day. So, I hopped on the subway and rode uptown to the entrance of the George Washington Bridge. If you ever get a chance to run this bridge, I highly recommend it. Not only are the views amazing, the foot traffic is scarce and there are two spectacular destinations on either side of the GWB. On the NJ side is Fort Lee Historic Park with sweeping views of the bridge and the rest of the city. And there are even cannons!! Over on the NY side and right under the GWB is the cutest little red lighthouse you will ever see. It’s really adorable. Check out more about it here – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Red_Lighthouse.

April 26th turned out to be in epic day in bridge crossing. Once again, I took the subway uptown, but this time instead of making my way to the Hudson River, I stayed near the Harlem River. And before the afternoon was through, I conquered 4 bridges! The Manhattan-Bronx span of the Triborough; Willis Ave.; Third Ave.; and Ward’s Island Walkway. Though I kind of ended up crossing the wrong bridge first and had to backtrack to get to another, I succeeded in traversing them all in less than 2 hours!

And if that wasn’t enough, that Sunday was the Lincoln Tunnel 5K Challenge which meant I could also put an addendum to my Bridge List. As of April 26th, I crossed 9 bridges that led into Manhattan and 1 tunnel!

I started back to work at the end of April and was away a lot on the weekends, so my bridge crossings suffered. I was still running at least a 5K a Day, but just not over any Manhattan bound bridges. That all changed in the beginning of June though.

TO BE CONTINUED…

-Qraig

“Irunic”

It was late in the afternoon. I was tired from a long day of work and really wasn’t in the greatest of moods. I trudged home through throngs of other hurried commuters. When I finally got home, all I had scheduled was my daily run. I decided to keep it simple and stay on a path I normally run when I don’t want to go too far or be gone too long.

Well, wouldn’t you know it? The creator of Murphy’s Law must be a runner too.

I get on my gear and sprint out the door. Listening to Lady GaGa on my iPod (She’s my current addiction…still) I cross the FDR and head north towards the UN building. This path is an easy one. No hills, no treacherous street crossings and since many runners and bikers tend to use the other part of the path towards South Street Seaport – there are not many people to get in the way.

The run normally goes like this. I pass some boats docked in the East River. I pass Bellevue Hospital on my left and the Waterside apartments on my right. Next is the Water Club, a heliport and later a pier where ferries pick up NJ commuters and ship them home to the Atlantic Highlands. Then there is a small yet lovely river walk/park that I run through a couple times before I head out an extended right medium stretch of FDR Drive. Sure, it’s basically running next to a busy a busy highway, but it truly is no less safe then running on the sidewalk near a suburban road or on the shoulder of a rural highway. I’ve done both and have had many more scary encounters on those than on the FDR!

Anyway, it’s this long FDR stretch that I run on a few times before turning back home. And this is where everything changed…practically overnight. Not even halfway onto the FDR medium a brand spanking new barrier – constructed of steel girders and a fence towering some 10 feet in the air has sprouted out of nowhere and is blocking the rest of my path. And if that wasn’t enough, a shiny new STOP sign was placed right near the barricade! I got the idea that someone did NOT want me going any further without the sign. Really.

So, needless to say my run came to a screeching halt. I took a moment to marvel at the blockade. It’s truly impressive – considering it wasn’t even there just a couple days ago! And then I rerouted my course.

On my return, I ended up running past my apartment and to a local track where I put in another half hour of exercise. A run that was supposed to be short turned into a much longer one because I was stopped short.

I ran farther because my run was cut short.

That’s kind of ironic. Doncha think?

-Qraig

Gettin’ High

I woke up today with just one goal – to get high.

Though it was miserable out early this morning, I wasn’t going to change my plans. By 6:45, I was off and running to the newest area in New York to get high. The place I was running to has been around since the 1930s but was only recently transformed into an area where anyone can go and get high. It just reopened this week with many community leaders and prominent politicians on hand to be the first to get high!

And now it was my turn.

As I ran towards my destination, I couldn’t help but think about how cool this place is. I mean, it’s an outdoor space in the middle of one of the biggest cities in the world…and I can just run there and get high. Amazing.

Not being too far from my apartment, I was there within a half hour. And I was instantly awestruck. The first thing I saw was a cluster of trees growing out of abandoned elevated-rail tracks some 30 feet above Gansevoort Street. I picked up my pace because I couldn’t wait to get high!

Within moments of seeing the place, I was running up the stairs and getting my first taste of New York City’s newest park – The High Line. The public park – which resides on a stretch of elevated train tracks that have been unused for nearly thirty years, has been a labor of love for many community members, politicians and nature enthusiasts who envisioned a green place in the Meatpacking District for New Yorkers to enjoy and…get high. After years of dedication and hard work, their vision finally became a reality this week when the first section from Gansevoort to 20th Street opened. (The second stretch running between 20th and 30th Streets is due to open next year.)

I am happy to report that I entirely enjoyed my run to get high. The park is absolutely beautiful. The space is dazzlingly colorful against the gray of the cityscape. The unique design, with flora growing out from old railroad tracks keeps the memory of what the High Line used to be alive. And yet it feels as if it is teeming with life, radiance and future possibilities.

As I ran from one end of the High Line to the other and back again, I marveled at how something so wonderful can be somewhere you least expect it. Here, some 30 feet above the gritty streets of New York’s Meatpacking District is a pristine park filled with all the beauty of nature. I hope many New Yorkers and tourists alike visit this new green sanctuary and take a moment to…get high

Running back to my apartment after my visit to the High Line, all I could think about was the next time I was going to get high.

It won’t be soon enough.

-Qraig

Here are some pictures from my run on the High Line:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52344576@N00/sets/72157619650589726/

Lady Rah Rah

It took about 10 years, but I have finally found a running partner. She’s a rather amazing running partner too. She is young, fit, active and just happens to be an international pop star.

I’ve known Lady Gaga for over a year now when I first read about her on Perez Hilton’s blog and then caught a glimpse of her performing on the Miss Universe pageant. “Who is that,” I asked with mouth agape as she pranced around my tv screen in something that resembled what a space alien might wear to the prom. Little did I know that just a few months later she would become an international pop star by beckoning the world to “Just Dance.”

And the thought never even crossed my mind that just a couple weeks ago she would inexplicably become my own personal running partner. But that is exactly what happened.

“Just Dance” and Gaga’s other world wide smash, “Poker Face” haven’t really been part of my running playlists since they were released. It’s not like I don’t like them, but it seems like those tunes have been playing everywhere! On the radio, American Idol, in the supermarket, Dancing with the Stars, on the street, in the bars, Cairo, Paris, Berlin…not I have been to those last three places this year, but I am assuming Lady Gaga received major airplay there too.

In any event, when I was making up my weekly running playlists, those 2 songs didn’t make the cut. Like I said, not that I didn’t like them I was just rather tired of them.
And though I owned Lady Gaga’s entire album too, it just never seemed to make it onto my iPod either.

But that all changed after one fateful run about 2 weeks ago. I was out early one morning running with my boyfriend’s iPod because mine hadn’t been charged. I wasn’t sure what he had on there, but our musical tastes are comparable so when I put it on ‘Random’ I knew I’d be fine. Things worked out great. I heard the Pet Shop Boys, Madonna, a couple disco classics and even “Breakout” by Swing Out Sister.

And then – some happy summer infused beats began over which a jovial souinding chick chirped, Cherry Cherry Boom Boom. So began my first listen to the non-radio Lady Gaga track, “Eh Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)”. It was light. It was fluff. It was cheesy pop. And it just happened to be the best damned song I never ran to!

When the song ended, I played it again. Cherry Cherry Boom Boom. And again. Cherry Cherry Boom Boom. When I got home, I instantly uploaded the entire Lady Gaga CD onto my iPod and couldn’t wait to go running with her the next morning.

And I have to say, Lady Gaga has turned out to be one hell of a running coach and cheering squad! So many of the songs on her album, “The Fame” are running friendly. There’s “Paparazzi”, “Beautiful, Dirty, Rich”, “Money Honey” and her new smash hit, “LoveGame”. She just wants to take a ride on your disco stick!

Since that morning, I have been running every day with Lady Gaga. The other weekend, I ran a 5K race with her and just this Saturday she was there as I crossed 6 more bridges off my list of Manhattan Bridges I needed to run across. (Three more to go!) Lady Gaga has been the best thing to happen to my running in a long time.

Who would have thought a rock star that is known for not wearing pants and singing unbelievably chatty pop tunes would become my first bona fide running partner? But Lady Gaga did. I can’t get enough!

And if all this weren’t enough, Lady Gaga has a song called “Summerboy” where she actually sings about running!

Hey there summer boy
I’m taking off my heels
Lets go for a run
Have a little summer fun
Have a little summer fun

She is gonna keep me running at least until my 5K a Day Challenge officially comes to an end on July 1st! And probably even longer.

Go! Use your muscle. Carve it out. Work it. Hustle!

-Qraig

Running What Ails You

This past Saturday, there was a 5K race being hosted by the hospital where my father spent some time in 2007 before his death. I hadn’t been to the place since then. No need, thankfully. But, when I read about the race and knew I would be down that way visiting my Mom that weekend, I toyed with the idea of entering.

But even on Friday night I wasn’t sure if I was going to or not. My mother seemed keen on me running – even though she told me she wasn’t going to get up at 7:30, head to the hospital and cheer me on. My boyfriend also thought I should run it, but also wasn’t going to come with me.

To add to my apprehensions, I was feeling a bit sick with a cold all week which really drained me. I tossed and turned when I got into bed, not really sure I wanted to see that hospital ever again. Even thinking about the place stirred up sad memories. As I finally drifted off way past midnight, I just didn’t know if I would be able to pull myself out of bed when the alarm rang.

But when the buzzer sounded, I was up the second it sounded and raring to go. The house was very quiet while Mom and my boyfriend soundly slept. I pulled on my running gear, collected my essentials and scampered out the door.

It was an absolutely beautiful morning – perfect running weather. I actually sang along to the tunes on the radio as I drove the few miles to the hospital. Upon arriving, I was met by a chipper parking attendant who handed me a temporary permit and pointed me to a great spot.

The registration booth was near the entrance I used to use when I went to visit my Dad over 2 years ago. It brought back a few sad memories of those days of his quick deterioration. I knew though that by paying the meager registration fee and running in the race I would be helping the hospital that tried to help my Dad in the end.

And that made me smile.

The race was probably the smallest I have ever been in. I’d say there were less than 250 people at the starting line. And the course was different too. Most of the 5K ended up taking place in parking lots. We even ran past my car a few times! But, it turned out to be one of the best races I’ve run.

I felt fast and strong. At the starting line, I did my usual ritual and picked out the one person I wanted to ‘beat’. This time the pick was easy. It was the super built, bald guy who looked to be in amazing shape and maybe even a bit of a cocky a-hole.

When the gun sounded, he ran as fast as his could. That’s the sure sign of cockiness, huh? We all know you can’t start off ‘that’ fast! You aren’t going to last. Mr. Steroids 2009 wasn’t gonna last. I knew he couldn’t last.

And. I was right.

As I approached mile 2, I caught sight of the massive bald man…and he was fading. Fast. Within seconds I caught up to him and then easily flew by. And it felt amazing! We all got to have attainable race goals. Mine just happened to be in the shape of a hulking ‘roid head.

In any event, I wasn’t sure what my time was when I crossed the finish line because the digital clock wasn’t working properly. But, I did feel I finished comparable to what I have done in the past. And again, I beat the bald meat head. (Yeah, I am sure he is really a nice, sweet guy. But every story needs a villain and who better than an over muscled bald dude who, you know has punched at least 3 other guys in the past for just looking at his girlfriend and has definitely kicked sand in the faces of at least 8 scrawny fellows on the beach!)

As I strolled back to my car and past some runners who were still finishing the 5K through the parking lot, I just took the morning in and personally thanked myself for getting up and competing in this 5K. It really felt great. Not only was I able to tack on a couple happy memories to a place that beforehand was really just full of pretty crappy ones. Plus, it seemed to have cured my cold.

I went to the hospital just to run and still I got better. Go figure.

Now, let’s cut to the next morning when I am online and searching for results from the 5K. When I find them, I am practically knocked out of my seat. I see my name in 47th place overall. 9th place in my age/gender group! And right there, next to my name is a finishing time of 23:36.32. That’s a 7:36 or the fastest Qraig has ever run in a race!

With that pace, I wonder if I will eventually ever be cast as the villain in someone else’s future running saga?

God, I hope so.

-Qraig

Running In The Past

The weekend was planned out perfectly. We would start our drive to the cabin in the woods some time after work. After stopping for dinner at a restaurant on the way that serves pancakes the size of a pizza and then the grocery store for needed food, we would arrive at just about 9pm. Afterwards, we would unload the car, refrigerate our food and beverages, use the bathroom, change into our comfortable pajamas and then pop a movie into the DVD player to enjoy with a nice freshly popped bag of microwave popcorn. And then it would be off to bed. In the morning, I would get up and take my first run up in the country. I’d jog on trails I have never used before and see sights all new to me! When I was done, I would come back and take a nice long shower.

How does that saying go? “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry”. Well, no truer words have ever been spoken.

Arriving at the cabin after a somewhat treacherous trek up a long, winding mountain road, there was nothing more we wanted to do than get inside and relax. As we pulled into the driveway, we noticed the place was dark. Too dark, actually.

As we got out of the car and walked towards the pitch black cabin in the glow of the headlights, we carefully opened the door and went inside. The air was stale and there was no light coming from anywhere. Everything was off!

We figured a circuit must have been tripped, and after successfully locating a flashlight, we made our way to the circuit breaker only to be disheartened to find that nothing was awry. All circuits were fine. With no other houses in the area, we had no clue if the power was off everywhere or just in the cabin.

Hoping for the best, we unloaded the car and decided to put our food in the fridge. That’s when the awful truth was discovered. I opened the freezer and was instantly met with a deluge of water and a slight stench of decay. The entire contents of the freezer had been thawed. And it looked like it had been for a while.

Luckily our cell phones worked and a call was placed to the owner of the cabin. After he called the electric company, he told us that the power was indeed turned off to the cabin…and nothing could be done until well after the weekend was over. Plus, without electric the pump for the water wouldn’t work either. We were in a cabin in the woods with no electric or water and we not even remotely prepared.

And the first thing I thought of upon hearing this was, “How am I going to run this weekend?”

Sure, I knew I could run but I was concerned about what I would do afterwards. Where would I shower? I didn’t want to smell all weekend. It was a pretty major dilemma for me that actually had me contemplating getting in my car that instant and driving the dangerous mountain road back to civilization!

But, I stayed and when morning rolled around I was so happy I did. By daylight, the landscape around the cabin was breathtaking. The place was surrounded by lush array of trees and plants. Right behind the cabin was one of the most amazingly picture perfect brooks I had ever seen. And to top it all off there was this small waterfall off in the distance that was absolutely breathtaking. The sun was shining, making the water glisten. It looked absolutely inviting.

Suddenly, I knew what had to be done.

I ripped open my suitcase and pulled out my running gear. As I put on my shirt and shorts, I pulled out my iPod and realized the battery was dead. And there was no way to charge it. “Damn!” I shouted. But that wasn’t going to stop me from running!

Changing quicker than ever before – I ran out the door, down the stony driveway and off into the great countryside before me.

For over an hour I ran through the woods, over hills, next to streams, across open fields and past expansive farm land filled with budding vegetation. The sights, the sounds, the smells…nature was blooming all around me. And it was glorious!

Returning to the cabin, I was sweating from head to toe and as happy as could be. Not only was I energized from what I just experienced, but I was also excited for what I had in store.

Not even going inside, I stripped off my sneakers and hurried down to the edge of the stream. The water looked so inviting. And without even hesitating I rushed in!

I’d like to say that it was of the most unbelievably refreshing moments of my life. But, I have to admit that it was one of the most unbelievably ice cold moments of my life! I was in and out within seconds…but, I have to admit that it was fun. So much so that I did the same thing the next morning too!

A nice country run unencumbered by the rigamaroo of technology, followed by a quick yet invigorating dip into nature’s bathtub!

So, a holiday getaway where I was supposed to get away from it all truly turned into a vacation where I got away from it all – including electricity and indoor plumbing! And I am actually grateful because without the things I usually take for granted – like showers, iPods and paved running paths I got to experience what the running might have been like in Colonial America.

They ran back then, right? Wasn’t Thomas Jefferson an avid runner? Benjamin Franklin? Paul Revere? Well, if they weren’t surely Virginia Congressman and a signer of the Declaration of Independence – Francis Lightfoot Lee was!

-Qraig