“You only live once …

Last Sunday I passed one of my “bridge peeps” – the people who run, walk, or cycle the Beach Blvd. Bridge – she was walking towards me so we greeted one another. On my second lap, we again passed one another. I was ready to give my usual “second-pass” greeting, (“Have a great day!”) when she said, “You are my inspiration!” 

I responded, “And you are mine!”

She laughed and said, “We must be doing something right.”

Comedian Fred Allen once said, “You only live once but if you do it right, once is enough.”  I don’t know all their names but I been fortunate to come across many runners who “do it right.” Their impact has nothing to do with their great speed or phenomenal distances covered. Their impact has everything to do with their apparently trivial actions, words, or, even simply, their presence. They clearly demonstrate the value of this “one life.”

My brief intersection in with the lives of these few runners (and one spectator) added value to my life. I am so thankful our paths crossed.

Photo credit: c-ville.com 

“Running Man” – Who was this guy running shirtless, ½ naked, rain or shine, in snow and wind? I saw the “Running Man” at numerous races in Virginia and the D.C. area. And, while his lack of attire captured everyone’s attention, there was something else about him that was even more noteworthy – his smile. His smile spread from ear to ear. Running Man simply exuded joy, he obviously loved running – it showed and it was contagious! Just looking at him was a joyful experience, you simply had to smile.

Unfortunately I learned Running Man’s real name after he was hit by an SUV while running and died. His name was Philip Weber III and he died December 29, 2015. I also learned that when he wasn’t running, Philip was an enthusiastic reader and he had a passion for learning. A memorial 8K was run in his honor to benefit the Jefferson-Madison (Virginia) Regional Library ensuring the library can continue being the inspiration to others that it was to Philip, the Running Man.

Joy is a circle. When you do things from your soul, others are inspired let their joy flow, and once the joy begins to flow, even death can’t stop it.

“Teen Spirit”- In was raining in Johnson City, Illinois during an out-and-back road race. Cones separated the runners from the automobile traffic in adjacent lanes. I was running in a pack which included a teenage girl.

We were only a ½ mile into the race when a car slowed, and then crept along next to us, a window rolled down, and a woman called out.” Honey, get in the car!”
We kept running, looking at the car, slack-jawed in disbelief. Then the teenage girl yelled, “No!”
The man driving, (her father?) leaned across the woman and said yelled, “Get in the car NOW!”
“I’m running,” the teenager replied.
“But, honey,’ the woman pleaded, “it’s raining!”
The teen pumped her arms and surged ahead, “I’m running in the rain!”
The car pulled away. Teen spirit won.

Spirit matters, there will always be someone or some circumstance that could extinguish your dreams, your goals. Let your spirit run …even in the rain!

“Kick-Ass Couple”- There are no great metropolitan areas in Southern Illinois so all the races I ran while living there were between 50-maybe 200 runners tops, and you noticed everyone. There was this couple, a husband and wife, who stood out because they seemed to run every race. They were back-of-the-packers, and each time they chugged across the finish line together, they high-fived one another, grabbed a banana and some water, and then, after exchanging a few words with one or two people they left.

This happened for years until, finally, as they crossed the finish line, a race director announced their names and asked them to come forward for an award. I was as surprised as they were. The director said, “Now I know you don’t like public recognition but this will be short and sweet. This couple has run a 5K together every weekend for the past 5 years. (Applause) But that isn’t as amazing as the fact that they did while each was battling cancer. (Gasps) Therefore, on behalf of your running brothers and sisters, I present you with this Kick-Ass award!” (Cheers!!) 

Quiet determination is a strength. You don’t have to be loud, big, or bold to be Kick-Ass. 

“Little Cheerleader” – In 2019 I crossed the Acosta Bridge in Jacksonville, Florida, turned the corner and headed for the finish line. People lined the course yelling encouragement, “You’ve got this!” “You’re almost there!” “You rock!” “You get the beer!” For decades I have heard basically the same encouraging words over and over again. Until this race.

I saw a little girl jumping up and down along the sideline, waving her arms. She looked right at me and yelled the words I know were meant just for me, in that moment, “Run, lady, run!”

Encouragement is hearing a few choice words at just the right moment -- priceless!

"Make this one life you have a work of art. 

Live with class and you'll go out in style." 

- Dr. George Sheehan

*See also, Zip Rzeppa 

Walking & Democracy

Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person:

Walkable (and “runnable”) neighborhoods have long been prized among urban designers and residents. Walkability is linked to benefits including higher property values, less crime and better health among residents. For example, one recent study found that older adults living in easy-to-walk communities not only had better physical health, but also higher cognitive functions. 

According to sociologist Robert A. Bullard, “The health benefits of walking are so overwhelming that to deny access to that is a violation of fundamental human rights. All communities should have a right to a safe, sustainable, healthy, just, walkable community.”

Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association:

Another study found that walkable neighborhoods are associated with higher levels of civic engagement. "The exercise of democracy begins as exercise, as walking around, becoming familiar with the streets, comfortable with strangers, able to imagine your own body as powerful and expressive rather than a pawn. People who are at home in their civic space preserve the power to protest and revolt, whereas those who have been sequestered into private space do not.” 

Walkability is a sign of a strong democracy and is essential to the basic human right to freely assemble in public spaces. Dictators know that democracy must be exercised, regularly and on foot. So they restrict or eliminate public spaces, forbid public gatherings, and use force to break up protest walks.

Increasingly “democratic” governments are fencing off public spaces and placing barricades on public walkways which effectively force citizens out of civic areas. This retreat deprives us of the opportunity to see fellow citizens, converse with them and, perhaps, discover common concerns. Being able to walk in accessible, public spaces is a key way to uphold democratic rule, fair and free elections, cooperative conduct, and individual and minority rights.

The Exercise of Democracy:
Democracy is fragile and therefore needs to be reinvented every day in small acts as well as huge movements. Even when there are no “big issues” to galvanize action, walking itself can be a powerful way for people to commit to civic conduct as they move through their community and engage with others on public walkways. Walking provides a series of difficult and delightful experiences that invite you to think, feel, and be alive to possibility. People are noticing you and you are noticing them. You feel healthier; you are contributing to the microclimate of your community and encountering new opportunities for participation in democratic action.

Democratic life is about learning how to respectfully challenge oneself and others to improve the common good by balancing individual and collective interests. The first step - walk in your community. Walking literally puts you in touch with public spaces and community members. If you find that your community is not walkable, perhaps this is your opportunity to engage in microdemocracy. The exercise of democracy begins with one step.

Running in Circles

Colombia: “I was told our location would be remote, but somehow I didn’t realize that meant no roads! The only place to run was on an unpaved airstrip, located on a plateau. The airstrip ended abruptly with a cliff, and at the bottom of the cliff was a river. We were surrounded by the rain forest.

Basically, I could run around in circles-- up, down and around the airstrip, always finishing were I started. Our host nation provided guards along the airstrip. They were still and silent, avoiding eye contact. Which is not surprising since I speak very little Spanish and they speak very little English. Plus, I am sure they were not thrilled to stand around, watching me run in circles.

Then one day, it started raining as soon as I reached the far end of the strip. The sound was amazing! Slowing down, then standing still, I listened. The sound of millions of raindrops hitting the immense leaves was hypnotic. When the guards saw me stop, the 3 closest guards ran to me, looking concerned.

“Musica bonita” I said pointing at the forest with one hand while tugging at my ear with the other. They nodded and actually smiled. Then I gestured with my arms wide and said “Te quiero Colombia!” – I knew this phrase because these words are woven into the wool bag I bought in Bogota. I wanted to say, “You have a beautiful country,” but that was the best I could manage. Their smiles became broader, then one guard said, “Run good.”

After that “conversation,” my runs were different. The guards acknowledged me with a nod or a small smile. And if it was raining, they would point at the forest, smile, and call out, “Musica bonita!”

Running in circles doesn’t always mean finishing where you started.