Rivers have been the inspiration for poets, writers, lyricists, and musicians since man began scratching his ideas into stones.
When I was 10 years old, some of my most dramatic childhood memories were fertilized in and by the mouth of a nameless river in India. With my father, maternal Grandpa, and my brother by my side, I remember sand under my feet and laughter in my eyes. The taste of the crisp grilled cheese sandwiches and steamy tomato soup when we returned home, the memories are blackened into my mind.
When I was in 8th grade, just as I arrived in this strange place called Singapore, I leaned against the gym wall and dreamed of a cute boy working up the nerve to ask me to dance to the old Andy Williams’ romantic song, Moon River. It never happened.
Rivers are major symbols.
As I run by the water everyday, Life is usually perfect and clear on a river. I thought of life’s journey and the many rocks and other obstacles that sometimes upend our goals. The many creatures, predators and prey, toyed with my sense of justice.
It’s funny how a major statement of nature, a river, can crystallize and settle all of life’s big questions.
Where are we going?
Why the troubles?
Who are the victims?
What is the meaning?
How do we get there?
The river with its power, direction, velocity, and steady course answers those questions.
Water, reminds us, that this journey is eternal.
So much rambling - I apologize. This is what happens when an adrenaline junkie is forced to reduce mileage all week!! 12 pretty quick miles in 93 minutes this morning.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Ugh!!
Shame on me for trying to ignore what God's saying. I've had a few very strange months with weird acute injuries or illnesses popping up every week. Honestly, it feels like my body is breaking down. Mentally, I'm in it, I'm in the game. Physically, it's just not happening. I'll start with a little recap of the last few weeks and then get to the point!
I have been running through niggling tears in my hamstrings, pain in my knee, allergies after long runs and just overall blahness. The only thing that has kept me going is my heart (because in life, isnt it this that keeps us ALL going at the end of day?). I truly, insanely LOVE running and its the only thing that never betrays me and something I have alot of control over.
Case in point: I woke up this morning with a throat that felt completely closed. Yes Ladies and Gentlenman - I've lost my voice. I lay there for 10 minutes, wanting to bag it and just sleep. It didnt happen. No surprises, I feel like crap without my drug of choice. I tied my ponytail high and proud, put my 'lucky' shoes on and set off. 70 painful minutes later, I came back shivering and sweaty. Its been an hour and I sit here typing this with peppermint tea (with lots and lots ofgrated ginger), wearing a wooly jumper, hat, socks and I'm tempted to add gloves in my wardrobe - although,I think THAT would look slightly ridiculous :-) Oh yeah, did I mention I live in South East Asia???
Ummm...yeah...so thats it....70 minutes this am.
I have been running through niggling tears in my hamstrings, pain in my knee, allergies after long runs and just overall blahness. The only thing that has kept me going is my heart (because in life, isnt it this that keeps us ALL going at the end of day?). I truly, insanely LOVE running and its the only thing that never betrays me and something I have alot of control over.
Case in point: I woke up this morning with a throat that felt completely closed. Yes Ladies and Gentlenman - I've lost my voice. I lay there for 10 minutes, wanting to bag it and just sleep. It didnt happen. No surprises, I feel like crap without my drug of choice. I tied my ponytail high and proud, put my 'lucky' shoes on and set off. 70 painful minutes later, I came back shivering and sweaty. Its been an hour and I sit here typing this with peppermint tea (with lots and lots ofgrated ginger), wearing a wooly jumper, hat, socks and I'm tempted to add gloves in my wardrobe - although,I think THAT would look slightly ridiculous :-) Oh yeah, did I mention I live in South East Asia???
Ummm...yeah...so thats it....70 minutes this am.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Character
Building Character
Character is a difficult word to define, so I am not going to try. Suffice to say, that having a strong character (rather than being a character) is an important life skill to develop.
My dad was very into character. At every turn in my childhood, he insisted that I make certain choices, which would help "build character." Poor guy. Both of us, unfortunately for him, were and most certainly are, characters. From breaking neighbor's prized vases, to taking our pet rats to the shopping center to scare patrons, to coercing unsuspecting neighbouring children to eat peanut butter mixed with freshly cut grass - heehee, this ones on me at age 14 .
So, my father took some very definite steps to assure that his characters would develop character. Here are some of the things he did:
1. He thought it was a grand idea for me to take on a job making coffee at 17. He especially liked the idea of my working $ 1.65 per hour with a grumpy old woman who bossed me around.
2. We all had very specific weekly household chores to do. My father believed that children who were not asked to do some work around the house, didn't have a true sense of belonging to a family. If the chores were not completed, we were grounded.
3. We had to be very respectful to all adults and had to call them Uncle and Aunty in addition to saying please and thank you. Even when "the neighborhood witch" would yell at us for walking we had to say we were sorry.
4. We had to write thank you notes to our grandparents, aunts, and uncles anytime they did something nice for us. With due respect to my mother, this was her idea. To this day, she writes thank you notes for thank you notes.
5. Dad insisted that we be exposed to the following activities: Sport, running, reading, talking, more sport.
Dad believed that even with our family focus on academic success and university goals, real character is often built in other ways.
And as I look back on my life, I must agree.
Thanks, Dad.
Character is a difficult word to define, so I am not going to try. Suffice to say, that having a strong character (rather than being a character) is an important life skill to develop.
My dad was very into character. At every turn in my childhood, he insisted that I make certain choices, which would help "build character." Poor guy. Both of us, unfortunately for him, were and most certainly are, characters. From breaking neighbor's prized vases, to taking our pet rats to the shopping center to scare patrons, to coercing unsuspecting neighbouring children to eat peanut butter mixed with freshly cut grass - heehee, this ones on me at age 14 .
So, my father took some very definite steps to assure that his characters would develop character. Here are some of the things he did:
1. He thought it was a grand idea for me to take on a job making coffee at 17. He especially liked the idea of my working $ 1.65 per hour with a grumpy old woman who bossed me around.
2. We all had very specific weekly household chores to do. My father believed that children who were not asked to do some work around the house, didn't have a true sense of belonging to a family. If the chores were not completed, we were grounded.
3. We had to be very respectful to all adults and had to call them Uncle and Aunty in addition to saying please and thank you. Even when "the neighborhood witch" would yell at us for walking we had to say we were sorry.
4. We had to write thank you notes to our grandparents, aunts, and uncles anytime they did something nice for us. With due respect to my mother, this was her idea. To this day, she writes thank you notes for thank you notes.
5. Dad insisted that we be exposed to the following activities: Sport, running, reading, talking, more sport.
Dad believed that even with our family focus on academic success and university goals, real character is often built in other ways.
And as I look back on my life, I must agree.
Thanks, Dad.
Sickly Tuesday
Its official. I am sick :-(.
I ran 4kms from home this morning to catch the early morning prayer session at the temple. My reason for this was also so I could pass my favorite $1 waffle stand when it first opens for some chow. And I did :-). The ladies at the stand are in a good mood first thing in the morning, and they spread an extra thick layer of peanut butter on my waffle and a free drizzle of chocolate. I was a very happy girl :-). I stopped off at the temple to say 'hello' before turning back home. All in all, it was 5.5miles that felt fairly fast. Also did 20 minutes on the stairs.
My calories have been as usual but I have lost an annoying 3lbs in a day. I think the unintended weight loss is making me feel worse. I constantly feel off balance (more than usual anyway :-)) and dizzy.
I have a lunch date with my favorite 63 year old today, so you can imagine my greedy self getting ready for a feast!!
I ran 4kms from home this morning to catch the early morning prayer session at the temple. My reason for this was also so I could pass my favorite $1 waffle stand when it first opens for some chow. And I did :-). The ladies at the stand are in a good mood first thing in the morning, and they spread an extra thick layer of peanut butter on my waffle and a free drizzle of chocolate. I was a very happy girl :-). I stopped off at the temple to say 'hello' before turning back home. All in all, it was 5.5miles that felt fairly fast. Also did 20 minutes on the stairs.
My calories have been as usual but I have lost an annoying 3lbs in a day. I think the unintended weight loss is making me feel worse. I constantly feel off balance (more than usual anyway :-)) and dizzy.
I have a lunch date with my favorite 63 year old today, so you can imagine my greedy self getting ready for a feast!!
Monday, November 10, 2008
I had my last meal at 10.30 am Sunday after which I embarked on a 10 miler around 11.30am in the heat. Needless to say, while yesterday's run was strong and awesome -I ran out of steam this morning.
I left at 4.40am and 5 miles into my run, I broke out into a cold sweat - very similar to the ones you get when you are coming down with a fever. I intended to go 24 miles this am, but instead cut it short to 16.5 in 140 minutes. I am a bit annoyed at myself:-(.
Swam 22 laps in the pool to cool off.
I left at 4.40am and 5 miles into my run, I broke out into a cold sweat - very similar to the ones you get when you are coming down with a fever. I intended to go 24 miles this am, but instead cut it short to 16.5 in 140 minutes. I am a bit annoyed at myself:-(.
Swam 22 laps in the pool to cool off.
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