26 & .5, and The Red Pony, 1969

Wednesday evening I accidentally ate some yogurt that was 26 days past the expiration date.

Thursday morning I walked to work with a bad feeling in my stomach, and soon after returned home. By days end I had vomited 12-13 times, and held out little hope of going on my daily run.

At 8:00pm I vomited, but felt a little better afterward, and could stand up without feeling like I was going to pass out. So I quickly put on my running gear and headed out the door. After running a few blocks I started to feel out of balance, so I turned around and ran home, for a total of 1/2 mile.

Those 5 minutes of running meant everything to me - running everyday is as important as eating and breathing to me. The only way I am missing a day is if I can't walk. Today that almost happened.

I had a pretty good night's sleep. I woke this morning feeling much better. Amazing how quickly the body can repair itself! I weighed myself and had lost 3-4 pounds in 24 hours. I guess eating bad yogurt is one way to shed unwanted weight.

I'm eating my usual breakfast as I write this, minus the yogurt. It may be a number of weeks before I can get myself to ingest any dairy products. It seems that I am going to be able to hold down the food, which means I should not have a problem running a mile or 2 today.

I am feeling good enough that I was able to work on a picture this morning.

Running to the Zendo, I See a Brick Wall

Sometimes I wonder what I see in a brick wall. The reason I made the photograph is because the wall made me stop on my run to the Zendo, and I gazed intently at it. Why one thing speaks to me and another does not is a mystery. It is the same with people, most I feel no affinity with, but the few with whom I do, I have no clear explanation as to why. Is it similarity of experience, the way they look and act, or the warm feeling of safety they lend to me? It goes without saying that it is those people whom I like to photograph, and so it goes with walls.

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One of my favorite running blogs is written by Sherpa John. He is a man in his early-mid 20's who has accomplished a staggering amount in the field of ultra running.

A few months ago he ran 135 miles across the state of New Hampshire without break. Soon after he experienced a mental collapse, which he is writing about on his blog. It is sobering to read about such a fall from a man with such a big heart. I am confident he will be able to pull through and resume his adventurous lifestyle.

John will be running the McNaughton 150 mile race in April. I am signed up to be running 50 miles at McNaughton. The course is a 10 mile loop, so I am looking forward to perhaps crossing running paths with Sherpa John. Being an introvert and usually quiet, it is possible I will see him and just admire him from a distance. That is good enough for me, being close to greatness is always an inspiration.

Sherpa John Awaiting the Start of the Run Across N.H.

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