Great Glades!!

I was up north this weekend and while we bypassed skiing on Saturday due to the wind. I did my daily run, just two miles. The wind cut across my face. It was so strong our house shook under some of the gusts, but still I pursued the streak. However, it was too much to spend a day on the mountain. Got to play the Wii, which is pretty awesome!

But Sunday was another story. Had a great day at Bretton Woods. There I dug a little deeper and hit the glades as the day went on. For those of you who don't know, glades are ungroomed trails riddled with moguls and trees. It's not for the faint of heart, and when taken slowly is a painful workout.

Bretton has some great glades, for (glade) rookies or skiers who haven't done it in a while, they really soften the transition. Off the West Mountain, some smooth shallow ones cover the higher part of the mountain. I recommend Lizzie Bourne Glade. And off of Two Mile Rd. lies my favorite run of the day. Enchanted Bear rolling into Minahan's Ridge and finally Hemlock. Enchanted Bear offers a wide pathway with some smooth carves in between the trees. Hemlock was more challenging, at one point being 12 ft across, skied off and steep. Finally, we came out at the bottom, exhausted and sore.

I felt it today on my four mile run. My quads and calves were sore and tomorrow will be worse.
Free scribbles reminds skiiers and snowboarders to be responsible and play within your abilities. Always good to be challenged, but no when to be safe.

Check out the site and the slopes, I'll have more substance tomorrow.

31 days, 31 runs...

Potatoes, Potatoes, Potatoes are my Plate

The plastic market will be experiencing change in the near future. I picked up the latest copy of Business 2.0 and in the section entitled "What's Next" My eye was drawn to an image of Mr. Potato and the headline Spuds Steal the Plastics Market.

It seems that several West Coast cities will be doing away with nonrecyclable and non biodegradable plastics. These polystyrene products, commonly found in Styrofoam containers and plastic cutlery are ubiquitous. The fast food industry has made a pretty penny relying on them as a low cost packaging option.

Portland, Oakland, and Santa Monica implemented bans in January. San Francisco will start the summer without them cluttering landfills. Seattle is still on the fence. The current industry ships 39 billion pieces of cutlery annually.

A Richmond, CA based company, Excellent Packaging & Supply, has been distributing Spudware, a branded line of bioplastic cutlery, for the past three year. The success of the company gives new hope to the world. In there short existence, they have garnered revenues of $5 million, turning a profit and growing at 40% over the last two years.

EPS produces a number of environmentally friendly products. The aforementioned Spudware is just one. Manufactured 80% potato starch and 20% soybean oil. It is highly heat resistant, more than othe bioplastic counterparts, and biodegradable. Currently, it is pricier than other bioplastic options, but like any sustainable endeavor, with time, improvements will be made, and costs will fall, for both the manufacturer and the consumer.

Other bioplastics mentioned in the article were made from sugarcane pulp and corn resin. And while they are currently successful due to the support of DuPont and Dow. However, they have their drawbacks. They are not as heat-resistant as the potato based plastic or, for that matter, the petroleum products that they hope to replace. Nor are they as durable, softening when wet.

Ultimately, we live in a very exciting time. People are willing to change their habits, change the way that they build thing. Cities and the powers that be are making sweeping changes and decisions that not only affect their constiuents but the industries involved. The bans on plastics, while happening in "smaller" cities is analgous to New York deciding that trans fats will no longer be permissible within the city's borders. The ban has forced many restaurants, especially fast food chains to rethink the way they prepare meals. While they have time to innovate (until July 2008), it has become food for thought.

One can hope that more cities will adopt healthier habits, both for the environment and themselves.

35 days, 35 runs...

Winter's Tease

The weather today was an anomaly for Boston in the winter. Especially compared to how it has been the past week. Today I ran in 40 degrees and felt overdressed. Yesterday, the temperature was considerably less. I could take the zero away. I won't add the wind chill to the formula. Single digits and it felt every bit of the 4 degrees, frigid and blustery.

And it's hard to adjust on a dime to wearing less clothing. I wear a hat and gloves when it dips below 50 degrees because my ears get cold in the wind. And as the mercury drops another 10 degrees, I start wearing long sleeves. When the thermometer dips into the 30s, I start to wear the running tights. I progressively add thicker layers as the cold further chills the air. The ground has become permafrost.

But as the temperature moves up its tough to measure how you'll feel outside. Especially when it is one day thing. Your body want to be comfortable as it has become for you if you dress accordingly. Sweating has become a foreign feeling and it bothers you. Yes, I still sweat, even in the single digits, but it doesn't feel the same as building a hard sweat when overdressed.

I look forward to wearing shorts and a tee, but I'm not ready yet. There's still more skiing to do.

37 days, 37 runs...

Heroes: The Full Experience

This weekend, I discovered that NBC was trying to create a two screen immersive television experience with Heroes. And as a fan of the show, I generally zone out and watch the show sans interruption. But I took exception this week and decided to dive in. For the first 20 of so minutes I had some technical difficulties, but I finally got to play. Throughout the show polls, questions, and facts are streamed in live. And you can see what percentage of people feel the same as you.

I am on the fence as to whether I would do the 360 again, but I will continue to watch the show. The story follows a comic book-like rhythm with scattered character storylines building the overall show. And the writers keep the viewer guessing. Much of the story follows standard heroic archetypes, with some twist to fill the gap between a completely fantasy world and the modern world we exist in.

The online graphic novels further tighten the story beyond what the television viewers sees. I had read about Hana's backstory before she made her onscreen appearance this evening. Because the writers and artists (comic, director, actors, etc.) are confined to 60 minutes a week, 42 if you take out the commercials, they needed a way to develop the characters offscreen for the viewer to have the chance to see. While not necessary, it fills the void. They are like the deleted or extended scenes on a DVD.

Unlike Lost, which is very similar, perhaps due to overlapping writers, Heroes appears disjointed as it bounces from character to character. There is no clear character story throughout one episode. Lost relies on a flashback sequence to tie an episode together as the present adventures on the island progresses.

Tonight's episode of Lost featured the legendary Stan Lee, the father of the first mutants, the X-men. The "heroes" would face the same biases that his X-men if discovered and fight to save the world that does not understand them. And as they unite in one common cause, we will see how their stories tie together. And how powerful any group of people resolved for change can be.

38 days, 38 runs...

Organic Cotton: What's the Difference?

Cotton is a soft fiber that grows around the seeds of the plant that shares the same name. It can be spun into a fine thread and processed with other fibers to create a variety of textiles. Crops are grown in tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres.

It has been cultivated by man for well over 7,000 years and has been a driving force in a number of cultures, from India to Mexico, and ultimately due to colonization, Europe. Where, during the Industrial Revolution, a number on inventions built up the textile industry in Great Britain. These inventions were the spinning jenney and frame. England became the center of the cotton trade universe as cotton developed more use throughout the world.

As America began to build itself up, cotton became a crucial export. The southern region of the country blossomed with the success of this agriculture and the crop became known as "King Cotton". I do not want to make light of the individuals whose hard work truly led to this success, but that is not the topic of this post. For more information on the American cotton industry and workers prior to emancipation, please visit here.

Today, it has become "the fabric of our lives" thanks to their marketing campaign. In reality, it is one of the most ubiquitous fabrics and can be found in everything from denim, towels, and dress shirts. In the last few years, with the realization that our resources are finite and that we are having a greater impact on our environment, the term "organic cotton" has become more germane and acceptable.

But isn't all cotton organic? The fabric is derived from plants, and the production of it is actually very efficient as only 10% of the raw material is lost in the processing. However, due to the proliferation of fertilizers and insecticides in modern agriculture and the use of toxic dyes in commercial clothing manufacture, the need for healthier alternatives has become more evident. Cotton also needs a great deal of sunlight and water to sustain during the long growing season. Countries have suffered greatly from solely relying on cotton for its economy due to the lack of enough water. The crop is also very susceptible to insect infestation and disease, which leads to a high amount of pesticide and chemicals to be used. In fact, 25% of worldwide pesticides used annually is for cotton agriculture.

Cotton raised organically have begun to gain marketshare in both land and shelf space as it takes less of a toll on the environment. Organic cotton is raised without the use of the harmful chemicals found in the fertilizers and pesticides. Instead, they rely on natural composts and soil additives, as well as pest controls. Natural predators, such as ladybugs, are relied upon to control the insects that harm the crops.

Currently, strict organic cotton does not have the color palette of standard cotton offerings. The chemicals used in the dyes detracts from the natural growing. It is analgous to building a house out of recycled wood and finishing it by using lead paint. Earthtones, such as reds, browns, greens, and yellows are currently being produced without chemicals. In fact, cotton is being grown on stem in certain pigments and as the clothing is washed it becomes richer and darker.

Initiatives to lead the cotton industry more towards sustainable agriculture have gained more awareness. The Sustainable Cotton Project (SCP) started in 1994 and its goal to advance the market for growers, manufacturers, and consumers to produce and use organic cotton. Their mission goes beyond the cultivation of cotton in a clean way. They promote the fair-trade of cotton goods and awareness for the issues that affect its agriculture.

In closing, the commercial cotton industry will maintain its practices as is until other feasible methods come along which are more cost effective. Organic cotton is building ground, especially as technologies improve and sustainable alternatives are created which cause consumers to convert. More and more corporations are realizing the business benefits of being an environmental steward. As exhibited by the fact that more consumers purchase clothing due to more than the quality of the product. I've mentioned many such companies before: REI, Ibex, Patagonia, and NAU (Investors for now, customers later?) Through the internet, organic products can be easily found, and the more demand generated, the more likely money will be come to the cause.

39 days, 39 runs...

The NAU Revolution?

I'm a little behind in my magazine reading. Two weeks ago I was waiting to get my haircut and reading Outside. (The one with Shaun White's way to close-up grill on the cover. February 2007 for those sticklers for details.)

I knew I needed to pick up a copy because of the article "A Mighty Wind" about the small Danish island of Samso (Happily published online, please read.), but as I read it this evening, I became immersed in NAU, an upstart sustainable clothing company. The name comes from the Maori language and means "come to me" and also implies that the time for a sustainable clothing company has come.

NAU is trying to revolutionize the world of outdoor clothing from the ground up. They have a concept of being completely sustainable, both in product and distribution, minimizing their global footprint, operating their own retail outlets, and designing clothes from fully recycled or natural materials.

The idea behind the company is very exciting and has drawn a number of talented individuals and money into its fold, but it has yet to launch due to hold-ups with capital and materials. Today's outdoor clothing and retail markets are treacherous, as is most business. Now-a-days it seems that it is sink or swim. (But that sounds like another post topic) However, a wind of change is blowing.

As sustainable business becomes more fiscally possible, and even profitable, more people are willing to invest. Beyond that, consumers are becoming more saavy about companies. The product or service isn't the only driver for purchase. The morals, ethics, and social causes are becoming just as valuable. This factor is more evident as new media creates more impact and awareness for the behind the scenes of companies. Mainstream Media is also taking notice of these outside-the-box practices.

Companies such as REI invite its customers to join and become co-op owners and have a say in who runs the company and be aware of their social outreach efforts and environmental causes. Patagonia invests heavily in conservation and social causes. The difference, REI and Patagonia, developed their societal endeavors as secondary to their service/product (Not entirely accurate, but a significant varient to NAU). NAU, prior to even launching, they have pushed their agenda on investors, made their product sustainable, and put together a new business model. (Check here for REI's efforts and here for Patagonia's causes)

I am anxious to see if they succeed and hope that they do. With our natural resources becoming more precious, the time has come for more friendly technology to come to the forefront of the marketplace. In the meantime, here's what their people are thinking (The Thought Kitchen)

As mentioned earlier, their debut line has been held up, but should be unveiled within the next month. Look forward to jackets made from recycled polyester, base layers made from corn. Pricing is market average for outdoor clothing. Check out the preview of their spring line here.

40 days, 40 runs...

The Lighter Side of Running

Running day in and day out makes you think about the fun side of the sport. Racing is a big motivator for some, for others its the endorphins, but for some bigger "challenges" are needed.

These challenges are more than a running streak, or a fun run... these people are those who make running fun for them. The beer mile is a race unlike any other. The rules can be more elaborate, but the gist is: drink a 12oz. beer, run 400 meters. Repeat 3 more times. Don't vomit. For more check out the quintessential site for those interested in participating or learning more. Beermile.com. Look at the FAQs for rules and history. Or sign up and get started.

Other runners seek the chase and the camaraderie of the Hash House Harriers, a self-titled "drinking club with a running problem." The Harriers have a fascinating history, founded in 1938 by a group of men in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. What has evolved is a international group of 1700+ chapters of men and women playing the classic game of "Hares & Hounds" with beer as a powerful incentive. The 'hares" head out and leave a trail (and several false ones) for the "hounds" to follow, and at the finish, the golden brew.

I like to wait until I after I've run to drink a pint, but I wouldn't mind doing a beer mile soon. And for those of you in the Boston area, might want to think about joining the Boston H3.

Both promote people running and anything that makes others join me in the quest to be outside is aces with me.

Disclaimer: Free Scribbles does not promote underage drinking. The excessive consumption of alcohol has been known to have negative effects. Don't drink and drive. A number of other activities are however promoted highly (wink, wink).)

42 days, 42 runs...

Valentine's Day Storm 2007

Since Monday I had been waiting for the storm to hit Boston on Wednesday. Snow Day? 12+ inches of powder dumped on the city? Yes, please, let me find my shell and shoes.

The thought of running in this weather, like running in sub zero, was very exciting. Why? Two reasons came to mind. First and most importantly, the solitary nature of running. Second, the insanity of the idea.

Running is a lonely sport, one person puts one foot in front of the other and repeats for an extended period of time or distance. But these days, where others tuck in, are the days when one can meditate while moving. Less cars are out, and if you are lucky, there is a park or trail nearby. A place where the other runners go, but not today. Today, the land is clean and pure. No other feet have trampled the turf. The runner is King of the World.

Even, the purist in me needs to have some competition, and the thought of training for an upcoming race (I don't have anything scheduled) when no one else in their right mind would is enticing. It is a test for my body and spirit.

The Valentine's day storm wasn't nearly the wading in snow experience I was expecting, but the freezing rain pelting my cheeks was exhilarating. I urge you to try it sometime, or do a polar plunge, something to make you feel alive. Or at least go skiing this weekend.

43 days, 43 runs...

Jeff Smith's Shazam!

This evening I struggled with what I wanted to write about... until I realized that I was sitting on a goldmine called Shazam: The Monster Society of Evil! written/pencilled by Jeff Smith. This Mr. Smith made a name for himself as the creator and writer/artist of the series Bone. A long running independent comic.

Bone was known for its blend of humor and dark, epic adventure. Characters were drawn in unique and varying styles to represent their individual natures, motivations, and purpose. As the story progressed, so did the characters and the sobering nature of the story.

Smith's rendition of Shazam/Captain Marvel is starting with similar effect. Billy Batson looks younger than ever and appears more childlike, offering a sharper contrast to Captain Marvel. While there are some amusing points in the story, it appears to hold true to the heavier and woven nature of Jeff's previous work. We see the struggles of a young Billy who is without family and lives on the street, yet still remains wholly good, the perfect innocent partner to Magic's Great Champion. And in the Captain, we see an older brother figure, who wants to help his young companion although the two only meet at the Wizard's home in the mountain.

After taking a look at his blog, I am further excited at his take on the classic hero and his family... Check out Boneville for more details... and pick up issue #1 and see what I mean, i'll be waiting for #2!

45 days, 45 runs...

Nalgene Bottles: Sustainable or Not?

Let me frame my argument by stating that I am a proponent of Nalgene bottles and have several which I regularly use. (Note: I use the term Nalgene, but I mean any reuseable plastic bottle and the term Nalgene has become synonymous with the type of bottle.)

But as I was thinking of what to write about on Thursday night, the question came into my head as to how sustainable the bottles are. Sure, you can reuse them again and again, and they are practically indestructable. But then I recall reading that certain plastics are either nonbiodegradeable or over their lifetime seep chemicals out as the plastic erodes. Over the last few days I have done some research on the subject.

These bottles are manufactured using two different types of plastic, polycarbonate (PC) or polyethylene (PE).

Polycarbonate is thermoplastic polyester, in other words, is a plastic that can be remolded and reshaped if pressure and heat are applied. Polycarbonate is a highly durable commercial plastic which is used in the manufacture of everything from bullet resistent "glass" to lenses, to our favorite water bottles. It has three main features, it has high impact resistance, temperature resistance, and optical properties (transparent+) But has a low scratch threshold, which is why a hard coating is often placed over the PC. All these factors have led to its increasing use in commercial household items manufacturing. Lexan is a registered trademark of General Electric Company's brand of a polycarbonate resin thermoplastic. It is one of the more commonly known brand/type of this plastic.

Polyethylene is also a thermoplastic. The difference from a PC is that it is a polymerization of ethene instead of a carbonate. The commercial uses are evident in the abundance of products made from its various incarnations. There are several different classifications of PE based on density and branching. The PE used to create the Nalgene water bottles and in many other liquid containers is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or high density polyethylene (HDPE). The optical qualities vary and are determined by its processing and can be transparent or opaque & white. It is lightweight and depending on its density has high impact and temperature resistance. More often it is used in soft drink bottling.

Both plastic compounds, PC & PE, are petroleum byproducts and therefore fall outside the general realm of what is considered a sustainable product. Sustainable plastics are manufactured using plant sources, they are biodegradeable and produce greenhouse emissions. Bioplastic technology is still relatively new and its applications are still limited to mostly commercial packaging, although the Japanese have started to use it in electonic cases, and computer production. PE can be confused as a bioplastic because it is biodegradable, but should not be confused for a bioplastic as the degradation is not microbial, but due to exposure to light.

Nalgene bottles are part of the sustainable "environment" not for their design but for their functionality. We all know the three "R's" of usage: reduce, reuse, and recycle. These bottles can be reused over and over again. Please remember that the occasional washing (with simple dish soap!) only helps. The use of nalgene water bottles hopefully limits the number of soft drink bottles that need to be purchased and manufactured. Recycle accordingly. And therefore, they are thought of as sustainable. In reality, they are valuable because the proliferation of their use has boosted not only their visibility, but usage, and indirectly the conservation of our natural resources, but they are still not sustainable.

The question to ask at this point is, why not? The plastics most commonly used in their manufacture, PC and PE, have several issues which would raise questions to their environmental friendliness and safety.

PC contains Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical compound that leeches out of the plastic when it is exposed to harsh cleaners, acidic, or high temperature liquids (Remember to use simple dish soap). Exposure to BPA has a number of potential risks including lowered or infertile sperm counts in males, and can disrupt estrogen levels and reactions in females. A number of studies have been conducted and have found that the chances of these negatives are relatively low. But, are they risks that people are willing to take, however small?

PE compounds, especially HDPE, while still petroleum based products, have less of the risks that PC seems to contain, however, they do not meet the standards of sustainable design. PE still relies on oil, a resource that we are finding in dwindling quantities and releases greenhouse emissions. PE is however a mildly safer alternative to PC, although not as varied in the color selection.

In closing, nalgene bottles are not sustainable by the strictest definition, but they are a visible symbol of the environmental movement and its proponents. I recommend the continued use of reuseable containers. Carry it with you, save the plastic cups. Yes, they have already been made, but if they aren't bought, less will be manufactured.

Nalgene water bottles are a tool in the recycling movement and in the next few years, I imagine I will be eating all these words, as bioplastic alternatives will be available to the public and they will be truly sustainable.

46 days, 46 runs...

Wicked Wednesday... 50 to go.

It was a tough day. I'm on a tight deadline and was scrambling to get a project done. I got stuck in a meeting until well into lunch. And my run got pushed to the back burner. And burn it did.

My endorphin levels were waning and the day dragged on. Not to mention Wednesday night is my favorite, Lost has returned and my friendly neighborhood comic store is openned late and full of freshly printed issues.

But as 8:30pm approached I had yet to lace up... but the wait was not longer. Sure it was pitch black and cold, and I am sure that the wind would bite at my face. But we all know the streak takes some effort.

These are the tough ones. The runs that couldn't fit in my schedule, the ones that made me antsy. But as soon as I stepped outside, I felt at ease. Ready to go. I hit the streets ready to do a quick 2 mile run around the reservoir. Before I knew it I was detouring down the street and tacking on some minutes. I only ended up adding another half mile, but it felt good.

I know its weird, but I finally feel strong while I'm running. I feel more at ease and comfortable and despite the winter zapping my muscle, I still think my times are better than the milder fall. It only took the first 300 days to build up a comfortable base, even though I still have a bunch of bad days, but its the good days that keep me going.

And afterwards while logging the run, I realized that today was 315, which means I only have a trivial 50 to reach my initial goal of one year solid! I'm very happy and hope to surpass my goal and continue running as long as I'm able..

And because I'm ramped up, I am going to countdown at the end of each post.

50 days, 50 runs...

Man of Action Studios

Digging through some half done posts, I pulled out this one and wanted to share:

After my post on the Superman: Emperor Joker TPB I had the chance to take a look at the Man of Action website. While there were many things that excited me, there were a couple of things that really brought me down.

Always start with the negatives: I found out that the Fantastic Four cartoon show's American license was cancelled... no more quality cartoons. I guess we'll all have to rely on the campy cartoon classic to see the fantastic family in 2D motion. Or wait for the second movie with Jessica Alba in a skintight suit. I know many eagerly await.

And updated news. Ben 10 is on DVD. Great show and finally available to the masses who don't have cable. I know you're out there. The first season develops the story of Ben Tennyson and him acquiring the Omnitrix and him learning how to use his newfound alien morphing powers.

The good thing about the site is that they update pretty frequently with news and announcements. They like to write and we love to read and watch their work...

Super Bowl Confessions of a Patriots Fan

Like most of America, I sat down and watched the Bears take on the Colts... I anxiously awaited new amazing commercials that would be the talk of the water cooler tomorrow.

Working in an ad agency, i probably should have paid more attention, but the whole event was dull. Well, the Pats weren't in it so I guess it just was a down experience. And after all the excitement this week from the Adult Swim bomb scare how can a beer commercial compete?

I was cheering for the Bears for bitter vengeful reasons. And after the coin toss I had high hopes. Devin Hester opened up an early lead with a opening kick-off return touchdown. And without boring you with a recap that you can easily read on ESPN.com, the Colts won.

But did Peyton deserve the MVP trophy? No.

While he was good in his normal manner, his efforts were not the key to Victory. The defense played exceptionally well and as all the commentators stated, were the worst rush D in the regular season, but were able to shut down the Bears offense. Granted Rex Grossman has been an inconsistent and dismal helmsman, the Bears were a decent run team. The Colts outperformed the reknowned Midway Monsters. But the real offensive success of the Colts came from Rhodes and Addai and not Peyton's passing, why didn't one of them win the award?

But Peyton was going to be crowned before the game started, the greatest regular season QB finally reached the grand stage and barring an amazing Grossman performance was going to win.

But the game from start to finish was uncaptivating. The NFL has opted for uninteresting half time shows since the Janet Jackson incident and it caused me to fall asleep and I am sure many others to take extended bathroom breaks. And because of that the commercials suffered.

Makes me look forward to work tomorrow and any Super Bowl that can do that did not meet its goal... but, the Red Sox open spring training in a few short weeks!

Kona Blue in Business 2.0

The January/February 2007 issue of Business 2.0 is chocked full of green initiative news. And while I suggest picking up a copy and reading it from cover to cover, one page really caught my attention.

Overfishing has become a problem in recent years and there have been a variety of suggestions put forth in the public arena. I have heard ideas of extending the zones in which fishing would be illegal to 100 miles of the coast, an idea that would effectively destroy many family operations throughout the coastal United States.

But after reading the article about Kona Blue and their pioneering program, I am excited at the potential resolution and improvement in fish population decline. While there are still many advancements that need to me made, Kona Blue has accomplished significant progress in aquaculture.

Fresh water aquaculture has been a viable business for many years. Catfish, shrimp, shellfish, and tilapia have all been sucessfully raised and harvested commercially, but deep sea fish, such as tuna and swordfish have not been successfully raised in "captivity." I use the word captivity, but in reality, it is farming fish in a controlled environment to maintain wild populations and ensure the safety of seafood consumers.

Kona Blue was started in 2001 by two Marine Biologists, Neil Anthony Sims and Dale Sarver, and their initial crop is the Hawaiian amberjack, which they have branded as the Kona Kampachi, and is a species very similar to yellowtail.

There are currently no competitors successfully deep sea fish farming, but with their success, perhaps others will invest efforts into expanding the aquaculture business.

As a huge fan of seafood and a man interested in sustainability in all its aspects, I am happy to see progess and hope to sample the fruits of the labor guilt free.

Upgrades

The right hand navigation of Free Scribbles has changed and I've included some more focused link lists. Check them out..

I will be adding more of my favorites in the next few weeks...

Pre.

"A race is a work of art that people can look at and be affected in as many ways they’re capable of understanding."

-Pre

I have had barely any time lately to write down what I am thinking and it is killing me. I have finally caught on to the blogging bug and want to write as much as I can.

And while I have discussed running quotes in a previous post, I wanted to pick a good one to start with and work on. The fact of the matter is, when I run, I like to think of shatter not only my own understanding of my body but others' perceptions as well. Not only of me, but of themselves, the human body is resilient and adapts. That was is the same attitude that Steve Prefontaine ran with. He didn't care about winning, even though he did that a lot. But he cared even more about emptying his tank in the effort.

While my day to day runs are not a race. I know that I have been burning the candle at both ends and am feeling it. The cold weather and the day after day running is wearing me down to some extent, but when I go running it all seems to fade away. I need to do it. I need to shake off the cobwebs of a lack of sleep and a stuffy nose and just go.

Well, it's late and I have another long day ahead, join me on the roads tomorrow, you may not feel it at first, but at some point, you'll be happy you did. If you need help check here.