THE SEARCH CONTINUES

I recently read a lengthy blog post that was written by a lady that goes by the first name of Kathy.  No, I don’t know this lady personally.  I can only assume that she’s just one of many who express their opinions by using their writing skills and  free blog sites.  I do know that she’s been a clinical psychologist for the past 22 years, if that counts for anything.    

Kathy explained all the emotions realized when a person learns about and accepts peak oil - and when they finally exit the house of denial.  For those who continue to live in the dark or in a bat cave, peak oil is the dwindling supply of finite fossil fuels that supplies and sustains our current way of living. 

I have to say that the writer described every single reaction or emotion, good and bad, that I have personally experienced and still experience ever since I was introduced to mankind’s questionable future and society’s imminent crash. 

So what does peak oil have to do with our exercise blog?  Absolutely nothing!  Zero!  Zilch!  Nada! 

But wait, there may be a correlation!  Knowing full well that our standard of living and life in general is unsustainable in a world entirely dependent on abundant cheap energy, is there any wonder why I am hell bent on finding retreats of sorts?

If I was completely sold on the idea that living in the countryside far from mega-cities and highly populated areas was the ideal escape from the coming chaos, my search would be for more permanent retreats, such as the mountains and valleys of Tennessee and similar areas.  But that isn’t going to be the case, dear friends.  Xenophobes and isolationists in our future world will more than likely will be overrun by roving gangs in search of food and egocentric pleasure.  In future world, it’s best to think community.  There will be strength in numbers!  The movie "The Postman" comes to mind! 

Anyway, I did visit two Palm Beach County parks on the 26^th of October, and I’m here to tell that some parks are worthy of visiting and others are not.  My first criterion when seeking nature reserves is security, with attractiveness coming in second. 

I visit parks for the purpose of biking and/or retrieving and keeping some semblance of sanity.  Parks, in my opinion, are a temporary escape from the muddled masses. 

Robbing Palm Beach County’s John Prince Park and Lake Osborne of its natural beauty were numerous vagrant types meandering in and around the huge expanse.  With few exceptions, the multicultural inhabitants (see, I’m being politically correct by not mentioning race, creed or place of origin) of this particular park were all pushing or pulling baby buggies.   Some of the colorful baby carts were double wide, meaning double trouble.  Maybe I’m being unfair or downright biased, but my initial thought was “anchor babies.”  Perhaps two anchor babies in the double wides!

At any rate, I was thrilled to see that my car was still intact and still resting in the parking area where an hour and a half earlier I bid it a loving farewell. 

After logging in 15 miles on the park’s bike paths, I hurriedly placed the bike back into the rear compartment of the SUV in a rush to exit the park.  I won’t be visiting John Prince Park anytime soon, if ever.

Realizing that I would be visiting another park within an hour, and certain that I would be riding my bike in park number two for a couple of hours, I then drove my truck with road bike in its belly to the nearest Burger King.  Huge mistake!

Did some or all of the park goers follow me to BK Steak House?  I honestly thought that was the case.  As soon as I slid into one of the rear booths, after first placing my Whopper with cheese, fries and a coke on the booth’s table, hordes of reprobates swarmed on the burger joint like starving locusts devouring a field of veggies. 

Their group presence was flat out frightening.  I wasn’t sure what I feared the most, the potential of being physically mugged or having my food stolen – or sneezed on – or breathed on.  After my initial bite into the soggy burger, I was ready to volunteer the burger and bun to the first taker.  On the other hand, I would have fought mightily to keep the super-sized fries and coke. 

Nevertheless, after hastily stuffing my face with my entire food order, off I went towards the next park following Samantha’s every directional command.  Samantha, in case you're not aware, is my Garmin GPS’s voice command.  She’s a lovely young lady, albeit a lovely young lady with a croaky voice.  Jan suggests that I switch to Darren, the gadgets male voice.  Sorry, but I prefer the female gender.      

Sam, which is short for Samantha, flawlessly led me to Okeeheelee County Park in Lake Worth, where I carefully rolled my bike out of the truck’s belly and readied the sleek two-wheeler for some additional miles, and with any luck, some smiles.  

Sizing up the area as soon as I entered the park’s attractive entryway, I chose the tennis court area to park my eight year old Ford Explorer.  All vehicles around me appeared to be new and shiny, assuring me that they were owned and operated by someone other than the multi-culture mob that I had encountered in the previous park.  I was feeling more comfortable already!

Okeeheelee Park was spacious and beautiful.  The bike paths were smooth and well maintained, as were the grounds and restroom areas, which, by the way, were devoid of any litter strewn about.  That was not the case in John Prince Park.  I especially liked the fact that all park goers greeted me with welcoming salutations in my homeland’s native language.    

While pedaling my new Felt bicycle with robustness all throughout the large park, I spotted only one baby buggy, a single wide being pushed by mom, dad and their small Poodle.  They, too, wished me a nice day accompanied by wide smiles.  Like everyone else that I came across in Okeeheelee Park, they received the same in return. 

It’s safe to say that I had found a temporary paradise on earth.

Ref:    http://www.peakoilblues.org/blog/?p=2381

             http://www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/parks/locations/johnprince.htm

             http://www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/parks/locations/okeeheelee.htm

                       

SEEKING AN ESCAPE

If political correctness doesn’t soon drive our country into the refuse quagmire, then continuance of an unsustainable system that’s dependent on cheap, abundant energy will.  I’ve got some living to do before the current downward slide ends with a resounding bang. 

Noticing that oasis type havens have not been seeking me out, I have recently been in hot pursuit of retreats so that I may withdraw on occasion to higher ground.  I’m referring to parks, bike paths, walking paths - peaks, valleys and seashores seldom visited by the masses - and silent peace - anywhere that promises solace from the muddled masses.  These havens, I’m hoping, will suffice in allowing my sanity to remain for a time.

I’m pleased to report that my panicky search has brought about good results.  Today I discovered a great get-a-way location only five miles from our home. 

Vista View Park, a county park that was constructed  on top of and around an old landfill in the City of Davie, FL, is a perfect setting for biking, running, walking, or simply gazing out over the rooftops and crowded byways and highways from the decomposed mountain of trash.  If “mountain of trash” sounds uninviting or downright repulsive, please don’t dismiss this wonderful refuge as nothing more than a huge trash bin that grew toward the heavens over time.  The only disgusting odor in this park is the runners and bikers after many hours of moving about.  I can stomach stinky people but I cannot tolerate stinky dispositions. 

Another escape from reality and all of its tribulations is Markham Park in Weston, FL.  There, you can walk in peace, ride in peace, run in peace, be at peace with yourself and your God, watch model airplanes fly about overhead, picnic until you are stuffed to the gills, walk your dog in the doggie park while high stepping all the little brown lumps strewn about, shoot off your firearms at the firing range until you’re deaf in both ears, which may not be a bad thing, or you can just lay in the acres of manicured grass and fantasize until your fantasy becomes an imaginary reality.  Your options are countless!

And then there is CB Smith Park, an oasis in the midst of the earthly bog that looms large in my heart, especially since the entrance to this multi-lake 345 acre park is not but ½ mile from our gated community.  A short hop, skip and a jump from our front door and we’re away from the hustle and bustle of mortal madness.  You’ll find my wife and me in CB Smith Park two or three times per week, either biking, running or discussing the joys of our life while sitting underneath a large shady oak tree.   

But the search continues at breakneck speed.  Not wanting nary a day to pass without isolating myself from the growing hordes of ignoramuses, more and more places of concord must be added to my undersized list. 

I’ll even compromise my penchant for quietness and harmony by adding running and biking events to my escape queue.  I have eight of those already lined up for 2011.    

Like I said, I can stomach stinky people!   

                     

POST EVENT BLUES

Participating in three different athletic events within a time span of fourteen days may seem like a bit much for some.  More than likely it is for most runners or triathletes.  To me, it’s not!  And it wasn’t!!

In all honesty, I am now experiencing a mild case of post event depression.  Not having any event on the horizon other than the Goofy Challenge in January, and several events afterwards, has me feeling like I’m in limbo.  With the triathlon and duathlon season coming to an end, the only other option would be to sign up for another half marathon and use that event as a training run for the more prestigious Goofy Challenge.  Then again, perhaps I should just cool it with the events and concentrate on some good old fashioned run training and cross training. 

One week after running the Wine & Dine Half Marathon in Walt Disney World with my wife and Tina Clark, I participated in my very first duathlon in the town of Tradition.  Tradition is a fairly new township a stone’s throw west of Port St Lucie, FL. approximately 28 miles south of Vero Beach. 

The Multisport event offered a triathlon or a duathlon, both sprint-distances.  Not wanting to deal with another murky lake swim, I chose the latter and I’m glad I did.

After spending the night and evening with the Clark family in Vero Beach, Tina drove down to Tradition early Sunday morning with me to get a firsthand look at the two events and to offer me some sideline support.  Support I needed, support I got, and the end result was second place in the 65 to 69 year age group.  I was one happy runner/biker and Tina took the opportunity to witness her first triathlon and duathlon.  It was a learning event for both of us!

Five days later, I was again bunking down in the Clark home in Vero Beach.  Their openness and generosity is very much appreciated.  Needless to say, I love spending time with Chris, Tina and their three active boys.

The following morning, October the 16th, Tina and I were scheduled to run in the second annual Beachside Half Marathon, an event sponsored by the Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition.  We both had participated in the first Beachside half marathon October of last year and we loved the new Vero Beach event.    

We both did quite well in this year’s half marathon.  Tina got a PR (personal record) for the half with a fast time of 1:59:08 and I came lumbering in with a suitable time of 2:42:47.  We both were well pleased with our performances.  Tina surprised even herself by setting her personal record and I ran my fastest half marathon since my knee operation in May of 2001.  T. Clark and R. Joslyn both had a good day!

For our post-race meal, the Lion’s Club of Vero Beach served hot flapjacks and ham in Riverside Park to all of the runners.  Hot coffee and orange juice was also available. 

Enormous thanks to all the volunteers and race people that made this year’s half marathon event possible.

Now that all of my scheduled 2010 events have been completed, let the training begin for the 2011 Walt Disney World Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge.  I’ll be facing my sixth Goofy Challenge in a row and Janet will be facing her fifth in a row.  We are, indeed, Goofy!

My beautiful wife and I are determined to enter January’s event in much better shape than the last five challenges.  No more near-death experience near the end, and hopefully no more nagging, debilitating injuries. 

We plan on cross training a great deal more this year than all the previous years.                         

WALT DISNEY WORLD WINE & DINE HALF MARATHON

Where else could you attend an international food and wine festival and end up drinking a domestic beer, a Bud Light to be exact?  Walt Disney World’s food and wine festival, that’s where!

Our fall of 2010 weekend vacation in Central Florida’s Walt Disney World began on a high note by having a late breakfast with one of our favorite American families, the Clark family of Vero Beach, at one of our favorite restaurants, Mimi’s Café.  Mimi’s is located on Osceola Parkway ten miles or so from Disney’s mega acre spread and just 2.4 miles west of the Florida turnpike. 

After filling our bellies with the most delicious food this side of the Florida/Georgia border, we convoyed to Disney’s Wide World of Sports for the sole purpose of picking up our race packets and race numbers.  Austin, Travis and Cody took turns rolling down the grassy ballpark hills under the watchful eyes of Daddy Chris while Tina, Janet and I browsed through and around the many aisles and booths of the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Expo.

After spending an hour or so in the expo, we then drove to our respected Disney resorts, checked into our rooms, and basically did our own thing until Tina, Jan and I met at the event’s shuttle bus stop in front of the All Star Resort around 6:30 p.m.  The race was scheduled to begin at 10 p.m.

 

Our Disney marathon experience has taught us that waiting for the gun to sound is typically a long wait, and the Wine & Dine Half Marathon was no exception.  I will say, though, that the pre-race entertainment was enough to keep boredom at bay and most runners hyped, me included.  A lively DJ, good music, and hundreds of participating runners kept us all laughing and moving for the entire three hour wait, all while sitting and dancing on the grassy field adjacent to the Wide World of Sport’s complex. 

There were allegedly 11,000 to 12,000 runners and walkers signed up for this event, four starting line corrals, and as far as I could tell not one snafu of any significance.  No one organizes races any better than the Disney people.

When an awesome array of fireworks was displayed near the starting line, the race was underway.  Hordes and hordes of runners and walkers, all hyped, trained and ready to take on the magical 13.1 miles of roadways and two of Disney World’s theme parks, surged forward over the starting line’s timing mats. 

Log jams are typical during the beginning of most races, maybe a tad bit more in Walt Disney World.  Or maybe it was the simple fact that Janet and I were back-of-the-pack walkers, albeit fast walkers passing all other walkers and many slower runners.  Other than a few darkened congested areas along the course, more than we would have liked, the main log jam ended shortly after mile one.

Speed walking over the overpasses wasn’t a problem with me, but I could tell that Janet was struggling on the uphill climbs as well as our faster-than-normal walk pace. 

Instead of keeping to our plan of running every ten minutes for one minute, I decided that we needed to run for one minute and then walk four.  So not only was Janet bothered by the overpasses, she was slightly stressed by the sudden modification to a faster run/walk pace.  All of our previous training was walking only, so I easily related to her anxieties.

Shortly before we entered Hollywood Studios and not too long after walking and running through Animal Kingdom, I suggested to Janet that we slow down to whatever pace she would be comfortable with.  So from mile nine forward, we did very little running along with keeping our walking at a reasonable pace. 

Even though we finished the 13.1 miles in 3:09:09, we were overly pleased that we completed another half marathon without any signs of injuries or blisters, and we had fun doing so.  We were also pleased to learn that hundreds and hundreds of runners and walkers crossed the finish line well after our finishing time. 

We both surmised that the Wine & Dine half marathon had hundreds of first time marathoners, newbies as they are often called.  Based on who was standing around in the last corral and who raised their hands when the DJ asked if there were any first time marathoners, it was apparent that most of the first timers were young ladies.  Some looked to be very fit, many did not. 

Would we run this race again?  Probably so, but maybe not!  There are pros and cons to running in the darkness of night.  The main downside of running at night as far as we are concerned is not being able to see the surface of the roadways and pathways, especially in Animal Kingdom where the walkways were intentionally built to imitate non-paved trails.  In speaking with two different runners the day after the event, both claimed that they injured their knees because they were unable to see the surface of the roads. 

Some people mentioned that starting a race at 10 p.m. was way past their bed time.  We had no problem with the lack of sleep issue.

On the plus side, it was enormously delightful running and walking in the cool of the evening and not having the sun blistering your skin.  There was no need for sunscreen or sunglasses, that’s for sure. 

Another late evening plus was the absence of bathroom issues that typically haunt most runners and walkers during morning races.

The post-race party in EPCOT is another story all together.  If you’re into crowds, elbow to elbow type crowds, then you would have loved EPCOT.  We are not, so you know where we stand in regards to the wine and dine portion of the event. 

I understand that if you were one of the first runners to cross the finish line then the food and beverage lines were not that long.  But if you were an average runner, or slow as snail poop rolling uphill as we are, then most beverage and food lines were beyond intolerable – hence my domestic Bud Light and Janet’s Sprite.  Forget the German beer that I longed for all during the race.  The line at the German pavilion was endless. 

Summing up our three day stay at Walt Disney World, I have to say that we had a magnificent time.  We especially enjoyed touring nearly 100% of the Magic Kingdom (18 rides and shows) with Tina, Chris and their three very active boys after only three hours of sleep.  That’s right, only three hours of sleep from the time we fell asleep after the race up until we ate breakfast at our food court and then drove to the Magic Kingdom with the Clark family.   

And on the third day, Jan and I duplicated day two by walking hours and hours inside Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Now you know why we train for and run marathons, to survive Disney World’s theme parks.

Did I mention that Expedition Everest made me slightly woozy?