Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Paying the Piper

Yesterday was Memorial Day. Back when I was in the US Army Band, in Washington, DC, we always played at some official ceremony, usually at the Tomb of the Unknowns. It was always a solumn occasion, made more so because we were deep into the Vietnam War and all the controversy.

This Memorial Day I wasn't a soldier, I was just a runner. But, passing by Montrose Harbor I heard the sound of Pipers. Sure enough, there was a ceremony going on and this time I was running through it. I'm not debating the rights or wrongs of any war, I can only say that for me - as a veteran - I am moved by the sacrifice that others have made on my behalf.

And I took that moment to be grateful that on a sunny Monday afternoon I could run along my favorite lakefront path without fear. Not everyone can say that.

John

ORN: Long run. 7 miles, 5/1. Used the Garmin to try to stay on pace. The heat was amazing, and I had to back off to about a 12:30 pace.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi John,

I just came accross your blog. I'm a fan of yours and I hadn't been to your website until this morning which of course led me here to your blog.

I won't bore you with who I am or what I do or don't do, I just have a quick question regarding your posts.

I went back through the archives and figured out what the "ORN:" was. I'm still not sure exactly how you were describing your runs. Does the "5/1" mean a 5min jog and 1min walk?

Sorry if this is a stupid question.

Thanks!

O.T. Hodge said...

Hi John,

I ran the lakefront a little bit north of there on Memorial Day, also in the heat of the afternoon, so I can appreciate what it did to your pace. My 5/1s became 4/3s toward the end of a four-miler.

I'm a newbie, running with TnT, and I'm hoping (planning!) to finish the CDC in August, so I can wear that penguin!

I just want to say thanks so much for sharing your penguinosity with the rest of us. "Marathoning for Mortals" is a lifeline for folks like me.

Best,

Margie Newman