How Fit is Fit

Running hurts my ankles, strains my calves and inflames my Achilles. Why do I do it? One of my favorite book titles says it all - " I Run, Therefore I am Nuts". However, actually I think it is the other way around. I am nuts period. Well not literally. Yet, I have known for sometime their lies inside an inner Squidward. Why call it that? Not sure but Squidward Tentacles (see also Squidward Tennisballs or Tortellini compliments of Patrick Starr) makes me laugh too much so I must deep inside relate to him. However, I laugh at Dick Cheney as well. Not sure what that means? Running helps me balance away my inner intellectual crank and unfulfilled life stuff.

The Precor 546i (might be missing a digit) saved me and kept the chase or run away (however one sees it) from reality on. Thanks to the fine makers of this skillfully made elliptical trainer, I can simulate the run of my life for however long I can stay in one place. That place? Well a stationary or fixed location that has me looking over all that glitters and not, in the greater Las Vegas Valley. Oh, yes I know I am still 40 pounds over the weight of my Youth. If I would just lose it the concrete/asphalt induced pain would be relieved. However, in my Youth I could down a large veggie pizza from Pagiliacci (Seattle's best Pizza) and Dicks Deluxe, Fries and Hand Dipped Shake (another of Seattle's best) then run away those calories the next AM or PM at Greenlake. Ten years ago or so, the gym workouts, runs and long bike rides on the Burke Gillman Trail stopped. Yet, the downing of my Seattle area treats did not.

So, here I am. Running in place and surprisingly getting somewhere. The end of the journey? Well, maybe a Marathon? Everyone who runs always has that out there. We have the Greeks to thank. I do 26.2 . I see that number on license plates frames and bumper stickers. When actually wouldn't it be fun to actually pull of the ultimate Forrest Gump - "I just kept runnin'." Now he was truly going somewhere even if it was luck, or whatever way the feather blows.

I think my new found 2nd home and wannabe first - San Diego holds the end game. Half Marathon in January (which is actually in Carlsbad). I have done one before, so it seems like a familiar fetes (or is it feet's ha ha) of strength to try again. Maybe by then the 40 lbs my lower body tells me I don't need will magically dissolve away with each sweaty effort. After that......stay tuned for more?