Run DMZ

Amazing how the constant parade of devastating images from Hurricane Katrina can impact people like me, so far removed from the disaster. I'm overcome with this exercise inertia, finding the task too indulgent at a time when there are all these people fighting for their life. That worries me. Having grown up in hurricane-prone areas, I've never gotten why we build up coastal communities like we do. New Orleans in particular always perplexed me, ever since discovering the entire city was essentially one man's mistake. Now survivors will become temporary Texans and twang-talkin' politicians will go on Fox News and demand the submerged cities be rebuilt. That angers me. Initially, I couldn't understand why people stayed behind in their substandard housing, knowing this storm was catastrophic. Then I learned that many that perished or had to be saved were so poor they didn't have the motorized means to escape. That saddens me.

Rather than the usual stretching after my long run Sunday, I incorporated some of the yoga poses learned the prior week and then woke Monday morning muscle-pain free. That’s impressive, given I’d tacked on an extra 20 minutes and should have felt some soreness from lactic acid buildup over 16 hilly miles. That had me jazzed for Monday night’s Yoga for Runners session. The instructor again kept the room music-free but had the fans going full blast as she guided us through a heavenly hour of hip stretches. That I had so much trouble demonstrating flexibility confirmed why I’ve had so many aches in that area lately. Time to loosen up a little. The yoga instructor, Susan, was interested in hearing how last Wednesday’s power yoga went and we reported it was intense. I sensed there must be some tension between the instructors, who follow completely different styles of yoga. But Susan, whom I’m starting to like a lot, stressed to me in particular that yoga isn’t a competition and not to push ...

I was spared the brunt of today's triple-digit temps (again!) by beginning my 16-miler before the sun came up. Once it did, my progress slowed but the miles continued to pile up. However, the enervating heat circulating through our AC-less house has since left me lazy. Still, I just wrote a news story that may be of interest to some of you (and you know who you are). It involves a software maker and some customers trying to catch cheating lovers by rummaging through their computers remotely. Time to warn everyone again that it is ILLEGAL to read someone else's e-mail without permission. Four devious types will find out the hard way just how illegal when they appear before a judge to explain away their actions. You can read about it here. Yesterday Alex and I were on our way to join a gym and catch a movie when we stopped for gas and encountered one such cheating mate begging for forgiveness as his riled-up, foul-mouthed lover strolled by with suitcases in tow, screaming all the...

1. Tara and I resumed running together around Miramar Lake this morning for the first time in many, many months. We met at sunrise. It was soooo nice. 2. I bombed at Power Yoga for Runners last night, but while wallowing in self-pity I found a dirt track I can run on for a change of pace. Score. 3. I spent a bulk of yesterday "de-nesting" and realized I am far better at accumulating crap than I am at relieving myself of it. The Passat was packed when we reached the recycling center and again when I stopped at Goodwill. Rather than worry how we'll downsize to a condo, I'm thinking of using this experience to expand our empire of junk with a second, vacation home. 4. I've gone exactly a month without watching "The Today Show" and feel my life's enriched. 5. I made it through today's school shopping at the mall without telling a single person that the reason I don't want a store credit card, and the reason I can't use my debit as a cred...

Last night I returned to the San Diego Track Club’s Tuesday night workouts. Before all my summer adventures, we were doing 400s and 800s and 1200s around makeshift, grassy courses at Balboa Park. During my lengthy absence, the training switched to hills and dirt trails to help those readying for the AFC Half Marathon and the Dirt Dog cross country series that kicked off last weekend. I thought about bailing, but then I decided that talking myself out of a 4-mile run the first week of my new training program didn’t bode well for future weeks. So I towed the line with about 60 others around 5:45 p.m. and headed into the woods to run a circuitous course incorporating some steep hills. The first was Powderpuff, an apt name since you end up inhaling the dust of the runners in front of you. Once you climb the summit, gasping for air, you run though a dog park and onto Balboa Drive before tucking into another wooded area for more trails. Eventually you turn up at the far end of the large park...

Last night was tight. I had my first ever yoga class, and it was one designed exclusively for runners. It rocked…but thankfully I didn’t. I held my poses and stretched my tight hamstrings, quads and calves way past their normal comfort zone for a full hour in a quiet room within the Miramar Sports Complex. The instructor issued asanas as she took the 11 of us (tilted just slightly toward the female faction) through a series of breathing exercises and then traditional poses, such as Mountain, Warrior and Eagle. The pace was just right, and she reminded us that not everyone arrives at a pose at the same time and that we were to take our time and move out of one when we felt ready. I was usually first to finish. Yoga would seem to be at the opposite end of exercise for someone who brutalizes her body running rapidly along pavement, track or trail for “fun.” But, I discovered, yoga compliments running by mandating these athletes carefully stretch muscles that tend to become rigid from too ...

Sorry, but I had to post this UPI report about what polite people call "bottom burping." It's a study showing adults aren't eating their vegetables because they fear farting. Anyone that's run with me knows I do not give a sh--. But should you be among those concerned with this potential setback, and because we have been discussing the 'cost of gas' lately, I encourage you to read on: Flatulence phobia hinders healthy diet