“The law of nature is, do the thing and you shall have the power:

but they who do not the thing have not the power.”

                     Ralph Waldo Emerson

I spent considerable time today looking in my quotations book for a meaningful message for myself.   I think Emerson has captured what I needed.  So, I will “do the thing.”   I will run, and I will write because it makes me happy and it makes me a  person I like better.

Fortunately, I am safe, healthy and injury-free. I am motivated and energized. I have established two competitive goals for when the world has returned to normal.  I will attempt a PR in the 5K at the annual Jason Walton Memorial Run in Hillsboro in August. I will qualify for the National Senior Games at the New Jersey Senior Games in both the 800 and 1,500 meters in September.

What follows is a summary of my training for the last few weeks since I stopped entering posts in this log.  Since that time I have been recording my workouts on a table calendar. In 19 days I have recorded 14 workouts either running or biking or exercising Rob’s puppy, Gracie.  She is fast and she wears me out. I have been running many speed segment during these workouts. In addition to doing surges with Gracie, I have done frequent, quick 120m grass segments on a field that is very forgiving on the legs and feet.     As a result my fitness level has remained relatively stable. Interestingly, my weight has dropped to consistently under 150 lbs even as low as 145 at times.   It is my impression that I am eating smaller portions at all meals these days as a result of a higher awareness of the possibility of food shortages. I don’t find this distressing at all.

I hope everyone who is reading this is safe and well. I am happy to be back!