Here...2

Apparently my previous post caused some confusion. One friend encouraged me to not smoke dope when posting. Another pointed out my ocd tendencies - which are fun when they are competing with my a.d.d. for sure.

Anyhow, I thought, being the good friend that I am, perhaps another post along similar lines would help make the point I was getting at.

Here goes:

Last Thursday marked the kick off of U of L's football season. They opened with Murray State and won, 21-9 in what began as an exciting game and quickly became a bore fest - which was fine because it gave Denise and me time to talk and grow accustomed to our new seats in section 234 of papa john's cardinal stadium. this is the 3rd section we've had season tickets in over the past 7 seasons, and I think we are going to enjoy them very much.

One highly positive aspect of these seats is that they help us focus on being at the game. Last year's seats, in section 9, were cool the first week because they were in the expansion. They provided a breathtaking view of Churchill Downs (following a breathtaking walk to THEM!). Also visible were Iroquois Park, the Louisville skyline, such as it is, and several other landmarks around town, outside the stadium. All of which were nice because often, you kind of wished you were outside the stadium. Especially late in the 2nd quarter when the 'lady' behind us was working on her 7th or 8th beer and 2-3 hundredth rendering of 'you idiots!'

So, like I said, our new seats direct our attention to the field. We can see all of the game action, as well as much of what's happening on the sidelines - player's interactions with coaches, their celebration of big plays, etc. We can hear big hits. We can smell the grass.

OK, that part is a lie because there is no grass. But, Denise and I did share a chuckle when, in the 3rd quarter, the Ladybirds performed during a timeout. The timeout followed what had not been a pretty play for the Cards, and as they gathered around Charlie Strong and a couple assistants for instruction several of the players struggled with 'focus.' Strong was obstructing their view of the dancers. Their teammates, behind them on the sidelines, were nearly all checking out the Ladybirds. Coach seemed to be teaching his heart out, at least his mouth was opening wide enough that his heart could have come through it, but I'm afraid his message was falling on deaf ears.

I'd looked forward to Thursday all week because of the game, and the time with Denise, but also because of the run I was planning to get in. Denise was getting her hair done that morning and we had dentist appointments following. My plan was to run from the salon, down Eastern Parkway, past PJCS, up and around Iroquois Park and then to the dentist - about 11.5 miles. I hadn't run the park for quite a while and was looking very forward to it.

Turns out the temperature on Earth and Venus on Thursday were about the same and it was an extremely difficult run. It's hard to breath air that won't fit into your nose. Not prime conditions for one's longest run in nearly four months.

About the 6.5 mile mark I texted Denise. First telling her it was crazy hot and then asking her to text me when she was leaving the salon. I was feeling quite done. About half a mile later I reached the corner of Southern Parkway and New Cut Road. I was dizzy. I was thirsty. I had stopped sweating.

This was not good. I thought only briefly about going on through the Park. One glance up Rundill Road towards the golf course told me there was simply no way. Not today.

I was not happy whatsoever.

And then, I saw it. A park bench on the south side of the the intersection next to a clump of trees and south end flavored landscaping. It was gorgeous.

I must point out that it was green - only one shade :)

For the longest time, breaking to walk, much less sitting down has signified to me that the run was over. I just don't have the drive to get up and start again. So, when I sat on that incredibly cozy bench in the 100+ degree heat & humidity just over half way through my planned run - I knew I was finished.

Denise hadn't texted me back. She wasn't going to be available to pick me up. I knew I was going to have to walk somewhere. And I really did not want to move. Period.

I don't know how long I rested on that amazing piece of plastic, but it couldn't have been long. Ten minutes tops. However long it was, it was just what the doctor ordered.

I caught my breath.

I thought to myself that I'd never noticed this bench before - much less this bit of landscaped 'park' area outside the actual park. A look at the site from Google Earth doesn't even show the bench - which is a bit odd :) But, it was there then, and I was grateful.

Grateful for the bench. For the breeze that was blowing, just slightly, but enough to cool me.

Grateful for the fact that I would soon see my best friend, go to the dentist with her. Enjoy a meal with her. Go to the ball game with her. Talk with her.

Grateful that, while I was not particularly comfortable, I had already run 7 miles on this insanely hot day - much better than I'd been doing in previous weeks this summer.

Grateful for highly entertaining Cole Lindbergh's story I was listening to from This American Life. Who wouldn't want to work for a boss like him?!

After my brief rest, I stood, turned down New Cut Road, and ran the 2+ mostly down hill miles to my in-laws house. A bit disappointed that my plans had changed, but knowing how blessed I am. Not the knowing that I get from reading a book or news article. The knowing I get from living, experiencing, touching, feeling.