IMITATION

Our most natural instinct
Fluid
Copying rhythms
But not plagiarism
It is nearly impossible to cheat in this regard for you will put your own mark, your own twist
You always do

Keep at it
Keep tweaking
Keep molding and shaping
It's a journey, often a long one
But you've got time
Where are you going to go?
If you get a flat, fix it, or turn around and ride home slowly and gingerly, not to make it worse. You'll get to the bottom of it.
The point of the ride was to hope, to wish, to imagine, that it would go off flawlessly. For sometimes it does. Sometimes you are flying with the wind in your face and all is right with the world. These are the days to imitate, to re-create. To enjoy recreation.

Weekend Update: August 25-27

Weekend Update: August 25-27

On Saturday, the Child Evangelism Fellowship of Greater Raleigh will host its annual Children’s Good News Spectacular. The event will be held in the Graham Building and will feature inflatable games and rides, popcorn, snow cones, drinks, an illusion show and several gospel presentations. Last year’s event had more than 10,000 attendees and this year’s event promises to bring more spectacular growth.

3FCT Run/Ride--Sunday, September 11

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=216272988405519&set=a.150937521605733.32630.138378456194973&type=1&theater

I have some dreams around a Third Fork Creek Trail Run/Ride (3FCT). Here's what I have so far:

Sunday, September 11, 8:00am.
Meet at Sounthern Boundaries Park in Durham and be ready to run or ride at 8am.

Here's the route:
3FCT to Woodcroft Pkwy.
Take a left.
Take a left at ATT.
Then you can get back to Southern Boundaries on the path of your choice.
Last left turn option is MLK, but you can turn many places before. What's the fastest way home? You decide. My estimate on the distance is 10 miles, but I will let you techies confirm or deny.

--Fast cyclists might think about two loops.
--Self-supported event so bring your own gear and care for oneself and others.

Given that this is our September 11 Remembrance:
We are asking for a donation of $10 (or more) and all proceeds will go to supporting post-9-11 war veterans going to the State Fair. What's better than that??? Maybe they will let some TTC folks tag along!

From VA website: http://www.durham.va.gov/giving/
WE ARE CURRENTLY PLANNING THE ANNUAL TRIP TO THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR FOR OUR CLC RESIDENTS TO ENJOY. DONATIONS MAY BE MADE TO THE CLC RECREATION GPF OR TICKETS PURCHASED FOR OUR RESIDENTS

Want to RSVP?
Email: tobaccotrailchurch@gmail.com
text: 919.414.6565
Want to decide the morning of, the minute before?
Well then, just show up.

Queen of the Slide

I am queen of the slide
and no one can stop me
not the sun
nor the wind
not my little brother
not a friend

I'm queen of the slide
but what do I do
when all my subjects have fled?
Who am I queen of then?
The slide still knows who's boss
but who else?

Perhaps
I will reign over the swings

Small, Local Businesses Speed Income Growth

Small, Local Businesses Speed Income Growth

Ursa

A Natseeho tribute
for that is what I am
not by choice
at least not my own choosing
still chosen

Yet, to tell the truth
I am in a Migisi season on the wheel
soaring high on the wings
of an eagle
looking down from far above and seeing mice, buffalo, bears

But I return home
because Lovett sings it proud
They just don't come no better than a bear

Bears have been driven out of the wilderness
yet they return
to compost heaps
trash cans
dumpsters
we are proud and mighty
saavy enough to scavange

Ursus americanus
you'll find us in the Southland
among the pines
omnivors
through and through
adaptable
as the wheel spins and the weather shifts
climates change
and so we shift as well
changing weight on giant haunches

Sharp claws
are best
for pickin' on that banjo in a stringband
one for which we were made

West to Cherokee
East to Wilmington
and points between
we lie resting
hibernating
in the rolling hills
of tobacco road

We take on the Bull
and take none of it

Birds are Busy

Birds are busy in the morning
A fat cardinal flies low from fence to branch
Out of the reeds and rushes flits a brown one
Thrushes skirt the playground and perch on a tall pine
Blue bird seeks his mate guarding the eggs
White moon falling sees all
While fall threatens on a mild August morn
Green is abundant on this piedmont landscape
Good camo for these wing-ed friends

--a selection from Border Ways.

Utah Valley Marathon

On June 11, 2011 I ran the Utah Valley Marathon. I'm using the picture above for a couple of reasons. First, the runners in the Hope Valley Marathon are angled downhill and that was the theme of this marathon. I also felt like I took along with me the spirit of the TTC, Durham, and the Bull City Track Club. There were a lot of folks rooting for me from NC and I really felt those good vibes. I even think that all the support helped me overcome what was a pretty tight and sluggish day of running. When I was trying to loosen up the legs before the run, I never really could. I felt tight jogging, stretching and even during the entire 26.2 miles. Some days are just that way--tight.

Like I said, I never really felt all that great during the race. It was downhill and that did not seem particularly helpful. It started at 6,000 feet and dropped to 4,500 feet which I thought would be a huge help, but a physiology guy informed that altitude numbers like these probably account for 3-5% drop in performance.

My feet were throbbing in the second half of the race. Here are pictures of me slogging it out. It didn't help that the first half of race was all asphalt only to transition into a concrete slab for the last 13 miles.

All complaining aside, I set a PR by seven minutes from Umstead in April and by 20 minutes from my best road marathon. Even feeling sluggish I was fit enough to keep moving at 6:30 pace throughout the race. I attribute my success to 70+ mile weeks since January and a peak training week of 100 miles in early May. My first and second half splits were only 90 seconds apart. So the numbers were good, but I felt that on a better day I could have gone more than five minutes faster. I ran 2:50 and had a great time with North Carolina friends, Bob Callanan, Holly and Dave Plotts. I had never been to the Provo area of Utah and it was a great weekend getaway.

I thought I would be done with the marathon for a few years, but sub 2:45 is well within reach. I think it will happen on Patriot's Day with a handful of BCTC folks all trying to run fast and enjoy the Boston buzz.