Run. Hike. Poop.

Lost on Shining Rock: Day One

March 1, 2010By y2kemo

Not all those who wander are lost.
– J.R.R. Tolkien

The mountains of North Carolina are a thing of beauty when viewed from afar. They are an even greater spectacle when you experience them up close. And when snow blankets the ground they are truly wondrous. Until they’re not.

This past weekend my buddy, Coop, and I set our sights on the Shining Rock Wilderness for this year’s winter backpacking trip. We monitored the location via webcam, checked the weather forecast daily, and packed the essentials we thought we’d need. We planned everything out meticulously, and fully expected a flawless trip that we’d remember for a lifetime.

Share the road

January 27, 2010By y2kemo

So I’m running the other day minding my own business when out of nowhere my right arm is clipped by the side mirror of a Ford Escape. I looked at the car as if to say, “Hey! Yeah you! I’m on the curb of a two-lane road! Why don’t you move over? Don’t honk at me. Don’t curse at me. And above all, don’t hit me!”

To the guy who hit me and left, let’s think about this for a moment. You’re in a car. A big friggin’ machine with no give. I’m a human. A little bigger than a bread basket and easily broken by big friggin’ machines. Perhaps you were in a hurry or perhaps you are just a prick. Whatever the reason, you (and all drivers) should yield the right-of-way to pedestrians like me.

If you’re in disagreement I kindly direct you to North Carolina law 20-174D which states:

Running Barefoot

January 20, 2010By y2kemo

When I run, I enjoy the fresh air, the wind in my face, and the ground beneath my feet. Back in December, I ran my first barefoot race—a 5K in sub-freezing temperatures. On Saturday, I kicked it up a notch and ran a solid 8 miles sans the feet-protecting injury-inducing coverings. Now, before you pass judgment and consider me an idiot (not that I would argue to the contrary) you should understand that running without pain is more important (to me) than running with shoes.

Running in Buenos Aires: Make a game of it

December 31, 2009By y2kemo

The first time I arrived in Buenos Aires I ran a round trip in the morning from Belgrano to el Centro (15 mi.). A trip more scenic than if I had forked over $$$ pesos ($US) and boarded a double-decker. To help pass the time, I came up with a game to play with every passing step.

A bit like an 80s 8-bit NES game, running in Buenos Aires (or any large city) has its own soundtrack, levels, obstacles, points, and characters.

Running a 5K as a Barefoot Present

December 14, 20092 commentsBy y2kemo

Back in August 2009, there was a great Daily Show piece on author Christopher McDougall whose book, Born to Run, tells the story of a bunch of Tarahumara Indians down in Mexico that ran hundreds of miles (out of necessity/fear) in sandals. Then there’s the endurance runner from Greensboro, NC, Charlie Engle, who ran 4,300 miles (6,920 kilometers for you metric folks) across Northern Africa in 111 days, and chronicled his (and his two running partners’) journey in the documentary film Running the Sahara.

The last bit of inspiration comes from a plug for BCBSNC. The guy in the commercial had a heart condition and shares how he lost a bunch of weight after taking up exercise (running). Stories like these inspire. They make me want to get my weight-gaining self off the couch and on the road. And that’s what I’ve been doing.

Recent Posts