------> LOCATE

It might seem strange
to suggest
you don't appreciate
the fact
that you are
alive
but
when you woke
this morning
to find yourself
still breathing
did you say
or do
anything
to show
you noticed
and
are
grateful?


The two newest songs (both Japanese) added to the mp3 player i use to run: Soba Ni Iru Ne and Naketekuru

Most people never take the time to think of their local Highway Department, and those that do probably think it does nothing for runners, bicyclists, or other outdoor enthusiasts. Here in Lockport, though, these wonderful people offer hidden gifts, if you take the time to look for them.

Just after the Col de I355 and the 3.5 mi. mark on my normal run every morning, the Highway Dept. has taken the trouble to paint, in rather large letters, a message to us right on the shoulder of the road. In big, white lettering, "-----> LOCATE" is written so that we can't miss it; in fact, you are forced to run right across the words.

It is here each morning that i thank those wonderful people and take the time to do just what they are telling me to do — locate myself. It is so incredibly easy to get lost when out on the road; lost in the ongoing movie clips of my life that run around my head all day, lost in the constant chatter, bickering, and other nonsense that won't go away, lost in the dreams and reminiscences, lost in fantasies.

But each time i run across those words, i am reminded that i can put a stop to all that and take stock of myself. And, since the Highway Dept. took the time to leave the message, i do just that.

First i go through the physical checklist:

- Feet landing mid-foot instead of on the heel?
- Pushing off with the toes?
- Stride feel right? Loose?
- Calf muscles relaxed?
- Knees flowing smoothly?
- Hamstrings and Quads relaxed?
- Hips loose and swinging freely?
- Butt not tight? Let it hang loose.
- Deep breaths from the belly. No chest breathing.
- Forearms parallel to the ground and swinging lightly fore & aft?
- Hands relaxed? Let them hang completely limp for a second then bring back up.
- Fingers separated and very, very loose?
- Thumb and forefinger very lightly touching?
- Shoulders relaxed and hanging loosely? Swinging freely?
- Neck muscles relaxed?
- Mouth and chin relaxed?
- Cheek muscles relaxed?
- Eyes and forehead relaxed? No squinting?
- Scalp relaxed?

Then the overall physical checklist:

- Is the pace OK? Too fast? Too slow?
- Is the ground loose or solid?
- Should you move up to the asphalt or down to the gravel?
- Do i need a drink? Something to eat? A piece of gum?
- How do you feel?

Then inside:

- Have the movies been turned off?
- Are you talking to yourself?
- Are you here on the road or elsewhere?
- Are you running Now or sometime in the past or future?
- Are you experiencing this run?
- Have you noticed your surroundings? The traffic, the birds, the dogs, the people, the golfers, how high the sun is, the clouds, how tall the corn is today, the woman mowing her lawn, etc.
- Can you feel your heart beating?
- Can you feel your muscles expanding & contracting?
- Are you aware?
- Are you present?

Then the harder questions:

- Who are you? If you turn off everything and just become moving feet, what is running?
- Am i more than this graying old man who happens to live in Lockport and likes to run?
- Or am i less?
- How can i be the same person now at 55 that i was when i was 55 seconds old?
- What has changed?
- What hasn't changed?
- When i just am, whether on my zafu or in my running shoes, what am i?
- What do i have to give up to just be?
- Once it is surrendered, why do i always want it back again later?

Then time to focus:

- Just feel the feet running. Stride. Stride. Stride......
- Left arm swinging. Right. Left. Right.......
- One breath. Another. Another. Another. Another......
- No thoughts. Just watch the breath come in, go out, come in, .......
- No mind. No runner. Just moving feet.
- Thought comes. Concentrate on the breathing. Thought goes.
- No mind. No runner. Just moving feet.
- No mind.

By the time i get through all of this, i'm well on my way back home to a snack and a delicious cup of green tea, which is drank and appreciated, usually, by i don't know who.

Thank you Highway Department.