I have a record of miles I have run since 1980, when I first started to log miles with a purpose. Yes, as odd as it seems I do have a little bit of Type A personality in me. By the time you read this I will be well past 20,000 miles. It is hard to imagine that many miles. That distance is over seven times across the United States and roughly eighty per cent of the circumference of the Earth (a distance mark that is on my Bucket List) and all with original equipment. I have endured very few overuse injuries. A sore knee here a strained muscle there, the odd sprained ankle but nothing that I ever feared would end my running. I have run through hard times and joyous times. Within the 20,000 are miles of pain both physical and emotional. Loss of friends, loss of jobs, loss of relationships, fear of the unknown and failure, fatigue and strain, literal blood sweat and tears. But also within those miles are celebrations: births, new jobs, enduring relationships, smashed barriers and wonderful revelation. I have seen sunsets and sunrises. I have smelled the tropical rains of Nicaragua and breathed the dry winter air of Banff, Canada. I have pounded melting pavement in Guam and the heather choked rolling hills of Scottish highlands. I have heard mountains crumble and seas roar. I have run barefoot on Mexican beaches and along trails established by Indians in the Appalachians. I have run away from home and back again. I have run from myself and from my God. Only to find Him and who He has created me to be.

Running is like learning to cook or learning to appreciating art. At first you are taught the basics in rigid fashion learning from patterns established by those who blazed before. Then you are allowed to practice and develop your own style. Soon you dabble here and there with different aspects and nuances, landing on a few themes that suit your style. Sometimes you are influenced by the latest fad or by what others suggest but in the end you find what works for you, what you like, and stick with it. Sure you will try new things but there will always be your foundation. I have always favored Asian cuisine and Leroy Neiman.  As my running takes me well into my fifth decade I reflect on how it has improved my life. What have I learned, avoided, gained, and appreciated more because of the miles behind me? How will I grow as I cover the miles before me? What will happen when someday I am no longer able to run?

A few days ago Cheryl, the boys and I went back to that special five mile out-and-back route Dad ran to get ready for the Seattle Marathon so many years ago. I actually rode along side him the first couple times. Soon, the trip to Northup Way and back along West Lake Sammamish Parkway became my first run. It was a fun celebration of how far I have come and it was a true pleasure to share with my family. The run was enjoyable and easy but running with the little guys on bikes was nerve-racking in that I was now in my dad’s place being concerned about the boys riding out into traffic or crashing. He never said anything but I am sure he had the same thoughts as my little red bike spastically swerved about with every turn of my head. With the run complete we loaded back in the car and headed to the "Little Store" for ice cream bars. I reflected on the fact that this run brought my life mileage to 20,000 and Cheryl joked (in her best old man voice) about how, when I am 80, I will be fixated on recording my mileage saying, "I've got to run at least one mile today." She is probably right.

Tony