A satisfying, energetic, surprising day, filled with things which only the Great Protector can decipher and understand. I started the day in the usual way, walking to the Jewel Tree at the Pier and unfortunately I forgot to bring the rice offering and when the beautiful sparrow hopped close, looking up at me and sending its thoughts, I was sad when I had to tell it that I forgot the rice. I decided to give a tree branch and mental offerings and then walked to the track where I had a relatively easy time with sprinting and muscle exercises. I stopped at the local beach and sat on the log and a beautiful black and tan German Shepherd sauntered over to me and pressed its face against mine as I noticed its expression turning from defensive to open and trusting.
I walked home and discovered my energy was still high so I decided to walk to the Island Hill to run repeats. I remembered to bring the rice offering for the Jewel Tree at the beach and to inspire myself I decided that if I could put in a strong, exhausting effort on the Hill I would treat myself to a chocolate milk and a mint chocolate Clif bar. The day was warm and sunny and when I arrived at the Hill I was happy that my energy was still hanging around. The top of the hill was windy but this did not bother me much and my leg strength was good. As I ran I once again recalled my days at Blackwell Hill, especially the year 1987, which was the summer when I would try to run and exercise on Saturdays from sun up to sun down. The final hours of the day were spent running the Hill. One Saturday in particular made a strong impression when I ran more than 20 repeats and when I finished and was sitting in the car with the sun going down I felt a peculiar mix of complete exhaustion and complete strength. A terrifically strong relaxation in both body and mind coursed through me and I felt at ease and happy, which was rare. Years later that day would convince me that running was the best kind of meditation for my particular circumstances and karma.
Memories of that special day filled my mind while running the Hill today and when I was at the seventh repeat my body was not slowing down but my mind wanted to stop, most likely out of habit and also caution, not wanting to stress my sensitive knees. I learned in 1987 that if I cut the run short from fear of injury then I may as well already be injured so I threw caution into the strong wind and continued to push myself. My body felt oddly light, almost weightless, and when I reached the top at repeat 10 a flock of geese flying in formation crested the hill just as I was, they were quite close and the unusual perspective made me stop and admire their awesome flight. As I reached 11, 12, 13, another old habit of mind returned, I told myself "One more, just one more," and this continued for the remaining repeats. And so it went, 15, 16, 17. "That's it, 17 is a good effort and a fine result," but my body was not tired, not slowing down, and I realized I could reach my Holy Grail of Hill running, the 20 spot. "One more set, and then it's just one more and then I will have earned that chocolate milk." When I reached #20 the old superstition from 1987 kicked in, that it was better to end on an odd number and so I finished with 21 and then walked to the beach and made my offering to the Jewel Tree. I waded into the cool water of the lake to soak my feet, skipped stones, sat in meditation beneath the Jewel Tree.
The walk home was a bit rough, my back and shoulders were tight and I self massaged as I walked and when I reached Burnham Harbor I saw a middle aged fisherman in a white floppy cap angling on the pathway and when I passed close by I recognized his face, it was Dan Bernstein, a Chicago sports radio legend, someone I have listened to for over twenty years. Dan is known to be an avid fisherman and I was incredibly lucky to pass so close to greatness. I could not resist speaking and I said without breaking stride "I love your radio show, Dan." He turned to me and blessed me with a big beautiful smile and replied "Haha, thank you!" "Good luck today." "I already had my luck!" I was 15 yards beyond him and I heard his parting shot "But you know it's all skill!"
I stopped at the market and bought a chocolate milk and sat at an outdoor table and let the cold drink soothe my aching muscles as the sun was dipping into the city horizon, reflected on all that splendid glass and steel, many suns shining brightly down upon me as my shoulders began to loosen and a natural sort of happiness and relaxation descended upon me.
