The year in review Part 3

In September I mostly concentrated on making my running better.  Although it seemed like a long time since May when I had come back after two years off, progress was slow.  I ran a timed mile in 10:13, disappointing in that it was over 10 minutes (early in the decade I could do a sub 7:00) but at least it showed I was up to the point assigning myself challenging tasks.  I was up to 12 weekly miles, running three times a week, with a long run of five miles, but aches and pains were cropping up in my ankles, knees, feet and calfs, a warning sign.  I decided to cut my mileage way back so I could continue running three times a week to maintain the continuity I had achieved so far.  I ran through the District a few times, running by some beautiful spots like the National Floral Library, below, alongside the picturesque Tidal Basin.

In October, with trepidation, I ran my first race in five years, a 5K in Bluemont Park.  I was happy just to finish it, in 32:39, my slowest 5K ever by a few minutes, but it was a step along the way to participating in a meaningful way in recreational running again.

In November I took a drive along the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park with a friend, as we usually do every year.  We saw a bear shamble across the roadway this year.  He was given all the time he needed to casually perambulate the ribbon of asphalt and disappear into the brush by waiting motorists.  I went to Columbus for Thanksgiving and enjoyed a couple of hockey games, a couple of runs, an interesting conversation with a table full of old men Trumpites I crashed at a McDonald's there early one morning, a delicious holiday feast and spending time with family members at my sister's house.

In December I went on three Christmas Tree Runs in the District (one was actually a walk and bicycle affair after attending a demonstration at the Capitol), and our dangerous faux president was impeached, an historical event which will possibly correct our veering course down the timeline of world history.  Stay tuned.