Running, being long, lanky and gaunt by nature, running is something I always seem to be able to do with not much difficulty. Last week, while in Melbourne, Florida for work, I ran most mornings on the beach. Most would consider this to be absolute paradise. I am not going to rain on their parade. It is obvious why some people really like it, but I am not one of those people. Today I was back in my element, to a degree at least.

Today I ran on trails. After working way too long today, I got home and headed out for a run. Even this afternoon, I knew this was what I needed after work even though it has been likely six months since I have run besides last week in Florida.

Due to simple geography, there was another element to the run, something adding a very welcome element to the experience. I live across the Catawba River from the whitewater center. The easiest way to get there is to paddle. The right boat for the job was my old 4m Zealot. It has not seen the water in likely a year or more. I had forgotten how nicely a 4m boat glides. Reaching the other side, since having to paddle over there, it provided a degree of separation, a process by which to transition to another world. Continue reading →