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What Was I Thinking (Part One): In the Beginning

It is almost two years to the day when it all started. When something in my head snapped and I momentarily lost my mind, losing a grasp on reality. And then it was too late.... it all started to snow ball out of control!

Being early January, I was revisiting one of my favorite broken resolutions.... I was going to get back into shape. Now there are all kinds of shapes; squares, octagons, parallelograms, triangles. They're all nice shapes.... but not necessarily all good to be body shapes. I guess I didn't want to necessarily get into shape.... I just wanted to stop becoming an oval. Round wasn't the shape I was looking for and I decided to do something about it.

So I did what I always do when I decide its time to 'un-oval' myself.... I run.

I used to run in high school on the track team. Actually, I was a pole vaulter, but we did have some running to do during practice. I didn't really like the running part..... it was so tiring... but, I knew that to be a good pole vaulter, I had to listen to my coach and do what he asked of me. So I would run. I wouldn't enjoy it. But I would run.

Since high school... I hadn't run very much. Every year or so.... I'd get into 'un-oval' mode and I'd run about three miles every other day. This would usually last about a week and then I'd remember.... I don't like to run. Then I'd grab a bag of potato chips, sit on the couch and watch the tube.

So here I was again. But this time was different... again. This time I was going to stick with it... again.

I remember that first morning so clearly. It was very sunny and actually quite warm for a January in New England.... about 30 degrees. Balmy! It had already snowed a few times, so there were long piles of dirty white icy snowy stuff lined along all the roads making the run more of an obstacle course.

I got outside early, stretched and started my jaunt down to the stop sign... about 3 miles away roundtrip.

During this time in my life, I was very involved with our local synagogue.... sitting on the board and helping out whenever a need arose. I was also the Building Committee Chairman. Our synagogue needed a Building Committee Chairman to head up the Building Committee and we needed a Building Committee because our building was falling apart. The roof was water logged and leaked. There was mold in the coat closet. The insulation was wet so didn't work well, making the bathrooms frigid. (Frigid bathrooms are not fun.... takes the tongue on a frozen metal pole to a whole different level. Ever get stuck to a toilet seat?)

Unfortunately, our synagogue membership isn't loaded. Far from it. We have a real focus on the children, trying to make services enjoyable for them and also running many events geared towards them. We tend to get alot of young families join.

So there I was..... running.... thinking.... running... one foot after another.... thinking... jump over the snow bank.... thinking....

And this was when my mind started playing tricks on me.

Stay tuned for What Was I Thinking (Part Two): Goodbye Reality

Posted by Martin Abeshaus on 01/10/2008 07:27 AM

Comments (15)

Post is included in group: Active Runners
Post is included in group: The Frying Pan Gang

15 Comments on What Was I Thinking (Part One): In the Beginning

JAN

2008

MARTIN - I have no idea where this is going, but I'll stay tuned for the other parts. I do know that I've always enjoyed playing sports, and can run all day long while doing so, but to run just for the sake of running...no thanks!

Sheesh Martin! You just had me totally engrossed, and then you say "stay tuned"! Years ago, we wound up getting a treadmill, and then replacing it when that one died, because I knew I would never keep up walking outside in cold, rainy or very humid weather. I'm impressed with you, and others, who take to the road no matter what the weather throws at you.

MARTIN- Like Adam...I'm standing at the 4 way stop and thinking..."Hmmm....which way is this boy going to run with this?" I'll be back...just don't keep me waiting too long. Ask Bill Nazur...I don't like to wait. ;-)

I could see you as a parallelogram, but definitely not a square parallelogram. Caught the Cliffhanger Fever, did you? Staying tuned for the mind tricks.

Martin, you have me captivated now. When do we get the rest of the story?

Martin, I hung up my running shoes a few years ago after falling and breaking an arm. I ran consistently about 45 miles a week for about 20 years. Now, I just watch others run and I play raquetball.

Martin - You have me hooked. I can't wait for part two!

JAN

2008

Martin, You have run up my curiosity and now I won't be able to sleep... You should have posted a warning... LOL

LOL..when you said you were running again..I just figured someone was chasing you...LOL

See ya at Part deux!

totally staying tuned for mind games ...tricks..whatever, but you ask Elizabeth I don't like waiting either. Think I knocked someone out in her blog series..lol

Adam - I agree. All sports.... love to play.... unless I'm being chased.... not a fan of the running just to run.

Kathy - I remember watch that old corny Batman & Robin as a kid and they always did that.... "Stay Tuned"!!

Elizabeth - Which way did he go... which way did he go?

Elaine - How about a rhombux?

Danny - Oh... I was just kidding... that's the end of the story.

Dan - Me too! Not the arm part.... the hanging up part. (How did you break an arm running?... You know... you're supposed to go AROUND the brick walls)

Sal - Glad you liked... now if I could just remember the rest of the story.

Ginger - Oh the pressure! I hope I can remember the rest of the story!

BLR - Is he still behind me... my legs are getting tired!

Melissa - Oh.... did I mention it was a finish with your own ending story? :-)

Martin: Like I said, in Part II, you are reminding me of Forrest Gump... how long are you going to run. We need a plan here! You've got an outline, hopefully! You better remember the rest of the story or we're coming after ya.