On November 22, 1963, John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. I was 2 years old. I can remember as I got older and would discuss history with my parents, they told me they would always remember where they were and how they felt when they heard the news that Kennedy was killed by an assassin's bullet as his motorcade wound through Dallas. This was probably the same for my grandparents when they heard the news about Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. As I grew older I was somewhat comforted by the fact that the history that was unfolding in my lifetime was mostly good. The Cold War had ended and the Berlin Wall came down. I actually began to feel a sense of relief believing that maybe what John Lennon had asked for in 1969 was actually going to take hold in my lifetime. Maybe the world was really going to "give peace a chance."
Unfortunately, when I returned home from my normal morning run on Sept. 11, 2001, I realized that I had been mistaken. Here I was 40 years old and being confronted with what hatred and intolerance had wrought in my world. As I witnessed the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, I realized that like my parents in 1963, I would always remember that exact moment in time, where I was, how I felt and many things after that. Sadly, watching the events unfold as I got ready for work was not going to be the end of my connection with the event. I hate to admit the fact that I have been avoiding any discussions about that day ever since I finally switched off the coverage, stopped reading the papers and walked away from the memorial service at the Old Globe Theater for my friend Tim Ward who was on United Flight #175. I wanted to remember it in my own way not the way the media and the rest of the world wanted me to. But, here we are 10 years later and I cannot avoid the onslaught of stories no matter how hard I may try.
So here I am on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. Ten years ago, I did my normal morning run not knowing what was happening on the East Coast. Today I did an 8 mile training run in preparation for the B.A.A. Half Marathon. Another normal morning run like so many I have completed in the last 10 years. The difference today is that I ran with the memories of that day and my friend and colleague who perished. As I reflected on that day, I realized that we all move through life touching others in ways we may not even realize. Tim Ward and I were not extremely close. We worked together and socialized after work many times. I always remember his fantastic cheesecakes he would bring into the office for special occasions and his sincere happy attitude about life. But, I suspect he didn’t know how many people’s lives he and touched and left each with a positive lasting memory of him.
What I find sad is that despite all that Tim had done in the short 38 years he lived the tributes to him and many of the other victims are short, have very little detail and don’t do them justice. Here are two examples:
Running is a way for me to be in the moment and to reflect on my memories. What I realized this morning as I reflected on my memories of that day is that I did change profoundly on that day 10 years ago. I realized that I should embrace life and live it to its fullest. Ever since that day I have challenged myself both physically and mentally and have really had more fun. I have met new people and befriended many of them and am so blessed to have them in my life for they make it much richer. I have climbed mountains, completed 5 marathons, run 2 – 200 mile relay races, got back into acting, etc. This made me realize that even out of such a tragedy some good can come from it. I recently reread “On the Road” and found this quote to best sum up how my philosophy of life has changed since September 11, 2001:
"But why think about that when all the golden lands ahead of you and all kinds of unforeseen events wait lurking to surprise you and make you glad you're alive to see?" — Jack Kerouac (On the Road)
Run on my friends and find those golden lands that hold wonder and surprise that must not be missed.
Aug. 22 – 6.20 miles (57:18, 9:15 pace)
Aug. 23 – 3.20 miles (25:09, 7:52 pace) – Speed Work
Aug. 25 – 7.20 miles (57:33, 7:59 pace) – Tempo Run
Aug. 26 – 7.10 miles (1:07:, 9:26 pace)
Aug. 27 – 6.20 miles (53:41, 8:40 pace)
Aug. 28 – 12.10 miles (1:55:09, 9:31 pace)
Aug. 29 – 6.10 miles (56:58, 9:21 pace)
Aug. 30 – 3.20 miles (25:18, 7:55 pace) – Speed Work
Sept. 1 – 7.20 miles (58:09, 8:04 pace) – Tempo Run
Sept. 2 – 6.10 miles (56:04, 9:12 pace)
Sept. 3 – 10.10 miles (1:32:30, 9:10 pace)
Sept. 4 – 8.10 miles (1:18:08, 9:39 pace)
Sept. 5 – 6.20 miles (55:17, 8:55 pace)
Sept. 6 – 3.20 miles (25:00, 7:48 pace) – Speed Work
Sept. 8 – 7.20 miles (57:35, 7:59 pace) – Tempo Run
Sept. 9 – 7.10 miles (1:05:33, 9:14 pace)
Sept. 10 – 14.30 miles (2:09:09, 9:02 pace)
Sept. 11 – 8.10 miles (1:14:17, 9:10 pace)
Total Miles: 128.9 miles
2011 YTD Miles: 1,137.8 miles
P.S. If you click on the tile it will bring you to a great song by the band 10 Years After.
Unfortunately, when I returned home from my normal morning run on Sept. 11, 2001, I realized that I had been mistaken. Here I was 40 years old and being confronted with what hatred and intolerance had wrought in my world. As I witnessed the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, I realized that like my parents in 1963, I would always remember that exact moment in time, where I was, how I felt and many things after that. Sadly, watching the events unfold as I got ready for work was not going to be the end of my connection with the event. I hate to admit the fact that I have been avoiding any discussions about that day ever since I finally switched off the coverage, stopped reading the papers and walked away from the memorial service at the Old Globe Theater for my friend Tim Ward who was on United Flight #175. I wanted to remember it in my own way not the way the media and the rest of the world wanted me to. But, here we are 10 years later and I cannot avoid the onslaught of stories no matter how hard I may try.
So here I am on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. Ten years ago, I did my normal morning run not knowing what was happening on the East Coast. Today I did an 8 mile training run in preparation for the B.A.A. Half Marathon. Another normal morning run like so many I have completed in the last 10 years. The difference today is that I ran with the memories of that day and my friend and colleague who perished. As I reflected on that day, I realized that we all move through life touching others in ways we may not even realize. Tim Ward and I were not extremely close. We worked together and socialized after work many times. I always remember his fantastic cheesecakes he would bring into the office for special occasions and his sincere happy attitude about life. But, I suspect he didn’t know how many people’s lives he and touched and left each with a positive lasting memory of him.
What I find sad is that despite all that Tim had done in the short 38 years he lived the tributes to him and many of the other victims are short, have very little detail and don’t do them justice. Here are two examples:
Timothy Ward, 38, of San Diego, California, worked at the Carlsbad, California-based Rubio's Restaurants Inc. A 14-year veteran of the company, he opened its second restaurant in San Diego and most recently worked in the information technology department.And
Tim Ward, 38, of San Diego, was an information technology executive for Rubio's Restaurants, a chain of 138 Mexican restaurants headquartered in Carlsbad, Calif. A wine enthusiast and sports lover, Ward loved attending San Diego's Old Globe Theater, a reproduction of the Tudor-era Theater that presents Shakespearean plays. Recently, he'd sent his grandmother flowers.I know Tim was much more than these simple biographies. But, this is how we remember our loved ones when they pass on. A few simple sentences to try and sum up what they spent a lifetime trying to create in this world.
Running is a way for me to be in the moment and to reflect on my memories. What I realized this morning as I reflected on my memories of that day is that I did change profoundly on that day 10 years ago. I realized that I should embrace life and live it to its fullest. Ever since that day I have challenged myself both physically and mentally and have really had more fun. I have met new people and befriended many of them and am so blessed to have them in my life for they make it much richer. I have climbed mountains, completed 5 marathons, run 2 – 200 mile relay races, got back into acting, etc. This made me realize that even out of such a tragedy some good can come from it. I recently reread “On the Road” and found this quote to best sum up how my philosophy of life has changed since September 11, 2001:
"But why think about that when all the golden lands ahead of you and all kinds of unforeseen events wait lurking to surprise you and make you glad you're alive to see?" — Jack Kerouac (On the Road)
Run on my friends and find those golden lands that hold wonder and surprise that must not be missed.
Aug. 22 – 6.20 miles (57:18, 9:15 pace)
Aug. 23 – 3.20 miles (25:09, 7:52 pace) – Speed Work
Aug. 25 – 7.20 miles (57:33, 7:59 pace) – Tempo Run
Aug. 26 – 7.10 miles (1:07:, 9:26 pace)
Aug. 27 – 6.20 miles (53:41, 8:40 pace)
Aug. 28 – 12.10 miles (1:55:09, 9:31 pace)
Aug. 29 – 6.10 miles (56:58, 9:21 pace)
Aug. 30 – 3.20 miles (25:18, 7:55 pace) – Speed Work
Sept. 1 – 7.20 miles (58:09, 8:04 pace) – Tempo Run
Sept. 2 – 6.10 miles (56:04, 9:12 pace)
Sept. 3 – 10.10 miles (1:32:30, 9:10 pace)
Sept. 4 – 8.10 miles (1:18:08, 9:39 pace)
Sept. 5 – 6.20 miles (55:17, 8:55 pace)
Sept. 6 – 3.20 miles (25:00, 7:48 pace) – Speed Work
Sept. 8 – 7.20 miles (57:35, 7:59 pace) – Tempo Run
Sept. 9 – 7.10 miles (1:05:33, 9:14 pace)
Sept. 10 – 14.30 miles (2:09:09, 9:02 pace)
Sept. 11 – 8.10 miles (1:14:17, 9:10 pace)
Total Miles: 128.9 miles
2011 YTD Miles: 1,137.8 miles
P.S. If you click on the tile it will bring you to a great song by the band 10 Years After.
