I watched a golden warm sunrise early this morning in reflection. Citrus flavored rays stretched out over the horizon like babies fingers reaching for a tall glass of orange juice. This vibrant display was the most beautiful colors of red and gold you could imagine. The dew permeated grass reflected this brilliance across the field.  

Inhalation of the cool fresh air is how I began the journey. You could taste the oxygen-rich blood pumping through my heart. This miraculous machine functioning was in perfect harmony as the bare soles of my feet landed gently on the pavement.

A squirrel moonwalked in front of my path as I ran forward. His head turned back, looked at me as to say, “Now you get it” and smiled.

There is no greater bliss, than living in the moment with a full breath, perfect illumination, and an undeniable sense of wellbeing from being connected to it all. 

I must confess. The last two weeks I have been training twice a day in preparation for races this month. Saturday I will be in a 5k, Sunday a triathlon, another 5k the following Saturday, concluding with a mud run at the U.S. Marine base in Knoxville. I have never entered a race before so I am little nervous they may not let me run barefoot.  My sister of all people ran in a 5k race in the Spring. This shocked me to no end as she spoke about it. Her exercising up to that point in life consisted of lifting the lid to a Krispy Kreme Donut box. Apparently she decided to get into shape after she found out John Travolta exercises at her gym. Anyway, I hate to be outdone by her. I love her to death but this aggressive action deserves a quick response before it escalates into something ugly. It is bad enough she won't hit me anymore.  We have a ritual that every time I see her she punches me in the stomach. I suppose I let her do it to make up for being a mean brother when we were little. Anyway, last time she was in town she tells me to lift up my shirt, she wants to see my abs. I lift up my shirt, tighten my abs and expect the flurry of child like punches to come at me. She starts laughing and calls me "fatty". She wont even hit me! She says I've gotten too fat and she doesn't want to hurt me! I have never felt so humiliated in my life. So now the tradition is in danger of extinction unless I can get her to hit me the next time we meet. 

Well, I did it! The first time in my life that i raced. Saturday i entered in a 5K race. I ran it barefoot and won first place in my age division! And before you ask there was no division for barefoot runners. :) Sunday i did a triathlon. I was happy to complete it. :) I was really just happy that i was able to set my goal and accomplish them. I wanted to run barefoot in a 5k and i did! I have a race each weekend of this month lined up.  That means more training. Early to bed, early to rise. I have a few more goals this year i have set that i am working towards but for now the ones i'm working on are fitness related.  There is no greater feeling than concrete on the soles of your feet! For those that are interested in learning more about barefoot running go to:

http://barefootrunning.com/_