Long Walks On Leafy Streets

2/19/2016 Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC
Last week we had some of the coldest temperatures that we have had all winter. Although still not as cold as last year, it hit us strong. Last Friday I woke up with a scratchy throat, feeling weak and tired. Then on Saturday we had a real arctic blast. Temperatures did not get out of the twenties and the wind made it feel like it was in the single digits. Nevertheless I went running. I told Nicole that I hoped it would make me feel better. Running always seems to do that. It might have been a bad decision but I have gotten so used to the benefits of running that I cannot think of not doing it, unless my leg is broken or something like that.

The hardest part is always, especially in the winter, getting out of the house and starting to run. I put on two layers of everything: two hats, two pairs of gloves and two pairs of socks. I also had my long johns on. I started running towards the east, by mistake.
The plan was to run a short, easy route going through Takoma Park and the Sligo Creek trail. But I decided instead to continue east and ran on Van Buren street all the way to the Rock Creek Park entrance on 16th street, a distance of about a mile and a half. The first couple of miles are always the hardest, and given my weakened state, I was afraid it would be even harder than usual. But surprisingly my energy returned and after the first 10 minutes or so I felt normal, and even ran an eight and a half minute mile once I got on to Beach drive along the Rock Creek. There were very few people out running or doing anything at all, although more than what I expected to find, given the conditions. The woods were as inviting as ever.

I ended up running about six miles, two more than originally planned. I was glad I did it, and more so because I ran in the park. Although it didn’t completely cure me, I did feel much better. But the mistake I made was not to get adequate rest or food afterwards. Nicole, myself and Prashant drove to my sister’s place in the afternoon. We left him there and went on a date night. We do this about once a month and last weekend was special because Sunday was Valentine’s Day. We saw “Hail Caesar” in Bethesda. It was good entertainment. Then on Sunday I had work to do all day. Although I did get a bit of rest, it was not enough. I continued feeling the same thing in my throat as well as general weakness and fatigue.

I have always taken pride on being able to take care of myself. I like to let the body heal itself naturally. I try to listen to the body and trust in nature to do its job. Nevertheless, this persistent issue started to bother me. I wondered if it meant something was wrong deeper inside. These days I do not want to take any chances. After ignoring them for a long time, recently I showed some moles that had developed on my body to my doctor. It turned out to be something benign called Cherry Angioma. I asked myself whether I should consult the doctor. Then wednesday night after feeding Prashant I lay down next to him for an hour or so, resting my body and mind completely. I woke up feeling so much better. I knew right then it was just fatigue. I also calculated how many calories I was consuming as opposed to how much I was burning. It turned out I was getting just more than half the calories I needed, given all the activities. I slept more last night and also ate very well yesterday. Today I felt much better. The feeling of weakness had disappeared and my throat was also starting to heal. It is amazing how much damage stress and fatigue can do to the body and how beneficial rest and calming the mind are.

Speaking of nature, what is more amazing than a new life starting from a tiny seed and expressing itself! That too a human life, developing its own personality and character, growing in front of our eyes. Every day I watch Prashant show some new side of his inner being. For example, I try to make him play with a ball sometimes. I bounce the ball on the ground or send it rolling. I also try to make him play with a toy racecar. I roll the car repeatedly on its track and make whooshing sounds to get him excited. He watches calmly, then takes the car or ball and puts it in his mouth. He looks at me as if he is studying me. “Why is this old man playing with a ball and toy car?” Maybe he will become a psychologist. He likes to study people.

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