Run Happy? Thursday, February 18, 2016

 

Feathering its nest

The bird is the architect

I dream of being.

 

When I’m competing I don’t imagine myself as a happy character. In fact, the characters I’d like to emulate when racing are very determined, serious and decidedly dark.

 

I’m thinking Clint Eastwood in Unforgiven and Tom Cruise in Collateral. Those characters are so grim you know they’re going to accomplish their mission.

 

It’s not like I’m Tigger out there waving and bouncing and whooping it up either. I kind of just keep moving along in pretty much a noncommittal trance like state.

 

But it’s one of my fantasies to line up at a race and have someone say, “You must be the Beck from Orange County.”

 

And I’d pause then squint and say, “That’s right. I’ve raced women and children, dogs and snakes and now I’m here to race you Little Bill,  

Or whatever your name is.”

 

Then the gun would go off and I’d run off into the darkness.

Michael: First Year Jitters

The colors, crossings,
Horns, cars, buses and people
Meet at the parque.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Yesterday, we had another small earthquake. That wasn’t something we thought about when we moved to Panama. It’s not something we thought much about living in Los Angeles either. Maybe it should make a difference, but it doesn’t. We like it here and we liked living in L.A. Might have been nice if International living would’ve given us a heads up though, just in case it was a concern. But I suppose it’s still a buyers beware market out there and something I should’ve researched more if I wanted to lessen the odds of the rug being pulled out from under me.

This morning while preparing to make my coffee in the pre-dawn darkness, I felt a little something crawling on my foot. I figured it was an ant and I had better kill it quick because some of those suckers can pack quite a bite.
Turning on the lights I saw a larger than usual congo line and traced their entry to a nonfunctioning electrical outlet behind the refrigerator.

Bugs were a primal concern of mine when considering moving here. I thought there might be hoards of strange bugs that would haunt me. Turns out it’s just your ordinary ants and fruit flies that are just the occasional small annoyance. Really, the unusual large insect or spider lurking about has become something of a rare treat. Though if someone would’ve told me that I’d be acting as a tarantula crossing guard now and then, I’m sure I would’ve considered that reason to pause and reflect a bit on our plans. But then again, I’ve come across the occasional rattler in L.A. and it never stopped me from going on a trail run.

Also this morning, the winds are cranking away at a strong gusty rate as they did last year in January and February. I thought with El Nino, maybe it would dull that a bit. It hasn’t. It’s only for two months of the year, but it’s like your neighbor’s dog howling non-stop for two months. Do we live with that?

And speaking of dogs… Again, that wasn’t something I gave much thought to either here or in L.A. But the dogs are a bit different here. In L.A. I expected people to control their dogs, both from barking and from possibly pestering me as I walked past their property. That isn’t the way it works here. Asking a Panamanian about training their dogs would get you one of those “But ours goes to 11” conversations. It’s not done and they just wouldn’t get it. Dogs are now something we think about just about every time we step out the door here. It’ll be nice to go for a run or ride in the states and not worry about having pepper spray with me.

And those are just the thoughts that quickly scrambled through my head as I prepare to visit my family again in Gringoland. After a year here, it’ll be an adventure to notice what I’ve missed thinking about while away from the states. But just like here, I’m sure there’s a lot of little things that slip our minds until they scurry across our feet or shake the ground beneath us.

Michael: Opening Statements

Portrerillos is
Like the old Orange County
I knew as a boy.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

I’ve been enjoying watching the presidential debates. But one criticism I read that I agree with is there’s no need to include opening statements. To that affect I propose one of the moderators read the following opening statement before the remaining debates and the candidates can just nod their heads in agreement then get on with it.

Moderator: I believe the programs I’m proposing are best suited to advance our country and I am the best person to implement these proposals. Please examine my ideas carefully. Please examine my record carefully. If I’m mistaken, or can be shown a better way forward, I will readily make changes. If any of my opponents can clearly demonstrate they would better serve our country as president, I will happily step aside and support them. Thank you.

 Now cue the candidates to nod and don’t turn on their microphones until after the first question.

Michael: 5X7

The mountain’s ridges
Rise up over the valley
Like battered knuckles.

Friday, February 12, 2016

This is the annotated version of the crew’s, Kimme, race instructions:

1. Mark Bib
2. Exchange pack - belt/bottle/pack - filled up & with 2 Gus
3. Note any plan changes.
4. Duffel bag.

4th lap - blue bag
6th lap - red bag

That’s it; clean and simple.

Naturally there’s a lot of implied details, like having a chair ready to sit on at the beginning of laps 4 and 6, but we’ll have gone over that beforehand, and Kimme’s both wise and experienced.

She’s also has a very calm demeanor which will be very helpful during the turbulence of a race.

But it’s not her I’m worried about executing the plan on race day.

Michael: All Conditions Go?

Fractions of raindrops
Fall on my skin like morning
Dew on blades of grass.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

With the unpredictable weather Southern California’s been having as of late, you would think that it would be hard to replicate whatever racing conditions one would face there. Not if you’re living here in Volcan, Panama.

Wind, rain, hot, humid, dry, earthquakes, rainbows…pretty much everything but snow, fires and flash floods, and all within a few miles of where I’m standing on just about any given day during the first few months of the year near Volcan.

For example, yesterday as I headed just a few miles north it was drizzly and windy on my trail run. On Monday, as I headed just a bit south and east on a bike ride the air was warm and the skies were clear.

Pick your poison. I don’t feel I’ll be surpised by whatever comes my way at the Sycamore 100k.

Michael: Smorgasbord or Take Out?

Microscopic ants
Use the seams between the tiles
As major freeways.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

There are two approaches to crew access we could utilize during the Sycamore 100k; I could have Kimme lay out everything I could use in our tent and then either tell her what I’d like for the next lap, or go inside the tent myself and pick and choose or, put what I’m going to use at specific times during the race in a drop bag and have Kimme give that to me.

We’re going to use the drop bag approach because, hopefully, it’ll take decision making stresses off the both of us, save time, and keep me from going into the tent. I’m afraid if I do that I may never come out.

The downside to this approach is if I screw up preparing the bags, I could end up waiting or going in the tent anyway, costing me both time and aggravation.

Either way, all of these decisions that are involved in utilizing a drop bag or crew add another intriguing dimension to ultra racing that you don’t get with shorter races. It’s a puzzle I haven’t quite solved yet, but am hoping I nail it this time out.

Michael: Window Seat

The trees lean away
From the ceaseless howl coming
From the volcano.

Monday, February 8, 2016

This is one of those small “Do as I say, not as I do.” cautionary tales.

On Kimme’s long journey to Taiwan, she made two very smart decisions; one, to bring healthy snacks with her for her long layovers, and two, choosing an aisle seat. Unfortunately, I only absorbed one of those lessons.

Usually, when I fly, I rely on airport food which is expensive, generally not healthy and/or not a part of my normal diet, and as a consequence, I end up over-indulging. Along with the reduced physical activity and all of the other changes involved in travel, not the wisest way to go. So on my upcoming trip to L.A. I’m going to bag some healthy fare and not rely so heavily on what’s at the airport food court.

I wish I would’ve been as wise when it came to choosing my seat. But without thinking I chose window seats on the two longest legs of the flight to L.A. Why? Because part of me is still a child and is fascinated by flight and likes to look out the window. But, like Kimme, I should’ve chosen aisle seats so I can get up and move around without bothering other people.

Live and learn I suppose. But I’ve done enough of the living part that I should’ve learned both of  these lessons by now.

Michael: What is this?

When the day is warm,
A gentle breeze blowing,
This is paradise.

Sunday, February 7, 2016

In my continuing quest to discover what chocolate snacks my stomach will tolerate while working out, I turned to the international market Friday and tried a packaged good called “Roys”.

Disclaimer: I’m only presuming Roys is not a U.S. product because there is no English on the label. In fact, outside of the cover saying Simsek, ROYS, Kakaolu Kek, a picture of a coffee cake like treat, and a legible 50g on the back, there isn’t any information I can decipher about this product.

Which intrigues me. So long as I can presume there’s chocolate inside, I’ll eat just about anything. But afterwards, I do like to examine the label just out of curiosity’s sake. But the print and labeling on this wrapper is so small I can’t make out anything about Roys and have no idea what I ate or where it came from.

I’m going to take it to the states with me and see if I can find someone with a powerful enough microscope to see if the marks on Roys is even print. If it is, I think it’s conceivable that Roys has managed to print the entire Bible on the back of a candy wrapper.

Yet it was tasty, kind of a cross between a Twinkie and a gas station chocolate donut. My stomach had no problem with it, whatever it is, and I’d definitely treat myself to a few more Roys down the road.

Michael: The Plan

Midnight butterfly
With sunflower yellow stripes
Dances on the breeze.

Saturday, February 6, 2016

At the Sycamore 100k Kimme, my crew, and I will meet 7 times. Here’s the plan for us to utilize that time wisely.

1. Mark bib with dash indicating what lap I’ll be doing. This figure eight course’s top loop is run in opposite directions every other lap. From past experience I know that it’s quite possible I’ll lose track at some point and don’t want to have to rely on a volunteer, who might have to check with H.Q., to point me in the right direction. The bib marking will remove stress by allowing me to look down and simply count the dashes to tell a volunteer. That way if I do end up doing a loop the wrong way, it won’t be because I miscalculated.

2. Hand me 4oz. Cup of water and gel or Scratch Lab cookie. I’ve been experimenting with a lot of junk food on long rides and runs in case my stomach starts becoming queasy after downing gels all day, or I just start craving something solid. That’s where the cookies come in.

3.Exchange hydration systems. I plan on rotating through three systems. I’ll start with the Osprey Rev 1.5 pack loaded with 20 oz. of NUUN. In kind of a role reversal, the person playing the rock star, me, isn’t picky about the flavor, but the road crew, Kimme, really prefers the grape.

The reason for starting with the Osprey is wearing a shoulder pack will allow me to wear a headlamp at my waist without it interfering with a waist pack. Also, using a different system each loop will change the stresses on my body and hopefully keep me fresher both mentally and physically.

Next, I’ll use the Nathan Speedbelt loaded with 20 oz. of NUUN split between it’s two 10 oz bottles.

On the third loop I’ll go to a hybrid handheld/ butt cheek squeezed 12 oz Simple Hydration bottle. I’m not keen on using handhelds, but the cool thing about this bottle is once I’ve drank about half of it, I can tuck it away in the back of my shorts, and voila!, abra cadabra, nothing in the hands and no straps holding any pack on my body. It’s as close to running naked as I’m going to get until I’m 90, when I’ve pledged to run my first naked race just to freak people out.

4. Hand me two GUs, one Espresso Love (caffeine) and one caramel (This is where the rock star will get pissy with the crew if they screw up.).

5. Ask if there’s any change in plans.

Note A: Have massage bar, Kool N Fit, heat patches, first aid kit, change of shirt in small duffel on hand.

Note B: After third lap I’ll change shoes and socks. Change to short sleeve shirt with arm warmers and switch caps to Salomon cap with neck sun shield.

Note C: After 5th lap I’ll change shoes and socks and if it starts to cool down significantly, throw on a warmer long sleeve shirt and windbreaker or warm up jacket. I’ll also have a rain jacket and poncho on hand if I can find it.

Note D: Should know by mid afternoon if I’m on pace to start the last lap before 5 p.m. Kimme can’t pace me until after that. Naturally, I’d prefer to finish in the light and on my own, and save Kimme the stress of having to prepare to run after helping me out all day, but we’ll just have to see what the day brings.

Note E: After sitting and changing shoes have me stand and rub legs with massage stick and spray with Kool N Fit. Hopefully, that’ll recharge me a bit and get me going instead of groping for the chair mummy style.

I hope that’s it. I’ll try to pare this down to a note card for Kimme. I don’t want every aid stop to turn into a rental car counter experience.

Michael: Go Left Old Man

The winds have died down.
It’s now calm enough to hear
The birds sing.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Today is a going to be an exciting day in America. Bernie Sanders, an avowed Democratic Socialist, is going to win the first Presidential primary. Wow! I’ve considered myself a Democratic Socialist since the 80s when I read Michael Harrington in college. I figured a woman, an African American…you name it, but I never held out much hope that those of my political persuasion would come close to competing for the presidency. But Bernie is putting up the good fight and people seem ready to listen, even Clinton. Today is a proud day to be an American.

Yes, even though she‘s hemming and hawing a bit, Hillary is also endorsing Bernie. Her endorsement argument goes like this; Bernie is right on the big domestic issues - campaign finance reform, income inequality, health care, breaking up the banks, and free public college education. But I, Hillary, am the needed policy wonk that can do the dirty work to push  these ideals forward. Her campaign is more of a push for an advisory position in a Sanders administration, than a worthy alternative viewpoint to consider.

I just wish Bernie would go a little more left and link his domestic policies with foreign affairs by proclaiming that he’ll also break up the link between big corporations and the Military/Industrial complex. Talk about corporate welfare. That’s where a lot of the money and manpower could come from to improve the infrastructure.

Come on Bernie, you’re going left, keep on going.

Michael: The Mathematics of Aid Stations

There was a kindness;
A touch by the morning sun
To dry a small tear.

Friday, February 5, 2016

A race is about time so stopping at any point doesn’t sound like a good winning strategy. For races up to a half marathon that’s not a problem, but after that it becomes a balance between carrying water and nutrition versus using aid stations.

For the Sycamore 100k, given the figure 8, 7 ½ mile layout with aid available at race headquarters and at the crossing of the loops, that’s a possibility of 3 stops each lap. 8 laps time three subtracting the start and finish of the race, and that’s a grand total of 22 aid station stops. Even if you’re reasonably quick, say two minutes each stop, that would be 44 minutes of a race where you wouldn’t be moving forward. That’s more than my usual long nap time.

Of course, we’ve all seen people go to the other extreme and carry huge packs to avoid stopping. When those guys start lumbering past me in races maybe I’ll give that a thought, but until then it’s about using the aid stations intelligently.

I figure for this race that means only using the aid station at race headquarters where my crew, Kimme, will be. If each lap takes an hour and a quarter and I drink a cup of water and have a gel at H.Q. , I’ll only have to carry 20 oz of NUUN and two gels each lap. That’s just a little bit of weight to avoid 16 aid station stops. That’s a time savings of half an hour which could be the difference between finishing in the light or having to strap on a headlamp and heading out very wearily into the night.

Michael: The Crew Checklist

The small yellow leaves
Blanket the road like gold coins
Welcoming the king.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

There are plenty of race checklist on line, but I didn’t find one that addresses the unique aspect of the race I’m doing, the Sycamore 100k. In this race, the crew stays still and we loop around to meet them every 7 ½ miles. I did find some very comprehensive lists at ultrunr.com, and used some of their suggestions to cobble together the following checklist which pertains specifically to the needs for my crew (Kimme) for this race.

Crew Checklist:

The Station-
  Tent
  Pegs
  Hammer
  Foam pad
  Sleeping bag or blanket
  Pillow
  Chair

Other related supplies-
  Alarm clock
  Flashlight and/or headlamp
  Duct tape
  Maps
  Money
  Identification
  Phone/camera
  Entertainment - Ipad, music, writing pad & pen.
  First aid kit (shared with racer)
  Extra toilet paper
  Hand sanitizer
  towel

The essentials-
  Food for the day
  Hydration for the day
  Change of clothes
  Running attire to pace.
  Pack

And last but not least -
  Race plan
  Patience
  Positive attitude

Hope that covers it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I overlooked something obvious. Still plenty of time to update if necessary.

Michael: The Crew

The solitary
Light in the cold morning sky
Will soon fade away.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

With less than a month to go before my only ultra this year, I’ve become overly focused on my needs and negligent of the crew’s.  To remedy this imbalance I’ve turned to the net in search of a crew checklist. I’ll discuss what I found tomorrow.

But first a brief update on my wife and crew, Kimme. Today she left to visit Taiwan with her mother for three weeks. This will be the first time we’ve been apart in the 4 years we’ve been together.

Now in Panama alone, I’m not sure what my experience of this foreign country will be like. I don’t expect the environment to change noticeably, but without her presence, the soul of the experience here will be pretty lifeless.

We’ve become our very own small sovereign nation.

Michael: Ponytail Paul

When an earthquake starts
Whatever I’m doing comes
To an abrupt stop.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Ponytail Paul is the central character in the latest short trail film sent to me via e-mail. This one is second in REI’s short film series about how certain individuals connect to three trails around the country. Paul’s connection is to the Appalachian Trail.

I’m not going to summarize the plot. The film is only 6 minutes long after all, so you could watch all of it almost as quickly as you can read this blog, but what I enjoyed about Paul’s story is it’s about a person who is neither a runner nor hiker, yet is still profoundly effected by his trail experiences. I don’t feel it was necessary for REI to emphasize this by showing a close up of Paul’s overflowing ashtray, but that’s about it for the knit-picking of this particular short.

I will say that all trail films seem to follow a very well worn format; there’s the slow motion movement with the main character’ voice over, the tranquil new age music to cover up the incessant mosquito buzz, and damned if there isn’t always a tree that gets a slow-mo close up and takes forever to move past it.

Let’s see…REI’s first film was about an Asian man’s experience with the Bay Trail. This film was about a white man’s experience with the A.T. What do you think will be next? I’m guessing not a lumberjack who’s vowed to rid us all of those dreaded warlock trees.  

Michael: Terremoto 4.8

The dark earth rumbles
Below our feet with a force
We cannot control.

Monday, February 1, 2016

At 5:30 in the morning yesterday, while I was having my breakfast, I experienced my first decent sized Panamanian earthquake. Months ago we felt a little rocking while we were staying at the Totumas Lodge, but that felt more like a wind gust. Yesterday’s jolt left no doubt in my mind what phenomenon was taking place.

Being from Southern California, I’ve experienced a number of reasonably sized quakes in my life. So I know when the ground started moving, there is no way to determine how large a quake we were going through until we could find out where the epicenter was. For that, I’d have to wait a bit until the data was posted on the net. The epicenter for this quake was only about 10 miles away so we got to experience pretty much the full force of the tremor.

Just like so many seemingly random forces of nature, although they can be tremendously destructive, it’s hard not to appreciate the experience of feeling an earthquake. It’s an unexpected reminder that you’re alive, but also that there are forces out there that you have no control of and that can overwhelm you in an instance.

MIchael: No Einstein

Rhythms of the songs
Of nature are the background
To a peaceful day.

Sunday, January 31, 2016

This is why I’m a runner and not a physicist; I’m retired so have plenty of time to figure things out, yet all the preparation around this race is giving me grief. You would think that as I approach 60 a few new wrinkles would be taken in stride, but they’re tripping me up.

For instance, I’ve never done a proper taper. I’ve always been to busy racing. I’ve had to go on line to see what I should be doing this month.
It’s going to be an adventure to see how my body reacts to this build up of rest. I won’t ever take a complete day off my feet, but I will cut the prescribed easy days down to the minimum I need to feel I’m maintaining my pledge to do a 1,000 days of exercise in a row.

As part of the taper and pre-race prep. Kimme made the wise suggestion to stay at the hotel not only the night before the race, but also the night of the race. Why didn’t I think of that? With a 6 a.m. start, not having to scramble and make sure we’re all packed up is going to save time and stress.

This will also be the first race I’ve experienced where the crew (Kimme) will set up a tent and instead of the crew scrambling off to the next crew point, I, the racer, will continually loop around to meet the crew. Still haven’t wrapped my head around what all that entails.

Even the simple figure eight layout of the course has me scratching my head. Because the top loop is always ran clockwise, and the bottom loop reverses direction every loop, the distance to the aid stations varies from lap to lap. Still trying to figure out what the best plan for hydration and nutrition will look like.

All of these puzzle pieces are part of the challenge and I hope to have them all accounted for well before the race. But, sadly, that’s about all I feel up for. If you threw any quantum theory at me, I’m sure I’d do a face plant.

Michael: A Reminder

The morning belongs
To the voices rising in
The moon’s silhouette.

Saturday, January 30, 2016

This Friday we decided to skip the usual social/shopping event that is the small farmers market at Mana’s restaurant, but that didn’t prevent me from running into a person I hadn’t seen in quite a while who brings a sense of foreboding with him.

Last July, 6 weeks before we visited the states, I had a bicycle accident when I hit a freshly cut down tree branch. I was lucky to get out of that with only a bruised foot. The workers that cut the branch called their boss and he gave me a ride home.

Yesterday, 4 weeks before we again return to the states, I saw this man for the first time since the accident at the bank. He was very happy to see me and asked how I was doing. I’m not exactly sure why, but at that instant I was very happy to see him as well. You would think that running into a person who, although indirectly, was associated with a pretty scary event in your life might cause a bit of consternation, particularly as I again approach another visit to the states.

But I’m going to try not to read too much into it. I’m still planning to get out on my bike. Perhaps seeing this man again was meant to remind me how fortunate I am or how whimsical the fates can be. Like I said, I’m not going to try and let it throw me off (pun intended).

Michael: Out with the Old

Only the bird’s weight
Causes the still branch to move
Like a metronome.

Friday, January 29, 2016

My Runner’s World training log ran out of space last Sunday. My last entry was a 21 mile road run, the longest road run I’ve ever done. Kind of poetic.

The weekly inspirational quote or nugget of wisdom under that entry is, “Rest is important to avoid injury. Also you need to balance proper nutrition, rest, and a good quality of life with hard training.” Cathy O’Brien, U.S. Olympic marathoner.

They don’t have R.W. logs here and I’m going to miss those quotes, but I was determined not to go without a training log, so it was off to the school store in Volcan to see if they had a workable 2016 journal. They did and, of course, it’s in Spanish, which is fine by me.

It’s set up slightly differently than the R.W. log and appointment journal I used last year, but a little change could be a good thing. For example, the two page grid at the beginning that lay out the months and days runs from Lunes to Viernes across the top but doesn’t say Sabado and Domingo at the end, instead it groups them together under the heading of Fin de Semana. That’s nice. The weekend should be thought of as one piece.

And instead of the weekly inspirational quotes or pieces of wisdom, it gives quotes from famous historical figures on Lunes, Miercoles, and Viernes. I doubt many of them have to do with running, but who knows. And with my limited Spanish, maybe I can kind of give them my own interpretation and slant them toward my exercise goal for that day. If not, at least it will give me a little extra Spanish practice.

Today’s quote is, “Nada nos hace mas felices que la contemplacion y el ensueno.” Auguste Rodan.

I think that means something like, “There isn’t happiness without thinking and dreaming.” but I’m going to go with, “Don’t even think or dream about not doing your tempo run today because you know you’ll regret it.”
I’ll look it up later to be sure.

It’s going to be a fun challenge to figure out what all these ivory tower types have to say about running. And damned, I didn’t know so many of them knew Spanish. Now I feel even more lame.

Michael: A Clean Plate

The deep red trumpets
Blow silently in the land
Of garden flowers.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Sometimes you make good choices, sometimes a lack of choice thrust goodness upon you.

Being a vegetarian is definitely a mixed bag here compared to Los Angeles. In L.A. the sky’s the limit. Here, rice cakes and Bob’s Red Mill Muesli will be on the shelves for a few months, then you don’t know if and when they’ll return. So it’s best to simplify and rely on the staples. Fortunately, I don’t feel that’s such a bad way to go.

Thankfully, they do have Almond milk on hand at all times here, or I’d be desperate. I’d love it if the muesli returns but I can get by on the local granola, a banana, coffee and maybe some trail mix or a brownie picked up from the Friday market for breakfast. In the states I’d break up the monotony with a healthy oatmeal now and then, but the few oatmeals here all have added sugar, so they’re out.

Lunch is fruit and veggies, a scoop of raisins and nuts, and a pack of crackers with ‘natural’ peanut butter. I was having rice cakes with peanut butter but since I can’t be certain that the small ones I like will be kept on the shelves, I’ve gone to a brand of whole wheat crackers that’s always available. And the peanut butter, though labeled ‘natural’, still has sugar added and isn’t just the “peanuts and salt, and that’s all”, that I’d prefer.

The first time we went to Price Smart in David, an hour and half bus drive away, they did have veggie burgers, but they haven’t had them since. They’re available in Boquete, but that’s another 45 minutes on the bus from David, and though I liked veggie burgers, it’s not worth the five hour round trip bus ride. Besides, I don’t like the breads here, so burgers and bread have left the diet.

Kimme makes a variety of wholesome hot meals and a salad for dinner. We can’t get a decent healthy salad dressing here, so we make a few simple, healthy and delicious ones ourselves.

Desert is four squares of a Ritter’s chocolate bar. In the states we’d mix in some dairy free coconut bars from whole foods, but the ice creams and deserts here are the same big bad name brands they have in the states, so again, we’re limited and that’s probably for the best both in terms of our health and our budget.

Sometimes the limitations we encounter are the best choices we could’ve made. And that’s pretty much how I feel about my evolving diet in Volcan, Panama.