Michael: A Freebie

Early morning cow
Snorts like a bull elephant
Before it charges.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

It’s rained pretty steady this year in November. Because of that we’ve avoided the Quetzal trail for the past several weeks, but this past Sunday we rolled the dice and, though it was a bit muddier, it was still both doable and enjoyable. However, what made the day worthwhile for me was the small favor the bus driver and his assistant did for us before we got to the trail.

As we walk into town one of three buses will pass our way; the Sereno-David bus which is usually speeding by in the opposite direction, or if it is going our way it’s also speeding by so if we’re not at a stop we don’t even bother to try and flag it down.

The other two buses are either going to David or Cerro Punta and turn around about a quarter mile from our place. We want to take the bus to David to get to the gym. The way to indicate to the bus driver, if you’re between bus stops and you want them to pick you up, is by pointing either to the left for Cerro Punta or to the right for David. They’ll either point, shake you off, or usually stop if they’re going in your direction.

But Sunday when we pointed to David and the assistant indicated Cerro Punta, the bus stopped anyway and waived us in telling us they’d give us a ride to Berard’s Market saving us a half mile walk. When we got there we offered to pay, but they waived us off. That was the first time a bus crew has offered us this kindness and we really appreciated it.

Michael: Preliminary Results

Rain everyday;
The small tears into rivers
Heading out to sea.

Monday, November 28, 2016

It’s been about two months since I began my experiment with creatine. I started taking it out of my concern to combat strength loss as I age. However, though I’m not usually keen on testimonials, along with Power Point presentations, naturally, I feel mine is the exception to the rule and may prove worthwhile.

Does it work? I’ll give it a qualified yes. Yes because I am stronger. That’s a fact. I’m of the lithe runner body type and though in high school I could bench my meager 125 lbs worth of body weight, now at 145 lbs and 40 years removed from those youthful days, I didn’t really have any expectation that I’d be able to bench my current weight. But just the other day I can close, benching 140 lbs.

That yes is qualified because when you make several changes at once, how do you know how to parcel out the credit? Along with taking the creatine, I’ve also been going to the gym on a regular basis and I do feel the coach there has helped guide me in a program that is improving my overall strength.

So far the creatine has done exactly what my google searches said if would if it is going to be effective. I did gain weight within the first week and within the first 6 weeks I have seen strength improvements. The weight I’d like to shed, but the strength gains I’d like to hold onto for as long as I can.

Michael: Smoking in Panama

It’s the little things
That so often make a day
Worth remembering.

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Thursday, at American Flowers Friendship celebration, we noticed that there weren’t any smokers in a pretty large and eclectic crowd of over 30 people. In fact, in our two years here we haven’t noticed very many regular smokers.

We asked the husband of our Spanish teacher if there was a reason for this and he said that Panama has really made a big push to get the word out about the harmful effects of smoking. One way they do this is by requiring tobacco companies to put very blunt images of the harmful effects of smoking on their packages; like a picture of a diseased lung.

The following night, since Colbert wasn’t on, Kimme and I thumbed through John Oliver’s Youtube offerings and found one on smoking. This segment was about how tobacco companies have often successfully spent a lot of money on lawsuits preventing many countries from enacting laws similar to Panama’s.

To complete the trifecta, this morning while we were running to the Quetzal Lodge for lunch, we saw an empty tobacco package on the side of the road. It took both of us to a little while to figure it out, but if my picture is clear enough, you’ll see that it’s a limp penis/cigarette. I presume to warn men away from smoking because of it’s link to erectile dysfunction.

Not only that, but most penises are never going win any beauty prizes and if this picture comes even close to what my best friend would look like after years of smoking, I’m glad we never took it up.

Michael: A Tangible Upside

The repugnant smell
Follows under the vulture’s
Long charcoal shadow.

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Kimme and I were just talking about how we don’t understand why people would feel proud of leaving the United States, or anywhere else for that matter, to avoid paying higher taxes. It just seems like a bragging about being a hoarder. Why?

Yet, it’s also hit me that’s going to be one of the big carrots I’m sure the Trump administration is going to dangle in front of the American people. We are all going to get a tax break. Whether this is for the best or not, in the short term that could prove to be a very tangible benefit to us here in Panama.

How? I have a TSA that I can’t touch until I’m 59 ½ without incurring a substantial penalty. As it is, even then as soon as I withdraw money from it, that’ll count as income and be subject to taxation, which will effect my calculations on how much I should withdraw. My plan is to withdraw enough the first year to purchase a small plot of land to build on and then the following year to withdraw funds to build with. But that all depends on what the tax rates will be. And that all depends on what Trump and the Republicans do.

I hope they do the right thing that’ll benefit the country in the long term instead of just making us feel good about getting a bite of that delicious carrot now. I realize that could mean taking out less now and taking longer to build, but it’s not all about us as individuals. We’ve got to be able to lift our heads up now and then and look around to see what’s best for those around us now and in the future.

Michael: Grateful Our Quasi-Friend is Still Alive

Hurricane Otto
Looked deep down into the sea
And wept for eight days.

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Later this afternoon, before dinner, we’re going to go to a café and take some time to write what we’re thankful for. Already this morning we were very tangibly reminded of how grateful we’ve been to have a quasi pet here we call Pup, as we almost saw him killed by a car this morning.

During the last two years, we’ve seen our neighbor’s dog grow from a puppy to a his present wandering two year old near adult self. As a puppy he didn’t stray far from his owner’s property, but this year, as an adult male, we’ve seen him pretty far from home. And often when we leave, he’ll follow us down the road into town for quite a distance. When he does this he meanders back and forth across the road making us cringe as cars speed by.

Today he was both unfortunate and extremely lucky. As we went out down the road for a little Thanksgiving jog, pup followed us and did his usual zigzag down the road in front of us. But today he zigged when he should’ve zagged and was lucky that the car that hit him had slowed considerably by the time the two collided. It didn’t even knock him off his feet, but shot enough adrenaline through him to have him high tail it home.

When we returned from our short jaunt we went to check up on him and he seemed to be no worse for wear from his close encounter. We’re very grateful for that. We’re not sure if we can prevent Pup from following us but we’re going to give it a try by shouting at him when we see him. That hasn’t worked before, but we’ll try to put a little more verve into it and hope for the best.

Michael: Stay Healthy

The leaf cutter ants
Form a long and colorful
Mini - rose parade.

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Within the last few days I’ve been inundated with health care news.

First AARP sent me an article about when I can expect my strength to decline. According to the article it’s too late for me to become the body builder I might have been. It seems at about 50 strength begins to decline, though I can lesson the impact through strength training.

Next up Kimme chose to play a TED talks while cooking dinner about the relationship between mental health and nutrition.

Finally, in the news this morning on the MSN app. Was an article about how Medicare and Medicaid work, and another story about how the insurance  and hospital industries are in a tizzy over what changes are going to occur now that the Republicans will be in charge.

How any of this will effect any of us in the near and distant future is hard to say, but I’m going to do my best to take care of myself now so I’ll have less to worry about health care changes at both a personal and societal level in the short and long term. Though I do also hope these issues get shaken out soon to the benefit of those who need care the most and can least afford it.

These uncertainties are not necessarily reasons to leave the country, but it doesn’t hurt for us to sit tight overseas for a few years to see how many of health issues will be resolved.

Michael: Otto the Freak

The dead still figures
Cast black shadows against
The wash of the sky.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

For a while I thought, all right, this is just the way it’s going to be. One year it’s not going to rain very much in November and the next year it isn’t going to stop. Fortunately, my Panamanian Spanish teacher clued in me as to why the unusual weather lately. There’s a freak tropical storm - Otto - circling nearby.

How much of a freak is Otto? This morning I looked at the NOAA website and if Otto makes landfall as a hurricane in Costa Rica  it would be the first time ever that‘s happened so late in the year, and that’s going back to the 1870s.

So we in Panama have been getting a long residual splash from a bit of a freak who may soon make history.

Michael: A Peace Corp Volunteer

Where do the birds go
When it rains so hard flying
Is impossible?

Monday,  November 21, 2016

 There is a young Peace Corp worker that not only stands out here because she’s very tall; about 6 ft., but also because she’s black and there are not that many blacks in this area of Panama. Because of the election she’s afraid she might stand out a bit more now as well in the United States. Even in a west coast city like Seattle, where she’s going back to visit for a few weeks, she’s afraid peoples prejudices are now going to become more open and threatening.

It’s not that everything is bliss for her here in Panama. Here, she doesn’t feel mistreated because of her race. Here, she feels reluctant to head outside alone because of being a woman. She feels some of the Spanish men are sexists. When she’s been jogging many men have made rude gestures or made vile comments to her. It’s gotten to the point where she feels she can no longer act friendly toward men when she heads out and must put on a stern game face that gives the message, “Don’t **** with me.”

I would think that Seattle, being on the west coast and known as a very liberal city, wouldn’t be a place to worry about, but then again I’m neither black nor a woman. And I have been reading that even in L.A. some people are riding around with rebel flags proudly waving. That would be a shock to me.

I’ll be very curious to get a eye-witness account from her when she returns of what the mood is on the streets of Seattle.  

Michael: That's Mr. Sunshine and Mrs. Rain

Half a morning moon
Shines brightly through the blue sky
And ominous clouds.

Sunday, November 20, 2016

When the rain began to taper off like it did last year at Halloween, I was feeling pretty confident that I had the weather here figured out. I have been proven very wrong. But since I don’t cry I’m not drowning in my tears about it. I don’t have to. There’s been plenty of that raining down on me from Mrs. Lluvia hanging over all of us in Panama here this past week.

And this hasn’t followed the pattern we kind of enjoy during most of the rainy season where it’s sunny in the morning before raining in the afternoon. It’s been overcast everyday this past week. It’s not always raining, and it hasn’t been pouring when it does rain, but without a cloud break and with longer periods of steady rain, it’s definitely stayed uncomfortably colder than it has during the other months of this year’s rainy season.

And although I can’t be certain that this pattern won’t continue for a while, I’m writing it with that optimistic attitude of “The sun will come out, tomorrow…” I won’t sing it, and please help me by not asking Kimme to sing it either.

Michael: Responding to Trump

The bold crimson veins
Coursing through the white lily
Draw the insects in.

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Once I came out of my stupor and realized all was not lost (yet), I came across a very interesting article written by Nicholas Kristol entitled, “A 12 Step Program to Respond to Trump’s Presidency”. The article list many progressive and positive ways to both think and act to insure we continue to move forward as a country.

I won’t go through all of the article, it’s really very concise and well worth the read, I’ll just touch on a few highlights that tickled my fancy.

The one suggestion that I immediately took action on was to purchase and eat a Chobani yogurt. The owner apparently employs refugees. I’d gone off yogurt for a while, but really didn’t need much of a nudge to go back, particularly if Romero’s in Volcan has blueberry in stock.

Being a former teacher, Nichol’s mentioning volunteering or donating to educational programs caught my eye. He mentions programs that serve on opposite ends of the educational ladder; Reach Out and Read and iMentor. Reach Out and Read is a program that encourages parents, through their pediatrician, to read aloud to their children. IMentor is a program that pairs a low income high school student with a college educated mentor to assist the student for three years to get that student into college.

I was hoping to volunteer to be a mentor through iMentor but the program requires monthly in-person meetings, and from Panama that’s not going to happen. I will definitely keep it in mind though when we return to the states.

I guess, for now, that means I’ll have to go with the cash donation option to these programs.

Michael: Anniversary Dilemma

Breaking through the clouds
The sun briefly shows its hand
And waves good morning.

Friday, November 18. 2016

When Kimme and I decided to get married we thought it would be a fun idea every year to get a different wedding band. The first two years were easy, but the last two years we’ve let time get away from us and find ourselves butting up against the next year’s anniversary date ( Feb. 10) before finding a ring.

The second year we made our own rings in a jewelry class. Someday we’d like to have the set-up do that again.

Last year at about this time a vendor unexpectedly showed up at the main bus stop in Volcan with some steel rings we liked. This year, the Active website sent out a blurb about stocking stuffers that included rings from a company called groovelife.com. They’re silicone rings pitched to active people. We both like them so that’s the way we’ll go this year.

That will mean that for each of the four years we’ve been married, our rings will have been made from a different material. The first year; titanium, the second; silver; the third; steel; and this year, silicone. That wasn’t intended and it’s not going to be an intent going forward. It’s been hard enough just finding rings we like, let alone throwing a new material into the mix every year.

Michael: Tweaking the Checklist

Only the rainfall;
Hammering down like a thug
Relentless and cruel.

Thursday, November 17, 2016

For the first time in two years here it’s rained throughout the morning for two days in a row. Yesterday I ran through it, but I wasn’t going to risk a bike ride with these crazy drivers in a cold down pour. So instead of riding I turned to prepping for the other aspects of our upcoming race in Costa Rica; travel logistics and our checklist. For the most part my previous list has held up but I have made a few minor tweaks to it in light of our last experience venturing into Costa Rica for a trail race.

Pre-Race
*Kool & Fit or other warm up oil, Vaseline, nipple guards, sunscreen/insect repellent, race # on belt or pinned, warm-up pants & jacket hydration & nutrition loaded into pack, I.D. & some spare cash, music.
Race Wear (from the ground up)
*shoes, socks, calf sleeves, running boxers, shorts with pockets or possibly tights, short sleeve shirt, arm sleeves, mountain bike gloves, cap with neck gaiter, wind breaker or poncho, running watch, wedding ring, necklace.
Gear
*Ultra Aspire Revolt vest with 500ml bottle, gel flasks, small zip lock with toilet paper/hand sanitizer, moleskin, Bio Freeze, duct tape, small zip lock, bag for warm up wear and gear.
Nutrition/Electrolytes
*Home made gel, salt tabs, pre-race meal supplies (If you’re a fanatic about it. I’m on the quasi -religious side when it comes to pre-race breakfast.), vitamins/supplements.
Travel Related
*itinerary, checklist for travel items, reservation #s and contact info. (plane, train, bus, car rental, hotels…), maps, pajamas, ear plugs, warm clothing, shake out running attire and shoes, Cash to exchange, Passport, Driver’s License, Panamanian I.D., bank card, credit card used to secure hotel and/or other deposits, note the time zone change. Inquire about vegetarian options at hotel restaurant.
Miscellaneous
*bottled water, foam roller, massage stick, knotty ball, headlamp,
Considerations
*This hotel does not have a refrigerator but does have a coffee maker. We should still be able to buy some produce and expect that it’ll hold up as we’re going to be at 6k ft. so it should be cool enough to last for the few days we’ll be there.
Rationale
*calf & arm sleeves aren’t for compression, but at race start at 5:30 at close to 6k ft, it may be cool enough to wear them for quite a while. They also provide protection in case of a fall, brush, insects, and the sun. And if it starts to heat up the arm sleeves are easily removed and stored.

An interesting aside to this race is that the 50k I’m in starts at 5:30 over fairly moderate terrain until the 16 mile mark, then it starts a 7 mile climb that goes from 5k ft. to 10k ft. The 21k that Kimme’s in starts at 8:30 and is  the same 7 mile climb then the 7 mile descent that us 50kers do. That means there’s a good chance that Kimme and I will start the long climb very close to the same time and we should get to see each other out there possibly a couple of times. That should be fun.

Michael: Calling the Birders

The freckled hill side
Dotted with black and white cows
On its plain green face.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

The seasons are in the process of changing here, going from the rainy to the dry time of the year. And with that change the birders will start flocking to Panama.

This year, preceding the birders, we’ve been noticing some very colorful birds showing up. Some of them may be year long residents. I wouldn’t know. I’m not a birder, though I’m beginning to appreciate why people could be bent in that direction. Some of the birds here are very pretty. The displays of bright colors can be pretty dazzling and even the black and white patterns on, say the woodpeckers, are very eye catching.

Still, I don’t know if I’ll personally ever get beyond categorizing birds as either vultures, woodpeckers, blue jays, black birds, chick a dees or pretty birds. And for you true birders out there, I’ll try to be quiet as I pass by and not startle what you’re whispering about like you’ve spotted some ancient God.

Michael: Forget the Presidential Race

Sunshine and shadows
Draped across the morning hills
Like a lazy quilt.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

It’s official; Kimme and I have just signed up for our second trail race in Costa Rica, The North Face Ecogreen Cerro de la Muerte. Kimme’s going to do the 21k and I’m signed up for the 50k.

Prior to signing up for the race we had to get through some newly developed criteria on our checklist. For instance, we wanted to be sure there was a place reasonably close to the race to stay for two nights. Last time we couldn’t stay at the same B&B for two nights so after a very grueling 50k we were rushing around trying to get to a bus to get us to another B&B. We failed and it cost us frustration, time and money. This time we booked the lodge before signing up for the race.

Next, we wanted a place that isn’t just reasonably close, but is also a reasonable drive. The first place I booked was recommending a 4 wheel drive vehicle. We couldn’t find one to rent near the border so back to Google we went. The hotel we’re now booked at, though slightly further as the crow flies, is right off the main freeway and should save us time and stress by not requiring a city boy like me to first find a 4 wheel drive vehicle and then trying to operate one for the first time in the very early race morning hours.

All right. We have a place to stay for two nights. We can rent a regular car and we’re signed up. Now we have a month to add the final touches to our preparation for what should be both a very exciting and grueling Christmas present.

Michael: The Cow Goes Moo

Yellow tailed blackbird
Soars over the horizon
Like a feathered sun.

Monday, November 14, 2016

Neither Kimme nor I were raised on farms. We were both taught the basics of farm animals like most city kids, kind of the “See and Say” way. A cow looks like this and says, Moo”. And now that we’re surrounded by cows that for the most part seems pretty accurate.

Usually, when see cows they’re either laying down, eating or walking to find a place to eat. They don’t really moo that often and generally seem pretty content with their lot in life here.

However, once in a great while, last night for instance, instead of just your ordinary casual moo, we heard a cow repeatedly give out a screeching moo, as if it were in distress. We honestly didn’t know what the problem could be; was it birthing? Hurt? In despair? We had no way of knowing and wouldn’t know how to assist even if we could figure out what the distress moo meant.

I am curious though. Not enough to be come a cowtographer or anything. But I am going to ask around. Just don’t let anyone tell you that all a cow says is “moo”.

Michael: Animaling

Red Breasted Blackbird
Hollows out a ripe lemon
Like a woodpecker

Monday, November 14, 2016

Last weekend during the holidays here, we were told there were 200 people out on the Volcan Baru Trail. Yesterday, despite perfect weather, we didn’t see a soul.

We did see remnants of the lost 200 though. But I will say the trash problem created by hikers here does seem to be getting better. So the Panamanian authorities, or perhaps just the culture in general, is getting the word out and people are becoming more aware of the “pack it in pack it out” ethic.

And that would be a very wonderful benefit of living here as the Volcan Baru trail is just one wild ride no matter how many times we’ve done it. What a blessing it would be to do it without sighting empty plastic bottles, cans and snack wrappers.

One of the great pleasures of that trail is its variety of terrain and how one can approach overcoming the obstacles the terrain presents. You can just walk it but that takes away a great deal of the fun. Far better to put on some gloves and animaul it; jog, crawl, pull, slide, scoot… whatever it takes and whatever the trail calls for. It’s a blast.

Michael: The Bright Side

The afternoon rain
Provides the background rhythm
To our mountain lives.

Saturday, November 12, 2016

Since Trump’s victory I’ve been in a bit of a funk, but then I watched Michael Moore and Bernie Sanders on CNN and I realized there may be a silver lining to the dismal storm that’s headed our way.

My political awakening occurred during the Watergate years. Since then I’ve been waiting for the Democratic party to meet me on the Social Democratic side of the left. It’s been a very long wait.

But very shortly the Dems are going to choose a new DNC chairperson and Bernie’s backing Keith Ellison; a progressive Muslim from Minnesota. Wow, what a great way to react to the ugliness of Trump’s campaign rhetoric. If he’s elected, that will be a very good first indicator that the Dems are moving in the right direction and will bring back all those disillusioned Democrats and Independents that sat on their hands this election.

Michael: Truthiness

Solitary steer
Lowers its head and wonders
What the hell is that?

Friday, November 11, 2016

Boy, did Colbert hit the nail on the head when he introduced ‘truthiness’ into our lexicon.

And because that concept seems to be gaining strength with each passing year, it’s hard to see how the cultural divide that just slapped us in the face will heal in the near future. I mean if someone as supposedly as intelligent as Newt Gingrich can flat out deny that the homicide rate has been in decline for years because it doesn’t feel like the truth, what hope do we have finding a common core of accepted information from which to assess our disagreements and by what objective standard do we use to substantiate the progress or shortcomings of our policies and institutions?

When I was a philosophy major some 40 years ago before the net took over the world, there was an ongoing debate between those who believed that there is objective truth in the world and those that subscribed to a philosophy of relativism - basically, that truth has changed and will change depending on the philosophical constructs that pertains to the era we are living through.

My sympathies, more so now than ever, is to believe that truth exists and  we should work to discover it. That way we can at least work from a common starting point. We may not all agree on where the truth should take us. But we can agree on certain core truths and objective measures.

But now I’m beginning to believe that we’re all falling into our own realms of reality, and the net, that vast engine of information, only seems to be exacerbating the space between our spheres.

What does that mean or how do we tackle this dilemma? Damned, I wish I was smart enough to at least begin to frame an answer to that.

Michael: Rental Cars

The long days of rain
Have come to a quiet end
With just a few tears.

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Since we sold our car nearly two years ago and moved here, the only time we’ve driven is on a couple of trips back to the states. We haven’t driven a car in Panama since we vacationed here three years ago. Technically, that’s not going to change, but next month we are going to rent a car just over the border in Costa Rica. I’m not thrilled about it, but there doesn’t seem to be much of an alternative if we want to do the Cerro de la Muerte race next month.

One good thing about renting a car in Costa Rica is it does seem to be pretty cheap. The Alamo Rental at the border crossing at Paso Canoa charges about $13 a day for a midsize automatic. It’s a little cheaper if you go smaller and manual, but Kimme doesn’t drive a stick.

There are two types of insurance that are also necessary; Third Party Liability, which cost $12 a day and a Collision Damage Waiver, which is covered by some Visas, but not ours. That’ll set us back another $13 a day. So for a Friday through Sunday trip we’re talking about $80 before taxes. If you compare that to the cost of the buses and taxis back and forth between  the hotel, the packet pick up and the event, and all the hassle that entails, renting a car for a few days stacks up as a bargain.

Michael:Travel Advisory

Kisses of raindrops
Haphazardly touch the face
That faces the sky.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

We’ve learned that whenever you’re traveling here to a place called a ‘lodge’ it’s a very good idea to ask if the roads to the lodge are drive-able.

In the states we take it for granted that resting places can be accessed by car. That presumption is a mistake here. Even if a map indicates a ‘road’ that would require only a short drive, some ‘roads’ can be extremely rough and steep and therefore virtually impossible to travel on without a 4 wheel drive and high clearance vehicle.

Calling ahead could save you from a long walk, a broken car or a lot of other possible problems and concerns.

Michael: It's Great to be Here for the Next 4 Years.

Summer tanager
With its siren red feathers
Surprises the eyes.

Monday, November 9, 2016

Many people, probably jokingly, threatened to move from the States if Trump became president. At least we got a jump on the gun and have our overseas hideaway already secured for the next 4 years.

I wouldn’t put it as simply as David Duke quipped this morning - “Our people won Trump the election.” In such a complex landscape as the U.S. there are a lot of both clear and murky factors that effect the results, but Duke’s assertion represents one of the uglier truths of this election; there is a large stream of racism, misogynism, homophobia, and xenophobia running through a large core of the populous. As Woody Allen would say, “I hope I’m not leaving anything out.”

This is not a proud day to be an American. Hell, even many Trump supporters weren’t proud enough of their choice to openly reveal themselves. That’s why so many of the polls were off.

On the bright side the people did reject both a Bush and a Clinton in this election cycle. Hopefully we’re done with our flirtation with oligarchies for the foreseeable future.

If only…This was one of the few times when I’ve donated to a political campaign - Bernie’s. I’m sure I’m not the only dejected ‘democrat’ this morning ruing the party’s decision to go with Clinton. But hopefully we’ll all get through the next 4 years, and then we can only hope Elizabeth Warren, or someone like her, will step up to reignite the progressive flame and move the U.S. forward again.

Until then we’ll sit tight and enjoy our tax break overseas.

Michael: School's Out; I thought

An angel’s feather
Lightly strokes the morning sky
And tickles the sun.

Monday, November 7, 2016

Wow, I hope this isn’t a sign of early dementia, but I thought school ended the day before the two National holidays here last week. It didn’t. School doesn’t end until mid-December.

I’m hoping I’ll at least bat 50/50 in the memory batting cage by being right that the rainy season is coming to an end. One good sign that it is, is that there were a fair amount of tourists out on the Quetzal trail yesterday. It’s been a good couple of months since we’ve seen more than a couple of people on the Quetzal. Yesterday there were at least 15 and most of them spoke English.

And one of those persons served as a strong reminder that if I want to ward off some of the detriments of old age, I had better keep getting out there and challenging myself. She was a woman whom I’m guessing was near 80 and was walking very cautiously down some very steep steps on the trail heading toward Boquete. That is inspiring. I hope to follow in her path. She’s out there prowling the jungle, keeping here eyes and mind open to experiences that many people half her age aren’t open to or don’t feel capable of.

Michael: Lessons Learned

The rolling thunder
Like the growl of a mad dog
Commands attention.

Sunday, November 6, 2016

One of the best things about racing is that lessons are learned pretty quickly. Take Friday’s race for example. Within an hour I learned that with only a days notice, if I keep myself in decent shape, I can compete. Of course I also learned that I’m not good enough to just come off the sidelines and expect to P.R. or to win. I need a little more time to prepare for that.

I’ve also learned that Panamanians are no push overs. I thought coming from the large metropolis of Los Angeles, CA. there wouldn’t be much competition here. Nothing against Panamanians, just given the relatively small population to draw from compared to SoCal, it’s hard to believe there would be that many good runners. But there are, and some of these bastards are as old or older than I am.

Fortunately, there’s no resting on my laurels here. To compete I‘m going to have to prepare properly and be at the top of my game come race day. And for the foreseeable future I want to keep competing on both the road and trail; here and hopefully again soon in the states.

Michael: Night and Day

The fragrant lily;
It’s blossom a soft white star
In a field of green.

Saturday, November 5, 2016

The day after a race, so I either don’t get to full of myself or drown in my own tears, I look into what’s next up on the calendar. Right now that happens to be a 50k in Costa Rica and the difference between  yesterday’s 10k and next month’s 50k is pretty comical.

For brevity’s sake I’ll refer to yesterday’s local race with a “P” for Panama and our next race with a “CR” for Costa Rica.

How did you find out about the race?
P - Bump into someone that is Panamanian and somehow knows about the race.
CR - Online.

Start time:
P - Sometime in the morning.
CR - 5:30 a.m.

How do you sign up and pay?
P - Show up the day of the race with cash in hand.
CR - Online with credit card.

Course information:
P - Run it.
CR - Map, reports, and profile are online.

Directions:
P - Walk to the river.
CR - We’re still trying to figure that out. We know where the race is but the hotel where it starts and the next nearest hotel are sold out. Without a car that leaves us taking a bus toward San Jose and waiting for the lodge where we made reservations to get back to us as to whether taxi service is likely to be available. If it’s not, it’s very likely that we’ll cancel our reservations and not do the race. A rental car is a possibility, but I’d prefer not to.

Regulations:
P - Try not to get hit.
CR - The usual yadda, yadda, yadda, with the exception that the sponsor’s race shirt must be worn during the event.

Awards:
P - Cash for top three in each category.
CR - Cash for overall top three and plaque and bottle for top 5 male/female.

I wouldn’t want to extrapolate from the contrasts in these races about all events in Panama or Costa Rica. It’s just kind of amusing how distinct almost everything is about these two races and that they happen to be so close together on our schedule.

Michael: It Pays to be Fit

Is there a purpose,
Outside of love, for a dog
To lay in your lap?

Friday, November 4, 2016

We knew there was suppose to be a 10k race in our neighborhood sometime in early November, but the usual sources weren’t indicating when. There were no posters and neither the usually informative bank guard nor anyone else we ran into could tell us anything about it.

By pure coincidence we discovered on Thursday that the race was today. We were at the Berard Market picking up some groceries when another runner asked us in Spanish if we were going to race tomorrow. He told us the race sign up is at 6:30 a.m. near the river. That’s a very short 15 minute walk from our house.

I also happen to fortuitously get a semi-taper in as Monday and Tuesday are my easy days. I did run a hilly hour and a half on Wednesday, but because of a holiday parade on Thursday and the likelihood of early rain, I decided to forego my usual long bike ride and did 30 minutes of rowing and a little lifting instead. It wasn’t a perfect taper, but at least I’d have more juice in my legs than on a typical Friday.

This was a local race and, even more than usual, it  lat ran far behind schedule. Sign up didn’t start until 7:30, half an hour after the gun was suppose to go off. And the race didn’t actually get under way until 8:20. They also didn’t have enough bibs, so they were black and green felt marker making them as people signed up. Despite all the fly by the seat of your pants feel to the race, it was a great day to run and a fun event to take part in.

At the finish, from past experience, we knew it could be a very long wait for any awards to be handed out, so we decided to walk the 5k back into town and finish our grocery shopping for the week.

On our way a pick up truck full of runners pulled over and signaled to us. I thought it was very nice of them to stop and offer us a ride seeing how full the truck was and how little a walk we had left, but they weren’t stopping to offer us a ride. They stopped to give us our prize money for coming in 2nd and 3rd in our age groups. Just as we found this race by dumb luck, they happen to drive by and see us because we missed a bus before we got to town.

So the last two days turned out to be very serendipitous for us. For a measly $10 we walked away with $60 between us by being in shape enough to race on a day‘s notice and having a bit of luck all the way around.

Michael: Mr. Semi-Fix It

A variety
Of small butterflies take flight
Into bright sunshine.

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Within the last couple of months I’m batting 50/50 going into a tie breaker due for Christmas when it comes to household repairs.

It seems if it only requires a screwdriver and the whatchamacallit that you screw in, I’m alright. I’ve replaced my watch battery, tightened the sink faucet and replaced the screws in a bed post that collapsed while Kimme was relaxing.

However, once things get a little more complicated it’s been a swing and a mess. There’s a light above the kitchen sink that hasn’t worked for a couple of months except for one brief moment a couple of weeks ago when the ghost of Light Future flashed on, but hasn’t haunted us since. At about the same time, my notebook failed, informing me that my Bluetooth driver was no longer functioning. I tried to install a new one, but no dice.
Now the band on my rower retracts sluggishly after about 30 minutes. I tried to contact the manufacturer for some troubleshooting advice but they never got back to me. I’ll go to google and the manufacturer again, but it doesn’t look promising.

At Christmas I’ll get a care package with a replacement spindle for my BOA lacing system for my cycling shoes. That should be one of those screwdriver repairs so hopefully I can go into the New Year feeling better about myself as far as the Mr. Handyman around the house part of this being a man thing goes.

Michael: Dia de la Muerte

Another morning
Where the air is warm and calm
And I am restless.

Wednesday, November 2, 2106

Dia de La Muerte in Panama is a much more somber occasion than it is in the States or Mexico. There are no festive clothing, displays or candles. It’s simply a time to take flowers to dead relatives or loved ones graves and remember what kind of people they were and how grateful you are that they were a part of your life.

Oddly, this thoughtfulness and appreciation of life seems to have either a negligible or even detrimental effect on Panamanians as they drive to their dearly departed grave sites. On our bus ride to our weekly run we saw several small cars pass our bus going uphill around blind corners. They seem to have much more faith in a resplendent after life than I do, and seem a little to anxious to be nearer to the dead than I’m comfortable with.

Michael: Bailing Out Again?

Black, white and grey wings
Soar over the countryside
In search of the dead.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Every trip has at least two semi no-brainer bailout options in case something goes wrong.

1. Don’t start. I’ve never made use of this option on a hike, but I have had races where I was injured and it was wise not to start and try to push through.

2. Turn back. This option I’ve made more frequent use of. In fact, even on long day hikes or runs it’s prudent to have a pre-set turn around time. That way you don’t worry loved ones or get caught out in the dark when you hadn’t planned on it.

I’ve also turned around when I’ve got lost or the trail was overgrown and either impassable or so tedious as to throw me way off my schedule.

On our upcoming Michigan trip I’ve taken a cursory look at when I would employ either option. This trip will consist of three days; first a 30 mile race, next a 40+ mile jog, followed by another 40+ mile outing. Since I’m staying at the same hotel for three nights, if I’m suffering too much after either day I can just stay put, kick back and catch up on all the goofy sports I’ve been missing since we’ve been in Panama.

The turn back option I’ll employ if I’m not making the time I need to make to get to the shuttle on the second day. The shuttle leaves at 5:30. If I start at 7 a.m. that gives me 10 ½ hours to cover the length of Pictured Rock National Park. The first major indication I’ll have of my progress is at the first water stop 15 miles in. If I’m not there in 3 hours, I’ll have to consider turning around. If I go much further, there won’t be much of a point in turning back, the distance in front of me will be less and the terrain will actually be easier.

On the last day heading toward Marquette to take the Greyhound bus to Cheboygan, I’ve got a lot more time to play with. The bus doesn’t leave until 1:30 a.m. But I really don’t want to be walking out in the boonies in the dark. Problem is the last shuttle between where the hotel is and Marquette leaves at 3:30 p.m. Again, if I leave at 7 that gives me until about 11 to decide if I’m making sufficient progress to continue, or whether I should turn back.

I don’t plan on employing either of these bailout options if I can avoid it, but it doesn’t hurt to have planned ahead and be prepared to turn back or just sit one out if it jeopardizes my health or puts the people who care about me under undue stress.

Michael: Bailing Out

Bull frog’s rasping croak
In the early morning cold
Is a forest crow.

Monday, October 31, 2016

When I first started hiking and fast packing by myself I thought all I needed was a map, food and water and I was set. That actually worked for a number of years and many trips until my stupidity kicked me in the ass and joyfully heckled me with, “Oh yeah?, what are you gonna do now, tough guy?”.

That question rang out loud in my head the day I tripped crossing a stream and broke the bone in my hand right below my little finger on the John Muir Trail. The doctor, several days later, asked if I had punched something because that’s a common way to break that bone. It’s often referred to as a boxer’s break. In a way, I suppose I did accidentally punch something. I punched a rock at the bottom of a very shallow creek.

That’s when I realized it might be very difficult to complete my hike as planned. Maybe I should take a look at my map and see if there was a shorter way out. That’s called a bailout plan and something I’d never thought about before.

Fortunately, on that trip, I was able to get out the next day and get home to get my hand taken care of.

Now, I’ve wised up a little and don’t head out without looking at my options in case I get sick or injured, I get lost, I’m not hitting my target times and I have reservations for a shuttle, campsite or hotel. I’m sure there are other concerns that make it a smart idea to figure out ways to bail in case unexpected obstacles show up on a trip. That doesn’t mean going out alone shouldn’t be done, just that a few extra pre-cautions and a decent bailout plan should be a part of every trip checklist.