We are almost back to where we began on this Blue Planet Run. Three more runs and we arrive at 12 noon in the Big Apple! We all began together and we finish together.

My team, Team Orange, begin our last 3 runs tonight at 9 p.m. in Atlantic City, New Jersey. We all are looking forward to finishing.

For me, the experience has been a mixture of heaven, middle earth, Christmas, bad hair days ( well, not really in my case ), goodwill toward others, on the beat, off the beat, syncopation, loneliness, togetherness, too much togetherness, good food, bad food, blue skies, yellow skies, poisonous fumes, warmth, cold, torrential rains ( as in France country side ), wide open spaces, too many vehicles, a different view of the universe, aches and pain, soft noise in my stride while running through the Gobi Desert and at night, sharing the same space for so long with other runners and at times not having the patience and acceptance that living with other people demands, sharing the same space with other teammates for so long and being patient and forgiving that living with others demands, wasted time and energy on dissatifaction when I could not force my legs to go faster and worrying about what other teammates would think, disappointment in others gossip and whining, in ecstacy when I ran fast and if only for a brief moment remembered all the S.C. state records I set as a master and grandmaster runner and remembering when only a few years ago I ran 171 miles in three days in August heat, when only a few years ago I ran a 54 minute 10 miler, not happy at times when asked, "are you one of the runners"?, being happy when told, "I can't believe you are 60, almost 61 and doing what you are doing with the other runners", the enjoyment of meeting people from around the world, young, old, homeless.......frustrated with some of the planners, at times, for missed opportunities, planning at times "to fail", happy with those baton exchanges that were well planned in advance where media was given much advance notice as were some of the townspeople, in awe of the beauty, the history, the scared spots we ran to and through......and so much more ( later blog )...

Well, I, we, are truly almost there and back again! It will take me a while to truly understand what we have accomplished, to realize the impact. I do have Faith that this tremendous challenge we took on and accomplished will indeed provide the needed funding for those who lack access to safe drinking water. We, you, are not finished. As my parents told me many years ago, it is time for the younger generation to pick up the torch, to pass it on. Not as in, "it is all about me" but as in, we have people in need who need assistance. We have our planet that is indeed a gift for a short span of time. We take so much for granted as in, "it is not my problem, I do not own that or have the key to it, etc, etc. ad nauseum. In reality if we don't take any responsibility for taking better care of our own turf we are going to blow it. There has been obvious harm already done but many have been working for years to fix what has been harmed, as in many of our rivers and streams. I saw examples of this while running through Baltimore, Harrisburg, and other areas.

I come out of all of this a changed person, more thankful for what I have, more energized to keep on working to help those in need.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a member of this team. I will never forget the experience, all the runners and others involved. It has given me another chance to examine my life, my conscience and to realize once again that I accept myself and know that I have done my best.

Now it is time for, yes, more contemplation but first just REST before the next run.
Again, remember those military personel who are serving abroad and their struggles and their families. They too have their own "miles of trials".

"Water is life, pass it on"!

Peace and blessings daily to you and yours.
Lansing