People keep asking me why I am planning to continue running and the only answer I can come up with is continuous self-renewal, the challenge, the health benefits, the cause(s), the adventure, the fun, facing the unknown, meeting new people, staying connected with the fascination of our planet.

After the Blue Planet Run ended in New York I returned but really have not returned and having been where I and my teammates have been, experienced what we experienced, need to keep going the Extra Mile and beyond. There is more to do. The how, what, when, etc. will be decided soon and I eagerly anticipate the highs and lows of running those daily 15-20 miles.

I have all this energy pent up and the worst thing I can do is sit too long. I have ideas and projects gleaned from my past experiences working with adults and youth and look forward to sharing these with others along my route from North Carolina to Washington State. I look forward to learning from others along the run, not only about water related issues but in other areas, too. The Arts used to be a big part of my life and I plan to reconnect with that as much as I possibly can, especially music.

There are Blue Planet Foundation projects making a difference too in many parts of the world that local folks need to know about. I plan to continue to be a global messenger in regards to this and other environmental issues as well.

I remember one hot, humid day I was on defense again, that is, having to dig deep mentally and physically to keep running. As I approached the support vehicle with, as I call them, our support staff "saints" ( doctors, driver, and others ), they pleaded with me to stop and let another runner finish my leg. It would have been easy to get in. But, this was about not giving up even though all the negative thoughts were cursing through my brain to GIVE UP!

So, I asked the crew to drive two miles up the road and not give me an "out". Reluctantly, they obliged, but only going one mile down the road instead of the two. But, as I approached that mile they gave me water and encouragement to go the extra mile. That worked for me and I finished my leg for the day.

I come alive running past a field draped in violets, yellows, queen anne's lace, my captive audience of cows, horses, goats cheering me on and vice-versa. I come alive spotting another runner waiting down the road to run alongside me for miles and perhaps singing show-tunes, opera, as happened during the BPRun. I come alive running on offense where there is joy, delight, no pain in running 15-20 miles.

I come alive thinking of running back to some of my old haunts and reconnecting with many of the old running gang in South Carolina and Georgia and also reconnecting with some of my teammates as I run through Michigan and Idaho and California and perhaps others in yet to be determined states.

Why do I run? I run because for me it is the right thing to do, to go the Extra Mile.
Let me hear from you when you get a breather.

Peace and blessings daily,
each day a gift to be embraced and celebrated!

Lansing