Pizza on the grill, fresh vegetables delivered to your car (which you didn't lock), a surprise blueberry picking adventure, crisp mountain air, and one of my fastest 10 mile runs into a different state and back.
This is what I've been doing these last two days that I haven't been posting. It's been a long time since I've really run these roads in Knoxville, PA and I have never really run this far on them. The first time I ran on them was almost 10 years ago and probably 90 pounds heavier.
That was the time that I wanted to attempt a marathon for the second time (Wineglass Marathon from Bath, NY to Corning, NY). It was my second failed attempt... but that was my fault- lack of proper training and motivation- we had all the roads, the hills, the food (mostly fresh from gardens), and I almost forgot that.
We were visiting our former church, which was celebrating its 150th anniversary. We had dinner at the house of our friends (the originator of C O R N night). And, believe me on this one, once I perfect it, I will post it, we had individual pizzas that were cooked on the grill. We went to the next door neighbors and my 5 year old immediately started playing fetch with the neighbor's dog. At the "fetch break", the neighbor took my son to the chicken coop(sp?) and he came back with an egg... as it turns out, most of the neighbors get their eggs from them. In addition to all this, our friend asked which veggies we liked and that they would bring them by on their way out of town.
The next morning, I woke up and get ready for my run. I was told where the 4th mile would be and then took off. It was cold! I haven't been this cold in a long time. Instead of looking for the shade of the trees, I was bolting for the sun. I had no idea what pace I was going, but it felt great. I hit the 4 mile mark in 32 minutes (a little faster than I was going for). I kept the pace for another mile, crossing the New York State line and turned around. I ran out 42 minutes, but returned in 35 minutes, which means the second half of my run was significantly faster than the first. It was hard to keep my pace, but it felt great, crisp, right.
Later, when we went out to get in our car, there was a bag of vegetables on the driver's seat with peppers, onions, tomatoes, etc. It was at this point I was reminded even more about the difference between this place and many other communities in which I have lived. Years ago when we lived here, it was not unusual for us to come home to bags of various vegetables, baked goods, etc. It was also fairly common to be invited over for lunch, supper, etc. Very few people lock their doors and it's normal to just knock and walk in to the house. Like everyone was just a huge family.
We went to another gathering in a place where I remember an apple orchard. We got to meet and see some great people. I wanted to take my 5 year old to see the apple trees, but was informed that the frost had destroyed the apple crop that year. I was then taken to a blueberry patch, where we got to pick blueberries for however long we wanted. We left with a gallon of fresh blueberries and you wouldn't have known we were even there as the blueberry bushes were full.
Several people still don't recognize me because I was much heavier then, once they realize who I am, it's always a great reunion. When we moved to a a suburban area, it was easier to eat out than to cook for ourselves, it was important to lock your doors, and you never come over unannounced or just walk in. Forget about someone just swinging by to drop off some fresh eggs or veggies. I gained a lot more weight there.
I guess you can say that I took for granted the open rural roads and crisp air. I took for granted the regular opportunities for fresh vegetables, meat and eggs. I have decided since I have recommitted my life to healthier living and fresh foods to not pass up opportunity when it exists. Never waste fresh air or fresh food.
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