The Saturday morning Downtown Bentonville Square Farmer’s Market did not disappoint. There were vendors that covered every breadth of seasonal fresh vegetables and fruits, along with crafts, jewelry, and iron wares. The searing heat provided a warm morning; yet it was enjoyable to walk the streets of the square.

Today is Father’s Day 2022. We wrap up our first full week in NW Arkansas today. A week that has brought new experiences and new terrain. The REO Speedwagon, Styx, and Loverboy concert Monday night at the Amp, an Arkansas Naturals AA baseball game and miles walked traversing the downtown square to uncover new dining and beverage experiences. In addition to discovering the new geography, we are meeting the people that comprise NW Arkansas. A casual acquaintance with a stranger that we shared conversation together during the third period of the Lightning vs. Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup Game 2 in a local restaurant bar. The undercurrent of a disgruntled local with the growth and development the area is experiencing as parking garage structures are built, signaling more commercialization of the area.

On the Razorback Greenway I discovered a common element of runners, bikers, and an occasional walker. Who is willing to extend a gesture as another individual passes by? At that moment, we are sharing the same space. It is a brief engagement where a common experience is shared. The same weather, the same path, often moving in different directions. While one is traversing north, another is passing moving south, or an east/west directional exchange. The fundamental question is whether to make the acknowledgement of the passerby. I always offer a greeting. It confirms the opportunity that we are sharing space and an activity together. Others choose to pass on the opportunity. It is perplexing to attempt to unravel why one elects not to confirm the exchange. A simple gesture that affirms the passing is appreciated as a sign that we are seizing the opportunity to associate together in an extraordinarily brief exchange of humanity.

More miles lie ahead. I will be the one offering a greeting as others pass by.

All our possessions are in a Mayflower moving van while we await their arrival in Bentonville. We are sleeping on air mattresses and sharing a single folding chair. It is the equivalent of camping – our great Summer 2022 camp adventure. Bentonville welcomed us with summer. Feels like temperature 100+ all week. It is a dry heat. It lacks the high humidity of FL in June.

Bikefest kicked off the weekend in Bentonville. A record number of attendees are anticipated – the additional bikers were evident on the trails this afternoon. Half day Friday allowed me to run at 3:30 p.m. today. My initial thought was a shorter run, factoring the heat into the afternoon. After navigating 7^th Ave. in full sun, I embarked onto the Razorback Greenway at the entrance to Crystal Bridges Museum. The full sun dissipated into shade and a light breeze. With a few brief pauses for photos, I continued north along Slaughter Pen. The shade allowed me to quicken my pace, though the welcome shade was short lived as I ran across areas of full sunlight interspersed with tree cover. The mix of local and visiting bikers passed me on the trail, along with a group of three who completed three loops while I ran a heat altered 10:50+ mile pace. Prior to approaching my turnaround point at mile 3.52, I veered onto a wavy dirt bike trail for a dose of new terrain versus the hard concrete surface of the Greenway. There was a noticeable difference on the hard pack dirt. Every runner has inherent knowledge that concrete is the most unforgiving surface to run. Yet, I have a long history of running on concrete for years in Florida. Today was different. The three quarters of a mile on the gravel provided me a welcome reminder to seek that surface more frequently. Allow the give of the gravel to offer a more accommodating surface and run it when it is present. One caution there – watch and listen for bikers. They are less forgiving than the surface when a runner, or walker, is in the space they consider their own.

Today is Day 4,575. 31,000+ miles elapsed. We are in new space, offering new terrain and sights. The two deer that I approached paused and watched me intently as I interrupted their feeding and grazing. Ultimately, they turned inward toward the trees, abandoning the grass surface, yet reminded me that this is their spot. I was the one trespassing space they have held in their domain. Bikers collectively control the space – rarely conceding to a runner. Wildlife takes a stance, then often retreats. Where in the hierarchy was it determined that the runner is the discretionary participant who is deemed the one to defer to the biker, the deer, and other natural predators?

Tomorrow is Saturday. The farmer’s market awaits in the morning.

Drizzle, rain, and wind accompanied me on my run today. Initially, I thought about the day’s weather and planned the timing of my run to minimize the impact of the weather. I reviewed the hourly forecast and identified the most optimal window to accomplish my run. In the midst of the run, I began thinking about the variables that factor into a run. The majority of these variables are subconscious when we build routine into our run plan. Our energy focuses on the run and away from the conditions that we encounter. Whether heat and humidity, cool or cold, wet or dry, we channel our thoughts into the distance we have planned and the pace we are targeting. The conditions inherently impact the run, either assisting in enhancing, or slowing our pace. The conditions can also impact our recovery, following the run. In a sense, as the run progresses, we morph transparently into the conditions of which we are a part of, as we navigate the route and adapt to our immediate environment. Embrace the inherent change. Each day’s run offers new experiences, opportunities for you to absorb as you flex the familiarity of your running routine.

Every runner needs rest days. Muscles strengthen when they have the ability to restore and rebuild. Plan your week and schedule rest days following your long run. Keep your plan simple. Consider cross-training on rest days. Biking, yoga, swimming, or strength training provide healthy options and leverage different muscle groups. Maintain moderation and a balanced work out plan. This will ensure your best runs and most productive runs. Additionally, sufficient sleep time is critical. Rest is not a place to take short cuts. Enjoy a good night’s sleep today and run your best run tomorrow.

Other runners revel in wrapping up their day with a run. It provides the stress release that compliments their day and offers separation from the burdens the day has brought forward. The challenge with an evening run is primarily the risk that your best intentions are infringed upon when a late day obstacle arises. To avoid this disappointment, you should prepare in advance. Maintain an extra set of running clothes and shoes with you at all times. Carry a long sleeve and short sleeve running shirt to cover the different weather conditions you might encounter, along with your other basic running gear. Maximize your evening run. Run a route along your way home if you are time constrained. Start at a slower pace and ease into your run. Allow your body to release the stress that it has accumulated since you set out earlier in the morning. For newer runners, you may even want to begin your run initially with a brisk walking pace. Take your time. Don’t rush your opportunity to pay yourself a dividend for the waves you’ve ridden throughout the day. Traffic congestion, office stress, or unplanned family emergencies all build and add to the weight you are carrying. Provide a gradual release and embrace the beauty of your time outdoors. When you plan accordingly, you can often run alongside, or directly into the sunset, with the knowledge that you’ve now tied a delicate bow on another incredible running experience.

A run before the sun will kick start your day, setting the steering coordinates for a productive and energetic tone. Your alarm sounds and you debate the merits of heading out to the pavement versus rolling over and stretching your night’s rest. Yet, once you are in stride, you begin to account for everything that’s surrounding you. You locate yourself immersed in the sounds of dawn, a balance of quiet and nature. A rare vehicle passes on the road. A fellow runner may be off in the distance. There’s a subtle din of birds and wildlife scrambling to close out their overnight activities. This is your time. There may even be a dew, providing a refreshing mist that you navigate. This is the reason we run. Inhaling all that we pass. Take notice along the way and return tomorrow. These are the moments that cannot be recreated, for each day and each run has an expiration date. Tomorrow is a new day. Don’t let this one pass without recognizing all the potential it provides.

The lure is created with a fancy website, a tech shirt, and electronic timing. Race events create a time and place for runners to gather and participate. You convince your friends to join you and you begin to prepare. You mark your calendar and you plan routes and distances along your journey. The day arrives and you line up and wait for the starter’s gun to sound. As you cross the finish line, you reflect on the experience and your enthusiasm builds to repeat the cycle of planning your next event. Closer than you realize, your next event does not need to be weeks or months away. You can be your own race director. Each day provides the ability to run the route and distance you choose. Your event can take place along the ocean or a lake or riverfront. It can be in an urban area or a rural area, with a crowd or without one. Imagine your own starting line, starter’s gun, and the fulfilling zeal of crossing your own finish line. Appreciate the sights you encounter and relish in knowing the event you’ve just completed is another one for the record books.

The first mile is challenging. Even the second mile can be difficult. It’s not until you are well past mile two that you begin to enjoy the run and appreciate the effort you made to get out and start your run. Why is further less of a hurdle than fewer? Is it psychological or physical? Once trained, the body is equipped to accomplish your objective of a good run. The barrier can be your mind set. Convincing yourself that you will benefit from the time you invest in a run can be tricky. You will intuitively defer to other indulgences or distractions. It’s not you, it’s human nature. This is where discipline enters the equation. You will need to make a commitment and set a goal. The goal will assist you in establishing a plan that you will desire to maintain. A habit will develop and you will quickly begin to regularly navigate miles one and two, onto the longer distances you desire to achieve. Maintain the plan you’ve established. Subsequently, the hurdles and barriers will subside, clearing your path to success.

It’s National Running Day … Taking strides toward leading healthier, fitter lives. To run consistently requires discipline and a commitment. Yet, today’s goal is about having fun. Simple fun. Outdoors. Experiencing nature. No running log is required. Seek out a new route, or experience a familiar one in a different manner.  The route you travel each day has many more possibilities than you’ve previously taken time to notice. Make the first stride. Grab a friend and go!

Runner’s advice is omnipresent. It’s available on-line, across social media, and at the fitness center. Why do we believe total strangers? Who’s advice is credible? Diet, shoes, distance, frequency, rest days, speed work, and attire. The list is long; yet, the activity is basic. It requires an interest. In time, interest builds to a passion. The passion unfolds to offer new connections. You are part of a community. You stretch your distance. You alter your schedule. You seek advice from strangers. You begin to offer advice. You are a runner.