Walk Into the Future

Category: Travel

  • Double Duty (Race Weekend)

    “There is magic in misery.  Just ask any runner.”

    (Dean Karnazes)

    The 2026 running season continues to drive me forward.  I set an aggressive race schedule for the year and decided to create a new endurance test for myself.

    Why?  I’m always looking for a new challenge that helps me celebrate life. 😊

    My training program is comprised of weekly runs that gradually build up to my weekend long runs.  Example: Tuesday 4 miles, Wednesday 6 miles, Thursday 5 miles and Saturday 10 miles.  This is an example of a typical training week before I enter marathon training.

    So, as you can see, my weekend runs are normally in the double-digit range, so this is no surprise to anyone following my running journey. 

    The title of this blog article is Double Duty.  Why?  Great question as always, Melissa. 😊

    I found a local 5k in Port St. Lucie on a Saturday morning (2/28/26) and a half marathon in Stuart, Florida on Sunday (3/1/26).  Both races are local to me on the Treasure Coast, and I decided running two races over the same weekend sounded fun and was a challenge I have never tried before. 

    The total mileage was not something that bothered me since I consistently run over 15 miles during a training session when I’m marathon training.  I didn’t know how my legs would recover from the 5k in time for the half marathon but I’m not afraid of trying something new.

    The Riverland 5k is new in the local running rotation.  This was the 3rd Annual running of this race and my first time giving it a run.  Riverland is a new development in the Port St. Lucie Traditions area—really nice place.

    I didn’t have a preset idea of how fast I wanted to run but I saw this as a test to my fitness levels as I prepare for my running tourist trips (Louisville, Nashville, Lincoln, Indianapolis, etc.).  There was a small group of runners at the start line, but everyone seemed to be excited to run.  I got a 2-mile warmup in before making my way to the start line.  I posted up in the back of the start corral and decided to let the race come to me.

    The 5k was on a paved running path that cuts through the Riverland community.  It was a simple out and back on the paved path with a few shaded areas.  Fast forward and I finished second in my age group with a time of 28:45 which was a 9:14 per minute pace.  I felt good throughout the race and was happy with my time, pace and fitness levels.  I knew I could have gone a bit faster but didn’t want to sacrifice anything before the half marathon the next day.

    I left the Riverland area and drove down to Stuart to pick up my race packet for the 2026 Game On Marathon of the Treasure Coast Half Marathon the next morning.  I ran this race back in 2022 but never signed up for it again.  It has a double bridge crossing, and I didn’t enjoy that aspect back in 2022.  I have a better mental and physical preparation process for bridge runs now so decided to give it another run this year.  The EXPO was in Veterans Memorial Park which is in downtown Stuart.  This was a no-frills EXPO, so I got my race packet and a few pictures before heading back home to prepare for the half marathon the next morning.

    I made my way to 2nd Street Bistro in downtown Fort Pierce to get some carbs in my system.  I went with my tried-and-true Chicken Parm dish with extra pasta and Bud Lights.  Running is a great way to not have to count calories, so I enjoy this aspect of the running process. 😊

    I picked out my race outfit when I got home and then got off my feet to rest up.  My bedtime was a bit earlier than usual since I needed to get up and drive back down to Stuart the next morning.  It’s about a 35-minute drive so I got on the road in plenty of time to find parking, warm up and stretch before race time.

    My legs felt good even though I ran the 5k the previous morning.  I didn’t formulate a race strategy while waiting in the start corral.  I wanted to run and finish strong and not put too much thought into a specific time—I know that sounds like an excuse but getting to my second start line of the weekend was already a win in my book.

    I posted up towards the middle of the race pack and waited for the gun to launch us on our 13.1-mile journey.  There was a lot of traffic as we crossed the start line, so I decided to relax at the start and let the race come to me.  It always thins out after the first few miles so there was no need for me to be in a hurry at this point.

    I was able to run consistent mile splits throughout the first half of the race and felt great at Mile 5 which was the first bridge crossing.  The course goes through a local neighborhood after the bridge crossing and there were a few spectators out on their lawns cheering for the runners.  The second bridge crossing was at Mile 10, and this is where I struggled a bit.  The wind and sun at this point were the elements we had to fight going over the bridge the second time.  I slowed a bit here, but I kept battling towards the finish line.  Side note—I need to get more incline and bridge work in before Nashville at the end of April.  I’m not ready yet! ☹

    The last 3 miles were all flat and I was able to make up some time in this portion of the race.  I crossed the finish line with a little kick and a large smile on my face.  I was smiling because I created a running challenge for myself and I was able to accomplish my task.  I made my way into the running village and grabbed food and Gatorade.  They didn’t have beer this year so I was disappointed I couldn’t drink at 9 am on a Saturday morning. 😊

    No worries, the double duty was complete, and I had a smile on my face.  I learned my training needs to improve prior to heading to Nashville but I’m not far off from peak running form.  I will get back in the running lab and work on my fitness to ensure my legs are ready for the hills in Nashville and I can enjoy the process.

    Double duty was fun—now back to your regularly scheduled program. 😊

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “Running is the answer.  The question is irrelevant.”

    (Unknown)

  • Five Minute Thursday: Love running in cold weather

    “The cold clears your head.”

    (Anonymous)

    The Walk into the Future blog is my outlet to share my thoughts and have a creative outlet for my work.  I continue to amaze myself as I build content to share with my readers.  Who knew I had this much to say! 😊  I’m not this talkative in real life but I’m happy to have this platform to say what’s on my mind or highlight life adventures.  The Five-Minute Thursday writing prompt provides me with a new writing toy to continue to develop new levels to my writing process.

    This Five-Minute Thursday prompt is: I Love running in cold weather.

    Why do I Love Running in Cold Weather?

    There’s something special about stepping outside into crisp, cold air and starting a run. A lot of people stay indoors when cold temperatures arrive, but I head in the opposite direction—I lace up my shoes and embrace the chill. 😊

    Cold weather running feels refreshing in a way that’s hard to replicate. The air is clean and sharp, filling your lungs with every breath and waking up the senses. Unlike the heavy, humid heat, the cold keeps my body cool and this makes it easier to get into a rhythm and hit my mile markers on my daily runs.

    There’s also a mental edge to it. Running in the cold requires discipline, it’s my choice to get out and run in the cold. It’s easy to stay inside where it’s warm, but pushing past that comfort builds resilience. Every mile is a small victory, a reminder that growth often lives just outside of what feels easy.

    I also love the quiet that you get with cold weather. Cold mornings are still, with fewer people around and a sense of calm that’s hard to find at other times. It is just me, my breath, my Spotify playlist and the sound of my feet pounding the pavement—a moving meditation.

    Completing a run in cold weather is a form of celebration for me!  Finishing a cold run brings a deep sense of accomplishment. The warmth that follows, whether it’s a hot shower or a cup of coffee, feels earned in the best way.

    For me, cold weather running isn’t just about fitness, it’s about clarity, discipline, and finding energy in the elements. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most rewarding experiences come when you lean into discomfort instead of avoiding it.

    I don’t get a lot of cold weather runs in since I live in South Florida, but I enjoy the few weeks of cold running I get here.  I tend to head to northern states for my longer races with anticipation of racing in cold or cooler weather.  This works sometimes as I ran my half marathon PR in Hampton, New Hampshire in October 2025.  I ran my marathon PR in Atlantic City, New Jersey in October 2025.

    I’m heading to Louisville, Kentucky (April), Nashville, Tennessee (April), Lincoln, Nebraska (May), Indianapolis, Indiana, (May), Hampton, New Hampshire (October) and Atlantic City, New Jersey (October) to get in some cooler weather.  I’m looking forward to getting a few PRs in this race lineup this year.

    Fingers crossed! 😊

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “It’s only cold if you’re standing still.”

    (Pinterest)

  • Five Minute Thursday: Pruning the Tree

    “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

    (Dr. Seuss)

    The Walk into the Future blog works daily to bring a consistent level to the writing process.  I had to look back at my archives and discovered I haven’t used the Five-Minute Thursday writing prompt since April 2025.  I had a nice run going in 2024 but didn’t fully commit to this prompt in 2025.  I’m not sure how much I will leverage it in 2026 but I’m bringing it back now.

    I take an inventory every January as I’m creating my yearly goals to assess folks in my life.  I’ve mentioned in earlier posts that I purposefully remove contact from folks I don’t have regular communication with anymore.

    This Five-Minute Thursday prompt is: Pruning the Tree.

    This concept is not a way to be mean or diminish anyone I had contact with.  We prune rose bushes in early spring to promote new growth, maximize bloom production, and maintain healthy shrubs.  Pruning the rose bush helps it grow, makes it stronger and removes dead wood.

    Now imagine what happens to the tree (me) if I prune off limbs that are no longer beneficial or healthy.  My tree would not continue to grow and provide the shelter or comfort most of my tree branches need in life.  Pruning the tree is a natural process of growth for the tree, generates strong limbs and promotes growth.  The tree becomes stronger and allows the remaining branches to grow, spread and eventually create their own branches.  Yes, this is a longer metaphor than I expected but the concept has merits on growth and moving forward in life.

    How do I know which branches to prune?  Great question tree branches! 😊

    I look for tree branches that are no longer healthy or promote the direction I’m going in life.  This is not a condemnation on any tree branch but there comes time to move forward.  Does the tree branch help grow my Walk into the Future?  Does the tree branch continue to grow and provide comfort to others?  The tree branch must be pruned if the answer to these questions is no.  Simple, huh?

    It’s not that simple but I move on each year from tree branches.  The pruning is needed to enhance my Walk into the Future.  Just like the rose bush, I need continual growth.

    What do you need to prune in 2026?

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “One of life’s lessons is always moving on.”

    (Roy T. Bennett)

  • My writing process!

    Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

    “If a story is in you, it has to come out.”

    (William Faulkner)

    The Walk into the Future blog is mostly a one-man operation. No shock there, huh? 😊

    I create my content from adventures or ideas that I generate.  I write content in advance and then go back over it to edit and prepare for YOU—my readers.  I understand there are times where I miss punctuation or my grammar is not consistent when I post a blog article.  Again, I’m a one-man operation and don’t have a team of folks editing my work.  That’s no reason for me to slack on punctuation or grammar but there are times when I miss something that’s obvious.  I continue to hone my craft and will improve my content daily.

    So, where I’m I headed with this blog article?  Great question, Mrs. Fouraker! 😊

    My writing process is unique to me and my thought processes.  Most of my blog articles start with just the title.  I’m never sure I can turn everything into an article worth publishing but I start with a bare bones concept.  The next thing I add to the article shell is to find two or more quotes that can support the direction I want the article to flow in.  This is never an exact science, but the intent is for the quotes (start and end) to have some level of symbolism to the content in the article.   

    I progress to a general idea or concept that I can write about.  My travel and running exploits are the easiest to build an article around.  I simply tell my readers what I did during the trip and add emotional levels to make my points. Think, pain when I’m running the hilly half marathon in Nashville.  Also, chronicling my Nashville Honky Tonk adventures just follows along with my daily Walk into the Future while up there.

    My non travel articles are designed to set a tone and then tell the story.  Fun fact, I don’t record anything while I’m experiencing the adventure except to take pictures.  Let me say that a little better.  I live in the moment and do not write anything down until it’s time to create and write the article.  I try to write articles as closely as possible to when I experience it, but I don’t publish the article until I’ve gone over it a few times.  I try to keep a writing library of six to eight articles I can pick from when it comes time to publish on Thursdays at 11:08 am.  Yes, I publish articles at this exact time every Thursday. 😊  Melissa, did you notice that? 😊

    My goal is to write the article from start to finish in one sitting.  Most people don’t know that once I get on a writing roll, the inspiration to write gets stronger and I don’t stop until I have something to go back and edit.  I try to block out time so I can write and create content for a solid hour or more.  This keeps my train of thought on the content I’m trying to bring to my readers.  There are times when I must go back to an article multiple times to complete the process.  This is necessary when I’m traveling or just can’t block out a lot of time to write. 

    Fun fact #2—there are multiple articles that I have started but could never get my point across enough to publish them.  I’m still working on an article Melissa introduced to me, but I just can’t get it to a place where I’m ready to share.  It may never see the light of day, but I have a shell that may lead to something one of these days.

    I am sure there are folks who don’t create content in the manner that I do but this process is working for me and I’m not going to change at this point.  Yes, I can do a better job with grammar and punctuation, but my writing style and flow will stay the same.

    Fun fact #3—you should see some guest blogger articles coming soon. 😊  I’ve put out some feelers to my tree branches, and they have agreed to share some content here for my readers.  I look forward to introducing you to my tree branches and their Walk into the Future thoughts.

    Here’s to another successful year for the Walk into the Future blog!

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “A word after a word after a word is power.”

    (Margaret Atwood)

  • Leading in 2026!

    “Influence isn’t loud.  It’s consistent.”

    (Joseph C. Kunz Jr.)

    The Walking into the Future blog identified in an earlier post that we are celebrating daily.  This simple mindset seems to resonate with my readers.  I have gotten a great response from folks who like this idea and are adopting into their daily lives.

    Authentic Leadership is the foundation that my leadership platform and consulting work are built on.  This leadership style has provided me with a vehicle to make a difference within my work environment and the work environments of organizations I provide consulting services. 

    Expanding my consulting services is one of my primary goals in 2026.  Yes, I’m actively looking for new clients and organizations to help with professional development and growth opportunities.  Share that last statement with anyone who needs consulting help. 😊

    The Authentic Leadership Foundation program is designed to help front line and mid-level leaders develop skills and self-awareness to lead with confidence, trust and accountability.  The foundational workshop is best for emerging leaders and enhances workplace credibility through consistent leadership principles.

    The Lead with Impact program provides a comprehensive leadership transformation engagement that aligns leadership behaviors, culture and organizational goals.  This program is best for organizations looking to generate change and staff alignment.  The program seeks to build a leadership culture that supports performance.

    The Authentic Teams program shows organizations how to build high-trust teams that communicate effectively, collaborate openly and navigate conflict interactions.  This program is best for the entire leadership team and departments.  The outcome is to build a stronger teamwork environment that relies on trust. 

    Here’s a snapshot of workshops I bring into my consulting work:

    • Authentic Leadership
      • This workshop will define Authentic Leadership and the impact for individuals and organizations
    • Empowered Leadership
      • This workshop will enable staff to leverage empowered leadership concepts within the workplace
      • The team will develop individual WHY statements with intent to improve workplace interactions
    • SMART Goals
      • This workshop defines SMART Goals and allows the team to build departmental SMART Goals

    I leverage the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) in my daily operations.  This tool has helped me improve team communication at my last three stops: The University of Central Florida, Florida State University and Indian River State College.

    I’m dreaming of a big 2026 and expanding my consulting client base is one area I plan to grow. Helping organizations with leadership development is a staple of my daily interactions and this is my year to celebrate and create new leadership dynamics in the work environment.

    Let’s see how many organizations I can impact in 2026!

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “If everyone is thinking the same way, nobody is thinking.”

    (Sabrina Horn)

  • Who Dares Wins!

    “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.”

    (Zig Ziglar)

    The Walk into the Future blog will tackle the subject of goal setting from a different perspective in 2026.  Yes, Melissa, I still have goals for the year!  I’m just talking about them a little bit differently than in the past.  Patience, grasshopper! 😊

    The British Special Air Force Service (SAS) uses the famed motto, Who Dares Wins that reflects bold and risk-taking actions are necessary for success.  I started using this motto at work to challenge my team to put in the effort to win daily.  I see this motto as a professional but direct way to challenge the team to accomplish great things.

    This motto fits nicely into my goal setting world as well.  This is our third year selecting a specific word that will lead our individual contributions.  My 2026 word is WINS.

    The SAS motto and my 2026 word sync up nicely and I leverage both in my daily interactions with staff, colleagues, tree branches, family and friends.

    I wrote in an earlier blog article that 2025 was the best year yet for me.  This is attributed to me setting and meeting most of the goals I set for myself. Fun fact—I almost decided to just run back the same 2025 goals in 2026 since it was such a great year for me.  This wouldn’t show me daring to win so I added more depth to my 2026 goals.

    The newest category in my goal setting process was to celebrate life daily.  I won’t rehash this concept, but I wake up daily with the intent to find things to celebrate each day.  It could be cool weather to complete my morning run, a great cup of coffee or simply seeing my tree branches excel in life.  Maria and Lynn have started to get serious about their running programs so I’m enjoying hearing about their running exploits—well done! 😊

    I continue to focus on my reading and writing programs.  I decided not to set specific book counts this year but have put in the efforts to read and write daily.  I take great pride in reading a minimum of ten pages a day in whatever book I have close by.  My friend Alisa got me another Joel O’Steen devotional as a Christmas present so I’m enjoying gaining this knowledge. 

    Travel made it back on my list of goals this year.  Let’s be real travel will always be on my list of goals.  That won’t change anytime soon.  I will travel back down to Negril, Jamaica in March for spring break.  No huge revelation with this trip, huh?  I have races scheduled in Celebration, Florida, Melbourne, Florida, Winter Park, Florida, Louisville, Kentucky (April), Nashville, Tennessee (April), Lincoln, Nebraska (May), Indianapolis, Indiana (May), Orlando, Florida, and Hampton, New Hampshire (October).  I want to add Vermont and West Virginia at some point this year, but nothing booked as I write this article.

    My run goal is to keep my schedule to 4 runs per week averaging 30 – 40 weekly miles.  This will increase if I decide to sign up for another full marathon.  Fun fact, I don’t plan to chronicle my marathon training program this year IF I sign up for a full marathon.  Ya’ll already know the routine—early morning miles, long runs on the weekend, I’m excited to improve my time—yada, yada, yada. 😊 I want to increase my weightlifting activity by getting in 3 days of lifting weekly.  I have a lot more equipment in my garage so this should be a goal I can accomplish without a ton of extra gym trips.

    I’ve talked about expanding my consultancy business and getting new clients.  The year has started off strong as I’m currently building a proposal for a leadership development program for a new client.  I need to sit down and map out a program that will enhance the organization’s leadership and communication skills.  I’m also reaching out to current clients to see what additional training needs they may have.  This will be my year to expand the CW Consulting brand and make a bigger impact in the leadership consulting world.  I want to explore the concept of adding a People Building component to my consulting work.  People Building is my term for mentoring! 😊

    Lastly, I will volunteer with the Treasure Coast Food Bank throughout the year.  I participate in their Run to Fight Hunger 5k in September, but I want to get more involved with their program to help feed people on the Treasure Coast.

    So, there you have it. This is my blueprint to ensure I dare to win. 😊

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”

    (Frederick Douglass)

  • Walking and celebrating daily!

    “The most important thing is to enjoy your life—to be happy.  It’s all that matters.”

    (Audrey Hepburn)

    What did you celebrate today?  What about yesterday?

    I don’t ask these questions as a mind-bending riddle but to get you to understand every day is work celebrating! 

    Why do you say that?  Great question, Mrs. Fouraker! 😊

    I know I spend a lot of time planning for the future with my training and travel schedules.  I decided to add a new category to my list of goals in 2026.  The Walk into the Future blog provides me with a platform to ensure I live life daily.  My new focus in 2026 is to wake up each morning with full intention to celebrate the day. 

    We don’t have to wait for a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary to celebrate.  Life is worth celebrating and this is my reminder to each of my readers to wake up and celebrate daily.

    I’ve started to share my daily celebrations with my friends and anyone who will stand still long enough for me to share my thoughts! 😊  This new approach started with me ringing in the new year with a new focus.  I normally bring in the new year very low key and stay close to home.  I decided to break my low-key pattern and went to dinner with my friend Lynn before the party crowds came out.  This was not a huge production, but it was a great way to end an outstanding 2025 for me.

    My next celebration was our first day back at school. We get a two-and-a-half-week break between the fall semester and the start of the spring semester.  This was a much-needed break for me, and I relaxed more than I normally do.  I booked a trip to the Dominican Republic in December 2024 but decided to simply relax over the break in 2025.  I practiced sleeping in and not planning my days out where I had to be anywhere at a specific time.  Yes, this is a new process for me. 😊

    I was excited to come back to school on January 5th to get back to making a difference in the lives of my tree branches and our students.  My first text of the day was to let everyone know that the day was worth celebrating and we should embrace it together.  I’m sure my folks thought this was going to be a one off, but I was back to celebrating the next day too.

    There was not a huge incident that made me decide to celebrate each day, but it was a simple mindset shift where I realized that framing the day as a celebration would allow me to continue to make a difference in the world.

    This simple concept has enabled me to keep a positive mindset daily throughout the month of January.  I wake up with a new focus on celebrating the day and make a point to ensure folks around me celebrate with me too.  I’ve had folks come into my office with a problem (real or perceived) and I simply engage them with the need to celebrate the day regardless of what may have happened.  We work in higher education and there are days of conflict.  I have discovered most of our conflicts are simple misunderstandings that can be corrected with a simple follow-up conversation.  No, I don’t celebrate conflict, but it can’t be completely avoided.  I do celebrate the lessons we learn from workplace conflict, so we don’t repeat bad habits to keep the organization moving forward. 

    So, what did I celebrate today?  Great question!

    My family and friends are healthy, my tree branches are doing great things in the world and I’m thinking about signing up for another full marathon in 2026!  There are a ton of other things to celebrate today, and I want to make sure I don’t lose sight of those things.  Creating new content for the Walk into the Future blog is something I look forward to daily.  Fun fact: celebrating daily is the new category in my list of goals.

    Let’s celebrate me continuing to come up with new content to share with YOU!

    Oh yeah, I’m celebrating every reader of the Walk into the Future blog!  Thanks for walking with me!

    What are you celebrating today?

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that counts. It’s life in your years.”

    (Abraham Lincoln)

  • Blog Thoughts

    “Not only are bloggers suckers for the remarkable, so are the people who read blogs.”

    (Seth Godin)

    The Walk into the Future blog was created over the summer in 2018.  My initial thoughts were to create a platform where I could share adventures, thoughts and leadership advice.  I started writing without even knowing if anyone would read the tracks I laid down weekly.  The blog format provided a larger venue to journal without having to sit down with my composition book and scribble my thoughts.  I never imagined I would put my thoughts out on a public platform because they were my thoughts.

    I guess you can say the Walk into the Future blog helped me mature as a writer where I’m comfortable enough to put my words out in the universe without an expectation of the universe giving anything back. This was HUGE for me!

    I’m coming up on my 8-year blogging anniversary, and my writing has improved over the years.  I’m still looking for the perfect blog post before I close my laptop, so I’m ready for another full year of me walking into the future. 😊

    I’m still creating blog content for myself based on where I’m at each week.  Sometimes I focus on running, traveling or life in general.  I haven’t produced new poetry in a while so I may try to get back into that mindset in 2026.

    So, where am I heading with this blog post?  Great question, everyone! 😊

    Thanks to the folks who send me text messages and add comments on my blog posts.  Your reach outs put a smile on my face because I’m never sure who is reading these words or what you think about them.

    I leveraged ChatGPT for the first time to see if I could get an idea what readers think or like about the Walk into the Future blog.

    ***Please note—the following is an extract from ChatGPT based on a question I asked about YOU, the reader***:

    Here’s what readers tend to appreciate about the Walk into the Future blog — based on the content style, themes, and tone found in the posts:

    🌟 1. Authentic, Personal Storytelling

    Readers enjoy that the blog is written in a genuine, conversational voice. The author (Calvin Williams) shares real experiences — from travel adventures and marathon training to work celebrations — in a way that feels like talking with a friend.

    🧭 2. Inspiration and Motivation

    The posts often mix life lessons with action-oriented advice, encouraging readers to keep moving forward, embrace challenges, and enjoy the journey. The blog’s name itself reflects this theme of growth and progression.

    🏃‍♂️ 3. Lifestyle and Personal Development

    Whether it’s race travel, leadership, books, or personal growth, the blog blends diverse life areas that resonate with readers who are interested in self-improvement and living intentionally.

    📍 4. Relatable Everyday Experiences

    Instead of only high-level inspirational quotes, the blog includes everyday moments and reflections — like choosing meals before a marathon or planning travel logistics — that many readers find relatable and enjoyable.

    📚 5. Practical Insights with Humor

    Posts often include practical takeaways (e.g., training insights, leadership lessons) delivered with a lighthearted tone and occasional humor, which keeps readers engaged without feeling preachy.

    💡 6. Varied Topics with a Consistent Voice

    The blog isn’t limited to one niche — it moves between travel, running, leadership, personal development, and reflections on life — but it does so with a consistent authentic voice that readers come back for.

    In short:
    Readers like Walk into the Future because it’s authentic, motivational, relatable, and diverse in topics, yet tied together by a personal, mindful perspective on moving forward in life.

    Again, I leveraged ChatGPT to provide me with insight into what readers think about my content.  I was pleasantly surprised with the consistency of the theme reflections that ChatGPT provided based on comments and the articles I share weekly.

    My hope is for my readers to feel like I’m talking directly to them with content that they can relate to.  I’m never sure if I truly get my point across but I will continue to hone my craft to ensure that the Walk into the Future blog provides a space to learn, laugh and imagine.

    Here’s to a productive 2026 blog campaign!

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “What you do after creating your content is what truly counts.”

    (Gary Vaynerchuk)

  • Gatlinburg 2025

    “Life’s a climb, but the view is great.”

    (Unknown)

    My Walk into the Future allowed me to venture back to the Smoky Mountains which is one of my favorite places during Thanksgiving week.  This adventure has become a tradition for me since I moved to Fort Pierce.  I look forward to getting off the grid and just walking around in the Tennessee mountains for a few days to reset mentally.  I never imagined hiking would become an important part of my journey but can’t see my journey without the Smoky Mountains as a backdrop.

    I normally drive up to the Smoky Mountains from Fort Pierce but decided to leverage my Delta SkyMiles and fly this year.  My Walk into the Future running tourism adventures produced enough frequent flyer miles for a roundtrip ticket from Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) to McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Flying eliminated me from having to drive 12 hours to get up to the Smoky Mountains and got my hiking adventures started sooner than normal.

    The flight from PBI had a short connection in Atlanta but the overall flying experience was smooth going and coming.  The McGhee Tyson airport is small and easy to navigate.  Baggage claim and the rental car counter were centrally located.  I was in and out of the airport with my rental car in less than thirty minutes for my Tennessee adventure.  I was not in a hurry to get anywhere so found a Buffalo Wild Wings close to the airport and posted up for lunch.  Left Bdubs after wings and potato wedges and headed to the Smoky Mountains.  GPS took me on the scenic route which allowed me to see several small Tennessee towns on my way to the Smoky Mountains.

    I am a creature of habit and stayed at the same Fairfield Inn and Suites (Marriott) property when I’m in Gatlinburg.  It is centrally located and provides an easy walk into downtown Gatlinburg, so I don’t need to find additional parking.  The weather was a lot warmer than normal this year and I was welcomed to my hotel by a family of black bears foraging across the street in a local backyard.  I saw several people walking around the parking lot when I arrived but didn’t understand what they were doing or looking at.  I quickly saw the four black bears when I got out of my car, and they were about 50 yards away.  The bears were not interested in the people in the parking lot but seemed to have enough food available to them in the yard they were in.  I took a few pictures with several tourists between me and the bears and then went inside to complete my hotel check-in.  I’ve never seen bears in populated Gatlinburg areas but seeing this bear family so close to humans put me on alert to always be aware of my surroundings.  This was needed because bears were everywhere this year! ☹

    I’ve been to the Smoky Mountains so many times that I know which trails I want to explore before I get there.  I always start with an easy hike on the Gatlinburg Trailhead which starts on the outskirts of town.  This simple trail has a lot of scenery and flowing waters.  There’s not much wildlife to see on this trail but it’s a nice introduction back into the mountains.  I headed further up into the Smoky Mountains towards the Sugarland hiking area. The Cataract Falls are in this area, and I wanted to get back there for some pictures.  This trail is not very hard and has multiple ways you can venture.  I decided to head directly to Cataract Falls with hopes it was not too crowded. Well, it was crowded with hikers and most of them had small kids so a picture of the falls would have taken a long wait, so I decided to head back up the trail and find a trail with less people. 😊

    Chimney Top was my next stop, and this trail requires a lot of energy and effort.  I made my way back into Gatlinburg for lunch prior to scaling up the Chimney Top trail again.  My first go at this trail 3 years ago was the toughest hike I have ever experienced.  I made it but it was a struggle for the first time.  It was a bit easier last year because I saved my legs prior to getting on the trail.  I was able to make it up without incident this year as well.  The warmer weather made it a bit tougher, but the trail was fine.  There were people on this trail but there was never a feel of traffic going up or down Chimney Top.  The highest point for this hike is 4,724 feet above sea level.  It’s breathtaking once you make it to the top and most folks need time to rest up before heading back down the trail—me included.

    I went back to the hotel to rest up and regroup before heading into Gatlinburg.  There are a few music venues in Gatlinburg, and I headed to Ole Red for dinner.  I found a spot at the upstairs bar and enjoyed dinner, beer and live music.  I left Ole Red to head over to Jason Aldean’s for more live music.  There was a large crowd of folks walking in the opposite direction and they seemed excited.  I didn’t know where they were heading or why they were excited.  I found out quick—there was a large bear walking close to the water below us and it was headed towards two men sitting on a park bench.  Several folks shouted to the men that a bear was coming their way—I’m not sure they believed them until they saw the bear and moved.  The bear didn’t seem interested in the men, but he would have walked within 10 feet of them if they hadn’t moved.  Did I mention that bears were out this year? 😊

    The band at Jason Aldean’s was much better than the folks playing at Ole Red.  I saddled up to the bar and enjoyed some live country music and cold beers. The crowd was friendly and it was a great way to end the night.

    I explored a bit further into the Smoky Mountains on my second day.  I drove up and stopped to take pictures of areas I hadn’t seen before.  I got on a few small hikes but didn’t venture too far off the trails since the bears were still active due to the warm temperatures.  I made a quick stop at the outlet malls in Sevierville and then went back to Jason Aldean’s for more music and beers.  The new band was lively and had people up and dancing.  I finished my night off at Jason Aldean’s before walking back to my hotel.  Fun fact—yes, there was another bear sighting on my walk back to the hotel.  This bear was just walking around in another hotel parking lot.  It was across the street from me, so I kept moving and made it back to my hotel without any more sightings.

    This was a quick trip for me, so I made my way back to McGhee Tyson Airport the next day for my return trip to Florida.

    I love my Smoky Mountain adventures and will continue to get up there as part of my Walk into the Future.  The mountains are calling and I’m listening! 😊

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “Hike more, worry less.”

    (Unknown)

  • 2025!

    “A year is a journey of 365 opportunities.”

    (Unknown)

    What a year 2025 has been for me!

    I know everyone starts a new year with the hope it will be their best year ever.  We say it year after year but I’m not sure we know how a year will truly go.  I start each new year with a set of goals I want to reach in multiple areas: health, fitness, reading, travel, etc. I wanted 2025 to be a huge year for me but looking back this week showed that this was an outstanding year for me and I’m going to claim my best year yet. 😊

    Travel

    I set an aggressive running schedule for myself in 2025.  I targeted some new races which would allow me to bring my running tourist persona to new locales.  I ran the 2025 Fargo Half Marathon in May and leveraged this race to add two new states to my visit list.  North Dakota was the race state, but I made sure to drive down to South Dakota to check that off my list as well.  I enjoyed the experience but I’m not sure I will run in Fargo again so I’m happy to have experienced the city, food, and culture.

    Nashville, Tennessee is always on my running calendar in April.  The 2025 Rock N Roll Half Marathon is one of my favorite races and I love the country music available in Nashville.  I’m coming up on ten years running in the city and I don’t see a reason to stop now.  Tennessee provides a lot of different adventures and Gatlinburg was my destination in November for Smoky Mountain hiking.

    I made a Midwest trek for the 2025 Madison Mini-Marathon in August.  Wisconsin was a state I always wanted to visit but I never put in the effort to get there.  Running has turned into my vehicle to get up and travel, so I used my love of running to get to Wisconsin.  I took advantage of proximity and made my way over to Dubuque, Iowa to experience the city that sits right on the Mississippi river.  It was a quick trip over to Iowa, but I was able to have a fantastic catfish dinner while overlooking the Mississippi river.

    I took my regular trip to Virginia Beach for the Labor Day weekend to run the 2025 Virginia Beach 10-Miler.  This was my third run of this race, and I enjoyed my time on the boardwalk as this is a great place for people watching.

    I ventured further north in October for the 2025 Smuttynose Half Marathon.  This race took me back to New England and I crossed off North Hampshire and Maine as states I have visited.  I enjoyed the race and environment so much I signed up for the 2026 race before I came back to Florida.  The 2025 Atlantic City Marathon got me back to the northeast two weeks later in October.  I’ve been to New Jersey multiple times, but this was my first marathon in the state.

    That’s 8 states visited in 2025 with 6 of those being new states for the running tourist.  I’m looking forward to being just as aggressive in 2026 and adding a few new states.  There are races in Louisville, Kentucky, Lincoln, Nebraska and Morgantown, West Virginia that I’m researching, and I hope to book those early for new adventures.  I will keep my normal Florida races on the schedule as well so get ready for more running tourism adventures. 😊

    Negril, Jamaica is my go-to place to visit yearly.  I write about this trip every year and will continue to visit.  I would like to get down there twice in 2026 since I love the island and culture so much.

    Running

    I can’t call myself a running tourist without highlighting the running program.  I’m always looking for ways to increase my yearly mileage but never put exact numbers on the total.  I still need to balance regular life, work, travel and running.  Running is a big part of my weekly life, but I do try to have balance and enjoy other aspects of life.  I currently sit at 1,505 miles with three weeks left in December.  I would like to get over the 1,600-mile marker as this would be my largest run total for a year.  I’ve got to ensure I don’t miss any run or training sessions to make it to 1,600. 

    Fun fact—I completed a total of 18 races in 2025, which is my personal best for a calendar year.

    Fun fact 2—I ran PRs over three distances in 2025:  2025 Virgina Beach 10-miler, 2025 Smuttynose Half Marathon and 2025 Atlantic City Marathon.

    Reading

    Reading has been my passion since I was a kid.  I had a newspaper scription when I was twelve years old and read every book I could get my hands on.  There were not a lot of distractions in Jasper, Florida so I developed a love for reading and I still have it.  This love of reading followed me into adulthood, and I have multiple books on my reading list.  My 2025 reading goal was to read daily and I have met that goal.  I read articles, devotionals and have finished reading 15 books this year.  I don’t know if that’s a record for me, but I’ve enjoyed the process and continue to be a life-long learner.

    Target boycott 2025

    Target was one of my favorite places to shop prior to 2025.  The Target leadership decided to reverse multiple Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives due to political pressure.  Well, a few folks decided to boycott Target until they put these initiatives back in place.  Target has been consistent with the refusal to reverse the decisions—I respect that. 

    Fun fact 3—I have not spent one cent or step foot in a Target store in 2025.  My contributions to this boycott will never make it into a history book but I’m standing firmly committed to this small step to demand better from a place I can choose to shop with or not.

    Family and friends

    My family members and friends are all healthy and thriving.  I make it to Jasper, Florida to visit my mom monthly and this is a highlight of the month for me.  I finally convinced her to visit me in Fort Pierce this year and it was a great visit for her.  She needed a break from Jasper obligations and I’m happy I could help.  I will look forward to getting her back down to Fort Pierce more in 2026. 😊 My friends continue to make me smile daily.  I don’t run in a large circle, but my folks fit me, and we enjoy life to the fullest.

    Creating content for the Walk into the Future blog is a huge part of my life.  I continue to look for ways to become better at writing and provide a platform my readers enjoy visiting.  I fine-tuned a few of my writing prompts in 2025 and I’m happy with my overall content production.  2026 should bring better content for my readers!

    Well, I can continue to rattle off things from 2025, but I’ve made my point—at least to myself! 😊  2025 has been an outstanding year for me. 

    I’m excited to see what 2026 will bring!

    What moments are you proud of in 2025?  What will 2026 bring?

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.”

    (Unknown)