Tomorrow
Tomorrow is not promised
But the promise of tomorrow leads the way
To ensure every effort today
Is made without delay
Waiting for tomorrow
Shortchanges things you can get done in the present moment
Wasting opportunity and precious time
To find the pot of gold you deserve
Start using your time today
To find your path to a better tomorrow
“Blogging is like work, but without coworkers thwarting you at every turn”.
(Scott Adams)
The first Walk into the Future blog article was introduced to the world on May 21, 2018.
Yep, four straight years of creating blog content and sharing it every week (mostly) with anyone willing to read about my thoughts, adventures, travel, and leadership pursuits.
Looking back my writing style has changed and grown over the past four years as I seek to find content that others may want to read. Scratch that thought—I am writing content based on my life and sharing with anyone who wants to read it.
I never had a clear idea where this blog would take me but decided to just sit down on my laptop and create content to publish. I did not set out on a particular direction for my articles but felt an urge to write and the blog concept seemed like a natural place to showcase my words.
I would be lying by saying I knew four years ago I would still be writing and sharing content through this platform. A bigger lie would have been I knew I would attract an audience of people who never met me and read my articles weekly. My friends and family are ALMOST obligated to read this stuff so knew ya’ll would be along for the journey! 😊
I quick THANK YOU to my day 1 folks and everyone who follow this blog and my journey.
I did a summary blog article awhile back to highlight Walk into the Future blog stats. Decided to do that again for this article to showcase the continued growth for the blog and the impact it has in the world. I am amazed daily when I get a new blog follower from another country. This puts a huge smile on my face because I never thought starting a blog in Tallahassee, Florida would generate international interest.
Martin Lawrence once joked that Michael Jackson was BANGING in Bucharest. Well, I get weekly blog views in Romania so I can joke I am banging in Bucharest too—not as big as Michael Jackson but happy someone over there likes my work.
I will continue to produce content for the blog as long as it is still fun to me and people want to read my work. Let’s see how long we can continue to Walk into the Future!
What topics do you want me to write about in the future? No pun intended!
Irie!
Happy Anniversary with WordPress.com!
You registered on WordPress.com 4 years ago.
Thanks for flying with us. Keep up the good blogging.
Walk into the future blog stats May 2022
“Blogging is a conversation, not a code”.
(Mike Butcher)
“A half marathon is just a 5k with a 10-mile warmup”.
(Pinterest)
My Walk into the Future led me back to Nashville for the 2022 Nashville Rock N Roll Half Marathon. I have run this race 4 times prior but did not get a chance to run in 2020 or 2021 due to COVID-19.
My original race registration from 2020 rolled over twice to this year and I was thrilled to return to one of my favorite cities to run, explore and enjoy live music again.
Nashville did not disappoint!
The weather was projected to be hot this year and it was. Nashville normally is still cool in April but this year the high on race day was 85 degrees which is 20 degrees higher than normal. This impacts all runners, so the race organizers sent out messaging for runners to take extra precautions (dress with light clothing, drink plenty water, consider slowing the pace, etc.). The weather was like the 2017 race and most runners felt the difference with the heat and the hilly course that Nashville is famous for.
I did not enter this race with a projected finish time in mind due to the weather and the hills. I have run one of my fastest half marathons on this course in 2019 when the weather was much cooler–the weather was not favorable for this year. Training on the hills in Tallahassee helped as well. 😊
Decided to capture my time in Nashville with pictures instead of giving you a complete recap of the race—most of my readers are used to a full recap.
Here is the cliff notes version for the race: I ran 13.2 miles, there were hills, it was hot, I earned a medal, and they gave me beer at the end. Yep, it was worth every second.
EXPO
(Got my race bib and packet)
(Scenes from the EXPO at Music Center)
Wild Horse Saloon
(Time at the Wild Horse Saloon / Line Dancing)
Race Day
(New compression sleeves for the 2022 Nashville Half Marathon)
(2022 Nashville Half Marathon start line)
(Scenes before the start of the race, downtown Nashville)
Broadway
(Rooftop bars on Broadway)
After race
(Ice for my legs after running the Nashville hills)
Saturday
(Venues = Luke Bryan’s, Whiskey Row, The Stage, Tequila Cowboy, Lucky Bastard)
Sunday
(Last day in Nashville! Broadway, Union Station Hotel, The Stage (again), Wild Horse Saloon (again), Lucky Bastard and The Parthenon)
Two new restaurants I recommend on the West End of Nashville are the Midtown Café and The Row Kitchen and Pub. The Midtown Café is a great place to get a hearty breakfast. The Row Kitchen and Pub has a large menu but recommend getting the catfish dinner if you are ever in Nashville—it is worth the wait!
https://www.therownashville.com/menus/#dinner
The weather and hills did not stop me from enjoying my time in Nashville. I am already planning my return next year for the 2023 Nashville Rock N Roll Half Marathon—I registered for the event as soon as I returned home. 😊
Who is joining me in Nashville?
Irie!
“Congratulations on finishing your half marathon! Good luck walking tomorrow!
(Pinterest)
(Image by claudia martinez from Pixabay)
Solitude
Solitude rhymes with gratitude
And really is not the end of the world
Most people assume
The hustle and bustle of life
Makes the gratitude for solitude profound
In the life of those who can allow
Solitude to influence their attitude
And enjoy the energy and flow
Solitude in life can help you grow
(Image by rose-de-velours from Pixabay)
What did I see?
When I looked over the horizon
And tried to see my future
The future said everything will go well
You just need to find you way
Understand the pursuit of happiness
And begin your journey today
Don’t waste your time
Running around without a sense of direction
Chose your path
Live your life
And walk into the future
(Books I’m reading now)
“A book is a gift you can open again and again”.
(Garrison Keillor)
I start each year with a measured set of goals. Reading and writing are two areas I focus on for my goals.
These are the areas where I find a ton of joy daily along with my running program. My 2022 reading and writing goals are below:
So, this is where I update you on my progress.
I discovered the book The Richest Man Who Ever Lived by Steven K. Scott 15 years ago and adopted an aspect from the book into my daily life. The book highlights the benefits of Proverbs and how King Solomon identified secrets to success, wealth, and happiness. I originally read the book thinking it would TELL me how to become rich financially which did not happen.
I read the book and did not understand the lessons the author was trying to relay to the readers. I dismissed it as an attempt to get people to read the book because of the catchy title. Luckily for me I decided to go back and read the book multiple times and followed the directions provided to see where they would lead.
I adopted the practice of reading Proverbs daily because of the wisdom (secrets to success, wealth, and happiness) this book provides to readers. I have been a daily Proverbs reader for over 15 years now and continue to discover new wisdom insights. Decided to add other books in the bible to my daily reading program in 2022. This is the reading goal I continue to meet and/or exceed so far this year.
Now, let’s talk about my goal to read 2 books each month. I started the year off with a bang and was able to handle my book goal in January and February. I started to go downhill with my reading program in March. I added more racing and training to my routine to get prepared for multiple half marathons but that’s not the real reason my reading has been slacking.
I have not done a great job of identifying book topics/titles that keep my attention. I big part of reading for me is an interest in the topic/title and the author. I started grabbing books off Amazon based on recommendations but some of the books did not have a true flow and caused me to become a slower reader than normal. No excuses but it is taking me longer to digest and get through the books I have selected. I’m averaging a book a month but need to increase my pace or make the time to read these books. There is still a lot of 2022 left to get more books read but I may not average 2 books each month.
My writing program remains strong, and I am happy with my progress in 2022. The blog articles keep me searching for new adventures and ideas, but I am happy with my ability to create content. It helps that a lot of my life revolves around traveling, running and the beach. I am sure I will continue to have content to turn into another Walk into the Future blog article. 😊
I have published multiple articles and posts on LinkedIn so that is another goal win. I continue to look for ways to network and connect with a larger audience. LinkedIn has allowed me to attract readers to my blog and share my adventures and leadership thoughts. I will use LinkedIn to build my leadership audience so I can get back to conducting Authentic Leadership workshops for organizations looking to improve/grow.
I have rolled my publishing a leadership eBook into 2022. I have the content for the eBook but need to get busy with cover art and putting the content into publication. I will use the summer months to finalize the content and work to get cover art so I can get the eBook to market. It’s coming—I promise! 😊
Still got work to do but I am making progress towards my 2022 reading and writing goals.
How are you doing with your 2022 goals! I welcome your thoughts—thanks!
Irie!
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body”.
(Joseph Addison)
“The smell of the ocean never gets old”.
(Pinterest)
I am always searching for new adventures and ways to leverage my Walk into the Future journey.
Most of my Florida exploits are centered around me heading north to familiar locations: Jasper, Jacksonville, Orlando, Melbourne, and Tallahassee. I have never been a huge south Florida fan, so it never crosses my mind to explore locations down there except when outlet malls are involved. I love outlet malls! 😊
Decided to get out of my travel comfort zone and venture south to explore Jupiter, Florida last weekend. I always heard great things about Jupiter but never made a true effort to visit the area to see what it truly had to offer. The reports about this area are all true; the city of Jupiter and the beaches are well worth a trip down there.
Google maps identified Jupiter was only a 58-minute drive down I-95 from Fort Pierce, so it is extremely close to me so no real excuses for never going there. Got up early on Saturday morning with the intent of driving down and enjoying a day of dining, sightseeing, and walking on the beach. Mission accomplished on all phases of my plan.
1000 North
A good friend in south Florida recommended the 1000 North restaurant as a place to get some great food, people watch and catch nice water views. I never heard about this place, but it turns out to be a very popular spot in Jupiter. It has a diverse ownership group that includes Michael Jordan and several other well-known professional athletes. Did not know this fact until I got there and saw the setup. Nothing over the top but they only have complimentary valet parking—a nice feature but not something I am used to.
There are multiple dining areas to include a members only private dining room. I stayed downstairs with the regular folks and got a seat outside with a great view of the marina. The atmosphere was fantastic and got an opportunity to people watch. There were several large groups outside and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and the great location.
The menu provided an eclectic selection, but I decided to get the grilled chicken club with sweet potato fries. Never had a fried egg on a club sandwich but it was a very good addition to the sandwich. I would get this again on a return trip to 1000 North.
Left 1000 North with the intent to explore the famed Jupiter beaches. Made a quick 5-minute drive east from the restaurant and I was at the beach. It was cool by Florida weather standards, but the beach was crowded with folks. Got a chance to walk the beach for a bit and get some great pictures to document my exploration for the day. I did not bring my beach chair or towel, so my walk was the activity for the day. I will make my way back to Jupiter beach so I can enjoy a full day at the beach and relax.
Outlets
My trip to Jupiter put me about 20 minutes away from the Palm Beach Outlet mall. I could not miss an opportunity for outlet shopping so made my way south. I did not need anything but that’s not the point—there are always good deals at the outlets, so it is never a wasted trip.
Hit the Nike store first looking for new running gear. The Nike store is extremely small, so the selection was limited I did not pick up anything during this visit. Visited the Columbia store and added to my t-shirt collection here. Walked around a bit more and visited a few more shops before calling it a day and heading back to Fort Pierce.
Nice little day trip for me to add to my Walk into the Future journal. I look forward to heading back down soon for a longer beach adventure.
What areas will you explore this summer?
Irie!
“In Florida we salt margaritas, not sidewalks”.
(Thewanderlustwithin.com)
“If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you”.
(Fred DeVito)
Dictionary.com defines aggressive as making an all-out effort to win or succeed; competitive.
You could characterize my 2022 running schedule as aggressive. I decided to test myself and get back to racing like how I ran prior to COVID-19. My 2019 training was focused on getting faster each time I toed the line and resulted in my fastest time at the 2019 OUC Half Marathon in Orlando (2:05:51). I was able to maintain my race form over the Christmas break and ran my second faster time at the 2020 New Orleans Rock N Roll Half Marathon in February 2020. Races and the country came to a standstill in April 2020 due to the pandemic.
Fast forward to 2022 and I made a concerted effort to find more races and stay active with my race schedule. I identified 9 half marathons I wanted to run throughout the year and targeted races to help with my quest to go faster. I don’t run a lot of 5ks but added a challenging one to my race calendar to help me push myself.
My most aggressive move for 2022 was to tackle the Winter Park 10k less than a week after running the Treasure Coast Half Marathon. This concept made a lot of sense when I signed up but proved to be a bit more difficult than I thought.
The goal for the Winter Park 10k was to set another 10k Personal Record (PR) since I was able to lower my PR in this same race in 2021. I did not think the limited time between races would impact me so toed the line with the confidence of someone who would be able to dictate pace and adjust when needed.
Turns out, this person did not exist for the Winter Park 10k. LOL.
The weather forecast in the Orlando area called for severe weather and it was hot, humid, and overcast as race time drew closer. A lot of runners were checking the weather apps to determine how much time we had before the skies opened and we were going to get wet.
Luckily, the rain held off long enough for us to run the 10k and get some time to spend in the race village before getting soaked. FYI—this was unusual weather for Orlando in March—temperatures are normally cooler and no threats of rain.
Track Shack does not use corral starts for the smaller races so everyone can line up as close to the start line as they want. This brings runners with different race expectations together and creates a unique environment where you must be careful not to run over or bump into people.
The first mile of this race is always interesting since you have elite athletes mixed in with weekend warriors. I like to hang back during the first mile to avoid collisions and the possibility of tripping while trying to get my pace up.
I entered the race with a goal to run sub 55 minutes and I got off to a better-than-expected start in Mile 1 (9:00), Mile 2 (9:14), Mile 3 (9:57). I was happy with this pace considering the amount of bumping we had just to clear people during the first mile of the race. I did not realize how much I slowed down during Mile 3 while running the race but felt myself slowing down. I chalked it up to the energy expended during Mile 1 and figured I would level my pace out and kick it into gear to move faster. Well, I kicked it in gear, but it appears the gear kicked me back. 😊
Have you ever pressed your gas pedal in your vehicle, and nothing happens? That’s exactly what happened to me during this race. I put the pedal down ‘in my mind’ but my body did not react in the way I wanted it to. Mile 4 (10:09), Mile 5 (10:46), Mile 6 (11:00) did not go as planned, I had no extra gear or legs to carry me much faster than what I just threw down. I was able to muster up a kick to finish the race that allowed me to cross the finish line with a smile on my face. The crowd along Park Avenue was great as they cheered for all runners—I appreciate them being out so early to cheer for strangers. I finished in 1:02:17 which is a 10:01 per mile pace.
I pouted about my results for about 3 minutes after the race. I spoke with several elite runners who described their race like what I just experienced. The heat and humidity got to them too so hearing that made me feel a lot better about my race. Several mentioned they thought about quitting during the race because the conditions were so tough. It’s funny how hearing about the misery other runners felt made me feel good about myself again. 😊 We are a funny group of people.
I originally thought running a 10k less than a week after a half marathon may have been the reason I did not have an extra gear. It may have been a factor, but the heat and humidity also contributed to my results. I plan to space my races out a bit more but will continue to be aggressive with my selection.
Currently prepping for the 2022 Nashville Rock N Roll (April) and Atlantic City Rock N Roll (May) Half Marathons. No races scheduled for the summer. I start the new racing season in October with the 2022 Clearwater Rock N Roll Half Marathon and a couple local races throughout the fall. The running tourist will stay active with races if it remains safe to travel.
Being aggressive is not a bad thing! 😊
Irie!
“Running releases more than just sweat”.
(run-for-good.com)
“Running a marathon takes balls, other sports just play with them”.
(Anonymous)
I created an aggressive (for me) 2022 running schedule to make up for lost races in 2020 and 2021. Not trying to recapture those miles but wanted to get back to running races in multiple locations and get this running tourist thing going again.
Targeted a monthly half marathon for the first 5 months of 2022 with the intent to get better mentally and physically with each passing race. The full goal is to run as fast as possible when I get to Atlantic City for the 2022 Atlantic City Rock N Roll Half Marathon. I have never been to Atlantic City and thought it would be a great place to visit, run and take a shot at a personal record. I still need to put in the training work for the PR to occur but the flat course there is enticing for me. A bonus is the opportunity to see my friend, Lauren Apgar while in town. 😊
The 2022 Treasure Coast Half Marathon is a local race for me in Stuart, Florida. The race location is only a quick 30-minute drive down the Florida Turnpike and I thought this would be a great race to test myself and see a new city in the process.
The EXPO was held in a local middle school gymnasium and had several interesting vendors selling gear. My focus for the EXPO was to pick up my race packet and then get a sneak peek at the course I would be running the following day. Got my customary photo op at the EXPO and tried a few of the energy drinks the vendors made available to runners. Did not spend a lot of time at the EXPO since I was interested in getting a view of the bridge, I would have to cross during the half marathon. There are multiple bridges in Stuart, but I was happy to discover the bridge half marathoners had to cross was not one of the steep one. Left with the knowledge this bridge crossing and location would not be as diabolical as what I experienced during the 2022 Florida Marathon in Melbourne.
Went to bed early with the knowledge I would face a challenging course but one that was manageable with good effort.
Drove back to Stuart at 5 am the next morning to ensure I got parking and could warm up before the 6:15 am race start time. There was plenty of parking near the start/finish line and I made my way over to the race village to get prepared for the race. Got some stretching in and made one last bathroom stop before heading to the start line.
This was not a large race so there were no corral assignments for the runners. I settled into the middle of the half marathon pack to ensure there was separation between myself and the other runners.
We were still bunched tight, so I decided to hold back a bit, so I did not get caught up in traffic and possibly bump into anyone.
Surprisingly, I clocked 9:18 for Mile 1 and felt good doing it considering the amount of traffic I had to avoid. Miles 1 – 4 all were run with a 9 out front (9:18, 9:38, 9:39, 9:45). Mile 5 is where we crossed over the bridge for the first time, and I still clocked a 10:52 which is not bad for me with a bridge ascent. Miles 5 – 8 all were run with a 10 out front (10:52, 10:46, 10:37, 10:41).
The temperature at race time was 74 degrees and it got progressively warmer as the race unfolded. What’s my point? Happy you asked!
My race pace, strategy, and energy all took a hit once the temperatures climbed into the mid-80s. You could say I fell off a cliff or hit the wall after Mile 8. You pick the race metaphor and it applied after Mile 8.
Most of the course was run in direct sunlight and the higher the temperatures got the more the sun beamed down. I am happy with my efforts during the latter part of the race because I was able to bear down and keep moving forward. My pace slowed but I was making positive progress towards the finish line and found an extra gear to cross the finish line with a smile on my face. This was not my fastest half marathon but that was not the point of signing up for this race. My January, February, and March races are laying the foundation for my April and May races. I have a hard time making myself run fast on my solo training runs so decided to leverage races as my long runs and help me get faster in the process.
My next race is the Winter Park 10k on March 12, 2022. I set a 10k PR last year and look to repeat this feat in 2022. The speed I generate in the 10k will allow me to gauge my fitness levels for the 2022 Nashville Rock N Roll Half Marathon in April and the 2022 Atlantic City Rock N Roll Half Marathon in May. I will use the summer months to build mental and physical fitness to launch into the next running season in October.
Still got goals and races to conquer!
What goals do you have to accomplish in 2022?
“My doctor told me that running could add years to my life. I think he was right. I feel ten years older already”.
(Milton Berle)
“Good order is the foundation of all things”.
(Edmund Burke)
My Walk into the Future allows me to pick and choose my adventures and some take me to amazing places. Others find me rooted at home but still bring a level of joy and satisfaction.
I am an avid reader and love to find new books to help me as a lifelong learner. My latest find was the book by retired Admiral William H. McRaven titled Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe The World.
The title is simple enough and gives the reader an understanding of what the Admiral will cover in this book.
I love the fact the book is broken up into short chapters that are easy to follow and integrate into daily life for readers. Admiral McRaven uses things from his life to help highlight the importance of how little things add up to make life move forward.
The book starts with the simple premise of why making your bed daily sets the tone for the day. I understood this fact when I read the book but did not fully gain knowledge until I shared the book with a coworker who reads more books than I do. My coworker assumes since I am retired Air Force the concept of making your bed was instilled in me during my time in the Air Force. He was surprised when I told him I rarely make my bed because I did not see the importance of the act. I am not a slob but making my bed happens when it happens—I did not go out of my way to make the bed before heading to work.
My coworker was shocked with my admission. I can be set in my ways but went back and read the chapter on making your bed to figure out what I missed.
I started making my bed DAILY after reading again to see if this simple act made a difference in my day. The verdict is in—yes, it does!
This simple act appears to be a springboard for a productive day for me.
The flow I have been able to display at work came once I made the decision to start my day with a simple act of organization. Taking the time to make my bed and organize before leaving the house for work or my runs puts me in a better mindset for the day. I arrive at work with a mindset to organize and I can transition quicker once I make it to my desk. This may all be a coincidence but the flow, production, and ability to get more accomplished came once I decided to make my bed.
This is a recent phenomenon for me but exciting at the same time. The ability to make a difference daily is something I take pride in. Making my bed appears to heighten my ability to get this done.
Let’s be clear on this! I fully understand making the bed has not given me a new superpower, but it provides me an opportunity to cross off a daily task early in the day. I view making my bed as the first win of the day and gets me ready to win throughout the day. I love crossing things off my to-do lists and I can get this started before I leave the house.
Therefore, making your bed is an important step for the day! It sets the tone and establishes a foundation for success—give it a try and let’s see what making your bed can do for you!
What are your thoughts on the importance of making your bed? How does it set the tone for the day?
“For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned”.
(Benjamin Franklin)
Walk Into the Future 