“And for a moment, I stood motionless, listening, understanding, left with only a wisp of myself, as the wind blew into my tear-filled eyes. I run deeper into the woods that laced a canopy above me, clouds joined together with sky. I follow a trail, listening to winged songs, savoring the sweetness, a soothing scent of brothers and sisters reaching out. This is home. This is me. This is my breath, now your breath. I give it to you.”
I am grateful to Maria Walton for sharing this heartfelt poem which blossomed as she reflected on her first Leatherman’s Loop. Her words capture the wonderful sense of brotherhood and sisterhood that is so much a part of our event. They also shower us with glimpses of the beauty and magnificence that surrounds us every time that we put one foot in front of the other in nature. Todd Jennings (another first timer) said in his beautifully written article that at one point he “forgot that this was a race.”
If the door that opens to our emotional selves does not get enough use the hinges rust and access becomes difficult. Maria (who prefers to run 50 or 100 mile races) fluttered through her first Loop like the beautiful butterfly she is. Todd (who has run every trail in Harriman State Park) managed to catch a respite while running up the toughest climb by allowing the focus to shift away from the task at hand. My hope is that each of you who had the opportunity to run the 25th Loop left the park with a couple of drops of oil on those rusty hinges.
Don’t try this at home
Take a good look at this amazing photo above of Tommy Nohilly crossing the last stream on his way to win number 7. Just a couple of ticks of the clock denied Tommy a place on the U.S. Olympic steeplechase team in 1992 and again in 1996. He finished 4th at the trials both of those years. Kerry Arsenault also has 7 wins and we now officially declare these two King and Queen of the Loop.
Twenty five and counting
About a week before this year’s Loop, Rick Hubbell fell backwards at work and ended up in the hospital with a concussion. Upon release he was strongly advised not to run. Nevertheless, he looked a bit wobbly when he arrived at the park to run his 25th. Joe Stanley (also running no. 25) must have picked up on the situation because he adjusted his pace and ran by Rick’s side the whole way. It was great to see these two Loop veterans finish together.
What has Danny been up to?
I received a “reflection” from Danny a while back and regret being slow to share it with all of you. If each of us could commit to the same level of service as Danny Martin, all would be right with the world. He hopes to engage some of our group in his world of “sustainability” and I hope for the same. Check out his new website and blog at www.dannymartin.org. By the way, the other handsome gentleman in the photo is Bedford Central School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jere Hochman.
Run the Farm set for October 23rd
We hope to see many familiar faces at Muscoot Farm again this fall for the 2nd annual Run the Farm event. We are thrilled to be able to stage shorter races for kid’s 12 and younger prior to the 5 miler. Here are some specifics:
- All kids ages 7 through 12 will run the 1.1 mile course starting at 8:30.
- All kids ages 6 and younger will run the 0.6 mile course starting at 8:35. A parent or older sibling is encouraged to run with these youngsters.
- Both groups will more or less finish together. Medallions for all kids race finishers.
- The 5 miler will start at 9:15 and all finishers will receive $5 worth of “farm bucks’ given out at the end of the chute.
- Before the end of July we will send out some more specific registration instructions. Stay tuned.
…..Tony
Call and Response preceeding the Run The Farm Race written and led by Danny Martin October 24, 2010
In times of uncertainty we need to ground ourselves by getting in touch with the earth: Running is one way; Eating locally is another.
Together we can Run the Farm.
Let’s begin this grounding process with: A Blessing for All Earth-Healers
Response is: “Run the Farm”
For the composters, the gardeners, the breeders of worms and, the soil-builders:
Response: Run The Farm
For those who clean up the messes others have made:
Response: Run The Farm
For those who defend trees and renew the forests:
Response: Run The Farm
For those who heal the grasslands and renew the streams, who guard the healing herbs and who know the lore of the wild plants:
Response: Run The Farm
Blessings on those who heal the cities, who bring them to life again with community gardens and nurture them with community farms:
Response: Run The Farm
For all who stand against greed, who risk themselves in service of the earth:
Response: Run The Farm
May all the healers of the earth find their own healing.
Response: Run The Farm
May they bring about a great awakening:
Response: Run The Farm
Today may WE touch the earth and be touched by it May we ground ourselves in these difficult times as we:
Run the Farm
Blessed be the healers of the earth.
-Danny Martin Oct 24, 2010