Another reason to take public transportation: on Friday afternoon, as I sit on the subway working on The Onion crossword puzzle, a young gentleman sits down beside me and tentatively asks if I'm a trail runner. Apparently he remembers my ugly mug from a zhurnaly.com photo several years ago, and that (plus my VHTRC backpack that features the Bull Run Run) gives him courage.

The conversation then turns into a verbal tennis volley that lasts for 20+ minutes and includes:

• multi-use trails around the DC area, including the newly-minted Metropolitan Branch Trail (cf. [1], FifteenLeagueLeyLines, ...)
• water commuting possibilities, via the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers (cf. [2])
• exercise in general, and especially dynamic vs. static (e.g., tai chi vs. yoga asanas)
• weight training, kettlebells, and recumbent bicycles
• William Gibson's Neuromancer, Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon (and his newer works), Vernor Vinge's True Names, etc.
• the importance of continuous mindful awareness, during trail running and urban bicycling, to avoid injury

... plus a host of other fun topics. Fortunately for me our train arrives at the Forest Glen station and I have to bolt for the door before the shallowness of my knowledge becomes too apparent. Tnx, Noah!

^z - 2010-05-21