How did The Idiot almost finish last in a marathon (42.195 kilometers or 26.219 miles) in Greece and a Turkey Trot (6 miles or 9.656 kilometers) in Redding, California?
Think walking meditation. Or walk don’t run.
The Idiot, who stopped competitive running when he launched his 20-year walk around the Mediterranean Sea in January 1998, meditatively walked the 8th International Alexander the Great Marathon in Pella, Greece, in 2013. The result: The Idiot placed second to last with a time of 7.5 hours and a walking pace of 5.77 kilometers, or 3.51 miles, per hour.
He credited his performance to walking meditation and, after the marathon, continued walking in Alexander the Great’s footsteps through Turkey, Cyprus, Lebanon, Israel and Egypt to finish his walk around the Mediterranean Sea in Tunisia last month.
The scene an hour before the start of the 8th International Alexander the Great Marathon from Pella to Thessaloniki, Greece, in April 2013. That’s a statue of Alexander the Great, who was born in Pella in July 356 BC, behind the street lights.
The annual Alexander the Great Marathon, run each April, finishes at the White Tower of Thessaloniki on the city’s waterfront. That’s not a statue of Alexander the Great, who died in Babylon in June 323 BC, in the foreground.
The Idiot performed equally well in last Thursday’s six-mile Thanksgiving Turkey Trot in Redding, California. The result: The Idiot placed 598th, out of the 613 entrants who completed the event, with a time of 1:44:24.8 hours and a walking pace of 5.72 kilometers, or 3.48 miles, per hour.
He credited his performance to walking — and talking — meditation.
The Idiot stretched at home before arriving at the Turkey Trot on the Sacramento River Trail in Redding, CA.
(Photo: Luke Stratte-McClure)
The Idiot and his son Luke, who finished the six-mile run over an hour before he did, wish each other Happy Thanksgiving at the start of the annual Turkey Trot.
Discussing “race” tactics with his son Luke before the start of the Redding, CA, Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day.
The Idiot was far behind even before the start of the Turkey Trot.
The Idiot takes time out for some relaxation and stretching on a footbridge over the Sacramento River halfway through the Turkey Trot “race.”
(Photo: Richard Murphe)
The Idiot was perhaps the only entrant who considered walking around the constantly expanding Peace Labyrinth during the Turkey Trot on the Sacramento River Trail.
The Idiot and his walking/talking companion Richard Murphe congratulate themselves on completing the walk just before the finish of the six-mile Turkey Trot.
The Idiot naturally encouraged other family members to get into walking meditation mode.
The Idiot’s niece, partner and daughter-in-law chose to tranquilly do the two-mile Fun Walk at the Turkey Trot.
The Idiot’s great-nephew agreed to wear a “Follow The Idiot” cap during the Kids Diestelhorst Dash at the Redding, CA, Turkey Trot.
The Idiot’s great-niece took walking meditation to the next level at the end of the Turkey Trot in Redding, CA.
(Photo: Luke Stratte-McClure)
Baby Gaga, The Idiot’s 6-week old granddaughter, was awarded two ribbons because she was the most meditative member of the family during the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot.
The Idiot’s son and other family members graciously waited for him to arrive at the finish of the Turkey Trot in Redding, CA.
Want more?
“The Long Road Turns To Joy: A Guide To Walking Meditation” by Thich That Hanh who gave The Idiot tips on walking mediation at Plum Village, his retreat community in southwestern France, many decades ago.
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