The Art of the Dreadmill

If you hadn't noticed a reoccurring theme, I am not a huge fan of running on the treadmill. I had to use it while serving in the navy. It's not like there is a place to run underway that's out of the way of daily operation so treadmill it was. And I thought I had gotten pretty good at running whilst the ship is listing. Makes it a challenge to run like that. This week however, there is no listing ship and no outside weather to enjoy. It's been about 113 all week. No I haven't lived it. And if I have to hear it's a dry heat, I may have to bitchslap someone.

The morning came and up I go to make sure I did my miles. I got three in today, which is better than the two I have been hitting for the last week or so. The goal is to hit around 5 on a daily basis. I have a loop that I like to run so that's going to be my goal for a while. I want to see where I'm at with it and how quick can I become.

I thought about the Navy today while running. I thought of those 7 souls that perished in the collision of the U.S.S. Fitzgerald. I thought of how scared they must have been knowing there was no way out. I thought of how it must have killed the other crew members to close the hatch knowing your shipmates were still in there trying to get out. I get teary eyed thinking of it. I don't understand how it happened. Somethings, I may never understand.

In thinking about serving, and giving all to your country, I am often reminded of one of my favorite tragedies if the Navy. The story of The Sullivans is the one that gets me. Every time. Five brothers who served the country during a time of war. They all wanted to serve together. They were all on the U.S.S. Jueneo when it was bombed during WWII. All of these brothers perished. Three of the died during the blast or shortly thereafter. Two more died in the hours/days that followed while waiting for a rescue. It's tragic for sure. The photo of these men is on of my favorites. They were all handsome young men. Taken far too soon.

I have a love of the ocean and the country for which I served. I'm very deeply saddened by the events that lead to the death of these seven brothers. My shipmates. You all had so much to give and you gave it all. Farewell and following seas...

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