This Memorial Day brought back explicit ,episodic and semantic memories. Memorial Day commemorates many of our countries fallen during the various wars. I remember individuals that served in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam. However, I do not know of anyone who lost their life during those horrendous events. This disquisition incorporates long-term memories brought into consciousness that include Ride and Tie, Western States 100 and friends associated during these past 25 years .
A long time ago, I heard that Ride and Tie participants were elite athletes. Then ,I found out about the Western States 100 historic run and about the many who competed in that event. The present competition included Jim Howard, Brian Purcell and Tom Johnson , winners of that run. That's elite competition. All this started in 1997 at Gibson Ranch (semantic) during an endurance and Ride and Tie event. Then in 2001, I met Linda Raposelli Rodgers at mile 16 (semantic) on that trail, one of the aid stations for that race. She suggested we enter and compete.
In 2002, I learned about the training runs. The first occurred in January and started at Green Gate and ended at Placer High school in Auburn-the finishing point. The second occurred during Memorial Day weekend, on a Saturday, and started near Robinson Flat and ended in Forest Hill; on Sunday, the run began in Forest Hill and ended at Drivers Flat; and Monday started at Green Gate and ended at the finish line in Auburn. Total distance for the three days was about 70 to 75 miles.
I have participated in many training runs over the years. However, one training run , episodic memory, with Tony , stands out in particular. It was a Sunday and began in Forest Hill. Tony and I had done numerous training runs over the years. At Drivers Flat, Tony remarked that he lost his keys. He called Debbie from Forest Hill and she picked us up. Later ,Tony indicated he knew where he lost his keys-it was when he went to the bathroom. Okay, we then started out from Drivers Flat and headed back towards Forest Hill in search of his keys. He remembered where he took the dump and found his keys. We then ran back to Driver's Flat. I don't remember if we had driven in his truck or car on that day .
This Memorial Day ,I started out late for my morning run. I have about 7-8 different loops which I alternate. I had, that day in my consciousness , projects that I needed to complete. In any event, I headed towards the third gate and then ran towards the Western States Trail. Incidentally, I had not run that particular loop in about three weeks . I heard voices and saw runners on the trail. I asked if there was a run ? They replied, Western States training run. Of course, as a flood of episodic memories erupted from my unconscious, it's Memorial Day. I asked one of the runners if he knew Craig Thornley and he said he did. I replied and told him Frank Lieberman said hi. He repeated my name a few times and said he would.
I had a couple of insights during that run. First, I noticed a lot of females participating in the trail run. That brought to mind Plato's Eros myth Symposium. Plato talked about the original unity of man who was divided , according to Zeus , into two halves, and after this division, each desiring his other half, they came together and threw their arms about one another eager to grow into one. Ponder that idea for a while. The second insight was that I did not have to beat or stay in front of anyone. It was okay to be passed on the trail, and didn't experience a narcissistic injury when passed by young good-looking women. I was able to think, reflect, bring up episodic memories , enjoy the surroundings and acknowledge the compliments when they told me, "Good job."
I have evolved. It was almost like playing again. I didn't have to concern myself with time ; I didn't have to go to the track to work on speed ; I didn't have to perform repeats; I didn't have to run hills, etc. I could run happily, beautifully and no longer have to concern myself with overuse injuries. I am now able to run relaxed and ponder about what I'm going to write with a smile on my face.
It's true that our memories change over time and some aspects of our memory improve as we age. It's also true that memory is linked to emotions, physical sensations and environment. Not only that, it informs us who we are and helps us plan and look to the future. I am thankful that I have had wonderful memories over this past quarter century. I have met neat people and developed significant friendships while competing. Our memory defines us, gives meaning and solidifies identity.
Reference
Brickel, Tony and Lieberman, Frank. https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCtwkulV78sUFljjpMuLmLJg/videos/upload?filter=%5B%5D&sort=%7B%22columnType%22%3A%22date%22%2C%22sortOrder%22%3A%22DESCENDING%22%7D
Lieberman, Frank. Bo's Warriors . Bo Schembechler and the Transformation of Michigan Football.
Lieberman frying. It Has Nothing to Do With Age Stories of driven athletes who compete in extraordinary sports.
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