What would you do if you had to restart your life? Begin again? What would be your first step?

2011 saw the release of Amanda Knox, an American student, from an Italian prison. Finally acquitted of the murder of her room-mate, she returned home with a second chance for her young life. Imagine the choices ahead of her. What should she do next?

Her story is not unlike that of David Camden, the hero of THE NEXT STEP. With the help and guidance of his friend, a chaplain at Illinois’ Statesville prison, he has earned parole and he is back in the world at the age of 41.
Because he has dangerous enemies, David’s fresh start has to be in another state. There he finds a purpose and a love that he cannot afford to lose—but new enemies who want to take them away. Not without risk, David chooses well and begins to live a useful life.

He discovers that no one can take forward steps alone. As he says, “At every step forward, I needed help. And there was always someone willing to give me a hand, sometimes a crutch, sometimes a push…”

These days, David and Amanda Knox are not the only ones who need a new start. Lives are constantly being affected by calamities such as downsizing, outsourcing, unemployment and foreclosures. It is not unusual to need a fresh start. The question is: will the next step be forward or backward, toward success or failure? The answer is: we can choose a fresh start every day when we look at our lives with new eyes and listen to our best impulses.

Read THE NEXT STEP to find the heart of a hero and to learn why a true hero deserves a second chance.

THE NEXT STEP How to start over again…..when life gives you a second chance.
Ebook (all formats)
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/55230

In Print and Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Next-Step-Dennis-Leger/dp/1460939999

In Print and Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/the-next-step-dennis-leger?store=book

I thought I was the forgotten tester! There didn’t seem to be any more new running shoes coming from New Balance. Usually there had been a test every few months.

I knew I had not been critical enough. They needed useful suggestions and opinions and my reviews had probably been too positive. Gee, when was the last time you heard of someone who was not critical enough?

The problem with shoe testing for me is that I love running in new shoes. And my feet are so forgiving they are unlikely to complain about any shoe unless I have broken it down with a couple hundred miles of running.

New Balance must be giving me another chance. Today I received a cushy new prototype to wear for a month. That probably won’t be long enough to learn much about its long term durability but I will certainly be able to tell whether I like it or not. And whether I would ever buy this model if they decide to market it.

So this time I will try to be more helpful. Just the fact that they have a testing program tells me that they are making an on-going effort to improve their products—not just being a slave to the marketing department.

THE NEXT STEP How to start over again…..when life gives you a second chance.
Ebook (all formats)
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/55230

In Print and Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Next-Step-Dennis-Leger/dp/1460939999

In Print and Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/the-next-step-dennis-leger?store=book

Did you get a Kindle, Nook, Ipad or other e-reader for Christmas? This week I am offering free downloads of THE NEXT STEP and/or THE MILK MARKET to crabbyoldrunner visitors.

They are available in any format at http://www.smashwords.com. To get the downloads FREE you need a “code” at Checkout. Email me at dennis@themilkmarket.com and I will reply with the codes. PLEASE include the word “crabby” in your email title. Happy New Year!

THE NEXT STEP How to start over again…..when life gives you a second chance.
Ebook (all formats)
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/55230

THE MILK MARKET A thriller about a missing child, a victim of a toxic mix of pedophilia and greed.
Ebook (all formats)
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/4007

It’s a great way to keep the kids in line, at least for those who know about the direct connection to Santa Claus. They may not need the reminders: Do your homework, don’t fight, do your chores, be polite, share!

It works for kids. Sadly, too many of us are at the age where it doesn’t work. We choose to be nice to our friends but naughty to anyone who screws up or disagrees or gets in our way. It’s easy to be nice when we are feeling good, but naughty when we are hungry, tired or crabby. Nice when we have plenty of time. Naughty when traffic is congested and we are late.

In traffic, the real problem is anonymity. If no one knows you or knows your car, you can get by —you don’t need to be responsible or nice. We used to live in a small town where tailgating, speeding or dangerous passing would be noticed and would earn unpleasant comments. But big city, big traffic? No one knows who cut them off or who grabbed that parking space ahead of the other guy.

Naughty or nice? Well, it is the season to ask the question. Now that the kids are being good, maybe we need to work a little harder at our own nice. And its a good time to remember whose birthday we are celebrating, too.
Merry Christmas!

THE NEXT STEP How to start over again…..when life gives you a second chance.
Ebook (all formats)
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/55230

In Print and Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Next-Step-Dennis-Leger/dp/1460939999

In Print and Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/the-next-step-dennis-leger?store=book

I don’t know what disappoints me more: the mismanagement of the Las Vegas Zappo’s Rock and Roll Marathon/Half Marathon, or the local LV media’s reports that everything went “smoothly.”

It was obvious that no local reporter had run the event or the coverage would not have been so rosy. And equally obvious was the fact that the event is managed for profit with little regard for the customers.

But why should reporters go to the trouble of asking runners what they thought? One phone call to the organizers told them everything they were supposed to know. And why should the organizers, Rock and Roll aka Competitor Group, bother to put on a great event when it’s so easy to just take the 7 million dollars less expenses, put in an appearance and go on to the next profit center in Miami.

They have certainly sent me back to my running roots. I learned again why I appreciate running by myself in open country. No one to trip me or run me over. No amateurs (who are sure they can walk 13 miles happily walking four abreast) wondering why runners are in such a hurry. I didn’t get a chance to tell any of them that they can walk the Las Vegas strip any time. They didn’t need to sign up and pay $155 for a rather ordinary t-shirt.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to run in a Half Marathon with 38,000 participants you can stop wondering. That’s too many runners. Add 6,000 running the Full Marathon and you have a disaster. Here is a link to a well written letter from a runner who was calm enough afterwards to sum it up:
https://www.facebook.com/RnRLasVEgas/posts/10150420294957739

Here is the longish Half Marathon route by my son’s GPS (the extra distance might have been from dodging around walkers):
http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/60093252

THE NEXT STEP How to start over again…..when life gives you a second chance.
Ebook (all formats)
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/55230

In Print and Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Next-Step-Dennis-Leger/dp/1460939999

In Print and Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/the-next-step-dennis-leger?store=book

—Park Rapids, Minnesota, 1951

It was my mistake—my fault—I should never have told Sam that his dashboard clock was wrong! He was resetting it with both hands when we went off the road at about 50 miles an hour. We bounced along in the ditch at a crazy angle.

Sam landed on my lap then on the next bounce he grabbed for the steering wheel, pulled himself over and gave it a big twist to get back on the highway. Sod and gravel sprayed over the hood as the front bumper tore into the steep side of the ditch. We careened back into the ditch before finally coming to a stop.

We were stuck. And we had destroyed a section of barbed wire fence. Now a herd of dairy cows was moving toward the gap in the fence, ready for a chance to escape. At least they were thinking about it.

I was 10 years old and my friend Sam was probably 75. In his little cabin on the west end of Lake Belletaine, Sam usually had soda pop and store-bought cookies to entertain anyone who came to visit. I can’t remember what we talked about on my visits, but I think he was always happy to have company, even a ten year old boy. We had become friends because of my sweet tooth and his loneliness.

I knew that Sam was not much bigger than an elf, but back then I hadn’t noticed how much he looked like Santa Claus. He had a red face and thick snow white hair. His thick glasses made his eyes look huge. Red suspenders held up his pants because a belt just wouldn’t work and when he laughed his round belly shook like—well, like a bowl full of jelly.

Although everybody in the neighborhood knew that he was legally blind, Sam was a travelling salesman. We understood that the Blue Jay corn brooms he sold to stores were made by the Society for the Blind. He drove his territory in a brand new 1951 Packard sedan.

One summer morning Sam asked me if I wanted to ride into Park Rapids, seven miles to the west. What kid isn’t always up for a trip to town? When I ran home to get permission, nobody was there. That was a yes! A definite yes! But now Sam and I were stuck in the ditch. And there was a whole herd of cows ready to venture out onto Highway 34.

I know I shouldn’t have reminded Sam that his clock was wrong, but my big lesson for the day was still ahead of me.

On a hill about a half mile away, we saw a farmer on a tractor. My mission? A cross-country run across a hilly pasture. But when I reached the field, the tractor was driving away faster than I could run. A farm boy might have waited for the tractor to turn and come back, but I was a lake boy, and I had to follow that farmer and get his attention. After all, his cows were going to escape!

But then a farm boy would have known about manure spreaders and would have known better than to try to chase one down on foot. But I was a lake boy, now involved in a messy business. Even if I avoided the airborne product, the footing was slippery and unpleasant. I finally got the farmer’s attention and I suppose he was surprised and quite amused by the sight of me.

After I breathlessly described the problem he said, “That’s not my pasture. Those ain’t my cows,” and he went on spreading manure. By the time I hiked back to highway, a passerby had notified the dairy herd’s actual owner and Sam was waiting for someone to pull his car back on the road.

My Mom drove up just then, a little shocked by the sight of me. She brought me home for a bath and a change of clothes, a smarter and cleaner boy for the experience.

I wonder if life was trying to teach me a more important lesson. Isn’t it true that we need to wade through a lot of manure in order to discover the truth and the meaning of life?

THE NEXT STEP— How to start over again…..when life gives you a second chance.
Ebook (all formats)
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/55230
In Print and Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Next-Step-Dennis-Leger/dp/1460939999
In Print and Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/the-next-step-dennis-leger?store=book

In spite of the high entry fee, I am signed up for the Las Vegas ½ Marathon in early December. I would have passed, but my son and daughter-in-law are flying out for the event and it will be fun to run with them.

It’s good to have a goal too, to be training for something instead of just running for fun or fitness. With about a month to prepare, I need to stretch it out a little. I had been running 5 miles so yesterday, my aim was to just add a mile and run 6.

My training mantra has always been “make a promise, keep a promise.” But sometimes, it’s hard to keep the promise.
On Friday, an unusual cold front (for this time of year) descended on the Mojave. Although it left the surrounding mountains with a good dusting of snow, it was not cold enough to threaten the palm trees. But now, on Saturday, there was sunshine, a crystal blue sky and perfect running temperatures in the low sixties.

For me, the first mile is always the most difficult while my legs, lungs and heart begin to loosen up. Then I started to really enjoy the conditions. It was perfect. Before 3 miles, I knew that I would break my promise and run at least 9 miles. Broken promise? Nope. Exceeded promise!

I have always maintained that you should run the way you feel. Fast or slow. Long or short. Running light or just slogging along. You are the only one that can make a promise and the only one who knows whether or not you’ve kept it. Or exceeded it.

THE NEXT STEP How to start over again…..when life gives you a second chance.
Ebook (all formats)
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/55230

In Print and Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Next-Step-Dennis-Leger/dp/1460939999

In Print and Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/the-next-step-dennis-leger?store=book

What is your initial response to a new or different idea? To a new approach? To someone else’s idea?

Many of us respond automatically with argument. We are trained to think critically so we immediately look for the faults, dangers, or conflicts in a new concept. At times we even straddle that fine line between critical and cynical. If Intelligence is defined as the ability to make fine distinctions, we certainly make those distinctions here!

Of course, it would be a mistake to respond positively to every new and untested idea. Our doubts support an approach that is safe, conservative and cautious. It “wouldn’t be prudent” to leap before looking. But then, at times common sense may be defined as the ability to ignore fine distinctions. Sometimes we need to consider the possibilities and to give a new idea a chance.

Some people are naturally positive. Some negative. Those differences between us account for our reactions to change. Yet it seems sensible and logical, in spite of our make-up, to accept new ideas provisionally. Then with reasonable discussion, good judgment and some reality testing a case can be made “for “or “against.” If we give every idea reasonable consideration, most of our decisions can be wise.

The bonus is in social situations. Listening to and giving fair consideration to other opinions will sooth and smooth our relationships. Often, the ability to withhold judgment (even temporarily) is a virtue. With patience we can take advantage of the best ideas while sensibly rejecting the poor ones. On every level we can be more effective.

Automatic argument, on the other hand, shoots holes in good ideas before they can be refined or perfected.

My new novel: THE NEXT STEP How to start over again…..when life gives you a second chance.
Ebook (all formats) http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/55230
In Print and Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Next-Step-Dennis-Leger/dp/1460939999
In Print and Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/the-next-step-dennis-leger?store=book

Get loose! Stop making your run so difficult. Quit doing an isometric with your upper body. Stop using valuable energy doing hard reps with your arms with every stride. Stop slowing your pace with heel strike braking! Quit trying so hard, making your run a chore that must be completed instead of fun.

Why do we stretch before a work out? Because we want to be loose, able to relax and let it fly. But then in the first few yards of a run many of us tense up, taking short powerful rather than long loose strides.

I look at video of the elite runners as they cross the marathon finish line. Do any of them look muscle bound? Tight? No, just the opposite. Of course, these are usually tall, lanky athletes built for running. But you and I should try to be at least a little like them. When we try to run free and loose, our runs are better, faster, more satisfying.

I have no expertise in biomechanics, but like most runners I can feel what is happening to my body. And in 40 years of running my age has finally forced me to try new ways to improve my gait. I found it too easy to just keep running the same old way. I need to loosen up. Is that you too?

Try these and see if it makes your runs more fun and natural.
• DROP into each stride, that is let your hips absorb some of the impact of each step. I think of it as dropping about ¼ of an inch at the hip. Think of it as running a little lower than usual.
• POINT your toes, or just imagine pointing your toes.
• DON’T bounce, but with the changes above, there will be an increase in your stride length and a little looser stride.
• COMBINE these with a very slight forward lean and you will notice that you are using your whole foot to absorb the impact of your stride. (Instead of heel striking.)
• LET your arms swing freely. Avoid holding tension in your core. Your energy should be going to your legs and lungs.

Naturally, you would need to practice in order to incorporate these into your running style. A good run starts with a light mind and a loose body. Try it!

My new novel: THE NEXT STEP How to start over again…..when life gives you a second chance.
Ebook (all formats) http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/55230
In Print and Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Next-Step-Dennis-Leger/dp/1460939999

I know this is not about running, or even about being crabby, but if you ever go in or near the water, if you have a boat, and/or IF you have children you MUST read this article.

http://mariovittone.com/2010/05/154/