The Bridge to Anywhere

Bridges have been on my mind a lot lately. In politics, we often talk about “The Bridge to Nowhere” – some taxpayer boondoggle built in the middle of nowhere that leads to a dead-end road.
 
And just this week, China surpassed the U.S. by unveiling the world’s longest bridge.
 
But the Coronado Bay Bridge in Southern California wins my attention today, mostly because it inspired the idea for this blog.
 
On the 4th of July holiday, I ran the Coronado 5K - a race which traces the path of this massive beauty of a bridge. As I finished my run and set off to enjoy the afternoon – workout already accomplished for the day – I thought to myself how nice it would be if every day could be this way. You show up, you run your 5K, then you go home. No procrastinating, no excuses. Just lace up your shoes and show up. Simple as that. I realize the idea of someone holding a 5K race especially for me every day is ludicrous, but you get the idea. I create my own 5K runs.

This is precisely what I love about running. No membership card required. No expensive equipment needed. And (unless you’re running an official race), there is no price of admission. If you’re poor? Hell, you don’t even need a pair of running shoes – you can do it barefoot. (Just ask Zola Budd.)

Running is the great equalizer of the world. To me, that’s what makes running “The Bridge to Anywhere.” It’s what gets young men out of Third World countries and into the Olympics. It's what soldiers in Iraq do in the streets to engage the youth and occupy their days. It’s what boosts the self esteem of young girls in Harlem and lets them know they can get up and out of the inner city through positive programs like Girls on the Run. Regardless of income, race, background, color or creed... yep, you guessed it: You can run.

As for me, I’m three days into my “5K a Day” training schedule, and it feels good. But I’d be lying if I said the thought hasn’t crossed my mind, how I am going to be able to keep this up for the next 116 days? For now, I don’t concern myself with that. 

Let’s just say, I’ll cross that Bridge when I come to it.