Pre-Ramble:  I just love it when unrelated news stories overlap in a meaningful way.

Story #1: Recent studies have shown that cardiac arrests in marathon and half-marathon runners have become more common over the past decade.  A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine however, reports that this increase is likely due to the dramatic increase in the overall number of people running marathons and half-marathons.

“In 2000, fewer than 1 million people participated in marathon and half-marathon events … By 2010, the number had more than doubled to about 2 million.”

Never mind that a staggering number of people (insane people) are capable of dragging themselves along a 26 mile course in a single afternoon, I believe that Story #2 provides an alternate explanation for the up-tick in cardiac events associated with running.

Story #2: Today’s WSJ reports that an estimated 92,400 Krispy Kreme doughnuts will be consumed over the course of the 8th Annual Krispy Kreme Challenge which will be held in Raleigh, North Carolina on February 4th.

“The Krispy Kreme Challenge is a student-organized charity race benefiting the NC Children’s hospital. Starting as a competition between a few friends, it has grown to include over 7500 runners and raise $122,000 for the N.C. Children’s Hospital in 2011.

To complete the Krispy Kreme Challenge competitors begin at the NC State Belltower, run 2.5 miles to the Krispy Kreme store on Peace Street, eat 1 dozen doughnuts, and run 2.5 miles back to the Belltower-all in under an hour. Participants can also sign up as Casual Runners, who are not required to eat all of the doughnuts, or Supporters, who do not run in the race but do receive a race T-shirt.”

FYI: For those of you in training for the event, one dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts has 2,400 calories, 144 grams of fat, 120 grams of sugar, and 1,140 milligrams of sodium — !

The Take-Away:  Paramedics will be distributing race packets containing a combination race number/bib, participant’s t-shirt (size XXL), and a personal defibrillator kit.

Pre-Ramble: I run on a lake path near my house, and the great thing about this venue is that the lake has some neat new surprise to offer every day. Sometimes it’s the sunlight sparkling off the surface of the water, or a big old fish jumping clear out of the lake to grab a bug, or ominous dark clouds in the distance, a harbinger of weather to come. Being in the presence of the lake is always calming and often inspiring.

So, I was out on a run (actually more of a shuffle) yesterday when I came upon one of those sights that literally stops you in your tracks and makes you say “Wow!” out loud, even though there’s no one there to hear it. Poufy white clouds were hanging against a clear blue sky — picturesque as all get out — and then, below, reflecting in the still glass surface of the lake, was an exact copy of the scene above.

We’ve all seen that, but something about the cartoon-esque shapes of the clouds and the quality of the light made me feel like I was caught in the middle of a painting. As is often the case, I wished I had had my camera to take a picture of this very cool effect and share it with family and friends.  

However, as I do not generally bring my camera along on runs, rather than revel in the visual delight that was before me, I spent a majority of the time trudging along grousing about not having my camera … and how long would it take me to run home and get the camera … ? … and would the effect be gone when I got back … ? … blah, blah …

Basically, I wrecked the whole vibe of the moment trying to capture it.

And even if I had had my camera, the fact that I would be messing around with taking a picture of the beautiful scene — am I getting the best angle on it? … is the lighting good? … is the shot in focus? … is the tip of my finger in the shot again? … etc. – would interfere with the beauty and meaning in the moment itself.

The Take-Away: Recording life’s milestones and meaningful moments is an important thing to do, however there is also something to be said for the value of the pure, fully-lived moment.  As we embark on the fun, carefree days of summer, try to find space to live in the moment and enjoy whatever is there for you – unencumbered by pressure to capture, record, scrapbook, tweet, … and ok …, blog about it.

Rejoice in the things that are present – all else is beyond thee.  — Montaigne