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Marathon Running Days

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10/20/2023 Those tanned, shapely legs of mine, where have you gone? No longer have I the ability to run! Nor feel the glorious, salt water spray, from my beloved, San Francisco Bay! That kissed my sweating, dawn face. Those foggy morns, the busy hands of time have erased. Some other body now, in its place? This ghost of a runner,soulfully does state. Who took away my youth in a dream? If so, nobody heard a scream from me, For now…left with joyful memories. I am sitting here, composing soulful poetry. Is this really how my life ends? Stationary, on an internet device? Prefer to be the woman on the run. Than enduring ….no earthly fun, Return me, please, to the “Bay to Breakers Run!”

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Regina Elliott

Date: 12/3/2023 5:11:00 PM

Hi Pangie, a fellow ex-runner! I ran cross-country in high school way back in the early 1970's. I bet running in San Francisco was such a joy the way you described it. I miss running on the autumnal trails on my long ago Long Island. Thank you for the eloquent journey back to your running days. xxxx

Panagiota Romios
Date: 12/4/2023 12:00:00 AM

We ran in the Same decade only at opposite ends of the USA. It’s a great sport. I always got a rush from doing so. Good that poets connect so well on so many topics. Thank you for sharing your past and present days with me, Love, Pangie xxx

David Fisher

Date: 10/22/2023 5:02:00 PM

Such a variety of what was, and what is that brings out the emotions. I think the third stanza is a knockout; it states the hard facts as if they just happened, but the beginning shows us that it didn't. Running was my thing, but I never worked up to a marathon; I'd get too bored.

Panagiota Romios
Date: 10/23/2023 3:31:00 PM

If you ran where I did, David…It was like running in a painting in San Francisco. I ran on the flat streets in Chicago on visits in the summer and it was just not the same! But I ran anyway. One year, I had sciatica. I could not sleep unless sitting up. I took a bus to the Bay to Breakers to be an observer., I wasn’t running once sciatica hit. The excitement encouraged me to join in. I only ran two blocks! On the bus, I noticed my sciatica gone. I was able to run again! After months of suffering…a miracle. Love, Pabgie

Elena Eagle

Date: 10/21/2023 7:05:00 PM

I used to run when I was a child. It was so much fun. Can’t do that these days. I really liked this poem.

Panagiota Romios
Date: 10/23/2023 1:51:00 PM

When we are older we still can run, I was 45 or more and ran for years. Love, Pangie, I started at 45. Wallking daily Is excellent, too. Just keep moving ))

Paul Callus

Date: 10/21/2023 2:08:00 AM

I love this poem, even more because I can relate to it. I loved running, and took part in all kinds of sport that involved running. Unfortunately, age takes its toll on our bodies, though I'm not yet ready to throw in the towel! So far I enjoy my fast walks and playing badminton (even though my joints keep threatening to go on strike!) ** Have a lovely weekend, Pangie // paul

Panagiota Romios
Date: 10/21/2023 8:24:00 AM

Hi Paul,Running was marvelous! I recall getting my first pair of Nikes! There weren’t that many running shoes back then, and now it all seems so miraculous how I did all that. Going down three flights of stairs, runnin, and when I came home, going up three flights of stairs again. I can’t do that at all anymore.. I can’t play games like you do North Carolina walk outside. I can’t make it in the house with my walker and that’s it. I find that quite depressing, but I have excepted being able to walk at all. My love leg has a steel shaft in the thigh, it was shocking to see an x-ray, so I am grateful just to be able to walk around the house. Going up and downstairs is a killer for me even my arms are weak., I am glad play badminton are used to play that too and that you walk, I am, for I am older than you are. Injuries do not help situation..m Hugs, Pangie xx

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 10/20/2023 11:03:00 PM

I certainly can relate to your exposition of old age. Alas, there is no going back. Blessings.

Panagiota Romios
Date: 10/21/2023 8:06:00 AM

Victor! Thank you. Hugs sent to you across the sea! I hope you can feel them. I support all those who are still able to run,walk, dance or participate in games. As much as they can! Go for it. Your friend in California, Pangie xx

Christina Bowring

Date: 10/20/2023 10:09:00 PM

Dear sweet Pangie what a wonderful, constructed poem. So well written. I’ve never been a runner but reading this makes me realise how wonderful it could be. Absolutely love this! Love the lines, ‘ Nor feel the glorious, salt water spray’ ‘ That kissed my sweating, dawn face’ especially. What precious memories you have conveyed and captured. Hold on to them dear soul. So enjoyed reading them with you. Have a great weekend dear poetic friend. Hugs and smiles to you xx:):)

Panagiota Romios
Date: 10/21/2023 1:30:00 PM

Christina! Please forgive me. I don’t know how I missed your comment. Oy! If you ever try to run,,,be syr you have great running shoes and read about it first! Meaning the kinds of surfaces to run on and time of day, clothiers and temerarures. Thank you for pointing out which line do you like best.those were blessed days. Thank you Pangie xx

Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 10/20/2023 2:05:00 PM

Oh my, Pangie! I had no idea you were a runner. So was I! I loved running; I ran up until about six years ago and decided I best turn to speed walking to save my knees and joints. Anyway, I can absolutely relate to your poem. I have such wonderful memories of running. Bill trained me and we ran together for many years, mostly 5K races, some 10K, and one half marathon. I learned many life lessons while running. Only a runner like you can understand and appreciate that. I'm faving this one,

Panagiota Romios
Date: 10/20/2023 2:34:00 PM

We have much in common, it’s amazing, so great to know! My passion was to run at dawn in the marina in San Francisco, it was a very spiritual experience. I’d be out there with shorts, tee shirt in my Nikes. Everyone else had their coats and hats on..but I’d run to Francisco bay because there I would say the ocean and the writing sun It’s pretty cold in the morning. Also, I wiould srd Golden Gate bridge.I felt in tune with the creator of the universe. That was quite a long time ago.. later I took up walking at dawn. I made it a discipline to walk each dawn. You should see Bay to breakers …maybe on YouTube, I had a miracle happened to me there. I will write you about it later today.. love to you and Bill, Runner Pangie xx

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 10/20/2023 1:28:00 PM

A fun write/picture with great memories. Time/life are always changing. Do not be sad the best is yet to come. Have a fun weekend..................

Panagiota Romios
Date: 10/20/2023 2:03:00 PM

Love your comment,, the best is yet to come,, Paula. Maybe Roller skating wth a walker! I think not, no more surgery! LOL. I really loved running. Pangie xx

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 10/20/2023 10:34:00 AM

Hello Panagiota, Panagiota, we can not go backwards. We have to go ahead.Those memories of the past is still with you. We are what we are now no going backwards. Hugs. /Darlene\

Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 10/20/2023 4:09:00 PM

Hello Panagiota, no I have not beeen a runner, or a dancer. yes these are great memories. I saw the photo That person is like dancing in the street. looks like fun. Hugs./Darlene\

Panagiota Romios
Date: 10/20/2023 11:14:00 AM

Hello, Darlene, of course it’s true what you said, I want you to know running was a daily event, not a one time thing! Have you ever been a runner Or a performing dancer?or performed on-a stage for three years doing stand up comedy? These events are adrenaline rushes. Writing to people I cannot see or hear is quite different,I know we cannot go back in time, Nonetheless, great memories.I added a photo of the colorful outfits people wear during the Bay to Breakers Run in San Francisco. Hugs. Panagiota x