Reality Check

I did it. I have registered for the Miami Half Marathon. I am willingly paying good money to go out and run 13.1 miles. I like to think of it as the next step in my running evolution. I have run several 5K races. Even placed 2nd in my age group in a race last year. (I'm not going to say which one because then you may go online and see how few there were in my age group, not to mention my time.) I have run the 7 Mile Bridge race 3 times. Which is over half of a half marathon. So I figure 13.1 miles is the next challenge. Another distance I can say that I have done.

To help me along the way, I am following a training program through the Nike+ website. It's kind of a neat gadget that works with my ipod to keep track of how far and how fast I run. I can look at the site and see neat graphs of my runs, set goals, join challenges, and the like. And this training program gives me specific workouts based on my goal time for the race.

And just when I start to think I am doing ok, making progress to my time goals, along comes an incident to keep me humble. Like the time I went into a local drug store to pick up a few things. Living in a small town, you get to know the people who work in the places you frequent. So as I was talking with the cashier, she mentioned she saw me out this week. More specifically, she said she saw me out "walking" one morning. I am admittedly no speed demon. When I say I run, I realize I am using the term loosely. But I think I at least look like I am doing more than walking. So I assuaged my ego by telling myself she must have seen me during my "I'm over half way done so I am going to catch my breath and take a couple of minutes to walk" break.

Then there was yesterday morning. I had run south along the bike path for a couple of miles and was taking my aforementioned walk break. I had turned around and started running again when a car stops in the bike path a few hundred yards ahead. Someone gets out and starts walking toward me who I think I might recognize. When I get close enough, I realize it is someone from church. I take off my headphones to say good morning and am greeted by concern. "I saw you walking so I turned around to check on you. Are you ok? Do you need a ride home?"

I guess I have brought this one on myself. My main response when people say they see me out running is, 'Sorry you had to see that.' Apparently it is not a pretty sight! But in spite of it all, I'll be back out there tomorrow. You might not see me as much, because I think I'll stay on the back roads for a while. But I'll stick to the program. After all, it's only 3 months to race day!

"The Lost Symbol"

I picked up Dan Brown's new book over the weekend. Maybe it's not "Baptistically correct" for a preacher to say this, but I have enjoyed his books. I like the fast pace and suspense of the stories. Plus I like trying to solve all the puzzles before the characters do. Don't get me wrong -- I do read with a wary eye as he has proven to not exactly be a fan of Christianity. But they are usually good read nonetheless. Here are some observations on his latest book.

1. I cannot read the book without seeing Tom Hanks face as Robert Langdon. I am a visual person, and my first mental image of Langdon was someone much different. But after seeing the movies, Langdon is now Tom Hanks. I am not sure if that is a function of excellent casting or Hanks' really goofy haircut.

2. Brown again uses his "Facts" page before getting to the story. I still contend, however, that this is the page that is the single most damaging part of his books. Readers are lured into this logical falacy: if all these things are facts, and the book's characters make arguments based on those facts, then their conclusions must also be facts. In "The Da Vinci Code", that meant Jesus married, had children, etc., etc., etc. A note to anyone who reads any of his novels: remember they are works of fiction, not fact, no matter how acurately they describe art or architecture.

3. There are a couple of pointed remarks on the tongue of Langdon early in the book that make me think Dan Brown is rather pleased that he has gotten under the church's skin with his previous books. Think of all the books written and sermons preached to argue against the anti-Christian premise of "The DaVinci Code," including a sermon series at our church. The Catholic Church was particularly outspoken when the movie adaptation of "Angels and Demons" was released. They say there is no such thing as bad publicity, but I think Brown is particularly relishing this particular notoriety.

4. As the old saying goes, "everything old is new again." Apparently the same goes for heresy. Mal'akh, the main baddie, needs Langdon's help to unlock a portal to the Ancient Mysteries, secret knowledge that is believed to confer nearly god-like powers on its possessor. This is little more than gnosticism (from the Greek word for knowledge) that Paul had to confront in some of his New Testament letters. He adds to this a primer on Noetic science (from the Greek word for mind), which appears to be the power of positive thinking on steriods thanks to the latest technology. But no matter how new, shiny or 'scientific' this new package is, it's still the same old stuff.

5. I said earlier I like to try to solve the puzzles. So I am wondering where this book is going to end up. But not only in matters of plot and character, but implications. My hunch is that he may be trying to undermine any sense that the founders of our country professed a Christian faith. The setting is Washington DC, with its landmarks playing the central symbol-laden role. So far, the symbols are Masonic, Greek, Roman, and mystical. I am sure, as I continue reading, I'll be forced to some historical research about our great nation, its founders, and the capital. Right now I am wondering if Brown is subtlely substituting the world view of the designers and builders of DC for that of the founding fathers. Namely, that while this artist or that architect may have a mystical view, they may not necessarily correspond to what, say, George Washington himself believed. Even if a particular fresco or building bears his visage. Especially if it was built or painted years after his death.

Keep in mind I am writing all this after reading only the first 100 pages. So if I am off the mark, here's hoping for a little grace.