Here’s the map from the first of September.
And here’s where the month will take us.
Westport September 2
I don’t want to be hard on Westport because life seems hard in Westport. If you live in Baltimore, you’ve likely driven through it. 295 cut the community in half decades ago. The best way to BWI is through Westport.
I chose Westport that day because it’s relatively small and my feet were sore. (More on foot pain later in the month.) So I thought it would make a simple and easy run, but the neighborhood is too complicated for that.
There is this feeling that there is a lack of hope in Westport. It’s the first time I ever felt that way during these runs (jogs). There’s just too much activity in vacant homes and too many people coming out of the weeds or walking along the train tracks. I guess I didn’t get a chance to see the best of Westport that morning.
Determined to find a ray of positivity, I came across an ornate water fountain sticking out of the ground, across from the local school. Why was it there? It seemed so lonely. I later learned it dated from when it was Florence Cummins Park. Mr. Cummins, a civil engineer, named the park in honor of his wife.
Though the park now seemed barren, its baseball fields were once popular with Negro League pro teams. That’s a bit of trivia that you hunger for during these long runs.
Happy 13 years of running every day to me!😬 September 6
It was destined to be a good day. What better way to mark 4748 consecutive days of running (jogging) then finishing off the once-uncharted territory of SW Baltimore! I even stood in front of a moving train and help up my anniversary number. The train blew its horn in support, I think.
As I neared the end of my run on this momentous day, I noticed that I missed English Consul Avenue. So I went out of my way just so I could mark it off my map. As Nixon once said, “I cannot tell a lie” and I don’t. If I cross off a street, I’m not lying. There’s no point in doing this project if I’m going to lie.
English Consul Avenue marked the place where my foot landed on a large stone and I landed on my elbow and knee. Hard. It didn’t knock me out of my game or send me to the doctor but I’m hurt, and dirty. Lucky 13.
I’m infatuated with Armistead Gardens. September 10
I never knew that a strange place named Armistead Gardens existed. It’s tucked away off Erdman Avenue in Northeast Baltimore. It’s bizarre but you may have to see it to appreciate it.
Armistead Gardens was originally built to house defense workers before the war but it has since become known as ‘the White Ghetto.’ There’s a whole story behind that designation.
The buildings are long and low and the streets are overly narrow. It almost has a seaside feel to it. I don’t know why. I told you, Armistead Gardens is a strange place.
Ouch! September 20
I have waited until now to bring this up. Don’t ever think that this project hasn’t taken its toll on me. No doctor or sports medicine expert will endorse running 6 to 8 miles every day and I would concur with that assessment.
My first journal entry regarding pain is dated August 5. “My feet hurt. I’m growing concerned.” On September 1, the word ‘concerned’ reappeared. “I’m concerned because yesterday’s run created a red bruise behind my knees.” Followed a few days later with “I’m tired. My feet hurt. The blister is back.”
My feet do hurt. Horribly at times. I’ve dealt with numb toes and sharp pains on the top of my feet. My podiatrist shakes his head but tries to guide me to the best possible footwear for my issues. (It’ll always be Brooks Beast.)
I manage and work through my pains (no lectures, please) because I’m not going to stop. However on September 20, I stopped. My toes told me “stop” and I was stuck in some unfamiliar neighborhood off Hilton Street unable to properly walk. I’m “concerned.”
I took my shoes off and did everything I could to stretch my right foot. I really didn’t know how I was going to get back to my car but after about 15 minutes, with loosened shoelaces, I did it. But I’ll never forget the corner of Ellamont and Lohrs Lane. I remain forever “concerned” until this project is completed.
Random images of September in Baltimore.
Being careful in West Baltimore September 21
When the symphony rehearsal ended, I changed into my running clothes. I needed to finish this section of streets from Lafayette to Harlem Avenue and beyond. This big empty hole on my road map was driving me nuts.
As I made my way out of the Meyerhoff, some people said, “be careful.” I assured them I’ll be fine. Besides, I’ve never had a problem. I’ll be fine.
Shortly into my Lafayette Avenue run, I see the patrol cars and the crime tape. What do you know but there’s been a triple shooting right on my running route.
I struck up a conversation with a WBAL cameraman. He’s a BSO fan and fondly remembered the orchestra’s sci-fi programs. I told him about working with George Takei and John Williams and he told me about some of his favorite movies, including The Invisible Ray.
It was fun, a nice chat. All at the scene of a triple shooting.
Michael Runs Baltimore 