A runner

I can't believe it, but I actually got up at 4:45 today to run. I think I'm becoming one of those guys — you know, the guys that wake up at 4:45 to run. Running is such a great sport because it's so simple and, if you run at the right place, at the right time, it's just you and the road for miles and miles — no one needing you, no one calling, nothing to do but run.

This feeling is great unless, as happened this morning, you are struck with a sudden feeling of human urgency and you're in the middle of a rice field.

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We (well, mostly I)'ve been giving kids at the junior. high nicknames. We got Peter Pan and Pinocchio and Napoleon and Prime Minister Abe and Ox. As a teacher, I pride myself in building the self-esteem of students wherever I go.