Team 99 Counties: Do today what you could put off

Editor's note: Daren Schumaker of Cedar Rapids and Dennis Lee of Walford are attempting to run across Iowa's 99 counties to raise money and awareness for the American Heart Association. They've completed 85 counties. This is No. 79. Next: Winnebago

By Daren Schumaker, community contributor

Goldilocks and the Three Bears. We all know the story, or at least a version of it.

Goldilocks wanders into an unoccupied house in the woods and literally makes herself at home. First, Goldilocks tastes each of three bowls of porridge - the first was too hot, the second was too cold and the third was 'just right.” Next, Goldilocks sits in each of three chairs - the first was too big, the second was still too big, and the third was 'just right” - but it broke into pieces. Lastly, Goldilocks lays down in each of three beds - the first was too hard, the second was too soft and the third was 'just right.” Goldilocks then falls asleep, only to be awakened by three less-than-pleased bears.

Although intended for children, Goldilocks and the Three Bears contains many lessons that are valuable to adults as well as children, the least of which is to refrain from wandering into unoccupied houses in the woods.

On Aug. 1, we departed Cedar Rapids at 5:15 a.m. and enjoyed the cool morning air that burned off well before 9:30 a.m. when we arrived at our destination - the western border of Sac County. Northwest Iowa was hot and humid as we laced our shoes, but we knew the weather would be at least tolerable as we had our special weapon in tow - Darl Van Rheenen. We started at the intersection of Buchanan Avenue and 360th Street, following 360th Street for four miles of hills before we crossed Highway 39 and took our first break of the day.

Despite the relatively early hour, it was hot and that fact soon became clear to each of us as our shirts became damp and sweat dripped from each of our noses. We each drank as much water as we could hold, and sloshed through the heat along 360th Street toward Wall Lake. The heat remained un-”bear”-able as we climbed the hills on the western edge of Wall Lake and finished our 12th mile. We each felt as if we were being cooked alive as we passed, coincidentally, the home of Cookies Bar 'B” 'Q” Sauce. Even though we were melting away in the near midday heat, we were soon reminded of the freezing cold of winter as we visited the birthplace of Andy Williams, a singer who was most well-known for 'The Andy Williams Christmas Album.” In short order we agreed that we were not yet ready for the numb fingers and freezing toes of winter running.

We left Wall Lake on 350th Street and as we neared our 15th mile we shot south on the Sauk Trail and passed through Black Hawk Marsh, enjoying the shade and change of scenery for three miles. We arrived in Carnarvon and headed eastward on 370th Street for a good three miles until it merged with Highways 71 and 175. We entered, visited and departed Auburn as we finished our 25th mile, and shortly thereafter we stood 26.2 miles away from where we had started only a mere 3:43:15 after taking our first eastward steps of the day. Team 99 Counties completed our 79th county, the fifth we have run with Darl.

So, what can the tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears teach knowledgeable adults such as ourselves? As it turns out, Goldilocks should remind each of us of the importance of timing. Life is short, and we don't always have the luxury of trying different options until we determine what is 'just right.” The fact of the matter is, if we wait too long for 'tomorrow” or for conditions to be 'just right,” our windows of opportunity might close. If we were to avoid days we would rather be behind a grill with a bottle of Cookies Bar 'B” 'Q” Sauce and the days that we would rather be inside sipping hot apple cider and listening to 'The Andy Williams Christmas Album” - instead waiting for conditions to be 'just right” - we wouldn't get too much running done.

There will always be excuses, if you choose to use them that is. Goldilocks had the luxury of time, a luxury that some of us don't have. If we sit and wait for the perfect opportunity to act, we might find our window of opportunity has already closed and we are stuck inside of a house with three very angry bears. Get up. Act. Do today what you could put off until tomorrow. Today should always be 'just right.” Live in the present, not the future.

Inspiration through perspiration. Become active or make a donation to Team 99 Counties or the American Heart Association to help fight heart disease today.

l To make a donation or buy a T-shirt, email Dennis Lee at telcoden@yahoo.com