“Whatever happiness is in the world has arisen from a wish for the welfare of others; whatever misery there is has arisen from indulging selfishness.” ~Buddhist Proverb

Before I venture ahead with my cross-country trail running adventure and experiences as a recovering alcoholic/addict, I’d like to take this opportunity to provide you with a brief synopsis of how sobriety and trail running came to be the topic of this blog. 

February 14th, 2005 (yes Valentine’s Day) is the date I identify as the point at which I became honest, open and willing to change my life as it was at that time. I had been a patient at an alcohol and drug treatment facility on the Caribbean island of Antigua in May of 2004, but upon returning home to St. John I found it difficult to follow the program of recovery as it had been explained to me. So, after a little more experimenting and the misery that ensued I made the commitment to try harder (which strangely involved the concept of “surrender to win”).

Without going into great detail my new course of action involved coming to terms with several uncomfortable life events from my past that needed to be addressed. At the top of the list was the long-standing resentments I harbored towards my father. In the Fall of 2005 I had the opportunity to take a walk with him around Bass Lake near Blowing Rock, NC. It was there and then I told him of my struggles with alcohol and drugs as well as the path of recovery I had chosen. We expressed our regrets about our father and son relationship during my childhood years and a new mutual respect and appreciation for one another was forged.

In the years to follow my father was diagnosed with IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis).

What is IPF?

An illness that is often misdiagnosed and has no known cause (thus being idiopathic) and no known cure. The average life expectancy once diagnosed is between 3-5 years. My father, who for all my life had been the model of excellent health and extreme athleticism, lasted about 8 years. I watched him slowly lose his ability to play tennis (a sport he was so passionate about) and take his afternoon walks near his loving and beautiful wife’s home on Amelia Island, FL. In his final months as I visited with him he was surrounded by oxygen units. I was heartbroken watching him struggle to catch his breath every time he needed to get up to go to the bathroom or try to eat a few bites of food. And yet he never complained or felt sorry for himself. Have you ever experienced what it feels like to not be able to catch your breath? I have on a few occasions while being held down by repeated waves in big surf and once while scuba diving at 70′ and running out of air.It is terrifying! So, I can only imagine the strength and courage it took for my father to not panic during his trying last months.

This is where the running part comes in. As I sat with him during my last few visits prior to his passing I would go for short runs of a mile or two in his neighborhood. I started thinking “Why don’t I run an extra mile for my dad?”. Well, this led to longer runs and when I returned to St. John following his passing I began to hike the many spectacular trails around the island (many of which are located within the National Park). As I hiked farther it occurred to me that I could run certain sections to make better time. Soon I was going for regular 10-14 mile trail run/hikes (one to two a week).

This was during 2014-15. Then last year a friend informed me of a new event that had been organized on St. John. The St. John Trail Race was going to take place in February 2016. It was a 13.6 mile trail run along many of the National Park trails I was so familiar with already. I had never run competitively before and by the time I became aware of the event it was too late for me to enter. However the seed was planted and I knew I would not miss the 2017 race!

February 20, 2017 at age 54 I ran the 13.6 mile course Kyle Hart and his father Marv

St. John Trail Race

established as well as organized for the 40+ participants from around the country and of all ages. While running these trails was very familiar to me running with others was a totally new experience. And while I imagined it would be ultra competitive, what I happily discovered was a group of like-minded individuals who loved running, walking and hiking through the natural wonder that abounds on this beautiful island.

For more details, course descriptions, pictures and race results please visit http://www.2017stjohntrailrace.com

HAPPY TRAILS!!