A Run Through Hell

Or Gehenna, as it is called in numerous references in the Bible.  The valley below the Old City which was a dump in ancient times.

My last run in Jerusalem and I decided to try some hills.  Again it was early.  5:30.  I headed downhill into the Valley of Hinnom, where human sacrifices took place in ancient times.  Down, down, down to where it intersected with the Kidron Valley.

This was the most out of place I felt on my whole trip.  I was skirting an Arab neighborhood, off of the main road, running up a path that took me through Jewish and Christian tombs at the base of the Mount of Olives.  And I felt very out of sorts.  But I ran on.

Up the hill to my Gethsemane garden - my favorite place of the trip.  Then back across, up through the Lion's Gate and across the Old City, this time exploring the Christian quarter a little more.  Back out the Jaffa Gate and to the hotel.

about 5.5 miles (with steep hills!)
1:09:12

Up to the Promenade

The view from the Promenade on a southern hill overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem.

At 5:30 in the morning you don't get a view like this.  It's too dark.  But I enjoyed the run up here.  It had rained the night before and the pavement was still wet.

A tense Friday night in the city.  Palestinian leader Abbas and Israeli PM Netanyahu had presented dueling speeches at the UN.  22,000 extra Israeli soldiers were on the streets, just in case.  But the Sabbath morning was peaceful.

I ran down past the windmill and took a right turn this time.  Up through the Peace Forest which has a nice, gradually sloping pathway up to the Promenade.  It was lonely and peaceful as the name suggests.  Then back down the streets and through another park to the south of the hotel.

About 4.5 miles
51:15
easy run

My Own Private Gethsemane

This morning it became familiar.  I left the hotel at 5:30 and ran down past the windmill to the street below the southern walls.  Tried to take a shortcut up the hill but two dogs met me and I let them have the space.

Around the city to a garden on the Mount of Olives.  Let's call it Gethsemane.  I did.  Olive trees on white limestone.  A rock too perfectly-sized and placed to be THE rock at which Jesus prayed, but I knelt there anyway for morning prayers.  The rising sun lit the Dome of the Rock and the eastern walls of the Old City.  It was pure and lonesome.  Indelible.

Back across the Kidron Valley and once again through the Lion's Gate, up the Via Dolorosa.  Wandered over to the Jewish Quarter and got lost in the warren.  Emerged on a roof top to see churches, minarets, and synagogues all around.  Then home to the hotel.  I know the way now.

about 4.5 miles
1:10:00
easy run

I Hear Jerusalem Bells Ringing

I was never more grateful for my running program than when I went to Jerusalem.  To run through the streets of the city in the early morning hours was transcendent.

Left the King Solomon Hotel west of the Old City about 5:30 am and ran through the park across the street.  Past something that looked like Jesus' tomb, but there are lots of things that look like Jesus' tomb here.

Up to the walls of the Old City - much like the medieval walls I got to know in York, only with white stone.  Down the southern walls past workers lining up for buses.  Bells were ringing in the Christian Quarter.  The call to prayer from the minarets.

Around to the eastern side where I ran through an Arab graveyard right against the walls - above which was the Temple Mount.  I wondered if it might be disrespectful to run there so I walked a ways.

Went into the Old City through the Lion's Gate.  Coming out were people in Arab dress - men and women headed to prayers or work.  I felt very self-conscious in my Northampton Co. Parks & Rec T-shirt, my gray shorts, and blue headband.  But I kept running.

I was on the Via Dolorosa (above).  Shopkeepers were opening doors for the day.  A baker with the kitchen open to the street making sesame bread.  Narrow passageways everywhere.  Stones smoothed to fine polish by pilgrim feet.  And I mostly had the place to myself.

Up the steps on an uphill stretch I prayed the breath prayer: Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

Out the Jaffa Gate.  Back to the hotel  2,000 years and more in less than an hour's run.

about 4 miles
50:36
easy run

Getting Ready for the Trip

At this point I was preparing for a 9-day trip to Jerusalem.  I was really looking forward to running there.

A long run to get ready.

6.5 miles
1:15:00

Assateague - It's Good for What Ails You

Pace run on the beach at Assateague with the tourists.

6.2 miles
1:16:00

Bells Neck

This was a heroic attempt to get back into the distance running and a shot at a full marathon.  I left Exmore and headed out the Willis Wharf Road.  It was a beautiful summer afternoon.  I was feeling good.  Turned on the Seaside Rd going north and went up to Bells Neck Road.  People were out mowing lawns.  The traffic was light.  Out to Bells Neck and then turned to come back.

It got rough once I got back to Rt. 13 and tried to head back into Exmore.  13 is not a good road to run on and my toe was giving me fits.  I limped back into town but was glad to have done the distance.

11.17 miles
2:34:43
Long Run

Holly Grove Modified

It's basically running the Holly Grove route in reverse.  Out Wellington Neck, over past the winery, down by the horses, around the field, down the dirt road, then back by the cemeteries.

4.34 miles
49:24
reported feeling awesome