The Final Leg

The Final Leg

Actually when you look at this entire trip I can only say this is the final leg of my first adventure overseas since retirement.  There are actually 3 more planned this year east bound and three west bound with numerous trips in-between.

Surprisingly enough the Rome marathon went rather well.  They never are flawless but after pulling my calf in Tokyo three weeks prior I really thought my marathon days were behind me.

A lot of cold baths,  Numerous having my feet over my head and keeping active did the trick.  I know I said Rice is the way to go with R standing for rest but for some reason my body responded better by staying active.  The marathon itself was the not the best.  Cold rain most of the day and running on all the cobble stone streets really took a toll on my feet.  My calf was a bit tight at the start but no pain at all.  As time went on things got better by the mile.  It was a bit strange the comparison between Tokyo and Rome.  In Tokyo where it was a well organized and there was plenty of support, by contrast, Rome had mass confusion all the way thru and the people watching us run did not seem to care at all.  I guess they were all more interested to get into one of the many museum or cathedrals along the way.

I did have a flash back during the race to an idea I had a year ago as I was preparing for my retirement.   You hear all the time where the retiree gets a part time job or starts a business but I actually had come up with a running application that would describe what you are running by during the marathon.  I scrapped the idea since it seemed to much like work and as you can see I really don’t have time for that.  I must admit as we were running by all the famous places I thought, what a great idea if I could hear something about these places as opposed to my feet hitting the cobble stones.

The day after the marathon a group of us took a bus trip to our next destination, Florence with a guide and on the way stopped off at the best wine tasting experience ever, called Osteria.  It first started off with a tour of where the wine was kept and a full description of the three wines we would be tasting.  The owner started us off with some bruschetta and the youngest of the three wines.  This was not the typical pour of a few drops.  This was at least half a glass and if you finished before the next wine was presented he kept pouring.  The food came out in waves and seemed to be endless.  We moved on to the next vintage until we got to the Reserve that had been sitting up waiting for us for at least 6 years.  The meal include some of their own Pasta that is made right there.  The same pouring style held true but we finally met our match when out came the desert wine and the Biscotti.  Dip for 20 seconds then eat.  Of course it all came to an end at the cash register where everyone left with at least two bottles of the Reserve, of course.  The final leg of the bus trip was very quite as we all slumped into our seats and took a well deserved nap.

The next day a few of us took a train trip out to The Leaning Tower of Pisa and the walk up the stairs was well worth the 18 euros.  It actually was not that bad and the views from the top were breath taking.  Or maybe it was the climb up the stairs that took my breath away.  Everyone was taking pictures of them holding the tower up but I decided to take a selfie where I pretended I was using my head.  All along the streets of Italy there were men every few feet selling selfie sticks if it was sunny and umbrella and ponchos if it was raining.  I decided to be a smart ass and told them that I did not need a selfie stick since I had such long arms.

Two things I learned about Florence that I did not know was that they are famous for their T bone steaks and wild bore.  Not going to eat anything with wild in its name but had to try one of the smaller T Bone steaks.  Needless to say when it arrived and was the size of my plate I was happy that I went for the junior size and also decided to handle this like a marathon.  One step or in the case one bite at a time.  It was fantastic and if that was not bad enough I had to top it off with some gelato.

 Turns out we stayed at the same hotel we used during one of the John Bingham and Jenny Hadfield running events.  3 1/2 years ago we took the running cruise concept to land and ran all over Venice.  Imagine a 100 of us running around all the famous Statues and thru the Tuscan mountain sides.  The hotel Plaza Lucchesi was be updated somewhat but the church bells every 15 minutes were a great reminder of time gone by.  When they say location, location, location while selling a house the same goes true from this hotel you are a mere few blocks from the major square of Florence.

Presently in the middle of the Atlantic ocean with 2000 miles to go and now starting to look forward to the next trips on the horizon.  After arriving in ATL it will be a quick trip to the 5 by 5 storage unit near the airport to switch the clothes for the next week.  Stop by the UPS store to get all the mail over the last 36 days and then to the hotel to modify the bags.  Off to RNO to meet up with the kids and drive over to Lake Tahoe for my niece wedding.  After a few days there on to Denver to meet up with our Marathon Tour guide, who lives in Boulder, for dinner and back to ATL.  Next day Belize for a week then Boise for my third marathon in three months.  

Really looking forward to Belize.  I have heard so much about it and there are a lot of ex pats that are now calling it home.  That might be a bit off for me since I am really having a ball seeing the world on my terms.  Dates and places keep making the 2016 list so I know I will be at this for at least two years before I look seriously for a place to live.  I had originally thought 7-10 but I will have to get my cash burn rate down a bit.  It is not at all like being at home.  Everywhere you go on these trips has an admission charge or a per glass charge if you know what I mean.  The per day cash burn average is not far off from making this long term and the difference in prices varies a lot.  The most expense part of course is the airfare.

I do highly recommend a company called Airtreks.com. I am sure there are plenty of them out there and I have only tried this company but they do a great job when it comes to price and customer service.  I send Sarah an email of where I want to go and if there are at least 4 legs outside the USA they can work a great deal for you.  They have all your frequent flyer numbers and then send you an email with the price and what airlines you would be using.  You then schedule a phone call to firm it up and after 15 minutes of going over all the departure and arrival times you then pay for your trip on line.  You can even split the cost over several credit cards if need be.  When all done they set you up with your own website and it will then have all your flights booked with them in one place.  They alert you to any schedule changes and the personal website then reflects the new itinerary.  Needless to say I have booked all my flights with them and they even include post departure insurance.  In other words if something happens after your trip starts you are covered.

Pre departure insurance is a different story and I have been using roamright.com.  The prices are great and you can buy as you go.  In other words when you buy your airline tickets you buy insurance to cover that and as you add on to the trip with other items you then buy insurance to cover that cost.  They also cover you once the trip starts so you get double the coverage but I did find out if you pull your calf while running a marathon they will not cover the Doctor bills.  The Airtreks insurance does not have a, “race or speed event” exclusion.  I did not have to use either so all is good.

The next trip over seas is the middle of May where I will run the Great Wall of China 1/2 marathon and then the Copenhagen full marathon the following week.  After that spend a week touring Amsterdam and will be venturing away from my Marriott friends and will be staying in a an apartment thru homeaway.com.  I must admit Marriott does a great job and even better overseas but it was a bit weird when I was checking in and they asked me about my stay at city prior.

The people you meet while touring on your own or when joining the Marathon Tours group is great.  Marathon Tours is another company that truly believe in customer service and have taken 7 trips with them over the years,  Paris, London, Amsterdam, Bermuda, Berlin, Tokyo and Rome.  Also have 6 more planned this year with a few more tentative for 2016.

No words of wisdom to leave you with but I am working on a so called poem titled, Retirement which I hope to post in a week.  My daughter, Mariah is doing so editing for me right now.

Live life to discover

Live life to discover

That is the slogan of the Marriott Renaissance hotel chain.   We stayed there in Johor Bahru, Malaysia for 6 days.  On their channel one they go over pictures of their 150 properties across the world and their slogan seems to sum up the first part of my retirement.  

Malaysia is the second cousin to Singapore but I have to tell you the people there really go all out to make you feel at home.  It was a great place to start my rehab on my pulled calf after the Marathon in Tokyo.  We went on a lot of tours while in Tokyo and that continued when we got to Kyoto which called for a lot of walking but next three week I was able to take it easy and take care of my sore leg and swollen ankle.  I don’t seem to heal as fast as I use to learned a valuable lesson.  Follow my own advice.

Over the years many people have asked my how I have been able to run so many marathons for so many years and I simply tell people that I don’t run if it hurts.  That was not true of the Tokyo marathon.  My calf gave me a warning sign on the 12 hour flight over but I did not listen to my body.  The calf screamed and cried right from the start of the marathon and I just kept running.  Turns out after much research it was a side effect of a new blood pressure medication I started taking.  The one this replaced gave me a very bad cough.  Strangely neither of these side effects were brought up by my Doctor when he prescribed them.  I digress.

In Malaysia, Singapore and Bangkok I was able to walk when I wanted, swim when I wanted and lift weights to build up my core while the lower parts continued to heal.  They say Singapore is the most expensive place to live in the world and they are not exaggerating.  I have not experienced anything like that in my short life.  Everything in excess.  I am sure shop till you drop had this place in mind.  Took what we usually call the big red bus tour of the city and learned something interesting facts.  One is why there are no old cars on the road.  Because of registration and taxes it is cheaper to by a new car then to keep the one that is perfectly fine past 4 years.  They are the largest exporter of used cars in the world.  No traffic problems.  All roads have electronic tolls and they change the fares depending on how many cars are on that particular road at the time.

The cost per day cash burn rate was the major reason why we spent 6 days in Malaysia and only three days in Singapore.

Bangkok is a different story.  Everything is cheap there.  Food, transportation, hotel, entertainment and everything else.  Not only that the people bend over backwards to make sure you are happy.  Every meeting is with hands together, a big smile and a bow.  How could anyone be in a bad mood with a greeting like that.  One thing I did not experience was street food.  It was everywhere.  Every street was full of carts selling anything to eat.  They are serious about their  food.  The malls have just about equal number of stores to places to eat and no fast foods allowed.  Our favorite was where you would walk in and get a card.  They had food from around the world.  You filled up your tray with what you wanted and took your first class seat to enjoy.  When finished they would scan your card and pay on the way out.  Great food and did I say it was cheap.  Yes it was.  

On the other end of the spectrum I  fell in love with an Irish beer called KilKenny, love their British upbringing in Asia.  You can always find an Irish pub.  Really came in handy on St. Patty’s day.

I also opted out of the Thai massage.  They were shops every 50 feet but with more sore limb I decided, maybe next time.  Cant do everything.  

I did run in to a fellow UPSER.  Recently promoted ANC Chief Pilot that was sitting in the pool area in Bangkok at our hotel.  What a huge and at the same time small world.  We met for dinner and he confirmed that it was time for me to retire.  

Now here is where it really gets small world.  I was on Face Book and read a post from a old friend, Walter Shah.  We use to fly together back in the 80’s at a very small commuter airline, Wheeler Airlines.  He posted a short video of how he was going be taking off for Bangkok, he now flies for Federal Express and have only seen each briefly a couple of times since our Wheeler days.  He left in the late 80’s for Federal Express and I for UPS.  I added a comment that I was in Bangkok and we ended meeting for dinner there a few days later.  Turns out his friend there was a singer and brought a fellow singer to join us for dinner.  To make the world even smaller, that singer we had just gone to see at a nearby hotel two days earlier.  We often cry about how technology has taken over our lives but to be sitting at dinner in setting like that because of a social media tool is great in my book.

Presently en route on a 12 hour flight from Bangkok to Paris, 2 hour layover then another 2 hours on to Rome.  They say we are somewhere near Kaboul Afghanistan. at 32000 feet.  2500 miles and 5 hours behind us and 3400 miles to go.  I could be in my living room if I still had one all I know.  Laptop in my lap with headphones on just waiting for them to come around with some more wine.

Something to think about.

The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.

That is my plan

Time Flies when you are having fun

Time Flies when you are having fun.

It also goes by pretty fast as you get older but I must admit that it really hauls ass when you retire.

I had hoped to have started this blog back in the end of January when I started this great adventure to run all over the world but I seemed to be so busy each and every day.

I would like to back up for a minute and bring you up to date on what has taken place in the last 2 months.  I am using 2 months because that is the time when we sold our house and put everything in storage.  We actually have a second 5 by 5 storage unit right at the ATL airport along with a mail box at the nearby UPS store so we can switch out clothes and get mail when we are passing thru.

Since we were now homeless and car less we started early on the whole run around the world idea.

Here is the run down in chronological order.

ATL, ST Maarten, eastern caribbean cruise which included,Farmouth Harbour, Antigua, Soper Hole, Tortola, Jost Van Dyke Great Harbour, B.V.I, Virgin Gorda Prickly Pear, B.V.I.,Basseterre, St. Kitts, and back to St. Maarteen.  We did a lot of running at each stop.  We then caught a puddle jumper back to St. Kitts where we met up with family for a week.  Then back to SDF, MIA, SDF, SAN, LA, SAN, SDF, BNA, SDF, ATL, FLL where we were off on another Cruise in the eastern Caribbean with our favorite running group headed up by John “The Penguin" Bingham and Jenny Hadfield.  The concept is to put around 150 runners/walkers and put them on a cruise ship and at each stop have the local running group put on a road/trail/beach race for the group.  At the end of the cruise you would have put in the mileage of either a full or half marathon.  You can get more information at runningcruise.com.  In 2016 we will join up with the group with another river cruise this time in the south of France.

We have done 5 trips with them which include 2 to the Caribbean, Alaska, a river cruise along the Danube and a land base running event in Florence Italy.  This cruise started in FLL and were out to sea for two days as we made our way to St. Maarten.  The first event was a night deck run for 3 miles.  The winds across the bow made for an interesting event since the winner was the one that predicted the time before hand and no timing devices were allowed during the run. I did say it was at night.  When we made land on the third day we did a 6 mile run beside the beach.  There was some actual beach running involved but mostly was along the walk path. The winner for this event was decided by who was the fastest.  Not a problem for me so I just enjoyed the view.  

A small group of us rented a catamaran for some sun and snorkeling.  Much fun was had by all.

So much fun that we almost missed the cruise ship.  Almost being the operative word.  On our way now to St. Kitts where we met up with the Hash House Harriers.  Best way to describe this group is that they are a running group with drinking problem or maybe it is the other way around.  This was a six mile-ish, some what well marked trail run and parts was thru the rain forest.  It was a very hilly course so not much running was done there.  The winner got the ace in the deck.  Pulled up anchor and off we were for San Juan.

There we mostly dressed up as Pirates and invaded the  port area in a 6 mile amazing race type adventure.  As always my costume was a tangent of the theme.  A small group of us decided to turn it into a pub crawl near the end since it was obvious we were not going to win.  Many of us met at Senior Frogs to celebrate.  Early departure this day for our last run in Labadee Haiti. There we met up with a group of young men called Street Hearts.  Many of us brought shoes and the like for them and we all ended up donating $10,000 to help fund a new home for them. They all joined in with the 8 mile relay race with once again a predicted time between you and your partner with no timing devices.  I most mention that they also had a Zip line that is the longest over water zip line in the world.  It is half a mile long and you start up at 500 feet and end down to the beach at over 60 miles an hours.  Pretty abrupt stop I might add.

The overall winner on this 8 day cruise  for each male and female was based on the closest total predicted time for all races that we had to give to them before hand.

Back to FLL where we then headed back to ATL, SDF, ATL, Athens Ga, ATL and then on to where we are now in Tokyo.  I finished my 55th marathon yesterday and only need one more marathon in Boston to complete the top 6 world major marathon series.  They consist of NY, which was my first, Chicago and Boston in the states and London, Berlin and Tokyo.  There are two ways to get to run Boston.  Most folks qualify, which means you must run another marathon within a certain time based on age and gender and I will never run fast enough to get in that way.  The other way is to donate to selected charities and you are then given a charity spot.  I have spent a pretty penny to get all the rest done so at least I will be giving to a good cause to complete the majors.

The race here in Tokyo was fantastic.  It had to be great for me to think that after pulling my calf muscle at mile one and still wanted to keep running with all that pain.  It was a vey organized event and there were 1 volunteer to every 3 runners.  They cheered you on while doing what every job they were assigned.  Never experienced anything like that at another marathon.  They definitely wanted to leave a good impression with the Olympics coming here in 2020.  

Tomorrow we leave for Kyoto for a leisurely 4 day tour there.  After that we are off to Singapore/Malaysia for 9 days then on to Bangkok for 10 days then we meet up with Marathon Tours for the Rome Marathon.  Hope to be healed up by then.  I have never failed to start and finish a race that I have signed up for.  

My last day at UPS is February 28th and at that time I hope to be soaking in the sun in Singapore.  I must admit it has been a great ride at UPS and I am blessed to have had such a great career there.  Got to do things only many dream of and at the same time was able to watch my kids grow into adults first hand.  Few pilots can say that.  At the same time it is easy for me to say that it was time for me to go and I truly do not miss it or flying airplanes at all.  It served its purpose in my life and now it is time for me to enjoy the fruits of my labor.

What are the chances

What are the chances.

While waiting for my flight from KIK, Kansaia airport in Osaka to my 23rd destination of Singapore with a brief stop in Manilia I was surprised to notice taking off a UPS B747 right out the gate’s window.  What a pretty site.  With the help of my friends on Face Book I was able to find out it was flight 80 headed to PVG, Shanghai.  Turns out the Captain was Anderson and FO Aldridge.  I sent them both an email and got back a great answer from the Captain.  

Captain Andersen and FO Aldridge

You guys with out knowing it really made my day.

Today was my last day of vacation before I start my retirement after 26 years at UPS.

As I was waiting for my flight in KIK out the window my Girl friend called out that your plane was taking off at that very moment.  I had just taken some pictures of the airport so was able to get a picture of your 747 as it broke ground.  I understand by contacting some folks back in SDF that you guys were flying flight 80 on your way to PVG.

I had to write to let you both know that that sight rushed forward all the fond memories of my career there.  I am sure my pension is in good hands with you expert aviators.  We are now on our way to Singapore after running the Tokyo marathon this past Sunday.  There we rest up then on to Bangkok and then on to Rome where we will run the Marathon there.  Her 71st and my 56th.

Thanks again for being part of that moment when we all must cut the cord and move on to the next chapters in our lives.  Hoping for safe flights for the both of you until you can hang up the wings and truly enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Anthony L. Copeland-Parker

AKA/TCP

Former

MIA/South American/European Chief Pilot

UPS

TCP,

Way to go! Congates on your retirement. Glad we made your day special. Enjoy the days and have fun at your next marathon!
John Andersen

What made this so fitting was that today February 28 is my last day at UPS.  Granted I am 14 hours ahead so it way only 11pm Friday night but it was still great to have that as one of my last sights on my last day on the payroll.  

Now we began what I like to refer to as the Actuary game.  UPS has figured that on the average they will pay out a pension to some one like me for 5 years.  My mother collected her pension for 29 years and my father is still collecting after 33 years so there is a good chance I will win this game.  I have often said to others that it has been a great ride but you just know when it is time to get off and let someone else enjoy the seat.  I am sure I did not over stay my welcome and often many tell me that I should have stayed longer but there is so much of the world I want to see and experience and I was not told how long I will be on this earth.  I became a pilot to travel and see the world but after 37 years I noticed that I was always going places that my employer requested.  Being in management I did have the opportunity to pick and choose the destinations but still we were always told when and for how long.  This way I decided where, when, how and for how long.  

This next leg of our Nomad lifestyle is going to be for some R and R.  No running required.  I am still nursing my calf injury from the Tokyo Marathon and the plan now is to run Rome in 21 days.

I dont heal as quickly as I use to but by using the RICE, rest, Ice, compression, and elevation method I should be ready to go by then.  I have yet to not start or finish I race I have signed up for.  I am actually going to  Malaysia  for six nights and then 3 night in Singapore.  It was better on the cash burn rate to do it that way.  Pretty much keeping track of every penny spent so far and as I get better over time I might be able to keep this up for 7-10 years.  I just hope I don’t get spoiled when it comes time to having to settle in on one place to live.

Catching a cab from the Singapore airport to Johor Bahru was an experience.  First the cab from the airport dropped us off at the bus station where we then negotiated the fare to cross the border to the Renaissance.  Border crossing both out of and into took 30 minutes and the cabbie did not have room in the trunk for one bag so it rode shot gun.  It is 90’s here and looking forward to some water aerobics tomorrow along with the RICE routine.  Calf is coming along but now the swelling has moved down to the ankle.  Does not hurt just looks pretty ugly.

A comment I made earlier.

Pain is temporary but failure is permanent. 

Your comments or questions are welcomed and I promise to respond.