Today I stretched my long run to 8 miles, rather by accident as I wasn't sure how far away exactly my turn around was. I'm finding a benefit of being a little older and slower is that I get to enjoy being out moving longer. Moving about and thinking while at it is a delicate miracle in the grand scheme. I've been reading about the history of earthly life, and feel awe over how it is I am human. For instance, each of us is a whole world to trillions of various bacteria, an incredibly ancient and varied form of life, who partner with us to metabolize food, convert oxygen to energy, and fight off bad germs. If we ever wonder whether or not such tiny friendly organisms exist all around, upon, and within us, all we need to remind us is that we smell a bit funky after we exercise. Bacteria are our friends, but they do make us stink. As my bacteria are communicating their existence to me now I believe I will shower; another wonder in itself.