Friday, November 28, 2014

 

While in prison, what’s the worst thing you’ve experienced?

The prison system frequently blocked me from progress. After earning an undergraduate degree and a graduate degree, I persuaded a university to admit me into a doctoral program. When a warden blocked me from completing that program, I felt violated. Pursuit of academic credentials had been an integral component of my adjustment plan. When the warden blocked me from the possibility of earning a terminal degree, I felt the gravity of my predicament. Then I contested his decision through administrative remedy. Administrators responded to my pleading by uprooting my life. They transferred me across state lines to another institution. Those were difficult times for me. But I found my way, transitioning from student to writer. As I achieved a modicum of success as an author, authorities would respond by confining me in solitary or transferring me to other prisons. They blocked me from seeing my wife. Those were the worst things that I experienced, but I learned to cope with those frustrations. They simply became part of the prison journey and I learned to expect and accept that administrators would block my progress. Still, the responsibility was mine to overcome.

 

Days since my release from prison: 473

Miles that I ran today: 13.45

Miles that I ran so far this week: 25.76

Miles that I’ve run during the month of November: 166.6

Miles that I ran so far in 2014: 2,216.74

Miles that I need to run in order to reach my annual goal of 2,400 miles: 183.26

Miles I’m ahead of schedule to reach my 2,400-mile goal by the end of 2014: 28.93

My weight for today: 168