Last Saturday, I reconnected with nature. I drove to a forest preserve and almost ran a marathon. While I covered 20 miles around a river and eyed small islands, the Wells case crossed my mind. What do you believe happened to 18-year-old Nolan Wells? The current story seems suspect. He leaves with friends on July 4, sails to Horn Island near Mississippi, and then dies. Wells’s parents, investigators, an attorney, the FBI, and the police are attempting to uncover additional de

Perspectives matter. Sometimes a shift in viewpoint is critical. A recent loss tested this theory. Last week, I drove my children to their swim practice, planning to run while they swam. To prepare, I wore running clothes, filled a water bottle, and packed my running pouch. We arrived at the pool, they met their team, and I strolled to a park to warm up. Near the pull-up bar, I placed my car key on a bench, drilled capoeira movements, and completed a set of mountain climbers.

Dear Student Leader, Don’t worry, there will be no name-calling in this week’s letter. If you remember, I posted a letter warning you not to act like a cow or a bear. I will not do that again. During this week’s outdoor running adventure, I took a new route and crossed flocks of turkeys and ducks. The random path put me on a street where I stumbled into a coworker. Both were chance encounters, but they prompted this week’s message. Read on to see what ducks, turkeys, and ass

Imagine a stampede. Footsteps pound around you. The breath of other mammals touches your neck. Dust speckles make it hard to see. Do you panic and stop or keep up? I tried to keep up, but after the first five miles of California’s International Marathon, I regretted the decision. The telling pants and painful foot strikes forewarned me of the pending failure. Despite this awareness and thanks to my music turned to max, I ignored the signs. Until mile 14, I maintained the grue