6/6 Snowdonia!
- Runner: Simon Isaacs
- Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Currently Resides: Kigali, Rwanda
- Language(s): English, French, Spanish & Italian (fluent), Portuguese & Norwegian (basic)
- Family:
- Statement: “At a personal level, Blue Planet Run provides a rare opportunity to integrate my love for running with my commitment to improve the lives of the poor, disenfranchised and marginalized around the world.” – Simon Isaacs, 2007
This time of year, at 53 degrees latitude, the sun does not set until 10:00 PM. If I could hold a 6 minute per mile pace during my 9PM shift – I would have ample light and an opportunity to take in Snowdonia National Park in North Wales.
My leg began in the town of Bethesda, an old slate and stone quarry-town to the south of the park. From Bethesda, the road wound uphill for 4 miles following the River Ogwen to its source in the park. The road leading into the park was bordered by expansive sheep pastures held in by endless stone walls. I have built a few stone walls in my time – but none as clean, level and sturdy as these.
As I entered the park, I was surrounded by jagged peaks, windswept fields and streams and waterfalls… truly breathtaking. Inspired by the natural world around me, I picked up the pace. At 5 miles, the road leveled off and passed a large blue mountain lake and then through fields of red poppies and rocky pastureland. Unbelievable.
To learn more about Snowdonia National Park – check out http://snowdonia-npa.gov.uk .
>From Oxford, England – Happy Trails.
Hurricane Dean
Yesterday morning, I woke up to CNN’s talking heads warning of Hurricane Dean’s destructive path toward the Caribbean.
Activism + Water
By the late 80’s, AIDS had developed into a full fledged crisis. Despite the rapid spread of the disease, government officials remained quiet.
Venture Philanthropy
At the eclectic Buck’s diner in Woodside, Bay area power-brokers meet over stacks of pancakes to discuss what they hope will be the next big idea.
Make It Happen
We made it across Europe, Russia, and Asia… over 10,000 miles, one stride at a time; a truly significant accomplishment, no doubt.
Water and Climate Change in Mongolia
Fueled by the dramatic landscape before me, I have found my second wind in Mongolia.
Water & Tourism – The Great Baikal Trail
The internet café in Irkutsk was jammed with backpackers gripping their Lonely Planet Guidebooks and emailing home stories adventures through Russia.
Siberia’s Ghost Towns
“In Russia we have two problems, fools and bad roads” said my guide, Yuiana as the car swerved right and left through a mine-field of deep potholes.
(Hyrdo)Power to the People
Depicted on the back of my 10 ruble bill is the Krasnoyarsk Hydroelectric Dam which lies upstream of the central Russian city of Krasnoyarsk (where I am now).
Ode to Mayonnaise
Waking up in the morning, I find you there at the breakfast table, A
dollop atop by canned peas and corn.
At lunch, you glisten off of my plate of meat dumplings. You line my
The BPR Petri Dish
I feel like I’ve been running on a treadmill through Western Siberia. My heart pumps, my legs move – but the horizon, though beautiful, goes unchanged.
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