I went out for a run. I got a parade.

As I walked through the parking lot to get to the start line, I wondered why anyone would be out in this heat other than disturbed runners. And then I heard them.

The Hindu peeps whose church is next door to us were having a parade. As it turns out (thanks, wikipedia!), today was the celebration of  Ratha Yatra or Ratha Jatra or Chariot Festival, a Hindu festival associated with Lord Jagannath. The Hindu religion is sort of complicated, and I’m not sure I understand it. But they had a really cool chariot (which ties in to the god being celebrated). They chanted and sang and played tambourines as they shut down traffic on a busy street. It was perfect.

There are religions that stay inside air-conditioned theaters, going through the motions. And there are religions where they take it to the street, wearing heavy clothing in 100-degree heat to celebrate. I will never understand people who think there’s only one valid religion. I bet they don’t own a tambourine.

Once I made it out of the traffic jam, it was an OK day. Just staying in the zone. I’m loving the mad dog loop. Drinking a ton of water, trotting a little the first mile, then death march at the end. The way running should be. 108 by the end of the run. Soul cleansed, mind happy. Best Ratha Yatra day ever.