I was going baa (“crazy” in Thai), having sat in my condo for two whole days while watching local coverage of the recent turmoil in Bangkok. Have you ever listened to important news in a foreign language, without English subtitles, for hours on end – seeing dramatic, action-packed, sometimes a little rough pictures – but not understanding what was being said? Maddening after a while, believe me. Occasionally when my Thai girlfriend, who was glued to the television, left the room, I would frantically switch to CNN and BBC for some news in English, but usually this coverage wasn’t as current or accurate.

I just had to get out of my condo. There was no way around this. For the last two days, no jogging for me, and the fitness center had been closed. I had gone from jogging daily to none for two whole days. Desperation was setting in. So I told my girlfriend that I was going jogging, and she said, “You baa!” And then she tells me, besides being dangerous, that in just two hours, there would be a curfew for all of Bangkok. I replied, “What? You have to be kidding me.” She said the curfew would start at 8pm and last until 6am. Now panic was in full swing. It was now or never. So I put on my jogging outfit (making sure to leave my red outfit at home), and out the door I went – to her disapproval. After all, a runner has to have priorities! Right?

I first ran about two kilometers to my favorite place – a beautiful park with a twokilometer track around a large lake. Such a beautiful and peaceful park that is truly paradise for a runner. What I didn’t realize was that this park wasn’t that far from Lumphini Park. In fact, I wasn’t thinking, for all I wanted to do was RUN. As I entered the park, I was surprised to see soldiers, maybe 200, camped and resting next to the lake. But did that stop me? No way, for I was determined to run my usual six kilometers. Ironically, as I passed the soldiers something wasn’t right. They were giving me the weirdest stare, maybe as if to say, “You baa!”

Just a few minutes down the track, and I understood more – much more – for suddenly I could hear sporadic gunfire and blasts not far away. I could tell now that the soldiers were on edge. At that instant, I thought to myself, “Welcome to Bangkok Dangerous!” Now I felt like ducking as I was jogging and began to experience fear for the first time. Memories started flashing through my mind of the good old days in the Marine Corps, running with my M-16. I was no longer missing my girlfriend, but I sure was missing that M-16 slung on my back! I suddenly felt the need for a weapon. And without my weapon, I felt naked, exposed, and vulnerable. One quick lap at the park, and back towards my condo I flew, never looking back. As I was returning to what I thought was safer territory, I heard my girlfriend’s admonition again.

On my return route, I found myself running hard and hugging the tall buildings, a natural instinct to avoid gunfire and stray bullets. I was no longer enjoying the run, for my thoughts had turned to survival and to getting back home. As I rounded a corner, next to the elevated Skytrain, I saw smoke and fire. Now what?! Someone had set up a burning street blockade of tires and bamboo in downtown Bangkok in broad daylight. The wind was blowing and flames were huge. By now, the endorphins and adrenaline were pumping. Like a gladiator at the Coliseum, my pace quickened. With a few zigs and a few zags, I made it to a different street under the Skytrain and back into my usual stomping grounds. I now felt like a triumphant warrior, having returned safely home. Definitely, it was time to celebrate and smile.

With gunfire and blasts no longer being heard and fire and brimstone behind me, I started to feel safe again. Should I return home or finish my run? Hell, yes, to