Time is cyclical.

Existence rotates through epochs marked by symbols and signs. Central to this is the sexagenary cycle, a cycle of sixty terms used for reckoning time and its passage. The terms relate to and are marked by Jupiter’s 12-year journey around the sun. Each of the 12 earthly years passing during Jupiter’s single long year are indicated by their connection to an animal. In each cycle, there is a year tied to the ox, one to the snake and one to the rooster. There is a year tied to the rabbit, one to the goat and one to the pig. There is a year for the dragon. And there are years for the monkey.

The cycle of twelve Earthly years repeats five-fold, intermixed playfully with the elements that make up our being. The elements are earth, metal, water, wood and fire. Metal always comes from earth. Metal always gives way to water, which brings us wood. Fire always comes from wood and brings us earth. The elements mark time in this sequence, two years to each. The two years mark opposites, fist yang then yin. First bright, then dark. First sun, then moon. First on the north side of a river, then on the south side of the river.

Time is all around us, in cycles. The years flow in interlaced patterns of five by twelve, each sixty years, broken up into thirty pairs. The two successive earthly years are filled from the cycles of time for each of twelve animals, represented by an element. In one year, the goat and wood will wax into influence. Because wood is always followed by fire, the next year is the year of the fire monkey.

Cycles of time within cycles of time within cycles of time.

But the only time that matters now is this: you have just one week.

This is the year of the fire monkey. This is a year of yang.

There is ever more to learn -

- For those wondering where their friends and family members can watch them on the course, read on. The Warner Parks have just made changes to the roads to limit the impact of people in the park, and now the front half of the park will be closed to cars except for race volunteers. However, the back half will still be wide open and accessible. With that in mind, the very best place for your people to watch you is actually just near the start/finish line. Runners take off and run across the field to the road. Where y’all go onto the road is a place where you will return at miles 11, 14 and 25.7. This is a great place to spectate. Ask race morning and we can show you.

- You cannot train for Monkey. Don't bother with a taper.

- The race drink this year will again be SWORD (http://drinksword.com). I know some of you think that you should not try a new drink on race day. If you had that kind of smarts, you would not be running this race. SWORD is great and very easy drinking. Don’t be scared. We will also have Huma (http://www.humagel.com) and Spring (http://www.myspringenergy.com) energy gels on the course for you.

- Volunteers are awesome, remember to tell them that when you see them out on the course!

- PLEASE: if you won't be able to make it to Monkey, please let me know so we don’t spend the days to come looking for you out on the course.

- Packet pickup will be at the Gordon JCC on November 219, 2016 between 2pm and 4pm. The JCC is located at 801 Percy Warner Blvd, Nashville, TN 37148. This is less than 2 miles from the race start/finish area. Here is a map to the GJCC: http://tinyurl.com/MonkeyPacketPickup . Packet pickup will also be available race morning adjacent to the starting line.

- For those of you who want a post-race shower but are checking out of your hotel room, you can return to the JCC located at 801 Percy Warner Blvd, Nashville, TN 37148. They will need you to show your bib and bring your own towel and soap. They may also charge you the $10 guest fee.

- Bring food! We should celebrate the year of the fire monkey with a big feast. We ask that you bring some food and/or drink to share with the rest of the monkeys post race pot-luck style. As always, I will be making home-made monkey pumpkin pies. Lots of them. What will you bring?

- Yazoo Brewing will provide us adult drinks after the race to those who are of the correct drinking age. Yazoo is good brew, local and tasty. If you want to enjoy some, please bring your ID with you to the race. You don't have to run with it, but once the beer is available after noon, you will need your ID. If you want to tweet your grand appreciation for this, use these tags: @YazooBrew and @yazoobrewmaster

- Your registration info is posted on the Monkey's website AND here: http://www.runningahead.com/events/Monkey/participants. Please take a look to make sure it is correct.

- HELP US SUPPORT THE PARKS: we plan to have swag for sale at packet pickup and then post-race, with all proceeds going to support the Friends of Warner Parks, the charity that keeps Monkeyville spectacular. All this swag has already been bought, so anything you contribute you may consider a donation as far as I’m concerned. This year, we will have original and unique Hatch posters, extra Silipint cups, singlets and prior years' shirts. Hatch posters and cups are $10, Spirit of Nashville posters will be $20. I will have pictures of these on our Facebook site in the next week or so. Shirt prices will vary depending on which one you like. Cash appreciated. And cheap!

tl;dr

hi dallas!!

i monkeylove that poster.