Tomorrow I run a half marathon. A year ago I couldn’t walk half a block without a cane. A bone bruise took me out of commission last April, and I’ve inched my way back. I spent months working with doctors and physical therapists to identify and solve the problem, and months more seeing glimmers of … Continue reading Virtually There
Author: Kate Ellingsen
Running brings me immense joy and peace. Like the fabled tortoise, my pace is slow and steady. I ran my first marathon in 2011, then lost my focus following a cross country move in 2012, gradually working my way back to 26.2 miles. I have no aspirations of qualifying for the Olympics or even Boston. The road is big enough for all runners, and my only goal is to be happy and well.
Location: Portland, OR
26.2 x 6 &
13.1 x 13
Both Sides Now
My wish to run again came true, but perhaps I should have been a bit more specific. I survived the bone bruise. I survived the rehab. I survived hours of physical therapy and countless one-legged squats, and now I can run! Hooray! Except not very well. I’m back on the trail, but it’s ugly. Although … Continue reading Both Sides Now
Enough
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to do more. I joined every club in school, signed up for too many committees at work, and found ways to stretch the limits of what a person can accomplish in 24 hours. I have a tendency to overcommit myself, but the truth is I enjoy … Continue reading Enough
Physical Therapy. Physical Torture.
I’m running again. It’s wonderful. I’m slow as ever and turn red faster than usual, but I’m doing the damn thing. That said, rebuilding is a humbling process. Taking a few months off has me back at square one, and starting over is rough. I survived the eight week healing period (which actually ended up … Continue reading Physical Therapy. Physical Torture.
Tiny Anthem
Since getting injured in April, running's role in my life has changed dramatically. I went from intense training to medical visits to rehab and now the slow road of recovery. As much as I would have loved to PR in the Eugene Marathon with "Eye of the Tiger" playing as I crossed the finish line, … Continue reading Tiny Anthem
Flecti Non Frangi
Few things are more satisfying to me than having a plan and seeing it through to completion. I thrive with an agenda, and I’m baffled how anyone accomplishes anything without Excel spreadsheets and To-Do lists. Beyond that, I like tangible results and being able to look back and see what I’ve done. I take before … Continue reading Flecti Non Frangi
Detour
Had 2019 gone according to plan, I would have pushed myself all spring with the goal of setting a personal record at the end of April. I would have woken up early every Saturday to run increasingly long distances. I would have followed my training map diligently with a culmination of a gloriously fast 26.2. … Continue reading Detour
In It For the Long Run
We all love a good underdog story. We love to watch the weak or underestimated rise up victoriously as David slays Goliath or Rudy sacks the quarterback in the final play of the game. We see ourselves in these underdogs, and we want to believe that we, too, could rise victoriously against all odds. Two … Continue reading In It For the Long Run
The Pains of Taper Madness
Two weeks ago I ran a mess of a 20-miler. I was exhausted, feeling low, and stuck in the mud. I questioned why I keep putting myself through the struggles of marathon training. Running hurts. It takes up all my time. I’m constantly tired and hungry (a combination that never ends well). Then last weekend … Continue reading The Pains of Taper Madness
No Mud, No Lotus
The path to success is usually by way of repetition. Musicians practice scales. Basketball players drill free throws. Students learn vocabulary words with flash cards. As we all learned in elementary school, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. We drill good behavior until it becomes second nature so that we can perform … Continue reading No Mud, No Lotus
Racing the Hare 