The end of the year practically demands introspection. I've never been one for life-changing expectations when flipping the page of a calendar, but I can certainly appreciate taking a few moments to reflect on the past while setting intentions for the future. 2018 was a challenging year -- both the good kind of challenge that … Continue reading Miles Ahead
Category: Running
Everybody’s Going Streaking
During the coldest months of the year, runners everywhere are streaking. As a quick translation for the non-runners, streaking means running at least one mile every day for as long a streak as possible. Runners treat this as a badge of honor, boasting about hitting 100, 500, 1000 day streaks, and streaking becomes especially popular … Continue reading Everybody’s Going Streaking
Slowly Getting Faster
It's no secret that I'm slow. Through the years I've done a lot to process my ever-changing body, and for the most part I've come to terms with my speed. However that doesn't mean I want to give up all together. There's a difference between accepting your current situation and accepting it as your eternal … Continue reading Slowly Getting Faster
What Comes Next?
It's been two and a half weeks since Chicago, which in 2018 time means it feels like 84 years. The marathon was somehow yesterday and also a lifetime ago, and I've spent the last 18 days reflecting on the ups and downs of a notoriously flat race. A destination race is wonderful way to visit … Continue reading What Comes Next?
You Belong
Time is the most precious resource we have. Now that I'm in the thick of marathon training, time has become as much a challenge as the distance. For starters, scheduling is no small feat -- carving out enough hours every week not only to run but also to hydrate, stretch, strength train, meal plan, rest, recover, … Continue reading You Belong
Unplanned Spontaneity
Running is repetitive -- meditative, even. Left foot, right foot. Breathe in, breathe out. There's a pre-run routine and a post-run routine. There's a set menu of foods to be eaten at certain times. There's a calm sense of knowing that comes with having favorite shoes, favorite trails, favorite neighborhood loops where when we return … Continue reading Unplanned Spontaneity
Knowing When to Quit
Running really has just two basic rules: Don't be an idiot. Don't be a hero. Any advice I could offer on running falls into one of these two buckets. It's incredibly important to make smart choices about your health, your training, your surroundings. It's equally important to make sure that those choices are rooted in … Continue reading Knowing When to Quit
Birds of a Feather
Running is a solitary sport. Both the successes and the failures are yours alone, and the point is to push your personal limits. It's just you and the road. No one can run the miles for you. While there are any number of community running groups or potential running buddies, the logistics of finding a … Continue reading Birds of a Feather
Keep Showing Up
There's a magic and prestige to the Boston Marathon that's hard to articulate. It's an exclusive club that's technically possible for mere mortals to join, but every year gets more competitive, so even the people who meet the criteria on paper still may not be fast enough to win the lottery and actually run the … Continue reading Keep Showing Up
Unprofessional
A friend and I had an argument recently. I had set an early curfew for myself to be rested for my run the next morning, but when I started to leave my friend said, "You're not a professional, you know. You don't need to be this strict about everything. It's not like you're gunning for … Continue reading Unprofessional
