Running a marathon is all consuming, they say – I am they, as I’ve written about this often (here for example). 26.2 is out of reach for the casual athlete, so preparing for race day requires a high level of preparation. Over the course of several months, the longest weekly run gradually increases in distance, … Continue reading All Consuming
Category: Training
Let’s Try This Again
I’m running 20 miles tomorrow. I’ve been here before – many times – but this time feels different. The last time I covered this distance was 2019 on my final long run of Eugene Marathon training, where I infamously injured my foot. I legitimately didn’t know if I could ever run this far again, and … Continue reading Let’s Try This Again
Next Steps
Yesterday I had a good run – a really good run. It was the kind of run where mind, body and weather all cooperate. The kind of run where you dressed exactly right for the temperature. The kind of run where the only other people out are friendly or have cute dogs (or both). The … Continue reading Next Steps
Wildwood Eve
Tomorrow I will be covering the farthest distance of my life on foot – just over 30 miles from end to end of the Wildwood Trail. This has been a bucket list goal since I moved to Portland, and training has been a salve on an otherwise rough year. This last year and a half … Continue reading Wildwood Eve
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
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
Racing the Hare 