I've never been much of a risk taker. Rock climbing? No thanks. Skydiving? I'll pass. I like facts. I like figures. I like rulebooks and maps. I prefer classical music to jazz, and I can't even fathom going to a restaurant without properly vetting the menu online. This love of the known translates to my … Continue reading Risk Worth Taking
Posts
Trust the Process
If there's more, I want it. There it is, my approach to running and entertainment and work and love, wrapped up in six little words. The six-word memoir is one of my favorite writing exercises. Inspired by Hemingway's legendary short story "For sale: baby shoes, never worn," six-word stories force the writer to focus on … Continue reading Trust the Process
It’s Actually Only A Little Bit Hard Being Green
Left to my own devices, I'd eat Hershey kisses, guacamole, and Diet Coke for breakfast. Imagine that life... I'd be free! I'd be happy! I'd weigh 600 pounds and have lost all my teeth! It's possible this might affect my running. I need rules. I need boundaries. As someone who historically makes bad decisions, it helps to leave … Continue reading It’s Actually Only A Little Bit Hard Being Green
Up and Over
Hills demand respect. The hill won't budge, and it won't change its incline. The hill doesn't care that it's hard. It doesn't care that you're tired. The hill was here first. If you decide to climb, the change needs to come from you. I've been running hills more regularly recently, and they are completely kicking my … Continue reading Up and Over
Halfway
Training for a race is book-ended by excitement. On the front end, there's the rush of registering -- the planning and potential. On the back end, there's the thrill of finishing -- the motivation and medals. Both ends are events in their own right, and each is worthy of praise, enthusiasm, and cleverly worded Facebook posts. … Continue reading Halfway
Just A Little Farther
No matter how many miles I've logged, I'm still surprised by how hard running can be. Heavy legs. Fried brain. In completely over my head. I've been running over half my life. You'd think I'd be better at this by now, but I'm making it up as I go. Some miles are a struggle. I hit the mother … Continue reading Just A Little Farther
Not Always In Love
Few joys rival a pure runner's high -- the strength, the adrenaline, the power. One positive rush can propel a runner to greater speeds or distances, and make even most jaded athlete love the experience. But highs like that are rare and unpredictable, and the miles between them can be brutal. Bad runs turn into … Continue reading Not Always In Love
The Constant
You guys, I forgot my anniversary. It was a big one, too. Not in my relationship, not at my job, not a milestone after conquering an addiction, but my anniversary for this, right here with you. Two years ago I had a reawakening. January 15, 2013 was my first blog post of my first messy mile. It was … Continue reading The Constant
Fun Run
Runners love to wax poetic. A run is never just a run. Many runners (myself very much included) use running to cope, and we project our neuroses on to the road. The marathon symbolizes our journey. The hill symbolizes our personal obstacles. The bib number symbolizes our preordained lot in life...(just me on that one?) … Continue reading Fun Run
Through the Wall
Two weeks ago I ran the Portland Marathon, and it's taken me this long to make my peace with it. Despite all my training and planning, the race didn't go as I intended. By most measures, the race was not a success -- I started too fast, I didn't pace myself for the heat, and … Continue reading Through the Wall
Racing the Hare 