No. I'll pass. Thanks, but no thanks. If you were planning on inviting me to try that new restaurant, or join you at a new weightlifting class, or taste this delicious new recipe you invented, the answer is no. The marathon is next weekend, and I'm taking no risks. I'm as boring and predictable as … Continue reading No Alarms. No Surprises.
Time Takes Time
I had a plan. I had a spreadsheet. I'd prepared a schedule with the right balance of strength and speed, rest and rigor. It was perfect. By the day of the marathon, I'd be the strongest I've ever been. Life never works out so nicely. Excluded from my spreadsheet was a root canal, a strained … Continue reading Time Takes Time
I’m Not Running for You
We need to talk about cat calling. It's never a compliment, and it's never okay. Ever. Everyone understand? Great. I was running by myself this weekend. Up the block I saw a man walking toward me. My stranger danger kicked in, and I jogged to the other side of the street. Nothing unusual to this … Continue reading I’m Not Running for You
One Size Does Not Fit All
There's a lovely running store near my office -- locally owned, knowledgeable staff, and to top it off they sponsor many area races. It's exactly the type of establishment any runner wants in their community. I walked in recently, ready and excited to give them my business. The store was filled with attractive running apparel … Continue reading One Size Does Not Fit All
Mixing It Up
Racing is made up of lines -- starting lines, finish lines, point-to-point courses. But training for a marathon is anything but linear. Four weeks ago I completed a half marathon. Logically speaking, this means I'm halfway there for marathon training, right? Wrong. While it may have been tempting to use the 13.1 mile race as a launchpad … Continue reading Mixing It Up
Progress Not Perfection
Yesterday I completed my eighth half marathon. It was fantastic. I was passed by senior citizens. I was passed by speed walkers. I was passed by pregnant women (and therefore passed by fetuses). The race was an enormous success. In true tortoise fashion, I ran slowly and steadily. I came in with a plan, and … Continue reading Progress Not Perfection
Cheering Section
Being sore after a race is expected. Aches? Blisters? They're about as mandatory and medals and free t-shirts. Today I achieved a first -- I managed to leave a race sore without even running. My throat hurts from cheering. My hands hurt from clapping. My cheeks hurt from smiling. A loved one completed a community 10k, and I was completely swept … Continue reading Cheering Section
I Am the Tortoise
Everyone loves a fast runner. We give them medals. We give them money. We buy magazines to read interviews with Usain Bolt or Kara Goucher. Aesop taught us that slow and steady wins the race, but all evidence points to the contrary.But that doesn't mean that only the fast are welcome. Running is open to … Continue reading I Am the Tortoise
Take Two
I said I wouldn't do another. Training was brutal, and once was enough. I lost sleep. I lost toenails. I lost touch with friends. For half a year, I did nothing but work, eat, and run. Completing the 2011 Twin Cities Marathon ranks among my proudest moments, but it came at a cost. So I thought … Continue reading Take Two
Friendly Reminder: Be Nice
If you've participated in any type of community race, you've run amongst tutus. They're everywhere. They're silly, they're festive, they mask imperfect butts and thighs. A little childish? Sure. A bit stupid? Perhaps. But deserving of nationwide ridicule? Of course not. A good reason to mock someone who has cancer and runs a nonprofit? Hellllllllll no. … Continue reading Friendly Reminder: Be Nice
Racing the Hare 