All Consuming

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

Exit Strategy

I’m training for a marathon again – my first since injuring my foot in 2019 – which means it’s time to make a plan.  Marathons don’t happen by accident nor by chance. 26.2 is a deeply intentional distance, and preparing for the race requires a combination of science, superstition, logic, preference and luck. To date … Continue reading Exit Strategy

Unimpressive

I’ve never met a problem I can’t outwork. .. Challenging deadline? Pour some coffee and buckle down. Committee needs a volunteer? Sign me up. Fitness starting to slip? Register for another marathon. ... When I injured my foot two years ago, I channeled that pain into rehabilitation. Weekend long runs were replaced by diligent lap … Continue reading Unimpressive

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

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

The Optimist

I don't consider myself an optimist. Chipper affirmations are usually met with a wince and a heavy amount of side-eye. What may be intended as positivity is received as trite, simplistic, and belittling. Oh you have a problem? Chin up, sunshine. Everything happens for a reason.  Life doesn't just work out because we smile and … Continue reading The Optimist