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 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

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