Sorry this blog title ended in a preposition, but I'm in the mood to save words, as you will see. Plus, "Something about Which to Think" sounds silly.
On NPR's program On the Media this week they aired the winning entries to a novel challenge. They had asked their listeners to submit a 12-word novel. You can see the winners here. The hosts of the show mentioned that many of their contestants included despair and death in their entries, and I find myself including the latter quite often.
So my challenge to you, as you are on a walk or run, in the shower, or washing the dishes, is to write your own 12-word novel. Please submit many entries to me, as they will make me smile and I will - maybe - give a prize to the winner. Hooray!
Here are some of mine:
Reading War and Peace will be the death of her one day.
Making peace with pink toenails, the mother and daughter laughed once again.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Slowpoke
This morning I did a tempo run, like all of the tempo runs I did during my marathon training, which ended just a few months ago. This time, however, I went MUCH slower. In April I could knock out several 10 or 20 minute repeats at 7:40 min/mile two times a week. This morning I struggled through 2 x 20 minutes with 1 minute rest at 8:20. Ugh. I blame it on the allergies.
Moral of the story: specificity is key. I don't mind running slowly now because I'm training for a race during which I will have to run slow. But I know that the next time I have to run quickly in a race (even during a marathon), doing many faster workouts really does make a difference.
Moral of the story: specificity is key. I don't mind running slowly now because I'm training for a race during which I will have to run slow. But I know that the next time I have to run quickly in a race (even during a marathon), doing many faster workouts really does make a difference.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Planning
Like most long-term athletes I plan. A lot. I plan my meals, my workouts, my races, and my recoveries. I also reflect, with the hope of planning better in the future. I keep journals of what I eat, what workouts I've done, and the private and public thoughts that I have (in a journal and on this blog, respectfully). But it's not just running I plan: since I like to have a busy schedule, I (feel as though) need to plan everything.
When I was in school the planning came so easily. I had a class schedule and crew practices already built in. My rest times came in the form of school vacations. Everything else was time for homework. Now, without school, I have no plan, and it's scary.
I have envied my friends who want to be doctors only because they know what they will be doing for the next seven years. I on the other hand, have every option in the world: I can live anywhere, work in any field, and participate in any activity I want. The only thing I have figured out is with whom I will do all of this stuff (which is arguably the hardest part for most people).
Joining the "real world" hasn't given me any career breakthroughs; I haven't yet found my passion. It has, however, led me to find qualities in my current job that I like and some that I don't.
What I like: using my intellect; helping people; learning; having a comfortable atmosphere; not working for The Man
What I don't like: talking to people all day; not being appreciated; doing mainly administrative (mindless) tasks; feeling as though I'm not growing; having to clock in and out
I have also realized that I want to have a career AND children, both preferably before I turn 30. Thus, I've recently turned my attention again towards graduate school with the hopes that I can go to school and have babies at the same time, then work. It can't be that hard...
When I was in school the planning came so easily. I had a class schedule and crew practices already built in. My rest times came in the form of school vacations. Everything else was time for homework. Now, without school, I have no plan, and it's scary.
I have envied my friends who want to be doctors only because they know what they will be doing for the next seven years. I on the other hand, have every option in the world: I can live anywhere, work in any field, and participate in any activity I want. The only thing I have figured out is with whom I will do all of this stuff (which is arguably the hardest part for most people).
Joining the "real world" hasn't given me any career breakthroughs; I haven't yet found my passion. It has, however, led me to find qualities in my current job that I like and some that I don't.
What I like: using my intellect; helping people; learning; having a comfortable atmosphere; not working for The Man
What I don't like: talking to people all day; not being appreciated; doing mainly administrative (mindless) tasks; feeling as though I'm not growing; having to clock in and out
I have also realized that I want to have a career AND children, both preferably before I turn 30. Thus, I've recently turned my attention again towards graduate school with the hopes that I can go to school and have babies at the same time, then work. It can't be that hard...
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
A Race Plan Update
A few months back, I had all sorts of races on my calender. That was before I began working on Saturdays at the running store and before it occurred to me how much each race (and lodging, transportation, etc.) costs, so things have since changed.
On Monday I officially entered the North Face Endurance Challenge's 50 mile event on September 6th. This is the race for which I've been training for almost two months now. It is my first 50 mile event, and while I'm nervous about all of the things that can go wrong during ultras (dehydration, hyponatremia, blisters...), I'm much more excited. The training has been fun - longer runs, more hill and strength work, and fewer speed workouts - and I think I am physiologically (and mentally) made for long races. Or at least I hope I am.
There is another race in my sights: 24 Hours of Momentum. It's a 24 hour race, which means competitors (who are either on teams or are running solo) run as many set loops as they can in 24 hours. It sounds like it will be almost a party-like atmosphere because all of the runners pass through an aid station, which is close to the cabins and tent area.
On Monday I officially entered the North Face Endurance Challenge's 50 mile event on September 6th. This is the race for which I've been training for almost two months now. It is my first 50 mile event, and while I'm nervous about all of the things that can go wrong during ultras (dehydration, hyponatremia, blisters...), I'm much more excited. The training has been fun - longer runs, more hill and strength work, and fewer speed workouts - and I think I am physiologically (and mentally) made for long races. Or at least I hope I am.
There is another race in my sights: 24 Hours of Momentum. It's a 24 hour race, which means competitors (who are either on teams or are running solo) run as many set loops as they can in 24 hours. It sounds like it will be almost a party-like atmosphere because all of the runners pass through an aid station, which is close to the cabins and tent area.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Bill Rodgers is My New Boyfriend (just kidding, dave)
Last Saturday I was giddy as a school girl, blushing and giggling while I waited to meet one of my running idols: Mr. Bill Rodgers.
For those of you who don't know of him (and you should be shot!), Boston Billy won the Boston Marathon and the New York Marathon four times each. He ran 28 marathons under 2:15 and set several American and world records. He also was one of the guys during the running boom that made it such an accessible sport for the masses. He still runs 25 races a year (none of them marathons) and is just an all-around nice guy.
Bill was in Richmond to help Thom and us Road Runner employees celebrate the 25th anniversary of the store. He signed autographs, chatted, and ran some short runs with employees and fans alike. I got a chance to talk to him a bunch about running and life and even got to run three miles with him. While he was signing my latest marathon medal he was telling me, "You know, it took me about five marathons to really get comfortable with the distance." I wanted to shout, "Bill Fucking Rodgers is talking to me like we're on the same level! Ahhh!" (That's me screaming like a Beatles fan.)
That evening, after work, Thom had employees, family, and friends over to his house for a cookout. We had a great time, although it was quite chilly for Richmond in June. It was nice to have everyone together outside of work. And I got to "cheers" Bill with a beer. Ahhh! (More screaming).
Thanks, Dave, for letting me talk about it obsessively. I'm done now.
For those of you who don't know of him (and you should be shot!), Boston Billy won the Boston Marathon and the New York Marathon four times each. He ran 28 marathons under 2:15 and set several American and world records. He also was one of the guys during the running boom that made it such an accessible sport for the masses. He still runs 25 races a year (none of them marathons) and is just an all-around nice guy.
Bill was in Richmond to help Thom and us Road Runner employees celebrate the 25th anniversary of the store. He signed autographs, chatted, and ran some short runs with employees and fans alike. I got a chance to talk to him a bunch about running and life and even got to run three miles with him. While he was signing my latest marathon medal he was telling me, "You know, it took me about five marathons to really get comfortable with the distance." I wanted to shout, "Bill Fucking Rodgers is talking to me like we're on the same level! Ahhh!" (That's me screaming like a Beatles fan.)
That evening, after work, Thom had employees, family, and friends over to his house for a cookout. We had a great time, although it was quite chilly for Richmond in June. It was nice to have everyone together outside of work. And I got to "cheers" Bill with a beer. Ahhh! (More screaming).
Thanks, Dave, for letting me talk about it obsessively. I'm done now.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The God Question: Running
As my worldview has shifted over the course of my life, I often look to nature to help me answer my philosophical questions. And thanks to running and cycling, I spend more time in natural surroundings than most. While it is true that this is a running blog, running intersects with everything else in my life to warrent a little discussion about what dominates my thoughts on those runs.
I have never, nor do I now, question nature's beauty. Even when hurricanes pummel the coasts or thunderstorms knock out power, nature is beautiful and awe-inspiring (and the resulting loss of life and property is equally terrible). But just because there is a force greater than humanity that is arguably more beautiful than anything human hands can create, does not automatically mean that there is a greater being - God - designing it all. Rather, what God would choose seemingly-random acts of violence to kill people, most of whom pray to Him/Her? (If you believe Rev. John Hagee, whose endorsement John McCain actively sought, then Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for New Orleans' specifically-homosexual sins.)
My point is that belief in God is not a prerequesite for finding beauty in one's surroundings (nor is it a prerequisite for being kind or searching for fulfillment). A skeptic or an athiest may actually find more beauty. How? They do not need to invent a reason to explain why things happen: beauty can just be beauty (and kindness and just be kindness) for its own sake. There does not have to be a justification: a hurricane can shape, destroy, and build, and it's just a part of the natural order. The beautiful natural order.
I have never, nor do I now, question nature's beauty. Even when hurricanes pummel the coasts or thunderstorms knock out power, nature is beautiful and awe-inspiring (and the resulting loss of life and property is equally terrible). But just because there is a force greater than humanity that is arguably more beautiful than anything human hands can create, does not automatically mean that there is a greater being - God - designing it all. Rather, what God would choose seemingly-random acts of violence to kill people, most of whom pray to Him/Her? (If you believe Rev. John Hagee, whose endorsement John McCain actively sought, then Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for New Orleans' specifically-homosexual sins.)
My point is that belief in God is not a prerequesite for finding beauty in one's surroundings (nor is it a prerequisite for being kind or searching for fulfillment). A skeptic or an athiest may actually find more beauty. How? They do not need to invent a reason to explain why things happen: beauty can just be beauty (and kindness and just be kindness) for its own sake. There does not have to be a justification: a hurricane can shape, destroy, and build, and it's just a part of the natural order. The beautiful natural order.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Life Partners Unite!
I'm pleased to announce that David Jones - the one, the only - has begun his own blog. Please comment, using profanity if possible, here: Identical Genitals.
In a related note, Dave recently passed off to me his most recent read, titled God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. It is written by the outspoken atheist (and guest on my favorite show, Real Time with Bill Maher). Not only are his sentences incredibly dense and rife with literary and historical references, which I love, but he has given voice to feelings I've had my whole life.
I was raised an Episcopalian, but I attended church more often on my own as a college student. I even helped found the Episcopal Student Group at Brown when I was a senior. Despite my weekly presence at mass (a reflection of a need to fit in and my throw-myself-into-whatever-I'm-doing attitude more than my religious devotion), I never believed in the Biblical stories. Nor did I have an easy time reconciling evil and sadness with God's supposed omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience, and goodness. Anyway, if you've ever questioned your religious beliefs, as we all have, I would recommend this book. More on this subject, and how it related to running, later...
In a related note, Dave recently passed off to me his most recent read, titled God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. It is written by the outspoken atheist (and guest on my favorite show, Real Time with Bill Maher). Not only are his sentences incredibly dense and rife with literary and historical references, which I love, but he has given voice to feelings I've had my whole life.
I was raised an Episcopalian, but I attended church more often on my own as a college student. I even helped found the Episcopal Student Group at Brown when I was a senior. Despite my weekly presence at mass (a reflection of a need to fit in and my throw-myself-into-whatever-I'm-doing attitude more than my religious devotion), I never believed in the Biblical stories. Nor did I have an easy time reconciling evil and sadness with God's supposed omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience, and goodness. Anyway, if you've ever questioned your religious beliefs, as we all have, I would recommend this book. More on this subject, and how it related to running, later...
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Inspiration
One of the most challengling things about running, I think, is managing to keep oneself inspired throughout a long training season or, like most runners, through the ups and downs of fitting running into normal life. The workouts themselves are not the hard part. The hard part is getting out the door in the morning in the dark and cold or coming home after work and watching Oprah while lifting weights rather than while sitting one's ass.
There are various motivation methods for us running mortals: some people run with a training group; others sign up for nearly weekly races; still others have weight loss goals to work towards. I am still figuring out what works for me, even after ten years.
When I was in high school and college, belonging to a team and racing three seasons a year was enough for me. I had people counting on me to be at practice, and the coaches dictated our workouts. Post-school, just as in the "real world", those automatic motivators disappeared. Suddenly I was on my own without a plan.
I decided to run a marathon. "Okay," I thought, "I'll just throw myself into this," so I trained hard for six months and finished the race. After a year of directionless workouts I decided to run another marathon, this time with a more specific training plan. Ta-da. It was over. Then I decided to run a 50-mile race, which is what I'm training for now.
So now I must find a way to keep myself going until the race in September (and beyond), which brings me to my new discovery. There is apparently a summer track series in Richmond (duh). Track races for grown-ups - how cool! They meet once a week and hold relay events, and it's only $2. So starting in June, I might have to bust out a throw back 1000m or distance medley relay.
There are various motivation methods for us running mortals: some people run with a training group; others sign up for nearly weekly races; still others have weight loss goals to work towards. I am still figuring out what works for me, even after ten years.
When I was in high school and college, belonging to a team and racing three seasons a year was enough for me. I had people counting on me to be at practice, and the coaches dictated our workouts. Post-school, just as in the "real world", those automatic motivators disappeared. Suddenly I was on my own without a plan.
I decided to run a marathon. "Okay," I thought, "I'll just throw myself into this," so I trained hard for six months and finished the race. After a year of directionless workouts I decided to run another marathon, this time with a more specific training plan. Ta-da. It was over. Then I decided to run a 50-mile race, which is what I'm training for now.
So now I must find a way to keep myself going until the race in September (and beyond), which brings me to my new discovery. There is apparently a summer track series in Richmond (duh). Track races for grown-ups - how cool! They meet once a week and hold relay events, and it's only $2. So starting in June, I might have to bust out a throw back 1000m or distance medley relay.
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