Four years ago I watched the women’s 2008 Olympic Marathon Trials race on television and, noting that a few of them were over the age of 40, thought maybe. Maybe. About six months later, when I ran a 3:19, I again thought maybe. Maybe. I embarked on the pursuit of a 2:46 marathon time, believing [...]
Filed under: elites, injury, inspiration, olympics, racing, travel | Tagged: 2012 olympic marathon trials, jaymee marty, ruth perkins, susan loken | 6 Comments »
This year was not about racing, training, injury or mileage. It was about survival, observation, change, trust and taking risks. I ended 2010 with some resolutions. I didn’t do half bad at sticking to them. With the exception of Facebook. January I started the year by attempting to let go of all plans and expectations. [...]
Filed under: coaching, eating, elites, everyday life, humor, injury, inspiration, ny harriers, olympics, podcast, racing, training | 1 Comment »
“how injured runners keep from going insane” Yes. I know. I’ve been there. We’ve all been there. Some of us for much, much longer than others. This is all I’ve got.
Filed under: elites, injury, inspiration | 1 Comment »
Jenny (Barringer) Simpson’s running résumé is so impressive that it’s difficult to choose among the highlights. A 2008 Olympian in the 3000m steeplechase, breaker of numerous collegiate records and one American record, and, most recently, gold medalist in the 1500m at worlds — the first American woman to win gold in that event since Mary [...]
Filed under: elites, injury, inspiration, meets, olympics, racing, shoes | 6 Comments »
I interviewed Shannon Rowbury at last year’s Fifth Avenue Mile. This year she was as gracious and candid as she was a year ago. Rowbury was on the comeback trail for virtually all of 2011 after struggling with injuries, which were a central topic in our conversation last year. Rowbury finished seventh in the 2011 [...]
Filed under: elites, injury, inspiration, olympics, racing | Tagged: fifth avenue mile, nyrr | Leave a Comment »
Sally Kipyego, 26, originally from Kapsowar, Kenya, established herself as a standout runner at Texas Tech, becoming the first runner to win three consecutive women’s titles in the NCAA Division 1 championships, among other collegiate distinctions. But you probably recognize her more recently as having won Silver in the 10K at Daegu. She’s something of [...]
Filed under: elites, inspiration, olympics, racing | Tagged: fifth avenue mile, nyrr | 2 Comments »
I’ve gotten faster in the last month or so. This is a fact that cannot be denied. For one thing, my recovery runs are now anywhere from 8:30-9:30 pace. Usually right around 9:00. I was heretofore running these at 10:00 or slower. For another, my trips around the track are taking me less time. Two [...]
Filed under: elites, inspiration, racing, training | 5 Comments »
When I think of the Japanese proverb “Fall down seven times, get up eight” I picture Lauren Fleshman. She gets injured, she slogs through injury recovery, she trains again, she runs fantastic races. Then she gets reinjured and the cycle begins anew. But she never gives up. And she always comes back. Fleshman has one [...]
Filed under: elites, injury, inspiration, reading | 9 Comments »
What happens when the race of your life is your life? You get something like Endure: Run. Woman. Show., a 360-degree meditation on marathoning as metaphor. Melanie Jones, the creative force behind this immersive theatre piece, which takes place in Prospect Park and its immediate environs, found me through the miracle of Google and invited [...]
Filed under: everyday life, humor, inspiration, music | 7 Comments »
[That's "happy trails" in Norwegian, at least according to Google Translate] What can you say about Grete Waitz? She was not only an inspiring talent, but she was one of running’s greatest ambassadors. There is a huge hole left in the world of running today. I will keep the bloviations to a minimum. That’ll be [...]
Filed under: elites, inspiration, movies, ny harriers | Tagged: fred lebow, grete waitz, mini 10K, new york marathon, nyrr | Leave a Comment »
